Obituaries - Star Beacon March 15, 2003

Sylvia M. Guthrie
CONNEAUT - Sylvia M. Guthrie, 89, of Harbor Street, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at home.
Born April 20, 1913, in Conneaut, she was the daughter of Matt and Josephine (Heinola) Sundberg.
A 1932 graduate of Conneaut High School, she worked at the former Astatic Corporation, retiring after 25 years.
Mrs. Guthrie was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She had been a member of the former Finnish Lutheran Church, where she was instrumental in organizing the Altar Society and Lutheran League.
She enjoyed crossword puzzles, crocheting, sewing and playing bingo.
Survivors include a daughter, Janet Guth of Conneaut; seven grandchildren, Paula Johnson, Joe Guth, John Guth, Philip Butler, Dan Johnson, JoyKay Smith and Jeffrey Guthrie; and two great grandchildren, Christina and Darrel Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jerry, in 1987, and two brothers, Andrew and Sulo Sundberg, who died in childhood.
Service is at 3 p.m. Sunday at Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Clyde A. McGee of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Center Cemetery in Conneaut. Visitation is 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 16, 2003

Dorothy E. Rose
NORTH KINGSVILLE- Dorothy E. Rose, 79, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the Ashtabula County Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 21, 1924, in Junction City, Kan.
She was a 1942 graduate of Junction City High School. She moved to the Erie area and worked at Zaire's Bakery, then moved to Conneaut and worked at North Kingsville Drive Inn, the Downtown Sugar Bowl, Talarico's truck Stop as a waitress and a plastic company.
Mrs. Rose was a member of St. Mary and St. Francis Cabrini, Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting, and was a talented seamstress who enjoyed making clothes for neighborhood children's toys.
She is survived by her husband, Anthony B. Rose of Conneaut whom she married in 1953 at St. Mary's Church; one son, Anthony L. Rose of Ashtabula; five grandchildren, Tracy Holder of Beckley, W.Va. and Shawn, Chris, Nicholas and Ashley Rose of Ashtabula; two great-grandchildren, Makia Holder and Alice Rose; a half sister, Philomenia Doc; and two half brothers, John and Albert Olson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a half brother, Wesley Olson.
At the family's request, there are no calling hours. Burial of cremated remains will be at the family's convenience. Arrangements are being made through the Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.

Anna M. Nimelli
CONNEAUT - Anna M. Nimelli, 89, of Lakeview Avenue, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the Ashtabula County Nursing Home in Kingsville. She was born August 2, 1913, in Conneaut, the daughter of Michael Sr. and Anna (Matyas) Evon
A lifelong Conneaut resident, she worked at the former Goldette and also worked as a poll worker at elections. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Church and its Altar and Rosary Society. She also helped with bingo at the church. She enjoyed crafts, cooking, baking, reading, raising roses and embroidery.
Survivors include two daughters, JoAnn Collingwood of Oklahoma City, and Linda Lacina of Geneva; a son, Richard J. Nimelli of Lake City, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John, in 1987; a grandson, Jamie Lacina; a sister, Helen Mate; and five brothers, John and Michael Evans, Stephen Evon, and James and Joseph Lasko.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 744 Mill St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Raymond Thomas officiating.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Memory Gardens in North Kingsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Conneaut Rescue Squad or to St. Frances Cabrini Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 17, 2003

John Koval
MONROE TOWNSHIP - John Koval, 85, of Scribner Road, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, in Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pa.
He was born Sept. 17, 1917, in Cleveland, the son of Vasil and Agnes (Hyduke) Koval. He had lived in Monroe Township since 1930.
Mr. Koval owned and operated his dairy farm for 65 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Byzantine Church of Ashtabula. He enjoyed hunting and reading.
Survivors include his two sisters, Agnes K. Blank of Monroe Township, and Mildred K. Rantanen of Cincinnati; and several cousins in Florida, Canton and Slovakia.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private service is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Smith Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Edward Gretchko officiating.
Burial will be in Kelloggsville Cemetery.
No calling hours will be observed.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 18, 2003

Donald R. Hall Sr.
CONNEAUT - Donald R. Hall Sr., 73, of Harbor St., Conneaut, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at the Ashtabula County Medical Center.
Mr. Hall was born Oct. 6, 1929, in Conneaut, the son of Stanley B. and Ida (Kaihlanen) Hall, and lived in the area most of his life.
Mr. Hall was employed as a merchant seaman and later managed several hotels in the area.
He was a member of the Conneaut Church of God.
Mr. Hall enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, fishing, hunting and gardening.
Survivors include his two daughters, Terri (Hatfield) Riggs of Ashtabula, and Mary (Canter) Payne of Monroe Township; four sons, Donald Jr. of Monroe Township, David and Steven, both of Ashtabula, and Michael of Conneaut; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Stanley of Jacksonville, Fla., and John of Fair Play, S.C.; and a longtime companion, Shirley Ward of Conneaut.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois; and a granddaughter Jennifer R. Hall.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at the Church of God, Center Road, Conneaut, with the Rev. Raymond Lamb, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow in Eastlake Cemetery, North Kingsville.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Thompson-Smith Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 19, 2003

