All Obituaries

Monark Johnson Jr., 95, of Cuyahoga Falls, went home to be with the Lord, February 4, 2020.  He was born on October 29, 1924 to the late Monark and Letta (nee Phillips) Johnson Sr. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in WWII during the Battle of the Bulge with the 1255th Combat Engineer Battalion. This group considered themselves the Liberators of the country of Luxembourg.  He retired after 50 years of service with Frank J. Stolitzka & son,...

Matthew H. Guyton, 36, of New Franklin passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2020. He was a very creative man who expressed himself through artwork. He had many life struggles that he rose above with the help of counseling others. He had a passion for music, art and meditation.   Preceded in death by his grandfather's, James and Houston; aunt, Marianne; uncles, Doug and Davey. He is survived by his parents, Bruce and Doris (nee Chance); sister, Jennifer; grandmother's, Yvonne and...

Alice L. (Beitzel) Bittinger, 96, passed away Friday, January 17, 2020. She was born in Grantsville, Maryland on August 1, 1923, the daughter of Henry and Cynthia (nee Synder) Beitzel; the ninth of twelve children. She moved to Akron in 1944 when her husband, Sherman, started a job at B.F. Goodrich.She was a member of The Kenmore Church of Christ where she taught first graders in Sunday School for over 35 years. She loved God, Jesus and her family and was a devoted wife, mom, grandma...

Alvin Kenneth Shaffer, 84, of Akron passed away peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. He was born on December 9, 1935 to the late Bernard and Florence (nee Rinehart) Shaffer.   Ken worked as a car painter for Wallace Lincoln Mercury in Barberton. He was a member of the Kenmore Senior Center where he served as President for several years and enjoyed performing community service for the City of Akron.   Preceded in death by his parents;...

Maryann Steele, 70, of Akron when home to be with the Lord December 14, 2019. A life resident of the area, she was born October 29, 1949 to the late Edward and Beatrice (nee Clair) Steele.   She was employed by the City of Akron as an office worker, a graduate of Kenmore High School and a life long member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was considered  the "neighborhood mom". She enjoyed bowling, motorcycles, crocheting, knitting, collecting stuffed bears...

Thomas J. Haralson, 95, of Akron passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 16, 2019.   He was a WWII Navy veteran and a 30 year career Akron Firefighter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Toma (nee McGuire) Haralson; wives, Marjorie (1973) and Bonnie (2014). He is survived by his children, Jill (Jerry), Jim, Jeff (Pat); stepchildren, Dan (AnRea), Dawn; grandchildren, Jerry (Eric), Justin (Mandie), Todd, Kristy (Fred), Paige,...

Daniel “Dan” Mickunas passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, December 1st, 2019 after yet another Browns loss to the Steelers. He was at home with his beloved wife, Karen Mickunas at his side. Dan was born on June 14, 1942 in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Akron as a child, becoming a proud lifelong member of the Kenmore community. Dan grew up in a traditional Catholic family, and attended St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1960. He studied at the University of Akron...

Linda A. Mears, 67, of BARBERTON went home to be with the Lord November 26, 2019. She was born in Akron, Ohio on July 8, 1952 to the late Geconius "Jack" and Juanita (nee Johnson) Martin.  She loved to cook, spend time with her family (especially her grandchildren) and was a nurses aid Preceded in death by her parents; significant other, Larry Adkins and sister, Doris (nee Martin) Nay; she leaves to cherish her memory her son, Chris; sister, Janet (nee Martin) (Michael)...

Pearl "Marie" Smedley, 93, of BARBERTON went home to be with the Lord November 17, 2019. She was born May 25, 1926 to the late Paul and Iva (nee Pursley) Cartrell. She retired after 25 years’ service as a Government Inspector for Wright Tool and Forge.    She was a member of the Barberton Moose Chapter 61 and the Barberton Senior Center. She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader and a Boy Scout mom.  Preceded in death by her parents; beloved...

Carl Douglas Proehl, 76, crossed to the other side on Nov. 7, 2019, after several years of battling various health issues. Doug was born in Akron, Ohio on May 11, 1943. A graduate of Kenmore High School, Doug worked hard all his life. He owned Doug's Sohio in Portage Lakes, later Doug's Lawn Service in Kenmore; and worked in drywall and machine shops. He literally lived to work. Doug also held many side jobs, his favorite of which was tending bar. He loved Tong and the Browns and always...