Whenever someone from the Beacon Journal community passed away, John Olesky would share the person's obituary on the BJ Alums blog, often accompanied by a montage of photos he collected. It seemed fitting to continue that tradition upon John's death this week.
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| John Olesky (right) with mentor and BJ Alums blog creator Harry Liggett. |
SUSAN MILLER (TOP PHOTO, SMILING) AND WITH LATE HAROLD BLATCHLEY (BOTTOM PHOTO)
Parrie
to icy land for Susan Miller
Former
BJ graphics designer Susan Miller, who lives in her hometown of Canton, enjoyed her 3 weeks of travel to the
other large change of earth’s land across the Atlantic.
She posted:
“I am grateful to share my latest journey of many steps over the last
three weeks in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and finally Iceland. P. S. I retired
my laundromat work shoes on a balcony across from the Louvre in Paris.”
I was within 10 feet of the Mona Lisa when I was in the Louvre and have
a replica hanging high on my living room wall that also has My Mona Lisa, my late
wife who gave a half-century of glorious living.
Sue was at Ol’ Blue Walls for more than 25 years when
she left the Advertising Art Department in 2009.
In 2014 Sue suffered a hairline fracture of her right tibia from her
car's non-Olympic luge-style slide into an abutment on an icy Akron
freeway.
Sue is
a graduate of Canton Lincoln High School and 1976 graduate of Miami of Ohio University
in Oxford.
BJ Advertising reunion Saturday, May 18
Cheri Raymond posted on Beacon Buddies Facebook site:
To all my Akron Beacon Journal colleagues on Facebook.
John Hink, Craig Bender and James Child are putting together an Advertising,
Sales department picnic reunion on May 18th. It will be at Wingfoot State Park
at the Buckeye Pavillion. 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. Bring a side dish. Water will be
provided along with Chipotle.
Let Ann Hartman know if you
are interested in coming.
We would love to see you all.
ART KRUMMEL WITH WIFE CHARLENE NEVADA
Art Krummel memorial service June 8
The memorial service for former BJ chief arist Art
Krummel will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N.
Canton Road, Akron.
Art’s widow after 53 years of marriage and 35 years at
the BJ together, former BJ reporter Charlene Nevada, posted:
“It has taken this long to schedule because Art wanted
his former artist colleague, Terence Oliver, to preside. Terence is not, in AP
style, a "The Rev.", but his faith and spirituality exceed many with
that title. Juggling Terence's schedule with that of four active grandkids . .
. well June 8 was our best choice.
“I don't know how many people not from this area plan
to attend. But apparently many hotels are booked the night of June 7. It turns
out to be Founders Day in Akron, when thousands of AA members come to town to
honor Dr. Bob.
“Finally, people have asked where to send donations. They are not needed but if you choose, send them in Art's name to the Cuyahoga Valley Arts Center, 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. It is a center for classes and amateur shows. Art taught Manga there once and had several pieces in shows. His bonsai club also met there and it was a place he cared about.”
SUSANNA LEE SCHLEIS FREEMAN
Paula Schleis’ sister passes away
BJ reporter Paula Schleis’
sister, Susanna Lee Schleis Freeman, passed away April 23. She was 76.
Paula was a BJ education/small business/features reporter for
more than 30 years when she retired in 2018. She transitioned to a podcast,
Ohio Mysteries. Then added a YouTube Channel. 350 episodes so far.
Her nephew Steve Yoder handles the technical details.
You
can find “Ohio Mysteries” at Patreon.com.
Susanna’s
obituary:
Susanna
Lee Freeman, whose roles in life ranged from veteran to volunteer to being a
mother to many more children than she had given birth to, passed away in Akron
on April 23, 2024. She was 76.
Susanna was born Nov. 26, 1947 in Barberton
to RoseAnn and Stephen Schleis. She became the eldest of five siblings.
She graduated from Barberton High School in
1965, and in 1967 began serving in the Women's Army Corp (WAC) during the
Vietnam War. She married a fellow soldier, Jerry Freeman, and they raised three
sons in Bath Township.
