Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Polly Starr Donaghy
Jun 20, 2018
Polly Starr Donaghy, beloved wife of the late Dan Getz Donaghy and beloved mother of Anne Merritt Donaghy and Catherine Curtis Donaghy, died peacefully June 20, 2018. Born in Connecticut, Mrs. Donaghy grew up in Hudson and moved to Kent at the time of her marriage in 1960. She joined her husband at the Campus Supply, where she utilized her...
Kevin Mark Cooper
Jun 20, 2018
Kevin Mark Cooper, 58, of Stow, died Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at his home. He was born November 2, 1959 in Mt. Hope, WV to Carl Chester and Elizabeth Faye (Feazil) Cooper. He loved driving cars and riding motorcycles. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Maryann (Valosen) Cooper, whom he married...
Bette Wands Hoover
Jun 19, 2018
Bette Wands Hoover, age 73, passed away peacefully June 19, 2018 after battling a long illness. She was born in Ravenna on March 20, 1945 to the late Herbert and Neva (Watkins) Wands. A music lover, she studied music at Kent State University, earning her Master's degree. She taught music at Field Local Schools and numerous private piano students. Bette...
Irene A. Galier
Jun 17, 2018
Irene A. Galier, 88, of Aurora, died Sunday, June 17, 2018, at Aurora Manor in Aurora. She was born November 30, 1929 in Windham, to the late Avara and Sara (Rufner) Cale. Graduate of Ravenna High School in 1947. She began her career as a bookkeeper at the State Highway Patrol where she met husband Peter Galier. Irene worked on...
Laverne Ramicone
Jun 13, 2018
LaVerne Ramicone, 83, of Kent, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Arbors of Stow. She was born July 13, 1934 in Kent, to Floyd and Mary E. (Copeland) Christner. LaVerne was a Campfire Leader and loved dogs, hiking, reading and traveling to Hocking Hills State Park. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. She is survived by son,...
John Charles Ketchum
Jun 11, 2018
John Charles Ketchum, 62, of Kent, died Monday, June 11, 2018, at his home. He was born November 15, 1955 in Akron, to Roy and Ruth (Reeder) Ketchum. He was an active person and loved to socialize with his friends and neighbors. John loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, fast and classic cars and horse racing. He enjoyed spending time with his family...
Melvin L. Myers
Jun 10, 2018
Melvin L. Myers, 66, of Ravenna, died Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He was born September 26, 1951 in Baltimore, MD to William and Doris (Severn) Myers. He was a die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan. He is survived by his wife, Lynn (Schoener) Myers; son, Erik (Heather) Matonak of Akron; daughter, Kyla (Nick) Courtad of Aurora; grandchildren, Damien,...
Margaret May Konopitski
Jun 8, 2018
Margaret May Konopitski, 85, of Kent, died Friday, June 8, 2018, at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. She was born May 1, 1933 in Glassport, PA to Harold and Margaret (Germak) Spencer. She retired from Parker Hannifin Corp. in Ravenna, where she worked in Human Resources. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church; the Ford Salaried Retirement Club;...
Robert L. Crocker
Jun 7, 2018
Robert L. Crocker Sr., 89, of Kent, died Thursday, June 7, 2018, at his home. He was born September 16, 1928 in Stow, to George E. and Erma May (Burdick) Crocker. He was a veteran of the Army during the World War II and the Korean War. He was a life member of the VFW and Kent American Legion Post...
Joseph Gabriel,
Jun 3, 2018
Joseph Gabriel Jr., 87, of Kent, passed away Sunday, June 3, 2018 surrounded by family at his home in Kent. He was born January 12, 1931 in Canton Ohio to Joseph and Florence (Norcia) Gabriel Sr.. He was a veteran of the Army during the Korean war. He was self employed, owner of Envoy Chemical Co. He is survived by...
Linda Ellsworth
Jun 2, 2018
Linda Ellsworth, 71, of Ravenna, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 2, 2018. She was born April 6, 1947 in Akron to the late Ray Irvin and Dorothy June (Speck) Brugmann. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Ellsworth, whom she married on June 11, 1966; sons, Edward (Kim) Ellsworth of Ravenna, and Tom (Brenda) Ellsworth...
John Jack Gargan
Jun 1, 2018
John Joseph "Jack" Gargan, a political science professor known for his enthusiastic teaching style and love of language and family, died June 1 with his family by his side. Born December 16, 1934, in Auburn, New York, to Joseph W. and Margaret F. (Murphy), Gargan, Jack grew up in Auburn and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1952. He...
Platt Rogers Safford
May 29, 2018
A modest, courageous, good-hearted, and dry-witted man of integrity died May 29, 2018, enfolded within the circle of his loving family, following two years of cancer treatments. Platt Rogers Safford of Kent was born June 12, 1950, son of the late Louis O. and Margery Rogers of Cleveland Heights. He attended Hawkins School before graduating from Mercersburg Academy in PA,...
