Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of Jeffrey N. Miller, born April 21, 1951 and passed away on January 22, 2023. Loving father of Evan (Lisa) Miller and Janie (Michael) Gustin. Devoted grandfather of Iyla Gustin, Lennon Miller and Miles Miller. Dear brother of Richard (Gisela) Miller and Bonnie (John) Iorio.

Shirley Hyatt

Here's a fun trip down memory lane--a 2018 interview with George Fitzpatrick, long time manager of the Coventry Arts Theatre and renowned artist

https://clevelandvoices.org/items/show/3037

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

IN MEMORY OF

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of 

Charles Zuchowski

Charles Zuchowski, beloved husband of Deborah (nee Ponsky), was born Aug. 2, 1951, and passed away Feb. 21, 2023.

Loving father of Jason (Rachel), Aaron, Mia and the late Jeremy Zuchowski. Dear brother of Dina Reich and the late Larry Zuchowski. Devoted grandfather of Gabriella, Arieh, Eliana and Jacob. 

Services will be held at 9 a.m. Feb. 22 at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel at 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights. Interment is at Zion Memorial Park. 

Family will observe shiva from 2 to 8 p.m. Feb.22, from 8 to 11 a.m., 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24, from 8 to 10 p.m. Feb. 25, and from 8 to 11 a.m., 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27 at the residence of Rachel and Jason Zuchowski, 2560 Larchmont Road in Beachwood.

Friends who wish may contribute to Bikur Cholim. 

Friends who are not able to attend may view the service at 9 a.m. Feb. 22 at bkbmc.com, selecting the obituary of Charles Zuchowski and click on “join livestream.” 

Arrangements under the direction of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Marlene Schwartz Leeds, was born on February 6, 1951 and passed away on March 25, 2023.

IN THE CARE OF

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Marlene Leeds (nee Schwartz) dearly beloved wife of Jerry; devoted mother of Jennifer Leeds and Karen Leeds; cherished grandmother of Tyler Greene; dear sister of Paula Altherr (Steve); dear sister-in-law of Barbara Levine (Eddy); loving aunt of Mark Altherr, Jason Altherr (Kristy), Peter Bern (Kathryn) and Brian Bern (Adina).

Services will be held at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel 1985 S. Taylor Rd. Cleveland Hts., Tuesday, March 28 at 11:00AM. To view the service please scroll down to join livestream. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the home, 310 Cobblestone Dr., Mayfield Hts. 44143 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING INTERMENT TUESDAY UNTIL 4:30PM & 6:30-8:30PM and WEDNESDAY 1-4 & 6:30-8:30PM. 

Contributions are suggested to APBDRF.org (Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease Research Foundation) 2257 E. 63rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11234. 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory Of 

Michael Wager, 72 years old, who was born on May 17, 1951 and passed away on July 8, 2023. He left behind his wife Peggy Gris Wager and three daughters, Sarabeth Tukey, Susan and Carolyn. Michael went to Beachwood Heights High School. Michael was an attorney and represented private and publicly-held entities in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate finance, corporate governance and regulatory compliance, and strategic growth initiatives as well as many other things. Michael was a friend to many of the Heights Class of '69 and will be truly missed.

See Michael's obit on his In Memory Page

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

Irving Berkowitz

Friends,

I am excited to share with you the news that I was recently hired to be the Holocaust/Antisemitism Advisor and Consultant on the forthcoming Broadway musical production of HARMONY, music by Barry Manilow, book & lyrics by Bruce Sussman. Only yesterday I had my first three hour meeting with its Tony Award winning Director, Warren Carlyle and his Assistant Director Sara Edwards.

This play is about the storied career of the Comedian Harmonists, six young German men in their 20's, including three Jews and one non-Jew married to a Jewish woman, who formed a vaudevillian ensemble in Berlin in the 1920s. In the span of 7 years (1927-34), the Comedian Harmonists achieved international fame touring throughout Europe, Australia, South Africa, the Soviet Union, South America and the United States. Sadly, their careers and live performances were precipitously ended and their films and recordings erased by the Nazi regime.

