Betty Jean Skidmore (nee Knepp), 76, died Tuesday, May 23, 2000. She was a resident of Barberton for 35 years, retired from Barberton Citizens Hospital as an RN with 26 years of service, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Barberton and Jeannette Chapter 212, O.E.S. She is survived by husband, Joe; daughter, Cheri (Phillip) Elliott; grandchildren, Erik Joseph Elliott and Rachel Keri Elliott; sisters, Grace Parker of Naples, Fla., Rosemary Morrison of Unionville, Ohio, and Lois Armstrong of French Creek, W. Va. Funeral services Friday, 11 a.m., at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, Dr. Jack Lewis Pursell officiating. Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. (Campfield-Hickman-Collier, 745-3161.) Walter R. ``Bob'' Hershberger, 73, of Barberton, passed away May 22, 2000, at Pleasant View Health Care Center. He was born March 8, 1927, in Blacksburg, Va., to the late George and Nanny Hershberger, and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army. Bob will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Edna (Silcox); daughters, Susan George, Beverly (Dave) Burkett, Terri Graham; sons, James (Marsha), George ``Bob'' (Sheila), Donald; sister, Kathryn Tanner; brothers, Edgar, Charlie (Ruth), Richard; 16 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Friends may call Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at NEWCOMER-FARLEY FUNERAL HOME, 131 N. Canton Rd. (at Gilchrist Road), where funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m., with Rev. Nelson Pamer officiating. Interment Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. (NEWCOMER-FARLEY 784-3334.) Elsie M. Steiner, 78, died May 22, 2000. Born in Clarksburg, W. Va., she had been a resident of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls for 58 years. Mrs. Steiner worked for the B.F. Goodrich Tire & Rubber Co. during World War II, and devoted the rest of her life to her husband and children. She was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ. Preceded in death by brother, Paul, she is survived by her husband of 53 years, Raymond; daughter, Linda Steiner of Houston, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Charles McPherson of Largo, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Carla Steiner of Copley Township; stepdaughter, Beverly (William) Carey of Diamond Bar, Calif.; grandchildren, Sean Steiner, John McPherson, Marc and Susan Carey; great-grandson, Adam; and brother, Richard Karl Kershner of Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. THURSDAY at Bethany United Church of Christ, 1235 Broad Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, with the Rev. Stephen G. Gehlert officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 1645 W. Eighth St., Erie, Pa. 16505. (Billow FALLS Chapel, 867-4141.) Col. John J. Staud Jr., 62, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away May 20, 2000. He was born March 29, 1938, in Elkins, W. Va. Col. Staud graduated from high school at St. Mary's in Akron, attended Kent State in Kent, Ohio, prior to his military career, and later earned a degree in applied sciences from Troy State University in 1978. Colonel Staud's Air Force career began in December 1957, when he received his commission from the Aviation Cadet Corps. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit in April 1982, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1982, he became a program support specialist for General Dynamics Services Co. in Fort Worth. During this time, he was appointed program manager for the F-16 program in Venezuela from 1983 to 1986. He received the highest-ranking civilian award presented by the Venezuelan government, achieved for his work with GDSC. In 1990, Mr. Staud earned his PCAM and began a career in property management. He held the position of general manager of Northcoast Village (1990 to 1996), and later was elected president of North Coast Village Home Owners Association in Oceanside, Calif., from 1997 to 1998. Col. Staud pursued his love of sailing while in the Oceanside area. Most recently, he served as general manager for Pine Mountain Club in Pine Mountain, Calif., from 1996 to 1998. Preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Staud, he is survived by wife, Genevieve, formerly of Belle Fourche, S.D. (the couple met while serving with the U.S. Air Force at CamRanh Bay, Vietnam); sons, John J. and Elke Staud of Luxembourg, James F. and Michelle Staud, Christopher M. and Karen Staud of Forth Worth, and Jeffrey J. and Kelly Staud of Lubbock; daughters, Cynthia D. and Brandon Boehme of Fort Worth, and Jennifer L. and Jose Escobar of Phoenix, Ariz.; father, John Joseph Staud Sr. of Kent, Ohio; brothers, James and Judy Staud of Lake Martin, Ohio and Joe and Marty Staud of Cumming, Ga.; sisters, Mary Ann Connor of Kent, Ohio; eight grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A vigil service will be held at 7 TONIGHT at Greenwood Chapel, with funeral services at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Burial at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. (Greenwood Funeral Home, 1-817-336-0584.) Boyd A. Watkins, 77, passed away May 21, 2000, in Akron. He was born Nov. 19, 1922, in Rowlesberg, W. Va., the son of Raymond and Gertie Watkins. He served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp. He worked for B.F. Goodrich. Mr. Watkins loved his cats. He is survived by wife, ``Jean'' Ortha Watkins of Akron; sister, Lelah Funk of Akron; stepdaughter, Rebecca Heckman; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two nephews; and one niece. