Ohio
Bruce Thomas, 64
Died February 22, 2021.
Albert Einstein Academy, Westlake, OH
Superintendent
was born September 30, 1956 and passed away February 22, 2021. Beloved husband of Kristen (nee Elliott); loving father of Jordan (Danielle), Whitney Gemuenden (Nick), Chase (Kelsey) and Madison Shaheen (Dave); loving stepfather of Amanda and Madison; cherished grandfather of Christopher, Mia, Aubrey, Bentley, Ethan, Evie, Blake and Amirah; brother of Robert (Suzanne), Sharon Bowen (Bill, deceased) and John (Becky); son of the late Clyde and Mary Ann. Bruce was an educator for 40 years and the last 10 he served as the Superintendent of Albert Einstein Academy. He loved playing tennis, riding his Harley and spending time with his grandchildren. The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 4-8 p.m. at Fortuna Funeral Home, 7076 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio 44131. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Autism Society of America, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. In order to maintain recommended social distancing, a maximum of 40 people are allowed inside the building at any given time.
Maureen McNally LaLama, 64
Died February 2, 2021.
Choffin Career and Technical Center, Youngstown, OH
Surgical Technology
Maureen Elizabeth “Mo” McNally LaLama, 64, passed away Tuesday evening, February 2, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital from complications of Covid-19.
Maureen was born November 14, 1956, in Youngstown, the youngest of three children born to the late William and Elizabeth Gustas McNally and she was a lifelong area resident.
Mo was a 1973 graduate of Chaney High School, she then attended Youngstown State University and later graduated from Choffin Career and Technical Center School of Surgical Technology.
Maureen worked for over 25 years as a surgical technician at Northside Hospital and at Beeghly Surgical. Recently, Maureen was sharing her skills, teaching surgical technology at Choffin, which was a job she truly loved.
Maureen was a passionate sports fan, especially of football and hockey. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins had no bigger fan. She enjoyed hosting parties and holiday dinners and sharing her holiday baking always gave her joy.
Everyone was always welcome at her home, where summers were always abuzz with picnics and swimming and where friends were treated like family.
She leaves to cherish her memory three children, Phillip LaLama of Boardman, Kathleen (Eric) Grunenwald of Boardman and William (Jennifer) LaLama of Cumming, Georgia; a grandson, Jackson LaLama, who was the light of her life; a brother, William “Mac” (Martha) McNally of Girard; many extended family members and many friends.
Mo will be truly and sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents; a sister, Kathleen “Kat” Denny, preceded her in death.
Mo’s unexpected and untimely death is a tragic loss shared by all who knew her. She was a spirited individual that took friendship seriously and one could always count on Mo having their back.
Family and friends may call from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Monday, February 8, 2021, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the funeral home and will continue with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., at St. Brendan Church, 2800 Oakwood Avenue, Youngstown.
Please follow all current social distancing guidelines and health protocols when visiting the family and attending the services and the LaLama family suggests that all attending wear masks or face coverings. To those who cannot attend the visitation or services, or are uncomfortable doing so at this time, please keep Maureen and her family in your prayers.
In lieu of flowers and due to her untimely passing, Mo’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to her family for a college fund for her grandson, Jackson.
Amy Jo Ward, 48
Died February 9, 2021.
Crooksville Middle School, Crooksville, OH
Language Arts, Science
Amy Jo Ward, 48 of Crooksville, Ohio died suddenly at approximately 12:30 Pm, Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at her home due to complications of COVID 19.
She was born February 23, 1972 in Zanesville, the daughter of Thomas Fell of Crooksville and the late Leona Kaye (nee: King) Fell who died November 17, 2007.
Amy was a 1990 graduate of Crooksville High School and later received her Bachelors’ degree from Ohio University-Zanesville. She was a beloved and dedicated middle school teacher in the Crooksville School System. She enjoyed reading and posting on Facebook. Amy was very active in the Crooksville Band Boosters while her son was a member of the band and, more recently, she had served as the junior high cheerleader advisor. She attended Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. She will be greatly missed by her family, her colleagues, her students and friends.
In addition to her father, left behind to mourn her passing is her son, Collen Ward; her brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Jodie Fell; her step-mother, Susan Fell; her furbabies, Katie and Moonshine and a host of friends.
Due to the COVID pandemic, the family will hold private services for Amy at Goebel Funeral Home, 36 N. Buckeye St., Crooksville. She will be laid to rest next to her mother in Zanesville Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made in Amy’s memory to Pleasant Gove United Methodist Church or Crooksville Band Boosters.
Kellie Mahaney, 50
Died February 2, 2021.
Milton-Union Exempted Village Schools, West Milton, OH
Music, Drama
Kellie (Rose) Mahaney, age 50, of Troy, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek. She was born on March 28, 1970 in Troy, OH to the late John David “Dave” and Geraldine “Jerry” (Wright) Rose. Her husband of 27 years, Paul Mitchell “Mitch” Mahaney, survives.
