Leanette "Laura" Sincerney
Leanette "Laura" Sincerney, 79, of 607 Ridge Road, Newton Falls, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, at St. Joseph Health Care Center of a heart attack. Born June 22, 1921 in Mill Creek, W. Va., she was the daughter of Irons and Florence Gum. She had lived in Washington, D.C., before moving to Newton Falls in 1978. Ms. Sincerney was a produce manager and cashier for Acme grocery stores in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Newton Falls Church of God, where she was involved with mission work, and a member of Local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, gardening and the outdoors. Survivors include her son, Lowell R. Thomas of Newton Falls; one grandchild; and brothers, Lyndell Gum of Canton and Leo Gum of San Diego, Calif. Her parents; sister, Millicent Long; and brothers, William, Vernon, Phillip and McBride Gum, died previously. There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Newton Township Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Borowski Memorial Home in Newton Falls. Memorials may be made to the Newton Falls Church of God, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Richard M. "Dick" Doak
Richard M. "Dick" Doak, 66, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, in Fort Wayne. Born Nov. 3, 1934 in Ravenna, he had lived in Fort Wayne for 39 years. Mr. Doak was a salesman with M.H. Detrick Company. He previously had been a manager with Wayne Home Equipment. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife, June, whom he had married Sept. 1, 1978; stepson, Dan A. Garman of Fort Wayne; stepdaughter, Sandra K. Appenzeller of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren; brothers, Robert of Kent, Edward of Ravenna and Donald of Ravenna; and sister, Mary McDaniel of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home in Fort Wayne, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday. A graveside military service will be held by the U.S. Navy. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults, 3320 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46805.

Rosemary A. Foster
Rosemary A. Foster, 44, died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000. Born in Akron, she was a lifelong resident of the Brimfield area. Ms. Foster attended the Faith United Methodist Church of Brimfield. Survivors include her daughters, Jennifer and Denise, both at home, and sisters, Alma (Ken) Parks of Florida and Dorothy (Keith) Young of Suffield. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore, 34 S. Cleveland Ave., where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Maple Wood Care Centre.

Dorothy Dundon
Former Rootstown resident Dorothy Dundon, 96, of Dayton, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000. She was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Nurnberger) Kahl. Mrs. Dundon graduated from Rootstown High School and earned a teaching certificate from Kent State Normal School. She taught fifth- and sixth-grade students at Central School in Kent until her marriage to Harold F. Dundon in 1924. She resumed teaching at Rootstown School after her husband's death in 1945. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Kent State University and became the Rootstown Elementary School principal in 1960, retiring in 1971. Mrs. Dundon was an active member of the Rootstown community and the Rootstown United Methodist Church since 1925, where she taught Sunday School classes. She served on many boards and committees and was active in the United Methodist Women. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Portage County Principals Association, the Retired Teachers Association of Portage County and the 60-Plus Club. She received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Rootstown Lions Club. She was the Outstanding Graduate from Rootstown and the Rootstown School Bell Tower was dedicated in her honor in 1998. Survivors include her sons, John (Ivy) of Kettering and Tom Ewell (Cathy Whitmire) of Maine; daughter, Juanita (Richard) Angel of Dayton; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and brother, Albert Kahl of Medina. Her husband, Harold; brothers, Walter and Paul; and sister, Edna Cunningham, all died previously. Calling hours will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. services Saturday at the Rootstown United Methodist Church with the Rev. Orion Aubihl officiating. Burial will be in Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown. Memorials may be made to Rootstown United Methodist Church. Services are being handled by Kindred Funeral Home in Englewood, Ohio.

Jonathan Duval
MANTUA - Jonathan Adam Duval, 22, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000, at his home. The Portage County Coroner's Office is reviewing the cause. Born March 19, 1978 in Geauga County, he was the son of Leonard A. and Barbara G. (Webb) Duval Jr. Formerly of Euclid, he was a Mantua area resident since 1995. He was a graduate of Maplewood Career Center in 1996. Mr. Duval was employed as a roofer by B&D Roofing in Shalersville for the past two years, and formerly worked for Cipriano Landscaping in Mantua. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. Survivors include his son, Evan Carter of Garrettsville; father, Leonard A. Duval Jr. of Mantua; mother, Barbara Toreki of Eastlake; sisters, Denise Duval of Chicago, Ill., and Tabitha and Erica Toreki, both of Eastlake; grandparents, Leonard A. and Shirley Duval of Aurora and the Rev. George and Doris Webb of Warren; and great-grandmother Mae Lindsey of Texas. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Richard Lowry and the Rev. George Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Aurora City Cemetery.

