As you may remember, Tim Longfellow’s mom passed away in July. Tim accompanies New Horizons on the piano. He can also be seen jamming on the keyboard at the Houston Pub when the guys are doing their jazz night. But not many of you may know that his dad, Jim Longfellow, would often step in for a song or two and play the drums.

Jim passed away on Monday, so needless to say, this family has seen a lot of loss this year. Below, the obituary will be posted. If you would like to send Tim and Donna a card, they live at: 3272 Cherrywood Street, Norton, OH. 44203.Ji

James F. Longfellow

James F. Longfellow, “Jim”, 86, recently of North Canton, formerly of New Franklin, Ohio, peacefully left this Earth to join his best friend and wife, Mary Jane, on October 11, 2021, at his home at Sanctuary Grande.

Jim was born November 17, 1934, in Barberton, Ohio to the late Charles and Helen Longfellow. He and Mary Jane had been residents of Melody Village for over 60 years.
Jim was a Private First Class of the United States Marine Corp Air Reserve, and a machinist by trade, spending many years at Brubaker Gear & Manufacturing Co., retiring from the Will-Burt Co. in 1996. He was also a musician by heart. He played with the band Nite Life as drummer for many years, which included the long-term gig as house band for Bill Lezo’s Gaslight Room at the Brown Derby in Norton. Some of his favorite memories were playing with his son Tim–early days, when he sat in on keyboards during the summers; and most recently the “house band” for Wolf Creek Players in Norton (Tim forced him out of retirement).
Grandpa Jim never missed a Norton High School band performance while his grandchild Gray marched. He was the mastermind of Team Longfellow during Gray’s years of racing Soap Box Derby. Jim also was quite a wood craftsman. Other great memories were traveling through Europe with Mary Jane in 1985, including Germany to visit his son Mike while he was stationed there; however, the perk was seeing his first grandchild, Phoenix as well. Then just a few years ago, they flew to Seattle and spent time with Mike, Jennifer, Allie, Phoenix, Maddie, and their families. Favorite pastimes/adventures included golfing, bowling, camping, traveling, cards, and casinos with his partner of 62 years, Mary Jane. Family truly was his life, and he supported both his sons and their families, as well as the many nieces and nephews. It was a party at Jim and Mary Jane’s, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their home was always open for visits and gatherings. Jim enjoyed history and tracking the genealogy of the Longfellow Family. Yes, he is a distant relative of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Jim was a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church via St. George’s in Clinton. His deep-rooted faith was ever present and never failed him throughout his life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane (this past July); infant daughter, Suzanne Marie; brothers, Carl Longfellow and Clarence Longfellow; sisters Eileen Weaver and Viola Christian. Jim is survived by his children, Michael (Jennifer) Longfellow; and Timothy (Donna) Longfellow; grandchildren, Phoenix (Brandon) Cornwell; Allegra (Jonathon) McFadden; Christopher (Jeweli) Longfellow; Madison (Ryan) Peters; Gray Longfellow; 9 great-grandchildren, Leilani, Hayleigh James, Avalon, Patrick, Hudson, Aryanna, Aiden, Aurora, Alayna; sister-in-law, Joanne Wesley; numerous nieces and nephews; and longtime best friends, Bud and Lucy Snow.

Special thank you to Heather Maxwell and all the staff at Sanctuary Grande; Absolute Home Health, especially PT Courtney; and Absolute Hospice, Tara and Tiffany, for their outstanding compassion and care during Jim’s last days. Jim and Mary Jane called Sanctuary Grande their home since October 2020, and we will be forever grateful.

Friends may call at Bacher-Moore Funeral Home, 3250 Greenwich Rd., Norton, Ohio on Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 15, 2021, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 4022 Johnson Rd., Norton, Ohio. Interment Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Norton Music Boosters, REF The Longfellow Family Scholarship, c/o Norton Music Boosters, PO Box 1335, Norton, OH 44203.

A few months ago Ken was diagnosed with a serious illness. We have been hoping and praying for his recovery. Unfortunately he lost his fight yesterday. As a clarinet player Ken has been one of the longest standing members of New Horizons. We are going to miss his quiet sense of humor. If you would like to send a card to his family, please send it to : Loretta Slezak, 3119 Grill Rd, New Franklin, OH 44216.

Kenneth D. Slezak

February 24, 1954 ~ September 17, 2021 (age 67)

Obituary

Kenneth D. Slezak, 67, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2021.  He was born February 24, 1954 in Akron to Andrew and Betty Slezak.  He worked as an electrical engineer for Diebold Nixdorf. For many years, he ministered to young men at Stony Glen Camp through Christian Service Brigade by being a scuba instructor. Ken loved playing music with the Wadsworth Community Band, New Horizons Band, and served in his church choir.  He enjoyed participating in the Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree with his family since 1980.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Slezak.  He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Loretta; sons, Eric (Nikki) and Ryan(Paula); mother, Betty Slezak; sister, Sue (Jeff) Wilson; grandchildren, Nevaeh and Leslie; and beloved cat, Brina.

