Diana Kay Pryor
Mar 31, 2026
Diana K. Pryor, a woman of unwavering faith and deep devotion, passed away on March 31, 2026, at the age of 74. Born in Oakland, California, on June 19, 1951, Diana lived a life defined by her commitment to her values and the people she loved.
A cornerstone of Diana’s life was her relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her faith...
Helen Hipp
Mar 31, 2026
Helen Hipp, 89 of Akron, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. She was born on November 12, 1936 to John and Marie Fabian. Helen lived in Akron most of her life, then moved to Barberton and finally resided in Canal Fulton at Chapel Hill Community.
She was loved by many people, family and friends....
Holly Jean Warstler
Mar 25, 2026
Holly Jean Warstler, 73 of Massillon, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She was born April 11, 1952 to the late Lawrence and Inez (Kilgore) Miller. Holly retired as an RN after 50 years having worked many years for various eldercare facilities. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Massillon and enjoyed traveling, having gone on...
David Alan Donaldson
Mar 16, 2026
David A. Donaldson, 78 of Canal Fulton, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026. He was born January 21, 1948 in Pearsall, TX to the late Boyd Donaldson and Eileen (Gay) Conley and was a proud US Navy veteran having served during Vietnam. Dave was a Vice President at First Merit Bank and retired after 33 years of service.
Dave had a...
Gladys Joann Nicolard
Mar 13, 2026
"Together Again"
On March 13, 2026, Gladys Joann Nicolard, 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Born in Akron, OH to the late Minnie Bell and William Nathan Klepper. Gladys was a lifelong resident of Canal Fulton and faithfully attended Towpath Family Church of the Nazarene. She is preceded in death by the love of her life of...
Beverly Jean Craig
Mar 10, 2026
Beverly Jean Craig passed away on March 10, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on August 4, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Wilfred and Myrtle Hagen. She grew up in Minneapolis before moving to Lima, Ohio during her high school years. She graduated from Lima Central High School.
Beverly later attended and graduated from...
Gary Steven "Steve" Ott
Mar 9, 2026
Gary Steven “Steve” Ott, 73 of North Lawrence, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026. Born June 23, 1952 in Orrville to the late Wilbert and Gay (Moore) Ott; he retired in 2015 from Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad after 44 years of service.
Steve enjoyed reading, collecting stamps, fishing and bird watching.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death...
Ellen J. Groff
Mar 8, 2026
Ellen J. (Turley) Groff, 81 of Jackson Twp., passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026. She was born October 14, 1944 to the late Elmer and Georgia Hazel Turley. Ellen started her real estate career at Crookston Realty and retired with over 20 years as a realtor. She enjoyed working in her yard and being outdoors.
In addition to her parents, she...
Earleene Frances (Booth) Childers
Mar 7, 2026
Earleene Frances (Booth) Childers passed away March 7, 2026 to her eternal home. She joined her faithful husband, Carl Ray Childers, who preceded her on September 22, 2009 to join him in praise of God Almighty forever and eternally.
Earleene was born October 20, 1934, the middle child, to Clarence Steffey Booth and Erma Lee (Allen) Booth in a log cabin...
Geraldine Hiles Smith
Mar 6, 2026
Geraldine Hiles Smith
November 9, 1940 – March 6, 2026
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” — Proverbs 31:28
Geraldine Hiles Smith, 85, passed away on March 6, 2026, in Clinton, Ohio, after a courageous and brief battle with cancer.
Geraldine was born in Sciotoville, Ohio, to Ashby Hiles and Lucy Fisher Hiles. She was a...
Mark R. Carothers
Feb 22, 2026
Mark R. Carothers, 68 of Canal Fulton, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 13, 1957 and retired from Laborers Local 1015 after many years of service. Mark enjoyed vacations to the beach, working in his shed and being outdoors. Most importantly he loved spending time with his family and friends.
He...
Paul Gordon First
Feb 22, 2026
Paul Gordan First died peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Born November 21, 1946, to Marleane and Wesley First Sr, he was the second-oldest of four boys, a leader, mentor, and pot-stirrer, who made sanity a distant dream for his mother.
Paul graduated from Manchester High School in 1964 and was introduced to Joyce after their scheming fathers played matchmaker on...
Paula Jean Colgate
Feb 16, 2026
Paula J. Colgate, 53 of Canal Fulton, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026 at home surrounded by family. Born December 17, 1972 to the late Paul and Martha Brosch, she was a 1991 graduate of Northwest High School and attended Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship. Paula worked for JR Engineering in Barberton years ago where she met her husband, and more...
Lester Paul Shane
Feb 15, 2026
Lester P. “Les” Shane, 70 of Massillon, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026. Born October 31, 1955 to the late James and Phyllis Shane, he was a 1975 graduate of Dalton High School. After high school Les enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served from 1975 to 1979.
Les enjoyed fishing, camping and being outdoors. He loved racing; whether watching...
James Bernard Stephan
Feb 14, 2026
James Bernard Stephan, born on June 15, 1934, in Canal Fulton, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his hometown on February 14, 2026, at the age of 91. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and an Army veteran who served his country with honor.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Janet (Miller) Stephan; children, David (Debbie) Stephan...
Betty Lou Judge
Feb 10, 2026
Betty Lou Judge, 68 of Canal Fulton, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Born January 10, 1958 in St. Mary’s, WV to the late Paul and Bessie Shanabarger; she worked for over 44 years in the nursing field. Betty worked as a nurse’s aide and then as an RN for numerous facilities throughout West Virginia and Ohio. She loved thirfting...
Ronald "Doby" Lee Stewart Sr.
Feb 5, 2026
Ronald “Doby” Stewart Sr., 86, of New Franklin, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. A lifelong resident of New Franklin, he was born April 26, 1939, to the late Sam and Freda Stewart, and was a 1957 graduate of Manchester High School. Doby worked for H. B. Lockhart Construction Company and was a proud member of the International Union...
Judith Anne Johnson
Feb 3, 2026
Judith A. Johnson, 83 of Canal Fulton, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Born November 6, 1942 in Akron to the late Louis and Mary (Allison) Brennan; she spent her career as a computer programmer retiring from Goodyear Aerospace in 2007 and then went on to work at Wright Tool for six years. Judy was a member of SS Philip...
Donald Ross Maurer
Feb 3, 2026
Donald R. Maurer, 79 of Canal Fulton, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Born January 6, 1947 to the late Dale and Twyla Maurer; he was a proud US Marine Corps veteran having served during Vietnam. Don worked for Ohio Edison for 15 years and then for ODOT retiring in 2007 after 10 years of service. He was also an...
Robert M. Kellar Jr.
Jan 31, 2026
Robert M. Kellar, Jr., 72 of Canal Fulton, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026. Born December 22, 1953 in Clarksburg, WV to the late Robert Sr. and Juanita (Kerns) Kellar; Robert graduated from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg and was a veteran of the US Marine Corps. Robert had been a Canal Fulton resident for the past 37 years...
