Obituaries
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Philip William Shepard
Apr 28, 2026
Philip William Shepard, 90, of Elyria, was welcomed home on April 27, 2026—reunited at last with his Lord, his Savior, and, no doubt, the love of his life, Jackie.
Born June 19, 1935, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to John B. and Catherine (Cooney) Shepard, Phil served proudly in the United States Air Force (1955–1959). While stationed in New York, he met Jackie...
James H. Leitten
Apr 21, 2026
James Howe Leitten passed away on April 21, 2026 after a brief illness. He is survived by his cherished wife of 48 years, Mary Ellen (nee Keenan), beloved daughter Rebecca Rose (Michael) O’Grady, treasured granddaughter Eleanor Rose O’Grady, and dear sisters Teresa (the late Samuel) Taneff and Elizabeth (Stanley) Moore. He is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Mary (nee...
Robert Harold Spaulding
Apr 15, 2026
Robert H. Spaulding was born on October 4, 1964 to Earl E. Spaulding and Geraldine “Terry” Spaulding. He was the youngest of 5 children. Bobby became a folk hero in the Homewood neighborhood during his growing up years. Although being disabled and unable to speak, Bobby was loved by everyone. Bobby attended Lucy Idol Center. At age 18, he moved...
Frances A. Simmons
Apr 15, 2026
Frances A. Simmons (nee: Donnelly) 92, of Elyria passed away April 15, 2026 at The Danbury of North Ridgeville. She was born February 27, 1934 in Braddock, PA, and was a 1952 graduate of Swissvale High School. She and her family moved to Elyria in 1968, then to Grafton in 1974. Fran was a former member of St. Mary Church...
Jeffrey S. Murray
Apr 12, 2026
Jeffrey S. Murray, 59, of Elyria, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at University Hospitals Main Campus in Cleveland after a short illness. He was born on June 16, 1966, in Elyria to Terry and Mary (née Bedocs) Murray, and was a graduate of Elyria High School, Class of 1984.
Jeff was a dedicated and hardworking man who took great...
Andrew Ray Daniels Sr.
Apr 8, 2026
Andrew R. Daniels Sr., 64, of Elyria passed away Wednesday April 8, 2026 at University Hospital main campus in Cleveland.
He was born December 27, 1961 in Cleveland and was a long time Elyria resident.
He was employed in the construction trades for Labor’s Local 860. Andy was a drummer in local bands and was a huge fan of the band Rush....
Rosemary Elaine Lusher
Apr 6, 2026
Rosemary Elaine Lusher, (nee-Zocchi), 83, of Elyria passed away Monday April 6, 2026 at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center following a long illness. Born in Lorain to Bartolomeo and Ada (nee-Donatucci) Zocchi. She graduated from Lorain High School in 1960.
Survivors include her beloved husband Todd whom she married December 16, 1961; sons, Todd Lusher and Dan (Suzanne) Lusher; sister, Lynne...
Raymond Erle Baumiller
Apr 5, 2026
Raymond E. Baumiller 76, of Elyria passed away Sunday April 5, 2026 at University Hospitals Main Campus from a sudden Trauma.
He was born August 30, 1949, and was a 1967 Stubenville High School graduate. He was a United States Air Force veteran and enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, golfing, bowling and playing cards.
Survivors include his daughter Megan E....
Joseph Andrew Bauer
Apr 5, 2026
Joseph Andrew Bauer entered the church triumphant on April 5th, 2026. Joseph was born in Elyria on November 19, 1957. Joe was a graduate of Elyria High class of 1977. He was preceded in death by his Parents John and Frances (nee Burch) Bauer. He is survived by his son, Timothy Quillen (Amy Miller) granddaughter Reagan Quillen. He is also...
Edward C. Pilan
Apr 5, 2026
Edward C. Pilan, 87, of Wellington passed away Easter Sunday April 5, 2026 of cancer. He was born in Dilliner, Pa and graduated from Mapletown High School in 1956. He played sports in school and never lost his love of sports. He loved the Cleveland Indians, the Cavs and most of all the Browns. He had a passion for the...
