Gary Pierce, 54
Services will be held Friday for Attorney Gary Pierce, 54, who died Monday, June 7, 1999, at Solon St. Luke's Medical Center in Solon following an apparent heart attack. Born Feb. 9, 1945 in DuBois, Pa., he was the son of Paul and Betty (Hindman) Pierce. He was a Hiram resident from 1965 until 1991, when he moved to Mantua Township. He grew up in Louisville, and was a graduate of Louisville High School. He was a 1967 graduate of Hiram College, received a Rockefeller Fellowship from Union Theological Seminary in 1968, earned a master's degree from Ohio University in 1969 and his law degree in 1978 from the University of Akron. Mr. Pierce was a partner in the Aurora law firm of Christley, Herington & Pierce since 1979, and had served as managing partner form 1992-96. He had served as village solicitor for Hiram since 1984 and also was active in Democratic Party politics. Prior to beginning his law practice, he was an administrator at Hiram College, serving as associated dean from 1972-74 and as dean of students from 1974-79. He also was an adjunct professor, teaching law, at Hiram College from 1969-93 and Kent State University from 1990-95. State Sen. Leigh Herington, a law partner, said Mr. Pierce "had a simple and powerful message - treat people fairly and honestly, and you will be successful." Herington said Mr. Pierce was eclectic, multidimensional yet quiet and had a sense of humor that helped to keep the law firm together. "On one hand he would counsel, and he would laugh at himself on the other," he said. "He was really a great friend. There is no way we'll replace him." Mr. Pierce had served the village of Hiram as solicitor for 15 years and also had served on Hiram Village Council for four years. "He was always very caring of Hiram affairs," Hiram Mayor Monica Fratus said. "He was not a person to do just the work he had to do. He always went that extra mile. He had a terrific sense of humor, and he was a very special person." In addition to his professional work, Mr. Pierce was active in Portage County Democratic politics. He had been a member of the Portage County Democratic Central Committee since 1986 and sought his party's nomination for county prosecutor in 1994. Mr. Pierce was a member of the Portage County Bar Association, the Ohio Bar Association and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers and a past member of the Portage County Jail Committee. He was an executive committee member of the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys and was the lead lawyer of NEOLA, an organization that develops policies for school districts. Mr. Pierce was part-time pastor of Freedom Congregational Church in 1965-66 and of Randolph Christian Church in 1966-67. He was residence director at Ohio University in 1968-69 and was director of men's residence halls at Hiram College in 1969-70. He was a former chairman of the board of directors of the Portage County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Survivors include his wife, Christina A.; son, Ronald Thomas of Cleveland; daughters, Allyson (Eric) Gray of Wooster, Tanya (Russ) Brady of Mantua, Lisa Evans of Seattle, and Charlotte Thomas of Cleveland; two grandchildren; mother, Betty Pierce of Louisville; and sisters, Debra Johnston of Louisville, Delores Hann of McLean, Va., and Paulet Lingenfelter of Portage, Ind. His father, Paul died in 1997. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Green's Funeral Home, S.R. 44 at Pioneer Trail, Mantua. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Hiram Christian Church, 6868 Wakefield Road, Hiram, with the Rev. Thomas Niccolls, the Rev. Joel Cochran and the Rev. Robert Bowen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hiram. Memorials may be made to Hiram College.

Hulda Miller, 93
Hulda S. Miller, 93, of Kent Quality Care Nursing Center, who was a longtime resident of South Lincoln Street in Kent, died Friday, May 28, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a period of failing health. Born Oct. 13, 1905 in Sebring, she was the daughter of the late William and Minnie Schreckengost. She graduated from Kent State High School and Kent State Normal School. She taught third grade for several years in Brimfield and Randolph prior to her marriage to Roy Miller. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Kent, where she was active in her Circle and Sunday school class. She also was active in the Kent Woman's Club, Mothersingers and Kelso House of Brimfield. She was involved with Happy Day School, serving as president of the Mothers Group. Mrs. Miller, who was known affectionately as "Grumpy" by family and friends, will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her beautiful soprano voice, her service to others, her late night sewing projects and her homemade pies. Survivors include her daughters, Cherie Miller and Gloria (George) Perrine; and grandchildren, Anne and Lisa Perrine, all of Dover, N.H. Her Roy E., to whom she was married 59 years, died previously. Her brothers, Merle and Eugene Schreckengost, and sisters, Effie Byrne, Marge Rufener and Martha Fox, also died previously. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Wesley Chapel of the United Methodist Church of Kent, with the Rev. Kay Dunlap officiating. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main St., Kent; Happy Day School, 2500 Brady Lake Road, Ravenna, or to the Brimfield Memorial House (Kelso House) Association Endowment Fund, c/o Akron Community Foundation, Suite 830, 159 S. Main St., Akron, 44308-1318.

