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George P. Wakefield, 91, inventor, chronicler of Great Lakes tales
06/20/01
TOPPING, Va. - George P. Wakefield, an inventor of lighting fixtures and magnetic paper dolls, spent his life collecting stories about Lake Erie sailors and ships.
He grew up listening to the yarns of old salts and admiring the schooners and freighters that cruised by his home at the mouth of the Vermilion River, which is now the site of the Great Lakes Historical Society's Inland Maritime Seas Museum. He shared his colorful tales in columns and articles he wrote for nautical, historical and Vermilion-based publications, including the historical society's Inland Seas magazine.
Wakefield, 91, died Saturday at the Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, Va.
Six days before Wakefield's death, the Inland Seas Museum held a reception in recognition of his recently published book, "Lure of the Lakes, " which is a compilation of his columns. The book is available at the museum.
For 38 years before retiring in 1970, Wakefield designed products for F.W. Wakefield Brass Co., a lighting-fixture company founded by his father in Vermilion. During World War II, he developed infrared signal lights used by the Navy to send coded messages ship to ship in the Pacific without being detected by Japanese forces.
He held 18 patents for his work at the company and four for other projects. In the 1940s, he invented a paper doll called "Magic Mary, " which featured a tiny magnet that held its dresses in place. The Milton Bradley toy company's 1946 catalog hailed the creation as "new and revolutionary." Magic Mary and its younger sisters, like Magic Mary Ann and Magic Mary Jane, were popular into the 1970s.
Wakefield, who served on the Vermilion school board for 12 years, graduated from Vermilion High School in 1928. He studied engineering at Fenn College and Ohio University.
He was a trustee of the Great Lakes Historical Society, commodore of the Vermilion Boat Club, director of the Great Lakes Cruising Club and recording secretary for the Inter-Lakes Yachting Association. He was past president of the Vermilion Rotary and Vermilion Chamber of Commerce.
Wakefield and his wife, Mary, whom he married
in 1936, moved from Vermilion to Virginia in 1998. Mrs. Wakefield died the following year. Mr. Wakefield moved to Topping, Va., last year.
He is survived by daughters, Alice Parsons Wakefield of Hayes, Va., Mary Wakefield Buxton of Urbanna, Va., and Georgia Wakefield Huger of Milford, N.J.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother.
Private services were held yesterday under direction of Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home of Saluda, Va.
Donations may be made to the Great Lakes Historical Society, Inland Seas Maritime Museum, 480 Main St., Vermilion 44089.
Arne Melby
Born: 8/27/1915
Died: 6/23/2002
Services will be held at: Memorial Service scheduled for Friday, June 28, 2002 at 3:00 at the Valley Lutheran Church, 87 East Orange Street, Chagrin Falls, OH
Visitation times are: Reception for friends will be held following the service at the Valley Lutheran Church
Arne Melby, age 86, residing in Chardon Twp., for 27 years. Prior in Chagrin Falls, Oh. Formerly of Melbourne, Australia. He was a Chemical Engineer for B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company retiring in 1976 after 37 years. Member of Valley Lutheran Church, Chagrin Falls, OH, where he was active in various areas of the church, including the Braille group. Graduate of Case Institute of Technology, 1939, BS in Engineering. Enjoyed now skiing and jumping, woodworking and horticulture. He had been a member of the Saturday night Dance Club in Cleveland. Worked with the Boy Scouts of America in Chagrin Falls building fiberglass canoes. Had an enthusiasm for all types of construction projects. He had qualifed for his private pilot's license. Survivors are his wife Marie (nee: Oden)Melby of which he married
in Borger, Texas, February 17, 1946. Daughter: Lynn (Mark) Sableman of St. Louis, Missouri; Sons: Arne (Cherie) Melby M.D. III of Akron, Ohio; Kenneth (Jane) Melby M.D. of Atlanta, Georgia; 8 Grandchildren: Todd, Christie, Jennifer, Paul, Charlotte, Brian, Lucy and Margaux; Sisters: Mrs. Ann clapp of Kirtland, OH and Mrs. Helen Klefstad of Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Deceased are his parents: Olaf and Marie (Nee: Sven) Melby; Son: Clair Melby and Sister: Randi Louise Melby. Donations to the Valley Lutheran Church, 87 East Orange Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Marie M. Rabas
Born: 10/2/1918
Died: 6/25/2002
Services will be held at: Funeral Mass Monday, July 1 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 16550 Rock Creek Road, Thompson, OH 44086
Visitation times are: Sunday, June 30, 6-8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rabas was a longlime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church prior to moving to Abilene, TX. She enjoyed traveling, gaming, playing the lottery and was an avid bingo player. Survivors include her Son: Louis (Marylou) Rabas of Abilene, TX Grandchildren: Dawn Harris, P.J. Bergbower, and Julie Rabas Great Grandchildren: bryan Wright and Hayden Harris 1 Sister: Josephine Johnson of Geneva, OH 1 Brother: Frank Janota of Aurora, OH Donations may be made to the Church.