Susanna reinvented herself many times over
the years.
When her family was in an accident, leaving
son Kevin a paraplegic, she devoted herself to his recovery and transition to
an independent young man.
While still raising her children, she
enrolled in the University of Akron to study psychology and other courses of
interest. Later, she became a Guardian Ad Litem, assigned to advocate for
children going through the Summit County Domestic Relations Court - work that
resulted in a J.C. Penney Gold Rule Award for outstanding volunteer efforts in
1998.
She also volunteered for the Rape Crisis
Center and the Battered Women's Shelter, and spent her later years as a product
demonstrator at Sam's Club in Montrose, a job she loved for its social nature.
Susanna left plenty of time for fun. She
loved learning new things, and took up painting, sewing, crocheting, gardening
and scrapbooking. She took cooking classes and always delighted her family and
friends with wonderful meals.
She was an avid ghosthunter, and spent years
leading ghost hunts through the historic O. C. Barber barns in Barberton. She
loved to travel and spend hours searching beaches for shells and fossil shark's
teeth. She spent a lifetime passionately researching genealogies for both hers
and her husband's families.
Many nieces, nephews and cousins considered
Susanna their second mother. When they were children, she was always eager to
entertain them, have them overnight or spoil them on shopping trips. As adults,
they turned to her as a steady source of support. They returned the favor and
became a regular presence in "Aunt Sue's" life as she went through
many medical challenges.
Susanna suffered many serious illnesses in
her lifetime, from cancer to kidney failure, but throughout it all she was a
model of strength and determination. She did not know how to give up. At the
Green facility where she received dialysis, her cheery disposition had fellow
patients referring to her as "The Mayor."
Susanna was preceded in death by her son,
Kevin Freeman, and her parents. She is survived by her sons Tom (Lisa) Freeman
of Fernandina Beach, Fla. and Daniel (Amy) Freeman of Cuyahoga Falls;
grandchildren Caleb, Emma and Ryan Freeman; step-grandchildren Amanda and James
Cunliffe and Brittany Pierce of Florida; six step-great grandchildren; and
former husband Jerry Freeman.
She also leaves behind her siblings Thomas
Schleis and Paula Schleis of Barberton, Barbara Yoder of Akron, and Michael
(Loretta) Schleis of Norton; more than 40 nieces and nephews who cherished her;
and Kashe Heffelfinger, who was like a grandson to her.
Susanna will be interred with her son, Kevin, at Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairlawn in a private ceremony. For those inspired to honor her memory, please consider a gift to your local Rape Crisis Center or her most recent interest, the Critical Care Kitten Coalition.
Victim Services Award latest honor for BJ’s
Stephanie Warsmith
BJ reporter Stephanie Warsmith received
the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Denton Outstanding
Victim Services Award from the Summit County Victim Assistance Program for her supportive
actives about crime victims and their needs.
The group’s
president/CEO Leanne Graham praises Stephanie’s 25 years of work for 25 years
at the BJ.
The award is
named for after the founder of Victim Services, Denton, an ordained minister,
police academy graduate, police chaplain and sociologist who is retired.
Stephanie also
has won a national police reporting award and numerous state journalism awards.
When Stephanie
married her husband, Duane, in 2005 her father, Steve, was dying of cancer. She
and Duane opted to marry in the backyard of Warsmith’s family home with just a
few family members and friends present.
Denton traveled
to Grove City south of Columbus to officiate the wedding.
For details
about about services available to victims, visit https://victimassistanceprogram.org/victim-rights/
or call VAP 24/7 at (330) 376-0040.
CHERYL AND NEIL SHEININ ON THEIR 38TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Cheryl
Scott Sheinin passes away
Cheryl Scott Sheinin, BJ Finance for 45
years, passed away. She married Neil Sheinen, also a BJer. They wed on Cheryl’s
birthday, also 45 years ago.
As one example of Cheryl’s kindness and
thoughtfulness, when former BJ security guard Anna Nitz passed away in 2012,
Cheryl went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the ceremony of Ann’s ashes
being spread into the Atlantic Ocean. That was Anna's favorite place to
travel.
