Willa White, 73
ATWATER - Willa Eileen White, 73, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000, at Alliance Community Hospital following a period of declining health. Born July 19, 1926, in Walton, W.Va., she was the daughter of Charles J. and Elizabeth S. (Lowe) Brown. She had lived in Atwater since 1954. Mrs. White was a homemaker. She was a member of New Testament Baptist Church in Ravenna. Survivors include sons, Amos J. "Jr." and Robert W., both of Atwater; daughters, Mary F. Lanham of Atwater, Carolyn S. "Sue" (Patrick) Carpenter and Glennis I. Minear, both of Alliance, and Helen L. (Dick) Myers of Deerfield; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Icy Mabel Schoolcraft, of West Virginia. Her husband, Paul, died in 1989, son, James, died in 1954 and son, Rick, died in 1994. Two grandchildren, three brothers and one sister also died previously. Calling hours will be held today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel. Services also will be held at the Parson's Funeral Home in Ripley, W.Va. Burial will be in the White Family Cemetery in Kentuck, W.Va.

Alan Costill, 54
Alan B. Costill, 54, died Tuesday, May 30, 2000. Born in Akron, he was the son of Norman and Kathryn (King) Costill. Mr. Costill formerly worked with Portage Industries. Survivors include his brother, Thomas (Sandi) of Hiram; and sister, Carol (Mike) of Akron. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Dunn-Quigley, Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 811 Grant St., Akron, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Alvin Glover officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Z.A. Benjamin, 77
MANTUA - Z.A. "Dick" Benjamin, 77, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, at Akron General Medical Center following a short illness. Born Sept. 27, 1922, in Bainbridge Township, he was the son of Olin R. and Mary B. (Neaves) Benjamin. He lived in the Bainbridge area until he moved to Mantua in 1948. Mr. Benjamin was the owner of a dairy farming business all his life, remaining active with the daily farm operations and attending livestock sales until after his retirement. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending family gatherings. Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Marge" (Vrabel), whom he married Sept. 25, 1943; sons, Richard (Josie), John (Debbie) and William (Heidi), all of Mantua; daughters, LaVerne (Ty) Morgan of Streetsboro, and Linda Miller (Dave Homan) and Kathy Benjamin (John Merritt), both of Mantua; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Howard, of Bainbridge; and sisters, Beatrice Lindon and Myrtle Aksamit, both of Bainbridge, and Olene Willson, of Painesville. A sister, Caroline Bradford, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Lorren Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township. Memorials may be made to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department Rescue Squad, 4650 High St., Mantua, 44255.

Kenneth Miller, 84
Kenneth S. Miller, 84, of Ravenna, died of cancer Saturday, June 3, 2000, at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Feb. 21, 1916, in Ravenna, he was the son of William and Jennie (Rhinehart) Miller and foster son of Russell and Florence Canfield. He was a lifelong Ravenna resident. Mr. Miller was the head custodian at West Park Elementary School in Ravenna before retiring in 1978. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Ravenna and a longtime member of the Ravenna Senior Citizens. He also was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the infantry. He enjoyed walking, hiking, fishing and helping his friends. Survivors include his sister, Frances Young, of Newton Falls; foster sisters, Sue Canfield, of Dover, Sally (Ron) Jaworowski of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Jackie (Sterling) Hickok and Marilyn (Dick) Gifford, both of Cleveland Heights; and close friends, Jerry and Mary Jo Cross, of Ravenna. A brother and sister died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Russell Goldner officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Ravenna, 420 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, or Hospice of Robinson Memorial Hospital.

Patricia Smith, 69
Patricia J. Smith, 69, of North Boulevard, Twin Lakes, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, at her daughter's home. Born Nov. 29, 1930, in Northfield, she was the daughter of Edward and Ella Mae (Hayes) Sholle. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent. Survivors include her sons, Mark, Stephen and John, all of Kent, and Patrick of Paris Township; daughters, Lynn Hart, of Sugar Bush Knolls, Jean Smith of Worthington, and Kasey Picayo of New York City; 14 grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Riley, of Lake Placid, Fla. Her husband, John M., died in 1995. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Church in Kent. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials can be made to the St. Patrick School Endowment Fund.