In addition to her husband, Kellie is survived by one son and one daughter: Keegan Mitchell Mahaney and Karson Rose Mahaney, both of Troy; brothers: Mike (Shelly) Rose of Covington and Mark (Cindi) Rose of St. Paris; and nieces and nephews: Mack Rose, Morgan Rose, Megan Rose, Cael Rose and Allison Rose.
Kellie was a 1988 graduate of Miami East High School. She achieved her bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Kentucky University and her master’s degree from Wright State University in education in leadership. Kellie was Choir/Drama teacher at Milton-Union Schools in West Milton for 26 years. She was a member of Miami East Athletic Boosters and Ohio Music Educators Association.
Memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Baird Funeral Home in Troy with Rev. Jennifer Henley officiation. Family will receive friends from 2:00 – 6:00 PM on Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com
Cathy Ann Goldner, 68
Died January 14, 2021.
New Philadelphia City School District, New Philadelphia, OH
Paraprofessional
Cathy Ann Goldner, age 68, of New Philadelphia, died, Thursday, January 14, 2021, in Mercy Medical Center at Canton due to complications from COVID-19.
Born on August 9, 1952, at Portsmouth, Ohio, Cathy was a daughter of the late Pleasant K. Lutz, Jr. and Patricia Wagner Lutz.
She was a graduate of Lakeview High School and for more than two decades has been employed as a Paraprofessional with the New Philadelphia City Schools. She loved working with her students and served as the high school representative for the school employees union. During the summer break from school, Cathy could be found working the concession stand at Tuscora Park.
She enjoyed crafting, her favorite being crocheting, and especially enjoyed making keepsakes for family and friends. She loved playing dominoes and was a longtime volunteer for the New Philadelphia High School Band Boosters. Cathy also volunteered her time during the Tuscarawas County Fair. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends and was always up for taking trips to new places.
During the holidays, Cathy would organize hard tack candy making with her family who would then share their treats as gifts with friends.
She will be missed by her daughter, Leanna (Chris Corrie) Rummes of Euclid, her longtime partner, John Rummes of New Philadelphia, her sisters, Cindy K. Collins of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Carol D. Biedenbach of Stow, Connie S. Hackworth of Amarillo, Texas, Cara Kresevich of Warren, and Patrea Maynard of Franklin Furnace, Ohio and her brother, Pleasant K. “Bucky” Lutz, III of Jacksonville, Florida as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cathy’s family would like to invite guests to join a live stream memorial celebration of her life on Wednesday, January, 20, 2021 at 5PM which will be broadcast via Facebook.com/GeibCares. Arrangements and cremation care are being handled by the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.
Memorial contributions in Cathy’s name may be directed to the Quaker Foundation, PO Box 627, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, where a memorial scholarship for any special needs student who will be attending a post-secondary program is being established.
Ellis Booth, 55
Died December 5, 2020.
Heath High School, Heath, OH
Athletic Director
Heath – Ellis Edward Booth, of Heath, passed away the afternoon of December 5, 2020, at the age of 55.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Debbie (Yochheim) Booth, children, Madison Booth & Payton Booth, and younger brother, Mike Booth. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Booth & Brenda (Hankins) Booth and grandparents Clifford Hankins and Mildred (Wheeler) Hankins. A private, socially – distanced memorial service for the family will be held this week with a service for the community to follow in the future.
Ellis, E, or EB to family and friends, was the first child born to Ed and Brenda Booth of Columbus, OH, on Dec 21, 1964. Ed worked as a geologist for AEP, moving the family around to several states including Michigan and Ohio, landing them in Ravenswood, West Virginia for Ellis’s high school years. Ellis was a member of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He went on to study Social Studies at The Ohio State University, later earning his masters of education at Ashland University. He met Debbie while teaching in Newcomerstown, OH in 1988. The two were married on the hottest day of the year on July 20, 1991 at East Chippewa Church of the Brethren in Orville, OH, near Debbie’s hometown.
The two moved to London, Ohio, in 1992 where Ellis was the in-school suspension monitor and coached football, baseball, and girls basketball. They welcomed their first child, Madison, in April of 1995 and Payton in 1998 after moving to Delaware, OH. The family stayed in Delaware until 2001 when Ellis heard of an opening for an Athletic Director/Assistant Principal position at Heath High School in Heath, OH. Ellis got the job and the family became bulldogs.
Ellis served as AD/AP from 2001-2006. From 2006 – 2008 Ellis juggled the roles of AD, AP, and principal, assuming the latter role from 2008 – 2016. In his time as principal Ellis was responsible for running the annual district wrestling tournament, the beautification of the hallways with murals and school activity photos, and the Heath High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Booth was able to return to his true calling in 2016 as athletic director, being responsible for the new victory bell and his passion project, the new turf football field.
