All Obituaries

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...

Laurie J. Lance, 54, of Akron went home to be with the Lord, November 3, 2019. She was born April 27, 1965 to Leroy and Norma (nee Doney) Wise. Preceded in death by her brother, Leroy S Wise Jr.; she leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband of 37 years, Ed Lance; parents; children, Jessica (Josh) Pelfrey, Nicole and Mike Lance; grandchildren, Tyler and Austin; brothers, Denny (Pam) Wise, Joe Wise; sister, Pam Holloway and many nieces, nephews, family and friends Friends may call...

Donald Eugene Richards (Spike) passed away peacefully on October 26, 2019 at the age of 90.  Born in Barberton to Orin and Marie Richards in 1929, Don recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends.  It was a joy for Don to celebrate with those closest to him. Don graduated from Barberton High School and enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  Don was fortunate to remain state-side during the Conflict working at Andrews Air Force Base as a...