All Obituaries

Beulah I. Lautensleger, following a long and purpose-filled life as a beloved wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, passed away peacefully, attended by her sons, early Friday morning, September 16, 2022, at the age of 102.  Born in Coshocton County, Ohio, February 7, 1920, a daughter to the late Charles and Lottie (Warren) Hothem, Beulah graduated from West Lafayette High School with the Class of 1937, and attended Canton Business College.  While her husband served in the army,...

John A. “Jay” Rachel, 65, of Massillon, passed away unexpectedly, of natural causes, at his residence, Saturday evening, September 10, 2022.  Born in Barberton, January 26, 1957, a son to the late John D. and Margaret L. (Hise) Rachel, Jay graduated from Northwest High School in Canal Fulton with the Class of 1975. He furthered his interest in auto mechanics while in high school with auto shop classes at Massillon Washington High School then additional studies through...

Lanny R. Black, 79, of Perry Township, passed away peacefully, early Friday morning, September 2, 2022.  Born in Massillon, September 22, 1942, a son to the late George “Bob” Black and Adah (Smith) Black, Lanny graduated from the former Navarre High School with the Class of 1960. In his youth, while working with his father at Nickles Bakery, he enjoyed working on cars, hand-painting custom graphics and pinstriping, and engaging in the occasional street race.  He was...

Donna Mae Wasem, 92, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away on September 1, 2022, in her hometown of Massillon, Ohio, after several months of declining health. Donna was born on August 2, 1930, to James D. Dray and Viola Martin Dray in Massillon, Ohio. She graduated from Massillon Washington High School in the class of 1948, where she was especially active in speech, drama, theater, and basketball. After graduation, she worked for Ohio Edison as a demonstrator; then for Massillon Steel...

Jean K. Hawk, 98, of Dalton, formerly of Massillon, passed away late Monday evening, August 29, 2022, following a brief illness.  Born in Massillon on March 22, 1924, a daughter to the late Charles E. and Clara (Burlyoung) Rohr, Jean graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1944.  She was employed by Acme Dairy and Singer Sewing Center, both formerly in Massillon.  Jean married Ernest J. Hawk on July 20, 1951, celebrating 59 years together until his passing in...

Harry William “Bill” Bryan, Jr., 78, of Massillon, passed away unexpectedly, of natural causes, at his home, early Wednesday morning, August 17, 2022.  Born in Massillon, May 3, 1944, a son to the late Harry W. and Eileen M. (Fenton) Bryan, Sr., Bill completed his GED while serving honorably in the US Navy at the start of the Vietnam Era.  The former owner of Massillon Sewing Center, he more recently operated Bill Bryan Mobile Sewing Machine Repair Co. Catholic...

Marie A. (Dennis) Massie, age 83, of Navarre, went home to be with the Lord, while surrounded by her family, late Tuesday evening, August 16, 2022.  Born March 26, 1939, in Timberville, Virginia, she spent 55 years with the love of her life Damon Massie; retired from MK Morse; and was a member of Canton Baptist Temple. She spent hours watching her hummingbirds on her back deck.            Marie was preceded by her parents, Louis...

Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Johnson, 64, of Wakeman, Ohio, formerly of Massillon, passed away peacefully, at her home, with her husband at her side, late Monday afternoon, July 25, 2022, following a courageous  battle with cancer.  Born in Massillon, April 27, 1958, a daughter to the late Gary and Kathyrn “Katie” (Rink) Wilson, Beth graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1976.  She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother who...

Nancy Jean Vollmer, 84, formerly of Massillon, more recently of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away quietly, Thursday evening, July 14, 2022.  Born in Brewster, Ohio, September 5, 1937, a daughter to the late Samuel and Betty (Swartz) Majcan, Nancy graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1955, and had been an area resident until 2020.  A devoted wife and a loving and supportive mom and grandma, Nancy had been a homemaker while her boys were small.  She...

Dianne (Schuster) Edwards, 63, of Massillon, passed away peacefully, while attended by family, early Tuesday morning, July 12, 2022, after a courageous eleven-year battle with cancer.  She was born in Massillon, December 4, 1958, to the late John and Patricia (Steele) Schuster.  Dianne graduated from Massillon Washington High School with the Class of 1977 and held a degree in Business Administration from the University of Akron Wayne College.  She spent most of her career...