Charles F. "Chick" Brunner
MANTUA TOWNSHIP - Charles F. "Chick" Brunner, 80, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at Akron City Hospital after a brief illness. Born Oct. 2, 1920, in Akron, he was the son of Charles F. and Nellie (Ellis) Brunner Sr. He grew up in the Akron area and lived in Berea from 1945 to 1975, before moving to Mantua Township. Mr. Brunner was employed by the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. from 1948 until he retired in 1982. He was chief accountant and operations head of the accounting department. A U.S. Army-Air Force veteran of World War II, he piloted B-17 bombers for more than 50 missions over Italy from North Africa. While on one mission, his plane was shot down in the Mediterranean Sea. He and his crew were rescued by the U.S. Navy. He retired from the service with the rank of major. He was a member of His Ministry in Aurora where he was a church usher and was a church financial adviser, helping both the church and it members with their financial budgets and planning. He earned a business administration degree from Baldwin Wallace College. He enjoyed watching and attending sports car racing events and owned and drove a 1974 Corvette. Survivors include his wife, Virginia (Eason); son, Fritz (Margaret) of Walnut Creek, Calif.; daughters, Laurie (Thomas) Munc of Lowell, Ohio and Bonnie (Stewart) Kovit of Euclid; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. until services at 7 p.m. Wednesday at His Ministry in Aurora. The Rev. Florence Udell will officiate. A graveside service will then be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua Township. Arrangements are being made by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Anne Ruth Eakins
Anne Ruth Eakins, 76, of Braceville, Ohio, died Sunday, Dec. 31, at 1092 Braceville Robinson Road N.W., in Braceville. Born Oct. 6, 1924, in Carroltown, Pa., she was the daughter of John and Mary (Petreliak) Babyak. She had lived in this area since 1926. Mrs. Eakins was a housewife. She was a member of Braceville United Methodist Church, the Sportsman Club, Camping Club and Bowling Club in Pennsylvania. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, flowers and birds. Survivors include her husband, Josh A.; sons, William John of Basalt, Colo., Roger Allen of Rootstown, and Josh A. Jr. of Newton Falls; daughter, Patricia Anne (Harry) Shaver of Newton Falls; four grandchildren; brothers, Mike Babyak of Newton Falls and Nick Babyak of Berlin; and sister, Helen Babyak of Tiffin. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Braceville United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls.

Raymond F. Shambach
Raymond F. Shambach, 68, of 10352 Pine Lake Road, Salem, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at UPMC-Presbyterian Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he had been a patient for five days. Born Aug. 3, 1932, in Franklin Township, Pa., he was the son of the late Raymond F. Shambach and Ada (Soloman) Shambach Andrews. He was a former Ravenna residemt. Mr. Shambach retired to a part-time position in sales and management at TCI Tire Centers Inc. of Youngstown. He formerly owned two Dairy Queens in South Carolina and was a safety director for several trucking companies in the area. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Carolynn (White), whom he married Nov. 23, 1970; sons, Frank and David, both of Newton Falls; stepson, Trent Rapp of North Lima; half-sister, Charlotte Garro of Ravenna; one grandchild; one stepgranchild; mother, Ada Andrews of Jamestown N.Y.; stepmother, Evelyn Beloff of Ravenna; and stepsister, Viola Maynard of Akron. His father and a stepson, Randall Rapp, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Arbaugh-Pearce- Greenisen Funeral Home, 1617 E. State St., Salem, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be with full military honors at Highland Memorial Park, with the Salem Amvets Post 45 and Salem Veterans of Foreign Wars participating.