My role in this production is to help the cast and crew to grasp the insidious rise of Antisemitism in Germany and its manifestations in the economic, social, political and cultural context of time. The period of 1918 - 1933 is known as the Weimar Republic in Germany. Weimar was a failed attempt at democracy after the collapse of the German Empire (the Second Reich) and the abdication of it's monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II, following the loss of WWI by the Central Powers (led by the empires of Germany, Austro-Hungary, the Ottoman Turks and the Kingdom of Bulgaria). Hitler was convinced that Germany's loss in WWI was the result of betrayal by the Jews despite the fact that more than 100,000 Jews fought for "their" country. This became one basis for escalating Jew-hatred and its culmination in the darkest epoch of human history.

I am proud to join the HARMONY team by contributing my knowledge of Antisemitism and the Holocaust in order to help optimize the quality and impact of this musical production. In doing so I can ensure the play's historical pre-Holocaust integrity and better enable the performers to identify with the characters they are portraying.

The tragic irony of the Comedian Harmonists is in the synergy and harmony they created during a period of such global disharmony.

My friends, I urge you to read more about the Comedian Harmonists, "the greatest entertainers the world would ever forget."

Better still, come to New York City and see this very moving play, HARMONY.

Maybe I’ll see you there.

Please consider sharing this post with your FB and other friends.

As always, I thank you for your interest and support of my ongoing work in relation to Antisemitism and the Holocaust.

Truly,

Dr. Irving Berkowitz

 · 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Stuart Gladstone, 72 years old, born on April 23, 1951 and passed away on December 9, 2023. Left behind his wife Jamie Lynn and children Neil, Erik and Ian. He was a Chief Financial Officer from Palm City, Florida.

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Ronald Tucker, 72, passed away November 13, 2024

Cleveland Hts. High Class of 1970

From: 

  and Charles Balcher

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Bart M. Stein

NOVEMBER 22, 1951 – JANUARY 13, 2024

IN THE CARE OF

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Bart M. Stein, 72, of Cleveland, passed away suddenly on January 13, 2024.

Born November 22, 1951 to the late Martin and Anita (Wolf) Stein, he was raised in University Heights. After graduating Cleveland Heights High School in 1969, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati where he studied business. He spent his career in real estate management.

A lifelong Clevelander, Bart had a large and deep network of friends. He was devoted to his daughter, Prosha, his fiance', the love of his life, Barbara Balcar, as well as his dogs and motorcycles.

Bart is survived by his fiancé, Barbara Balcar; his daughter, Prosha; his siblings Mimi (Michael) Charnas, Wendy (Rickey) Kelman, and Dean (Curt Sharp); and his niece and nephew, Kalie (Brian) Petrovsky and Max Charnas. He lives on through his many friends.

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Gwen K. Glazer

JANUARY 15, 1951 – JANUARY 24, 2024

IN THE CARE OF

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Gwen Karen Glazer of Orange Village, Ohio, passed away on January 24, 2024 at the age of 73. 

Gwen was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 15, 1951. She was the third of seven children — enough, as she put it, to field a kickball team against the neighbors.

She graduated from Cleveland Heights High School before attending the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a degree in English Literature. Upon graduation, she returned to Cleveland, where she taught English for several years. However, when one of her younger brothers was diagnosed with diabetes, she decided to pivot to medicine, taking pre-med night school classes after work. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s medical school. 

See Gwen's full obituary in the In Memory section.

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

Jon Franzolino Obituary

Jon Mario Franzolino, 71
DOVER, Del. - Jon Mario Franzolino died on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Center of Eden Hill. Jon was born on January 30, 1951, in East Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of the late John F. Franzolino and Ione E. (Hinsdale) Franzolino. Jon is survived by his sister, Ellen I. Franzolino of Calistoga, Calif.
Jon earned his college degree at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. Jon started his career working at Goodyear in Akron, Ohio and then moved on to Playtex in Dover where he spent decades contributing to the success of the company.

See the rest of the obit on Jon's memory page

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

Carey Smith-Wilson, born on January 13, 1951. Leaving behind her husband Scott Wilson and step-daughters Kelly and Alaina. Carey was a therapeutic riding instructor and an outreach specialist before retiring. 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Harvey Lynn Cohen was born on May 2, 1951 and passed away October 11, 2024 at 73 yrs. old. He received an aerospace degree from Ohio State University. He resided in Henderson, Nevada. H. Lynn, as he called himself, was a F4 Phantom Air Force pilot, which was the most advanced fighter jet of the time, flying as a volunteer in the Israeli Air Force. Later he was a commercial airline pilot on Continental / United Airlines rising to the prestigious rank of International Flight Captain before retiring. 

