Melba R. Darr
Melba R. Darr, 94, of Ravenna, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a period of failing health. Born April 14, 1906, in St. Louis, Mo., she was the daughter of Henry Clay and Lucille (Comstock) Green. She had lived in Kirkwood, Mo. before moving to Ravenna two years ago. Mrs. Darr was a former elementary school teacher in St. Louis and a candy striper at Deaconess Hospital. She was a 50 year member of the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her son, Ralph (Alice) Darr of Kent; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister in-law, Waneta Green of Hemet, Calif. Her husband, Ralph S. Darr, Sr., brothers George C. Green and Henry Clay Green Jr. died previously. Calling hours will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Boop Funeral Home in Kirkwood, Mo. Services will be held at 2:15 p.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Kirkwood. Local arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel (www.legacy.com).

Carl Chechak
Carl Chechak, 74, of Ravenna, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2000, at Akron City Hospital following a brief illness. Services will be announced by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Lorena J. Fox
PALMYRA - Lorena J. Fox, 86, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Arrangements will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel.

Aubrey M. Richardson
SHALERSVILLE - Aubrey M. Richardson, 91, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000, at his residence. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Irene H. Theiss
STREETSBORO - Irene H. Theiss, 79, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2000. Survivors include her sons, Larry (Ellen) and Paul (Bernice); eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie (John) Spring and Florence Thompson; and daughter-in-law, Gloria. Her husband, Harold; and son, Russell, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Brunner-Nixon Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 176 N. State St., Painesville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland.

John Jacob Jakubisin
SUFFIELD - John Jacob Jakubisin, 87, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, after a long illness. Born in Byesville, he was a life resident of the area. Mr. Jakubisin had been a welder. He was a member of St. Peter of the Fields Catholic Church in Rootstown. Survivors include his sons, David (Debbie) of Kent and Charles (Gloria) of Mexico City, Mexico; daughter, Margie Kline of Ravenna; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and daughter in-law, Judy of Texas. His wife, Margaret, died in 1985. His son, John, Jr., died in 1999. A granddaughter, Lori, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore (www.legacy.com), where services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Thomas J. Crum officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.

Ralph Schaefer
Ralph Schaefer, 91, of Ravenna Township, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000 at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna. Born Feb. 3, 1909, in Randolph, he was the son of Leo and Lena (Weigand) Schaefer. He had been a Ravenna resident for 60 years. Mr. Schaefer was a machinist at Gougler Machine in Kent for 38 years until he retired in in 1974. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. Survivors include his sons, Jerry of North Canton, Tom of Kensington, Md., Paul of Bellingham, Wa.; daughters, Norene Barnes of Ravenna and Lee Ann Davis of Bainbridge; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Carl of Tallmadge, and George and Paul, both of Randolph; sisters, Agnes Memmer of Randolph, Celia Boyle of Akron. His wife, Nora; brothers, Harold, Leon, John; and sisters, Mary Crock and Hilda Peterson, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shorts Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel (www.legacy.com). Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church with Msgr. Robert Sabatino officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Harold W. Anderson
Harold W. Anderson, 80, of Elno Avenue in Kent, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Sept. 27, 1920, in Akron, he was the son of William and Gertrude (Ringer) Anderson. A lifelong Ohio resident, he had lived in Kent since 1963. Mr. Anderson retired from the Public Utilities Bureau, Water Department for the City of Akron in 1988 after 25 years of service. He also worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron. He graduated from Akron Central High School, junior college in Modesto, Calif., and earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Akron, where he played football and ran track. For many years, he officiated Peewee and high school football, umpired local softball games and - up to this past season - assisted officiating high school track and cross-country meets. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary "Donita" (Mills), to whom he was married 56 years; sons, Terry William (Myrna) of Tucson, Ariz., Thomas Richard (Susan) of Norton, Richard Harold (Catherine) and Mark S., both of Kent; six grandchildren. Calling hours wil be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. John Cervone officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.

Margaret J. Goodwin
HIRAM - Margaret J. Goodwin, 66, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 at the Hudson Elms in Hudson. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Aubrey M. Richardson
SHALERSVILLE - Aubrey M. Richardson, 91, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000 at his home. Born April 20, 1909 in Atlanta, New York, he was the son of Raymond and Iva (Thompson) Richardson. A former resident of Solon, he lived in Apache Junction, Ariz., after his retirement. He resided in the Shalersville and Mantua areas in the summer. Mr. Richardson was a milk truck driver for Meyer Dairy in Cleveland from 1940 until he retired in 1975. He enjoyed collecting and polishing semi-precious stones and traveling the United States with his wife after retirement. Survivors include his daughters, Barbara Koman of Mantua, Claire (Joseph) Greytak of Medina and Laurel Richardson of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His wife, Gladys (Shepherd), whom he married Jan. 1, 1932, died in 1993. A brother, Vernon, also died previously. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, followed by a reception at the Mantua Masonic Hall, 10801 John Edward Drive in Mantua.

