Auroraadvocate.com - Robert MacDowell, Alan Griffith, Janet Mary Gill, Garnet G. Porter, Robert W. Lacey

ROBERT MacDOWELL

Active in local endeavors

Private graveside services have taken place for Robert Hervi MacDowell of Aurora, who died April 20.

Born in Aurora on Oct. 11, 1928, to Robert and Helen (Ulvinen) MacDowell, he was a graduate of Aurora High School in 1946.

He earned an engineering degree from Southern Illinois University, and was employed in the defense industry for nearly 50 years.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952 and on Aurora City Council's safety committee and grounds advisory board.

He also was a member of the Aurora All-Sports Boosters, and served as a volunteer fireman for more than 40 years and was a certified paramedic.

He enjoyed boating, golfing, and was a licensed pilot. His favorite pastime was auto racing and he was an official of NASCAR and ARCA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard A. and son Robert G.

Survivors include sons Duane E., Patrick C. and Terrence E.; daughters Deborah E., Jennifer A. and Denise E.; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Patricia (Jerry) Zlamal and Judy Parrino; and brother Raymond.

Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home in Streetsboro handled arrangements. Burial was in Aurora Cemetery.

ALAN GRIFFITH

Worked in finance field

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated April 25 at Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church in Twinsburg for Alan Griffith, 73, of Reminderville, who died April 22.

Born in New York City, he attended Xavier High School, Brooklyn College and Fordham University.

He worked in commercial finance, retiring in 1997 as regional president of the Bank of New York Commercial Corp.

He was found and president of the Ohio regional chapter of the Commercial Finance Association, a Twinsburg person of the year, chairman of the Twinsburg Education Task Force and manager and president of the Twinsburg Boys League.

He was a trustee of the Aurora Shores Homeowners Association, member of Aurora Golf and Country Club, golf champion, Eucharistic minister and was recognized by former U.S. Rep. Dennis Eckart for outstanding commitment to community service.

Memorials can be made to Xavier High School, 30 W. 16th St., N.Y. 10011-6302, Attn.: Rev. Daniel Gatti.

Burial was in Crown Hill Memorial Park. Johnson-Romito Funeral Home in Twinsburg handled arrangements.

JANET MARY GILL

Sister of Aurora resident

A memorial service will be announced at a later date for Janet "Jan" Mary Gill, 69, of Boca Raton, Fla., who died April 13 at the Boca Rehab Center.

Born Aug. 13, 1939, in Ravenna, she was a daughter of the late Eldon and Rena (Gilson) Strausser and formerly resided in Charlestown Township.

She graduated from Southeast High School in 1956 and was a Realtor in Ohio and Florida and a former member of Edinburg United Church and the Order of Eastern Star.

Survivors include her sisters JoAnn Phile of Edinburg and Jean Serafin of Aurora; two cousins; a niece; and three nephews.

Cremation has taken place. Her ashes will be interned in Charlestown Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Wood-Kortright-Borkowski Funeral Home.

GARNET G. PORTER

Great-grandmother of 16

Garnet G. Porter, 81, died April 2, 2009.

Born in Cuyahoga Falls in 1928, her first job was at Osman's Pie Shop. She was then employed for 18 years at the Kmart in Stow.

Mrs. Porter was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Merrill V. Porter, son Merrill (Butch), parents Isaac and Bessie Starcher, sister Mil Jean Richards, brothers Junior, Roy and Harold and grandson Josh Huhn. She is survived by children and their spouses, (Butch) Donna of Roy, Wash., Rick and Margaret of Aurora, Karen and Dale Metheney of Newcomerstown, Ed and Anita of Tippecanoe, Kevin and Mary Beth of Cumberland, Steve and Cathy of Stow, Michael and Bert of Brimfield and Heather and Jim Hillyer of Streetsboro; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister; five brothers; and a host of nieces and nephews and friends.

Visitation and funeral service were at Redmon Funeral Home. Mrs. Porter's video tribute may be seen at www.redmonfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT W. LACEY

Credit manager for firm

A service will be tonight (April 29) at 7:30 at Green Funeral Home in Mantua for Robert W. Lacey, 93, of Aurora, who died April 25 in Aurora.

Born Nov. 12, 1915, in Chicago, he was the son of the late John C. and Anna (Schoenfeld) Lacey. Formerly of Lakewood, he was a resident of Aurora the past four years.

He was employed as a credit manager for Sherwin-Williams Co. in Chicago from 1938, moving to Cleveland in 1972 and retiring in 1978. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, was an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lakewood, enjoyed golfing and was an avid baseball fan.

Survivors include his wife Elaine (Frazier) Lacey, whom he married Sept. 18, 1948; sons Richard J. Lacey of Hawaii and Robert B. (Joan) Lacey of Aurora; twin sister Louise "Dolly" Andre of California; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by brothers Herbert and Henry Lacey and sisters Constance and Thelma Lacey.

Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 9 at Green Funeral Home. Military honors will be presented at the conclusion of the services.

Burial will be in St. Peter's Episcopal Church Columbarium.