Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Nancy Jo (Smith) Meloy
Jan 16, 2023
Nancy Jo Meloy, age 80, of Canal Fulton, OH, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by family at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center.
Nancy was born February 14, 1942, in Akron, OH, to James and Beatrice (Stone) Smith.
Nancy loved dogs, especially her Maggie, going out to eat with friends and...
Carmel Rita (Pappano) Dimauro
Jan 12, 2023
Carmel Rita (Pappano) DiMauro, 93, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on January 12, 2023. She was born on November 9, 1929, in Akron to the late Nicholas and Marie Pappano. On May 3, 1952, Carmel married the love of her life, Robert DiMauro, at St. Martha Church. Their love story lasted over 62...
Michael D. Stefanchik
Jan 9, 2023
Michael D. Stefanchik, 89, of Kent, passed away on January 9, 2023. Michael was born in Euclid, Ohio on July 22, 1933 to the late Mike and Mary Stefanchik (nee Hritkzo). He was a graduate of Euclid High School and Kent State University with a degree in Accounting. Following college, he served as an officer in the United States...
Richard Blair
Jan 4, 2023
Richard Blair, 71, died in Las Vegas, NV, January 4, 2023, after a 9 year battle with cancer.
Richard, a former Kent resident and a graduate of Kent State University, is survived by his brother, William Blair. His parents were the late Richard (1995) and Luella Blair (2019), owners of the former Kent Office Supply on West...
Jamison “Jami” Floyd Rice
Jan 2, 2023
Ray of sunshine and beloved son, Jamison “Jami” Floyd Rice (9 months) passed away peacefully on January 2, 2023, in the arms of Mallory Derbfuss and Jesse Rice, his parents.
Jami’s passing came after a long and difficult battle with Congenital Heart Disease. Through his journey Jamison became a pioneer in Pediatric Cardiology. A new method of ...
Elizabeth A. Blaha
2023
Elizabeth “Liz” Anne (Sweeney) (Ryan) Blaha, born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 24, 1950 and currently a resident of Buffalo Valley, Tennessee passed away October 3, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. She was a 1968 graduate of Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend who will be greatly missed....
Richard E. Haas
2023
Richard E. Haas, age 74, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at his home. He was born October 15, 1948 in East Rochester, Ohio to the late Dalton and Hazel Haas.
He was an avid Cleveland Guardians fan. He loved birdwatching, his cat, and two dogs.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Aaron...
Susan Louise "Sue" Jeffers
Jan 1, 2023
Susan Louise “Sue” Jeffers, born September 3, 1964, passed away on January 1, 2023, due to a devastating hemorrhagic stroke. Even in her passing Sue continues to help others by being an organ and tissue donor.
Sue was an accomplished musician and songwriter. Throughout the pandemic she brightened our lives and made us feel less alone with...
Donald C. Dykes
Dec 31, 2022
Donald Campbell Dykes of Kent, Ohio, died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 80, following a battle with cancer.
He was born in 1942 in Richmond, Kentucky to Marian and Jimmy Dykes. Donald was an avid lover of golf, Kentucky basketball, and a good scotch. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Eastern Kentucky...
David Wesley Wright
Dec 29, 2022
David Wesley Wright, age 68, of Kent, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 29, 2022, with his family by his side.
He was born April 3, 1954, in Hammond, IN; son of the late Glenn W. and Helen (nee Scheetz) Wright. David graduated from Stow High School. He was a hardworking union carpenter. He was very proud...
Patrick Smith
Dec 26, 2022
Pat Smith, age 71, passed away on December 26th, 2022. He was born in Wooster, Ohio on November 16th, 1951 to parents Clair "Smitty" Smith and June (Hunt) Smith. He was a devoted husband, father, and Papa. Pat worked for over twenty years at Smithers Oasis followed by over 20 years at Kronos, and he continued helping Kronos clients...
Albert F Auth
Dec 25, 2022
Albert F. Auth, age 79, of Rootstown, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
He was born September 14, 1943, in Cleveland, son of the late Robert J. and Marjorie Auth (Black). He was a proud United States Army veteran. Albert was an avid reader and Cleveland Indian’s Baseball fan. He loved vintage muscle cars and...
Laura Anne Lewis
Dec 21, 2022
Laura Lewis, 29, of Akron, Ohio sadly left us unexpectedly on December 21st 2022. She is survived by mother Brenda, sisters Amy and Rebecca, brother Brian, and nephews Mason and Kyler. A private funeral service will be held in her honor on Monday December 26, 2022.
Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory ...
Wendy Rae (Doak) Lawrence
Dec 19, 2022
Wendy Rae Lawrence, age 46, of Kent, OH, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022 at UH Portage Medical Center.
