Former BJ editor Paul Poorman’s widow, Sylvia Elizabeth Powers Poorman, passed away Saturday, July 4.

They had eight children: Pamela Poorman Phillips of Hudsonville, Michigan, Cynthia Poorman Paul of Northville, Michigan, Peter Poorman of Plano, Texas, Stephen Poorman of Akron, Thomas Poorman of Zanesville, Ohio, Andrew Poorman of Mundelein, Illinois, Robert Poorman of Franklin, Tennessee and William Poorman of Peoria, Illinois.

Sylvia and Paul had 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Paul passed away in 1992 at the age of 61. He retired from the BJ in 1986.

As managing editor of the Detroit Free Press he got President Nixon to utter the legendary quote to answer a Poorman question: “I am not a crook.”

Nixon was, of course.

And Republican Senators persuaded him to resign and avoid an Impeachment Trial that would kick him out of the Oval Office.

Paul and 3 of his reporters won a libel lawsuit filed by Akron Police Chief Robert Prease, who was unhappy over articles about him published in the BJ. Court ruled no unearned damages were proven.

Born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Paul was a Penn State graduate. He met Sylvia when both were State College, PA campus students.

Paul began his journalism career at the State College Centre Daily Times. Next came the Harrisburg, PA Patriot and the Philadelphia Bulletin before the Detroit Free Press famous moment.

After a stint as Northwestern University journalism professor, Paula came to the BJ in 1976.

He left the BJ in 1986 to lobby for Kent State and later became a faculty member. There have been a lot of Kent State to BJ and BJ to Kent State traffic over the years.

Sylvia’s obituary:

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 Sylvia resided in Spring Lake, MI while receiving excellent care at Heartwood Lodge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul A. Poorman, of Akron, Ohio; brothers, William, Edward, and David Powers; and sister, Elouise Connors. She is survived by her loving children, Pamela (Bob) Phillips of Hudsonville, MI, Cynthia (Don) Paul of Northville, MI, Peter (Stephanie) of Plano, TX, Stephen (Barbara), of Akron, OH, Thomas (Tara) of Zanesville, OH, Andrew (Sherri) of Mundelein, IL, Robert (Cassi) of Franklin, TN, and William (Margaret) of Peoria, IL; sisters-in-law, Mary Powers of Whidbey Island, WA, Cheryl Poorman of Markleville, IN, Noreen Poorman of Rica, GA, and Patricia (Jim) Scheid of Douglasville, GA; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and her beloved extended family members assimilated over the years.

Nothing was more important to her than family, and she and her husband incorporated into their family innumerable friends, always treating everyone as a valued member of the family.

Sylvia earned a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree from Kent State University. She was a whirlwind of positive energy and traveled widely, visiting all seven continents. This earned her the nickname 'The Travelling Grandma.' She took great joy in showing and discussing the photographs that she took in many exotic locations. In taking care of a large family she bought everything in quantity and never passed a sale by. Her Master’s degree was in history which joined with her love of genealogy and f il Th th i f h

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family. The thesis for her degree included original research into the early 1800s in Ohio when members of Sylvia’s family were influential in the development of that state. Music was also particularly important to Sylvia. She was a regular audience member of the Cleveland Symphony for many years while remaining active in Tuesday Musical in Akron. Sylvia was a Nittany Lion through and through, graduating in 1953. Much of her youth was spent in State College where her father was the Dean of Chemistry at Penn State. She attended as part of an early class of female students following World War II and was enormously proud of being part of that cohort. She met Paul while in college at Penn State and they lived in State College for the first 10 years of their marriage She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for the positive impact on the lives of everyone she met.

A private service and burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, OH.

Memorials may be made to the Paul A. and Sylvia P. Poorman Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University, which is awarded to outstanding newspaper majors. Gifts may be made through the Kent State Foundation at P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001 or online at https:// www.kent.edu/ advancement/ kent-state-university-foundation. (Press the 'Give Now' button in the upper right. Press 'Make Your Online Gift' in the center of the page. Under 'Designate Your Gift', check the box for 'I would like to enter my own designation'. Type in 'Paul A. and Sylvia P. Poorman Memorial Scholarship'). To share a Memory, Send a Condolence, Light a Candle or Send Flowers, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com . (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)