Obituaries - 11/9/2017

Here's to Dottie, daughter of Howard and Rose Hurd. A most cherished wife and mother, as well as a treasured friend, sister, aunt, and role model to so many in our community and school system. She taught Home Economics and was also a substitute teacher as well as the head librarian at Kenston Middle School for many decades.

She loved horses and enjoyed riding them from the age of 3 until she was 83. She also played golf until she was 83. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning what she had grown. Dottie adored Welsh Corgis and had a house full of them to greet you at the front door. But her deepest love was for her family and friends. Dottie had a voracious appetite for life and an undaunted spirit even through the burden of her failing health.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Hamilton, South Russell's Police Chief for 21 years; her daughter, Ellen Marie Hamilton; and her sisters, Reddy and Pauline. She is survived by her sons, Rick and John Hamilton; her sister, Lois Maman and family; as well as the members of the Stamm family.

Those who knew her will dearly miss that twinkle in her eye, her smile and her laughter that was so contagious you'd catch it. There wasn't a subject on which Dottie could not offer an interesting story or fact. Please join us as we remember all that she brought to us and share in the lasting memories she left us as her legacy on November 11, 2107, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Auburn Town Hall, 11000 E. Washington St.

ROBERT JONES MILLS

Robert Jones Mills (Bob or Coach Mills), son of the late Howard and Josephine; husband to the late Susanne (nee Geiler), is survived by his sister, Joyce (McKee); his two sons, Mark (wife Jen) and David (wife Jackie); and his two granddaughters, Anna and Emily (Mark).

Bob was a teacher, a coach and a high school administrator for the majority of his adult life. A native of Athens, Ohio, Bob graduated from Athens High School where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball and received numerous honors including being named to the All-Ohio Football 2nd Team in 1943, the All-Ohio Honorable Mention Basketball Team in 1944 and the Athens High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. He had a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds in 1944 and had recently enrolled at Ohio University before his dream of playing professional baseball was cut short by his induction into the U.S. Army in August 1944. During World War II, Bob served with Company “B” 406th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division, in the European Theater as a Staff Sergeant in a light tank unit responsible for a platoon of 30 enlisted men. Amongst his various other decorations and citations during his time of service, Bob was awarded the Bronze Star medal for courage and bravery under enemy fire. Shortly after his honorable discharge from active military service in June 1946, Bob returned to Ohio University where he went on to play both football and baseball. Amongst his other athletic accomplishments, he was a member of the 1948 Bobcat MAC Conference Championship baseball team. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950, Bob once again returned to Ohio University in order to complete work on his teaching certificate. At that time, he also acted as an assistant coach for the Bobcat baseball and football teams. Bob left Athens in 1953 for Cleveland where he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Warrensville Heights High School. While at Warrensville, he taught U.S. History and served as Head Football Coach and Head Baseball Coach from 1953 – 1968 and 1957 – 1969, respectively. Coach Mills, as he had now come to be known to many, was named Cuyahoga Conference Football Coach of the Year in 1968 and Cuyahoga Conference Baseball Coach of the Year three times in 1964, 1965 and 1968. During his tenure at Warrensville, Bob took continuing education courses at John Carroll University and eventually completed his Masters of Education degree at Kent State University in 1965. Coach Mills left Warrensville for Solon in 1969 where he became Athletic Director serving in that same capacity until his retirement in 1984. During his time in Solon, Bob also served as assistant baseball coach. He received the Solon Jaycees Man of the Year award in 1974, the Northeast Ohio Athletic Director of the Year award in 1983 and he was honored with the Ralph Quisenberry Award by the Northeast Ohio Athletic Directors Association for his many years of service. After retiring from Solon High School, Bob continued to coach on a part-time basis at Orange and Kenston High Schools in addition to John Carroll University.

May you finally rest in peace after all that you have accomplished in life. Gone from Earth, but you will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything that you have done…you were loved by many! A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Friday, December 15, 2017, from 2-8 PM at his home, 6872 Glenallen Ave., Solon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve.

