Pearl Gardner, 79
GARRETTSVILLE - Pearl E. Gardner, 79, of North Street, died at home Monday, Jan. 24, 2000, of cancer. Born Jan. 8, 1921 in Brittain, she was the daughter of Chancey D. and Hattie (Haights) Dickerhoof. Formerly of Wayland, she moved to Garrettsville eight years ago. Mrs. Gardner retired in 1986 after 11 years as a cook at Southeast Schools. She was active at the Garretthouse in Garrettsville organizing activities and taxiing. She enjoyed ceramics and many other hobbies. Survivors include her son, Richard of Garrettsville; daughters, Donna (Donald) Craver of Garrettsville, Luella Bika of Akron, Barbara (Earl) Quinn of Wayland and Judy (Jay) Sprague of Warren; 21 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Donald Dickerhoof of Ravenna. Her husband, Joseph O. Gardner, whom she married Aug. 14, 1937, died Dec. 24, 1979. Her brothers, Glenn and Robert; and sister, Dorothy Sheppard, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Paris.

Eileen Gavit, 73
MANTUA - Eileen M. Gavit, 73, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born July 20, 1926, in Maple Heights, she was the daughter of Russell and Elizabeth (Gruber) Raker. She had been a Mantua resident since 1946. Mrs. Gavit worked 14 years at Lakeside Nursing Home in Mantua as a nurses' aide. She retired in 1991 from Technicare in Solon where she was an assembler. Mrs. Gavit was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua. Survivors include her son, Joe, (Carolyn) of Mantua; daughters, Lois (Chuck) Eisele of Shalersville, Marie (Michael) Bucher of Ashville, N.C., and Barb Hoffman of Solon; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. and brothers, John (Kay) Raker of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and Bill (Sally) Raker of Medina. Her husband, Louis J., died in 1959. A son, Louis Jr., daughter, Frances, and brother, Fred, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mantua, with the Rev. Thomas McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township. Memorials may be made to Robinson Memorial Hospital Visiting Nurse and Hospice.

Walter Ames Jr., 76
Walter Ames Jr., 76, of Ravenna, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000 at his home. Born Feb. 28, 1923 in Langville, Pa., he was the son of Walter J. Sr. and Ethel (Doverspike) Ames. A Ravenna resident since 1956, he spent his youth in Pennsylvania. Mr. Ames was a lumberman, traveling extensively through the U.S. and Canada to locate the species of trees necessary for special architectural millwork and industrial use. He had been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna since 1956, serving on various committees over the years. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1947. He was raised a Master Mason in Unity Masonic Lodge No. 12 in Ravenna on March 2, 1959. He served as worshipful master in 1967, exalted in Tyrian Chapter No. 91; greeted in Akron Council No. 80; knighted in Akron Commandry No. 25; D.D.G.M. of the 25th District from 1970 through 1972; member of Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 46; appointed grand representative to the Grand Lodge of Italy; member of R.O.S.; member R.O.J. No. 80; ambassador of Tadmor Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; received the Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry, Valley of Canton in 1959; received the Meritorious Service Award, Valley of Canton, which was presented by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in 1970; was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33rd Degree, member of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R on Sept. 26, 1973 in Detroit. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine F. (Caylor), whom he married in August 1947; son, Jerry W.; daughter, Susan L. Kunkel of St. Marys, Pa.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where a Masonic service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ringgold (Pa.) United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Langville, Pa., Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, 3000 Krebs Drive, Akron, 44319.

Kurtis Krebs, 9
Kurtis Dean Krebs, 9, of Fredericksburg, Ohio, who had relatives in the Portage area, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2000, after a long battle with neuroblastoma cancer. Born Aug. 11, 1990 in Cleveland, he was the son of Kenneth R. and Sherry B. Glenn Krebs. Kurtis was a student in the TriWay School District at Franklin Elementary School. He was a member of the Junior Ohio Holstein Association. Survivors include his parents, Kenneth R. and Sherry B. (Glenn) of Fredericksburg; sister, Kassandra Rae, at home; grandparents, Dean and Carolyn Glenn of Butler Township, and Ray and Linda Krebs of Streetsboro; and great-grandmother, Irene Lawrence of Ashland. Calling hours will be Thursday from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Van Hove Funeral Home, 308 Claremont Ave., Ashland. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Southview Grace Brethren Church, with the Rev. Larry Edwards officiating. Burial will be in Adario Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society, care of Children's Hospital of Akron, 1 Perkins Square, Akron, 44308.

