Rose Hill Funeral Home

Charles N. Walker passed away on February 3, 2022 with his nieces Linda, Michele, and Julie by his side. He was born in Akron, Ohio on January 29, 1945 to the late Howard W. and Elma M. Walker. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Sue W. Walker. He is also survived by his nieces Linda Page, Michele Juszczec, and Julie Hurst; his nephews Douglas Turner, James and Robert Walker; and various great nieces and nephews. His brothers Howard, James, and Marvin, and his sister Beverly preceded him in death. Charles graduated from Akron East High School and the University of Akron. He participated in the ROTC program at the university and served his country in the Vietnam War. He reached...

David passed away February 1, 2022. David was born to Frederick and Lenora LaBate in Akron, Ohio in 1953. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in David's name to Haven of Rest, Akron-Canton Food Bank, Akron U Zip Fund or Summa Orthopedics. Visitation will be on Monday, February 21, 2022 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM with the Memorial Service immediately following at 2:00 PM in the Rose Hill Funeral Home 3653 W Market St Akron, OH 44333. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosehillbp.com

David passed away February 1, 2022. David was born to Frederick and Lenora LaBate in Akron, Ohio in 1953. He graduated from Archbishop Hoban in 1971 and went on to get his Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Akron. He retired from Akron Municipal Court Clerk's office as a supervisor in 2019. David was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Penny; his sisters, Susan Daly and Sandy Bender (Jennifer Lewis). He is also survived by his children Christopher LaBate (Amanda) and Todd Galloway (Rhonda). His grandchildren Margaret and Graham LaBate, Isabella and Ethan Galloway, and Ashlee Beeching could always bring a smile to his face. His...

John D Bowen, 85 years old, gained his wings on January 23. 2022 surrounded by his loving wife, Rose Bowen and family. He passed away from complications of pneumonia and Covid-19. John was born April 5, 1936 in Midway, Alabama to the late William and Carrie Bell Bowen. John and his brother, Don Bowen relocated to Akron, Ohio to be near their sisters Myrtis Carter and Susie King. John met and married Peggy Suddeth and four children were born to this union. He worked for Thomas J. Dillion Construction Co. and retired from All Crane and Erection with over forty years of service. John joined United Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Roderick C Pounds, Sr. He enjoyed singing...

Susan K. Watson of Stow, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 23, 2022. She worked as a bank reconciler for several major banking institutions. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence & Mary Watson. She is survived by her twin sisters Judy Watson of Akron, OH and Ruth Lear of Norton, OH.; nieces Cindy (Eric) Preston of Copley, OH and Katie (Jason) Lear of Barberton, OH. Cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Lakeside Christian Church 3535 Knollwood Lane, Akron, OH 44333. She will be inurned at Rose Hill Memorial Park in a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests...

Mary Delores Watson was born in Akron, OH on May 17, 1935 and passed away on January 10, 2022 in Akron, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents Joshua & Mildred Watson; great-great-granddaughter Ka'Vay; and brother Delari Walker. Mary is survived by her son Edward, grandchildren......; great-grandchildren.....; special daughter Tracey Owens; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She retired in 2008 from Chrysler Motor Co. after 30+ years of service. Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 29th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM; with the Fuenral Service immediately following at 12:00 PM at the Rose Hill Funeral Home 3653 W Market St. Akron, OH 44333. Memories and condolences...

Dorothy L Conroy, age 90, was born in Rittman, OH on June 25, 1931, passed away on January 9, 2022 in Richfield, OH. Preceded in death by her parents Willard & Letha Long; brother Roy Long; and son-in-law Charles E Stump. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory George, husband of 69 years; Kimberly Stump, daughter; Glenna (Tony) Gingo, sister and brother-in-law; Julie Long, sister-in-law; and her granddog Annie. Dorothy worked at the J.M Cleminshaw Co., in various states and Nova Scotia, Canada. Returning to Akron, she went to work at Bridgestone Firestone retiring in 1987, she then went to work full time in the family business Conroy Appraisal Service. She enjoyed spending time...

Cecilia "Ceci" A. (Lane) Lauer, 69, of Akron, Ohio, passed away on January 8, 2022, after battling a year-long illness. Ceci was born and raised in Kent, Ohio, and graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1970. As an accomplished dancer, Ceci was a ballroom dance instructor with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Fairlawn during the late 1970s. She was an excellent dance teacher and partnered with her students in various dance competitions. She retired from Akron Children's Hospital in June of 2021 after more than 40 years of service. Starting in the pharmacy department, then moving to the Burn Center, she retired as a certified Trauma Registrar. Some of her most memorable years at...

