All Obituaries

  John Norman, 36, on April 16, 2019 went home to be with his Norman and Butler grandparents, along with his uncles, Jack Morris and Lenny Butler.   He was born August 23, 1982 in Akron to John T. and Frances (Butler) Norman.  John was a 2000 graduate of Green High School and after 9/11 he joined the US Air Force where he spent four years as an F-15 Avionics Mechanic. Upon his return to Ohio, he completed his apprenticeship with Local 219 Plumbers and Pipe Fitter, which...

  Wally Samples, 56, of New Franklin passed away April 14, 2019.  He was born in Akron to Alice and the late Charles Samples. Always a lover of the outdoors, Wally never missed a sunny weekend opportunity to go camping or fishing with his family.  If he wasn’t out at Berlin Lake or Hocking Hills, he loved having a big bonfire in the backyard.  His family will always remember how he loved people and valued making great memories and experiences over material...

Donald L. Kromer   Don Kromer, 94, passed away April 6, 2019.  He was born September 12, 1924 and lived in Akron all his life. Don was a WWII Vet, serving in the US Army Air Force from June 16, 1943 to September 6, 1945 in the South Pacific with 40 missions with the 307th Bomb Group.  Don retired from Bellow’s Sign as an electrician, but his true love was going to flea markets and auctions.   Without regret, Don got to enjoy a lot of years telling stories,...

Babe Heckelman, 83, passed away April 2, 2019. She was born October 12, 1935 in Akron to the late John and Carolyn Pinkus and worked most of her life as an LPN.   Besides her parents, Babe was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.  She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Charles Heckelman; children, Charlie Heckelman (Margaret “Mona”) and Kim Walter (Rico); grandson, Joseph Lewis; step-grandson, Roger Watson (Michelle); and great-grandson...

Liliana Wilkinson, beloved daughter of Frank and Erica Wilkinson, passed away March 28, 2019. Liliana was our little miracle, we love her and cared for her so much.  She was our little amazing girl.  It was the most awesome experience to spend the time we were able to be with her.  She will forever be in our hearts and will always have her place in our home Besides her parents, Liliana is survived by her brother, Landon; sister, Brianna; grandparents, Brian (Christin) Kibby,...

Bob Stouffer, 93, passed away March 21, 2019.  He was born October 31, 1925 in Derry, Pennsylvania to the late Henry and Catherine Stouffer. Bob served in WWII as a member of the 8th Army Air Corps stationed in England. He completed 28 missions over enemy occupied territory as a gunner in the B-17s. He was married in 1947 to Mildred Robertson until separated by death after 65 years. He was a lifelong member of brick layers local #7, Akron Ohio. He enjoyed his family, gardening and...

Gerald Basinger, 86, passed away March 15, 2019 at Summa Akron City Hospital following a long illness, surrounded by his family.  He was under home hospice care of Ohio Living for 15 months.  Gerald was born and raised in Melcroft, PA, to the late William and Dora (nee Davis) Basinger.   He was a veteran of the US Air Force and he resided in Akron where he worked for The Standard Oil Company.  He retired after 25 years with the United States Postal Service as a letter...

Irene M. (Weiand) Minser, 63, of Akron, Ohio (formerly Armagh, PA) passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 after a brief illness. The youngest of seven, she was born on December 23, 1955 in Barberton, Ohio to the late Glenn M. and Helen I. (Petrovich) Weiand.    A 1974 graduate of Green High School, Irene also received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Irene was passionate about advocacy, and in her life,...

Sharon Rach, 54, of New Franklin passed away suddenly February 26, 2019.  She worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist.  She will be remembered for her great sense of humor and her ability to make everyone around her laugh, her love of animals, flowers, boating and her love of life.   Sharon was preceded in death by her sister, Leslie Rach.  She is survived by her precious daughter, Brooke Hostetler; parents, Jackie Rach and Bernard Rach; sisters, Michelle...

Bryce Langford, 65, passed away February 23, 2019.  He was born December 9, 1953 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to the late Bernard Langford and Clara (Robert) Turner.    Bryce is survived by his son, Bryce (Tammy) Langford; grandchildren, David Acord, Hayley (Dakota) Elmert; great-grandchildren, Lilly and James Elmert; sister, Beverly (Glen) Ash.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Langford; brothers, Leon Langford and Jeffrey Turner; and Sugar Bear. ...