Obituaries
Obituaries for Bissler & Sons' Funeral Home and Crematory
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Craig James Johnson
Aug 7, 2017
Craig James Johnson, 61, of Kent, died Monday, August 7, 2017, in Ashtabula. He was born April 12, 1956 in Geneva, to Voyne Ace and Ora (Hess) Johnson. Craig was especially proud of his grandchildren; they could rely on their "Pop" to give them sweets and get them out of trouble. He took great pride in being a truck driver...
Helen Jane (Strimple) Wilson
Aug 7, 2017
Helen Jane (Strimple) Wilson---devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, teacher, educator, manager, volunteer, and friend---died peacefully at home at age 91 with family around her on August 7, 2017 at Vancouver, WA after a short illness. Helen Jane was born at her family's home in Kent, Ohio on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1925, the daughter of...
Theresa M. Boyle
Aug 2, 2017
Theresa M. Boyle, age 71, passed away on August 2nd, 2017 after a courageous three year battle with cancer. She was born July 30th, 1946 in Steubenville to the late Howard T. and Theresa (Milano) Boyle. She moved to Kent at an early age and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1964. Following her mother's example she became an...
Frances A. Patterson
Aug 2, 2017
Frances A. Patterson, 78, of Kent, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Akron City Hospital Medical Center. She was born June 10, 1939 in Hubbard, to the late John and Mary (March) MacLellan. She encouraged others to share in her love for horses through over 45 years as a 4-H advisor and many years as a Pony Club D.C. She...
Jane A. Yengling
Jul 30, 2017
Jane A. (nee Riggs) Yengling, 78, of Kent, died Sunday, July 30, 2017, at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. She was born December 13, 1938 in Akron to the late Forest and Marie (Lewis) Riggs. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Don) Jones of Kent; granddaughter, Katie (Joe) Keba of Stow; grandson, Tyler Jones of Kent; great grandchild,...
Raymond Hayes Loughridge
Jul 26, 2017
Long time Kent resident, Raymond Hayes Loughridge, 95, passed away 26 July 2017. Ray was born 22 July 1922, on the family dairy farm in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Hay Walker and Lillian Ruth (Winterburn) Loughridge. He was survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruthe Evelyn (Coulter) "Moots" Loughridge. His four children;...
Caroll E. Brode
Jul 24, 2017
Caroll E. Streeter Brode, 67, of Kent, Ohio died on Monday, July 24 at her home. She was born in Portage County on February 22, 1950 to Lois (Call) and Jack Streeter of Hiram, Ohio. Caroll graduated from Crestwood High School and went on to obtain a B.S. in Social Work from The University of Akron. She then obtained a...
Lilli E. Meluch
Jul 22, 2017
Lilli Emma (Bates) Meluch, 95, was called to her heavenly home early Saturday morning, July 22, 2017. Lilli was born February 24, 1922 to Charles Homer Bates and Katharina Sauerwein Bates. After graduating from Lash High School in Zanesville, she worked at Timken Roller Bearing and also switchboard operator for Ohio Bell Telephone in Zanesville before moving to Kent, Ohio....

Cynthia Parker Matthews
Jul 22, 2017
Cynthia Parker Matthews, 81, of Hudson, Ohio was born in Cleveland January 15, 1936 to Arthur L. Parker and Helen M. (née Fitzgerald) Parker. Cindy passed away in the company of her children on Saturday July 22, 2017 after battling a rapidly devastating cancer diagnosis early this year. Cindy lived a life filled with joy, abilities, family, talents, and interests....
Marvin B. Kirschman
Jul 20, 2017
Marvin B. Kirschman, 91, of Kent, died Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Independence Village in Aurora. He was born October 15, 1925 in Meriden, CT to the late Walter C. and Harriet (Bartholomew) Kirschman. He was a veteran of the Navy during the World War II with service in the South Pacific. A member of the University of Connecticut 1948...
Andy Ohman
Jul 19, 2017
Andy Ohman, age 90 of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Akron City Hospital Medical Center. He was born in Canton on March 8th, 1927 to the late John and Helen (Dudas) Ohman. Andy served honorably as a marine in WWII, worked most of his life as a truck driver, enjoyed fishing and farming, and loved playing...
Suzanne E. Jenkins
Jul 16, 2017
Suzanne E. Jenkins, 67, of Kent, lost her battle with cancer and passed away peacefully Sunday, July 16, 2017, at her home. Suzanne was the youngest of three children, born November 28, 1949 in Smyrna, DE to the late Alfred and Eleanor (Pucillo) Guarro. Suzanne is survived by her husband, Lynn E. Jenkins; son, Kristopher Tracy of New York, NY;...
Dorys C. Ledet
Jul 13, 2017
Dorys Ledet passed away July 13, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The cause of death was lung cancer. Dorys was born 1941 in Usulutan, El Salvador, but during her lifetime, she was a resident of: San Francisco, CA; New Orleans, LA; Miami, Florida; Elizabeth, NJ; Red Bank, NJ; and Kent, OH. While Dorys traveled around the world,...
