Obituaries

Apr 4, 2020

Onaline Coramay Frye was born in Bellville, WV on December 7, 1933 to P.H. and Irene (Cusack) Swain.  She graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1951 and moved to Akron soon after.  She met Vernon “Gene” Frye on a blind date in December 1953 and six months later they were married.  The loves in her life were Gene (who...

Apr 3, 2020

Robert Manzari, 72,  passed away April 3, 2020 of COVID-19. Born and raised in Akron, OH, he is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Bonnie; sisters, Annette (Edwin) and Mary; brother, Michael (Leenan); and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Michael Manzari.

Robert graduated from Kent State University, did...

Mar 29, 2020

Virginia Ruth Sarokas, 94, passed away March 29, 2020. She was born in Akron to the late Anthony and Lillian (Knight) Galanis, retired from Akron City (Summa) Hospital with 29 years of service and was an active member of Akron First Seventh Day Adventist Church. She loved crocheting, creating many beautiful pieces, and enjoyed gardening. Most of all, she...

Mar 27, 2020

Lisa L. “Weasel” Grose, 45, passed away March 27, 2020. She was born in Barberton, OH, was a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved the color purple. She also had a love for cats and unicorns, country music and anything that had to do with teddy bears.  Although a bit of a firecracker sometimes, she loved helping people whenever...

Mar 15, 2020

Judith M. Burkhardt, 76, passed away March 15, 2020. She was born in Akron to the late George and Cora (Tabler) Burkhardt, attended Coventry High School and graduated from Buchtel High School.

Judith worked as a nurse at the Summit County Jail and was a wonderful humanitarian. She loved taking care of people and dedicated her life...

Mar 6, 2020

Lajohna L. Geary-Sheppard, 78, passed away March 6, 2020. She was born in Cincinnati, OH to the late William and Maggie May (Fraim) Geary and moved Akron as an infant.

Lajohna was a South High grad and attended J.B.M. school. She was an accomplished violinist, performing in concerts with violins made by her father, worked as a...

Mar 3, 2020

Mary L. Shue, 99, passed away March 3, 2020.  Born in Fayette County, Ohio she was raised by the late Charles and Stella Colaw.  Mary loved getting together with her friends for lunch, playing cards and going to Bingo.

Preceded in death by husband, Harold Shue and son, Ronald Kelley; brothers, George and Ralph; sisters, Anna and...

Feb 29, 2020

William F. “Billy” Weaver Jr., 54, passed away February 29, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Akron to William Sr. and Georgene Weaver, he was a 1983 graduate of Garfield High School.

Billy was the owner of B&M Lawn and Plowing Service for over 30 years and was always working. He loved his time at...

Feb 28, 2020

Nancy C. McKnight, 82, went home to be with the Lord February 28, 2020.  Born in Peterstown, WV to the late Erie and Nora (Mills) Dillon, Nancy spent most of her life in the Akron area.  She worked as a manager for the Salvation Army and Goodwill and was a long-time member of the Apostolic Church of Barberton. Nancy...

Feb 19, 2020

Timothy Gaskins Jr., 91, passed away peacefully February 19, 2020. He was born in Akron to the late Timothy Sr. and Ruby (Knight) and retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company with 33 years of service.

Timothy was active in the deaf community for many years. He was a member of the Deaf Outreach Church of...

Feb 17, 2020

Kristina Eva Gale, 51, passed away peacefully February 17, 2020. She was born in Barberton, OH and was a 1986 North High School graduate. She had worked as an assistant at a physician's office and enjoyed bowling, trips to the beach and especially music. Kristina is survived by her husband, Greg; daughter, Erika; parents, Balazs and Gizella (Balogh) Varga;...

Feb 3, 2020

Roger W. Spoerke, 76, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his bedside on Monday, February 3, 2020. He was born in Cleveland to the late William and Eleanor (Brune) and retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company with 33 years of service.

Roger earned a Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from Michigan State...

Jan 29, 2020

Kathleen Maria Messmore, age 90, was ‘taken home again’ on January 29, 2020.

Kathleen was born in Kenmore, Ohio, to the late Charles and Bridget (Doyle) Messmore and was a 1947 graduate of St. Vincent High School and a lifelong supporter of her beloved "Fighting Irish".

After working for J.Gordon Gaines, Inc., the Speigel Catalog...

Jan 22, 2020

Tiffany Rhea, 27, passed away suddenly January 22, 2020. She was born in Wayne, MI and was an Akron area resident for most of her life. She was a Chippewa High School graduate and loved her beloved son Jaylen more than anything.

She is survived by her fiancée, John Armstead and their son, Jaylen Jerome Armstead; mother,...

Jan 21, 2020

Deborah “Ingy” Ingersoll began her next great adventure on January 21, 2020 surrounded by family and music, two of the most cherished things in her life.

She was born in Akron on September 15, 1957 and began her music career at the age of 4. Ingy liked to tell the story of how her first piano teacher...

Jan 17, 2020

Eloise B. Kimble, 89, passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2020. She was born in Richmond, Virginia to the late Remus and Geneva (Loan) Smith and lived most of her life in the greater Akron area.

Eloise worked as a cook at The Waterloo restaurant as well as various other establishments, where she utilized her...

Jan 16, 2020

David L. Lucas, 69, passed away January 16, 2020. He was born in Akron to the late Robert and Virgie “Jackie” (Hunt) Lucas, earned his barber’s license at the age of 14 and enjoyed being a drummer in a band as a youth.

David enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 and was a decorated...

Jan 10, 2020

Barbara P. Piurkowsky, 77, passed away January 10, 2020. She was born in Akron to the late Sylvester and Ann (Vinsic) Radoichin, worked at many local restaurants throughout her life and was a long-time volunteer for Edwin Shaw.

Barbara had a passion for working with and creating beautiful stained glass pieces, displaying and selling much of her...

Jan 4, 2020

Esther M. Wills, 93, passed away January 4, 2020. She was born in Muscogee, FL to the late Willie and Cameola (Byrd) Linton, was a veteran of the US Air Force and retired from Akron General Hospital.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edgel; brothers, Willis and Willie; and sisters,...

Jan 3, 2020

Kathleen Martin, 70, passed away January 3, 2020. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Raymond A. Sr. and Geraldine (Wolf) Pritchett, was a graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School, and lived in Georgia for the past 20-plus years.

Kathleen was an accomplished insurance salesman for many years. She retired from American General Life Insurance...