All Obituaries

Robert Lee “Big Bob” Melton, 57, of Lorain, died in his home Monday, April 15, 2024.  He was born May 31, 1966 in Elyria.  Bob was employed in the construction industry as a home builder, carpenter, roofer and installed parking lots.  He enjoyed his grandchildren, his pet dogs, spending time during the holidays with family, music, watching football and Sundays listening to Joel Osteen.  Bob is survived by his companion of 40 years, Pamela S. Seymour;...

  Joyce H. Myerly (nee Hollinger), 95, of Oberlin, died April 10, 2024 at Kendal at Oberlin.  She was born September 9, 1928 in Dayton, Ohio, attended Westminster High School in Westminster, MD and graduated from Hood College, Frederick, MD in 1948.  At the age of 7 she survived polio with very minor long-term effects.  Joyce and her husband, Richard, had lived in Charleston, WV, Canaan Valley, WV and Hendersonville, NC before moving to Kendal at...

Carole Y. Gubeno (nee Young), 82, of Elyria, died April 7, 2024 at Wesleyan Village.  She was born January 16, 1942 in Dearborn, MI, was a 1959 graduate of Elyria High School and attended Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.  Carole retired as secretary of the Allied Health department at Lorain County Community College.  She was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elyria.  She loved knitting and had knitted over 100 prayer shawls for cancer...

Christopher W. Lewis, 47, of Elyria, died Thursday March 28, 2024.  He was born March 18, 1977 in Elyria and was a 1995 graduate of Elyria High School.  He was co-owner of Lewis Monument Company, a long time family owned business in Elyria.  Chris was a Cleveland Indians fan and enjoyed movies, music and fishing.  He had a big heart and was always ready to help others.  He will be greatly missed.  Chris is survived by his sister, Marky Eck; brother, Ken Lewis,...

Gisela Stockstill, 87, of Rocky River, died March 24, 2024.  She was born July 2, 1936 in Albrechts, Germany and moved to the United States in her teens.  Gisela was an incredible cook and enjoyed making meals for family and friends.  Gisela is survived by her step-daughter, Jane (Bill) Penkava; step-grandchildren, Stephanie, Katelyn, Dena, Dawn and Brad; numerous step great-grandchildren; step son-in-law, Timothy Smith and longtime friend, David Hostetler. She was preceded...

Caryl Ann Bunnell (nee Spencer), 80, of Lorain, died March 20, 2024.  She was born October 19, 1943 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and was raised in Minto, New Brunswick, Canada by adoptive parents, Wilfred and Esther Spencer.  She moved to the US in 1963 to begin a career as a nanny.  Caryl was a nanny to over 40 children, having served families in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio.  She enjoyed children and watching them grow.  For over 55 years, she...

Ruth Frances Adams (nee Raynor), 90, of Elyria, died peacefully at her daughter’s home March 19, 2024.  She was born April 3, 1933 in Rittman, Ohio. Ruth worked as executive secretary with the US Naval War College in Rhode Island and retired as administrative secretary for Elyria City Schools.  She was a member of St. Mary Church, Elyria. Ruth is survived by daughters, Pegg Vanek D.D.S., Raejean (Tom) Presgraves, Donna Pember and Cheri (Scott) Hilenski; sons, Jim (Ellen)...

Alan L. Murphy passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2024, in Arizona. He was born December 30, 1940 in Elyria. After graduating from Elyria High School in 1959, Alan enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving as an Air Policeman on Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland, England Air Force Base in Alexandria, LA, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. While in the service, Alan married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Patricia...

Clara J. King (nee Slayton), 97, of Elyria, died March 16, 2024. She was born April 21, 1926 in Wilmington, OH and has been a resident of Elyria since 1951. For thirty two years Clara was employed at H & R Block in Elyria as a tax preparer and instructor. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church. Clara is survived by a son, Monte (Sandy) King; grandchildren, Joshua (Lawanda) King, Jacob (Carla) King, Cassandra King, Jennifer (Chris) Patton and Brian (Janie) King and six...

Leona “Lee” Smith, at the age of 96, passed away peacefully March 13, 2024. She led an incredible life that began July 26, 1927 from modest roots in North Creek, Ohio, a small farm village founded by her grandfather, an immigrant from Germany. She bravely left the farm and crafted a life story in which she saw many corners of the world, ran a successful business with her husband of more than 64 years, thrived for more than 25 years following major heart surgery, and immersed...