Obituaries for November 5, 2009

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Philip R. "Phil" Vaughan

CHARDON - Philip R. "Phil" Vaughan, of Chardon, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 27, 2009. He was 73.

Phil was born in Cleveland on Aug. 8, 1936, to Howard and Minerva Vaughan. He was a 1953 graduate of Shaw High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

He married Joan L. Truelsch on May 7, 1960, in Cleveland. The couple moved to the Chardon area in 1970, where they built their home.

Phil worked in auto sales and management for most of his life. He helped open McClintock Chevrolet in Chardon, and had worked for Lawson Ford of Chardon and Jaguar Cleveland and other automobile organizations in the surrounding Cleveland area. In 1989 he opened Chardon Motors in Hambden Township where he and his son helped countless people find the right auto at a fair price.

Phil was an avid golfer, enjoyed bowling and had a beautiful singing voice, participating each year at Christmas in the Messiah Chorus held at Lake Erie College. Phil was a member of Painesville Assembly of God since 1987. He was devoted to his wife and family and his faith in the Lord was evident to all he knew or met him.

He will be remembered for his compassion and his willingness to help all people with kindness and words of faith. He took no credit for all that he did and accomplished giving the glory to God. He believed in taking the high road and was often heard stating, as said by God, "Never get weary of well doing."

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Joan Vaughan of Chardon; daughter Margie Vaughan of Rochester, N.Y.; son, Phil "Flip" (Susie) Vaughan of Concord; grandson, Andy Gole of Batesville, Ind.; sister, Sally Carroll of Newbury; brothers, Tim Vaughan of Euclid and Jon (Romy) Vaughan of Kirtland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Debbie Vaughan; and brother-in-law, Jim Carroll.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Joyce Meyer Helping Hand Ministry, which helps provide sanitary drinking water in impoverished areas, at P.O. Box 655, Fenton, MO 63026-0655.

SAM RITONDARO FUNERAL SERVICE, 126 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-9651, is handling arrangements.

Robert R. Madunicky

Robert R. Madunicky died Oct. 27, 2009, at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Claridon Township. He was 81.

Born Feb. 23, 1928, in Cleveland, he married Marilyn E. Hill on Feb. 23, 1957, at St. Wendelins Church in Cleveland. He was a resident of Geauga County since 1957, moving from Cleveland.

He worked as an automotive mechanic since the late 1950s.

He was a U.S. Army veteran. He enjoyed building bat and bird houses and gardening.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura Madunicky of Baltimore and Susan Madunicky of Middlefield; and brother Edward M. Madden of Cleveland.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; parents, Michael and Marie (nee Vanko) Madunicky; and brother William Madden.

Funeral services were held Oct. 30 at Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. Burial took place in Whitehaven Park in Mayfield Village.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, is handling arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Mabel R. Miller

CLARIDON TWP. - Mabel R. (nee Fishel) Miller, of Claridon Township, passed peacefully on Oct. 27, 2009, at Briar Hill Health Care in Middlefield. She was 91.

Born March 27, 1918, in Apollo, Pa., she married Richard (Dick) Miller on Sept. 3, 1949, in Middlefield. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She lived in the Claridon Township area for more than 65 years.

A homemaker, she had also been a switchboard operator and secretary for the former George Worthington Co. in Cleveland and the former Snap-Out Forms in Chardon.

She was a veteran of the U.S. Army in the Women's Army Corps, PFC, receiving a bronze battle star while serving in New Guinea during World War II.

Mrs Miller was a member of the Lighthouse Methodist Church, formerly the First Methodist Church of East Claridon. Mabel volunteered with the Red Cross bloodmobiles.

She enjoyed square dancing with the Hubs Square Dance Club and the Mapletown Squares. She also enjoyed crocheting, winning several ribbons at the Great Geauga County Fair.

She is survived by her husband, Richard "Dick" Miller of Middlefield Village; daughter, Joyce (Mark "PK") Richardson of Claridon Township; son, Rick (Wendy) Miller of Cincinnati; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and brother Samuel Fishel of Parkman Township.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Guy and Thursa (nee Stone) Fishel; brothers Charles and William Fishel; and sisters, Vera Slagle, Henrietta Cravener, Gwen Rousch and Ruth Raschiatore.

Funeral services were held Oct. 31 at Lighthouse United Methodist Church in Claridon Township. Pastor Karen Cico of the church officiated.

Interment with military honors took place at East Claridon Cemetery in Claridon Township.

Donations suggested to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119, or Briar Hill Briar Hill Health Care Center, 15950 Pierce St., Middlefield, OH 44062.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, is handling arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Louise M. Blum

HUDSON - Louise Mary (nee Woodruff) Blum, of Hudson, died Oct. 27, 2009, at Laurel Lake Retirement Center in Hudson. She was 93.