Martha Mary Loos
May 28, 2018
Martha Mary Loos, 102, of Kent, died Monday, May 28, 2018, at Gables at KentRidge. She was born January 30, 1916 in Kent to Frank and Bessie (Wronska) Pudloski. She was an active member of St. Patrick Church where she was a regular attendee at Adoration on Tuesdays. For years, she played cards with the Thursday's Euchre group at St....
Scott William Mcneil
May 28, 2018
Scott William McNeil, 49, of Kent, Ohio passed away at home on Monday, May 28, 2018, surrounded by his family. Scott was born on April 19, 1969 in Libertyville, Illinois, to Becky and Dick McNeil. He was preceded in death by his mother and his nephew, Sam McNeil. Scott brought tremendous love, unity and laughter to his family. His life...
Joyce Rosalie Sitko
May 22, 2018
Joyce Rosalie (Geisinger) Sitko, 93, of Kent, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Altercare of Hudson. Born June 19, 1924 in her home at 123 Elm Street in Kent to Howard and Lillian (Long) Geisinger. Early in life, Joyce tapped dance for 15 years with Helen Beitz dance studio in Kent. She graduated from Roosevelt...
Lori K. Mcglothlin
May 22, 2018
Lori K McGlothlin, 54 of Kent lost her courageous battle with cancer at her home on Tuesday May 22, 2018. She is preceded in death by her father Wynn Webb and her Mother Christine (Smulo) Webb. Lori loved entertaining family and friends, traveling with her husband Terry and being an awesome Aunt. She will be missed by many. She is...
Patrick Charles Mccafferty
May 22, 2018
Patrick Charles McCafferty, 69, of Kent, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 26, 1948 in Akron to Ross John Regis and Ruth Milton (Anderson) McCafferty. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Patrick was a member of the American Legion, a life...
Elizabeth "Betty" F. Becker Combs Rentz
May 21, 2018
Elizabeth F. 'Betty' Becker Combs Rentz, 90, of Stow, died Monday, May 21, 2018, at her home. She was born July 3, 1927 in Akron, to Francis and Gertrude (Geilen) Becker. Betty was a member of the Stow United Methodist Church. She was well loved and will be missed by her many nephews and nieces. She is survived by her...
Harold Leroy Courson
May 21, 2018
Harold Leroy Courson, 77, of Aurora, died Monday, May 21, 2018, at Arbors At Streetsboro. He was born March 24, 1941 in Rimersburg, PA to the late Paul and Margaret (Ramsey) Courson. He Retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years of service and enjoyed restoring '57 Chevys. He is survived by his wife, Darlene (Doolittle) Courson; daughters, Corinne (Steve)...
Polly Starr Donaghy
Jun 20, 2018
Polly Starr Donaghy, beloved wife of the late Dan Getz Donaghy and beloved mother of Anne Merritt Donaghy and Catherine Curtis Donaghy, died peacefully June 20, 2018. Born in Connecticut, Mrs. Donaghy grew up in Hudson and moved to Kent at the time of her marriage in 1960. She joined her husband at the Campus Supply, where she utilized her...
Kevin Mark Cooper
Jun 20, 2018
Kevin Mark Cooper, 58, of Stow, died Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at his home. He was born November 2, 1959 in Mt. Hope, WV to Carl Chester and Elizabeth Faye (Feazil) Cooper. He loved driving cars and riding motorcycles. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Maryann (Valosen) Cooper, whom he married...
Bette Wands Hoover
Jun 19, 2018
Bette Wands Hoover, age 73, passed away peacefully June 19, 2018 after battling a long illness. She was born in Ravenna on March 20, 1945 to the late Herbert and Neva (Watkins) Wands. A music lover, she studied music at Kent State University, earning her Master's degree. She taught music at Field Local Schools and numerous private piano students. Bette...
Irene A. Galier
Jun 17, 2018
Irene A. Galier, 88, of Aurora, died Sunday, June 17, 2018, at Aurora Manor in Aurora. She was born November 30, 1929 in Windham, to the late Avara and Sara (Rufner) Cale. Graduate of Ravenna High School in 1947. She began her career as a bookkeeper at the State Highway Patrol where she met husband Peter Galier. Irene worked on...
Laverne Ramicone
Jun 13, 2018
LaVerne Ramicone, 83, of Kent, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Arbors of Stow. She was born July 13, 1934 in Kent, to Floyd and Mary E. (Copeland) Christner. LaVerne was a Campfire Leader and loved dogs, hiking, reading and traveling to Hocking Hills State Park. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. She is survived by son,...
John Charles Ketchum
Jun 11, 2018
John Charles Ketchum, 62, of Kent, died Monday, June 11, 2018, at his home. He was born November 15, 1955 in Akron, to Roy and Ruth (Reeder) Ketchum. He was an active person and loved to socialize with his friends and neighbors. John loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, fast and classic cars and horse racing. He enjoyed spending time with his family...
Melvin L. Myers
Jun 10, 2018
Melvin L. Myers, 66, of Ravenna, died Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He was born September 26, 1951 in Baltimore, MD to William and Doris (Severn) Myers. He was a die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan. He is survived by his wife, Lynn (Schoener) Myers; son, Erik (Heather) Matonak of Akron; daughter, Kyla (Nick) Courtad of Aurora; grandchildren, Damien,...