GeralDean Harlan, 71
SHALERSVILLE - GeralDean J. (Rice) Harlan, 71, died Friday, May 7, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Thursday, Jan. 5, 1928 in Shalersville, she was the daughter of Gerald and Aubrey (Horner) Stamm. She was a life-long Shalersville resident. Mrs. Harlan was a bus driver for the Crestwood School District for 26 years until she retired in 1994. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary No. 1055 in Ravenna. Survivors include her sons, Clifford Rice of Shalersville and Dalhart Harlan Jr. of Freedom; daughters, Wendella Burkhart of Freedom, Darlene Ross of Brady Lake and Jacqueline Peppeard of Ravenna; 10 grandchildren; brother, Nolan Stamm; and sisters, Nola Finch of Rootstown and Giralda Krajcik of Mansfield. Her husbands died previously, Wendell Rice in 1950, and Dalhart Harlan in 1982. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, where burial will follow, with the Rev. Ron Lanham officiating.

Helen Krutz, 89
Helen M. Krutz, 89, of Pennsylvania, the mother of former Robinson Memorial Hospital president Robert Krutz, died Sunday, June 6, 1999, at Washington Hospital in Pennsylvania. Born Aug. 2, 1909, she was the daughter of Omer and Elizabeth Fox. She was a resident of Charleroi, Pa., before moving to the assisted care facility of the Presbyterian Medical Center in Washington, Pa., in 1988. Mrs. Krutz was a member of Charleroi Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her son, Robert C. (Sandra) of Aurora; grandchildren, David Robert of Canton, and Deborah Ann of Stow; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, Anthony F., whom she married May 22, 1929, died Jan. 31, 1972. Services will be held Thursday at the Presbyterian Medical Center in Washington and Friday in Charleroi. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Medical Center, 835 S. Main St., Washington, Pa. 15301.

Michael Knapp, 50
Michael A. Knapp, 50, of Ravenna, died Monday June 7, 1999. Born April 19, 1949 in Ravenna, he was the son of Sylvan J., Sr. and Margaret (Wise) Knapp. He was a Rootstown resident all of his life. Mr. Knapp most recently worked as a concrete fabricator in Portage County. He was a U.S. Army veteran and had previously attended St. Peter of the Fields Church in Rootstown. Survivors include his son, Keith M. of Ravenna; sister, Judy (Gary) Weeks of Ravenna; half-brother, Sylvan J., Jr. of Ravenna; and half-sister, Ruth Hall of Maitland, Fla. His parents, brother, David, and sister, Becky Knapp, died previously. There will be no calling hours. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown, with the Rev. David Misbrener officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Dewayne Sullivan, 67
MANTUA - Dewayne G. Sullivan, 67, died Tuesday June 8, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, after a long illness. Born Oct. 24, 1931 in Armstrong County, Pa., he was the son of Herbert and Alberta (Watt) Sullivan. He had been a resident of the Mantua-Shalersville area since 1966. Mr. Sullivan was a salvage repairman at the Ford Motor Company Walton Hills Stamping Plant for 30 years until he retired in 1994. He was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was a member of the 7th Calvary Regiment that received the Presidential Unit Citation. He also received a Bronze Service Star. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church in Apollo, Pa. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, baseball and feeding birds at his home. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary (DelleDonne) at home; son, Michael (Andrea) of St. Clairsville; daughter, Debra (Brian) Hart of Streetsboro; one grandchild; brothers, Leverne of Franklinville, N.C., Robert J. Carney of Apollo, Pa., Beryl Carney of Vandergrift, Pa.; sister, Margaret Mikalakis of Howland. His brother, William, died in 1970. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Dunmire-Kerr Funeral Home in Vandergrift. Services will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Apollo, with burial to follow. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Society.