Jean Marie Alspach
Jul 11, 2017
Jean Marie Alspach, 90, of Ravenna, died peacefully Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at her home. She was born April 25, 1927 in Akron to Lloyd and Ethel (Morrison) Brackin. Jean married the love of her life John W. Alspach Sr. on February 19th, 1944 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Jean and her family raised purebred goats at her farm in Rootstown....
David Michael Kurka
Jul 11, 2017
David Michael Kurka, 36, of Windham, died at his home. He was born August 29, 1980 in Ravenna to George and Rhonda (Burbridge) Kurka. While in South Carolina, he discovered his love for cooking. He became a chef and worked at several restaurants in South Carolina and returned to Portage County and worked at several restaurants here. He loved his...

Karen Joy Smith
Jul 9, 2017
Karen Joy Smith, 75, of Streetsboro, died Sunday, July 9, 2017, at her home. She was born January 20, 1942 in Bloomington, IN to Lucius and Maxine (Skinner) Lyman Jr. She is survived by her husband, Jack W. Smith; daughters, one daughter: Teri (Dr. Vic) Kulick of Parma, OH. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard T. Barrett....
Paul C. Kitchin,
Jul 7, 2017
Paul C. Kitchin Jr., 98, of Ravenna, died Friday, July 7, 2017, at home in Rootstown Township. He was born October 18, 1918 in Missoula, MT to the late Paul Clifford and Agnis (nee Hatch) Kitchin. He was a professor of political science at Kent State University. Founder of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and member No 1 in Ohio....
Deacon John F. "Jack" Carney
Jul 7, 2017
After a lengthy journey, Deacon John F. "Jack" Carney passed away on Friday, July 7, 2017, surrounded by his family. Jack was born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 29, 1941. He was the son of Joseph P. and Virginia (Sullivan) Carney. Jack was a graduate of Ursuline High School in 1959, and participated in the first football game between Mooney...
Lester E. Krebs
Jul 4, 2017
Lester Earl Krebs, a WWII Army vet fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a member of The Greatest Generation gave his final salute July 4, 2017. He was born in Loudonville, OH to Swiss immigrants Albert & Lina Krebs on March 18th 1919 and is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Josephine [nee] Skibiski....
Gloria Dickerson
Jul 3, 2017
Gloria Dickerson, 92, of Wooster, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Marion. She was born May 16, 1925 in Kent, to the late Lawrence and Bessie J. (Martin) Ramicone. She grew up in Kent, attending St. Patrick grade school, and graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1942. During WWII she worked as a riveter...
Craig James Johnson
Aug 7, 2017
Craig James Johnson, 61, of Kent, died Monday, August 7, 2017, in Ashtabula. He was born April 12, 1956 in Geneva, to Voyne Ace and Ora (Hess) Johnson. Craig was especially proud of his grandchildren; they could rely on their "Pop" to give them sweets and get them out of trouble. He took great pride in being a truck driver...
Helen Jane (Strimple) Wilson
Aug 7, 2017
Helen Jane (Strimple) Wilson---devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, teacher, educator, manager, volunteer, and friend---died peacefully at home at age 91 with family around her on August 7, 2017 at Vancouver, WA after a short illness. Helen Jane was born at her family's home in Kent, Ohio on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1925, the daughter of...
Theresa M. Boyle
Aug 2, 2017
Theresa M. Boyle, age 71, passed away on August 2nd, 2017 after a courageous three year battle with cancer. She was born July 30th, 1946 in Steubenville to the late Howard T. and Theresa (Milano) Boyle. She moved to Kent at an early age and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1964. Following her mother's example she became an...
Frances A. Patterson
Aug 2, 2017
Frances A. Patterson, 78, of Kent, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Akron City Hospital Medical Center. She was born June 10, 1939 in Hubbard, to the late John and Mary (March) MacLellan. She encouraged others to share in her love for horses through over 45 years as a 4-H advisor and many years as a Pony Club D.C. She...
Jane A. Yengling
Jul 30, 2017
Jane A. (nee Riggs) Yengling, 78, of Kent, died Sunday, July 30, 2017, at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. She was born December 13, 1938 in Akron to the late Forest and Marie (Lewis) Riggs. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Don) Jones of Kent; granddaughter, Katie (Joe) Keba of Stow; grandson, Tyler Jones of Kent; great grandchild,...
Raymond Hayes Loughridge
Jul 26, 2017
Long time Kent resident, Raymond Hayes Loughridge, 95, passed away 26 July 2017. Ray was born 22 July 1922, on the family dairy farm in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Hay Walker and Lillian Ruth (Winterburn) Loughridge. He was survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruthe Evelyn (Coulter) "Moots" Loughridge. His four children;...
Caroll E. Brode
Jul 24, 2017
Caroll E. Streeter Brode, 67, of Kent, Ohio died on Monday, July 24 at her home. She was born in Portage County on February 22, 1950 to Lois (Call) and Jack Streeter of Hiram, Ohio. Caroll graduated from Crestwood High School and went on to obtain a B.S. in Social Work from The University of Akron. She then obtained a...
Lilli E. Meluch
Jul 22, 2017
Lilli Emma (Bates) Meluch, 95, was called to her heavenly home early Saturday morning, July 22, 2017. Lilli was born February 24, 1922 to Charles Homer Bates and Katharina Sauerwein Bates. After graduating from Lash High School in Zanesville, she worked at Timken Roller Bearing and also switchboard operator for Ohio Bell Telephone in Zanesville before moving to Kent, Ohio....

Cynthia Parker Matthews
Jul 22, 2017
Cynthia Parker Matthews, 81, of Hudson, Ohio was born in Cleveland January 15, 1936 to Arthur L. Parker and Helen M. (née Fitzgerald) Parker. Cindy passed away in the company of her children on Saturday July 22, 2017 after battling a rapidly devastating cancer diagnosis early this year. Cindy lived a life filled with joy, abilities, family, talents, and interests....
Marvin B. Kirschman
Jul 20, 2017
Marvin B. Kirschman, 91, of Kent, died Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Independence Village in Aurora. He was born October 15, 1925 in Meriden, CT to the late Walter C. and Harriet (Bartholomew) Kirschman. He was a veteran of the Navy during the World War II with service in the South Pacific. A member of the University of Connecticut 1948...
Andy Ohman
Jul 19, 2017
Andy Ohman, age 90 of Kent, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Akron City Hospital Medical Center. He was born in Canton on March 8th, 1927 to the late John and Helen (Dudas) Ohman. Andy served honorably as a marine in WWII, worked most of his life as a truck driver, enjoyed fishing and farming, and loved playing...
Suzanne E. Jenkins
Jul 16, 2017
Suzanne E. Jenkins, 67, of Kent, lost her battle with cancer and passed away peacefully Sunday, July 16, 2017, at her home. Suzanne was the youngest of three children, born November 28, 1949 in Smyrna, DE to the late Alfred and Eleanor (Pucillo) Guarro. Suzanne is survived by her husband, Lynn E. Jenkins; son, Kristopher Tracy of New York, NY;...
Dorys C. Ledet
Jul 13, 2017
Dorys Ledet passed away July 13, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The cause of death was lung cancer. Dorys was born 1941 in Usulutan, El Salvador, but during her lifetime, she was a resident of: San Francisco, CA; New Orleans, LA; Miami, Florida; Elizabeth, NJ; Red Bank, NJ; and Kent, OH. While Dorys traveled around the world,...
Jean Marie Alspach
Jul 11, 2017
Jean Marie Alspach, 90, of Ravenna, died peacefully Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at her home. She was born April 25, 1927 in Akron to Lloyd and Ethel (Morrison) Brackin. Jean married the love of her life John W. Alspach Sr. on February 19th, 1944 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Jean and her family raised purebred goats at her farm in Rootstown....
David Michael Kurka
Jul 11, 2017
David Michael Kurka, 36, of Windham, died at his home. He was born August 29, 1980 in Ravenna to George and Rhonda (Burbridge) Kurka. While in South Carolina, he discovered his love for cooking. He became a chef and worked at several restaurants in South Carolina and returned to Portage County and worked at several restaurants here. He loved his...

Karen Joy Smith
Jul 9, 2017
Karen Joy Smith, 75, of Streetsboro, died Sunday, July 9, 2017, at her home. She was born January 20, 1942 in Bloomington, IN to Lucius and Maxine (Skinner) Lyman Jr. She is survived by her husband, Jack W. Smith; daughters, one daughter: Teri (Dr. Vic) Kulick of Parma, OH. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard T. Barrett....
Paul C. Kitchin,
Jul 7, 2017
Paul C. Kitchin Jr., 98, of Ravenna, died Friday, July 7, 2017, at home in Rootstown Township. He was born October 18, 1918 in Missoula, MT to the late Paul Clifford and Agnis (nee Hatch) Kitchin. He was a professor of political science at Kent State University. Founder of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and member No 1 in Ohio....
Deacon John F. "Jack" Carney
Jul 7, 2017
After a lengthy journey, Deacon John F. "Jack" Carney passed away on Friday, July 7, 2017, surrounded by his family. Jack was born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 29, 1941. He was the son of Joseph P. and Virginia (Sullivan) Carney. Jack was a graduate of Ursuline High School in 1959, and participated in the first football game between Mooney...
Lester E. Krebs
Jul 4, 2017
Lester Earl Krebs, a WWII Army vet fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a member of The Greatest Generation gave his final salute July 4, 2017. He was born in Loudonville, OH to Swiss immigrants Albert & Lina Krebs on March 18th 1919 and is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Josephine [nee] Skibiski....
Gloria Dickerson
Jul 3, 2017
Gloria Dickerson, 92, of Wooster, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Marion. She was born May 16, 1925 in Kent, to the late Lawrence and Bessie J. (Martin) Ramicone. She grew up in Kent, attending St. Patrick grade school, and graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1942. During WWII she worked as a riveter...