Margaret May Konopitski
Jun 8, 2018
Margaret May Konopitski, 85, of Kent, died Friday, June 8, 2018, at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. She was born May 1, 1933 in Glassport, PA to Harold and Margaret (Germak) Spencer. She retired from Parker Hannifin Corp. in Ravenna, where she worked in Human Resources. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church; the Ford Salaried Retirement Club;...
Robert L. Crocker
Jun 7, 2018
Robert L. Crocker Sr., 89, of Kent, died Thursday, June 7, 2018, at his home. He was born September 16, 1928 in Stow, to George E. and Erma May (Burdick) Crocker. He was a veteran of the Army during the World War II and the Korean War. He was a life member of the VFW and Kent American Legion Post...
Joseph Gabriel,
Jun 3, 2018
Joseph Gabriel Jr., 87, of Kent, passed away Sunday, June 3, 2018 surrounded by family at his home in Kent. He was born January 12, 1931 in Canton Ohio to Joseph and Florence (Norcia) Gabriel Sr.. He was a veteran of the Army during the Korean war. He was self employed, owner of Envoy Chemical Co. He is survived by...
Linda Ellsworth
Jun 2, 2018
Linda Ellsworth, 71, of Ravenna, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 2, 2018. She was born April 6, 1947 in Akron to the late Ray Irvin and Dorothy June (Speck) Brugmann. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Ellsworth, whom she married on June 11, 1966; sons, Edward (Kim) Ellsworth of Ravenna, and Tom (Brenda) Ellsworth...
John Jack Gargan
Jun 1, 2018
John Joseph "Jack" Gargan, a political science professor known for his enthusiastic teaching style and love of language and family, died June 1 with his family by his side. Born December 16, 1934, in Auburn, New York, to Joseph W. and Margaret F. (Murphy), Gargan, Jack grew up in Auburn and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1952. He...
Platt Rogers Safford
May 29, 2018
A modest, courageous, good-hearted, and dry-witted man of integrity died May 29, 2018, enfolded within the circle of his loving family, following two years of cancer treatments. Platt Rogers Safford of Kent was born June 12, 1950, son of the late Louis O. and Margery Rogers of Cleveland Heights. He attended Hawkins School before graduating from Mercersburg Academy in PA,...
Martha Mary Loos
May 28, 2018
Martha Mary Loos, 102, of Kent, died Monday, May 28, 2018, at Gables at KentRidge. She was born January 30, 1916 in Kent to Frank and Bessie (Wronska) Pudloski. She was an active member of St. Patrick Church where she was a regular attendee at Adoration on Tuesdays. For years, she played cards with the Thursday's Euchre group at St....
Scott William Mcneil
May 28, 2018
Scott William McNeil, 49, of Kent, Ohio passed away at home on Monday, May 28, 2018, surrounded by his family. Scott was born on April 19, 1969 in Libertyville, Illinois, to Becky and Dick McNeil. He was preceded in death by his mother and his nephew, Sam McNeil. Scott brought tremendous love, unity and laughter to his family. His life...
Joyce Rosalie Sitko
May 22, 2018
Joyce Rosalie (Geisinger) Sitko, 93, of Kent, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Altercare of Hudson. Born June 19, 1924 in her home at 123 Elm Street in Kent to Howard and Lillian (Long) Geisinger. Early in life, Joyce tapped dance for 15 years with Helen Beitz dance studio in Kent. She graduated from Roosevelt...
Lori K. Mcglothlin
May 22, 2018
Lori K McGlothlin, 54 of Kent lost her courageous battle with cancer at her home on Tuesday May 22, 2018. She is preceded in death by her father Wynn Webb and her Mother Christine (Smulo) Webb. Lori loved entertaining family and friends, traveling with her husband Terry and being an awesome Aunt. She will be missed by many. She is...
Patrick Charles Mccafferty
May 22, 2018
Patrick Charles McCafferty, 69, of Kent, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 26, 1948 in Akron to Ross John Regis and Ruth Milton (Anderson) McCafferty. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Patrick was a member of the American Legion, a life...
Elizabeth "Betty" F. Becker Combs Rentz
May 21, 2018
Elizabeth F. 'Betty' Becker Combs Rentz, 90, of Stow, died Monday, May 21, 2018, at her home. She was born July 3, 1927 in Akron, to Francis and Gertrude (Geilen) Becker. Betty was a member of the Stow United Methodist Church. She was well loved and will be missed by her many nephews and nieces. She is survived by her...
Harold Leroy Courson
May 21, 2018
Harold Leroy Courson, 77, of Aurora, died Monday, May 21, 2018, at Arbors At Streetsboro. He was born March 24, 1941 in Rimersburg, PA to the late Paul and Margaret (Ramsey) Courson. He Retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years of service and enjoyed restoring '57 Chevys. He is survived by his wife, Darlene (Doolittle) Courson; daughters, Corinne (Steve)...