OIga Geisinger, 88
BRIMFIELD - Olga Geisinger, 88, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2000. She was the daughter of Peter and Maria Kolesar and had lived for many years in the Brimfield area. Survivors include her sons, Jerome Sr. and Dennis; daughter, Gwendolyn Begin; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Carl Kolesar; and sister, Esther Reinker. Her husband, Wilbur, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Dunn-Quigley Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 3333 Kent Road, Stow, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. William F. Camp officiating. Entombment will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Justine Coddington, 70
Justine M. Coddington, 70, of 619 Ophelia Rd., Newton Falls, died Monday Jan. 24 at St. Josephs Hospital in Warren. Born July 10, 1929 in Warren, she was the daughter of John and Josephine (Frankie) Ronyak. She had lived in the area for 55 years. Mrs. Coddington was a Catholic, a leader of the Campfire, and was on the Trumbull County Board of Elections. She graduated from the Newton Falls school system and attended Warren Business College. She enjoyed gardening. Survivors include her son, Wilbur E. Jr. of Newton Falls; daughters, Marcia (Richard) Post of Hartford, Monica (Ernest) Lewis of Newton Falls, Laura (Dennis) Holko of Mecca; sisters, Patricia Thompson of Warren, Margaret Spletzer of Newton Falls; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, Wilbur E., whom she married Feb. 23 1949, died April 9, 1995, and her brother, Johnny Ronyak died Jan. 3, 2000. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Trumbull County, or to the Kidney Foundation.

Kattie Bailey, 48
SHALERSVILLE - Kattie Bailey, 48, of Shalersville, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000, at her home. Services will be announced by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel.

J. Dwight Quesenberry, 76
J. Dwight Quesenberry, 76, formerly of Ravenna, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born Jan. 2, 1924, in Indian Valley, Va., he was the son of Andrew and Roweena Quesenberry. Mr. Quesenberry spent many years as a union labor worker in the Ravenna area. He made his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the past 30 years. Mr. Quesenberry was a direct descendant of Capt. J.P. Quesenberry, who led many battles in the Civil War around the Richmond, Va., area. He was a decorated veteran of World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Survivors include daughters, Shirley (Donald) Basham of Ravenna, and Sherri Wachi of West Covina, Calif.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; and sister, Pearl Morton of Colorado. Burial will be in the J.P. Quesenberry Cemetery in Indian Valley, Va.

Mazel Simpkins, 75
Mazel M. Simpkins, 75, of Tallmadge, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at Essex Healthcare of Tallmadge following a brief illness. Born March 25, 1924 in Beckley, W.Va., she was the daughter of Hagen and Lona (Gibson) Smith. She was formerly of the Stow and Cambridge areas and had lived in the Portage County area for one year. She had attended Stow High School. Mrs. Simpkins worked at Hamilton Beach in Byesville, Ohio, for 22 until she retired. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2901. She enjoyed stockcar racing. Survivors include her daughters, Sharon (Charles) Chidester of Windham and Harlene Wagner of Tallmadge; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth (Cynthia) Smith of Stow and Eugene (Rita) Smith of Mogadore and sister, Earles Toth of Stow. Her husband, Leon, two sons, two daughters, brothers, Gifford and Glen Smith and sister, Hazel Knox, died previously. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Monday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home in Ravenna. The Rev. Carl Honeycutt will officiate. Burial will be in Stow Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family.

William Phipps Jr., 48
William "Bill" Wallace Phipps Jr., 48, of Conneaut, a former Windham resident, died with his traveling companion, Janet Edel-Buczyk, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, in a tractor-trailer accident in Fayette County, Texas. Born May 19, 1951 in Windham, he was the son of William Wallace Sr. and Shirley (Lewis) Phipps. He also had been a resident of Beaufort, N.C. He was a graduate of Windham High Schoo. Mr. Phipps was employed by Elite Express of Columbus as a semi-truck driver. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his mother, Shirley Jean (Lewis) Phipps Dias of Deerfield Beach, Fla. and brothers, Michael of Midway Park, N.C., Daniel of Jacksonville, N.C. and Joel of Conneaut. His son, William Wallace III, and his father died previously. A private service will be held later. Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Joel Phipps, 524 JoAnn Drive, Conneaut, 44030.