James Gearhart, 93
BRIMFIELD - James E. Gearhart, 93, died June 6, 1999, at Akron General Medical Center in Akron after a short illness. Born Aug. 17, 1905 in Brady Township, Pa., he was the son of George and Mary (Beam) Gearhart. He lived most of his life in Granpian, Pennsylvania, coming to Brimfield in March 1997 to reside with his daughter, Carol (Dallas) Ferrel. In addition to Mrs. Ferrel, he is survived by his daughters Joyce Jones of Norfolk, Va., Danielle (Richard) Hoover of Manitoba, Canada; and Norma (Donald) Bilger and Vicki (John) Mahlon, both of Granpian, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; brothers John (Edith) of Brimfield and Jacob of Slump Creek, Pa.; and sister, Kathryn Bennett of New Life, Ohio. His wife of 56 years, Dorothy V. (Bennett); one grandchild; one great-grandchild and eight siblings died previously. Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 today at Chidbody Funeral Home in Curwensville, Pa. Services will be held at 1 a.m. Thursday at the Bible Fellowship Church at Chestnut Grove, Pa. with visitation two hours prior to the service. Memorials may be made to First Freedom Baptist Church, 2171 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield.

Dr. Charles Kirk, 82
Dr. Charles F. Kirk, 82, of Sun City, Ariz., who taught at Kent State University for 36 years until he retired, died Monday, June 7, 1999 at Sun Health Hospice. Born in Steubenville, he moved to Arizona from Kent in 1977. Dr. Kirk was a professor of romance languages and literature at KSU for 36 years. He earned his doctorate and master's degree from The Ohio State University and his undergraduate degree from Wooster College. He attended the Church of the Palms in Sun City. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Leona M., of Sun City, Ariz.; son, Bruce of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Charla Paulus of Massillon; and five grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Palms, 14808 Boswell Blvd., Sun City. Arrangements were made by Sunland Mortuary in Sun CIty. Memorials may be made to charity.

Howard Burlingame, 75
A memorial service will be held Saturday for Howard C. Burlingame, 75, of Kent, who died Tuesday, May 11, 1999, at the Hospice Care Center in Fairlawn. He was born Feb. 28, 1924 in Hartford, Conn. Mr. Burlingame spent many years in broadcasting business, including serving as news director at at WSLR radio. He also worked at Eagle Plastics in Stow after retiring. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He also was in the U.S. Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard until he retired as a MSG from the Army. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4738 and the American Legion Post No. 496 in Kent. An accomplished baton twirler, he won many trophies and medals. He also enjoyed playing guitar and banjo. Survivors include his wife, Belva; daughters, Laura Boston of Washington, Jenny (Kent) Rasmussen of Utah, Margaret (Ron) Graham of Idaho; stepchildren, Ed Hardy of Chillicothe, Jolyn (Rick) Brenn of Cuyahoga Falls and DeLena Hardy at home; nine grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; brother, William of Connecticut; and sisters, Catherine Seddon of Connecticut and Ann Sheehan of Massachusetts. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church in Kent.

Richard Faix, 48
Richard D. Faix, 48, of Phoenx, Ariz., died Saturday, June 5, 1999, in Phoenix. Mr. Faix was the son of Donald and Dorothy (Rawlins) Faix of Hiram. In addition to his parents, survivors include his sons, Patrick and Christopher, both of Phoenix; brother, Michael (Deborah) of Strongsville, Ill.; and sisters, Suzanne (Laurence) Schroeder of Raleigh, N.C., Charlotte (Donald) Wilson of North Royalton, Donna (Larry) Price of Ravenna, Madeline (Robert) Barger of Medina and Patricia (Matthew) Howard of Erie, Ill. A memorial Mass will be celebrateed at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Mantua, with the Rev. Thomas McCarthy officiating. Arrangements were made by A.L. Moore Grimshaw Bethany Chapel in Phoenix. Memorials may be made to Richard D. Faix Children's Memorial Fund, Huntington National Bank, Strongsville Branch, 13866 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio, 44136, attention Loretta Stanton.

Virginia Willis, 76
Virginia E. WIllis, 76, of Kent, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999 at Kent Quality Care. Born Aug. 7, 1922 in Willoughby, she was the daughter of Ralph and Mydah (Allen) Perrin. Formerly of Kirtland, she had lived in Kent for the last nine years. Mrs. Willis had worked for Lake West Hospital as the chief admitting officer. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Kent, president of the Tower 43 Association and a member of the Grange. Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Richard) Dorr of Kent; and three grandchildren. Her husband, Harland, died in 1991. Cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mentor Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Kent United Church of Christ, 1427 Horning Road, Kent, 44240.