Born Dec. 30, 1915, in Cleveland, she married Samuel Blum in Rocky River on April 26, 1940. He preceded her in death June 3, 2001. She lived in Chardon Township from 1954 until 2003 when she moved to Hudson.

Louise was a graduate of Rocky River High School and attended Western Reserve College. She was an extraordinary homemaker, gardener, cross-country skier, compassionate host and absolutely dedicated to her five children.

She was an excellent pianist and taught piano while living in Rocky River. Louise was a member of the Beaux Art Club.

In 1954, she and her family moved to Chardon, where she enjoyed volunteering at the Holden Arboretum, Lantern Court.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Bill Hurlbut) Blum of Olney, Md., and Louise (Connie) Sullivan-Blum of Corning, N.Y.; sons, Robert (Christa Eckert) Blum of Lakewood, John Blum of Canmore, Alberta, Canada, and Jim Blum of Chardon Township; grandchildren, Troy, Jay (Helen) and Todd Blum, Liam and Lucy Hurlbut and Zoe Sullivan-Blum; sister Carol Koster of Westlake Village, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Blum; parents, James and Agnes (nee Hoffmann) Woodruff; and sister Jan Thompson.

A memorial service was held Oct. 31 in the Serenity Chapel at Laurel Lake Retirement Center. Chaplain Mary Tatman of Laurel Lake officiated.

A graveside service and burial took place at Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland.

Donations suggested to Pawsabilities (Humane Society of Akron), 4904 Quick Road, Peninsula, OH 44264, or Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, OH 44094.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, is handling arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Joseph C. Lengel

CHAMPION - Joseph C. Lengel, of Champion, died Oct. 29, 2009, at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. He was 63.

He was born Dec. 10, 1945, in Chardon, the son of Joseph and Marie A. (nee Soltis) Lengel. He married Betty White on March 5, 1988.

A graduate of Cardinal High School in 1963, Joseph was a self-employed truck driver for 20 years and retired in the late 1990s as a plant superintendent at Trusco in Middlefield.

He enjoyed working on the family farm and loved cutting wood, hunting, plowing snow and helping his fellow neighbors.

He will be missed dearly by his loving family, including his wife, Betty, of 21 years; children, Jeffrey (Paige) Wilcox of Champion, Joe Lengel of West Farmington, Michele (Bob) Rugg, of Burton, Michele (Howard) Duncan of Champion and Kimberly (Todd) Travers of Macedonia; 12 grandchildren; sister, Rosemarie (Jack) Fuller of Parkman; and best friend, Sammy.

Funeral services were held Nov. 2 at Russell Funeral Service in Middlefield. Burial took place in Champion Township Cemetery.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, handled arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

David E. Carver

BURTON - David E. Carver, of Burton, died Nov. 2, 2009, at VNA Hospice in Cleveland. He was 51.

He was born Jan. 13, 1958, in Lorain, the son of Carl and Goldie Currence Carver. He married Cynthia K. Collins and they lived in Mayfield Heights for 20 years before moving to Burton in 2005.

David worked for Property Management Company and enjoyed fishing.

He will be missed dearly by his loving family, including his wife, Cynthia, of 30 years; sons, David Eric (Mary) Carver of Hiram and James Matthew (Leona) Carver of Burton; grandchildren, Jocelyn, Coy, Caiden, Kayden, Madelyn, Grace, Dakota and Brooke; brothers, Carl of Solon and Randall of Arkansas; and sisters Bertha "Coco", Linda and Lois, all from Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Goldie Carver; and an infant brother.

Funeral services were held Nov. 4 at Russell Funeral Service in Middlefield. Burial took place in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland.

RUSSELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 15670 West High St., Middlefield, (440) 632-0241, handled arrangements. Online condolences at www.russellfuneralservicesusa.com.

Robert W. Kotab

ROAMING SHORES - Robert W. Kotab of Roaming Shores died Nov. 3, 2009, at his home. He was 79.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Kotab, of 60 years; sons, Keith of Ravenna and Bruce (Diane) of Zanesville; daughter, Kathy (Chuck) Catanese of Medina; grandchildren Matthew (Millissa), Brett, Colin, Kelly, Staci (Brian), Kim and Jan; sister, Lorraine Helert; and brother, Wayne Kotab.

Mr. Kotab was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marian (nee Maous).

He was a member of Hartsgrove Lodge.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Burr Funeral Home in Chardon. A memorial gathering will take from 6 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 116 South St., Chardon, (440) 285-2182, is handling arrangements. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.