Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Donna L. Hansford
Mar 13, 2023
Donna L. Hansford, 75, of Kent, OH passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2023. She was born on June 18, 1947, to Donald and Betty Lemons of Kent, Ohio.
The oldest of four girls, she grew up in Kent and lived most of her life in her hometown. Donna attended Kent State University and worked at...
Lois Davis
Mar 11, 2023
Lois I. Davis, age 68, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born May 19, 1954 in Ravenna, Ohio to the late George and Grace Davis.
Lois is survived by her brothers, Rick and James Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents;...
Richard A. Wilson
Mar 9, 2023
Richard A. Wilson, 76, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1946 in Akron, OH to the late Loring and Margaret Wilson. He was a graduate of Kent State University and University of Akron Law School.
Richard practiced his entire 41 year law career in Kent. He was appointed one of...
Jason Lee Jeffers Sr.
Mar 9, 2023
Jason Lee Jeffers Sr., age 43, of Kent, OH, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at his home.
Jason was born November 28, 1979 in Ashtabula, OH to James Jeffers and Darlene Lister.
Jason enjoyed spending quality time with his family, especially his boys.  He met the love of his life when he...
Keith A. Ruttan
Mar 8, 2023
Keith A. Ruttan, of Kent, Ohio, died peacefully at home on March 8, 2023. Born on October 3, 1937 in Palmerston, Ontario to George and Ethel (Speers) Ruttan. Survived by: loving wife, Donna Ruttan; children, Mary Beth Ruttan, Kathleen (Rock) White, Susan (Jay) Valetta, Keith Christopher (Jeannette) Ruttan; grandchildren, Allison Valetta, Christopher Valetta, Emma Valetta, Elizabeth Valetta, Andrew Valetta,...
James J Sawyer
Mar 5, 2023
James “Jim” Sawyer, lifelong resident of Kent, OH, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Jim was the fifth of nine children born to Ed and Beth Sawyer on August 15, 1931.
Jim was a graduate of the Kent City School System beginning at St. Patrick’s School and ultimately attaining a Master’s in Education from Kent State...
Ronald L Stutzman Sr.
Mar 3, 2023
Ronald L. Stutzman Sr., age 82 of Kent, passed away March 3, 2023 at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born August 22, 1940 to the late Lloyd and Margaret Stutzman in Kent, Ohio.
Ron enjoyed spending time with family and friends, meeting for his daily coffee at Mikes Place his second home or...
Bernice Frances (Bowser) Embacher
Mar 2, 2023
After living a full life enjoying many wonderful years with her family, Bernice Frances (Bowser) Embacher went to join her parents, George and Alberta Bowser and many of her siblings in heaven on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the age of 92.
She is survived by her husband of 70 loving years August (Gus) who took care...
Katherine M. Kasper
Mar 1, 2023
Katherine M. Kasper, age 75 of Kent, passed away March 1, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born October 10, 1947 to Harry and Catherine Maddox in Barberton, Ohio.
Education was a huge part of her life. She attended Akron University and Kent State University and held multiple Master’s degrees in English, French and Library...
Lois J. (Mercier) Buttlar
Feb 27, 2023
Lois Jacqueline Buttlar, age 88, of Kent, OH went to be with her Lord, after an extended illness, on Monday, February 27, 2023 in the comfort of her home. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 13, 1934 to the late Louis Edward Mercier and Florence Edna (Maas) Mercier.
She attended Gallistel Elementary School, Bowen High...
Christina Fertig
Feb 27, 2023
Heaven gained another beautiful angel, Christina (nee Barone) Fertig. Her children had to say goodbye to their mom on February 27, 2023. Sadly, she passed away at home with her family at the age of 95.
She will be remembered by many as being “the life of the party”. She had a great sense of humor and...
Stanford S. Apseloff
Feb 22, 2023
English Professor, Poet, and World War II Veteran
Stanford S. Apseloff of Kent, Ohio, died February 22, 2023, at the age of 99, five years to the day after his beloved wife, Marilyn. He spent most of his adult life teaching English at Kent State University, and his love of the written word was exceeded only by...
Mary Susan Bulger
Feb 21, 2023
Mary Susan Bulger, 70, of Kent, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Hospice of Medina County Care Center. She was born in East Liverpool, OH on March 2, 1952 to the late Paul L. and Mary L. Bulger.
Susan was employed as an accountant for several years, and later taught accounting and business at Fortis...
