C8, Sunday, September 19, 1999 The Beacon Journal www.Ohio.com Sikh priest faces weapons charge Cleveland man accused of carrying concealed knife; he says religion requires him to have 'kirpan' at all times Associated Press MENTOR: A concealed weapons charge against a Sikh priest could be dropped if prosecutors agree the knife he was carrying was required by his religion. City Prosecutor Ron Graham said Friday he is unsure whether the arrest and the confiscation of the knife called a kirpan violated the beliefs of Gurbachan Singh Bhatia. "I'm aware at arraignment they brought that up as defense," Graham said. "I'll take a look at that. If it's for a religious purpose, then maybe we'll release the case." Although state law does not allow for exceptions, "we don't want to prosecute anyone 1 for exercising religious freedom," Graham said.
Police Chief Richard Amiott said his officers acted properly in enforcing the law banning concealed weapons. "How can you describe for me the difference between a ceremonial knife and any knife?" he asked. Bhatia could not be reached to comment. However, he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, through an interpreter, that tears now mix with prayer in his three hours of daily reading of Sikh scripture. He said he hopes God will forgive him for breaking his vow to always wear the kirpan.
Recalling his arrest, he said: "I said, 'That is a kirpan, and in my religion I am allowed to wear He (a police officer) said, 'No, that is a concealed When he was baptized a Sikh in India, Bhatia made a vow that he would always wear a kirpan, symbolizing his willingness to defend the faith. Bhatia, who lives in Cleveland, said he has kept the vow for 20 years. Shortly after midnight 3, Bhatia was returning from a religious ceremony blessing the new home of a Sikh family when he State lists I-71 drivers' dislikes Transportation officials say bad road surfaces, traffic top complaints BY ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press LEW Beacon Journal photos PLENTY OF SHADE A horse se-drawn wagon gives visitors a tour of the grounds yesterday at the Johnny Appleseed Festival at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick. The festival's namesake, also known as John Chapman, became an American legend in the early 1800s, when he planted trees across Ohio and other states. Fairgoers yesterday could enjoy Chapman's vision by taking a stroll through the orchard or relaxing by the lake.
At left, Bill Daniels of Wadsworth gives son Brandon, 4, a better view. The Twinings made their comments to the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is starting a 10-year, $535 million reconstruction project for I-71, including the addition of a third lane from Columbus to Cleveland. Over the summer, ODOT solicited public comment on two phases of the project scheduled for next year: the widening of a 16- mile section between state Route 161 in Franklin County and state Route 36 in Delaware County next year; and the widening over several years of a 79-mile stretch between state Route 36 and the I-76 interchange in Medina County. ODOT made the letters and e- mails it received available Friday. The state will include the comments in an impact study to be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration as part of a final report due out this fall, said ODOT spokesman Brian Cunningham.
Planning and environmental groups and at least one congressman U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Lakewood continue to have reservations about the project or oppose it. Most commuters who respond- COLUMBUS: Each day at 5 a.m., Vicki and Charles Twining get in their car and head for Interstate 71 as part of their hour-plus commute from Loudonville south to their Columbus-area jobs. Weary of dodging slow-moving trucks and maneuvering through rush-hour logjams, the Twinings are among I-71 drivers telling state transportation officials they favor a proposed widening of much of the highway that cuts diagonally across the state.
Bad road conditions and heavy traffic top the list of complaints. "There just is a lot of traffic on that road, at least between Mansfield and Columbus, and it just isn't adequately handling the volume in some areas anymore," said Vicki Twining, an office manager in downtown Columbus whose 1990 Oldsmobile is up to 311,000 miles. ed don't share those reservations. Valerie Matusik of Fredericktown travels I-71 often to get to Cleveland or Columbus and those cities' festivals, shopping areas, theaters, airports and hospitals. It's not unusual to get on the highway at state Route 95 "and have pretty much two solid lanes of traffic the whole way to Columbus," Matusik said.
Several commuters complained about the heavy truck traffic. Others were concerned about road conditions that led to deadly accidents. Some residents along the I- 71 corridor favored better sound barriers. Scott Erick of Sunbury northeast of Columbus told ODOT that the stretch of I-71 between state routes 36 and 161 is frequently overcrowded, including one night in July when people headed to a concert at Polaris Amphitheater north of Columbus backed up northbound traffic 12 miles. The state can either shut its eyes to the problem, "or we can rise to the challenge and build an infrastructure that will make the area a pleasant place to work, live and travel," Erick wrote.