Charles Williard, 80
Charles A. Williard, 80, formerly of Ravenna, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, in North Carolina. Arrangements will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Wilfred Lohr, 77
PALMYRA - Graveside services for Wilfred Lohr, 77, who died Monday, June 5, 2000, at Akron City Hospital, will be held at 1 today at Palmyra Cemetery. Born Oct. 27, 1922 in Junior, W.Va., he was the son of Benton and Lucille (Board) Lohr. Mr. Lohr was a member and past trustee of Palmyra United Methodist Church. He was active in the Portage County Historical Society and was a member of Bill Lohr and The Playboys band. A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he served in Italy. He was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed making guitars, metal detecting and square dancing. Survivors include his wife, Stella M., whom he married Nov. 10, 1946; sons, Lane of Warren, Richard W. of Bluffton, Ind. and Michael of Palmyra; daughter, Shelby of Palmyra; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, James of Lake Milton. His brothers, Alfred and Calvin, died previously. Calling hours were held from Wednesday at James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Andrew Tecza, 80
Services have been held for Andrew Tecza, 80, of Kent, who died Sunday, May 28, 2000, after a short illness. Born July 6, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Joseph and Mary (Kubis) Tecza. Mr. Tecza was a maintenance mechanic until he retired in 1984. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the 297th Combat Engineers. He was active in the American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Holy Rosary Church in Passaic, N.J., where he sang in the choir. He was a member of the Honor Guard and served as president of the Leisure Club. Survivors include his son, Joseph (Eileen) of Guilderland, N.Y.; daughter, Andrea (Branton) Shearer of Kent; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters. His wife, Beatrice (Guros) died in 1984. Services and burial took place Friday in New Jersey. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

Virgil Kessinger, 82
BRIMFIELD - Virgil Kessinger, 82, of Grace Road, died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Akron City Hospital. Born April 18, 1918, in Salyersville, Ky., he was the son of Mathias Newton and Florence (Montgomery) Kessinger. Mr. Kessinger worked as a truck driver for Ace Freight Inc. in Boston Heights for 37 1/2 years. He was a member of Grace Cathedral. Survivors include his wife, Irene (Ratliff), whom he married July 29, 1939; daughters, Geneva Ruth Skotschir of Lodi, Linda Carol Talladino of Irving, Texas, Patricai Irene Sevek of Kent and Ramona Marie McCutcheon of Cuyahoga Falls; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; brothers, Raymond of Prescott Valley, Ariz. and Ishmael of Shiloh; sisters, Joann Kosier of Rittman and Jean Chapman of Medina. Four brothers, four sisters and one grandson died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Richard Powers officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.

Blanche L. Shea
Blanche L. Shea, 82, of Kent, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Feb. 16, 1918, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Frank E. and Nellie (Crissler) McBride. She was a secretary for General Electric. She was a member of Kent United Methodist Church, the Mary Reed Circle and the United Methodist Women. She also enjoyed gardening. Survivors include granddaughter, Heidi Foss of Mentor; great-granddaughter Kayla; nephew, Donald (Lillian) McBride of McKinney, Texas; and niece, Virginia Lashley, of Indianapolis. Her husband, Jack Shea, died in 1970. She also was preceded in death by daughter Marilyn; brother Harry E. McBride and sister Virginia Gary. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church of Kent with the Rev. Kay Dunlap officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Kent United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent, 44240, or the American Heart Association, 840 Southwestern Run, Youngstown, 44514.

