Prentice Funeral Home

Shirley Thomas, 87 of Kenmore passed away on September 22, 2026. She loved camping and spent most of her summers at Osage and Loyal Oak Parks. She was called mammaw by all the kids at the campground, along with her loved ones. She loved the outdoors, walking and to dance; but most of all she loved her family!

Shirley is preceded by her husband Phillip A. Thomas, son Phillip A. Thomas II, sisters Angie Scott and Dorothy Kimpton and brother Gene Lawrence. She is survived by her daughter Debbie (Steve) Reed, grandchildren Danny (Morgan) Vargo, Steve (Kara) Vargo, Katie Reed, Jon Reed, Amber Thomas (Adam Ward), Patrick McKeny (Penny) and Tyler McKeny, great grandchildren Brandon, Brianna
Dominic, Rylynn, Belle, Alivia, Abigail, Asher, Ridleigh, Isabelle, Adalynne, Madeleine, her brother Fred Johns and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at the Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Blvd. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Steve Reed. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer Blessyn Knotts�July 17, 2020 – September 7, 2026

Summer Blessyn Knotts, 6, gained her angel wings on September 7, 2026. Born July 17, 2020, Summer was a medically complex child from birth, but her life was defined by so much more than her medical challenges. She was a deeply loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece whose six short years left an everlasting mark on everyone who loved her.
Summer shared an especially beautiful bond with her grandmother, Tammy “Maw Maw,” who raised her and devoted her time and heart to caring for Summer. Summer loved cuddling with her Maw Maw and watching Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown together. Summer also enjoyed cuddling with Ms. Chelsea, her nurse.
Summer enjoyed her FaceTime “arguments” with Aunt Mimi, making her little “oohs” and “aahs” and always making sure her opinion was heard.
Summer leaves behind her mother, Tierra; father, Brandon; stepmother, Stephane; grandmother, Tammy; grandfather, Gerald; siblings, Winter, Liliana and Levi; aunts, Wanda (Nate), Marlene and Rose (Wally); uncle, Ryan; and many other loving family members.
Waiting to welcome Summer at Heaven’s golden gates were her granddad, Clifford Godfrey, and Aunt Ann.
Six years could never have been enough, but Summer knew a lifetime of love.
Services will be held at Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Blvd. in Akron, on Sunday, September 13th at 4:00 p.m. Calling hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Fly high, Summer. You will be loved and missed forever.

Earl W. Wolfe, Jr., 74, of Akron, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026.
Born and raised in Akron, Earl was a proud graduate of Garfield High School. He was known as a hardworking man who dedicated many years of service to Frank Lucco Co., Inc. Earl took great pride in his work and earned the respect of those who knew him through his strong work ethic and dependable nature.
Earl had a passion for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and enjoyed the freedom of the open road. He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and a personality that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Those who knew Earl often joked that if he didn't give you a hard time, he probably didn't like you. His playful teasing and quick wit were his way of showing affection, and they will be fondly remembered by family and friends alike.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Shirley Wolfe, Sr.; and his sister, Deborah Wolfe.
Earl will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 52 years, Linda Wolfe; son, Kurt (Brittany) Wolfe; grandson, Kurt Wolfe; sister, Sherri Wolfe; brother, Robert Wolfe; two additional sisters; and several nieces and nephews who cherished him dearly.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Earl's life on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Blvd., Akron. Calling hours will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life service beginning at 3:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Dave Haydu.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Paws & Pistons Rescue Run.
Earl's hardworking spirit, love of family, unforgettable humor, and passion for life will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Opal E. (Riley) Stewart, 95 of Akron passed away on August 11, 2026. She was born in Bergoo, WV and moved to Akron at age 17. She went to beauty school and later worked at Quikey Manufacturing. She was a member of Rock of Ages Community Church. She loved birds, animals, doing word searches and especially loved her family. She loved deeply, laughed often and left our family with a lifetime of cherished memories.

