obituaries

Obituaries for Heitger Funeral and Cremation Service

Ronald Roy Kovalak

Ronald Roy Kovalak

Jun 13, 2026

Ronald Roy Kovalak, of Jackson Twp., Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026 at the age of 71. Born on February 24, 1955, in Lakewood, Ohio, son of Richard and Earline (nee Copus) Kovalak.

Ron was married 49 years to his wife, Rebecca Kovalak (nee Emrick). He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; Richard II and Robert.

He...

Sherry C. Tinder

Sherry C. Tinder

Jun 10, 2026

Sherry C. Tinder, age 63, of Massillon, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

She was born June 22, 1962, in Massillon, the daughter of Donald W. and Janet (Roby) Tinder.

Sherry retired from Massillon Walmart in 2020 after 20 years as a sales associate.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Sherry is survived by her mother, Janet Tinder, son; and daughter-in-law,...

Joseph J. Concheck

Joseph J. Concheck

Jun 7, 2026

Joseph J. Concheck, age 88 of Canal Fulton, passed away June 7, 2026. He was born May 12, 1938 in Youngstown (Lemont Furnace), Pennsylvania and resided in Canal Fulton since 1966. Joseph was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Fay Margaret, who passed away May 26, 2016. Joseph was a devoted and loving husband, father, and...

Randall "Randy" Scott Dabb

Randall "Randy" Scott Dabb

May 25, 2026

Randall (Randy) Scott Dabb, 75, of North Canton, Ohio, left the planet on May 25, 2026, in the loving embrace of his wife, daughter, and grandson.

Born on February 10, 1951 in Ogden,Utah, Randy was the beloved son of Anna Barbara Taylor Dabb and Wayne Clarence Dabb.

Randy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joanne Nestoff Dabb; sister, Julie Dabb...

Carma L. Ziegelhofer

Carma L. Ziegelhofer

May 19, 2026

Carma L. Ziegelhofer, age 87, of Louisville, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born December 15, 1938, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of the late Lake and Margaret (Colburn) McClure.

Carma retired from Key Bank where she was a relationship manager after for over 30 years.

She was a member of Zion United Church...

Kelly A. Kemp

Kelly A. Kemp

May 16, 2026

Kelly A. Kemp, age 56, of Massillon unexpectedly passed Saturday, May 16th. She was born to Gary and Cheryl (Shamp) Oakleaf of Canton Ohio.

Kelly was a loving mother, grandmother, and compassionate soul whose life was dedicated to helping others. She touched countless lives through her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for her family and community.

Kelly earned her Master’s Degree in...

Grant "Fuzzy" Kowell

Grant "Fuzzy" Kowell

May 16, 2026

Grant “Fuzzy” Kowell, 80, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Born June 9, 1945, and proudly raised in Massillon, Fuzzy was the kind of man who never met a stranger. If you knew him, you probably had a drink with him, laughed with him, shared a story with him, or left feeling like...

Ronald R. Rittmaier

Ronald R. Rittmaier

May 15, 2026

Ronald R. Rittmaier, age 78, of Navarre, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family.

He was born November 10, 1947, in Massillon, the son of the late Robert and Geraldine (Maybaugh) Rittmaier.

Ronald retired from Eaton Manufacturing where he worked in quality control.

He enjoyed outdoor sporting and being out in the woods with his hunting dogs.

Ronald...

Teresa "T.C." Morris

Teresa "T.C." Morris

May 14, 2026

Teresa A. Morris "T.C.", age 65, of Jackson Twp., passed away Thursday, May 14, 2026.She was born December 19, 1960 in Elizabeth, NJ, the daughter of the late Edward and Pauline (Burns) Flynn. 

She enjoyed camping and traveling. 

She was a devout mother and an Olympic contending basketball player. She was full of knowledge about business, politics, and of course indulged watching...

Beverly Jean Williams

Beverly Jean Williams

May 12, 2026

Beverly Williams, age 84 of Jackson Township, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at The Village of St. Edwards at Fairlawn.

She was born July 1, 1941, in Canton, the daughter of the late Earl and Lucille Cherry.

Beverly was a retired nurse. She spent most of her career as the school nurse for Canton Local Schools and worked for the Stark...