Marion Perkinson
Marion Perkinson, 95, of East Summit Street, Kent, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000, at Regina Health Center in Richfield. Born Jan. 30, 1905, in Buffalo, N.Y., she was the daughter of Fred and Helen (Mallon) Kappler. She was a member of St. Patrick Church and the Legion of Mary and was an American Red Cross volunteer. She was also an avid sports enthusiast. Survivors include her son, David F. of Peninsula; daughters, Judith Adamek of Kent, Sister Mary Caryl Perkinson of Columbus and Jere Ann Sonderman of Charlotte, N.C.; 21 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Frank N.; daughter Joan Heary; brother Fred Kappler and sisters Ruth Callahan and Helen Stage all died previously. A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church. Private burial will be held in Belmont Abbey in Charlotte, N.C. Arrangements were handled by Bissler & Sons Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

Elsie Salitore
Elsie M. Salitore, 85, of Kent, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 at her home following a period of declining health. Born in Akron, she was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Tardio) Long. Mrs. Salitore was a homemaker. Survivors include brothers, Frank J. (Martha) Long of Akron and David M. (Shirley) Long of Clinton; and sisters, Martha A. Giacobone and Teresa M. (Frank) Ninni, both of Akron. Her husband, John; brother, John; and sisters, Lucy Sabino and Catherine McGuire, all died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel (www.legacy.com) where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Chris Long officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

James Ross
BRIMFIELD - James Ross, 75, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, of natural causes. Born Jan. 13, 1925, in Magnolia, Miss., he was the son of Murray and Viola Ross. Formerly of Magnolia, he also resided in Bogalusa, La. Mr. Ross had been self-employed in construction. Survivors include his sons, John of Kent, Jesse of Bogalusa, La., and K.C. Weatherspoon of Magnolia, Miss.; daughters, Rosella Perry of Ravenna, Mary Smithers of Mantua, Georgia Smithers of Akron and Dorothy Draine of Summit, Miss.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brothers, Claude Ross of Baton Rouge, La., Pete Brown and Wilson Ross of New Orleans, La.; and sister, Marie Brumfield of New Orleans, La. His wife, Elma; son, Wallace Coney; and brothers, Theado, Eddie and Melvin Ross, died previously.

Edwin Lee "Lee" Pesicek
Edwin Lee "Lee" Pesicek, 39, of Ravenna, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born June 5, 1961 in Ravenna, he had lived in Kent before moving to Ravenna six years ago. He graduated from James A. Garfield High School. Mr. Pesicek was a musician. He had attended the United Methodist Church of Garrettsville. Survivors include his mother, Norma G. (Schofield) Pesicek of Ravenna; father, Dr. James E. Pesicek of Garrettsville; brothers, Glenn F. (Robyn) of Coral Springs, Fla., James E. Jr. (Kelley) of Ravenna, and Michael J. of Garrettsville; and sister, Jami L. (Terry) Ross of Cooper City, Fla. Calling hours will be held from 11:30 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. The Rev. Fred Bell will officiate. Visitation will be held from11 a.m. until services at noon Friday at Shorts Funeral Home, Inc. in Ravenna (www.legacy.com). Elder Arthur Perry will officiate. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.

Ronald L. Smith
Ronald L. Smith, 51, of Cabot, Pa., died Saturday, November 18, 2000, at Allegheny General Hospital, from injuries he received in a one-car accident after suffering a heart attack while driving on November 3. His wife, the former Lois A. Villers, is a native of Edinburg. Mr. Smith was born June 9, 1949 in Ashtabula, Ohio. He was the son of William Lee and Mary Ellen (Wrightnour) Smith. He was a project superintendent for Mosites Construction Co. of Pittsburgh until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Jointers of America Local #922. He was also a member of Amputees Unlimbited and was a peer counselor for amputees through Healthsouth, Harmarville. He also was a member of the American Motorcycle Association and was an avid motorcyclist. Mr. Smith was a member of Zion United Methodist Church, Sarver, where he served on the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees and the Design Development Committee. Through the church, he made mission trips to build a church in Haiti and a clinic in Uganda. He is survived by his wife, Lois A. Villers Smith,whom he married December 24, 1970 and to whom condolences may be sent at 146 Peters Lane, Cabot, PA 16023; two sons, Aaron (A.J.) Smith and David Muwanga, both of Cabot; his mother, and a sister, Jeanette Smith, both of Jefferson, Ohio. His father and a brother died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. November 21 at the Fox Funeral Home, Saxonburg, Pa. Services will be at 11 a.m. November 22 at Zion United Methodist Church, Sarver, with Rev. Howard Greenfield, church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sarver. Memorial donations may be contributed to Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, Sarver, PA 16055.