Anthony S. Abiecunas
Anthony S. Abiecunas, 83, of of Parma, Ohio, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000, at home after a brief illness. Born July 2, 1917, to Anton and Mary Abiecunas in Homestead, Pa. He moved to Parma after World War II. He lived in Portage County before the war. Mr. Abiecunas was a bus driver for the Cleveland Transit System retiring several years ago. He was a military policeman in the Army during the war. He was a high school graduate. He volunteered Holy Family Home in Parma. Surviving are his son, Anthony L., of Euclid; daughters, Mary Ellen Luckwitz, and Virginia Marton; six grandchldren; two great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Ellen. Two brothers and a sister died previously. Calling hours are 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Holowchak Funeral Home in Parma. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Cleveland.

James Dittmer
James Dittmer, 49, of 1777 Sheridan Ave. N.E., Warren, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000, at his home of heart failure. Born June 6, 1951, in Warren, he was a lifetime resident of Warren. Mr. Dittmer was retired from the street department in Warren. He enjoyed hunting and restoring automobiles. Survivors include his son, Brian of Houston, Texas; daughter, Heather Turner of Warren; four grandchildren; father, Carl of Warren; mother Virginia (Crites) Frederick of Warren; and brothers, Donald R. of Avon Lake; and Randy C. of Warren. His brother, Mike, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Borowski Memorial Funeral Home in Newton Falls, where services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Doug Brown officiating. Burial will be in Hawley Cemetery in Paris.

Martin Zitner
Martin Zitner, 79, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Fla. Born Feb. 26, 1921, in Sagamore, Pa., he was the son of Alexander and Mary (Nagy) Zsitnyar. Mr. Zitner had been employed doing elevator construction and maintenance. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the Northern Solomon Islands. He earned the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He was a longtime member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Golf Association. Survivors include his wife, Alice (Aufmuth), whom he married Nov. 23, 1950; son, David G. of Milan; daughter, Lynn Marie Lemon of Kent; two grandchildren; brother, Herbert L. of Jupiter, Fla.; and sisters, Margaret Nanassy of Mantua, Cecilia Sinchak of Parma, Helen Owen of Willowick and Marian Tarbell of Windsor, Conn. His brother, Andrew, and sister, Elizabeth Randolph, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Church in Kent. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, Fla., 33908.

Frederick A. Keppler
A graveside service will be held Saturday in Ravenna for Frederick A. Keppler, 70, of El Paso, Texas, who died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000 after a long illness. Born Jan. 29, 1930 in Edinburg, he was the son of Anthony and Theresa (Frient) Keppler Needles. Mr. Keppler was a U.S. Army veteran, retiring in 1977 after 20 years of service. He taught social studies and English at El Paso High School for 10 years before his retirement. He attended Kent State University and earned a master's degree from the University of El Paso. He enjoyed music and was a wildlife activist. Survivors include his son, Frederick (Linda) of El Paso; one grandchild; brother, Norbert (Ginger) of Ravenna; and sisters, Cecilia (Carl) Conley and Mary (Ronald) Heeter, both of Ravenna, and Elnora Livigni of Akron. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ravenna, with Msgr. Robert Sabatino officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel (www.legacy.com).

Lorena J. Fox
PALMYRA - Lorena J. Fox, 86, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at the Portage County Nursing Home in Shalersville. Born Aug. 15, 1914, in Palmyra, she was the daughter of Ben D. and Blanche M. Jones. She was a life resident of Palmyra. Mrs. Fox was a member of tPalmyra United Methodist Church, a past matron and 50-year member of the Palmy Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, a 50-year member of the Women's Republican Committee and had been an election poll worker. Survivors include a niece, Linda Shimp of Chillicothe, as well as several other nieces and nephews. Her husband, Corley E; and brother, Ralph B. Jones, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8:30 tonight at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, (www.legacy.com) where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. David Clarke officiating. An Order of the Eastern Star service will be held at 7 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Cemetery in Palmyra. Memorials may be made to Palmyra United Methodist Church or Order of the Eastern Star Cancer Project.

