All Obituaries

Dale V. “Red” Drew, 69, of Conneaut, passed away July 2, 2020. He was born May 4, 1951 in Conneaut and was the son of Carlton and Vilah (Chapin) Drew. Red worked for the Conneaut Port Authority and loved the lake and boating, he also worked for the Bessemer Railroad as a foreman retiring in September of 1997. He was a member of the Conneaut Eagles Lodge and also the Conneaut Fish & Game Club. He volunteered for the Red Cross and at the Kremer Home, and enjoyed fishing,...

Charles S. “Chuck” Hanson, 75, of Conneaut, passed away June 27, 2020 at Ashtabula County Medical Center, with his loving family by his side. He was born January 13, 1945 in Fairmont, WV to Robert and Jean (Smith) Hanson. Chuck grew up in Girard, PA and graduated from Rice Ave High School in 1962. He attended Gannon College for two years then started a storied and varied career. He worked for Hartley Gulf, Gunnison Brothers Tannery, Fairview Evergreen Nursery, United Precision...

Kelly S. Holcomb Sweet, 51 of Albion, PA passed away Tuesday evening at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born March 9, 1969 in Conneaut, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Ellsworth Holcomb and Mary “Candy” Todaro. Kelly graduated from Conneaut High School in 1987.  She enjoyed music, dancing, gardening her dogs, family especially her granddaughter Faye. Survivors include her children, Tyler and Logan Sweet; father, Ellsworth (Laurie) Holcomb;...

Judd C. “Gunther” LaRue, 32 of Ashtabula, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday.  He was born September 16, 1987 in Conneaut Ohio.  He was the son of James “Brad” & Linita LaRue. Judd worked for Asplundh Tree Service as a grounds man. He enjoyed gaming and spending time with his family. Survivors include his  Fiancé Nicole Mathena; children, Orrin Lawrence Harrison LaRue, Evelin Averie LaRue and expecting a son Aldin Icarus LaRue next week;...

Drusilla S. Bartone, age 87, of Conneaut, OH died on April 2nd at her home, surrounded by her loving daughters.  She was born November 19, 1932 in Jamestown, NY, the daughter of Richard L. and Katherin (Wilson) Swanson. Drusilla graduated from Bradford Junior College and Denison University with a degree in English. She worked in Cleveland, OH at University Hospital as a medical recorder for several years before her marriage to George M. Whitney in 1956, after which she moved to...

David E. Lira, 30, of Painesville, OH, died unexpectedly in an automobile accident on June 12, 2020. He was born November 11, 1989 and was the son of Michael and Lisa (Lira) Hanson. David was a member of Corpus Christi Parrish where he was an altar boy growing up. He graduated from Conneaut High School in 2008 where he was in advanced classes and attended the Allegro program. After graduation he went on to attend Akron University. Throughout his life, he had a huge passion for cooking and...

Doris J. Braden, 85, of Conneaut, passed away Monday evening, January 6, 2020 at the Ashtabula County Nursing Home in Kingsville, OH. She was born March 1, 1934 in Chardon, OH, and was the daughter of Jake and Audrey (Sprinkle) Meeks and raised by her aunt and uncle Elsie and Morton Sprinkle. Doris worked for Jefferson manufacturing for 5 years, school bus driver for Conneaut Area City Schools, worked at the corner store in Kingsville, and also worked as a waitress at the Sugar Bowl in West...

Former Conneaut resident, Mrs. Jo Ann (Donald) Dye, 78, loving wife and mother of two, passed away Friday, June 5, 2020. She was born September 7, 1941 in Sparks, WV to Josie and Fred Fitzwater. She graduated from Ashtabula High School in Ashtabula, OH.  Jo Ann had 3 siblings; Betty Jean Fitzwater, Billy Fitzwater, and Carol Sue (Fitzwater) Hall. On February 12, 1966, she married Donald Ray Dye. Don and Jo Ann lived in Sun City, AZ, and were married 54 years. They raised two children,...

Charles W. Risley, 91, of Kingsville passed away Wednesday June 3, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born October 19, 1928 in Kingsville, Ohio.  He was the son of Walter & Elizabeth (Miller) Risley. He served in the US Army as a medic during WWII before being honorably discharged.  Charles retired in 1986 after thirty-six years of service for Linde Air formerly Bell Transit. He enjoyed boating, camping, basket making, woodworking, carpenter work...

Sgt. Robert S. Babka, 88, of Pierpont, OH., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Metro Health Medical Center. Bob was born August 8, 1931 to Stephen and Stella (Hurt) Babka in Cleveland, Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corps. during the Korean War, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1954 before being honorably discharged. Sgt. Babka loved his country and was proud to have served. Sgt. Babka was a faithful member of South Ridge Baptist church and...