Paul William Bremer Jr.
Born: 8/10/1922
Died: 6/22/2002
Services will be held at: FUNERAL MASS: Tuesday, June 25, 10AM at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon, OH
Visitation times are: Monday, 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., (On Rt. 44, 500' south of Rt.6/Chardon Square) in Chardon, OH
Occupation - Plant Engineer for SP Mfg. in Solon, OH
How long in Business? - Retired in 1982. Also had worked for Noll Equipment in Cleveland, Ohio
Date & Place of Marriage/Maiden Name - Isabell Macy married
Paul W. Bremer in Highland Hts., on February 5, 1977.
Public Office/ Dates - Veteran of WWII, US Army Air Corps, Tech Sgt. Served in European Theatre
Hobbies/Activities - Member of the Church of St. Mary, Chardon, Ohio Member of the Euclid Art and Wildwood Art Association. Self taught water color artist. Enjoyed golfing and fishing.
Survivors - Wife: Isabell of Chardon, Ohio 2 Daughters: Joanne Bremer of San Antonio, Texas Sister Susan Bremer, OSU of So. Euclid, OH 1 Son: Jeff Bremer of Claridon Twp., Ohio 7 Grandchildren: Michael (Kathleen) Mukavetz, Marissa Mukavetz, Jeffrey Bremer, Stephanie Bremer, Paul J. Bremer, Jessica Mukavetz, and Katelyn Bremer 1 Step-daughter: Marcy (Michael) Mukavetz of Chardon, Ohio 1 Step-son: Al Macy of Cleveland, Ohio 1 Sister: Ruth Hydorn of Grand Rapids, MI
Deceased - Parents: Ethel (Nee: Reed) and Paul Sr. Bremer First Wife: Loyola (Nee: Corrigan) Bremer Daughter: Joyce Rigg Daughter in Law and Step-daughter: Teresa Bremer Sister: Betty Cistone
Mary L. Castrovinci
Born: 2/21/1913
Died: 6/22/2002
Services will be held at: FUNERAL MASS: Wed., June 26, 10AM at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North St. Chardon, OH
Visitation times are: Wednesday, 3-8PM at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St. (On Rt. 44, 500' south of Rt. 6/Chardon Square) Chardon, OH
Occupation - Homemaker
Date & Place of Marriage/Maiden Name - Mary L. Quattrocchi married
Carl J. Castrovinci on October 28, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio
Hobbies/Activities - Member of the Church of St. Mary, Chardon, Ohio
Survivors - Husband: Carl J. Castrovinci of Chardon, Ohio 2 Daughters: Gloria (Joseph) Mondello Lois (Donald) Eberwein 1 Son: William C. (Jo-Elaine) Castrovinci 9 Grandchildren: Gina Marie (Gary) McKee, Marci Ann (Richard) Horvath-Shenker, Gerald (Judy) Flanik, Alan (Irene) Flanik, Christopher Flanik, Anthony, Jeanine, Robert and Christy Castrovinci 7 Great Grandchildren: Keith, Chad, Grant, Jehrin, Brittani, Julie and Bailey 1 Sister: Helen Eckert 3 Brothers: Joseph - deceased (Florence) Quattrochi Peter (Jane) Quattrochi August ( Diva-deceased) Quattrochi Special Cousins: Joe and Nicky Salemi
Deceased - Parents: Anthony and Christine (Nee: Salemi) Quattrochi
Arlene Doris Ginn (nee: Domrese)
Born: 1/9/1919
Died: 6/5/2003
Services will be held at: Memorial service Monday, June 9 at 11:00 at the Community Church of Chesterland, 11984 Caves Road, Chesterland, OH
Visitation times are: Sunday, June 8, 3-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
During WWII, she was a First Lieutenant in the US Army Medical Corps as a Dietitian, having interned at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She served as a dietitian for Gen. John J. Pershing, as well as wounded members of the "Doolittle Raiders" (including Ted W. Lawson, author of the book Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.) She met her husband, Bill, while working at Walter Reed Hospital, and she supported them while he finished his schooling at Bates College and Yale Law School. She worked as a chemist at Bates Manufacturing Company in Lewiston, Maine, where her team developed the first drip-dry-wrinkle-resistant cotton fabric, slip-proofing for cotton rugs, and a coating to prevent the atmospheric fading of acetate rayon. In July, 1947, she was a dietitian at a summer program of the American Field Service Committee on International Relations at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. From 1947-1950, she developed and