Stanley R. Wojdyla
Apr 2, 2026
Stanley R. Wojdyla 75, of Elyria passed away unexpectedly on Thursday April 2, 2026 at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. He was born March 24, 1951 in Elyria where he was a lifelong resident. Stan was a 1969 Elyria Catholic High School graduate, and retired from the City of Elyria where he served as the Superintendant of Elyria Cemeteries. As...
Mary Gach (nee: Merva)
Mar 29, 2026
Mary (Merva) Gach, age 90, passed away on March 29, 2026 at The Hospice of The Western Reserve in Westlake, Ohio. She was born in Walhonding, Ohio in 1936 and has been an Elyria resident since 1940.
Upon graduation from Elyria High School with the class of 1953, she attended Kent State University and in later years also attended LCCC, earning...
Thomas "Bill" Leslie Shumaker
Mar 28, 2026
Thomas “Bill” Leslie Shumaker, 90, of Elyria, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital. Bill was born on July 27, 1935, in Fayetteville, West Virginia. He later made his home in Elyria, where he built a life centered on family, hard work, and quiet dedication. He proudly served his country in the United States...
Robert Paul Wise
Mar 28, 2026
On March 28, Robert Paul Wise of LaPorte died at the Life Care Center Rehabilitation facility from complications related to a fracture. He was comfortable and peaceful at the time of his passing.
A lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, Robert (Bob) was born on April 15, 1940 to Geraldine Wise (Smith) and Paul Wise. He was the oldest of three children....
Mary Jane Schumacher
Mar 25, 2026
With love and gratitude for a life well lived, we share that Mary Jane (Ketch) Schumacher passed away at home on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 after a brief illness in Greenville, South Carolina.
Mary Jane was born in Elyria, Ohio on January 12, 1948 to Leslie and Bernadine (Obringer) Ketch. She was raised alongside her siblings in Oberlin, Ohio in a...
William "Bill" A. Kozman
Mar 23, 2026
William “Bill” A. Kozman, 76, of Elyria, passed away shortly after midnight on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Ames Family Hospice House in the company of his loving wife. He was born in Cleveland on November 20, 1949 to parents Benjamin and Margaret (Bomba) Kozman.
Bill will be remembered as the very definition of a dad—steadfast, devoted, and endlessly supportive of...
Karin M. Jason - DeRuchie
Mar 20, 2026
Karin M. Jason-DeRuchie, passed away peacefully at the age of 77, on March 20, 2026, joining her Lord, her parents, Emery and Wilma Madarasi, and loved ones who preceded her.
Born in Munich, Germany, she came to the United States at age 5 and was raised in Lorain, Ohio, graduating from Avon High School in 1966. She became a Licensed Practical...
Jonathan Roy Adkins
Mar 20, 2026
Jonathan Roy Adkins 63, of Grafton passed away Friday March 20, 2026 at The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. He was born August 12, 1962 in Battlecreek, MI. Jonathan was a 1980 Midview High School graduate, and the served in the United States Army from 1980 to 1984. Jonathan was a loving Father, Brother, Uncle and a great friend...
Darrel Hill
Mar 17, 2026
Dorothy Hill (nee: Galinsky) 93, of Oberlin passed away on December 25, 2025 from a chronic illness surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Oberlin to Joseph and Mary Galinsky on April 9, 1932. Dorothy graduated from Oberlin High School and Ohio Business College; she spent a few years working for General Motors. Homemaking, gardening, and entertaining were...
Roger Herbert Hales
Mar 17, 2026
With deep respect and heartfelt remembrance, we honor the life of a truly outstanding man whose character was defined by integrity, hard work, and unwavering dedication to those around him. Roger Hales, 89, passed away suddenly on the evening of March 17, 2026. He was born July 3, 1936 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Orlo and Dorothy (nee-Hawke) Hales.
Roger...