Dorcie (Harper) Cooper
GARRETTSVILLE - Dorcie (Harper) Cooper, 100, who had 250 living direct descendants, including 121 great-grandchildren, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, in Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Feb. 22, 1900, in Freedom, she was the daughter of George and Bertha (Sherwin) Harper. A lifetime resident of Freedom, she attended Shalersville High School. Mrs. Cooper was a homemaker. She was a member of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Garrettsville, where she celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year. Survivors include her sons, Leon (Margaret) of Florida and Dale (Barbara) of Nelson; daughters, Doris Marsh of North Jackson, Grace Blair of Nelson, Marjorie (Dick) Gerren of Rootstown and Jean (John) Doraski of Nelson; 35 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren; 121 great-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren. Her sons, Curtiss (Mabel) and Gary; daughter, Hazel Spry; and brothers, Palmer "Tim" Harper and Cecil "Bus" Harper; and eight grandchildren died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville (www.legacy.com), where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Peter King officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery in Garrettsville.

Mildred K. Chang
WINDHAM - Mildred K. Chang, 73, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2000 at her home following a brief illness. Born June 12, 1927, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., she was the daughter of Gustave and Mabel (Cowen) Krueger. She had been a resident of Windham for 43 years. Mrs. Chang was a homemaker. She graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn in 1945. She had been a nurse at M.F. Kisco in New York, where she met her husband. Mrs. Chang was very active in the United Church of Christ Congregational in Windham and delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly. She enjoyed gardening and was the founder of the Dirt Daubers in Windham. Survivors include daughter, Emily Chang of Florida; step-daughter, Lillian Tien-Ho Chen of Springfield, Va.; three grandchildren; and brothers, Fred Krueger of Carmel, N.Y. and Charles Krueger of Melbourne, Fla. Her husband, Dr. Nathan Chong-Tsau, whom she married Oct. 28, 1950, died July 15, 1986. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home (www.legacy.com) in Garrettsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Church of Christ Congregational in Windham with the Rev. Dave Howell officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Portage County Humane Society, P.O. Box 927, Ravenna 44266 or the Robinson Memorial Hospital Visiting Nurse and Hospice Program, 6693 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna 44266.

Hannah M. Stead
ATWATER - Hannah M. Stead, 94, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000, in Sebring of natural causes. Born Oct. 7, 1906, in Hoboken, N.J., she was the daughter of Heber and Elizabeth Webb. She lived in Portage County since 1975. Mrs. Stead was a homemaker and an election poll worker. She was a member of the Windham United Methodist Church and its women's group. She belonged to the Windham Senior Citizens. She also played the violin at many area churches. Survivors include her son, William (Lou) of Costa Mesa, Calif.; daughter, Karen (Harry) Yost of Atwater; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Her husband of nearly 50 years, Arthur H. Stead, died in 1979. Her sisters Rose, Dora, Beatie, Hattie and Florie also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville (www.legacy.com). Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Windham United Methodist Church in Windham with Rev. Matt Darrin officiating. Burial is in Windham Township Cemetery.

Helen R. Bock
Helen R. Bock, 90, of Ravenna, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at Long Meadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born March 3, 1910, in Munhall, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Anna Foltan. She had lived in McKeesport, Pa. before moving to Portage County in 1986. Mrs. Bock was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kent and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in McKeesport. Survivors include her daughters, Margaret (Jere) Shaffer of Swansboro, N.C., Rita (Alfred) Savel of McCormic, S.C. and Martha (Carl) Minnig of Greeley, Colo.; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Agnes Thomas of Homestead, Pa. Her husband, John Bock Jr., died May 18, 1988. A memorial service was held today at the Holy Trinity site of St. Martin DePorres Parish. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Portview, Pa. Arrangements were handled by Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel (www.legacy.com).