Cheryl’s travels include national parks and
monuments in the American West when Neil and Cheryl weren’t at their Portage
Lakes home.
Cheryl also was loyal to the Browns, her
entire life.
And Neil has attended baseball games in about
350 parks, most of them in the minor leagues, and threw out the first pitch at
an Akron Aeros game. And with Cheryl traveled to Puerto Rico and Canada.
Newcomer Funeral Home in Ellet is handling
Cheryl’s arrangements, as it did former BJ chief artist Art Krummel in April.
Cheryl's obituary:
Cheryl Sheinin, age 76, of Akron, passed away on Monday April 15, 2024. She was born in Akron on September 29, 1947 to the late Everett and Louise (Peters) Scott and graduated from Garfield High School. She worked in the finance department of the Akron Beacon Journal for 46 years. Cheryl was an animal lover and enjoyed traveling.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert Neil Sheinin; as well as sister-in-law Judith Scott and nephew Donald Scott both of Hartville. Preceded in death by brother Donald Scott.
Visitation will be Monday April 22nd from 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home. A procession departs the funeral home following visitation to Greenlawn Memorial Park where a graveside service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Summit County Humane Society or your favorite charity.
To share a memory of Cheryl or leave a special message for family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Newcomer 330-784-3334
www.NewcomerAkron.com
ED MEYER
35-year BJ reporter Ed Meyer passes away
Ed Meyer, BJ reporter for 35 years (1981-2015),
passed away in Akron. Spent earlier days in Chicago.
Ed wrote that, when his U-Haul pulled
into Akron, “I like this place” because the rubber shops reminded him of
Chicago’s steel mills.
Stuart Warner, who hired Bradley
University grad Ed to cover the Browns, posted:
“Makes me so sad.
Hired Ed to cover the Browns in 1981. RIP, my friend.
Ed’s father was Edward James Meyer, “my hero” who served
in General Patton’s Third Army and landed on Omaha Beach six weeks after D-Day
to help build floating bridges that helped supplies and armored vehicles to
move in and destroy Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Ed and I once exchanged information about
our dealings with management unhappy with us, me at the Dayton Daily News for
union activities and Ed demoted to suburban police beat in Portage, Stark,
Medina and Wayne counties when the projects-investigation team that Ed was on
was disbanded.
His stories led to wrongful convictions
freedom for Randy Resh and Bob Gondor, after they spent 17 years in prison, which
Ed told me “was the proudest moment of my 35-year newspaper career at the
Beacon Journal.”
Keith McKnight told me:
“Ed Meyer was an outstanding example of what
investigative reporters are supposed to be. Unfortunately, the few years we had
to work together were all too brief. But it was through his tireless digging
that many of the narrative series we wrote together were possible. His abiding
effort at going it alone to expose the wrongful conviction of Randy Resh
and Bob Gondor speaks for itself. He was a friend that I admired and will
always miss.”
Ed’s obituary:
Edward V. Meyer
July 25, 1951 - April
11, 2024
Edward V. Meyer
passed away unexpectedly on April 11, 2024. He was born on July 25, 1951, to
Edward and Stephanie Meyer in Hegewisch, IL. He graduated from Bradley
University with a degree in journalism. Ed began his prominent career in Tampa
as a sports writer. His journey as a pro football beat writer started with the
Cleveland Browns in 1981 at the Akron Beacon Journal which brought him to Ohio
where he met his beloved Rose.
Ed’s commitment and
passion for journalism was unmatched. He covered 18 Super Bowls and received
countless prestigious awards. Some of his proudest moments were interviews with
Arnold Palmer and Mohammed Ali. Later in his career, he took on criminal court
and law enforcement reporting where his dedication to helping others led to one
of his greatest accomplishments. Ed’s efforts to uncover the truth freed Randy
Resh and Bob Gondor from prison, who were wrongfully convicted for a crime they
did not commit. His colleagues describe his honesty, loyalty, and integrity as
beyond reproach.
