Harriet R. Maughan
Harriet R. Maughan, 81, of Tallmadge, died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Akron General Hospital in Akron. Born Feb. 8, 1920, in Springfield Township, she was the daughter of Kenneth Ray and Anna (Kessler) Weyrick. Formerly of Charlestown Township, She had been a Tallmadge resident for three years. Mrs. Maughan was a homemaker. She was a member of the Charlestown United Methodist Church. Survivors include her sons, James (Pamela) of Cuyahoga Falls, Lonnie (Kim) of Charlestown and Hubert (Robin) of Tallmadge; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth of Green, Charles of Suffield and John of Springfield; a sister, Mary Hoskin of Suffield. Her husband, Hubert A., died on May 4, 1987. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Shorts Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Norma Bates officiating. Burial will be in Charlestown Cemetery in Charlestown. Memorials may be made to Charlestown United Methodist Church, 6408 Rock Spring Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

Bob R. DeWitt
AURORA - Bob R. DeWitt, 69, died Sunday, March 11, 2001 at Hospice House in Cleveland following an illness. Born June 18, 1931, in Auburn, Ind., he was the son of T. and Gladys (Read) DeWitt. A former resident of Birmingham in Erie County, Ohio, he had lived in Aurora since 1967. Mr. DeWitt worked as a comptroller for Sandusky Distributing in Beachwood, Solon and Streetsboro for 30 years before retiring. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. Survivors include his wife, Nina, whom he married in 1954; son, Dewey (Barbara) of Aurora; daughters, Jackie (Bill) Dyer of Springfield, Mo, and Jeanne (David) Hood of Perrysburg; six grandchildren; and brother, Dorwin Jack DeWitt of Denver, Colo. Callling hours will be held from 11 a.m. until services at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kindrich-McHugh Steinbauer Funeral Home, 33375 Bainbridge Road in Solon. The Rev. Joseph Witmer will officiate. Cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to Aurora High School's track team entry in the Aurora Relay for Life, to benefit the American Cancer Society in care of Aurora High School, Aurora Track Relay for Life, 520 W. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, 44202.

Sheila Garretson
SUFFIELD - Sheila Garretson, 60, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001. Arrangements will be announced by Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel.

Merrill Preston
Merrill Preston, 95, of Sun City, Arizona, father of Jane Preston Rose of Kent, died March 8, 2001 at Hospice of the Valley in Sun City, Arizona. Born January 22, 1906, in Medford, Massachusetts, he was the son of John Merrill and Carrie (Barker) Preston. He was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale University and served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He lived in Connecticut until moving to Arizona in 1980. He spent several summers in Kent. Ohio. Survivors include his close friend, Betty Cooke, of Sun City, Arizona; his daughter, Jane (George) Preston Rose of Kent; his son, Merrill (Bonnie) Preston, Jr. of Branford, Connecticut; and four grandchildren. His wife, Maria ("Betty") Shaw Preston, to whom he was married 44 years, died December 9, 1985. Two sisters, Marjorie Kellogg and Ruth Sinclair, and a brother, Ralph B. Preston, died previously. Private services were held in Sun City, Arizona. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Portage County, c/o Robinson Visiting Nurse & Hospice, 6847 North Chestnut Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266

J. Leicester "Les" Allison
J. Leicester "Les" Allison, 77, of East Main Street, Ravenna, died Monday, March 12, 2001, at his home. Born Feb. 6, 1924 in Kent, he was the son of Richard and Ivy J. (Smith) Allison. Mr. Allison was a machinist for Allen Aircraft Co. in Ravenna for many years. A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Kent American Legion. He enjoyed fishing. Survivors include his sister, Betty (Louis) Monaco of Brady Lake. His brother, Richard, died in 1980. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Lake Brady United Methodist Church in Brady Lake, with the Rev. Edward P. Peterson officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Private burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Lake Brady United Methodist Church, 1995 Brady Lake Road, Kent, 44240.

