Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory

Aug 25, 2023

Judith S. Everett (nee Sapp), 85, died comfortably and peacefully on August 25, 2023 after succumbing to vascular dementia. Judith “Judy”, born November 12, 1938, was a lifelong resident of Portage County, and a descendant of area pioneers who settled in Kent in the 1800’s. Her great-great grandfather worked at Riddle Co. making carriages, her great grandfather owned a...

Aug 24, 2023

Ronald Reed Jr., 67, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Country Club Rehabilitation Home in Newton Falls.  He was born in Ravenna on September 22, 1955 to the late Ronald Sr and Helen Reed.  Ronald was a graduate of Ravenna High School and was employed in construction.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting,...

Aug 23, 2023

John Paul “Jack” Neuzil

August 8, 1942 - August 23, 2023

Jack is preceded in death by his brothers Frederick and Robert both of whom died in infancy, his parents George and Lois Neuzil of Grand Island, Nebraska, and by his beloved wife Mary Helen Neuzil (Cooper) of Kent, Ohio.

Jack is survived...

Aug 22, 2023

After 32 30th birthdays, Joseph Robert Raftovich, of Kent, OH, left this physical plane on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Joseph was born 27 July 1961 in Chester, PA to the late Robert and Rose (Torrieri) Raftovich. 
As a father, friend, and leader, Joseph made an immense impact on all those who had the privilege of knowing him....

Aug 22, 2023

Derek Scott Damron passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at University Hospital’s Cleveland Medical Center, following a brief illness this summer.  He was born in Miami, FL on June 4, 1960. He is survived by his mother Dr. Geneva Damron of Kent, OH; wife Amy Damron (Batchelor), whom he celebrated his 9th wedding anniversary with on August 9, 2023;...

Aug 22, 2023

Patricia L. McMullen, 91, of Streetsboro, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center.  She was born on November 3, 1931 to the late Raymond and Catherine Weschler and was a 1949 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.

She was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and loved playing cards. ...

Aug 21, 2023

Nancy Sue (Fairbee) Smith devoted wife, mother, grand- mother, sister and friend passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family, Monday, August 21, 2023. Nancy was born October 31, 1953 to Millard (Bud) and Irma Fairbee of Garretsville, Ohio. Nancy was born the youngest of seven.

Preceded in death by her grandchild, Cheyenne; brothers, William...

Aug 21, 2023

Arthur Sparrow was born in 1934 in Calabria, Italy and moved, with his family, to Cleveland, Ohio in 1940. He passed away on August 21, 2023. He was the husband to Mary Sparrow; father to Diana and Arthur Jr.; grandfather to Keith, Sheila and Gregory; great grandfather to Aaron, Jace and Carter.  Arthur served his country in the Navy...

Aug 16, 2023

Michael C. Malmisur, Ph.D., 89, of Kent, Ohio, passed away on August 16, 2023, surrounded by his family’s love.

Dr. Malmisur was born on March 2, 1934, in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of the late Joseph and Theresa Malmisura. Married to the former Karen Hult, together they cherished over 60 years of marriage.

Dad was...

Aug 11, 2023

Gretchen Laflin, 90, of Kent, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Cleveland Clinic Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center.  She was born in Woodsfield, OH on January 27, 1933 to the late Harley and Hazel Vosper and was employed as a secretary at Kent State University for 25 years.

She was a longtime member of...

Aug 10, 2023

Betty Jane “Betsy” Welser, 80, of Kent, passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at KentRidge Senior Living.  She was born in Little Eagle, PA on January 12, 1943 to the late Carl and Eleanore Guckelberger and was a 1960 graduate of Revere High School.  Betty went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Miami University and her master’s...

Aug 3, 2023

Coretta C. Stragisher, age 91 of Kent, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born August 4, 1931 in Smoke Hole, WV to the late Glen and Artie Alt.

As well as being a wonderful stay at home mother, she worked in fashion, beauty, and retail.

Coretta had a...

Aug 2, 2023

Elsie B. Fitzwater, 89, of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at KentRidge Senior Living.  She was born in Belington, WV to the late Oakey and Mable Zirkle.  Elsie was employed as a press operator for Scott Molder, retiring in 1990.  She enjoyed cooking, traveling, was always very stylish and kept up on what was in fashion. ...

Jul 31, 2023

Robert Evans Carlson, 79, of Kent passed away on July 31, 2023 after living with Parkinson’s disease and multiple myeloma.  Bob was the beloved husband of Ann (Blomberg) for 55 years; loving father and father-in-law of Eric Carlson of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Linnea (Carlson) and Thomas Stafford of Kent; and grandfather to Ash, Ellie and Ingrid.  He was...

Jul 31, 2023

William Byrd Johnson entered the world on August 29, 1939 in Kent, Ohio, the last of twelve children born to John and Dora Johnson. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School from which he graduated in 1957. In February, 1959, after some career counseling from his mother, William enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country...

Jul 29, 2023

Paul Allen Dauber, age 73 of Rootstown, died July 29, 2023 in Ravenna, Ohio and is now resting in the Hands of Jesus. He was born April 25, 1950 in Akron, Ohio.

Paul served in the USAF and was stationed in Thailand and Mountain Home AFB, USA. He worked at Automated Packaging and later for Vioxx (Goodyear...

Jul 28, 2023

Alan H. Coogan, 93, of Kent, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 28, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on Dec 19, 1929 to the late Dorothy Amelia Baker and Francis Alan Coogan, Jr. He grew up in the San Francisco area and even swam across the Bay in his late teens!

Following...

Jul 28, 2023

Dorothy “Lee” (Jones) Lillick-Hall, aged 94, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2023 while under care at Heather Knoll and Wellspring Hospice. Fiercely loyal (and sometimes stubborn), Lee’s dual joys in life were family and helping others, while expecting little in return. A Physical Education major by degree (proud lifetime alumnus of Kent State and member of Alpha Gamma...

Jul 26, 2023

Griffin Anderson Belden, age 21, of Kent, passed away unexpectedly after a car crash on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Akron City Hospital. He was born March 29, 2002 in Akron to Garth Belden and Mindy Niehaus.

Griffin graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 2020, and went on to study Computer Science at Kent State University....

Jul 21, 2023

Dale William Clarke, age 73, originally of Kent, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023, in Cincinnati.

Dale was preceded in passing by his beloved wife and partner of 33 years, Natalie (Jakab) Clarke, in 2015, and his parents, Byron and Harriet (Null) Clarke. He is survived by his cherished son Brandon Clarke and daughter-in-law Jalynn Barnett, of...