Obituaries
Judith Marie Kocak Werling
Jan 14, 2026
With hearts full of love and a smile through our tears, we celebrate the life of Judith Marie Kocak Werling. — born on May 26, 1959, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend—who danced her way into heaven on January 14, 2026.
Judy lived life at full volume and full speed. She loved staying fit, dancing to great music...
Rodney Lon Thomas Sr
Jan 8, 2026
Rodney Lon Thomas Sr. was born on August 19, 1948, to Alonzo Thomas and Mabel Dixon Thomas in Lorain, Ohio. He peacefully departed this life surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and devotion to family, country, and community.
Rodney was a graduate of Lorain Admiral King, completing high school in June 1966. Shortly thereafter, he married his...
Rachel Ruth Goodwin (Taylor)
Jan 5, 2026
Rachel Ruth Goodwin (Taylor), 81, transitioned from this life on Monday, January 5, 2026 following a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Rachel was born on May 3, 1944 in West Virginia and migrated to Lorain, Ohio with her family in 1954. She was the 12th of her parents' 16 beautiful children. She attended Clearview schools, later earned...
Johnna Mae Stafford
Jan 1, 2026
Johnna Mae Stafford, age 90, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Main Street Care Center in Avon Lake, Ohio, following a lengthy illness.
Born on May 21, 1935, in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Stafford had been a resident of Lorain County for more than 70 years. She was a former member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Elyria, Ohio. Johnna enjoyed...
Gerald Reynolds
Jan 1, 2026
Gerald Reynolds was an outgoing, fun-loving man whose life was marked by faith, creativity, and an unbreakable spirit. From the moment you met Gerald, you felt his warmth. He had a joyful personality, a contagious smile and laugh, as well as a deep love for connecting with others. Gerald truly enjoyed life and made every moment count.
At the age of...
Dr. Clarence Alexander Merchant, PhD
Dec 31, 2025
Dr. Clarence Alexander Merchant, PhD, of Powder Springs, Georgia, entered eternal rest on December 31, 2025, at Wellstar Hospice Care Facility in Mableton, Georgia. He was born on April 14, 1967, in Oberlin, Ohio, and throughout his life he embodied discipline, curiosity, humor, and an unwavering commitment to service.
Clarence was baptized at an early age and deepened his faith later...
Diane Winborn
Dec 28, 2025
Diane Winborn, 67, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in her home.
Diane was born on April 4, 1958, in Birmingham, Alabama, and had been a resident of Lorain for most of her life. She retired from Ohio Extended Care Nursing Home in Lorain, where she dedicated many years of service. Diane enjoyed drinking coffee, playing...
Yolanda Lucille Malone
Dec 24, 2025
Yolanda Lucille Malone passed away unexpectedly on December 24th, 2025, at the age of 57. She will be remembered for the love, joy, and gentle spirit she shared with everyone around her. Though she is no longer with us, her light will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her. She has found eternal peace and is...
Dorothy "Dottie" Jean Anderson
Dec 24, 2025
Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Anderson, née Barbee, of Lorain, passed away at the age of 100 on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. She was born June 13, 1925, and was the youngest daughter of 10 children born to Zelma and Minnie Barbee of Springfield, Ohio.
She was an avid scholar and athlete and competed in fencing while in high school and in...
Rose Marie Mathews
Dec 16, 2025
Rose Marie Mathews, 75, of Lorain, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Born on June 3, 1950, in Morgantown, West Virginia, Rose made Lorain her home for more than 50 years. She retired from the Lorain Police Auxiliary Department after 15 years of dedicated service and was a former member of Fairfield Baptist Church.
Rose was a...
Chester Crook
Dec 13, 2025
Chester Crook, born June 20, 1951, to Charlie and Willie Frances (Halliburton) Crook, in Ripley, Tennessee, passed away December 13, 2025, at Compassus Hospice in Lorain.
Chester was raised in Ripley before moving to Ohio, where he met the love of his life Lynda.
He was a Vietnam veteran in the Army and later the National Guard. He worked at Ford Motor,...
NaLani Raye Kirk
Dec 11, 2025
NaLani Raye Kirk transitioned from “Time to Eternity” on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Lorain. She was born on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic – Fairview Hospital in Cleveland. NaLani was born to Phara Joy Kirk and Ja’Qier Campbell.
From birth, NaLani was a beautiful “Raye” of Sunshine! Her sweet precious baby face captured the...
Nathaniel "Nate" Johnson
Dec 7, 2025
Nathaniel “Nate” Johnson, 74, of Lorain, born October 15, 1951, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain, Ohio.
Nate attended Lorain City Schools and graduated from Admiral King High School. He furthered his education at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio. Nate worked at U.S. Steel for 42...
Cedric Darnell Lynch Jr
Dec 6, 2025
Cedric Darnell Lynch Jr., age 35, of Elyria, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 6, 2025.
Born April 17, 1990, in Oberlin, Ohio, Cedric was a lifelong resident of Lorain County. He graduated from Elyria High School in 2008 and was currently employed at the Avon Ford Motor Company. Cedric was a proud member of UAW Local 2000 and...
Rosie Mae Williams
Dec 5, 2025
Rosie Mae Williams, age 90, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on December 5, 2025, at University Hospital in Elyria, Ohio.
Rosie was born on April 8, 1935, in Whitfield, Alabama, and had been a proud resident of Lorain for more than 70 years. She retired as a supervisor from Natalina Pizza Company after 20 years of dedicated service.
A faithful member...
Jina (Williams) Kaiser
Dec 4, 2025
Jina Kaiser (Williams), age 38, of Sandusky, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Jina was born on October 16, 1987, in Amherst, Ohio with a heart big enough to hold everyone around her. She attended Sandusky High School and later earned her GED. She worked with pride at K & K Interiors as a picker and also served...
Deborah Hall
Dec 2, 2025
Deborah Hall, a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend, entered into eternal rest on December 2, 2025, in Dayton, Ohio, surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 11, 1950, to her late parents, Mitchell Hall and Artie Mae Hall. Proudly a “Chi-Town girl,” Deborah carried her Chicago roots with her everywhere she went....
Lora Ann Jones (Cabbil-Helm)
Dec 1, 2025
Lora Ann Jones entered this world on December 18, 1964, in Elyria, Ohio, and peacefully transitioned on December 1, 2025, in Cleveland. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Lora lived a life rooted in love, service, and community.
She is deeply cherished by her children, ShaLamar Helm, Tanisha Lovett-Helm, Brittany Lovett, LaTara Helm, and Everson Ryan Jones; her husband,...
Velma Jackson Davis Casteel
Nov 29, 2025
Velma Jackson Davis Casteel was born August 14, 1927, in Burkville, Alabama to Johnny and Dynah Jackson. She transitioned from this life on November 29, 2025, at home with her loving, devoted family by her side, at the seasoned age of 98 years old, in Temple Hill, Maryland. She relocated to Maryland in August of this year.
Velma worked at the...
Jeannette Byrom
Nov 27, 2025
With profound love and deep sorrow, the family of Jeannette Byrom announces her peaceful transition from this earthly life on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. Jeannette embraced life with generosity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those she loved and served.
Jeannette lived a life marked by purpose. She found joy in meaningful things such as cooking meals that brought loved ones...
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