obituaries

May 10, 2025

Alice R. Knotts, age 69 of Massillon, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025. She was born July 29, 1955, in Massillon, the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel (Sibila) Ledger.

Alice and her late husband of 45 years, Ed, owned and operated the Village Tavern for many years. She loved and rescued many cats through the...

May 5, 2025

Patricia Marie Primack, age 78 of Jackson Township, passed away peacefully Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic following a brief illness.

She was born March 7, 1947, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Kosar) Ruzak.

Patricia retired from Jackson Township zoning department, where she worked for 41 years....

Apr 25, 2025

Barbara L. Paskoff, age 81 of Canton, passed away Friday, April 25, 2025 at Canton Christian Home. She was born April 22, 1944, in Canton, the daughter of the late Harry and Anna (Pfeiffer) Longabaugh. She was a graduate of Milligan College in Johnson City, TN. Barbara was a retired teacher, having worked at Canton Local Schools and established...

Apr 11, 2025

Neil W. Maier, age 69,  of Canton, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025 following a long fought battle with congenital heart and lung issues. He was born December 31, 1955, in Massillon, the son of the late James and Mary Dolores Maier.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughters, Jennifer and Anna...

Apr 10, 2025

Karl Ney, age 83, passed on to his Heavenly Father on April 10, 2025. Karl was born in Cologne, Germany to Katarina (Stewe) and Karl Ney, both of whom passed away when Karl was a young child. Karl was raised in Jackson Township by his loving parents, Emma and Harmon Richardson. Karl served in the United States Army and...

Apr 10, 2025

Catherine (Yost) Farris was born in 1952 in Massillon, OH to Earl Yost Sr. and Sophie (Roll) Yost. She is an alumnus of both Canton Central Catholic High School and Xavier University, where she graduated with degrees in Spanish and English.

Kate was an avid yoga enthusiast, and she enjoyed experiencing the world traveling with...

Apr 3, 2025

Rita Ann Hester, age 67 of Massillon, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 3, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. She was born August 7, 1957, in West Union, WV. Ann owned and operated a cleaning business for many years. She enjoyed trips to the beach, puzzles, crocheting, listening to TuPac, and celebrating life with her grandchildren and family....

Apr 3, 2025

Cecil P. Husk, age 85, of Beach City, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Hennis Care Center in Bolivar. He was born May 3, 1939, in Parkersburg, WV,  the son of the late John and Bertha (Lamp) Husk. Cecil retired from Republic Steel after 32 years of service. He loved helping people and riding his four wheeler with...

Apr 2, 2025

Elaina Dee Danner, age 47 of Florida, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025. She was preceded in death by her son, Maxtin Stone Danner. She is survived by her son, Matthew Stone Danner; mother, Diane Woods; brothers, Brain Woods, Tim Knight Jr.; father, Tim Knight;  numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends on...

Mar 21, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joan Halter, beloved aunt and friend, to many, at the age of 95. Joan passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, at Amherst Meadows.

Born on June 12, 1929, in Canton Ohio, Joan was a woman of remarkable strength, grace, and kindness.  She dedicated her life...

Mar 18, 2025

John R. Strickland Jr., age 89 of Jackson Township, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Aultman Hospital. He was born July 6, 1935, in Widen, WV, the son of the late John and Garnet (McCombs) Strickland. John retired from Roadway Express, Inc. where he was a pricing coordinator for many years. John is survived by two...

Mar 14, 2025

Derek Rutter, age 53 of Jackson Township, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025 at Aultman Compassionate Care Center. He was born May 19, 1971, in Columbus. Derek is survived by two daughters, Audrey (Kyle) Holland, Kendal Rutter; mother, Shirley (Whetzel) Berger, aunt, Kathy Schieman. He was preceded in death by Brother, Patrick Clayton Rutter, father, Terry Wayne Rutter. Private...

Mar 12, 2025

Ronald L. Lang, age 87 of Massillon, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Amherst Meadows. He was born July 9, 1937, in Massillon the son of the late Guy and Helen (Fidler) Lang. He was an Army veteran. He previously owned Lang Cabinets, and had worked for WCCV Floor Coverings. Ronald retired from Carpet Time after many years...

Mar 11, 2025

Eunice A. Coffman, age 83 of Jackson Township passed away March 11, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. She was a 1960 graduate of Jackson High School. Eunice is survived her husband of 63 years, Richard L. Coffman; three children, Ronald Coffman, Carla Coffman Aboud, Richard (Sheila) Coffman Jr.; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Shory and...

Mar 9, 2025

Larry J. Lapikas, age 80, of Massillon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was born August 13, 1944, in Massillon, the son of  the late Rudolph and Clotilda (Gresser) Lapikas. Lawrence retired from Canton Post Office after 25 years as a letter carrier.  He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was a...

Mar 7, 2025

Jane Everhart, age 97, of Dalton, passed away Friday, March 7, 2025 at Life Care Hospice in Wooster. She was born June 8,1927, in Northeast Twp., PA  the daughter of the late George Young and Florence (Rubner) Young. Jane retired from Tuslaw Local Schools after 30 years of service as a school bus driver. She was a devoted member...

Feb 28, 2025

Kathleen Bovee, age 40 of Massillon, passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 at Mercy Medical Center. She was born July 2, 1984, in Canton the daughter of James and Lucinda (Burns) Bovee. A committal service will be held March 13, 2025 at Massillon Cemetery at 10 AM. Condolences to the family may be made at www.heitger.com Heitger...

Feb 8, 2025

Justin Smitley, age 42 of Perry Township, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was born May 3, 1983 in Massillon. Justin loved working on and riding dirt bikes, and 4 wheelers.  He enjoyed fishing, music, and playing his guitar. Justin is survived by his mother, Tammy Smitley, step-father, Billy Page; grandparents, Don and Wanda Hollinger; two brothers, James...

Feb 3, 2025

Janice A. Batdorf, age 87, of Canal Fulton, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, following a period of declining health. She was born August 12, 1937, in Wooster, Ohio,   the daughter of the late Francis and Florence (Smathers) Sargeant. Janice volunteered at Rose Lane Nursing Home and at the former Massillon Community Hospital. Janice is survived by...

Feb 3, 2025

William "Bill" Harry Whitacre passed away peacefully at his home on February 3, 2025. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Marie Kaemmerer and father, Leland Homer Whitacre. Bill attended workshop at Midwest innovations and X-excel where he received several awards for employee excellence, Bill also received a certificate of recognition for his dedicated service...