He enjoyed spending
time with his inherited loud Italian family and his cats Toby and Zeke. The
Beatles, the Chicago White Sox, The Three Stooges, playing golf, snow skiing,
and cooking were some of Ed’s favorite things. Being an American history buff,
he collected various JFK memorabilia over the years. We will always remember
his witty and funny nicknames and sayings that made us all laugh.
Ed is survived by his
loving wife of 43 years Rosary Vinciguerra, daughters Carolynn (Tom) Amato,
Lisa Thomas; grandchildren Christopher (Abby), Benjamin (Natalie), and Logan
Patrick; Alex, Carson, and Rosy Thomas; sister Karen (Stanley) Janeczek; nephew
Matthew Janeczek; many cousins and his “little budgers”. He was preceded in
death by his parents, Edward and Stephanie, and his favorite Aunt Wanda.
We love you “Eddie
Van Meter Meyer”; we know you are editing this in heaven.
The family will
receive visitors on April 20, 2024, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 164 W.
Market Street, Akron, OH 44303 at 10:00 am, funeral mass will follow at 11:00
am. A celebration of life gathering will be held at The Hilton Fairlawn, 3180
West Market Street, Akron, OH 44333 from 12:30 - 3:30 pm. All are
welcome.
In place of flowers, donations can be made to the James V. Vinciguerra Scholarship Fund in the care of St.VM High School or One of A Kind Pet Rescue.
ART KRUMMEL, CHARLENE NEVADA, MARRIED 53 YEARS
Retired BJ artist Art Krummel passes away
Former BJ art department chief Art
Krummel passed away.
His wife, former BJ reporter Charlene
Nevada, posted:
“Dear
friends, I just wanted to share that I lost my husband and best friend (Art Krummel) this morning. He had been dealing with a number
of heart and lung issues. I'm glad he is at peace but my heart aches.
“We shared our lives for 53 years, and we
were blessed to work together for 35 of those years at the Beacon Journal. I'm
planning a memorial for early June and I will be in touch.”
Art once described working at the BJ as “every
day was like Christmas.” I agree. I loved it so much I ran to work every day.
Art tells his story better than I ever
could so I’ll let him do it as he did in a long-ago interview:
“I began at the age of 11 or 12 by drawing squirrels, bears and objects using simple
shapes. I was hooked.
“In high
school I started visiting ad studios and was fascinated with the art of ad
layout, lettering and line illustration. I also became an avid fan of Norman
Rockwell’s work and decided I wanted to paint like him. I often went to a used
book store looking for Rockwell illustrations to buy the magazine for a nickel
or dime.
“Early on I
was entirely self-taught. I took art in high school and became a bit of a known
artist at my school. My art teacher was a wonderful lady but was mostly into
things like masks and paper mache.
“After I
graduated (and did the obligatory hitchhike around the country), I got a job at
the local newspaper as a copy boy. With a full-time job, I immediately enrolled
in some art classes in a nearby city. I hung around the art department at the
newspaper and got to know the artists.
“Sadly, one of
the artists died and I was invited to join the department. I soon enrolled in
the art program at the University of Akron and eventually got a BS in graphic
design.
“I spent 40
years at the newspaper. Every day of those years was like Christmas morning for
me.”
Art and Charlene lived in Tallmadge,
as I do, but in 2010 bought a 2nd home in Garden City, South
Carolina and in 2014 and later used it as a retreat from Ohio winters.
Garden City is 13 miles from Pawleys
Island, South Carolina, where retired BJ printers and retired business
department employees moved after retirement.
When Charlene finalizes the time, day
and place for Art’s memorial I’ll post a follow-up article on it here.”.
Art, Clyde “Bud” Morris (who came up
with the name for Channels, the TV guide that I gave birth to as the TV
editor), Dennis Balogh, Walt Neal, Denny Haas roamed through the Art Department
over the years.
