Obituaries for September 2, 2010

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Charles Eugene Running

BURTON - Charles Eugene Running, of Burton, died Aug. 22, 2010, at Burton Health Care. He was 67.

Born on Nov. 1, 1942, in Middlefield, he was the son of Clarence and Ann (nee Ely) Running.

He was a U.S. Army veteran and he lived in the area for 10 years, coming from Florida.

Charles was a heavy equipment operator and enjoyed puzzles.

He is survived by his son Charles E. Running Jr. of Newton Falls; daughter Kim (Robert) Wishart of Georgia; brothers, George Edward Running, Wm. Leroy Running of Virginia and David Allen Running of Middlefield; sisters, Ethel Running, Linda (Joe) Gribble, both of Chardon, Susan (Joe) Spear of Johnson City, Tenn., Virginia (Emery) Morley of Chardon and Debra (Steve) Anderson of California; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Betty Running.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 28 at Russell Funeral Service in Middlefield. Pastor Roy Williams of Fowlers Mills Christian Church officiated.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, handled arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

Mary L. Bryson

MIDDLEFIELD - Mary L. Bryson, of Middlefield, died Aug. 24, 2010, at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Claridon Township. She was 84.

She was born on Oct. 29, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of William and Clara (nee Kuddes) Bryson. Mary lived in the Parkman and Middlefield area since 1926.

She retired from Johnson Rubber Co. in Middlefield after working 46 years and was a member of Parkman Congregational Church. Her hobbies included playing bingo and taking trips to different places. She loved watching TV and all sports.

She will be missed dearly by her friends and family, including her brother Merle (Bo) Bryson of Middlefield; niece, Penny Amato (Dave Petrie) of Garrettsville; nephews, Merle (Marcia) Bryson Jr. of Middlefield, Michael (Sandy) Bryson of Jefferson, Rick Sulek of Geneva, and numerous other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Donald and Ken Bryson.

A celebration of her life was held Aug. 30 at Russell Funeral Service in Middlefield. Pastor Rod Edwards of Parkman Congregational Church officiated.

Burial took place in Overlook Cemetery in Parkman.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, handled arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

Jake J. Byler

MIDDLEFIELD TWP. - Jake J. Byler, of Middlefield Township, entered eternal rest on Aug. 25, 2010, at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was 93.

He was born March 6, 1917, to the later Joe D. and Agnes (nee Byler) Byler. He married Katie Detweiler on Dec. 31, 1942. She preceded him in death on Oct. 21, 2007.

Jake, a lifelong resident of Middlefield, was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

He is survived by his sons, Daniel (Mattie) Byler, Gideon Byler, Eli (Nancy) Byler, Jake Byler Jr., Urie Byler, all of Middlefield, and Levi (Ada) Byler of Cass City, Mich.; daughters, Anna Byler, Mary (Raymond) Wengerd and Elizabeth Byler, all of Middlefield; 48 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; brothers, Yost Byler of Middlefield and Urie Byler of Spartansburg, Pa.; and one sister of Spartansburg.

Jake was preceded in death by his loving wife; sons, Yost (Katherine) Byler and Joseph (Susie) Byler; and one grandchild.

Funeral Services were held Aug. 27 at Daniel J. Byler's residence in Middlefield Township. Minister Joe J.S. Byler officiated.

Jake's final resting place was in Miller Cemetery in Middlefield Township.

BEST FUNERAL HOME, 15809 Madison Road, Middlefield, (440) 632-0818, handled arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.bestfunerals.com.

Ray A. Shipman

MT. ZION, IL - Ray A. Shipman, of Mt. Zion, Ill., formerly of Painesville, passed away Aug. 19, 2010, at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore, Ill. He was 90.

Born Feb. 6, 1920, in Auburn Corners, he was the son of Lewis and Clara (nee Stone) Shipman.

Ray was a stationary engineer for Lubrizol Corp. in Painesville, retiring in 1980. He loved to fish and go motor-homing in his spare time.

A World War II veteran, he served in the Navy for 12 years aboard the U.S.S. Chicago.

Ray was known as "The Sheepman" in northeastern Ohio. He would sheer more than 100 sheep a day and seldom nicked one. He was a farmer at heart.

He will be missed dearly by his friends and family, including his beloved wife of 62 years, Rose Cambria Shipman; daughter, Debbie (Ron) Hobbs of Mt. Zion; grandchildren, Tracee Hobbs of Mt. Zion, Marshall Hobbs of Bloomington, Ill., Katy Musick of Ohio and Allyson Yaecker of Ohio; and great-grandson, Wylie Dean Hobbs-Barding of Mt. Zion.

He was preceded in death by his son, Lewis Shipman; parents; brothers, James and Roger Shipman; and sisters Sarah Cornett and Christine Mazney.

Private services for the family are planned.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, is handling arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

Allison "Allie" Elizabeth Mittower

CLARIDON TWP. - Allison "Allie" Elizabeth Mittower, of Claridon Township, died unexpectedly Aug. 27, 2010. She was 25.

Born Feb. 3, 1985, in Chardon, she was a lifelong area resident.