Donald E. Robinson Sr.
ROOTSTOWN - Donald E. Robinson Sr., 66, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born Jan. 18, 1934 in Zanesville, he was the son of Forest O. and Edna (Cochran) Robinson. A former Kent resident, he had lived in Rootstown for 42 years. Mr. Robinson was owner and operator of Robinson Construction in Rootstown until he retired. He was a former Cuyahoga Falls police officer. Survivors include his sons, Donald E. (Barbara) Jr. of Ravenna and Mark A. (Lynn) of Jamestown; daughters, Cindy L. (Jack) DiFeo of Rootstown and Sherly L. (Patrick) Carpenter of Kent; and nine grandchildren. His wife, Juanita A. (Marshall), and brothers, Forest and Robert, died previously. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, when a memorial service will be held. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Thelma Lucille Rastetter
Thelma Lucille Rastetter, 88, of Naples, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan 2, 2001 in Naples after a long illness. Born Feb. 1, 1912 in Alliance, she was the daughter of Elmo and Edna Mae Davis. Mrs. Rastetter was the widow of William B. Rastetter, who was chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Second National Bank of Ravenna. An avid golfer, she was a member of Twin Lakes Country Club in Kent and Glades Country Club of Naples. She worked many years as a pink lady at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Survivors include her son, Rolly (Charlotte) of Canton; daughters, Sharon Rossborough of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Cathy (Chix) Miller of Macon, Ga.; and three grandchildren. Her husband, William, to whom she was married 52 years, died in 1987. Her daughter, Bonnie Kay, and a brother, Rollin Davis, died previously. There will be no calling hours or local services. Cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to charity.

Morgan H. Dickerson, Jr.
Morgan H. Dickerson, Jr., 62, of Ravenna Township, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at his residence. Born March 22, 1938, in Wheeling, W.Va., he was the son of Morgan H., Sr. and Mildred M. (Miller) Dickerson. Formerly of Wooster and Cuyahoga Falls, he had lived in Ravenna for 10 years. Mr. Dickerson was manager for CVS Drug Store in Akron. Survivors include his wife, Mary (Totaro), to whom he was married12 years; son, Ronald (Brad Oglesby) of Columbus; daughters, Sara (Clifford) Bucy of Wooster, and Rachel (Greg) Miller of Orrville; stepsons, Timothy (Michele) McClurg of Columbus, Walter (Debbie) Dorsey of Richfield, and Ed (Jenny) Dorsey of Columbus; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Earl R. of Adena; and sister, Betty Bush of Mansfield. His great-granddaughter, Celeste Jaclyn Brown; brother, Ronald; and sister, Priscilla Schaal, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 5 p.m. until services at 7 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. The Rev. Nathan Ward will officiate. Private burial will take place later. Memorials may be made to charity.

Frank E. Boston
ROOTSTOWN - Frank E. Boston, 82, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born May 4, 1918 in Akron, he was the son of George E. and Juliet (Pickens) Boston. A Ravenna resident for 47 years, he had lived in Rootstown for the past three years. Mr. Boston retired as quality control manager in the patent works at Evenflo Products in Ravenna in 1973 after 34 years of service. He was a 50-year member of Adoniram Masonic Lodge No. 517 of Akron and was a member of the Akron Consistory. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ravenna. He was a past president of the Ravenna Jaycees and a former member of the Ravenna Elks Lodge and Ravenna Kiwanis Club. Survivors include his wife, Helen (Davis); sons, Frank Jr. (June) and Richard (Marlynn), both of Ravenna; daughters, Patricia (Robert) Lutzenkirchen of Wauconda, Ill., and Judy (Richard) Svoboda of Ravenna; stepsons, Kenneth (Danita) Davis of Warren and Thomas (Debbie) Davis of Edinburg; stepdaughters, Karen (Gerald) Kurtz of Rootstown, Shirley Gibson of Akron and Kathleen (Patrick) Michl of Rootstown; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, G. Verner of Cuyahoga Falls, Donald of Akron and Harold of Ravenna; and sister, May May of Stow. His first wife, Lucille, died in 1996. His brothers, Jack and Albert, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel (www.legacy.com), where Masonic services will be held at 8:45 p.m. Thursday. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ravenna, with the Rev. Everett Schleef officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Akron. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ravenna.

Edward David "Smitty" Smith Jr.
Edward David "Smitty" Smith Jr., 86, formerly of Streetsboro, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Stow-Glen Retirement Center in Stow. Burn July 31, 1914 in Greenville, Pa., he was the son of Edward D. and Amanda M. (Fischer) Smith. Mr. Smith was a shop electrician at Lamson & Sessions Co. in Kent from 1937 until the 1970's. Survivors include his stepson, William C. (Isabella) Hanson of Kent; stepdaughter, Rose (Frank) Elia of Kent; and eight grandchildren. His wife, Leona (Marks), died in 1974. HIs brother, Robert; sisters, Arelene Smith and Ruth Holden; and stepdaughter, Lois Hansen, died previously. Calling hours will be held 7 to 9 tonight at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Kate Walsh officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, 3601 South Green Road, Suite 100, Cleveland, Ohio 44122-5719.