Pauline Workman
BRIMFIELD - Pauline Workman, 74, died Sunday, June 11, 2000. Arrangements will be announced by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Florence M. Heber, 81
Florence M. Heber, 81, of 200 West Liberty St., Newton Falls, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Imperial Skilled Care Center in Warren. Born Aug. 31, 1918, in Warren, she was the daughter of Arthur and Mary (Hyde) McKibben. She was a lifelong resident of Newton Falls. Mrs. Heber was a teacher at Braceville for one year before teaching at Newton Falls High School for 29 years, retiring in 1981. She started the pep club and Cooperative Office Education at Newton Falls High School. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Newton Falls, member of Eastern Star Chapter 79, the Newton Falls Ladies Golf League and is a Red Cross volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital. She enjoyed reading, golfing and swimming and loved to attend Youngstown State, Ohio State and Newton Falls football games. Survivors include a son, Richard, of Newton Falls; a daughter, Linda (Kermit) Morris, of Leavittsburg; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, James E., whom she married Dec. 22, 1942, died Dec. 12, 1993. A brother, Burt, and a sister, Helen Hildenbrand, also died previously. Calling hours will be held one prior to 1 p.m. services Thursday at James Funeral Home, Inc. in Newton Falls. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.

Marjorie P. DiGiovanni
Marjorie P. DiGiovanni, 64, of 335 Warren Road, Newton Falls, died of cancer Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at her home. Born Apr. 27, 1936, in Gassaway, West Va., she was the daughter of Perry R. and Luthenia Grace (Cutlit) Sponaugle. She lived in the Newton Falls area most of her life. Mrs. DiGiovanni was a member of the Church of God in Leavittsburg. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed traveling, camping and bowling. Survivors include her sons, Clayton "Jim" E. Reakes III and Joey R. Reakes, both of Newton Falls; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers, Perry R., of Newton Falls, and Robert E., of Lakeland, Fl.; and sisters, Edythe (Montie) Faccmire and Doris (Edward) Chagnot, both of Lakeland, Fl., and Rita G. Shostek, Mildred (Andy) Kuta and Nancy (Robert) Sholley, all of Cape Coral, Fl. Her first husband, Clayton Reakes, Jr., and a brother, Homer, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at James Funeral Home, Inc. in Newton Falls where services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Newton Falls Cemetery.

Gladys Owen, 76
Gladys Owen, 76, of 911 Milton Blvd., Newton Falls, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at her home after a long illness. Born May 26, 1924, in Tallullah Falls, Ga., she was the daughter of Albert E. and Nora Stiles. She had lived in the Newton Falls area for several years. Mrs. Owen was a homemaker. She was a graduate of Cecils Business College in North Carolina and she enjoyed crocheting and sewing. Survivors include her sons, Marvin S. of Lordstown and Gordon of Lake Elsinore, Ca.; a daughter, Wanda J. Schmidt of Louisville, Ky.; nine grandchildren; a brother, Alvine Stiles of Sylva, North Carolina; and a sister, Claretta Stiles of Franklin, North Carolina. Her husband, Roland, whom she married in 1946, died in 1991. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Moody-Connolly Funeral Home in Brevard, North Carolina. Burial will be in Shoal Creek Cemetery in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Local arrangements were handled by Borowski Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Roberta Beck, 70
Former Kent resident Roberta "Bobbie" Beck, 70, of Palm Harbor, Fla., died Tuesday, June 13, 2000. Mrs. Beck was a longtime resident of the Kent and Akron area. Survivors include her husband, Robert L. of Palm Harbor; sons, Robert L. Jr. of Ravenna and Ronald of Canandaigua, N.Y.; daughters, Robin Rutherford of Tampa, Fla. and Renee Fraley of Akron; and seven grandsons. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Dunedin Assembly of God Church in Dunedin, Fla., where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Rick Baldwin officiating.

Josephine Dostal, 87
Josephine "Pat" (Kolar) Dostal, 87, of North Ridgeville, the mother of John Dostal of Streetsboro, died Monday, June 12, 2000, at Life Care Center of Elyria following a long illness. Born Oct. 14, 1912 in Cleveland, she had lived in Garfield Heights before moving to North Ridgeville four years ago. Mrs. Dostal was a member of the D.T.J. Czechoslovakian Club in Taborville, Ohio. She enjoyed doing hand crafts. Survivors include her son, John Jr. (Lynne) of Streetsboro; daughters, Jill (Roger) Budny of Elyria, and Jan (Gerald) Duncan of Sarasota, Fla.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Her husband, John, died in 1990. Six brothers and sisters also died previously. There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements are being handled by the Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home in Elyria.