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at the ADAMS MASON MEMORIAL CHAPEL, (791 E. Market St.) Rev. Thomas Funk will conduct services. (Cremation Society of Ohio, 535-1012.) William Duncan Tanner, 67, of Chloe, Calhoun County, W. Va., died Thursday, May 18 at his home. Born at Dawes, Kanawha County, W. Va., he was a son of the late William and Rinda Postalwait Tanner. He retired from the Ford Motor Company of Walton Hills, Ohio, and was a welder. Surviving are two daughters, Jean Ann Keyser, and Hope ``Fox'' Tanner, both of Wadsworth, Ohio; two brothers, Joe Tanner of Columbus, Ohio; and James Tanner of Chloe, W. Va.; two sisters, Edith Laws of Miami, W. Va., and Maxine Tanner of New Jersey; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg. Interment will held at Green Cemetery, Nebo, W. Va. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Elsie L. King, 66, of Akron, passed on to eternal life on May 18, 2000, from complications due to leukemia. Born in Calhoun County, Nicut, W. Va., she was preceded in death by parents, Carl and Alma ``Carter'' King; brothers, Chester and Gene. She is survived by children, Diane Stopher, Debbie Cook, Steve Metz, Denise (Edd) Heppe, Denine Angels, Dawn Marks, Bobby and Darrin Vaughan; 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; special friend, Roy Meadows. Special thanks to Marshall Flaughers and Sharon Knicely Turner for all their help. Their moral support, love, and spirituality has been a great comfort. Arrangements by Stump Funeral Home in Arnoldsburg, W. Va. Olive J. Perkey, 79, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2000, at Pebble Creek Nursing Home. She was born in West Union, West Virginia and resided in Akron for 55 years. She was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Lucy V. Jett; husband, Ralph V. Perkey; brothers, John and James Jett; and sister, Thelma Underwood. Olive is survived by sisters, Pearl Jett of West Union, Roberta Jean Sullivan of Spanaway, Washington, Arlene Boyce of Weirton, West Virginia, Kathleen Bologa of Akron and Edna Kinney of Salem, West Virginia; brother, Joe Jett of Windham, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Pebble Creek Nursing Home for their compassionate care. Private family services will be held at the convenience of the family. Entombment at Hillside Memorial Park. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 724-1281.) Virginia Parker met her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, face to face on Wednesday, May 17, 2000. She was born Nov. 23, 1914, in Mannington, W. Va. Virginia was preceded in death in 1986 by her husband of 50 years, James E. Parker. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Anna and Earl Norrod of Akron; and Sally and Wayne Pickens of Stow; three grandchildren, Lisa (Shawn) Stack, Jerry W. Pickens, and Becky (Shawn) Crabeels. She leaves four great-grandchildren; Tyler Thouvenin, Jordan and Nicholas Stack, and Alexis Crabeels. She is also survived by sisters, Emily Phipps of Canton, Helen Wise of Valparaiso, Fla., and Barbara Pittinger of Klamath Falls, Ore.; and brother, Robert Huey of Hurricane, W. Va. Mrs. Parker was a member of Mission Baptist Temple in Stow. During her life, she taught Sunday School for nearly 30 years at the Akron Baptist Temple and Kent Baptist Temple. She was a resident of Stow for almost 50 years. A special thanks to Bob and Fran Butcher for the loving care given to Mrs. Parker in their home for nearly four years, and to their loving staff--Carol, Dana, Dee, Virginia, Dennis, Kelly and Merle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven of Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 1758, Akron, Ohio 44398-6110. Funeral service will be conducted Saturday, May 20, at 10 a.m., by Rev. Bob Stephens, at NEWCOMER-FARLEY FUNERAL HOME, 131 N. Canton Rd. (at Gilchrist Road). (NEWCOMER-FARLEY, 784-3334.) Vergie Pearl George, ``the hat lady,'' went to her Lord quietly at her home Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by husband, D. Lee; daughter, Marceda Ann; infant son, David Lee; father and mother, Albert and Laura Hibbs; sisters, Beryl, Dove, and Fannie; and brother, James. She leaves foster daughter, Joyce Crislip and her husband, Roger Crislip; granddaughters, Leslie Rolf, Jenifer Faircloth, and Kimberly Payne; great-granddaughter, Tosca Rolf; also, many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the Akron area and in West Virginia. Vergie was born in Sand Run, W. Va., on March 18, 1907, where she resided until she married and moved to Akron. She lived on a farm north of Barberton. Vergie loved the farm and gave her life to it, driving the tractor in the fields, as well as raising vegetables and fruits which she canned and froze and even sold at a roadside stand in front of the house for over 50 years. The family also raised hogs for the World War II effort. She took in and cared for foster children along with her own daughter during World War II. In later years, Vergie turned her yard and garden into a showplace of flowers. She also became well known for the beautiful hats she always wore -- one to match every outfit. She was a lifelong member of the Sand Run Baptist Church in West Virginia and attended the Akron Baptist Temple. She belonged to the Golden Agers at the ABT, Norton Senior Citizens, and Akron Country Western Music Association. She worked tirelessly at dinners and other activities for these groups. She traveled extensively with the Golden Agers in recent years. She will be remembered for her good deeds as a neighbor and friend, delivering gifts, providing transportation, and visiting shut-ins. She will be missed. Services will be at Akron Baptist Temple, 2324 Manchester Rd., Akron, TODAY at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. Dr. Charles Billington and Rev. Bill Lee will officiate. Interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Donations may be sent to the Akron Baptist Temple Mission Fund. Map and directions available at www.legacy.com. (Bacher--Norton, 825-3633.)