Shirley A. Rahach
Shirley A. Rahach, 66, of Richfield died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at Akron City Hospital after a long illness. Born Nov. 8, 1934, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of Clifford and Dorothy (Ryan) Vanek. A former resident of Brook Park, she had lived in Richfield since 1972. She graduated in 1952 from South High School in Cleveland and attended Cleveland State University in the 1960s and 1970s, while raising her family. She earned a degree in English from CSU in 1973. Mrs. Rahach was employed for several as executive secretary for the Ohio Retail Food Dealers Association in Cleveland. In 1980, she started ERA, a computer recycling business. She then became president of Manhole Systems, Inc. of Cleveland. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband. She visited Ireland to learn more about her Irish heritage. Survivors include her husband, Otto J., whom she married July 26, 1955; son, Michael (TexAnn) of Mantua; daughters, Sharon (William) Seavey of Kent and Kelly of Tallmadge; five grandchildren; and sister, MaryJane Gregorowicz of Cleveland. Her brother, James Vanek, died previously. Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hiram. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

Ann Dawn Johnson
Ann Dawn Johnson, 96, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at Stow-Glen Nursing Care in Stow. Survivors include her sons, Reid A. of Ontario, Canada, and Keith E. (Marilyn) of Tallmadge, formerly of Twin Lakes; daughter, Carolyn A. (Jack) Houk of Palm Harbor, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Harold Ives of North Baltimore, Ohio; and sister, Edith Rohrback of Monroe, Mich. Her husband, Maurice R., and sister, Kathryn Hare, died previously. There will be no calling hours. Memorial services will be held later at the convenience of the family. Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Kent Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Yula Nester
Yula Nester, 63, of Alliance, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at her home. Born Nov. 26, 1937, in Dayton, she was the daughter of August and Cara (Cooley) Yeager. Mrs. Nester was a bar maid at the Town Tavern in Alliance. She was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She she enjoyed reading. Survivors include her sons, Franklin McPherson and Richard McPherson, both of Alliance, and Bryan McPherson of Indian Mound, Tenn.; daughters, Tonya Jack of Indian Mound and Marie Hughes of Las Vegas, Nev.; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard Yeager of Ravenna. A daughter, May McPherson, and an infant son died previously. Cremation will take place. Arrangements are being handled by Gednetz Ruzek Funeral Home in Sebring.

William "Bill" George Oplinger
William "Bill" George Oplinger, 72, of Akron died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at his home. Services will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel.

Gretchen Schuller
GARRETTSVILLE - Gretchen Schuller, 83, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Maxine E. Miller
Maxine E. Miller, 77, formerly of Mantua, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, in Fort Myers, Fla. Arrangements will be announced by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Elsie E. Strong
ATWATER - Elsie E. Strong, 76, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at her home of cancer. Born Dec. 29, 1924, in N.Y., she was the daughter of Ben and Pauline Forbes. She had lived in Atwater for 55 years. She was a former Edinburg resident. Mrs. Strong was a dairy farmer and a homemaker. She was active in the Atwater Congregational Church. Survivors include her husband, William R. "Bill," to whom she was married 55 years; son, Bob W. (Susie); daughters, Connie P. (Russ) Pittman, Lori L. Briggs and Patti Jo (Brent) Frame; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Her son, Don "Ruffie" Strong, died previously. There will be no calling hours or services. Arrangements were made by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Atwater Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Atwater Congregational Church or to Hospice of Alliance.