Verne R. Hays, 73
SHALERSVILLE - Verne R. Hays, 73, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at his home. Born Sept. 24, 1926, in Elyria, he was the son of H.G. and Mary (Davis) Hays. He had lived in Streetsboro for 25 years before moving to Shalersville three years ago. Mr. Hays retired from the Cleveland Terminals of Greyhound Corp. in 1986 after 40 years of service. He was a package express clerk. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Whittle), whom he married in 1957; son, Brian (Robin) of Stow; daughter, Heather Hays of Ravenna; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and brothers, Birt J. of North Canton, and Dennis A. of Raleigh, N.C. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Crown Hill Cemetery Chapel, S.R. 91 in Twinsburg. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel. Memorials may be made to Robinson Memorial Hospice, 6847 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, 44266.

John F. Serva, 40
Former Brimfield resident John F. "Johnny" Serva, 40, died Sunday, June 11, 2000 in Charleston, W.Va., after being involved in an accident on the West Virginia Turnpike en route home to Anderson, S.C. Born June 23, 1959 in Akron, he was the son of Stephen and Marilyn (Stott) Serva. He grew up in Brimfield and had lived in South Carolina for about four years. Mr. Serva had worked for Wayne Metal Products. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; sons, John (Jessica) of Atwater, Joshua (Traci) of North Carolina and Justin of South Carolina; three grandchildren; mother, Marilyn of South Carolina; brothers, Stephen and Andy; and sisters, Rebecca, Barbara, Teri, Mary and Suzanne. His grandson, Issac, and father died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight at Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home & Chapel, 760 E. Market St., Akron, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Memorials may be made to the family, 1705 New Milford Road, Atwater, 44201.

Rev. Randall Alan Neiswanger, 43
The Rev. Randall Alan Neiswanger, 43, of 18280 W. 5th St., Beloit, Ohio, a Ravenna native, died Saturday, June 24, 2000, at the University Hospital in Cleveland after a long illness. Born June 5, 1957, in Ravenna, he was the son of Ray and Jemmie (Officer) Neiswanger. Rev. Neiswanger was retired senior pastor of Beloit Evangelical Friends Church. He also was youth pastor of the United Methodist Church in North Lawrence and senior pastor at Westgate Friends Church in Columbus. He attended Malone College, received a bachelor's degree from Mount Vernon College and earned a master of divinity degree from Ashland Seminary. He was youth pastor at Westgate Friends in Columbus and youth musicale at the United Methodist Church. He was a member of West Branch Ministerial Association, percussion instructor at Sebring McKinley High School and an EMT-firefighter with the Beloit Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include his wife, Cindy (Bardine), to whom he was married 19 years; son, Jason, and daughter, Sarah, both at home; father and stepmother, Ray and Kathy Neiswanger of Sebring; and brothers, Wendall of Rootstown, Greg of Ravenna and Darren of Columbus. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Alliance Friends Church, West State Street, Alliance with the Rev. Mark C. Reich officiating. The Beloit Fire Department will hold a service at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Sebring. Arrangements are being handled by Dean's Funeral Home in Sebring. Memorials may be made to Beloit Friends Church, Beloit Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad or the Sebring Music Boosters.

Betty Wells, 67
RANDOLPH - Betty J. Wells, 67, died Saturday, June 24, 2000, at her home. Born in Barberton, she lived in Akron and Randolph for most of her life. Mrs. Wells retired from Firestone/Bridgestone in 1987. She was a life member of Airport Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8975, Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, Richard C., to whom she was married 46 years; son, Richard Carl (Gail) of Randolph; daughter, Janice (West) Clark of Kent; three grandchildren; and brothers, James (Helen) Collier and Thomas (Alice) Collier, both of Akron, and Albert (Rosalie) Collier of Green. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. G. Rod Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Randolph. Memorials may be made to the Randolph Fire Department E.M.S., 3636 Waterloo Road, Randolph, 44265.