Annie R. Campbell
Annie R. Campbell, 105, who had relatives in the Portage area, died Saturday Dec. 2, 2000, at Rittman Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born Sept., 27, 1895, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, she was the daughter of Annie (Deveney) and John Russell. She immigrated to the United States in 1923. Mrs. Campbell was a homemaker who also worked many and varied jobs throughout her lifetime. These included being an overhead crane operator during World War I in a steel mill in Glascow, Scotland, cleaning homes, cooked, working for a caterer, serving as a school bus matron, and selling Avon products. She dedicated most of her free time to church and Christian-related activities. She remained a faithful member of the United Methodist Church after coming to the United States and was an active member of many congregations. She served on church boards, was president of the United Methodist Women's Society, and served her fellow members through devotions, prayers and poetry recitations. She was unselfish in her devotion to those in need and less fortunate than herself. As a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 52 years, she served chapters in Ohio, New York, and Florida. She was a member of the Miami Four Score and Ten Club, spending much of her time caring for shut-in members. She also was a member of the Daughters of Scotia, Akron chapter. Survivors include her son, Matthew (Genevieve) of Ft. Pierce, Fla.; daughter, Mary (William) Bowers of Wadsworth and formerly of Aurora, grandchildren, William Schrengauer, Anne Marie Schrengauer, SueAnne Trevino, Joyce Bigelo, Douglas Campbell, Judith Ratcliff of Aurora, Bruce Bowers of Ravenna and Paul Bowers, 16 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, John, died in 1950. A daughter, Anne R. Schrengauer, died in 1998. Eight brothers and sisters died previously. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Hilliard & Mullaney Funeral Home, North Lyman Street, Wadsworth. The family also will receive visitors from 1 p.m. until a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wadsworth United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Wadsworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Gary A. Roth
BRIMFIELD - Gary A. Roth, 61, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital. Born Sept. 2, 1939, in Mercer, Pa., he was the son of Leonard A. and Addaline I. (Johnson) Roth. Mr. Roth worked as a pipefitter for Local 219 in Akron for more than 40 years. He was currently employed by Middleton Corp. of Cuyahoga Falls. Survivors include his wife, Shelva, to whom he was married 40 years; daughters, Jody (John) Stamm, Carla Roth (Harold) Johnston and Kelly (Paul) Peterson; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Geraldine (Richard) Sauer and Sandra Roth. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Mogadore (www.legacy.com). The Rev. Kay Dunlap will officiate. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Brimfield.

Dennis W. Masten Sr.
Dennis Wayne Masten Sr., 55, a former Diamond resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at his home in West End, N.C. Mr. Masten was a driver for Southeast Trucking. He was a member of Teamsters Union in Akron. Survivors include his son, Dennis Jr. of West End; daughters, Mary L. Logan of Pinehurst, N.C., and Denise L. of West End; one grandchild; mother, Laudis Masten Slagan of Scranton, Pa.; brothers, Robert of Lithia, Fla. and David Slagan of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.;and sisters, Vicki McCabe of Scranton, Pa. and Debbie Brown of Belmont, N.Y. Services will be held Saturday at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, N.C. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Health Hospice, P.O. Box 1956, Pinehurst, N.C. 28370; or to The Cancer Center, P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, N.C. 28370.

Ruth E. Vargo
Ruth E. Vargo, 72, of Lake Orion, Mich., died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Mich. Born July 10, 1928 in Ravenna, she previously lived in the Stow and Ravenna areas until moving to Michigan three years ago. She was a Ravenna High School graduate. Mrs. Vargo was a data entry operator for Airmaze Corp. in Bedford Heights. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wayne, Mich. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and reading and was an avid NASCAR fan. Survivors include his son, Steve (Leslie) of Parkman; daughters, Sandra (Stephen) Kinley of Lake Orion, Mich. and Mary of Cleveland; stepson, Clarence Jr. of Troy, Mich.; four grandchildren; and a sister Evelyn Biltz of Ravenna. Her husband, Clarence, whom she married Oct. 9, 1948, died in 1980. A son, Patrick, also died previously. A private family service will be held. Russell Golden Rule Funeral Service in Middlefield is handling arrangements.

Theodore Roosevelt Turner
FREEDOM - Theodore Roosevelt Turner, 85, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident on S.R. 422 in Trumbull County. Arrangements will be announced by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Drago Adam Kundl
Drago Adam Kundl, 68, of Warren, died of cancer Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000. Born Jan. 13, 1932 in Vukovar, Yugoslavia of Donau-Schwaben descent, he was the son of Franz and Maria Kundl. He had lived in the Warren area since 1992. Mr. Kundl was a welder for Kundel Industries in Warren. He had been a volunteer firefighter in Vukovar as well as a self-employed farmer and butcher. He also worked in a shoe factory. He served in Tito's Army and played trumpet in military band. Band. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, wine making and smoking meats. Survivors include the Kundel family of Warren and the Artz family of Ravenna; and a sister, Hela Zupancic of Vukovar, Yugoslavia. His wife, Dara; brothers, Franz and Anton; and sister, Linka, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Borowski Memorial Funeral Home in Newton Falls, where lodge services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Norman H. Schinkel officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Trumbull County, 219 N. River Road N.W., Warren, Ohio 44483 or Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio 44512.

Eloise Alda Dix
Eloise Alda Dix, 90, of Twinsburg, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000, at Aurora Manor Nursing Home. Born June 30, 1910 in Medina, she was a daughter of Jay and Fannie (Rushon) Beedle. She was a homemaker. Survivors include sons, Harold (Judy) Gerhardt of Delaware, Ohio and Ronald (Bobbi) Gerhardt of Aurora; stepsons Stuart (Karen) Dix of Bridgeport, Mich., and Durbin (Elaine) Dix of Loudenville; stepdaughter Mary Jane Dennison of Granville; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, OIlive Herthneck of Leesburg, Fla., and Medina. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Medina.