Edna P. Partee
OCALA, Fla. - Edna E. Partee, 89, formerly of Kingsville, died early Tuesday morning, March 18, 2003, at her daughter's home in Ocala.
She was born Aug. 25, 1913, in Wayne, the daughter of Lewie and Fannie (DeBow) Minor.
She worked at Trans Plastic in Conneaut and was retired from the Ashtabula County Nursing Home, where she worked in the laundry and cleaning departments.
A Methodist, she was a member of the American Association of Retired Persons and enjoyed craftwork, reading and bowling.
Survivors include her four sons, Ronald Partee of Conneaut, Donald Partee of Germantown, and David Getch and William Getch, both of Perry; two daughters, Rose Brand, with whom she lived in Ocala, Fla., and Kay Plank of Rock Creek; three brothers, Dane Minor of Ashtabula, Richard Minor of Linesville, Pa., and Fred Minor of Arcadia, Fla.; and 17 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richmond; a brother, Wade Minor; and two sisters, Dorothy and Frances.
Graveside services will be held at the family's convenience at Glenwood Cemetery in Conneaut.
Memorial contributions may be made to Conneaut Fire Station 3 Rescue Squad. Envelopes are available at the Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut, which is in charge of the arrangements.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 20, 2003

Delores Mae Holsinger
ASHTABULA - Delores Mae Holsinger, 79, of West 48th Street, died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at her home.
She was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Conneaut, to Thomas B. and Lillie (Vaughn) Fox. She was a lifelong Ashtabula County resident.
Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Holsinger worked as a supervisor at Goodwill Industries. Before that, she was a waitress at Erickson's Restaurant.
Mrs. Holsinger attended the Conneaut Free Methodist Church. She enjoyed word search puzzles, country music, and spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her son, Thomas N. Tyson of Ashtabula; two daughters, Carolyn Caldwell of Ashtabula, and Glenna R. Thiel of New Lyme Township; 10 grandchildren, Kathy Cross, Ronald Caldwell, Robert, Byron, Tracy and Eric Tyson, Shaynene Phelps, Jackie Perez, Michael Thiel and Amanda Edwards; 20 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Donna Wright of Ashtabula.
She was preceded in death by husband Everett Sheets; twin daughters Paula and Pamela, and daughter Shaynene Faith, all in infancy; a brother, Jack Fox; two sisters, Marcella Martin and Geraldine Herndon; and her parents.
Service is 10 a.m. Saturday at the Ducro Funeral Home, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula. Burial will be at Saybrook Cemetery. The Rev. David Hockey, pastor of the Conneaut Free Methodist Church, will officiate.
Calling hours are 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Conneaut Free Methodist Church, 238 Buffalo St., Conneaut, 44030, or to Goodwill Industries, 621 Goodwill Drive, Ashtabula, 44004.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 22, 2003

CONNEAUT - Eino Jack Ahlberg, 95, of Buffalo Street, died Friday, March 21, 2003, at Inn-Conneaut Health Center, where he had been a patient for the past two weeks.
Born Sept. 2, 1907, in Ashtabula, he was the son of John and Sofia (Hakala) Ahlberg.
A lifelong Conneaut resident, he sailed on the Great Lakes and worked at the former Fork & Hoe before working at General Electric in Erie, Pa., where he later retired. He also did maintenance work at the Main Restaurant for many years.
Mr. Ahlberg loved the lakefront and watching slow-pitch baseball games there. He also loved to tinker and was an inventor, holding a patent on a boat trailer.
Survivors include his daughter, Jackie D. Ahlberg of Conneaut.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pauline in 1998; five sisters, Lempi Mackey, Helga Hill, Olga Mackey, Alma Palmquist and Ida Isoma; and two brothers, George and John.
Service is at 2 p.m. Monday at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Dr. Clyde A. McGee, of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Albion Cemetery in Albion, Pa.
Visitation is noon until 2 p.m.. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the family. Envelopes will be at the funeral home.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 26, 2003