Harry L. Johnson
Harry L. Johnson, 90, of Warren, the father of Judge Judith Christley of the 11th District Court of Appeals, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at Gillette Nursing Care Center in Warren. Born Feb. 12, 1911 in Boston, Mass., he was the son of Axel and Signe (Peterson) Johnson. He had lived in Upper Arlington for many years before moving to Warren in 1998. Mr. Johnson was a purchasing manager at Westinghouse Electric for more than 30 years, retiring in 1973. Mr. Johnson was a member of Riverside Methodist Church in Upper Arlington. He enjoyed golfing and he had an avid interest in studying politics and national issues. He was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to Judge Christley of Andover, survivors include his sons, William (Sandra) of Boston and Bruce (Elizabeth) of Alexandria, Va.; eight grandchildren; and sister, Dorothy McCann of Cape Cod, Mass. His wife, Marian (Martin) died in 1987. Seven brothers died previously. There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Cemetery in Hiram, with the Rev. Jeffery Stoll officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua. Memorials can be made to MIT in care of his daughter, Judith Christley, 6738 S.R. 7, Andover, 44003.

Lillian Koby
AURORA - Lillian Koby, 83, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at Marathon Manor in Marathon, Fla. following a period of failing health. Born Aug. 6, 1917 in Steubenville, she was the daughter of Elroy and Margaret (Workman) Jones. She had lived in Aurora since 1968. Mrs. Koby and her husband were co-owners of Koby's Big 'n Little Grocery Store in Bedford until their retirement in 1973. For several years, she was also the owner-operator and ceramic teacher of her ceramic business in Bedford, earning several national awards. She was a former member of the United Methodist Church in Bedford and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter in Bedford. She owned and showed horses with her family and enjoyed fishing, camping and golfing. Survivors include her son, Michael (Jackie) Koby of Mantua; daughters, Michelle Koby of Duck Key, Fla. and Carlene Hunt of East Aurora, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Betty Howell of Williamsport. Her husband, Wilfred, whom she married Nov. 4, 1949, died in 1981. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Green's Funeral Home in Mantua, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. James Jones officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bedford Heights.

Leonard Roy Moore
ROOTSTOWN - Leonard Roy Moore, 78, died Sunday at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna after a long illness. Born Sept. 7, 1922 in Campbellsport, he was the son of Roy and Viva (Wood) Moore. He retired in 1984 from Smithers Oasis. He was a member of New Milford Baptist Church. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of Disabled American Veterans. Survivors include his wife, Lucile (Crone), to whom he was married 46 years; son, David (Mary) of Ravenna; daughters, Judy Ann (George) Corple of Sanger, Texas, and Sherry (Paul) White of Whittier, Calif.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Richard of Rootstown; and sister Geraldine Helpbringer of Charlestown. A brother, Robert, died previously. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Milford Baptist Church in Rootstown. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna. Memorials may be made to Parkinson's Support Group, in care of Doris Brikner, 433 Silver Oak Drive, Apt. 4, Kent, 44240.

Betty Lee Thomas
EDINBURG - Betty Lee (Javins) Thomas, 79, died Thursday, March 15, 2001 at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna after a nine-year illness. Born Oct. 1, 1921 in Sebring, she was the daughter of William and Alta (Lee) Javins. She had lived in Edinburg since 1950. Mrs. Thomas worked in the order department at American Steel during World War II. She was a homemaker and had worked in the Southeast School cafeteria for 15 years. She graduated from Edinburg High School and attended Kent State for two years. She was a member of Edinburg United Church for 47 years, where she taught Sunday School, raised money for Missions and cooked for the soup kitchen. She also was involved with Tuesday Homemakers. Survivors include her husband, Robert, whom she married Aug. 15, 1947; sons, Robert Lee (Robin) of Ashland and Randy (Diane) of Richmond, Va.; three grandchildren; and sister, Dawna Javins of Alliance. Visitation will be held one hour prior to 2 p.m. funeral services Saturday at Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, with the Rev. Ruth Chartier officiating. Burial will be in Edinburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Edinburg United Church, 4081 Rock Spring Road, Ravenna 44266 or the Edinburg Fire Department, 6727 Tallmadge Road, Rooststown.