Up front, Ellis was known for his quiet, professional demeanor, but everyone he opened up to appreciated his quick sarcastic wit, his never-ending wisdom, and objective advice. Truly a well-rounded individual, Ellis loved yelling at a television football game as much as he loved singing along to his favorite musical, West Side Story. He loved Debbie, the outdoors, and his Pudelpointer puppy, Henry. He dreamed of traveling the country in his rooftop tent, seeing more mountains and high points, hunting, and fishing. His support of Payton and Madison in their endeavors was never ending, and his love for Heath athletics was clearly reflected in his work.
Ellis’s family would like to extend a special thank you to David and Donna Linn of Heath Church of Christ for his support and council during this time. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Licking Memorial who worked directly to care for Ellis as if he were their own family. Last but not least, the Booth family would like to give a huge thank you to the Heath Bulldog community and school district for their continuous love and support. In Ellis’s memory, in lieu of sympathetic gifts, donations may be made to the Heath Athletics Boosters in his name for use in future projects.
Robert Freisthler, 64
November 9, 2020.
Perry Elementary School, Lima, OH
Music
Robert “Bob” L. Freisthler, age 64, passed away November 9, 2020, at 9:13 p.m. at his residence. Bob was born May 5, 1956 in Sidney, OH, to Gene L. and Betty J. (Daniels) Freisthler who preceded him in death. On August 26, 1978, he married Cathy M. (Cooper) Freisthler who survives in Lima.
Bob was a 1974 graduate of Botkins High School. He then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in Guidance from University of Dayton. Bob had taught in music education at Jackson Center, Bluffton, Beaverdam and Lima City Schools. He ended his career as an elementary music teacher with Perry Local Schools and was set to retire at the end of this school year. He had also worked part-time as a Lyft driver. No one could get out of his car without learning something about music. Bob was a member of the Shawnee United Methodist Church where he also served as their choir director. He was also a member of The Emmaus Community and was involved many years with the Adult Conference of the Christian Church in Ohio. Bob had a passion for music that he loved sharing with everyone and had an vast knowledge of all things music. He also loved to travel and was looking forward to many more traveling adventures in his retirement. Bob will not only be remembered, but sorely missed for his incredible cooking skills.
In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his children: Julie (Micah) Stoke of Tampa, FL and Lindsay Freisthler of New Albany, OH, a granddaughter, Kayleigh Stoke and a grandson, Cooper Stoke, 2 siblings: James (Sue) Freisthler of Sidney, OH and Donald (Rhonda) Freisthler of Botkins, OH and his best friend, Alex Gonzales and his son Alec who was Bob’s buddy. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers: Thomas Freisthler and Raymond (Pat) Freisthler.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shawnee United Methodist Church or the family.
Gregory Williams, 51
Died November 25, 2020.
Crooksville High School, Crooksville, OH
Math and Technology, Softball coach
Gregory Neal Williams (PigPen) of Crooksville, Ohio passed away on November 25th, 2020 due to complications of COVID-19. Greg was born on November 23rd,1969 in Zanesville, Ohio. He was an exceptional math teacher at Crooksville High School who was loved by his students and colleagues alike. Greg was a remarkable athlete and sports enthusiast. Though he played all sports equally well, his passion was football. Greg coached high school football and eventually served as Athletic Director for Crooksville Schools. Greg was a loving and devoted father and grandfather. Blessed with three daughters, Greg shifted interests from football to girls’ softball where he coached all three of his daughters and became a strong advocate for girls’ athletics. Greg is survived by his three daughters, Ashlee (Jesse) Munyan, Alyson (Kyle Harkness) Williams, and Alanah Williams, all of Crooksville. He is survived by his parents, Bobi and Gene Harris and his father, Jeff Williams; his paternal grandmother, Martha (Hall) Williams; two brothers, Jeff (Will LaRiccia) Williams and David Williams; two half-sisters, Tara (Johnson) Melvin and Amy (Williams) Alberty; and three grandchildren, Grayson and Abriella Munyan and Scarlett Williams all of Crooksville. He is also survived by his former wife, Tina Williams. Greg is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Neal P. and Faye (Rodgers) Roberts and by paternal grandfather, James Williams, all of Crooksville. Due to the nature of Greg’s passing, we have chosen not to have a public service at this time in hopes to help stop the spread of this virus and prevent a loss of other loved ones. We hope to have a celebration of his life when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be used towards a college scholarship in Greg’s name to continue his legacy at Crooksville Schools as well as a bench in remembrance of our dad. All donations can be mailed to Alanah Williams at 6180 Number Eight Hollow Road, New Lexington, Ohio, 437 64. Goebel Funeral Home, 36 N. Buckeye St., Crooksville is proud to care for and serve the Williams family.