Raymond Illvonen
CHARDON - Raymond Illvonen, 68, died Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at Geauga Regional Hospital in Claridon Township.
He was born Aug. 5, 1934, in Conneaut, the son of Clarence and Marie Lipkowski. Mr. Illvonen, who previously was a resident of Thompson and Montville townships, lived in Chardon for two years.
He was a laborer for the former Structural Fibers in Chardon for 30 years, retiring in 2001. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Illvonen served during the Korean War. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519 in Chardon; American Legion Post 112, Madison; Loyal Order of Moose 547, Ashtabula; and Aerie Eagles Lodge 2261, Chardon.
He enjoyed camping, playing the organ, riding his scooter, dancing and spending time with his family. He married Evelyn C. Bishop July 9, 1983.
Survivors include her three daughters, Nancy Detweiler of Salem, Charla R. Didio of Ashtabula, and Judy L. Boone of Ravenna; four stepdaughters, Cynthia Sheldon of Cabin Creek, W.Va., Evelyn Kramer of Mentor, and Linda Greenawalt and Elizabeth Pauley, both of Cleveland; two stepsons, Henry Morgentaler of Mentor, and Daniel Morgentaler of Cleveland; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Walter Lipkowski of Colorado, and Russ Lipkowski of California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, who died Sept. 20, 1991; and a brother, Don Martin.
Service is 2 p.m. Friday at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. The Rev. Wayne Sanders, pastor of the Chardon Christian Fellowship, will officiate.
Burial will be in Montville Cemetery, Montville Township.
Calling hours are noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 7861 Crile Road, Concord, 44077.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 27, 2003

Harold Duane Bowers Jr.
SPARTANSBURG, Pa., - Harold Duane Bowers Jr., 64, formerly of Conneaut, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at St. Joseph Health Center in Andover.
He was born Dec. 30, 1938, in Conneaut, the son of Harold D. and Elsie L. (Albee) Bowers.
Mr. Bowers had resided in Spartansburg for the past 13 years and at one time had been employed as a school-bus driver for Conneaut Valley Schools.
He enjoyed NASCAR racing, was an avid Dale Earnhart fan and, in younger years, liked to work on cars.
Mr. Bowers also liked to talk on his citizens band radio and drive his Amish friends around.
Survivors include his wife, Carol L. (Langdon) Bowers, whom he married Jan. 19, 1964; two daughters, Teresa of Springboro, Pa., and Roberta of Spartansburg; two sons, Randy of Conneaut, and Dennis, of Spartansburg; a sister, Linda L. Summers of Conneaut; four brothers, Robert E. of Conneaut, Leonard L. of North Kingsville, Perry W. of Pierpont, and Gary L. of Elyria; and 14 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Dolores Bowers, in infancy, and Shirley Williams; and a daughter, Lisa Jo, in infancy.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the funeral home.

Ralph Carlson
MESA, AZ — Ralph Carlson, 78, a former Conneaut resident, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Mesa, AZ.
     Born in Cleveland August 31, 1924, Ralph was a graduate of Brush High School.
     After having served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he sailed on the luxury liner S.S. Independence as Quartermaster. Since that was before jet travel, he met many dignitaries, including Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Walt Disney, Jo Stafford, Anthony Quinn, various royalty, and numerous senators, congressmen, and governors.
     Mr. Carlson married the former Catherine Vulcano in New York City in 1953, and together they had four children who also survive him: Cathy Ann Klemencic (Tim) of Strongsville, Michael, Robin, and Gary (Debbie), all of Phoenix, AZ, as well as nine grandchildren.
     After working as a supervisor with Star Bakery in the late 1950s and early sixties, Ralph had an opportunity to join the management staff at The Lawson's Corporation. He ran stores in Ashtabula Harbor and also Conneaut during the late sixties and into the late 1970s before moving out to AZ where he has resided the last 25 years.
     Services were held March 30, 2003, at Green Acres Chapel of Light in Scottsdale, AZ, followed by a celebration of Ralph's life at Shadow Mountain Village. Memorial contributions may be made to Conneaut BPOE Elks, 354 Main St., Conneaut, Ohio 44030.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 29, 2003

Harold Daniel Kuntz, Jr.
KINGSVILLE — Harold Daniel Kuntz Jr., 63, died Friday, March 28, 2003, at his home.
He was born May 27, 1939, in Castanea, Pa., the son of Harold Daniel and Vada Kuntz and was an Ashtabula resident since 1981.
Before retirement he was a pipefitter for Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local No. 521, Huntington, W.V., and No. 120 of Cleveland and was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was a member of the Kingsville First Baptist Church and enjoyed history, music, outdoors, westerns and cooking. He especially enjoyed laughter and his granddaughter.
Survivors include his wife Karen (Andrus), whom he married Nov. 7, 1971; children, Adrian Loomis of Conneaut and Aaron Kuntz of Cleveland; a granddaughter Makayla Loomis; two sisters, Mary Bilby of Wlliamsport Pa., and Helen Kuntz of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother Harry Kuntz of Phoenix, Ariz.; two half sisters, Joann Dickerson of Harrisburg, Pa. and Diane Potter of Williamsport.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be noon, Tuesday, at Kingsville First Baptist Church, 6003 Lake St., Kingsville, The Rev. David Hines, Pastor, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Ducro Funeral Services and Crematory, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements.

