PASSING OF LONGTIME CANTON ROTARIANS, RICHARD C. SHERER AND RAYMOND V. PELANDA

Beginning this month, President Craig would like to recognize the passing of fellow Canton Rotarians in the Rotogram.  It is important to honor their memory and contributions made to Rotary.

 

posted by Cassady-Turkle-Christian Funeral Cramation Service

 

Richard C. Sherer Jr., age 71, of Canton, passed away August 7, 2016, at Aultman Hospital. He was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 to Richard C. and Kathlyn Stanford Sherer. Rick attended elementary school in Alliance and completed all of his high school at St. John’s Military Academy now known as St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. Rick graduated from Mount Union College with a B.A. in Economics. He had worked for a number of very diverse employers most recently retiring as Paving Products Manager from Belden Brick. Other employment included Vice President of Paving for Whitacre Greer; President and owner of R.D. Williams Office Supply/Kay’s Hallmark; Area 8 Coordinator Ohio School-to-Work for the State of Ohio; Sales Manager for Furbay Electric Supply and Mansfield Electric Supply; Sales Representative for Canton City Blueprint; and was a teacher/coordinator in Plain Local Schools. Rick was also a 14-year employee at the former Joe Slaughter Menswear. He was a committed volunteer throughout his life participating in many activities. Rick was a member and chairman of the Central Stark County Mental Health Board, member and chairman of the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce, recipient of their Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was a cofounder of the Alliance Area Development, and a longtime member of Stark County Port Authority. A former board member of both United Way of Central Stark County and Alliance, Rick served on many committees and subcommittees including chairing the Central Stark County Community Planning Committee. He was a board member and chairman of Leadership Stark County and a graduate of Leadership Ohio. He served as president of the Alumni Council of Mount Union College. He was most recently a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Massillon and a former longtime member, lay reader, vestry member and senior warden of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Canton. Rick was a board member of both the Alliance and Canton Rotary Clubs with perfect attendance for 34 years and was president of the Canton Rotary Club in 2013-14. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow + 1, member of the F&AM Conrad Lodge No. 271 and of the Tadmor Temple.Rick was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Stanford Sherer. Rick was married to his beloved wife, Mary Ann (Wilson) for 46 years. He is survived by Mary Ann, son, “Jay” Richard III; son, Jonathan (Sara) and grandsons, Ian and Mark; son, Maxwell (Erica) and grandson, Oliver; sister-in-law, A. Jane McFadden; two nieces; and many cousins.

 

posted by Lamiell Funeral Home

 

Raymond V. Pelanda, 88, of Canton passed away September 22nd; born February 25, 1928 to Gaetano and Adele Pelanda in Alliance. Survived by wife, Katherine Brazar Pelanda (married 1953); children: Raymond (Candice), Kevin , Melanie Myers (Jacob), and Kenneth (Lynda); ten grandchildren, and sister, Mary Pelanda Weibush of Orlando, Florida. Preceded in death by sisters Alice, Lena, & Sylvia. A man of great faith, he leaves his family a legacy of that faith, love and joy of family, and dedicated work ethic.

 

Ray graduated from Alliance High School and served in the U.S. Navy. He earned a Bachelor’s degree (Education) and Master’s degree (Accounting and Social Business) at Kent State University. He taught at Timken Vocational High School (1952-1966). He was employed at Kent State University as Assistant Director of Trumbull Campus (1966 -1969), Coordinator of Business Affairs for Regional Campuses (1969-1979), as an Assistant Professor of Accounting in Regional Campuses (1967-1978); and as Chief Financial Officer of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (1979-1985).

 

Ray belonged to Theta Chi social fraternity at KSU and Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity. He was president of Canton KSU Alumni Association (1955-1966), an Eagle Scout and an institutional representative of the Boy Scouts of America for whom he counseled young scouts for many years earning merit badges in several areas. He joined Ravenna Rotary International in 1982 and served as Treasurer; and Canton Rotary in 1985 where he compiled and edited the Club directory and was honored as Editor Emeritus in 2008. (*Editors Note: Ray was a 31 year member of Canton Rotary. He had 37 years of Perfect Attendance while a member of the Ravenna and Canton Rotary Clubs. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow +1). 

 

Ray belonged to Basilica of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where he served as Lay Lector and Communion Distributor. He was a member (1975-1981) and President (1979-1980) of the Youngstown Diocese School Board.