Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Joseph A. Betkoski
Aug 12, 2025
Joseph A. Betkoski, 89, of Kent passed away on August 12, 2025.
He was born May 29, 1936, in Glen Lyon, PA, a small coal mining town in eastern Pennsylvania, the older of two sons to the late Stanley and Mary Betkoski.
Joe graduated from Newport Township High School where he was enrolled in college preparatory classes. He was active outside the...
John E. Henry Jr.
Aug 7, 2025
John E. Henry Jr., 71 of Kent, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in the comfort of his home, with his family by his side. He was born on March 3, 1954 to the late John Sr. and Irene Henry and was a 1972 graduate of Kent State High School.
John was employed as chief engineer at Colonial Machine, retiring...
Pamela Sharon Wilson
Aug 5, 2025
Pamela Sharon Wilson, age 70, of Kent, OH, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Pamela was born August 7, 1954 in Richlands, VA to the late Thurel and Joan (Blevins) Beavers.
Class of 1972 Roosevelt High School.
Cremation has taken place. A full obituary and memorial service will take place at a later date.
Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home...
Donald L. Swauger
Aug 5, 2025
Donald L. Swauger, 88, of Kent, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at UH Portage Medical Center. He was born in Kent on December 30, 1936 to the late Robert and Nellie Swauger and was a 1956 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.
Donald was employed as a machinist with Eaton Corporation for several years and was a member of...
Julie Evelyn Nygaard
Aug 2, 2025
Julie Evelyn Erickson Nygaard was born on February 12, 1942, in Jamestown, New York, and spent her early years on her family’s dairy farm in Ashville, New York, surrounded by her Swedish parents, Stan and Evelyn Erickson, and grandparents. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her sister, Lynette Erickson.
After graduating from high school, Julie’s...
Edwin Dexter Castleman
Jul 30, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Edwin Dexter Castleman on July 30, 2025 at the age of 76.
Edwin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from Glenville High School before serving in the United States Air Force with a focus on language studies.
He excelled at competitive sports like wrestling and football. Following his military...
William H. Snodgrass Jr.
Jul 25, 2025
Willliam H. Snodgrass Jr., 69, of Ravenna, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025 from a genetic lung cancer, at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center. He was born on August 16, 1955 to the late William Sr. and Geraldine Snodgrass. William was a truck driver for over 30 years, driving for Panther Trucking, Fed Ex, Orange Freight and LA...
Colleen Marie Reaman
Jul 19, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Colleen Reaman (Deagan) after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was a lifelong resident of the Akron area. Colleen spent her life making a lasting impact in the lives and communities around her.
A proud graduate of St. Vincent High School and an attendee of The University of...
Carol Irene Birkner
Jul 15, 2025
Carol I. Birkner, age 96, who entered eternal rest on July 15, 2025.
Carol was born December 25, 1928 in Lakewood, OH to the late Elmer E. & Elsie (Hoffmeyer) Keidel.
She was a proud graduate of Lakewood High School, Class of 1947, Carol continued her education at Kent State University, where she cultivated a lifelong love for learning and community engagement....
Shirley A. VanValkenburg
Jul 14, 2025
Quilter, rug hooker, Title IX activist and retired Kent State University Professor Shirley Ann Van Valkenburg died July 14, 2025 at the age of 88.
Raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., Shirley was the daughter of Clio and Judge J. Wade Van Valkenburg, at one time the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.
Early on, Shirley displayed remarkable athletic ability and competitiveness, excelling...
Janet Tauscher
Jul 13, 2025
Janet (Frankwich) Tauscher, 91, of Kent, Ohio, formerly of Red House and Nitro, West Virginia, and Whitaker, Pennsylvania, died July 13, 2025.
Janet was born October 2, 1933, in Whitaker, PA, the oldest of four children. She grew up on River View Blvd in Homestead, PA and graduated from Munhall High School in 1951. Following graduation, she worked as a comptometer...
James Dennis Cook
Jul 12, 2025
James Dennis Cook, 68, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Ravenna to James and Ethel Cook on December 23, 1956. Friends and family knew him as Jim. He was married for 40 years to his wife Deborah Cook. He was employed by Klaben Ford in Kent...
Merrilee Nelson
Jul 11, 2025
Once upon a time she was fire chief in a little town in the mountains of Washington state; bartender at an ancient rambling inn somewhere on the outskirts of ski country; management consultant at a design firm in Hong Kong and resident there at the storied Helena May; child-cowgirl, post-hole digger, fence-mender and adventurer who got her fervent wish to...
Kenneth Flick
Jul 8, 2025
Kenneth Flick, 77, of Stow, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Vitalia of Stow. He was born in Akron on May 27, 1948 to the late Richard and Roberta Flick and was a graduate of North High School. Ken proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Following his service in the military, Ken...