Alice R. King
Alice R. King, 80, of Bristolville, died Thursday, March 15, 2001 after a brief illness. Born Dec. 26, 1920 in Niles, she was the daughter of Joseph S. and Eva (Marsh) Richards. She had lived in Bristolville for the past 20 years. Mrs. King was employed in the office staff of Packard Electric in Warren. She was a 1938 graduate of Bristol High School. Survivors include her brother, Ward T. Richards of Cortland; and sisters, Margaret Yeager of Florida and Donna J. Gilbert and Lila Smith, both of Bristolville. Her husband, Richard L., died in 1981. A brother, Joseph D., and sister, Evelyn Kline, also died previously. There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Crown Hill Cemetery Chapel in Warren. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home in Garrettsville.

Phyllis Hunt
Phyllis K. Hunt, 62, of Kent, died Thursday, March 15, 2001 at Akron City Hospital. Born April 28, 1938, in Canada, Ky., she was the daughter of Grover and Mary (Varney) Justice. Formerly of Streetsboro, she had been a Kent resident since 1997. Mrs. Hunt was employed as a cook for the Streetsboro City School System. Survivors include her daughter, Susan J. Onysko of Kent; step-son, Ethan Hunt, Jr. of Illinois; step-daughter, Cynthia Fintok of Tennessee; three grandchildren; brothers, Harry Justice, Grover Justice and Larry Justice, all of Kentucky; sister, Juanita Woodley of Maryland. Her husband, Ethan W. Hunt died Oct. 6, 1997. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Shorts Funeral Homes, Streetsboro Chapel. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Carl Holm officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Streetsboro.

Margaret Mathia
Margaret E. Mathia, 85, of Suffield Township, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001. Born Jan. 20, 1916, in Canton, she was the daughter of Fred and Hazel R. (Brittian) Geltz. Mrs. Mathia was employed by the Internal Revenue Service for more than 10 years. She was an avid card player who loved euchre. She supported and chaperoned the Field High School Royal Guardsman Band. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Michael Mathia, Sr. of Mogadore; sons, Mike, Jr. of Suffield and Vincent III of California; daughters, Margie Barr of Arizona and Ann Corey of California; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. Her son, Robert; and brother, Fred Geltz, Jr. died previously. There will be no calling hours or services. Cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to Suffield Township Fire Department, 1256 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260.

Jimmie Murphy
BRIMFIELD - Jimmie B. Murphy, 51, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. Born July 13, 1949, in Clarksburg, W. Va., he was the son of Paul and Edith (Griffith) Murphy. Formerly of Cleveland, he had lived in Brimfield for seven years. Mr. Murphy was employed as a utility man at Hukill Chemical in Bedford. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Deborah (Anderson); son, Robert of Brimfield; three grandchildren; his mother of Salem, W. Va.; brothers, George of Cleveland and Skip and Timothy, both of Clarksburg, W. Va.; sisters, Deborah Anderson of Oakwood Village and Cheryl Swagger of Salem, W. Va. His father and a brother, Jerry, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Services will follow at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Karen Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Shalersville.

Kathy Stence-Fiber
FREEDOM - Kathy Stence-Fiber, 51, died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at Select Specialty of Barberton Hospital. Arrangements will be announced by Green's Funeral Home in Mantua.

Clarence Phillips
WINDHAM - Clarence "Ray" Phillips, 68, died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following a period of failing health. Born Nov. 4, 1932, in Proctor, W.Va., he was a son of Arthur and Jessie (Anderson) Phillips and was an area resident most of his life. He retired as a stocker from Copperweld Steel Co. in Warren. He was a member of the steel workers union. Mr. Phillips was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War. He was member of the Windham Baptist Church. He was an avid fisherman and blue grass musician. Survivors include his wife Phyliss (Holley); sons, Wayne and Mike of Windham, Brad (Karen) and Todd (Sheila) of Garrettsville; daughter Debbie (KEn) Molnar of Garrettsville; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother John Rush of Atlanta; sister Donna Rush Long of Windham. A sister Mary Parthemer and grandson Brentin died previously. Calling hours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Wood-Kortright Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service a the the Windham Baptist Church with the Rev. Carl Bailey and the Rev. Joe Board officiating. Burial will be in Windham Cemetery.