CHERYL POWELL
Cheryl Powell
promoted to BJ executive editor
Cheryl Powell,
in Summit County almost all her life, was promoted from managing editor to Akron
Beacon Journal executive editor, where she has spent the last 27 years.
She also handles
the BJ web site and is regional editor for the Canton Repository, Ravenna
Record-Courier, Alliance Review and Massillon Independent.
Cheryl replaced
Michael Shearer, who left to be executive editor of the Beacon’s sister paper,
The Columbus Dispatch.
Powell, whose
family moved to Twinsburg when she was 1, has lived in Summit County since,
with the exception of attending college at Kent State University and a brief
stint at the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky.
KATHERINE ANN MOORE WITH HER PETS
Tom Moore’s
daughter, Kathy, passes away
The late BJ
newsroom retiree Tom Moore’s daughter, Katherine Ann Moore, passed away March
26.
She was a member
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and lived in Maryland.
Kathy was an elf
on the Cuyahoga Valley Train when Tom was a conductor for years.
Kathy joins Tom
and Tom’s wife,
Dorothy Doyle Moore, and Kathy’s brother, Thomas A. Moore, in afterlife.
Survivors
include Kathy’s sisters, Amy Moore and Caroline Moore Krack.
Kathy’s
obituary:
Katherine
Moore Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Adams Mason Funeral Home &
Crematory - Akron on Apr. 1, 2024.
Katherine Ann Moore (Kathy) passed
away the early morning of March 26, 2023. Born to Tom and Dorothy Moore
on June 11, 1953 in Bluefield West Virginia then relocating to Akron, OH with her family as a teen.
She was a 1971 graduate of Akron North
High School learning the necessary skills (at the time) shorthand and typing.
These skills, along with her analytical mind, led her to Washington D.C where
she worked for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Maryland is where
"Kathy" became "Katherine". Katherine always remained
a team player. Stating that the only reason she was successful was because of
the people she surrounded herself with. She truly loved her job, her coworkers
and friends, (some which became family) Kathy was recognized by 2 presidents
for her contributions in her career and truly loved the contribution she made.
Kathy retired as a contract and grant team lead after 35 years.
Once retired, she returned to Akron to spend quality time with her family
who she loved deeply. She volunteered as a trainman and as a polar
express elf with her dad on the Cuyahoga Valley Train, and spent quiet days
stitching, shopping and talking with her mom.
Katherine was an avid cross stitcher
and quilter. She joked that the amount of fabric and floss that she has
accumulated could prevent JoAnn Fabric from filing chapter 11. You could
always find her starting many projects and once. Some would get finished,
but only if they were being made for someone that touched her heart.
Kathy also loved to bake and cook. Any chance she could, she would
entertain. Kathy just loved giving to others. Whether it be food, a
crafting piece or something she bought because "I just knew you would love
it".
As her health declined, she
moved into Danbury Senior Living. It was a struggle for her in the beginning,
losing her independence. But that processing, analytical mind kicked in and
after a few months had made friends, was entertaining, stitching, sewing and
making sure she told the director how to run his building :) She proudly showed
her stubborn and feisty side, wearing like a badge of honor.
Kathy had so many people that
advocated for her throughout her life. Big thank you to Dr. Troy Larson and his
wife Rachel, for helping Kathy find God and knowing the comfort that the Lord
will bring her. Thank you for the outstanding care from her numerous
physicians, DaVita Munroe Falls, Danbury Senior Living Tallmadge and Southern
Care Hospice. All of you not only had the best interests of Kathy in
mind, but also her sisters Amy, Carol and Ann. We will be forever grateful.
Kathy is predeceased by her brother
Thomas A Moore, father Thomas C Moore and mother Dorothy J Moore (Doyle). She
is survived by her sisters Amy Moore, Caroline Krack (John), her niece
Amanada Moore and long-life friend turned sister Ann Modzel.
Visitation with a memorial service to
celebrate Katherine's life will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 2-4. at
Adams Mason Funeral Home, 791 E Market St., Akron, OH 44305.
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations be made to Frontline Ministries International, 6200 Wales
Ave. NW, Massillon, OH