Thomas W. Kesselring passed away on January 8, 2022, at the age of 92. He was born May 26, 1929 to Grace and Charles Kesselring of Akron, Ohio, Preceded in death by his siblings Lowell (Virgina), Blanche (Joe), Boyd (Ann), Bruce (Gae), Faye (Tom), and Phyllis. Tom was a graduate of Buchtel High School and attended Kent State University; he served in the Army of the United States from 1950 to 1952; and was employed at Kesselring Dairy. He kept very informed of current events and was an avid sports fan. Committal Service will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Burial Park, 3653 West Market St., Fairlawn, Ohio. Memories and condolences may be shared at...

Laura Mae Kelley, 85, of West Chester, Ohio, peacefully passed away on January 5, 2022, while under the care of Hospice of Southwest Ohio. She was born January 12, 1936 to Emmet and Eleanor Redmond in Fond du Lac, WI. She married Walter Kelley on June 6, 1959 and was widowed in 1995. She is survived by her three siblings: Emmet Redmond, Mary Mauer, and Maggie (John) Resko. Also surviving are her four children; Dr. Patrick (Kim) Kelley, Kathleen (Bill) Lowe, Thomas (Nicole) Kelley, and Denise (Mike) Davis; and eight grand-children; Cate (Mitch) Maxson, Erin Kelley, Rick Kelley, Taylor Lowe, Billy Lowe, Connor Kelley, Caroline Kelley, and Megan Davis. Laura was raised on a dairy farm in...

Philip A. Holmer (aka Papa Holmer, Uncle Phil, and Philsey), 78, passed away on January 5, 2022. He is survived by his daughter Evelyn (Lyn) Holmer, son-in-law Hansal Patel, and a legion of friends too numerous to list. His eldest daughter, Katherine (Katie) Holmer predeceased him. A graduate of Culver Military Academy and Bradley University, Phil joined the Army (or more accurately: the Army joined Phil) immediately after college. Once honorably discharged, Phil became a motorsports writer for the Orlando Sentinel. He eventually left journalism and crossed to the dark side, becoming a public relations representative for NASCAR. While working at NASCAR, Phil co-founded the very popular...

Denise Gunnerson, age 70, passed away into the arms of the Lord on December 31, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Douglas Gunnerson; Her brothers Joseph Kuchta, Ric Kuchta; her children, David (Elle) Gunnerson, Adam (Heather) Gunnerson, Jennifer (Brian) Murphy, Stephanie Gunnerson; her grandchildren, Dylan Linklater, Anna Gunnerson, Stephen Gunnerson, Ashley Drzewicki, Bettina Gunnerson, Violet Murphy, Emmeline Murphy, William Croasmun, Ethan Croasmun, Henry Croasmun. Denise was born in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, on April 19, 1951, and married Douglas in 1971. Denise lived a full life, filled with personal and professional accomplishments. She became a legal secretary in high...

Ellen M. McClish, aged 96, passed away on 12-29-21 after a brief illness. She leaves behind one surviving son, Don F. McClish. Her husband Donald E. McClish, an aviation hero of WWII, pre-deceased her in mid-2002. Her older son Michael G. McClish, who also served in the Air Force, pre-deceased her in April 2020; surviving wife, Dianna, Jacksonville, FL Ellen spent most of her life in Stow, Ohio where she had been a good wife and impeccable housekeeper with fine social skills for gatherings of relatives and friends. Since then, she was in decline from Alzheimer's Disease. Visitation on Saturday, January 22nd, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM with the Funeral Service following at 1:00 PM at the Rose...

Joanna Francis passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with cancer. She graduated from Kent State University and had been a teacher at Field Local Schools for over 30 years. Away from work she enjoyed golfing and traveling. Joanna was preceded in death by her parents John Francis Sr. & Margaret (Dubinsky). She is survived by her brother John J Francis Jr & Margaret (Huth); sister Helen Smucker, and nephews David Smucker, Darren Smucker, Brian Francis, John P Francis, Todd Francis & niece Christina Francis; and many great nephews & nieces. Private family services handled by Rose Hill Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.roshillbp.com In lieu...

