Portage County obituaries for Sept. 9-10, 2026

- Staff Report

Olan Stanley Booher

Booher, Olan PhotoOlan Stanley Booher Jr., 81, of Kent, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.  He was born in Bristol, VA on November 22, 1944 to the late Olan Sr. and Lucille Booher and was a graduate of Windham High School.  Olan proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War in the 1st battalion 7th  artillery and was decorated as an expert rifleman.  

He was employed as a supervisor in steel and polymer manufacturing.  Olan worked at Rotek, Hamilton Kent and retired from Par Industries.  He was a longtime active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a tool and coin collector.  He was a devoted family man who never missed his children’s or grandchildren’s sporting and band events.  He enjoyed family beach vacations, trips to Tennessee, Thanksgiving family gatherings and family reunion pig roasts. Olan was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan and was very active, with his wife, in Kent Suburban Youth Football Boosters.  He will be deeply missed and never forgotten by those who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Olan was preceded in death by his sisters and their spouses, Patsy and Bob Keffer, Pamela and Ted Ferringer and Billie Jean and Ron Garman; his brother Jack Booher; and brother-in-law Robert Gurley.

He leaves his loving wife of 56 years, Catherine Booher; sons, Jonathan (Annie Skapin) Booher and Shannan (Dawn) Booher; grandchildren, Christopher, Emily (Justin), Claire, Rachel, Kyle (Alli), Abby, Clara and Owen; great granddaughter Rose; brother Phil (Debbie) Booher; sister Darlene Gurley; sister-in-law Dorine Booher and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 10:00AM at St. Katharine Drexel Parish at St. Patrick Church.  Calling hours will be Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 5:00-7:00PM at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240. Interment will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at1:15PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in his name, to the Veteran’s Administration or to St. Katharine Drexel Parish.

To Share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, please visit the Tribute Wall at www.bisslerandsons.com.

John H. Spano

John H. Spano, age 89 of Ravenna, passed away August 27, 2026. 

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Gary E. Reed

Gary E Reed passed on September 1, 2026, at the age of 73. Born on June 10, 1953, Gary was a resident of Ravenna, Ohio.

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Tammy A. Havens-Finfrock

Tammy left us unexpectedly on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following complications related to a lifelong illness.

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Karen P. Barnard

Karen P. Barnard, 71, was called to her eternal rest on September 7th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in her home.

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