Richard J. Ruch
Feb 17, 2023
Dr. Richard (Dick) Julius Ruch, 90, of Kent, OH, died February 17, 2023. He was born in Perryville, MO on June 9, 1932 to Julius and Zita (Boxdorfer) Ruch. He received his B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University and his M.S. and PhD from Iowa State University. He was on the faculty of the State University of South Dakota...
Madeline Ilene (Kosick) Wheeler
Feb 14, 2023
Madeline Ilene Wheeler of Hudson, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Heritage of Hudson.
Madeline was born in Pinconning, MI on September 23, 1928, one of seven children born to Stephan and Mary Kosick. She married Donald Wheeler in April of 1952. She is survived by five of her children: Michael Wheeler of...
Elaine May (Seeley) Lumley
Feb 13, 2023
Elaine May Lumley, 78, of Kent, passed away on February 13, 2023. Elaine was born in Hamilton, Ontario Canada on June 11, 1944. A long-time member of Christ Episcopal Church in Kent. Elaine taught swimming and water aerobics at Theodore Roosevelt High School before earning her teaching degree and dedicated her next 17 years to teaching elementary school for...
Jean Ann (Leonhardt) Lacreta
Feb 11, 2023
Jean Ann LaCreta (nee Leonhardt-Pepon), our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away February 11, 2023 to be with our Lord and God, who she loved so much, and all her loved ones for all eternity. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 7, 1940. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she was a Greeter and...
Bradley Nelson Dickerson
Feb 10, 2023
Bradley Nelson Dickerson, 78, of Kent, Ohio, passed away after a long illness on February 10, 2023. Brad was born in Sullivan, Indiana, on July 2, 1944, to parents, William and Evelyn Dickerson.
Above all, Brad was a hard-working man, who loved family. He dedicated his life to his wife of 54 years, Jo Ann (Mooney), his...
David E Watt
Feb 10, 2023
David E. Watt, 72, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Western Reserve Hospital. He was born in Ravenna on October 10, 1950 to the late Walter W. Sr. and Davida (Reischman) Watt.
David was a retired educator, first as a fifth grade teacher and later as a librarian for the Brimfield Schools.
In...
Roxanna (Bish) Bertino
Feb 9, 2023
Roxanna Bertino, 68, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in the comfort of her home. She was born in Ravenna on September 16, 1954 to the late William and Mary Bish.
Roxanna was employed with Reimer Law Office in the Clerical Department for many years. She enjoyed camping and was the former manager of...
Donna L. Hansford
Mar 13, 2023
Donna L. Hansford, 75, of Kent, OH passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2023. She was born on June 18, 1947, to Donald and Betty Lemons of Kent, Ohio.
The oldest of four girls, she grew up in Kent and lived most of her life in her hometown. Donna attended Kent State University and worked at...
Lois Davis
Mar 11, 2023
Lois I. Davis, age 68, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born May 19, 1954 in Ravenna, Ohio to the late George and Grace Davis.
Lois is survived by her brothers, Rick and James Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents;...
Richard A. Wilson
Mar 9, 2023
Richard A. Wilson, 76, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1946 in Akron, OH to the late Loring and Margaret Wilson. He was a graduate of Kent State University and University of Akron Law School.
Richard practiced his entire 41 year law career in Kent. He was appointed one of...
Jason Lee Jeffers Sr.
Mar 9, 2023
Jason Lee Jeffers Sr., age 43, of Kent, OH, passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at his home.
Jason was born November 28, 1979 in Ashtabula, OH to James Jeffers and Darlene Lister.
Jason enjoyed spending quality time with his family, especially his boys.  He met the love of his life when he...
Keith A. Ruttan
Mar 8, 2023
Keith A. Ruttan, of Kent, Ohio, died peacefully at home on March 8, 2023. Born on October 3, 1937 in Palmerston, Ontario to George and Ethel (Speers) Ruttan. Survived by: loving wife, Donna Ruttan; children, Mary Beth Ruttan, Kathleen (Rock) White, Susan (Jay) Valetta, Keith Christopher (Jeannette) Ruttan; grandchildren, Allison Valetta, Christopher Valetta, Emma Valetta, Elizabeth Valetta, Andrew Valetta,...
James J Sawyer
Mar 5, 2023
James “Jim” Sawyer, lifelong resident of Kent, OH, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Jim was the fifth of nine children born to Ed and Beth Sawyer on August 15, 1931.
Jim was a graduate of the Kent City School System beginning at St. Patrick’s School and ultimately attaining a Master’s in Education from Kent State...
Ronald L Stutzman Sr.
Mar 3, 2023
Ronald L. Stutzman Sr., age 82 of Kent, passed away March 3, 2023 at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born August 22, 1940 to the late Lloyd and Margaret Stutzman in Kent, Ohio.
