Portage County obituaries for Jan. 15-18, 2026
- Staff Report
Jeanette Ilene Snyder
Ilene Snyder passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Longwood, Florida. A longtime resident of Ravenna, Ohio, Ilene was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to the late James F. and Lillian (Morgan) Anderson. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1957 and married her high school sweetheart, David Snyder, soon thereafter. Ilene dedicated her life in service of her husband, family, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and Dave, her lifetime and eternal companion of 67 years, had the privilege of raising five sons.
Their greatest joy was their family. They were devoted to their international service organization, C.H.A.R.M., where they dedicated countless hours and resources to helping the people of the Dominican Republic. Ilene loved caring for her family, their “Cottage” in Edinburg, music, flowers, learning, reading, traveling, family history, and serving others. She especially cherished her involvement in the Ravenna Literary Club.
She received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and was the first graduate east of the Mississippi of its prominent Independent Study program. Ilene was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a leader in Relief Society, Young Women’s, and Primary organizations. She had a beautiful voice and participated in plays, choirs, and countless solos and duets. Ilene was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her father, James F. Anderson; her mother, Lillian (Morgan) Anderson; her sister, Mary (Anderson) Wise; and her dear husband, Dr. David W. Snyder.
She is survived by her brother, James Anderson (AZ); her sister-in-law and dear friend, Carole Sprague (OH); her loving children David (Dana), OH; Michael (Ellen), OH; Stephen (Marsanne), AZ; Jay (Patti), FL; and Joshua (Jennifer), OH; as well as twenty-one grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
All are invited to join the Snyder family for a viewing on Friday, January 23, 2026, in Ravenna, Ohio, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 2776 Hartville Road, Rootstown, Ohio. Interment at Hillside Cemetery in Randolph will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those interested to make donations to C.H.A.R.M., 6560 N. Chestnut Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266, c/o Joann.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com
Domenico Antonio Muscari “Tony”
Domenico Antonio Muscari “Tony”, 72, of Ravenna, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Born October 17, 1953 in Cirò, Italia to Pietro and Emilia (Potestio) Muscari, Tony was the second of nine children. He grew up in a small Calabrian town near the Ionian Sea with a reputation for being a little boy on the move, always adding life, laughter and innovation to his daily chores. At a young age he would steal his mother’s pots and pans and beat them out in the yard like drums while singing, not being able to stop the rhythm exuding from his hands. The family moved up north to the Lombardia region where he attended elementary school but quickly had to quit his schooling to help support his family financially. He worked at the local papermill during the day and was known to sneak out at night to race dirtbikes, winning countless races without his parents knowing. Tony started playing drums and singing in a band in local night clubs, traveling all over northern Italy and Switzerland until he secured a position as Band Leader with the Costa Cruise Line in 1975.
In 1976 he met the love of his life, Katherine Fay, while she was a passenger on his cruise ship. Tony knew immediately that Kathy was “the one” for him and they were married the next year, on August 27, 1977 in Hiram, Ohio in a beautiful backyard wedding. They went on to play together in his band, Tony singing and playing drums and Kathy playing the piano, both for the Costa Cruise Line and at Italian nightclubs. They traveled the world working in many countries; Switzerland, England, France, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, the Caribbean Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Canada.
In 1983 Tony moved permanently across the ocean to the United States, opening his first of 5 businesses; Tony’s Napoli Pizza in Akron, Oh. He went on to open two more pizza shops before he pivoted careers and opened T&K Auto Detailing then later, KTM Company in Springfield Township where he was known to paint anything from school buses and semi-truck trailers to fire engines and police SWAT vehicles. He was a staunch supporter of the local police department and Akron Traffic Club as well as countless school and music related charities.
Tony was most proud of his family. His daughter Lorena and son Alex were the center of his world, along with his grandchildren. Tony and Kathy continued to work playing in their band, The Italian Sound Orchestra, at festivals and weddings for over 25 years. Tony worked as the Ravenna High School JV Soccer coach for years, and enjoyed golfing with friends in his free time, trips to Las Vegas and seeing concerts of his favorite artists: The Eagles, Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. He also loved to travel with his wife, visiting 28 states including Hawaii and Alaska. His favorite past times were making pizzas with family, watching Formula 1 races and soccer games, driving fancy cars and Ohio State Football.
Tony was proceeded in death by his brothers Natale Franco and Roberto Muscari, loving parents Pietro and Emilia Muscari and adoring parents-in-laws Richard and Patricia Fay. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Kathy; daughter Lorena (Tyson) Vines; son Alex (Annamarie) Muscari; granddaughter Giuliana Elizabeth and grandson William Antonio Vines; sisters Angelina (Gino) Tornese, Caterina (Michele) DiVito, Rita (d. Patrizio) Castiglioni, Anna (Romeo) Bertoldo, Rosa (Filippo) Capritto; brother Mario (Anna) Muscari; brothers-in-law Richard (Freda) Fay, Christopher (Claire) Fay; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at UH Portage and UH Downtown Cleveland who went above and beyond caring for the most unique and special person. He is already sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00AM at Hiram Christian Church located at 6868 Wakefield Rd, Hiram, OH 44234, with a luncheon immediately following. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of “Tony Muscari” to Springfield Township Police Department - 2465 Canfield Road, Akron, OH 44312 Tel:330-734-4104. Also, the Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital online at www.bwhgiving.org or checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital with “in memory of Domenico Antonio Muscari” in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Ave #318, Boston, MA 02115.
Ty A. Marlin, Jr.
Ty A. Marlin, Jr., 31, of Streetsboro, passed away Thursday January 15, 2026 at his home. He was born in Akron, Ohio to Ty A. and Elaine M. (Schueller) Marlin on May 24, 1994.
Kenneth K. "Kenny" Ricks
Kenneth “Kenny” K. Ricks, 86, of Rootstown, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Akron, Ohio, surrounded by his loved ones.
Jacquelyn "Jackie" Margarite Wolf
Jacquelyn "Jackie" Margarite Wolf (nee Kanoza), age 92 of Aurora, OH , previously from Upper St. Clair, PA, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Staff Report