Allie was a 2003 graduate of Berkshire High School. She was an avid animal lover and especially loved her cat, Big. She was very artistic and enjoyed writing poetry.

Allie had a very contagious laugh and will be remembered by everyone she met.

She is survived by her parents, Sue and Terry Zion of Claridon and Keith and Lisa Mittower of Hartsgrove; sisters, Kristen (Chad) Bass of Munson, Jennifer (Craig) Meierhoffer of Columbus, Kate (Chris) Homlish of New York, N.Y.; maternal grandmother, Olga Clifton of Thompson; paternal grandmother, Rachel Mittower of Chardon; nephews and niece, Jacob, Owen, Ryan and Leah Bass; aunts, Cheryl (Mike) Noble of Chardon and Barb Fritsch of Michigan; uncles, William (Mary) Clifton of Munson Township and Richard (Lynn) Clifton of Hartsgrove; and several cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Vernon Clifton; and paternal grandfather, Frank Mittower.

Funeral services were held Sept. 1 at Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Pastor Matt Chesnes of Morning Star Friends Church officiated.

Burial took place in Claridon Center Cemetery.

Donations suggested to Geauga Humane Society, Po Box 116 Novelty, OH 44072-0116.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, handled arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Alice L. Grace

MESOPOTAMIA - Alice L. Grace, of Mesopotamia, entered into rest on Aug. 27, 2010. She was 97.

Born on Nov. 27, 1912, she was the daughter of Carl and Marie (nee Saager) Steckmeister and one of seven sisters from Hammond, Ind. She was a graduate of Hammond High School.

She married Kenneth C. Grace in 1932 and lived the majority of her adult life in Mesopotamia and Middlefield.

Alice loved puzzles and music, and she sang and played piano as a hobby. She worked at Middlefield Hardware and other businesses, focusing on bookkeeping activities.

She is survived by her children, Nona (Ray) Smith of Windsor, Herbert of Arizona and Timothy of Chardon; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters Edna Foster of Chicago and Lucille Kaiser of Indianapolis.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; parents; three grandchildren; and sisters Pearle Lakin, Viola Troupe, Lillian Lea and Frieda Glaze.

Alice will be buried with her husband in Huntsburg Cemetery at a later date.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, handled arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

Mildred Mary Hollis

CHARDON - Mildred Mary "Millie: Hollis, of Chardon, passed away peacefully Aug. 26, 2010. She was 93.

She devoted her life crusading for the welfare of animals and in later life enjoyed daily activities at the Geauga Senior Center.

Millie is survived by her daughters, Heidi (John) Van de Motter and Nora (Bob) Painter; grandchildren, Yale Watkins, Erin Howarth and Dan Painter; and great-grandson, Samuel Watkins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Graham Hollis; and grandson, Matthew Robert Painter.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Donations suggested to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at www.3day.org, Team Erin's Hope.

GATTOZZI AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, (440) 729-1906, is handling arrangements.

Denise Maria Wicks

NEWBURY - Denise Maria Wicks, of Newbury, died Aug. 24, 2010. She was 59.

Denise obtained her master's degree in clinical psychology from Cleveland State University and worked as a school psychologist helping severely emotionally disturbed children. She was recognized as School Psychologist of the Year for the 1994-95 school year.

Denise loved animals, which included running her own alpaca ranch.

She was the beloved wife of Chuck; loving mother of Rachel and Elizabeth, of San Diego, Calif.; devoted grandmother of Autumn; dear sister of Scot La Jeunesse and Garth (Debbie) La Jeunesse; cherished daughter of the late Elroy and Evelyn La Jeunesse; loving daughter-in-law of Bridget Wicks; and dear sister-in-law, aunt and great-aunt of many.

Funeral services were held Aug. 28 at East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland. Interment was in Newbury Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Denise's name may be made to Valley Save-A-Pet, P.O. Box 39221, Solon, OH 44139.

GATTOZZI AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, (440) 729-1906, handled arrangements.

Diane L. Clark

CHARDON - Diane L. (nee Primeau) Clark, of Chardon, died Aug. 30, 2010, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. She was 53.

Diane was born Sept. 5, 1956, in East Cleveland and lived in Cleveland before moving to Chardon 27 years ago. She married Rory D. Clark on Sept. 11, 1976, in South Euclid.

She was head cashier at the Chardon Home Depot, where she worked for four years. Diane previously worked for 10 years as assistant manager for Prizm Art Supply in Munson Township, before it moved to Mayfield Heights.

Diane was an avid knitter and enjoyed all crafts. She also enjoyed gardening and going to garage sales. She was a diehard Cleveland sports fan.

First and foremost were her children, husband and extended family. Diane attended all of her sons' activities and games, and enjoyed being a room mother when they were in elementary school.

Diane is survived by her husband, Rory D. Clark of Chardon; sons, Patrick R. Clark of Mayfield Heights, Daniel J. Clark of Lyndhurst and Christian B. Clark of Chardon; and brothers, Douglas (Lynette) Primeau of Michigan and Ronald (Anita) Primeau of Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Jeanne (nee Holsing) Primeau.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 4 at Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Private family burial will be held.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, is handling arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.