Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory

Aug 13, 2024

Peter Anthony Cirjak, born on September 14, 1930, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at the age of 93, following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Shirley Cirjak (Riznikove); sons, Thomas Cirjak (Nancy) of Ravenna, Larry Cirjak (Marlise Fletter) of Burton; grandchildren, Marianne Cahill (Rob), Amy Cirjak, Michael Cirjak (Ashley), Elyse...

Aug 10, 2024

Barbara Ann Clapp, 91, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Kent Ridge Senior Living.  She was born in Parma, OH on June 9, 1933 to the late Ralph and Anna Mae Wearley.  Barbara resided in New Mexico for 50 years, returning to Kent in 2021.  She enjoyed reading, watching movies, playing cards and was an...

Aug 6, 2024

Candace Sue Sayre, age 55, passed away on August 6, 2024. She is survived by her husband, David; children, Nathan, Lauren (fiancé Parker Bryant) and Gregory (Marina) Sayre; 11+ grandchildren; mother, Barbara Reinard and mother-in-law, Toni Sayre; and siblings, Kathy Perkins, Robin Trautman, Bobby Reinard, Rebecca Landrum. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Reinard and sister...

Aug 5, 2024

Leonard N. “Lenny” Stemple passed away on August 5, 2024 at the age of 93. Born in Akron, Lenny graduated from West High School where he excelled in basketball, even being named to the All City and All County Team. He was offered a scholarship to Akron University, but instead went to serve his country in the Korean War....

Aug 4, 2024

Gary L. Zimmer, 72, of Kent, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born in Erie, PA on February 10, 1952 to the late James and Anabel Zimmer. Gary was employed as a delivery driver with UPS for 30 years, retiring in 2002. His “retirement” allowed him to start his own successful small...

Aug 1, 2024

Toni B. Worthen, age 68, of Ravenna, OH, passed August 1, 2024.

Toni ran on coffee and Jesus, as she would say. She was a source of light for many. She spent much of her time volunteering with the Kent Police Department and police K9s in the area. She could talk to anyone and brighten their day,...

Jul 30, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Anita Marie Long, lifelong resident of Kent, Ohio. She unexpectedly passed on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at the age of 65. She was born on November 24, 1958 and was a 1978 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School. She was employed at Spencer Gifts for 35 years,...

Jul 29, 2024

Shawn R. Hadaway passed away on July 29, 2024 at the age of 65 after a seven-year battle with cancer.  Born in Elyria, he graduated from Elyria High School, class of 1977, and attended Lorain County Community College and Kent State University.  Shawn served proudly as a Lorain County Deputy Sheriff for 28 years and was well-respected by those...

Jul 26, 2024

Geraldine McPherson, 98, of Ravenna, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024 at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center.  She was born in Detroit, MI on March 5, 1926 to the late Frank and Celia Sledzinski.  Geraldine earned her associate degree in medical technology from Akron University.  She was employed as a medical assistant for many years and worked with...

Jul 24, 2024

Diane M. (nee May) Reitz, 76, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2024, surrounded by her family. Diane was born on April 13, 1948 to Arthur and Ann (Troyer) May, and grew up on a farm in Portage County.

She is survived by her high-school sweetheart and husband of 52 years, Bill, their daughter Victoria (Mike) Burt...

Jul 24, 2024

Martha J. Miller, 88, of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Tamarack Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation.  She was born in Kent on August 12, 1935 to the late Clifford and Madeline Meloy and was a 1953 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.  Martha was employed as a secretary for several years, including ten years at Kent...

Jul 19, 2024

Eileen L. (nee Farnsworth) Brahce, 95, formerly of Kent, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at Brecon Village Retirement Community in Saline, Michigan.

Eileen was born March 16, 1929, to Reed Alexander and Anna (Klein) Farnsworth.  She grew up on a small farm near Solon, Iowa, graduated from Solon High School in 1947, attended nursing school at the...

Jul 18, 2024

David P. Schell, 81, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Kent Health Care and Rehab Center.  He was born in Alliance, OH on December 27, 1942 to the late Carl and Erma Schell.  David proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was a member of the American Legion Post...

Jul 11, 2024

Richard L. Brothers, 80, of Ravenna, passed away in the comfort of his home, on Thursday, July 11, 2024.  He was born in Ravenna on February 16, 1944 to the late Robert and Edith Brothers.  He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  Richard was employed as a heavy equipment operator for 37 years, retiring...

Jul 11, 2024

Katherine Gardner, 93, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in the comfort of her home.  She was born in Ravenna on April 6, 1931 to the late James and Vera Imperial and was a 1949 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.

Katherine worked in retail for several years.  She was a member of St....

Jul 10, 2024

Martha Jean Tisdale, 68, of Aurora, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at David Simpson Hospice House.  She was born in Akron on June 14, 1956 and received her Bachelor's Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD from Kent State University.  Martha was employed as a clinical psychologist with Metro Health System for many years.  She enjoyed cooking, decorating and...

Jul 5, 2024

Lauren Pia-Vavra, 67, of Kent, passed away, unexpectedly, on Friday, July 5, 2024.  She was born in Natick, MA on April 23, 1957 to the late Albert and Viola Pia.  Lauren earned her master’s degree in dietary science from Kent State University.  She was a registered dietician at Robinson Memorial/UH Portage for many years.  She enjoyed reading, traveling and...

Jun 30, 2024

Jack F. Nichols, 87, long-time resident of Kent, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at The Village of St. Edward at Green.  He was born in Meadville, PA to the late Fred D. and Eleanor C. Nichols and proudly served in the United States Army.

Jack earned his master’s degree in counseling from Kent State University. ...

Jun 16, 2024

Rodger Dale Groves “Papa", dedicated husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away suddenly at his home on June 16, 2024, at the age of 70. He was born in Ravenna, OH on February 8, 1954 to the late Jesse and Nina Groves. He was a 1972 graduate of Windham High School, where he held the cross-country school record in...

Jun 14, 2024

Donald L Halsey, 89, of Kent, Ohio, died June 14, 2024, at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Galion, Ohio on May 6th, 1935. The second of 10 children.

Donald was married 67 years to Ruth Anne (nee Henry) Halsey, also from Galion, Ohio. He was father to Charlie (Rose) of Huron, Mary...