Belva Murphy
Belva Mae Murphy, 85, of Elk City, Kansas, died Monday, March 19, 2001, at Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas. Born Sept. 13, 1915, in Byesville, Ohio, she was the daughter of William and Minnie (Ingler) Aegeter. She had lived in Kansas for the past three years. She was formerly of Ravenna and Colorado. Mrs. Murphy was a cook and she had worked at the Portage County Nursing Home. She was a member of the Ravenna Assembly of God Church and the Senior Citizens Club of Elk City. Survivors include her daughters, Charlotte B. Murphy and Rebecca A. Hinton, both of Elk City, and Belva Kaye Starcher of Woodbridge, Va.; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Thomas, died in 1974. A son, Herman died in 1960. Two grandsons also died previously. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday at Shorts Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Hillside Cemetery in Shalersville, with the Rev. E. Tom Boytar officiating.

Edgar Dickinson
Edgar Bruce Dickinson, 77, of Delaware, Ohio, died Sunday, March 18, 2001, at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. Born June 20, 1923, in Cleveland, he was the son of Elkano and Minnie (Flyshaker) Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson was a machinist at Johnson and Johnson Co. prior to his retirement. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Carol R. (Kruse) Dickinson; son, Bruce B. (Pamela) of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughters, Kathleen R. (Peter) Matuscak of Columbus, Susan C. (Robert) Wright of Mantua and Pamela K. (Kenneth) Minard of Delaware, Ohio; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Owen; sister, Martha J. Coss. His parents and a grandson, Jeffrey Wright, died previously. Cremation has taken place. Burial is in Westlawn Cemetery in Mantua. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Mantua Center Christian Church, 4118 S.R. 82, Mantua, Ohio 44255.

Pat J. Errera, 43
Pat J. Errera, 43, of Brady Lake Road in Kent, died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at Akron City Hospital in Akron. Born Jan. 10, 1958, in Grove City, Pa., he was the son of John and Pauline (Kelly) Errera. Mr. Errera worked as a press and crane operator for the Ford Motor Company in Walton Hills. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, United Auto Workers Union Local 420, a volunteer at Ravenna Clothing Center, Walls School official cookie taster and was involved with Cub Scout Pack 3253. Survivors include his wife, Annette "Nanny" (Baughman), whom he married on Aug. 20, 1977; son, P.J.; daughter, Jennifer; his parents of Kent; brothers, John, Chris and Tracy (Laurie), all of Kent; sisters, Jody (Jim) Pitts and Amy Errera, both of Kent. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Services will be held at noon on Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Harry O. Harvey officiating. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Robert E. Keller, 70
Former Portage County resident Robert E. Keller, 70, of Akron, died Friday, March 23, 2001. Born May 3, 1930 in Akron, he was the son of Eugene and Mae Keller. Mr. Keller was retired from the General Tire chemical plant in Mogadore. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany, and was a member of AA since January 1972. He was a member of the Amos H. Englebeck Masonic Lodge 751 for 29 years, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8487, and the Tadmor Shrine. He was a member of The Chapel. He is survived by his sons, Robert (Barbara) Keller Jr. of North Canton and Douglas (Charlotte) Keller; daughters Doris Lynn (Bruce) Spurling of Portage County, Laurie (Ed) Gonzales and Janice (Steve) Bolyard; brothers Bill and Jack; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His former wife, Doris, died previously. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Adams Mason Memorial Chapel, 791 E. Market St., Akron, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hillside Memorial Park in Akron, where military rites will be conducted by Firestone Post 3383. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.