Robert Eugene "Bob" Boyle
Robert Eugene "Bob" Boyle, 75, of Kent, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000 at home. Born Jan. 31, 1926 in Kent, he was the son of Joseph Daniel and Pearl R. (Rhodes) Boyle. He had lived in Kent most of his life. Mr. Boyle was a diesel mechanic prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren. Survivors include his wife, Candace "Candy" (Moore); sons, Michael K. (Susanne) of Brimfield, Raymond E. and Thomas A., both of Kent and Jeffery L. of Florida; six grandchildren; brothers, Roy (Rea) of New York City, Larry (Thelma) of California and Oscar (Betty) of Kent; and sisters, Eileen (Richard) Braybon and Ruth Ann Taliaferro, both of Kent and Shirley (Bob) Herndon of Ravenna. His son, Steven Robert; daughter, Nancy Ann; and first wife, Emma Jane, all died previously. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to 1 p.m. services Saturday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Howard Leon Jones Sr.
PARIS TOWNSHIP - Howard Leon Jones Sr., 55, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2000. Born March 9, 1945, in Ohio County, W.Va., he was the son of Homer and Gracie Mae (Cork) Jones. He had lived in Edinburg before moving to Paris Township three years ago. Mr. Jones was a heavy equipment operator with the Operating Engineers Local No. 18, of which he had been a member in good standing for 33 years. Survivors include his wife, Linda D.; sons, Howard L. Jr. (Vicki) of Edinburg, Douglas Dale (Heidi), who is a U.S. Army Captain stationed in Fort Campbell, Tenn. and Jeremy Jason (Tina) of Paris Township; daughter, Veronica (Dennis) Kingsley of Newton Falls; and nine grandchildren. There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Grace E. Knarr
Grace E. Knarr, 84, of Ravenna, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2000, at Akron City Hospital in Akron of natural causes. Born July 17, 1916, in Buffalo N.Y., she was the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Wilson) Taber. She had lived in Portage County since 1954. Mrs. Knarr had been a cashier at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna before retiring in 1979. She had been a telephone operator while living in Buffalo. She was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Lake Milton. Survivors include her son, David C. Knarr of Rootstown; daughter, Mary E. Timms of Charlestown; three grandchildren; and George Dobrilovic. Her husband, David E. Knarr, whom she married April 10, 1963 and sister, Dorothy Giek, both died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday with Rev. David Merzweiler officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna.

Grace E. (Taber) Knarr
Grace E. (Taber) Knarr, 84, of Ravenna died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2000 at Akron City Hospital of natural causes. Born June 17, 1916, in Buffalo, N.Y., she was the daughter of Charles and Bessie (Wilson) Taber. Formerly of Buffalo, she lived in Portage County since 1954. Mrs. Knarr was a cashier, retiring from Robinson Memorial Hospital in 1979. She was a telephone operator in Buffalo. She attended St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Lake Milton. She is survived by her son, David C. of Rootstown; her daughter, Mary E. Timms of Charlestown; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her companion of 17 years, George Dobrilovic. Her husband, David E. Knarr, died on April 10, 1963. A sister, Dorothy Gick, also died previously. Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Friday at Shorts Funeral Homes Inc. in Ravenna where services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday with Rev. David Merzweiler officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to Reed Memorial Library.

Gary L. Smith
Former Rootstown resident Gary L. Smith, 68, of Fairdealing, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000. Services will be announced by the Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

James H. Hostetler Sr.
CHARLESTOWN - James H. Hostetler Sr., 69, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a long illness. Born Nov. 28, 1930, in Garrett, Pa., he was the son of Hiram and Mary (Gardner) Hostetler. He had lived in Ravenna for 51 years. Mr. Hostetler retired in 1997 from Ravenna Oil Co., where he was a station manager. He was also retired from Royal Crown in Ravenna, where he was a driver and a salesman. A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1055 in Ravenna and Ravenna American Legion Post No. 331. He was a member of Charlestown United Methodist Church. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife, Betty (Cali), to whom he was married 46 years; sons, Mike of Woodville, Ohio, James (Myla) Jr. of Columbus, Charles (Diane), and Stephen, both of Charlestown, and John of Rootstown; daughters, Ailyne (Dave) Almashy of Newton Falls and Debra (Jeff) Clark of Charlestown; 14 grandchildren; brothers, LeRoy "Pete" of Ravenna and George of Rhode Island; and sisters, Jane Ansell, Pansy Bubner and Mary Alice Miller, all of Pennsylvania. His brothers, David, Bill and Bud, and sister, Myrtle Worrell, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, where services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Norma Bates officiating. Burial will be in Charlestown Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Robinson Memorial Hospice or the Charlestown United Methodist Church.