Obituaries

Gerald Reynolds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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...

Darek Maurice Harvey Sr

Darek Maurice Harvey Sr

Nov 25, 2025

Darek Maurice Harvey Sr., age 54, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away on November 25, 2025, at New Life Hospice of Lorain, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 3, 1971, in Lorain, Darek was a lifelong resident of Lorain County. He was a former member of New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church of Lorain and was most recently employed with TruGreen...

James Robert Adkisson

James Robert Adkisson

Nov 22, 2025

James Robert Adkisson, age 85, of Lorain, peacefully transitioned from this life on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 18, 1940, in Milan, Tennessee, James graduated from high school before relocating to Lorain by train to live with his older brother and sister-in-law. He went on to build a long and dedicated...

Joe Nathan Lewis

Joe Nathan Lewis

Nov 16, 2025

Joe Nathan Lewis was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 19, 1936, and passed away on November 16, 2025, at Avon Cleveland Clinic.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Lewis; brothers, Author and Edward Lewis; sisters, Geneva, Lucille, Edith, Bertha, and Roberta; and his beloved children, Rhonda Lewis (affectionately known as “Coodles Woodles” or “C.W.”) and...

Ephon Roy Hurst

Ephon Roy Hurst

Nov 15, 2025

Ephon Roy Hurst, age 78, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.

Born November 13, 1947, in Eastman, Georgia, Roy was the son of the late Othafus and Eunice Hurst (née Bozeman). He graduated from Peabody High School in Eastman, Class of 1966. Shortly after, he...