managed an in-plant feeding program for employees at Berger Brothers in New Haven, Conn., a long established corset company that also manufactured high altitude flying suits and some of the first "space suits." She and her husband moved to Cleveland in 1950 where he practiced law with Thompson, Hine & Flory. She volunteered as a nutrition counselor at the Free Clinic and at the Clement Center for Cleveland Metro Health Care System.Education: Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition and Chemistry from University of North Dakota 1941, Phi Beta Kappa. Master of Science Degree in Nutrition in 1976 from Case Western Reserve University. Member of the Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights, OH Active with The Community Church of Chesterland, OH Deeply involved with the Cooperative Extension Service in Cleveland and with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, counseling Sioux Indian families being relocated to Cleveland in the 1960's. Member of the Women's Committee of Childrens Services, Cleveland, OH Member of the Holden Arboretum and was active with the Geauga Park District and the Geauga Park District Foundation. Early member and Ohio Coordinator for the Benign Essential Blepherospasm Foundation Member of the American Dietetic Association; Chester Study Club; Music Committee at Community Church in Chesterland; The Intown Club and The Nature Conservancy. While raising her four children, she was a volunteer extraordinaire for many other community organizations: Cub Scouts; PTA (President); Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts (all three sons are Eagle Scouts); and other community organizations in Shaker Heights and Chesterland. She had a zest for living which resulted in many activities including travel and outdoor recreation. She traveled with her family in Europe and North, South, and Central America (Iceland, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Norway, etc.) Summer of 1972, she and her family climbed Wind River Peak in Wyoming. She was a fitness enthusiast, accomplished swimmer and downhill and cross-country skier. She raised Guinea Hens for a hobby. She supported all of her husband's many endeavors and community contributions. Together they helped preserve the West Woods for the Geauga Park District. Awards: Received the Sioux Award (1996) the highest honor for a University of North Dakota graduate for her distinguished alumni support, lifetime commitments, and professional achievements as a nutritionist. Note: She was born to a bilingual Norwegian-American family. Her grandparents were pioneers from Norway. In 1883, they homesteaded in the Red River Valley along the Minnesota-North Dakota border. She valued highly her immigrant roots and her early years in a farming community in the Great Plains. She is survived by her husband of 58 years: William D. Ginn of Chesterland, OH 1 Daughter: Anna (Roger Conover) Ginn of So. Freeport, ME 3 Sons: William James (June LaCombe) Ginn of Pownal, ME Randall Thomas (Dianne) Ginn of Perrysburg, OH David Domrese (Cheryl) Ginn of Huntersville, NC 10 Grandchildren
Edna Mae Best
Born: 8/31/1910
Died: 5/9/2003
Services will be held at: Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 PM at the Funeral Home
Visitation times are: Tuesday, 2-4:00 and 7-9:00 PM
Attended the Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon Enjoyed flower gardening, feeding hummingbirds and hooking rugs. She donated a number of acres with a lake to the Geauga Co. Park District to establish the Walter C. Best Wifelife Preserve. Mrs. Best is survived by her daughter: Sandra Best (Cliff) Davis of Munson Twp., OH Son: Robert W. (Betsy) Best of Munson Twp., OH Granddaugher: Vicki (Tom) Elesh of Huntsburg Twp., OH Grandson: Mark Davis of Warren, OH 2 Great-grandson: Tommy Elesh John Davis 1 Great-granddaughter: Ashley Elesh Tracye Davis Brother: Edwin Jirouch MD of Ridgeway, VA She was preceded in death by her husband: Walter C. Best Parents: Anton and Bertha (Nee: Klipec) Jirouch 2 Sisters: Elta Vohnout Ethel Soukup