NORA STANTON

Nora Stanton passed away at home surrounded by her family on October 28, 2017. She was born Elinor Marie on June 22, 1939, to Harry and Janice Jackson in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up in Moreland Hills and graduated from Orange High School in 1957. She went on to earn her nursing degree from Carnegie College and worked as a nurse at Curtis Clinic in Chagrin Falls before starting a family. Nora married Jack Stanton on December 29, 1960, at the Federated Church and moved into the Stanton homestead on Summit Street.

Nora lived her life to the fullest. All who knew her could appreciate her passion for horses and her reputation as a trailblazer. She did not let much stop her. Over the years, her many endeavors included charitable contributions ranging from countless animal rescues to launching numerous programs that enriched the lives of others.

Nora is survived by Jack, her husband of 56 years; children, Mary ( Kevin ) Parker of Tyron, NC, Martha (James) Evans of Waynesville, OH, Margo (Don) Schneider of Newbury, Mark Joseph (Jackie) of Mentor, Matthew of Los Angeles, CA, Maria of Chagrin Falls, and Dawn (David) of Chagrin Falls; brother, Michael of India; grandchildren, Kailey, Daniel Owen, Elizabeth, Katie, William, Torren, Elena, Taylor, Zoe, Andrew, Tieghan, Tatum; and great-granddaughter, AJ; as well as her beloved horses, Shoshoni and Joshua.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Geauga Park District, or any horse (animal) charity of choice. A private ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Chagrin Falls will take place at a later date. A Celebration of Life for all friends and family at the Westwoods Nature Center on Saturday, November 18, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, 9465 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH 44072. Please wear jeans as that’s what Nora would want, no formal attire please. Come celebrate her life. Arrangements by Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. www.stroudlawrence.com

NORMAN DOMINICK TOMIELLO

Norman Dominick Tomiello, of Chagrin Falls, OH, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marilyn (nee Rockwell) Tomiello; daughter, Kathryn Marsh (Scott) of Highland Heights, OH; son, Steven Tomiello of Chicago, IL; and daughter, Lynn Lampey (Todd) of Walnut Creek, CA. He also leaves behind a sister, Dolores Katherine Coda (Dominick) of Palos Heights, IL; niece, Diane Coda Theis of New Lenox, IL; and nephew, David Coda (Nancy) of New Lenox, IL.

Norman was born on December 8, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to Lena (nee Pianalto) Tomiello and Fred Tomiello. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952 with a degree in Chemistry. During his time at the University of Illinois, he was a graduate assistant for Salvadore Luria, the 1969 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Bacteriology. Upon graduation, Norm was drafted into the US Army, and was stationed at Shape Headquarters in Fontainebleau, France, from 1956-1958. He was trained to be a cryptographer. Following his return from military duty, Norm's first job was at Morton Salt (Chicago, IL), where he was a sales administrator. After a few years, he joined the Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, OH), where he remained until 1980 as Director of Sales and International Marketing. In 1980, he took a job with Continental Carbon Company which was later purchased by DuPont, where he was promoted to Vice President for International Marketing. In 1986, Norm spent the year consulting with Diamond Crystal Salt Company (Saint Clair, MI), and it was there that his vision of designing a new salt analyzer with circuit board technology was born. At 55 years of age, he left the corporate world and started his own company, The Noramar Company of Novelty, OH, and marketed and sold the Saltan Salt Analyzer, used in the routine measurement of salt in processed foods for the food processing industry. In 1999, he acquired the patent and trademark of his competitor's product and grew the business into a worldwide presence. Norm often said that these were the best years of his working life. He would've celebrated 30 years with The Noramar Company in November 2017. Although he was forced to retire because of his illness, his legacy continues.

Norm's family and friends will celebrate his life with a memorial service at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 6295 Chagrin River Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 10:00 AM. An open-house at Marilyn and Norm's home in South Russell, OH, will immediately follow. Donations can be made to St. Martin's Episcopal Church or Hospice of the Western Reserve. (Arrangements by the St. John Funeral Home of Bainbridge Twp., 440-708-1855).