Wendy was born May 24, 1976 in Ravenna, OH to Richard and Barbara (Seiger) Doak Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Marissa Lawrence, father, Richard (Tammy) Doak Jr; mother, Barbara Doak; sister, Tina Carver;...
Rebecca “Becky” Diana (Gibson) Graham
Dec 17, 2022
Rebecca “Becky” Diana Graham, age 82, of Stow, OH, died on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Brentwood Health Care Center with her family by her side. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend with a kind and generous heart and she will be greatly missed.
Rebecca was born January 21, 1940 in Greenville, MI to Donald...
Gregory A. Lanari
Dec 17, 2022
Gregory A. Lanari, 61, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in the comfort of his home, with his family by his side. He was born in Ravenna on September 3, 1961 and was a 1980 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.
Greg held several positions, including factory worker and restaurant manager, but his greatest...
Margaret F. "Peg" (Fellmer) Soule
Dec 14, 2022
Margaret F. “Peg” Soule (nee Fellmer), 99, of Kent, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022 surrounded by her daughter and close friends at Kentridge Senior Living. She was born in Jersey City, NJ to Carl and Margaret (White) Fellmer. She attended St. Dominick’s Academy in Jersey City and went on to study nursing at the Jersey City Medical...
Dr. Amanda Jo Burke
Dec 13, 2022
Dr. Amanda Jo Burke, 41, of Kent, Ohio passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2022, at University Hospital in Ravenna, Ohio.
Amanda - a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, educator, and friend - was born to Susie Burke (nee Braglin) and Joseph Burke on October 23, 1981, in Cambridge, Ohio.
A 2000 graduate of John...
Morgan G. Closs
Dec 13, 2022
Morgan G. Closs, 92, of Kent, was called by God, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital. He was born in Bryan, TX on February 12, 1930 to the late Morgan G. and Wilma P. Closs. He grew up in Texas, moving many times throughout the state.
Morgan was interested in airplanes since he...
Jeanine M. (Habowski) Ray
Dec 12, 2022
Jeanine M. Ray, 65, of Kent, OH went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 12, 2022.
Jeanine was born November 19, 1957 to the late Edward and Betty (Lorcher) Habowski.
Known to her grandchildren as “Grandma Neen” She loved baking, gardening, Christmas music and Snoopy. She enjoyed traveling with her family and...
Nancy Jo (Smith) Meloy
Jan 16, 2023
Nancy Jo Meloy, age 80, of Canal Fulton, OH, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by family at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center.
Nancy was born February 14, 1942, in Akron, OH, to James and Beatrice (Stone) Smith.
Nancy loved dogs, especially her Maggie, going out to eat with friends and...
Carmel Rita (Pappano) Dimauro
Jan 12, 2023
Carmel Rita (Pappano) DiMauro, 93, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on January 12, 2023. She was born on November 9, 1929, in Akron to the late Nicholas and Marie Pappano. On May 3, 1952, Carmel married the love of her life, Robert DiMauro, at St. Martha Church. Their love story lasted over 62...
Michael D. Stefanchik
Jan 9, 2023
Michael D. Stefanchik, 89, of Kent, passed away on January 9, 2023. Michael was born in Euclid, Ohio on July 22, 1933 to the late Mike and Mary Stefanchik (nee Hritkzo). He was a graduate of Euclid High School and Kent State University with a degree in Accounting. Following college, he served as an officer in the United States...
Richard Blair
Jan 4, 2023
Richard Blair, 71, died in Las Vegas, NV, January 4, 2023, after a 9 year battle with cancer.
Richard, a former Kent resident and a graduate of Kent State University, is survived by his brother, William Blair. His parents were the late Richard (1995) and Luella Blair (2019), owners of the former Kent Office Supply on West...
Jamison “Jami” Floyd Rice
Jan 2, 2023
Ray of sunshine and beloved son, Jamison “Jami” Floyd Rice (9 months) passed away peacefully on January 2, 2023, in the arms of Mallory Derbfuss and Jesse Rice, his parents.
Jami’s passing came after a long and difficult battle with Congenital Heart Disease. Through his journey Jamison became a pioneer in Pediatric Cardiology. A new method of ...
Elizabeth A. Blaha
2023
Elizabeth “Liz” Anne (Sweeney) (Ryan) Blaha, born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 24, 1950 and currently a resident of Buffalo Valley, Tennessee passed away October 3, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. She was a 1968 graduate of Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend who will be greatly missed....
Richard E. Haas
2023
Richard E. Haas, age 74, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at his home. He was born October 15, 1948 in East Rochester, Ohio to the late Dalton and Hazel Haas.
He was an avid Cleveland Guardians fan. He loved birdwatching, his cat, and two dogs.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Aaron...