Danielle Alexandria Bernard
Jul 8, 2025
Danielle Alexandria Bernard went peacefully to eternal rest in the comfort of her home, beside the love of her life, Jonathan Lane on July 8, 2025
She was born on August 10,1990 in Akron, Ohio then graduated from Copley High School In 2008. In 2020 Danielle moved into her forever home in Stow, Ohio with her soul mate, Jonathan, her 14...
Jose A. Marez
Jul 5, 2025
Jose' A. Marez Jr, "Tony" 78, of Silver Lake, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family and close friends.
Born on March 17, 1946, in San Antonio, TX to the late Jose Sr. and Connie Marez.
Tony served in the United States Marine Corp, lived a life defined by love of family and an unwavering devotion...
Frances I. "Maw" Austin
Jul 5, 2025
Frances Irene Austin, age 88, of Streetsboro, OH, passed away on
Saturday, July 5, 2025 at The Gardens at Liberty Park.
Frances was born July 15, 1936 in Weston, WV to the late Earl and Wanemia (Bird) Metz.
Frances was known as “Maw” by all who met her, both family and friends. She spent a majority of her life serving the elderly with...
Ann Marie Durst
Jun 30, 2025
Ann Marie (Mooney) Durst, 82, of Kent, Ohio, passed away peacefully, and in the presence of family, on June 30, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with Central Nervous System Lymphoma - an immeasurable loss for all who loved her. Previously invincible, she remained fiercely independent, self-reliant, and active until the end.
Ann Marie is survived by her daughter Elizabeth...
Mary L. Messerly
Jun 29, 2025
Mary L. Messerly, 85, of Stow, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in the comfort of her home, with her loving husband by her side. She was born in Ravenna on January 21, 1940 to the late William K. and Winifred Kinsey. Mary was a 1958 graduate of Stow High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s of...
Megan Kathleen Heideman
Jun 27, 2025
Megan Kathleen Heideman, age 65, of Munroe Falls, OH, died on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Megan was born May 10, 1960 in Ravenna, OH to the late Douglas and Nancy (Kennedy) Osborne.
Megan was a compassionate nurse her entire career and was very proud of the care she provided to her patients. Her last several years of work were spent with Summa...
Joseph A. Betkoski
Aug 12, 2025
Joseph A. Betkoski, 89, of Kent passed away on August 12, 2025.
He was born May 29, 1936, in Glen Lyon, PA, a small coal mining town in eastern Pennsylvania, the older of two sons to the late Stanley and Mary Betkoski.
Joe graduated from Newport Township High School where he was enrolled in college preparatory classes. He was active outside the...
John E. Henry Jr.
Aug 7, 2025
John E. Henry Jr., 71 of Kent, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in the comfort of his home, with his family by his side. He was born on March 3, 1954 to the late John Sr. and Irene Henry and was a 1972 graduate of Kent State High School.
John was employed as chief engineer at Colonial Machine, retiring...
Pamela Sharon Wilson
Aug 5, 2025
Pamela Sharon Wilson, age 70, of Kent, OH, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Pamela was born August 7, 1954 in Richlands, VA to the late Thurel and Joan (Blevins) Beavers.
Class of 1972 Roosevelt High School.
Cremation has taken place. A full obituary and memorial service will take place at a later date.
Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home...
Donald L. Swauger
Aug 5, 2025
Donald L. Swauger, 88, of Kent, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at UH Portage Medical Center. He was born in Kent on December 30, 1936 to the late Robert and Nellie Swauger and was a 1956 graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School.
Donald was employed as a machinist with Eaton Corporation for several years and was a member of...
Julie Evelyn Nygaard
Aug 2, 2025
Julie Evelyn Erickson Nygaard was born on February 12, 1942, in Jamestown, New York, and spent her early years on her family’s dairy farm in Ashville, New York, surrounded by her Swedish parents, Stan and Evelyn Erickson, and grandparents. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her sister, Lynette Erickson.
After graduating from high school, Julie’s...
Edwin Dexter Castleman
Jul 30, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Edwin Dexter Castleman on July 30, 2025 at the age of 76.
Edwin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from Glenville High School before serving in the United States Air Force with a focus on language studies.
He excelled at competitive sports like wrestling and football. Following his military...
William H. Snodgrass Jr.
Jul 25, 2025
Willliam H. Snodgrass Jr., 69, of Ravenna, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025 from a genetic lung cancer, at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center. He was born on August 16, 1955 to the late William Sr. and Geraldine Snodgrass. William was a truck driver for over 30 years, driving for Panther Trucking, Fed Ex, Orange Freight and LA...