Marilyn J. Sacy passed away on December 23rd, 2021. She was born on January, 2nd, 1936 in Akron, Ohio and lived in Copley, Ohio most of her life. She married her High School sweetheart, Ronald, and the marriage lasted 45 years until his death in 1999. For many years Marilyn was a volunteer at Hospice and the Akron Blind Center. She loved helping and caring for people. Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Ronald G. Sacy and daughter-in-law Shirley Sacy. She will be dearly missed by her sons Ron and Mark; grandchildren Michael and Sophia, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Rosemary McLaughlin; niece Marianne Sweeny and family; nephew Tom McGauhlin and family; and dear friends Paul...

Jerry W. Drone was born on November 27, 1942, to Tommie William Drone and Clara Bell Albritton-Drone. He went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Summa Akron City Hospital, after an extended illness. His wife Delores, children, Roxanne and Shaun, and granddaughter, Brianna kept a continuous vigil at his bedside during this time. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 51 years, Ida Delores Gulley Drone; daughter, Roxanne J.E. (Don) Allen, of Toledo, OH; son, Shaun J.W. (Isabel) Drone, of Southfield, MI; daughter/granddaughter, Brianna A.D. Drone, of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Khalil, Elijah, and Nia Drone, of Southfield, MI; Danielle Allen, of Toledo, OH;...

Eugene Ezell, 82, of Akron Ohio, passed away peacefully, December 22, 2021. Eugene was born April 29, 1939, to Eugene Campbell. and Amy Wims in Bladon Springs, Alabama. During his childhood, he was educated by the Bladon Springs public school system. After graduation, he would relocate to Akron Ohio in 1959 where he continued his education receiving trade certifications in Welding and Commercial Truck driving. June 1963, he married his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Clara Mae Dubose. A committed provider, Eugene took pride in his work ethic and diverse work history. In his earlier years he worked as a Chef, and a commercial truck driver for Freight Express. In addition, he was...

Nicholas Howard passed away unexpectedly at the age of 25 on December 20, 2021 in Salinas, CA. He was a beloved son, grandson, brother, cousin and friend to many. Nick always had a go getter attitude and pursued his dreams with a joie de vivre. Left to cherish his memory are his mother Dawnett; brothers Jay, Eric, and Xavier; sister Christian; step-brothers Zach and Alex; grandparents Gerald & Francis Gerstenslager; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Louise Scranton. Nick was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 2015 where he was a part of the lacrosse team. In Ohio he enjoyed many of his favorite activities such as...

Mamie Lee Rackley loving mother, wife, grandmother, and friend to all, 77, went home to be with the Lord following a short illness on December 17, 2021. Mamie is survived by her children Rick, Paige, and Melissa (Louis) Graves; brothers Roosevelt (Luvenia) and James (Janice), all of Akron; sister Roselee (Victor) Butler; sisters-in-law Helen (McKinnie) McCorvey, Amanda McKinnie, and Becky McKinnie; special and close cousin Alice Robertson and nephew Christopher Richardson; grandchildren Denzel, Dylan, Jade, Melinda, Mitchell, and DaJuan; a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives, and many friends. Preceded in death by her husband Richard; parents V.O and Annie McKinnie; brothers, Danny,...

Gregory D. Todoroff, 68, passed away on December 12, 2021. He was born on December 23, 1952, in Jackson, MI to the late Pete and Elizabeth Todoroff, where they lived until 1963 when they moved to Fairlawn, OH. Gregory graduated from Copley High School and Kent State University. He had a career as a Medical Technologist. He enjoyed golfing, watching the Cleveland Browns, and was quite handy around the home. Gregory is survived by his children, Max (Laura) and Alex Todoroff and Jessica (Aitor) Novo. He is also survived by his brother Douglas (Theresa) and nephews Byron and Kent Todoroff. In addition to his parents, Gregory was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Ann. A private family...

Kelly Lynn Ignizio, age 53, lost her battle with COVID and her soul went to heaven 54 days after Kelly's mother's passing. She worked at Pets Pajama's in Montrose for 22 years. Keely was a gentle, caring, dependable, lovable person. Kelly leaves behind two siblings Patricia and Patrick; nieces & nephews Breanna, Patrick, and Christian. Kelly will be sadly missed everyone that was touched by her heart. A Celebration of Life will be announced in the Beacon Journal at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosehillbp.com