Person Page - 605

     John Ralph Gilman was born on 30 December 1914 at Smithville, Wayne County, Ohio. He died on 21 June 2008 at Akron City Hospital, Akron, Summit County, Ohio, at age 93. His obituary read, "The heavenly choir sings much sweeter now and the harps are more in tune Ralph Gillman, our music man, has joined them. Those of us he left behind are saddened by his leaving us, but so much richer for having heard his "song". Ralph's involvement in so many activities earned him a legion of friends and how he loved to share laughter and fun with those wonderful friends! An outstanding community leader, an advocate of the musical arts, a thoughtful admin-istrator, a caring communicator, a devoted husband, a loving father; all these attributes describe John Ralph Gillman. He was a graduate of The College of Wooster, a member of Phi Beta Kappa with advanced degrees from Ohio State University and Columbia University. Retiring as superintendent of Summit County schools, Ralph also served as assistant superintendent and music director of Akron Public Schools. He shared the joy of music with children through the May Festival and through "Learning to Listen", his weekly radio broadcast to young people in Akron. He was a World War II army veteran. Ralph served 35 years on the board of the Beacon Journal Charity Fund and 33 years on the Stan Hywet Board of Trustees. He served twelve years as president of the Greater Akron Musical Association, sponsor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Symphony and Akron Symphony Chorus and was a member of the Board of Trustees since the orchestra founding. He was a trustee of the Children's Concert Society and instrumental in developing the Scholastic Composers' contest in the Akron and County Schools. He was a member and past president of Downtown Akron Kiwanis, Akron Men's Garden Club, Torch Club, Franklin Club, Tuesday Musical Association and Friends of Music. He directed the local Fred Waring Choir, and he served for many years as choir director of West Congregational Church. Born in Smithville, Ohio, December 30, 1914 to parents John B. and Jennie Mae Gillman, Mr. Gillman is survived by his wife, Sue Jeppesen Gillman; brother, Ray W. Gillman; children, John R. Jr. (Judith), Barbara Saffian (Robert), Susan Whitmore (Mark), Elizabeth Jeppesen (Bruce); grandchildren, Catherine Gillman, James and Daniel Whitmore, Jonathan Saffian, Emily and Sarah Jeppesen; step daughter, Karen Sinkway (James); step-granddaughter, Rebecca Sinkway; many nieces and nephews, and foster sister, Shirlee Palladino. Ralph is predeceased by his parents, by Vivian Coblentz Gillman; his beloved first wife of 53 years, by sister, Genevieve Stefanski and by foster brother, Robert Effron. Those of us who knew and loved John Ralph Gillman are richer for his example of a life beautifully lived. We remember his often repeated advice to approach each day and situation "in the spirit of adventure". Though we will miss him, we wish him Godspeed in this greatest adventure of all. We know that the music of his life will play on in all of us. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 130 Broad Blvd, Cuyahoga Falls, 44221 with Rev. Kirk Bruce officiating. Private burial at Smithville Cemetery."¹

     Isabelle Marks was born on 11 November 1874 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas W. Marks and Elizabeth Short.¹ Isabelle Marks married Samuel Everett Connolly, son of Uriah Connolly and Isabelle Greathouse, on 13 August 1899 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ Isabelle Marks died on 14 October 1928 at Wood County, West Virginia, at age 53.¹

     Thomas W. Marks was born in 1840 at Virginia.¹ He died in 1920 at West Virginia.¹

     Elizabeth Short was born on 13 April 1843 at Virginia.¹ She died on 3 February 1924 at West Virginia at age 80.¹

     Elizabeth Connolly was born on 25 July 1900 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ Elizabeth Connolly married Ira Everett Cowdery, son of Arthur Riley Cowdery and Maria Worthen, circa 1918 at Ohio.² Elizabeth Connolly died on 25 September 1980 at Marysville, Union County, Ohio, at age 80.¹

     Herman Robert Connolly was born on 24 April 1902 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ He was the son of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ Herman Robert Connolly married Gladys Mildred Hewitt, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Hewitt and Ida Martilla Howell, on 26 June 1926 at Washington County, Ohio.² Herman Robert Connolly died on 15 August 1960 at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, at age 58.¹

     Agnes Pearl Connolly was born on 16 September 1904 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ Agnes Pearl Connolly married Howard Cook, son of Edward Cook and Alice Mary Bowen, on 29 June 1929 at Huron County, Ohio.² Agnes Pearl Connolly died on 20 February 1968 at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, at age 63.¹

     John Hamilton Connolly was born on 23 September 1906 at Roane County, West Virginia.¹ He was the son of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ John Hamilton Connolly died on 16 October 1978 at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, at age 72.¹

     William Dillon Connolly was born on 2 May 1909 at Spencer, Roane County, West Virginia.^2,3 He was the son of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ William Dillon Connolly married Edna M. Cook, daughter of Edward Cook and Alice Mary Bowen, on 30 March 1929 at Huron County, Ohio.^4,5 William Dillon Connolly died on 30 May 1945 at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, at age 36.³