Go to Harvey's In Memory page to see more of his obituary and photos. 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

David Goldstein Obituary

David B. Goldstein, 73, born on June 29, 1951 and died October 18, 2024 at home after a valiant struggle with cancer. His life was defined by his closeness to family and friends and to his transformative work of protecting the environment from climate change and air pollution. His professional success was aided by his uncanny ability to explain complex and nuanced concepts to non-technical audiences of political decision-makers, his students, mentees, and family members.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he attended Cleveland Heights High School and UC Berkeley, earning a BA and a Ph.D. in physics. At Natural Resources Defense Council for 43 years, he was a tireless advocate for energy efficiency codes and standards for appliances, buildings, and industry. He was instrumental in improving building standards in China, India and Russia.

Go to David's In Memory page to see more of his obituary and photos. 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Charles, (Chuck) Balcher

First grade at Taylor Road Elementary School, Joel and I were the worst athletes in the school, maybe that's why we got along so well together.

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Steven P. Fisher

March 6, 1951 — December 4, 2024

Denver, CO

Steven P. Fisher, age 73 died in Denver, Colorado on December 4, 2024. 

Steve was born on March 6, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a graduate of Cleveland Heights High and went on to earn a BA and two Master's degrees in American History and Library Science from Case Western Reserve University. Steve married the love of his life, Catherine O’Brien, in 1973 in Cleveland, Ohio. A few years later Steve accepted a position at the University of Denver and the couple moved to Colorado in 1977. Steve worked as the University of Denver’s Archivist until he retired in 2017. 

Go to Steve Fisher's In Memory page to read the rest of his Obituary. 

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory Of

Richard P. (Ricky) Morrison, 73, of Mentor, passed away on Jan. 21, 2025. Richard was born on Oct. 17, 1951, in Cleveland,  Ohio..

Richard was a highly regarded attorney practicing criminal law in Lake County. He was also at one time a prosecuting attorney in Lake County Courts. He worked hard all his life, hardly taking time off for vacations. Law was his life.

See more of Ricky's obit on his In Memory Page

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

Stephanie Jean Willoughby

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stephanie J. Willoughby, who left us peacefully on February 1, 2025, at the age of 73. Born on December 23, 1951, Stephanie filled the lives of those around her with laughter and warmth. She was a shining beacon of intelligence, possessing a wicked sense of humor that brought joy to every gathering.

See more of Stephanie's obit on her In Memory Page

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of 

Islarene Amantea 

Islarene M. "Isla" Amantea (née Siess), born on June 10, 1951, passed away on March 17, 2025, at the age of 73 in Ohio.

A dedicated registered nurse, Isla retired from the Cleveland VA Hospital after a fulfilling career that also included positions at The Cleveland Clinic and Sisters of Notre Dame. She was a longtime parishioner at St. Anselm Church and worked there before moving to Willoughby Hills to pursue full-time nursing.

A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Saint Anselm, 12969 Chillicothe Rd., Chesterland, Ohio 44026. In lieu of flowers, Isla and her children request donations be made to colorectal cancer research.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

See obit on her In Memory Page

Val Iberall (O'Connor)

In Memory of

VICTORIA A. ISPHORDING (nee Draper) age 73, passed away peacefully at her home on April 14, 2025. Married 47 years to her beloved husband, Francis X. Isphording who died in June 2024. Dearest daughter of the late Richard and Marjorie Draper (nee Walsh). Treasured sister-in-law to Thomas (Suzi) and David Isphording and Margie Hull (Richard). Dear cousin and aunt to many.

Vicki grew up in Cleveland Heights and graduated from Heights High in 1969. Vicki and Frank met in high school. It was an unabashed ‘smitten at first sight’ situation for Vicki. A short time later the tall, dark, dashing Francis Xavier fell for Victoria. After High School Vicki worked at an optician’s office while Frank completed college and Grad School. They married in July 1978.

See the rest of her obituary on her In Memory Page.