Susan Louise "Sue" Jeffers
Jan 1, 2023
Susan Louise “Sue” Jeffers, born September 3, 1964, passed away on January 1, 2023, due to a devastating hemorrhagic stroke. Even in her passing Sue continues to help others by being an organ and tissue donor.
Sue was an accomplished musician and songwriter. Throughout the pandemic she brightened our lives and made us feel less alone with...
Donald C. Dykes
Dec 31, 2022
Donald Campbell Dykes of Kent, Ohio, died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 80, following a battle with cancer.
He was born in 1942 in Richmond, Kentucky to Marian and Jimmy Dykes. Donald was an avid lover of golf, Kentucky basketball, and a good scotch. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Eastern Kentucky...
David Wesley Wright
Dec 29, 2022
David Wesley Wright, age 68, of Kent, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 29, 2022, with his family by his side.
He was born April 3, 1954, in Hammond, IN; son of the late Glenn W. and Helen (nee Scheetz) Wright. David graduated from Stow High School. He was a hardworking union carpenter. He was very proud...
Patrick Smith
Dec 26, 2022
Pat Smith, age 71, passed away on December 26th, 2022. He was born in Wooster, Ohio on November 16th, 1951 to parents Clair "Smitty" Smith and June (Hunt) Smith. He was a devoted husband, father, and Papa. Pat worked for over twenty years at Smithers Oasis followed by over 20 years at Kronos, and he continued helping Kronos clients...
Albert F Auth
Dec 25, 2022
Albert F. Auth, age 79, of Rootstown, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
He was born September 14, 1943, in Cleveland, son of the late Robert J. and Marjorie Auth (Black). He was a proud United States Army veteran. Albert was an avid reader and Cleveland Indian’s Baseball fan. He loved vintage muscle cars and...
Laura Anne Lewis
Dec 21, 2022
Laura Lewis, 29, of Akron, Ohio sadly left us unexpectedly on December 21st 2022. She is survived by mother Brenda, sisters Amy and Rebecca, brother Brian, and nephews Mason and Kyler. A private funeral service will be held in her honor on Monday December 26, 2022.
Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory ...
Wendy Rae (Doak) Lawrence
Dec 19, 2022
Wendy Rae Lawrence, age 46, of Kent, OH, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022 at UH Portage Medical Center.
Wendy was born May 24, 1976 in Ravenna, OH to Richard and Barbara (Seiger) Doak Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Marissa Lawrence, father, Richard (Tammy) Doak Jr; mother, Barbara Doak; sister, Tina Carver;...
Rebecca “Becky” Diana (Gibson) Graham
Dec 17, 2022
Rebecca “Becky” Diana Graham, age 82, of Stow, OH, died on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Brentwood Health Care Center with her family by her side. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend with a kind and generous heart and she will be greatly missed.
Rebecca was born January 21, 1940 in Greenville, MI to Donald...
Gregory A. Lanari
Dec 17, 2022
Gregory A. Lanari, 61, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in the comfort of his home, with his family by his side. He was born in Ravenna on September 3, 1961 and was a 1980 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.
Greg held several positions, including factory worker and restaurant manager, but his greatest...
Margaret F. "Peg" (Fellmer) Soule
Dec 14, 2022
Margaret F. “Peg” Soule (nee Fellmer), 99, of Kent, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022 surrounded by her daughter and close friends at Kentridge Senior Living. She was born in Jersey City, NJ to Carl and Margaret (White) Fellmer. She attended St. Dominick’s Academy in Jersey City and went on to study nursing at the Jersey City Medical...
Dr. Amanda Jo Burke
Dec 13, 2022
Dr. Amanda Jo Burke, 41, of Kent, Ohio passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2022, at University Hospital in Ravenna, Ohio.
Amanda - a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, educator, and friend - was born to Susie Burke (nee Braglin) and Joseph Burke on October 23, 1981, in Cambridge, Ohio.
A 2000 graduate of John...
Morgan G. Closs
Dec 13, 2022
Morgan G. Closs, 92, of Kent, was called by God, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital. He was born in Bryan, TX on February 12, 1930 to the late Morgan G. and Wilma P. Closs. He grew up in Texas, moving many times throughout the state.
Morgan was interested in airplanes since he...
Jeanine M. (Habowski) Ray
Dec 12, 2022
Jeanine M. Ray, 65, of Kent, OH went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 12, 2022.
Jeanine was born November 19, 1957 to the late Edward and Betty (Lorcher) Habowski.
Known to her grandchildren as “Grandma Neen” She loved baking, gardening, Christmas music and Snoopy. She enjoyed traveling with her family and...