Chandas "Chuck" Taylor, 65
Chandas "Chuck"Taylor, 65, a former Ravenna resident who was the father of several area residents, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at St. Louis Medical Hospital in Missouri after a long illness. Born Sept. 20, 1934 in Kentucky, he was the son of Sherman and Nora Taylor of Ravenna. He lived in Ravenna most of his life before moving to Missouri. Mr. Taylor was retired from General Motors Co. in Wentzville, Mo. Survivors include his wife, Joann of Missouri; sons, George of Missouri, Donald and Gary, both of Texas, Charles and Terry, both of Atwater and Charles Jr. of Michigan; daughters, Joanie of Missouri, Betty and Nora, both of Ohio and Tonia of Michigan; 18 grandchildren; brother, John of Ravenna; sisters, Minnie Woods and Ruth Wall of Texas and Dorsie Dent of Ravenna; and mother-in-law, Ruth Vogt of Missouri. Cremation has taken place. Burial will take place at a later date.

Evelyn DeSalvo, 71
NEWTON FALLS - Evelyn N. DeSalvo, 71, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at Barberton Citizens Hospital after a long illness. Born Dec. 24, 1928, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of John and Martha (Jesiotr) Sajniak. Formerly of Windham, she was a resident of Newton Falls for the past 10 years. Mrs. DeSalvo was a homemaker, who devoted her life to her husband and sons. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, Newton Falls, and taught Sunday School for more than 10 years at St. Michael's Church in Windham. Survivors include her husband Frank, whom she married 42 years ago; sons, David (Kathy) of Rootstown and Theodore (Coleen) of Windham; two grandsons. A sister, Sophia Patterson, died previously. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Newton Falls, with the Rev. John Madden officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Newton Falls.

Naomi Herman, 82
TALLMADGE - Naomi Lynn Herman, 82, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000. Born in Elkins, W.Va., she lived in Tallmadge since 1958. Mrs. Herman was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Akron, and she and her husband, the Rev. George A. Herman, were founders of the Kent Assembly of God Church. She was a graduate of Zion Bible Institute. Survivors include sons, Erwin (LaDonna) of Oregon, Gary of Tallmadge, Jeffrey (Karina) of Florida; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband died previously. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, 339 Southwest Ave., where services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. E. Eugene Meador officiating. Burial will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.

Alex Derecsky, 85
Alex Derecsky, 85, of Parkman Township, died Thursday Feb. 10, 2000, at his daughter's home, after a long illness. Born Dec. 15, 1914, in Cleveland, he was the son of John and Julia (Balasz) Derecsky. Formerly of Auburn Township, he had lived in Parkman for 8 years. Mr. Derecsky was the owner of Auburn Septic Service and Derecsky Nursery, and retired from TRW in 1977. He graduated from Mantua High School. He had a great love of flying and had a private pilots license. Survivors include his daughters, Mary (Dale) James of Parkman, Betty Rozhon of Lake Milton; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Gizelle Brown of Auburn. His daughter, Alice Greathouse, brother, John, and grandson, Randy Reihard, died previously. A private service will be held for the family at a later date. Russell Funeral Service in Middlefield is handling arrangements.

Barbara Wilson, 61
Barbara S. Wilson, 61, of Ravenna died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a long illness. Born April 16, 1938, in Greenville, S.C., she was the daughter of Aaron C. and Annie S. (Hall) Pruitt. She lived most of her life in the Ravenna area. Mrs. Wilson was a graduate of Southeast High School, and the Akron School of Practical Nursing. She was a nurse at Robinson Memorial for more than 20 years. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the First Christian Church in Ravenna and was active in the Women Outdoors, a club for women who appreciated nature, hiking, and camping. She passed her love for all things God created, expecially her love of animals, to her children. Survivors include daughters, Sandra Wilson of Ravenna, Suzanne (Kenneth) Colpo of Rootstown, Sherry (James) Mendiola of Aurora; two grandsons; brother James "Roland" Pruitt of Youngstown; and sister Naomi Estrellado of Cincinnati. Her husband Wayne died in 1990. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Ravenna with Dr. Russell Goldner officiating. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church.

