Anita Jane Childers

Anita Jane Childers (Wiley), age 86, lifelong resident of Kent, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2012, resulting from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. She was born October 14, 1925 to the late Howard J. and Myrtle R. Wiley in Kent. Anita graduated from Kent State High School in 1943. She met her future husband Earl R. Childers while he was serving in the Army Air Corps. They became engaged and soon after, Anita boarded a train in Kent and traveled to San Antonio, TX to marry Earl. He told her that he would meet her at the train station not knowing that there were three stations in San Antonio. Fortunately, Earl guessed the correct station and they were married in Von Ormy, TX on March 24, 1945.

Prior to and during the early years of their marriage, Anita worked as a secretary at Lamb Electric in Kent. She was a homemaker most of their married life but was employed at Kent State University in the Registrar's Office in the early '70s. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, knitting, sewing and bowling. She was very proud of the 600 series she once bowled. She also enjoyed canning the vegetables that her husband grew in their garden.

Anita is survived by her husband of 67 years, daughters Sandra (Thomas) Ward of Westerville, OH., Candice (Donald) DeFluiter of Marlboro, OH and son Jonathan Childers of Akron, brother Donald (Flora) Wiley of Kent, grandchildren Jeff (Stacey) Ward of Galena, OH., Kelly (Andy) Shenigo of Atwater, OH., and Hayley Childers of Stow, and five great-granddaughters. She is also survived by sister-in-law Margaret Childers of Elyria, Ohio, two nephews and six nieces and their families.

A private memorial will be held at Bissler & Son Funeral Home, 628 W. Main Street, Kent Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer'sAssociation, 70 W. Streetsboro Street, Suite 201, Hudson, Ohio 44236.