Obituaries
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Marie Frances (Rauscher) Rader
May 8, 2023
Our beloved Marie Frances Rausher Rader was a kind, caring and generous mother, grandmother and wife during her incredible 96 years of life. She passed away Monday May 8, 2023 at Welcome Nursing Home in Oberlin. Marie had a long and full life. She was born on May 17, 1926 in Cleveland and moved to Grafton with her family...
Kenneth Albert Schaefer
May 7, 2023
Kenneth Albert Schaefer, 73, of Elyria, passed away suddenly on May 7 in North Redington Beach, Florida. He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Mary Ann (née Kalil), and his children, Laura (Ryan) Foglyano and Jeff (Kaylin) Schaefer, as well as his grandchildren, Julia and Charlie Foglyano and Miles and Evan Schaefer and his sister-in-law, Bernice...
Gary A. Smith
May 5, 2023
Gary A. Smith, age 68, of North Ridgeville, passed away on May 5, 2023. Gary was born in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Aubrey and Clara (nee: Hash) on August 18, 1954. He graduated from Midview High School in 1972 and later married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Sue (nee: Houston) on July 1, 1974. Gary worked for Ford Motor...
Nan L. (Critchfield) Brown
May 4, 2023
Nan L. Brown, (nee-Critchfield), 80, of LaGrange passed away Thursday May 4, 2023 at University Hospitals Main Campus in Cleveland. She was born August 24, 1942 in Somerset, PA. and was a LaGrange resident for most of her life. Nan worked at St. John Westshore Hospital in Westlake for 30 years, retiring as a floor secretary in 2002. She...
Rita Simona (Vasil) Charlton
May 4, 2023
Rita S. Charlton, (nee-Vasil), 80, of Grafton passed away Thursday May 4, 2023 at the Elyria Wesleyan Village following a long illness. She was born November 18, 1942 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was a Grafton resident for most of her life. Rita worked as a sales coordinator at the Invacare Corporation, following which she worked at Lorain County...
Kathleen (Cluley) Crigger
May 4, 2023
Kathleen Crigger (nee: Cluley) 79, of Elyria passed away Thursday May 4, 2023 at O"Neill Healthcare in North Ridgeville. She was born October 28, 1943 in Elyria, and was a graduate of both Elyria High School and Lorain County Community College. Kathleen was a Deputy Clerk for The City of Elyria for twenty five years. She loved having fun...
William "Bill" A. Boesken, Sr.
May 3, 2023
William A. "Bill" Boesken Sr., age 64, of Carlisle Township, passed away on May 3, 2023. Bill was born on June 7, 1958 to parents George and Dorothy (nee: Jewell) in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Midview High School, he spent over 50 years working in construction, with 15 of them working for Harner Plumbing. Those who knew Bill...
Kelly Ann (Vitovitz) Kudla
May 2, 2023
Kelly Ann Kudla (nee: Vitovitz), age 48, of North Ridgeville, passed away on May 2, 2023. She was born in Elyria, OH to parents Eli and Diane (nee: Snell) on January 11, 1975. Kelly was full of life. Those who knew her describe her as loving, empathetic, dynamic, and always willing to help those who needed it. She held...
Douglas D. Dunn
Apr 30, 2023
Douglas D. Dunn 62, of Elyria passed away unexpectedly on April 30, 2023 at The Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland following a motor vehicle accident. He was born August 27, 1961 in Elyria where he was lifelong resident. Doug had worked for The Ford Motor Company as a tow motor operator. He was a big Cleveland Sports fan,...
James Paul Rodgers
Apr 30, 2023
James Paul Rodgers, 69, of Elyria passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday April 30, 2023. He was born March 20, 1954 in Elyria. James worked and retired in sales from Western Southern Life Insurance Company. He was a 1972 Elyria High School graduate participating on the baseball team. James enjoyed his time with many friends from the American...
Ruby E. (Horner) Davis
Apr 27, 2023
Ruby E. Davis, (nee-Horner), 94, of Elyria passed away Thursday April 27, 2023 at Autumn Aegis Retirement Community in Lorain. She is preceded in death by her husband Okey in 2005, a son and a daughter. Survivors include a daughter and several grandchildren. Ruby was born January 7, 1929 in Helfenstein PA. and was an Elyria resident since 1941....
Carter A. Tomes
Apr 27, 2023
It is with deep sadness the Tomes family to announce with heavy hearts the passing of our father and grandfather Carter A. Tomes on April 27, 2023 at the age of 77. He is survived by 6 children and 11 grandchildren. We are inviting all of Carter's friends and family to join us for a memorial service on Sunday,...
Gerald Andrew Gavlak
Apr 27, 2023
Gerald A. "Dude" Gavlak, 85, of Elyria passed away Thursday April 27, 2023 at the Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake following a brief illness. He was born October 7, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA. and was an Elyria resident for most of his life. Gerry worked at General Motors in Elyria for many years, retiring as a superintendent. He...
Merle J. Goodrich
Apr 23, 2023
Merle J. Goodrich, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Sebring, Florida on April 23, 2023. Merle was born in Wetzel County, West Virginia on November 18, 1940 to parents Alfred and Gladys (nee: Kendall). He served as a minister for various churches throughout his life. In his spare time, he was an avid golfer. Survivors include...
Michael C. Woolard
Apr 23, 2023
Michael C. Woolard, 63, of Elyria, passed away on April 23, 2023 at University Hospital Elyria Medical Center. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and worked at C & M Installation and Construction Company, Fortney & Weygandt, Ohio Screw Products, and Action Door. Michael was a softball coach, and he enjoyed watching Cleveland sports, cooking, camping, and was an...
Ruby Alane (Tankersley) Larson
Apr 21, 2023
Ruby A. Larson, (nee-Tankersley), 82, of Elyria passed away Friday April 21, 2023 at her home following a long illness. She was born February 3, 1941 in Lynchburg, TN. And was an Elyria resident for most of her life. Ruby was a very active member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Elyria where she was a member of many...
James Albert Mertz
Apr 19, 2023
James A. Mertz, 85, of Elyria passed away Wednesday April 19, 2023 at Avon Oaks Nursing Home following a long illness. He was born November 17, 1937 in Oberlin and was an Elyria area resident for most of his life. Jim was a member of the Lorain County Sherriff's Office for 27 years, retiring as the Lorain County Sherriff....
Florceda Edith (Dechant) Petcavage
Apr 19, 2023
Florceda Edith Petcavage (nee: DeChant), 92, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving family in Centreville, VA. She was born October 8, 1930 and resided in Elyria most of her life. Florceda worked as a bank secretary for the former Lorain County Bank before retiring and working part-time at the East River Convenient Mart. Florceda,...
Donald A. Lacko
Apr 19, 2023
Donald A. Lacko, 84, of Matamoras, Ohio, passed away on April 19, 2023 at Marietta Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 9, 1939 to parents Mike and Anna (nee: Schuster) in Elyria, Ohio. Donald worked at Moen as product polisher for many years. Survivors include his sons, Thomas (Deanna) Lacko of Seville, Steve (Sue) Lacko of Lodi; daughter,...
Carri M. Bright
Apr 18, 2023
Carri M. Bright, 49, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Orlando, FL after a painful battle with cancer. She was born on April 6, 1974 in Cherry Point, North Carolina to Kenneth and Barbara (Polacsek) Bright. She was the first grandchild on both sides of her family and was dearly loved by all her grandparents, aunts and...