LaMae "Pert" Miller
BRIMFIELD - LaMae "Pert" Miller, 76, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001. Born Oct. 14, 1924 in Falkville, Ala., she was the daughter of Columbus and Bertie Presley. She attended school in Brimfield. Mrs. Miller owned and operated LaMae's Beauty Salon on S.R. 43 in Kent for more than 30 years, retiring in 1988. She also had been employed at the B.F. Goodrich Co. in Akron. She enjoyed church, gardening, crafting, taking annual trips and spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Robert H. "Bob", to whom she was married 56 years; son, Bill (Ali); daughter, Joi (Ray); two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother, Malcomb. Two granddaughters died previously. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Tallmadge Alliance Church, 1155 East Ave. in Tallmadge. Arrangements were handled by the Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home in Tallmadge. Memorials can be made to the Wycliffe Missionaries in care of Tallmadge Alliance Church.

Janet L. Drass
Janet L. Drass, 64, of 726 Artesian Ave., Newton Falls, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital from complications following a long illness. Born Nov. 23, 1936, in Newton Falls, she was the daughter of Charles Edward and Hazel B. (McCutcheon) Purdy. She was a lifel resident of Newton Falls. Mrs. Drass was a homemake. She also had worked at Ohio Lamp, Packard and Fashion Bug in Warren. She was a member of the Newton Falls United Methodist Church, past president of Beta Sigma Phi and a member of the Pythian Sisters. Survivors include her husband, Thomas M, whom she married on Feb. 14, 1957; son, Thomas C. of Lordstown;daughter, Tami Blessing of Leavittsburg, three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sisters, Mrs. Ronald (Carol) E. Wells of Lordstown and Mrs. Howard (Joan) Currey of Bristolville. Her sisters, Betty Reeder and Evelyn Purdy, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Newton Falls United Methodist Church, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Burial will be in the Lordstown Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by James Funeral Home in Newton Falls. Memorials may be given to the diabetes, heart or kidney foundations.

Blanch Hladky
AURORA - Blanch Hladky, 86, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001. Arrangements are being handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

George Pinter Sr., 88
George J. Pinter Sr., 88, of Ravenna, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001 after a long illness. Born Nov. 30, 1912 in Pageton, W. Va., he was the son of Frank and Anna (Monok) Pinter. He had lived in Mantua before moving to Ravenna 55 years ago. Mr. Pinter retired from Ruhlin Construction of Akron. He was a member of Operating Engineers Union Local 66 of Pittsburgh. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Stella J. (Ken), to whom he was married for 55 years; sons, George (Sharon) of Miami Beach, Fla. and Frank J. (Kim) of Rootstown; daughter, Kathleen A. Sommers of Orrville; six grandchildren; brothers, William of Ravenna and Arthur of Mantua; and sisters, Rose Lange of Mantua and Margaret Orban of Ravenna. Calling hours will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at Wood-Kortrighht Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum in Ravenna.

Margaret Goodrich, 76
STREETSBORO - Margaret G. Goodrich, 76, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, at Maison Aine Nursing Home in Stow. Born June 24, 1924, in Turtle Creek, Pa., she was the daughter of David and Grace Brown. Formerly of DuBoise, Pa., she had lived in Portage County since 1990. Mrs. Goodrich was a snack bar manager at the Thrift Drug Store in Monroeville, Pa. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Streetsboro and the Portage County Senior Center. Survivors include her husband, Arthur, to whom she was married 58 years; sons, Thomas (Sandi) of Twin Lakes and James (Colleen) of California; daughter, Carol (Gary) Thompson of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., nine grandchildren; brothers, Lawrence Clark of Pennsylvania and David Brown of California; and sister, Louise Rovier of California. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until services at 7 p.m. Thursday at Faith Baptist Church in Streetsboro, with the Rev. Donald Workman officiating.Private burial will be in Morningside Cemetery in DuBoise, Pa. Shorts Funeral Home, Streetsboro Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Michael Patti, 81
Michael T. Patti, 81, of Akron died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, after a brief illness. Mr. Patti retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron in 1980. He was a member of the United Steelworkers/URW Local 2. He was a World War II Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific. His vessel left Pearl Harbor 10 days before the attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Survivors include his wife, Josephine R., to whom he was married 54 years; sons, Michael (Lynn) of Akron, Richard (Gail) of Massillon, John (Sandi) of Windham, Frank (Bee) of Renton, Wash., and Tom of Sacramento, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; and brother, Sam of Wadsworth. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Dunn-Quigley-Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home in Akron. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 2935 Chenoweth St., Akron 44312. Burial will be Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron. Memorials may be made to the church.