Obituaries for The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory

Jul 5, 2020

Toni E. Costa, 70, died July 5, 2020. Born July 23, 1949 in Akron, Ohio. Toni graduated from Buchtel High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Akron. She was an LSW, worked as a Social Worker at Akron City Hospital for 16 years, and was a substitute teacher for Akron Public Schools....

Jul 4, 2020

Sylvia Elizabeth (Powers) Poorman passed away on July 4, 2020 after enjoying a long and full life. She was 88. Mrs. Poorman was born on February 16, 1932, in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, and had lived in State College, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Detroit, MI, Winnetka IL, Copley OH, Akron, OH, Stow, OH and South Lyon, MI.  Most recently...

Jul 4, 2020

Evelyn Darkow Voth, 92, was called to our eternal home with the Lord July 4, 2020.

She was born in Akron, Ohio to the late Harold W. Darkow and Lydia B. Darkow.  She graduated from Valparaiso University and went on to do Social Work in Akron.  She was married to the late Howard P. Voth on August...

Jul 3, 2020

Lori Ann Meek Seesdorf passed away Friday, July 3, 2020 with husband, Thomas Seesdorf by her side, after losing a courageous battle to overcome injuries received in an accident in early June.  She was 63.

Lori was born and lived in the Akron area all her life.  She grew up on Maple Lane in Bath, and had...

Jul 2, 2020

By Dan Coughlin

Rob Lucas was a superstar in two worlds.

In almost a decade as an editor at Gray & Company, Publishers he refined and polished the writing of Cleveland's most prolific authors.

"Rob was the editor on several of my books," said Neil Zurcher of "One Tank Trip" fame. "He was...

Jul 1, 2020

Amy Margaret Apinis passed away on July 1, 2020 after brave struggle with a long illness.

She was a graduate of Copley High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Akron in 2006. While there, she majored in business administration with a major in marketing, a minor in sales, and was a Summa Cum...

Jun 30, 2020

Michael Earl Gubbins, 71, of Wadsworth Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday June 30th 2020.

Michael was born to Geraldine Gubbins (nee) Jones and Paul Gubbins on January 13th, 1949 in Hutchinson, Kansas. In 1967 he graduated from Kenston High School, Chagrin Falls, where he lettered in baseball, football, basketball, and track. He...

Jun 30, 2020

Joyce Marie Cook, 89, of Akron, Ohio, passed away on June 30, 2020.

Born September 19, 1930, to the late James and Anne Chalfant, she lived her entire life in the Akron area surrounded by friends and family. She graduated from Buchtel High School in 1948 and attended the University of Akron, where she met Joe Cook....

Jun 28, 2020

Cheryl Elaine Maxwell, 52, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, June 28th, 2020 after a courageous battle with ALS.

She was born in Akron on July 15th, 1967. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Merle McCormick and is survived by her biological mother, Elaine Schlaefer; her children,...

Jun 27, 2020

Thomas A. Slocum, 75, passed away on June 27, 2020 from complications of a brief but intense battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Robert Slocum, wife, Sally, infant son, James, niece, Julia Slocum and brother-in-law, Mitch Konarski.

Tom was a lifelong, proud resident of Akron, Highland Square, and had...

Jun 27, 2020

Richard “Dick” Steiner Wagner, 89, passed away peacefully June 27, 2020.

Dick, born in Akron Ohio, was the son of Donald M. and Marian S. Wagner. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eve. Dick is survived by his younger brother, Robert E. Wagner (Jo). He was also close to his cousin, Thomas R. Young...

Jun 26, 2020

Kathleen (nee Murphy) Zelling, age 71, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 26th.

Born in Akron, Ohio to Donald and Thelma “Sweetie” Murphy, Kathy graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School, Class of 1966 and graduated from Kent State University in 1971 with a BS in Medical Technology.  Post-graduation, Kathy worked at Akron Children’s Hospital as...

Jun 25, 2020

Dr. Walter S. Chisholm, 93, Pastor Emeritus at Montrose Zion UMC, was born in East Cleveland, Ohio October 16, 1926. He died on June 25, 2020 in Richfield, Ohio.

Dr. Walt as he was known, came to Montrose Zion out of Seminary in June of 1964 with wife Pat, and three children, Shirli, Walter “Rusty”, and Patti...

Jun 23, 2020

George N. Verlaney, loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, died peacefully at his home on June 23, 2020, with his family present.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan; his parents Nathaniel and Orania Verlaney; his sisters Faye Kinder and Laura Preisse; his parents-in-law William and Joan Henry; his brothers-in-law Harold Kinder, Gene Preisse,...

Jun 22, 2020

Elizabeth J. (nee Ballinger) Firestone, 96, of Akron, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 22, 2020.

Elizabeth Firestone was born on September 9, 1923 in Bucyrus, Ohio. She lived in Marion, Ohio for 22 years before moving to Akron, Ohio where she spent the rest of her life.

She graduated from St....

Jun 22, 2020

Rae Linda Welker, age 73, of Akron, Ohio  died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband and daughters on June 22, 2020 having lived a happy and inspirational life full of special relationships, acts of service and travel.

Rae was born September 21, 1946 in New Brighton, PA to the late Douglas and Virginia...

Jun 22, 2020

Von H. Brobeck passed away June 22, 2020.

He was born on August 12, 1922 in Washington College, Tennessee. Von worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 44 years, beginning in 1941, and retired in 1985 as Manager of the Equipment Engineering Department.  He graduated from Washington College High School in 1940, attended East Tennessee State...

Jun 20, 2020

Edward R. Berus, 94, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family June 20, 2020.

Born October 12, 1925, he was a World War II Marine Corps veteran serving in the South Pacific. He worked for Firestone as a defense research physicist, was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, enjoyed golfing and happy hour at “the...

Jun 16, 2020

Ruth W. Hoffmaster, 100, died June 16, 2020.

A life resident of Akron, she attended the University of Akron and was very involved at Fairlawn Lutheran Church, which was started by her husband, Paul D. Hoffmaster.

Preceded in death by parents, Paul and Eva Weninger; husbands, Harry Lee Harter and Rev. Paul D. Hoffmaster; son,...

Jun 15, 2020

Joan H. and Dale J. Mortimer

Joan Hall Mortimer, 91, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2020 followed by Dale J. Mortimer, 93, on August 8, 2020.

Meridian Sun Lodge #69 will conduct Masonic Services 10 a.m. SATURDAY, September 12th, at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. A memorial service celebrating their lives...