Friends may call at Community Church of Portage Lakes, 3260 Cormany Rd., Akron on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday, September 24 from 10 to 11 a.m, with the service beginning at 11 a.m., Pastor David Schroyer officiating.  Interment at Hillside Memorial Park. 

In memory of Ken, please consider supporting a camper through the scholarship fund at ohiobrigadecamp.org or mail a check to Ohio Valley CSB, P.O. Box 195, Brookfield, OH 44403.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth D. Slezak, please visit our floral store.

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Services

VISITATION – Thursday
September 23, 2021
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Community Church of Portage Lakes
3260 Cormany Rd
Akron, Ohio 44319
Directions
Send Flowers to Kenneth’s Visitation
Guaranteed delivery before the Visitation begins

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VISITATION – Friday
September 24, 2021
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Community Church of Portage Lakes
3260 Cormany Rd
Akron, Ohio 44319
Directions
Send Flowers to Kenneth’s Visitation
Guaranteed delivery before the Visitation begins

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FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday
September 24, 2021
11:00 AM
Community Church of Portage Lakes
3260 Cormany Rd
Akron, Ohio 44319
Directions
Send Flowers to Kenneth’s Funeral Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Funeral Service begins

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© 2021 The Moore Family Funeral Homes. All Rights Reserved.

Kimberly Bergstrom is the sister of Sandy Boyes who plays the violin for New Horizons. This is a huge loss for her and her family. Below is Kim’s obituary which has information on her funeral arrangements. If anyone would like to send a card to Sandy, her address is: 140 Joshua Dr., Rittman, OH. 4 4270.

Obituary

Where do you even begin when you talk about someone as unique and special as a woman like Kim Bergstrom? Kim was not only the best wife, mother, mother-in-law, mamaw, sister, aunt, and friend, but a faithful member of the community and world.

Kimberly Jane Bergstrom, 58, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2021, surrounded by family, after a decade of battling cancer. Kim was born June 25, 1962, in Akron, OH, to the late Alfred and Eleanor (Davis) Dills. Kim is survived by her husband of 36 years, Todd; son, Chad (Brandy); daughters, Kalyn (Michael) Suliks and Hannah (Mason Juersivich) Bergstrom; grandchildren, Keirra Nicole and Sophia Jane; sister, Sandy (Richard) Boyes; brother, Roger (Kathy) Dills; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Kim’s heart and commitment were to her family. She never missed any game, event, concert, or school function her kids were a part of. Spending time traveling, vacationing, beach bumming, and having family game nights and get-togethers was always a must in her eyes. Kim always made each event extra special, making it feel like it was one of a kind. The extra special touches and thoughtfulness she added to her gift giving, bow making, and endless amount of humor and laughter can never be compared. The memories she created will last a lifetime.

There wasn’t much in the community that Kim did not have her hand in. From PTA groups, school functions, Norton Women’s Club to all the Norton sporting events, her creative touch was always perfect. Kim always strived to make sure everyone always felt included and loved, putting others first above everything else. The astonishing outpour of love and support from Kim’s endless network of family and friends is proof of the impact Kim continues to have throughout the community.

The legacy of the selfless, caring acts of Kim are endless. We rest easy knowing Kim will be spending eternity pain-free in the loving arms of Jesus, with confidence we will see her again one day.

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalms 121:7-8

Friends may call at Bacher Funeral Home, 3250 Greenwich Rd., Norton, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., where services will be held on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Robin Hart officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Norton Women’s Club, P. O. Box 1101, Norton, OH 44203 in memory of Kim.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kimberly Jane (Dills) Bergstrom, please visit our floral store.

It is with great sadness that we would like to inform you of the loss of one of our own, Mary Ann Kimmel. Both Mary Ann and her husband Jim have played in the violin section of New Horizons for years.

For those of you that would like to send cards, Jim and Mary Ann Kimmel’s address is:
861 Promenade Circle
Barberton, OH 44203

Please keep Jim in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through this difficult time.

Mary Ann Kimmel, 78, passed away on April 19, 2021 after a short battle with leukemia.

She was born June 12, 1942 in Barberton to Bernard and Louie Snider. She graduated from Norton High School in 1960, then from the University of Akron with her Bachelor’s Degree, and Kent State University with her Master’s Degree. Mary Ann loved to teach kindergarten in the Barberton School System and retired in 2001 after 38 years of service. She played the piano and violin and enjoyed being a part of the New Horizons Musical Group along with her husband. She enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing, and gardening. Mary Ann had a smile that would “light up a room” and was always taking care of other people’s needs.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, James; brother, Joseph (Sally) Snider of Ft. Wayne, IN; sisters, Ruth (Tom) Spradlin of Wadsworth, OH and Nancy (Elliott) Weber of Brownsville, OH; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Friends may call at Bacher Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Rd., Akron on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with service beginning at 1 p.m. Interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, in memory of Mary Ann.

For the safety of the family and other guests, masks are required, and the number of people permitted in the building at a time will be limited. Your cooperation and patience are appreciated.