Edward Masters, 83
Edward L. Masters, 83, of Sun City West, Ariz., a retired Kent State University music professor who was a soloist with the U.S. Marine Corps Band, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at Sun Health Hospice Residence in Peoria, Ariz. He was born Nov. 29, 1915 in Charleston, S.C. Mr. Masters was a music professor at Kent State University in Kent where he retired in 1979. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean War, attaining the rank of master sergeant, he was cornet soloist with the U.S. Marine Corps Band in Washington, D.C., from 1933 to 1954. He was elected to the American Bandmasters Association in 1968 and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Pi Kappa Lambda. He was a member of the silvercraft and lapidary clubs of Sun City West and the West Valley Amateur Radio Club. Survivors include his wife, Lois K. of Sun City West; daughters, Pamela M. Haefer of Tempe, Ariz. and Ellen M. White of Norfolk, Va.; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Camino Del Sol Funeral Home in Sun City West. Memorials may be made to charity.

John J. West, 81
John Joseph West, 81, of Cutler Lane, Hudson, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at Hospice Care Center in Fairlawn. Born June 14, 1917 in Sheldon, Iowa, he was the son of Albert R. and Mary Ellen (Hart) West. Mr. West worked for the Edward Hines Lumber Co. in St. Charles and later was an independent lumber trader. He retired in 1982. He was an U.S. 5th Air Force veteran of World War II. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the St. Charles Country Club. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Jane (Davis), to whom he had been married for 58 years; son, John (Eileen) of Stow; daughter, Martha (Mark) Jenkins of Hudson; and four grandchildren. His granddaughter, Cathryn, and sister, Evelyn Falbe, died previously. Private services have been held at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, with the Rev. Steve Brunovsky officiating. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Vernial Yost, 83
Vernial "Bumpa" Yost, 83, a former Rootstown and Ravenna resident, died Sunday, May 23, 1999, at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland. Born June 26, 1916 in Cleveland, he had lived in Ravenna for three years.He formerly lived in Rootstown for more than 20 years. Mr. Yost was a retired machinist for Black and Decker of Solon. Survivors include his daughter, LaVerne Marrero of Cleveland: and grandchildren, Dawn Jones of Ravenna and Enrique Linares of Cleveland. His wife, Hazel "Anne" (Sykes) died previously. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday atCrown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Nunn-Coleman Funeral Home, 4344 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, is handling arrangements.

Gale Davis, 77
Gale Davis, 77, of Kent, died Tuesday, June 8, 1999. Born May 31, 1922 in West County, W. Va., he was the son of James and Emma (Tucker) Davis. He had lived in Kent for 58 years. He had retired from Ver-Dick Construction in Stow. He was a 50-year member of Local No. 639. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the 945th Field Artillery Battalion. He was an avid golfer and bowler and enjoyed trailering and camping. Survivors include his wife, Norma Jane (Whitefield), to whom he was married 56 years; daughter, Debbie (Frank) Chanowski of Tallmadge; two grandchildren; brothers, Gordon (Betty) of California and Marvin (Roberta) of North Carolina; and sisters, Elva Wildman of West Virginia and Garnet (Clayburn) Hanna. His son, John J., died in 1968. Private services will be held for the family. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel. Memorials may be made to charity.

Ruth Booth
Former Windham resident Ruth Booth died Wednesday, June 9, 1999, in Utah. Arrangements will be announced by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Leonard Paquett, 64
ATWATER - Leonard P. Paquett, 64, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Services will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel.

Carl Heritage, 86
Carl Heritage, 86, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, June 9, 1999 at Maison Aine Care Center in Stow. Services will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Antonette Filomena
Antonette "Ann" Filomena, 86, of Elno Avenue in Kent, died Friday, June 11, 1999, at her home. Born Oct. 18, 1912, in Wellsville, she was the daughter of Adolph and Marie (Sarangelo) DelMonte. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church. Survivors include her son, Tony (Donna) of Kent; daughters, Mary Ann (Al) Brode of Ravenna, Betty "Tootsie" (Jim) Russell of Kent; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Joseph, died in 1994. Brothers Ralph, Frank, Albert; sisters, Angeline Monte and Victoria Armocida, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Church. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.