Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory

Sep 1, 2023

On Friday, September 1, 2023, local legend, Robert Wade Roe, II, age 75, of Tallmadge, OH, passed away and went on to that big field of dreams in the sky. He passed away peacefully and in his sleep, surrounded by family at his home.

Robert was born August 26, 1948 in Ravenna, OH to Robert and Doris...

Aug 31, 2023

Twyla K. (Craft) Wise, age 85, of Kent, OH, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Altercare Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center. Twyla was born June 9, 1938 in Parcoal, West Virginia to the late Daniel Henry Craft and Vera Maxine (Given) Carden. Twyla graduated from Central High in Akron, where she was a cheerleader and voted May Queen. She...

Aug 27, 2023

Mary Sparrow was born in 1935 in Cleveland Ohio. She passed away on August 27, 2023. She was the wife to to late Arthur Sparrow; mother to Diana and Arthur Jr.; grandmother to Keith, Sheila and Gregory; great grandmother to Aaron, Jace and Carter. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to Hope for...

Aug 25, 2023

Philip Shilling, age 63, of Kent, OH, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023 at his home.

Philip was born November 2, 1959 in Massillon, OH to Donald and Waneta (Williams) Shilling.

He is survived by his mother, Waneta Shilling; brother, Mark Shilling.  He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Dr. Donald Shilling....

Aug 25, 2023

Michael J. Knapp, 66, of Ravenna, passed away, in the comfort of his home, on Friday, August 25, 2023 with his family by his side.  He was born in Kent on December 21, 1956 to Thomas Knapp and the late Norma (Butcher) Knapp.

Mike was an avid sports fan, except for baseball and golf.  He enjoyed motocross...

Aug 25, 2023

Judith S. Everett (nee Sapp), 85, died comfortably and peacefully on August 25, 2023 after succumbing to vascular dementia. Judith “Judy”, born November 12, 1938, was a lifelong resident of Portage County, and a descendant of area pioneers who settled in Kent in the 1800’s. Her great-great grandfather worked at Riddle Co. making carriages, her great grandfather owned a...

Aug 24, 2023

Ronald Reed Jr., 67, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Country Club Rehabilitation Home in Newton Falls.  He was born in Ravenna on September 22, 1955 to the late Ronald Sr and Helen Reed.  Ronald was a graduate of Ravenna High School and was employed in construction.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting,...

Aug 23, 2023

John Paul “Jack” Neuzil

August 8, 1942 - August 23, 2023

Jack is preceded in death by his brothers Frederick and Robert both of whom died in infancy, his parents George and Lois Neuzil of Grand Island, Nebraska, and by his beloved wife Mary Helen Neuzil (Cooper) of Kent, Ohio.

Jack is survived...

Aug 22, 2023

After 32 30th birthdays, Joseph Robert Raftovich, of Kent, OH, left this physical plane on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Joseph was born 27 July 1961 in Chester, PA to the late Robert and Rose (Torrieri) Raftovich. 
As a father, friend, and leader, Joseph made an immense impact on all those who had the privilege of knowing him....

Aug 22, 2023

Derek Scott Damron passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at University Hospital’s Cleveland Medical Center, following a brief illness this summer.  He was born in Miami, FL on June 4, 1960. He is survived by his mother Dr. Geneva Damron of Kent, OH; wife Amy Damron (Batchelor), whom he celebrated his 9th wedding anniversary with on August 9, 2023;...

Aug 22, 2023

Patricia L. McMullen, 91, of Streetsboro, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center.  She was born on November 3, 1931 to the late Raymond and Catherine Weschler and was a 1949 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.

She was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and loved playing cards. ...

Aug 21, 2023

Nancy Sue (Fairbee) Smith devoted wife, mother, grand- mother, sister and friend passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family, Monday, August 21, 2023. Nancy was born October 31, 1953 to Millard (Bud) and Irma Fairbee of Garretsville, Ohio. Nancy was born the youngest of seven.

Preceded in death by her grandchild, Cheyenne; brothers, William...

Aug 21, 2023

Arthur Sparrow was born in 1934 in Calabria, Italy and moved, with his family, to Cleveland, Ohio in 1940. He passed away on August 21, 2023. He was the husband to Mary Sparrow; father to Diana and Arthur Jr.; grandfather to Keith, Sheila and Gregory; great grandfather to Aaron, Jace and Carter.  Arthur served his country in the Navy...

Aug 16, 2023

Michael C. Malmisur, Ph.D., 89, of Kent, Ohio, passed away on August 16, 2023, surrounded by his family’s love.

Dr. Malmisur was born on March 2, 1934, in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of the late Joseph and Theresa Malmisura. Married to the former Karen Hult, together they cherished over 60 years of marriage.

Dad was...

Aug 11, 2023

Gretchen Laflin, 90, of Kent, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Cleveland Clinic Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center.  She was born in Woodsfield, OH on January 27, 1933 to the late Harley and Hazel Vosper and was employed as a secretary at Kent State University for 25 years.

She was a longtime member of...

Aug 10, 2023

Betty Jane “Betsy” Welser, 80, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at KentRidge Senior Living.  She was born in Little Eagle, PA on January 12, 1943 to the late Carl and Eleanore Guckelberger and was a 1960 graduate of Revere High School.  Betty went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Miami University and her master’s...

Aug 3, 2023

Coretta C. Stragisher, age 91 of Kent, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born August 4, 1931 in Smoke Hole, WV to the late Glen and Artie Alt.

As well as being a wonderful stay at home mother, she worked in fashion, beauty, and retail.

Coretta had a...

Aug 2, 2023

Elsie B. Fitzwater, 89, of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at KentRidge Senior Living.  She was born in Belington, WV to the late Oakey and Mable Zirkle.  Elsie was employed as a press operator for Scott Molder, retiring in 1990.  She enjoyed cooking, traveling, was always very stylish and kept up on what was in fashion. ...

Jul 31, 2023

Robert Evans Carlson, 79, of Kent passed away on July 31, 2023 after living with Parkinson’s disease and multiple myeloma.  Bob was the beloved husband of Ann (Blomberg) for 55 years; loving father and father-in-law of Eric Carlson of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Linnea (Carlson) and Thomas Stafford of Kent; and grandfather to Ash, Ellie and Ingrid.  He was...

Jul 31, 2023

William Byrd Johnson entered the world on August 29, 1939 in Kent, Ohio, the last of twelve children born to John and Dora Johnson. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School from which he graduated in 1957. In February, 1959, after some career counseling from his mother, William enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country...