Opal is preceded by her parents Clarence and Hazel Seabolt, her husbands Jack W. Riley and Gerald Stewart, sons Michael W. Riley and Patrick O. Riley, brother Bill (Peggy) Seabolt and sister Eleanor (Shelton) Hamrick. She is survived by her daughter Sandi (Mike) Cardinali, grandchildren Patrick (Adriana) Riley, Preston (Samantha) Riley, great-grandchildren Austin Riley and Zaydee Byrd, brother Larry (Nikki) Seabolt, sister Helen (John) Chapman and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say a special thank you to St. Luke’s and Summa Hospice for their care.

There will be a private service and burial at Lakewood Cemetery.

Elizabeth Marvin, 71 of Akron passed away on July 23, 2026. She graduated from John Marshall High School. She was married to Dale for 48 years. She loved cats, gardening, flowers, hummingbirds, and sewing.

She is preceded by her husband Dale Marvin, parents Raymond and Ann Jelen, siblings Raymond Jr, Lawrence, and JoAnn. She is survived by her sons Greg (Victoria) Marvin, Adam (Katrina) Marvin, grandchildren Ava and Maverick Marvin, brothers Chris (Linda) Jelen, Kenneth (Sharon) Jelen, Richard (Donna) Jelen and August (Debbie) Jelen, and many nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Blvd., on Saturday August 22, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Howard "Buster" Wesley Knepp Jr., 77, of Akron, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Born on January 25, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, Howard spent the majority of his life in the area and was proud to call Kenmore home. He graduated from Kenmore High School and honorably served his country in the United States Navy, spending much of his service in San Diego, California.

Following his military service, Howard worked for many years in the trucking industry, including a long tenure with Consolidated Freightways. Later in life, he chose local employment so he could spend more time with his wife and family.
Howard appreciated the simple pleasures in life. He especially enjoyed watching classic television, particularly Nick at Nite reruns, and was a devoted Judge Judy fan, rarely missing an episode. He also valued time spent with friends at local veterans clubs, working at Firestone Country Club during retirement, and taking up golf. He was known for his kind heart, quiet nature, loyalty to family and friends, and willingness to help whenever needed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Sr. and Thea Knepp, and his sister, Debbie Petri.
Howard is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Debbie (Kinney) Knepp; his sister, Chris Bunn, and her husband, Scott; his daughters, Laurie Frayser and her husband, Randy, Christine Taylor and her husband, Tony; and his stepchildren, Christie Hall and her husband, Allen, Brett Dale and his wife Patty, Todd Dale Sr., and Donny Venham and his wife, Teresa. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Aaron Sims, Anthony Taylor, Dylan Klein, Emily and Natalie Dale, Todd Jr. Dale and Aiden Dale, and Travis Mull and Tawny Venham, Randall, Nicholas, and Bryan Frayser, Dylan and Ciara, as well as several great-grandchildren, extended family members, and many dear friends.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud veteran, hardworking provider, and cherished friend. His gentle spirit, quiet strength, and steadfast love for his family will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. While hearts are heavy, there is comfort in knowing he has been reunited with those who went before him and is now at peace.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Prentice Funeral Home, 1154 Kenmore Boulevard, Akron, Ohio. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m.

C. Forest Travis, Jr. left this earth on July 5, 2026, to join the cosmic energy of the universe. A brilliant scientific mind, a truly unique individual, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Akron. He was a skilled glass blower and business owner with partner Raul Umana, quality control inspector with a local nail manufacturing company and many other occupations. He was an avid reader of science fiction and related sci-fi film productions. He was also a big fan of British comedy. Forest was an entertaining broadcaster at the University of Akron’s radio station WAUP.FM in the 70’s during their “hot medium” format. He was an accomplished thespian in several stage productions at the University of Akron and at the Civic Theater.
A good friend, generous with his time and wealth and a joy to grace the table at holiday dinners. So, we drink a pint of Guinness in your honor. See you on the other side, my friend, LAY-TOR.
Forest is preceded by his parents Cecil and Jean Travis, brothers Keith, Lawrence and Richard Travis. He is survived by sisters Elizabeth Travis Cooper and Cindy Ohlinger, and good friend Dennis Akers.
Special thanks to the Woodlands Health & Rehabilitation in Ravenna for their wonderful care of Forest.