John H. Fender
John H. Fender, 91, died Friday, September 4th, 2026, at the Danbury assisted-living facility in Hudson, OH. He was born in Warren, OH on May 8, 1935, and resided there until he graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1953. He then attended Ohio University where he played baseball for the Bobcats graduating in 1957. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany from 1957 to 1959. He returned to Warren, OH and while teaching and coaching at East Turner Jr High School, he received a master’s degree in education administration from Westminster College in 1963. In 1968 he became assistant principal at Turner. In 1970, he was hired as the principal of Davey Jr High School in Kent and served there as the principal until he retired in 1994. Thereafter, he volunteered as a school tutor and worked with student teachers as a supervisor at Kent State University, and in 1997, he was elected mayor of Kent and served three terms as the mayor until 2010.
John and his wife, Jane R. Fender, raised three children. He was an avid runner much of his life, and he enjoyed playing tennis with his wife and friends. He also enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife and friends in the summers and in Florida during the winters. He especially enjoyed spending time with the many dear friends and acquaintances he and his wife made in Kent over the years. He was also a devoted sports fan and enjoyed watching KSU sports, the Browns, the Guardians/Indians, and the Cavaliers.
John was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his daughter Elizabeth Kaufman, his parents John and Ina Fender, and his sister Nancy Nangle.
John leaves behind his son Michael Fender, his daughter-in-law Jodi Fender and grandchildren Nathan and Katelyn Fender who all reside in Long Beach CA; his other son Rich Fender of Marion, OH; and his younger brother, Charles Fender.
In honoring his wishes, John will be cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date.
Cremation services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.
Carlene Patterson
Carlene Elsie (Lebold) Patterson, 89, passed peacefully on September 21, 2026, surrounded by her family. Carlene was born in 1937 in Zoarville, Ohio, and graduated from Dover High School. As a child, she developed a lifelong love of animals. She cared for horses, dairy cattle, chickens, and pigs on the family farm, and the depth of her care was legendary. When a calf was born with a broken ankle, she slept on bales of hay in the barn for two months until the ankle was healed. When a dog was injured and required casts on three legs, she nursed his injuries until he could run around the farm again.
Not surprisingly, Carlene dreamed of being a veterinarian. But since she was told that this wasn't a job for a woman, she went into nursing instead. She received a BSN from The Ohio State University and was a nurse for over 35 years at Robinson Memorial Hospital (now University Hospitals Portage Medical Center) in Ravenna, Ohio. She excelled and was highly respected in every nursing role she held -- obstetrics, medical-surgical, emergency, and supervision.
Carlene's love of animals and care for her patients were exceeded only by her love of, and devotion to, her family. Carlene and her husband, Bruce, were married in Zoarville but lived most of their lives on their family farm in Ravenna, where Bruce had grown up. They loved each other deeply and were blessed with 67 years of happy marriage. Together they raised two children, CarlVon and Stephanie. Stephanie was born with profound disabilities, and Carlene made many loving sacrifices to meet Stephanie's 24-hour-a-day care needs, including enlisting the help of many volunteers from the community to help pattern Stephanie -- all while working at the hospital, helping Bruce on the farm, and proudly supporting CarlVon in his educational and personal pursuits.
Carlene was heavily involved in her community, too. She was a member of the First Church of God and was active in Junior Thursday Literary Club, Eastern Star, and Portage County Farm Bureau. She also enjoyed her work as a Longaberger Home Consultant and election poll worker. Reflecting their dedication to agriculture and rural life, Carlene and her husband established The Bruce and Carlene Patterson Agriculture Scholarship, which provides financial support for Portage County students pursuing a career in agriculture and related fields.
Carlene was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Evelyn Lebold, and daughter, Stephanie Patterson. She is survived by her husband Bruce Patterson, son CarlVon Patterson, daughter-in-law Michelle Patterson, grandson Douglas Patterson, sister and brother-in-law Barbara (Bruce) Archinal, brother-in-law and sister-in-law George (Bev) Patterson, three nephews, three nieces, extended family members, and many friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Visiting hours will be from 1 p.m. until the Celebration of Life at 3 p.m. at Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home (141 N Meridian Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266), with Pastor Tod Huston presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities or Shriners Children's Hospital. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.
James "Jim" Renfro
James H. "Jim" Renfro, age 83 of Mantua, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026. Born August 6, 1943 in Middlesboro, KY., Jim was the son of the late Arlie and Pauline (nee Murray) Renfro.
Jeffrey Scott Thompson
Jeffrey Scott Thompson, age 76 of Leland, NC, formerly of Aurora, OH passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026. He was born in Dixon, IL to the late Floyd and Beverly (nee McBride) Thompson.