Margaret "Margie" P. Unferdorfer

Margaret "Margie" P. Unferdorfer

May 9, 2026

Margaret "Margie" Unferdorfer, age 93 of Massillon, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Amherst Meadows.She was born December 5, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Harold John and Marion (Davis) Monks. She graduated from Langley High School in 1950 and, on August 22, 1952, she married the love...

Elaine L. Schwartz

Elaine L. Schwartz

May 6, 2026

Elaine L. Schwartz, age 82 of Massillon, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Altercare of Navarre.

She was born September 9, 1943, in Massillon, the daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn (Hinder) Bowers.

She loved spending time with the grandchildren around the pool and hosting holiday parties

Elaine is survived by her husband of 63 years, William "Bill" Schwartz; children, Jacqueline...

Cynthia L. Nash

Cynthia L. Nash

May 5, 2026

Cynthia Lynn Nash, (75) of Canton, OH, was welcomed home to be with the Lord on May 5th, 2026, following a determined and courageous battle against brain cancer.

Cindy was born on January 11, 1951, in Massillon, the daughter of the late Robert and Nona (Keith) Yost. She was raised in Massillon and attended Canton Central Catholic High School before deciding...

Christine "Chris" M. Kirven

Christine "Chris" M. Kirven

May 4, 2026

Christine "Chris" M. Kirven, age 82 of Canton,went home to be with the Lord on May 4, 2026 at Green Meadows Skilled Nursing home in Louisville.

She was born March 6, 1944, in Akron, the daughter of the late Raymond and Cathryn (Mendlein) Kirven.

Chris was a teacher for many years at Central Catholic High School. That brought her great satisfaction! After...

Emmanuel D. Paradeses

Emmanuel D. Paradeses

Apr 28, 2026

Emmanuel D. Paradeses, age 92 of Massillon, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

He was born March 17, 1934, in Massillon, the son of the late James and Rose Ann (Toal) Paradeses.

Emmanuel retired from First Merit Bank after many years of service in the savings and loan department.

He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish - St. Mary Campus. He was...

Richard W. Esposito

Richard W. Esposito

Apr 17, 2026

Richard W. Esposito, age 79, of Massillon, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Aultman Compassionate Care Center.

He was born on June 25, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Ralph and Filomenia Esposito.

Richard dedicated 50 years of his life to sales and service, building a career defined by hard work and commitment, eventually retiring from Orkin...

Charles "Chuck" Benzo

Charles "Chuck" Benzo

Apr 17, 2026

Charles “Chuck” David Benzo passed peacefully at home with his family by his side, after courageously fighting pancreatic cancer for three years. Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth (Surgenor) & Charles Benzo, brothers Alan Benzo and Dewey Pinnell, mother- and father-in-law JoAnn & George Creegan, and sister-in-law and friend, Mary Elaine Feist. 

Chuck is survived by his devoted wife...

Benjamin Wayne Proudfoot

Benjamin Wayne Proudfoot

Apr 15, 2026

Benjamin W. Proudfoot, age 41, of Green passed away on April 15, 2026 at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.

He was born January 14, 1985 in Massillon, the son of Wayne and Sharon (Lawson) Proudfoot.

He was a 2003 graduate of Perry High School and University of Akron.

Ben worked at Canton Christian Home as a cherished cook for 10 years.

He was an avid...

John "Rach" Rachel

John "Rach" Rachel

Apr 13, 2026

John D. Rachel "Rach", age 88, of Massillon, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2026, at his

home surrounded by his family.

He was born October 24, 1937, in Massillon the son of the late John and Agnes (Duffy) Rachel.

John supported and raised his family as a steelworker with the Timken Company, retiring in 1999.

In retirement he spent his time starting...

Arlene "Shelly" Bilby

Arlene "Shelly" Bilby

Apr 6, 2026

Arlene M. Bilby “Shelly”, age 72 formerly of Rootstown, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at her home.

She was born July 28, 1953, in Ravenna, Ohio the daughter of the late Joseph and Nona (Potter) Kerr.

Shelly retired from Chrysler after 30 years of service.

Shelly was an avid foodie who loved baking, cooking, knitting, crocheting, photography, and puzzles.

Shelly is survived by...

Obituary Notifications

Subscribe to get alerts for new obituaries when Heitger Funeral and Cremation Service posts tributes.

A logo for grief steps with an orange wave on a white background.
A Year of Grief Support

Sign up for one year of weekly grief messages designed to provide strength and comfort during this challenging time.