Ron enjoyed spending time with family and friends, meeting for his daily coffee at Mikes Place his second home or...
Bernice Frances (Bowser) Embacher
Mar 2, 2023
After living a full life enjoying many wonderful years with her family, Bernice Frances (Bowser) Embacher went to join her parents, George and Alberta Bowser and many of her siblings in heaven on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the age of 92.
She is survived by her husband of 70 loving years August (Gus) who took care...
Katherine M. Kasper
Mar 1, 2023
Katherine M. Kasper, age 75 of Kent, passed away March 1, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born October 10, 1947 to Harry and Catherine Maddox in Barberton, Ohio.
Education was a huge part of her life. She attended Akron University and Kent State University and held multiple Master’s degrees in English, French and Library...
Lois J. (Mercier) Buttlar
Feb 27, 2023
Lois Jacqueline Buttlar, age 88, of Kent, OH went to be with her Lord, after an extended illness, on Monday, February 27, 2023 in the comfort of her home. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 13, 1934 to the late Louis Edward Mercier and Florence Edna (Maas) Mercier.
She attended Gallistel Elementary School, Bowen High...
Christina Fertig
Feb 27, 2023
Heaven gained another beautiful angel, Christina (nee Barone) Fertig. Her children had to say goodbye to their mom on February 27, 2023. Sadly, she passed away at home with her family at the age of 95.
She will be remembered by many as being “the life of the party”. She had a great sense of humor and...
Stanford S. Apseloff
Feb 22, 2023
English Professor, Poet, and World War II Veteran
Stanford S. Apseloff of Kent, Ohio, died February 22, 2023, at the age of 99, five years to the day after his beloved wife, Marilyn. He spent most of his adult life teaching English at Kent State University, and his love of the written word was exceeded only by...
Mary Susan Bulger
Feb 21, 2023
Mary Susan Bulger, 70, of Kent, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Hospice of Medina County Care Center. She was born in East Liverpool, OH on March 2, 1952 to the late Paul L. and Mary L. Bulger.
Susan was employed as an accountant for several years, and later taught accounting and business at Fortis...
Richard J. Ruch
Feb 17, 2023
Dr. Richard (Dick) Julius Ruch, 90, of Kent, OH, died February 17, 2023. He was born in Perryville, MO on June 9, 1932 to Julius and Zita (Boxdorfer) Ruch. He received his B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University and his M.S. and PhD from Iowa State University. He was on the faculty of the State University of South Dakota...
Madeline Ilene (Kosick) Wheeler
Feb 14, 2023
Madeline Ilene Wheeler of Hudson, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Heritage of Hudson.
Madeline was born in Pinconning, MI on September 23, 1928, one of seven children born to Stephan and Mary Kosick. She married Donald Wheeler in April of 1952. She is survived by five of her children: Michael Wheeler of...
Elaine May (Seeley) Lumley
Feb 13, 2023
Elaine May Lumley, 78, of Kent, passed away on February 13, 2023. Elaine was born in Hamilton, Ontario Canada on June 11, 1944. A long-time member of Christ Episcopal Church in Kent. Elaine taught swimming and water aerobics at Theodore Roosevelt High School before earning her teaching degree and dedicated her next 17 years to teaching elementary school for...
Jean Ann (Leonhardt) Lacreta
Feb 11, 2023
Jean Ann LaCreta (nee Leonhardt-Pepon), our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away February 11, 2023 to be with our Lord and God, who she loved so much, and all her loved ones for all eternity. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 7, 1940. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she was a Greeter and...
Bradley Nelson Dickerson
Feb 10, 2023
Bradley Nelson Dickerson, 78, of Kent, Ohio, passed away after a long illness on February 10, 2023. Brad was born in Sullivan, Indiana, on July 2, 1944, to parents, William and Evelyn Dickerson.
Above all, Brad was a hard-working man, who loved family. He dedicated his life to his wife of 54 years, Jo Ann (Mooney), his...
David E Watt
Feb 10, 2023
David E. Watt, 72, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Western Reserve Hospital. He was born in Ravenna on October 10, 1950 to the late Walter W. Sr. and Davida (Reischman) Watt.
David was a retired educator, first as a fifth grade teacher and later as a librarian for the Brimfield Schools.
In...
Roxanna (Bish) Bertino
Feb 9, 2023
Roxanna Bertino, 68, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in the comfort of her home. She was born in Ravenna on September 16, 1954 to the late William and Mary Bish.
Roxanna was employed with Reimer Law Office in the Clerical Department for many years. She enjoyed camping and was the former manager of...