Obituaries - Star Beacon March 31, 2003

David L. Maurer
NORTH KINGSVILLE - David L. Maurer, 56, of North Kingsville, died Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2003, at University Hospital in Cleveland, after a brief illness.
He was born Dec. 27, 1946, in Conneaut, the son of Don W. and Jean B. (Bashioum) Maurer.
A 1964 graduate of the former Rowe High School, he also graduated from Erie Business Center and Kent State University.
He served in the U.S. Air Force between 1968 and 1972, and was in Thailand from 1970 to 1971. He received an honorable discharge with the rank of staff sergeant and received the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, he was employed as treasurer at Conneaut Savings and Loan. He then served as director of financial services at Brown Memorial Hospital for 12 years before becoming treasurer for the Conneaut Area City School System.
He was a member of the Conneaut First Assembly of God, where he served as board member and treasurer for 28 years. He was also the church's sound man, Sunday school teacher, bus driver, and was a Royal Ranger leader.
He was treasurer of the Conneaut Community Foundation and was a member of the Ashtabula Kent State Scholarship Committee.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, and also enjoyed church, old cars and the Ohio State University's Buckeye sport teams.
Survivors include his mother, of Conneaut; his wife, the former Sue Henry, whom he married Aug. 21, 1971; two sons, David L. Maurer II of Marysville, and Matthew S. Maurer of North Royalton; two granddaughters, Hannah L. Maurer and Abigail L. Maurer; and a sister, Joi Cunningham of Strongsville.
He was preceded in death by his father, on May 19, 2002; and his grandparents.
Service is 1 p.m. Friday at the Conneaut First Assembly of God, 389 W. Main Road, Conneaut. The Rev. Don Matthews will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Jeff Maurer of Family Fellowship Foursquare Gospel Church. Burial with full military honors will be held at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in North Kingsville.
Calling hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the church, and then noon Friday until the time of service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Conneaut Assembly of God Memorial Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, which is in charge of the arrangements.

Arthur R. Showalter
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP — Arthur R. Showalter, 75, died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in the hospice unit of Ashtabula County Medical Center.
He was born July 15, 1927, in Everett, Pa., a son of Frederick and Annie (Thomas) Showalter.
An Ashtabula County resident since age 17, Mr. Showalter was a U.S. Army veteran and served in the European Theater. He owned and operated Showalter Asphalt, Paving and Sealing.
He also worked construction through the International Labor Union 245. He was a 50-year member of the union.
Mr. Showalter also was a 37-year member of the Ashtabula Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 943, and was affiliated with the Ashtabula Builders Association. He attended the Harvest International Church and enjoyed doing yard work.
Survivors include his wife, Violet Showalter; six sons, Richard of Conneaut, Ron of Boston, Barry of Geneva, David of Madison, Steve of Kingsville, and Mark of North Kingsville; a daughter, Jean Bramer of Geneva; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl of Austinburg; and a sister, Olive McDonald of Girard, Pa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Frank, at birth; six brothers, Roy, Frank, Fred, Glenn, Percy and Russell; and four sisters, Verna Steele, Lena Dodson, Ethyl Showalter and Mariam Chaney.
Service is 5 p.m. Saturday at Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut. The Rev. Duane Ball, pastor of Harvest International Church, will officiate.
Calling hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Charles D. Williams
HARLINGEN, Texas - Charles D. Williams, 84, formerly of Conneaut, died Friday, March 28, 2003, at Valley Baptist Memorial Hospital in Texas. He was born Sept. 3, 1918 in Conneaut, the son of Joseph and Mary Williams. Mr. Williams was a graduate of Conneaut High School in 1937. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and held the rank of sergeant and was in the military police.
Mr. Williams lived in Matteson, Ill., for years where he worked as a self-employed painter, decorator and contractor.
In recent years he spent his summers in Conneaut with his wife, Madeline. Mr. Williams enjoyed playing golf and watching sports and working in his yard.
Survivors include his wife, whom he had been married for 60 years; three sisters, Sue Vandetti of Dunkirk, N.Y., Lucy Hultgren of Erie, Pa. and Katherine Ille of Conneaut; and a brother, Paul of Conneaut.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and five brothers, Tony, John, Rocco, James and Nick Williams. Cremation took place in Harlingen, Texas. A memorial service will take place at a later date in Conneaut.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.