Colleen Marie Reaman
Jul 19, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Colleen Reaman (Deagan) after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was a lifelong resident of the Akron area. Colleen spent her life making a lasting impact in the lives and communities around her.
A proud graduate of St. Vincent High School and an attendee of The University of...
Carol Irene Birkner
Jul 15, 2025
Carol I. Birkner, age 96, who entered eternal rest on July 15, 2025.
Carol was born December 25, 1928 in Lakewood, OH to the late Elmer E. & Elsie (Hoffmeyer) Keidel.
She was a proud graduate of Lakewood High School, Class of 1947, Carol continued her education at Kent State University, where she cultivated a lifelong love for learning and community engagement....
Shirley A. VanValkenburg
Jul 14, 2025
Quilter, rug hooker, Title IX activist and retired Kent State University Professor Shirley Ann Van Valkenburg died July 14, 2025 at the age of 88.
Raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., Shirley was the daughter of Clio and Judge J. Wade Van Valkenburg, at one time the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.
Early on, Shirley displayed remarkable athletic ability and competitiveness, excelling...
Janet Tauscher
Jul 13, 2025
Janet (Frankwich) Tauscher, 91, of Kent, Ohio, formerly of Red House and Nitro, West Virginia, and Whitaker, Pennsylvania, died July 13, 2025.
Janet was born October 2, 1933, in Whitaker, PA, the oldest of four children. She grew up on River View Blvd in Homestead, PA and graduated from Munhall High School in 1951. Following graduation, she worked as a comptometer...
James Dennis Cook
Jul 12, 2025
James Dennis Cook, 68, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Ravenna to James and Ethel Cook on December 23, 1956. Friends and family knew him as Jim. He was married for 40 years to his wife Deborah Cook. He was employed by Klaben Ford in Kent...
Merrilee Nelson
Jul 11, 2025
Once upon a time she was fire chief in a little town in the mountains of Washington state; bartender at an ancient rambling inn somewhere on the outskirts of ski country; management consultant at a design firm in Hong Kong and resident there at the storied Helena May; child-cowgirl, post-hole digger, fence-mender and adventurer who got her fervent wish to...
Kenneth Flick
Jul 8, 2025
Kenneth Flick, 77, of Stow, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Vitalia of Stow. He was born in Akron on May 27, 1948 to the late Richard and Roberta Flick and was a graduate of North High School. Ken proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Following his service in the military, Ken...
Danielle Alexandria Bernard
Jul 8, 2025
Danielle Alexandria Bernard went peacefully to eternal rest in the comfort of her home, beside the love of her life, Jonathan Lane on July 8, 2025
She was born on August 10,1990 in Akron, Ohio then graduated from Copley High School In 2008. In 2020 Danielle moved into her forever home in Stow, Ohio with her soul mate, Jonathan, her 14...
Jose A. Marez
Jul 5, 2025
Jose' A. Marez Jr, "Tony" 78, of Silver Lake, Ohio, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family and close friends.
Born on March 17, 1946, in San Antonio, TX to the late Jose Sr. and Connie Marez.
Tony served in the United States Marine Corp, lived a life defined by love of family and an unwavering devotion...
Frances I. "Maw" Austin
Jul 5, 2025
Frances Irene Austin, age 88, of Streetsboro, OH, passed away on
Saturday, July 5, 2025 at The Gardens at Liberty Park.
Frances was born July 15, 1936 in Weston, WV to the late Earl and Wanemia (Bird) Metz.
Frances was known as “Maw” by all who met her, both family and friends. She spent a majority of her life serving the elderly with...
Ann Marie Durst
Jun 30, 2025
Ann Marie (Mooney) Durst, 82, of Kent, Ohio, passed away peacefully, and in the presence of family, on June 30, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with Central Nervous System Lymphoma - an immeasurable loss for all who loved her. Previously invincible, she remained fiercely independent, self-reliant, and active until the end.
Ann Marie is survived by her daughter Elizabeth...
Mary L. Messerly
Jun 29, 2025
Mary L. Messerly, 85, of Stow, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in the comfort of her home, with her loving husband by her side. She was born in Ravenna on January 21, 1940 to the late William K. and Winifred Kinsey. Mary was a 1958 graduate of Stow High School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s of...
Megan Kathleen Heideman
Jun 27, 2025
Megan Kathleen Heideman, age 65, of Munroe Falls, OH, died on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Megan was born May 10, 1960 in Ravenna, OH to the late Douglas and Nancy (Kennedy) Osborne.
Megan was a compassionate nurse her entire career and was very proud of the care she provided to her patients. Her last several years of work were spent with Summa...
Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
is a collection of obituaries for cities throughout Ohio. With services that are updated regularly. Find local obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries
