Zelma Oleta Anderson

Zelma Oleta Anderson, age 94, of Kent, died on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at her home.

Zelma was born September 2, 1925 in Sugarcreek, OH to Clifford and Bessie (Heyd) Ashton.  She lived in Stow, Ravenna and then Kent for 19 years graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1943.  Oleta worked at Twin Coach as a secretary to the purchasing agent until she married William J. Anderson of New Milford in 1946.  Together they lived at Tri-State College until Bill graduated in 1948.  After Bills graduation they lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California while he worked as a consultant in the electronics industry.  While in California she attended the University of Southern California.

Upon returning to Kent she was involved in Kent City Civic affairs by serving on the Zoning Appeals Board and the Board of Trustees of the Portage Area Rapid Transit Authority.  She was a member of Colonial Dames, Daughter of the American Revolution and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Oleta enjoyed researching genealogy and as a result she verified 38 of her ancestors as first family of Ohio.  She also researched Bill’s family extensively and continued her research for over 40 years, including the family history during the Civil War.

She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Anderson II; son, William Anderson III of Syracuse, NY.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Bessie Ashton; sisters, Edith Smith, Helen Woefler, Ruth Smith, Melba Neve; brothers, Donald, Virgil and Harvey LaVerne Ahston.

Private services were held.  Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.

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