Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
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...
Marie L. (Sepi) Shanley
Feb 2, 2023
Marie Louise Shanley, age 91, of Kent, OH went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the Tallmadge Health and Rehab Center.
Marie was born April 8, 1931 to the late Frank and Fannie Sepi.
She was affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Grandmarie”. Marie was a proud lifelong resident of...
Lloyd "Lee" Earl Atkinson Jr.
Feb 1, 2023
Lloyd “Lee” Earl Atkinson, age 63, of Kent, OH, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at his home.
Lloyd was born August 10, 1959 in Ravenna, OH to Lloyd Atkinson and the late Lori (England) Diezman.
Lee graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and was a lifelong resident of Kent, OH. Lee was skilled...
Alvin H. Brown Jr.
Feb 1, 2023
Alvin H. Brown Jr. “J.R.”, 59, of Brimfield, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at his home. Alvin was born on March 29, 1963 in Ravenna, Ohio to Alvin H. and Mildred L. (Felton) Brown. Al was a 1982 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School, attended Akron University and was the owner of Al Brown Construction.
...
James "Jim" Benny Hayhurst
Jan 31, 2023
James “Jim” Benny Hayhurst, 69, of Deerfield passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2023.
Jim was born in Ravenna, Ohio on November 21, 1953 to the late William Ray and Mona Lou Hayhurst (nee Waller).
He is preceded by a brother, William Hayhurst and the love of his life, Robin Dean. His children...
Maynard Arthur "Art" Welch
Jan 28, 2023
Maynard Arthur “Art” Welch, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Woodlands at Robinson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ravenna. He was born on April 11, 1932 in Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio to the late O. Maynard and Treva H. (Feeback) Welch, sharing his birth date with his mother.
Art graduated from Delta High...
Sandra Jean Berisford
Jan 25, 2023
Sandra Jean Berisford, 78, of Smyrna, TN, formerly of Kent, OH, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. She was born in Bedford, PA on March 2, 1944 and grew up on a farm. Sandra was a country girl at heart and always enjoyed raising her chickens and loved her dogs dearly. She spent many years working at Seal...
William J. "Billy" Hall
Jan 23, 2023
William “Billy” J. Hall, 71, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023. He is survived by his siblings: Janice M. Hall Hogan (Earl), Diane R. Hall Nigh (Jim), Theresa A. Hall Petersen (Steve), Daniel R. Hall (Chris), Sharon L. Hall, David M. Ballis, Nina M. Ballis Goodlet, BethAnn Ballis Tribelhorn (James), James W. Ballis, and Scharlotte H. Ballis Medhurst...
James Robert Kozlowski
Jan 18, 2023
James “Jim” Robert Kozlowski, age 55, of Tallmadge, Ohio, passed away on January 18, 2023. Jim was born on February 2, 1967 in Akron, Ohio to parents, Paul and Lois Kozlowski.
Jim was known by his family and friends as a gentle and kind soul, who was truly loved by family and friends. Jim was a graduate...
Yvonne Therese (Jacobs) Chord
Jan 17, 2023
Yvonne Therese (Jacobs) Chord, 66, passed away after a brief illness Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
She was born on August 23, 1956, in Kent, Ohio to Frederick Carl & the late Dorothy Ann (Marxen) Jacobs.
Yvonne graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1974, where she enjoyed music and playing clarinet in the school band. ...
David Michael Horner
Jan 16, 2023
David Michael Horner, age 68, of Kent, OH, died on Monday, January 16, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center.
David was born March 10, 1954 in Ravenna, OH to the late Donald and Marian (Brunswick) Horner.
David served 30 years as a City of Akron employee starting at the Waste-Water Division and eventually retiring from...
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...
Marie L. (Sepi) Shanley
Feb 2, 2023
Marie Louise Shanley, age 91, of Kent, OH went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the Tallmadge Health and Rehab Center.
Marie was born April 8, 1931 to the late Frank and Fannie Sepi.
She was affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Grandmarie”. Marie was a proud lifelong resident of...
Lloyd "Lee" Earl Atkinson Jr.
Feb 1, 2023
Lloyd “Lee” Earl Atkinson, age 63, of Kent, OH, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at his home.
Lloyd was born August 10, 1959 in Ravenna, OH to Lloyd Atkinson and the late Lori (England) Diezman.
Lee graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and was a lifelong resident of Kent, OH. Lee was skilled...
Alvin H. Brown Jr.
Feb 1, 2023
Alvin H. Brown Jr. “J.R.”, 59, of Brimfield, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at his home. Alvin was born on March 29, 1963 in Ravenna, Ohio to Alvin H. and Mildred L. (Felton) Brown. Al was a 1982 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School, attended Akron University and was the owner of Al Brown Construction.
...
James "Jim" Benny Hayhurst
Jan 31, 2023
James “Jim” Benny Hayhurst, 69, of Deerfield passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2023.
Jim was born in Ravenna, Ohio on November 21, 1953 to the late William Ray and Mona Lou Hayhurst (nee Waller).
He is preceded by a brother, William Hayhurst and the love of his life, Robin Dean. His children...
Maynard Arthur "Art" Welch
Jan 28, 2023
Maynard Arthur “Art” Welch, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Woodlands at Robinson Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ravenna. He was born on April 11, 1932 in Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio to the late O. Maynard and Treva H. (Feeback) Welch, sharing his birth date with his mother.
Art graduated from Delta High...
Sandra Jean Berisford
Jan 25, 2023
Sandra Jean Berisford, 78, of Smyrna, TN, formerly of Kent, OH, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. She was born in Bedford, PA on March 2, 1944 and grew up on a farm. Sandra was a country girl at heart and always enjoyed raising her chickens and loved her dogs dearly. She spent many years working at Seal...
William J. "Billy" Hall
Jan 23, 2023
William “Billy” J. Hall, 71, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023. He is survived by his siblings: Janice M. Hall Hogan (Earl), Diane R. Hall Nigh (Jim), Theresa A. Hall Petersen (Steve), Daniel R. Hall (Chris), Sharon L. Hall, David M. Ballis, Nina M. Ballis Goodlet, BethAnn Ballis Tribelhorn (James), James W. Ballis, and Scharlotte H. Ballis Medhurst...
James Robert Kozlowski
Jan 18, 2023
James “Jim” Robert Kozlowski, age 55, of Tallmadge, Ohio, passed away on January 18, 2023. Jim was born on February 2, 1967 in Akron, Ohio to parents, Paul and Lois Kozlowski.
Jim was known by his family and friends as a gentle and kind soul, who was truly loved by family and friends. Jim was a graduate...
Yvonne Therese (Jacobs) Chord
Jan 17, 2023
Yvonne Therese (Jacobs) Chord, 66, passed away after a brief illness Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
She was born on August 23, 1956, in Kent, Ohio to Frederick Carl & the late Dorothy Ann (Marxen) Jacobs.
Yvonne graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1974, where she enjoyed music and playing clarinet in the school band. ...
David Michael Horner
Jan 16, 2023
David Michael Horner, age 68, of Kent, OH, died on Monday, January 16, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center.
David was born March 10, 1954 in Ravenna, OH to the late Donald and Marian (Brunswick) Horner.
David served 30 years as a City of Akron employee starting at the Waste-Water Division and eventually retiring from...