Florence Mandel, 86
HIRAM - Florence Mandel, 86, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at her residence afte an extended illness. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Mantua.

La Vera Copac, 92
La Vera Copac, 92, of Ravenna died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000, at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Arrangements to be announced by the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

George Dillon, 79
George Emmet Dillon, 79, of Diamond, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a short illness. Born March 9, 1920 in Akron, he was the son of Henry Gail and Stella May (Hohlbalk) Dillon. Mr. Dillon had owned and operated Dillon Concrete Pipe in Diamond. He previously worked as plant manager at U.S. Concrete Pipe for 25 years. He was a member of Edinburg United Church and Charity Masonic Lodge No. 530. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of master sergeant. He served in Trinidad. Survivors include his wife, Judy (Cory), to whom he was married 28 years; sons, William (Patty), Dennis (Debbie), Timothy, Terrance (Linda), and Douglas (Diana), all of Edinburg; 13 grandchildren; brother, Robert Dillon of Atwater; and sister, Mrs. Frank (Mildred) Elliott of Edinburg. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Edinburg United Church, with the Rev. Ruth Chartier officiating. Burial will be in West Cemetery in Palmyra. Arrangements are being handled by Wood-Kortright Funeral home Ravenna Chapel. Memorials may be made to Edinburg United Church or Palmyra United Methodist Church.

Verna White, 79
Verna L. White, 79, of Ravenna, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a short illness. Born May 16, 1920 in Edinburg, she was the daughter of Marion and Estella (Kurtz) Grund. She had been a Ravenna resident for 33 years. Mrs. White was a homemaker. She was a member of Rootstown United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Charles, to whom she was married 57 years; sons, Jerry of Ravenna and Vernon (Kathy) of Rootstown; daughter, Ruth (William) Beeson of Carrollton, Ohio; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mildred Pierce of Rootstown and Gladys Newcomb of Garrettsville. Three sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Orion Aubihl officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to Rootstown United Methodist Church.

Doris Admire, 77
Doris I. Admire, 77, of Kent, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, at Kent Center in Kent. Born July 13, 1922, in Akron, she was the daughter of Edward and Melissa (Parker) Herr. Mrs. Admire was a factory worker with Industrial Mold until she retired. She was a member of the Maranatha Church in Mogadore. She enjoyed photography, baseball and the Cleveland Indians. Survivors include her sons Edward E. (Penny) McHenry of Lake Milton and Kenny Admire of Kent; daughters Melissa (Bert) Styles of Shalersville, Sandy (Bob) Rubbins of Kent, and Gloria (Brian) Admire of Stow; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Leona Bonham and Hilda Wright, both of Ellet, and Atta Messner of Mansfield . Her husband, Harold, died previously. Her daughter, Patricia Black; brother, James Herr; sisters, Thelma Lewis, Florence Aller, and Vernell Hine; and great-granddaughter, Vanessa Mae James, also died previously. Calling hours will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Gloria Rollin, 67
Gloria J. Rollin, 67, of Tallmadge, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000. Born in Akron, she had been a resident of Tallmadge for 11 years. Mrs. Rollin was a realtor for Century Realty Co. in Streetsboro. She was a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Streetsboro. Survivors include her husband, Harold, to whom she was married 45 years; son, Mark (Jane) of Shalersville; daughters, Susan (Thomas) Wilhelm of Stow, and Leslie (Martin) Cofojohn and Sara (Scott) Schlea, both of Ravenna; seven grandchildren; brothers, James (Mary) Myers of Akron and Paul (Debbie) Myers of Sommerset, Ohio; and sister, Donna Myers of Akron. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Billow Chapel, 17 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge. Private services will be held . Burial will be in Tallmadge Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence following services. Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 9042 S.R. 43, Streetsboro, 44241.