     Cora May Connolly was born on 4 November 1911 at Roane County, West Virginia.² She was the daughter of Samuel Everett Connolly and Isabelle Marks.¹ Cora May Connolly married Ezra Anderson, son of Arthur R. Anderson and Amanda Lucinda Bonnett, on 13 August 1927 at Wood County, West Virginia.³ Cora May Connolly married Henry J. Spang.⁴ Cora May Connolly died in February 1979 at age 67.²

     Harriet Catharyn Stanforth was born on 28 June 1846 at Ohio.¹ She was the daughter of John Stanforth and Charlotte VanPelt. Harriet Catharyn Stanforth married Thomas VanZant, son of William Craig VanZant and Frances E. Renoe, on 4 February 1869 at Highland City, Highland County, Ohio. Harriet Catharyn Stanforth died on 29 May 1928 at Marshall, Highland County, Ohio, at age 81.^1,2 She was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Marshall Township, Highland County, Ohio.¹

     John Stanforth was born circa 1813 at Virginia.¹

     Charlotte VanPelt was born circa 1818 at Ohio.¹

     Sarah Ann Smart married George Carpenter, son of James W. Ratcliff Carpenter and Lucinda Jane Hunter, circa 1892.^1,3

     Joseph Gregory Huchette was born on 16 December 1846 at France.¹ He died in 1919 at Pennsylvania.¹

     Uriah Springer Morris was born on 23 October 1858 at Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.^1,2,3 He was the son of Isaac Allison Morris and Nancy Everly.¹ Uriah Springer Morris married Kathleen Forsythe Anderson, daughter of James Anderson and Margaret Dean, in 1905.¹ Uriah Springer Morris died on 21 February 1943 at Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, at age 84.^2,3 He was buried at Greene County Memorial Park, Stony Point, Greene County, Pennsylvania.²

     Kathleen Forsythe Anderson was born on 22 February 1864 at Cooperstown, Butler County, Pennsylvania.^3,4,2 She was the daughter of James Anderson and Margaret Dean.⁵ Kathleen Forsythe Anderson married Uriah Springer Morris, son of Isaac Allison Morris and Nancy Everly, in 1905.⁶ Kathleen Forsythe Anderson died on 11 June 1942 at Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, at age 78.^6,4 She was buried at Greene County Memorial Park, Stony Point, Greene County, Pennsylvania.⁴

     Emma Dean Morris was born on 5 June 1907 at Greene County, Pennsylvania.^2,3 She was the daughter of Uriah Springer Morris and Kathleen Forsythe Anderson.¹ Emma Dean Morris died on 15 February 1979 at Greenville General Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina, at age 71.^1,3,4 Her obituary read, "Miss Emma Dean Morris, 71, a resident of Point Marion area for many years, died in the Greenville General Hospital, Greenville, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 15, 1979. She was born June 5, 1907, the daughter of the late Springer and Kathleen Anderson Morris of Dilliner. She was a retired school teacher from Point Marion High School and the North Hills Schools in Pittsburgh. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a life member of the Retired Teachers of Pennsylvania and a life member of the Allegheny County retired teachers. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, a member of the Elizabeth Ludington Hazans Chapter D.A.R., Morgantown, and the Monongahela Valley, D.A.C., Morgantown. Preceding her in death were her parents and a sister, Mrs. Nancy Morris Swartz. Surviving is a niece, Mrs. Kathleen Swartz Thompson, Central, S.C., three great-nephews and a great-niece, a brother-in-law, James M. Swartz of Perryopolis and several cousins. Services were held in the Clemson Methodist Church in Clemson, S.C. on Saturday, Feb. 17. Burial was in Greene County Memorial Park. Any remembrances can be donated to your favorite charity."⁴ She was buried at Greene County Memorial Park, Stony Point, Greene County, Pennsylvania.³

     Hugh Evans was born in 1779 at Wales.² He died on 4 June 1849 at Pennsylvania.²

     Jacob McKay married Hannah McNutt, daughter of Joseph McNutt and Elizabeth Evans.¹

     James Somerville was born on 25 August 1835 at Indiana County, Pennsylvania.² He was the son of William H. Somerville and Jane Laverty.^2,3 James Somerville married Sarah Jane McNutt, daughter of Joseph McNutt and Elizabeth Evans, on 8 May 1860 at Clearfield, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.⁴ James Somerville died on 20 February 1917 at Indiana County, Pennsylvania, at age 81.²

     Martha Jane Morris was born on 2 March 1838.¹ She was the daughter of Isaac Allison Morris and Nancy Everly.¹ Martha Jane Morris married Josiah Hall.

     Clarinda Morris was born on 25 July 1839.¹ She was the daughter of Isaac Allison Morris and Nancy Everly.¹

     Clark Morris was born on 27 July 1840 at Virginia.^2,3 He was the son of Isaac Allison Morris and Nancy Everly.¹ Clark Morris married Sophia Calvert, daughter of Noah Calvert and Mary "Polly" Kramer, circa 1860 at Pennsylvania.⁴ Clark Morris died on 29 March 1911 at Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, at age 70.^1,5 He was buried at Wolfe Cemetery, Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.⁵