Area Obituaries

Karen Mansker, 76, of Dalton, Ohio, passed away on August 8, 2025, with her family at her bedside, after a period of declining health due to a long battle with cancer. Karen was the daughter of the late Joseph H. Mansker (Rockwood, IL) and the late Esther M. Nance-Hartman (Chester, IL). Karen was born on…

Lois Short, a forever resident of Wayne County, died Sunday, August 3.  She was 93.  The family will honor her wishes for a brief inurnment service to be held at the Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman on August 19, 2025 at 10:15 am. Those who wish to attend should gather at the entrance to…

Kenneth E. Krotky, 75, of Dalton passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at Aultman Hospital in Canton. He was born in Massillon on August 21, 1949 to the late Russell and Mildred (Graber) Krotky and married Bobbie Wertz on April 29, 1972 and she survives. Ken was a US Army veteran and retired from…

Michael S. Rhine, age 64, of Marshallville, formerly of Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, died Friday, August 1, 2025, at his residence, following a period of declining health. Michael was born on August 3, 1960, in Massillon, Ohio, to the late Thomas J. “Pete” and Kay (Latham) Rhine. He graduated from Smithville High School in the…

It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Kris Schloneger Geib. Kris, 58, passed on Friday August 1st, 2025 following complications from a massive stroke in May. Her parents welcomed her with open arms into heaven, and she is whole again. Kris had the most beautiful soul. She had an expressive smile and the…

  Orrville — Joyce E. Kaufmann, age 90, of Orrville, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster. Born on April 15, 1935, in Orrville, she was the daughter of the late Otis W. and Helen Kaufmann. Joyce graduated from Orrville High School and went on to earn her degree from…

Orrville – Judith A. “Judy” Werntz, age 86, of Orrville, formerly of Marshallville, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Aultman Orrville Hospital, following a period of declining health. Born on April 2, 1939, in Orrville, Judy was the daughter of the late Floyd and Dorothy (Yoder) Martell. She attended Orrville High School and…

Creston – Trudy Ann (Painter) Shafer, 88, passed away on July 23, 2025 at her home near Creston, Ohio. She was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania on March 10, 1937 to Paul and Violet (Umberger) Painter.  She was the oldest of seven children and grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania.  She attended Hershey High School and graduated…

Orrville – Roger Eugene Baker, age 84, of Orrville, passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 24, 2025, while tending to his garden. Roger was born on January 4, 1941, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to the late James Ellis and Esther (Poholski) Baker. He graduated from Rittman High School in 1959 and married Judy Marlene Turner on…

Georgia Jean (Howell) Dale passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025, just five days shy of her 97th birthday. Born July 20, 1928 in Massillon, Ohio, Georgia lived a long and love-filled life centered around family, faith, service, and simple joys. Georgia devoted much of her professional life to caring for others as a nurse at…