AREA DEATHS Summit fant, of Norton. Saturday. ia funeral home. Brown, Dean 42, of Barber- Campfield-Hickman-Collier futon. Wednesday.
Billow funeral neral home. Wayne home, Portage Lakes. Mullins, Alice 64, of Bar- Griffin, Michael 37, of Cihlar, Anthony Rudolph, 81, berton. Saturday. Camp- ple Creek.
Friday. Gillman fuof Barberton. Friday. Hahn- field-Hickman-Collier funeral neral home. Hostetler funeral home.
home. Tustin, Sophia 89, of OrrDemchak, Irene, 73, of Mace- Riffle, Russell 78, of Man- ville. Saturday. Gresser funeral donia. Friday.
Johnson-Romito chester. Friday. Camp- home. funeral home, Bedford. field-Hickman-Collier funeral Swartzentruber, Anna 88, Fanoni, Johnnie Evelyn, 74, of home.
of Wooster. Friday. Murray fuSpringfield Township. Friday. Schoolcraft, Glenn 49, of neral home, Fredericksburg.
Eckard-Baldwin funeral home. Barberton. Saturday. HahnGroves, Denver Harold, 71, of Hostetler funeral home. Portage Akron.
Friday. Newcome Uber, Jennie of Barberton. Marginez, Dr. Apolinario ley funeral home. Friday.
Hahn-Hostetler funeral 70, of Kent. Saturday. Bissler Haidet, Dorothy 84, of Ak- home. and Sons funeral home. ron.
Friday. Szabo, Steven 61, of funeral home. Stark Streetsboro. Saturday. Shorts Jeffries, Marchello, 41, of Ak- Klingensmith, Robert James, funeral home.
ron. Friday. Stewart Cal- 27, of Canal Fulton. Friday. houn funeral home.
Swigart-Easterling funeral Other Lentini, Minnie, 95, of Akron. home. Bridges, Joan, 86, of Stuart, Saturday. Dunn-Quigley, Ciriel- Thomas, Mary Beth, 42, of Fla. Saturday.
Forest Hills fulo Carr funeral home, Fair- Massillon. Saturday. Ar- neral home, Palm City, Fla. lawn. nold-Lynch funeral home.
Harden, Shelly 57, of Lizawetsky, Bessie, 97, of Ak- ange Park, Fla. Sunday. ron. Saturday. Gordon Memo- Cuyahoga Hess, Jeanne 82, of Maurial funeral home.
Biros, George John 85, of mee. Friday. Coyle funeral Miklovic, Sydney Marie, in- Maple Heights. Friday. Ferfol- home, Toledo.
What our readers are saying about the Beacon Journal: "I really enjoy Jane Snows Dishing It Dean R. Brown Dean R. Brown, 42, died unexpectedly Sept. 15, 1999. Born in Ravenna, he was a life resident of Barberton, and was currently employed as an iron worker in construction.
Dean is survived by his son, Chris; and his mother, Suzanne, both of Barberton; mother, Jo Ann Price Brown of West Palm Beach, father, Russell Brown of Akron; sisters, Lynn Johnston of Barberton and Sandra Pitz of Akron; brothers, David of Hartville and Michael of Akron; many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 a.m. MONDAY at the Billow LAKES Chapel, 472 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd. (Route 619), with the Rev.
Dr. Donard M. Engle officiating. Inurnment at Greenlawn Memorial Park. may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m.
TODAY. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the family, in care of 1 the funeral home. (Billow LAKES Chapel, 867-4141.) James Butler CUYAHOGA FALLS James Butler, 64, died Monday, September 13, 1999, at Country Place Nursing Home. Mr. Butler was born August 2, 1935, in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Russell and Marjorie (nee Brice) Butler.
He graduated from North High School in 1953 followed by service in the U. S. Marine Corps. He raised his family in Cuyahoga and Muscatine, lowa. Through the years, he was involved in numerous activities associations where he made countless friendships.
Family survivors include three sons, Scott Butler of North Liberty, lowa, Bryan Butler and his wife, Becky of Muscatine, lowa, and Patrick Butler of Columbus; three grandchildren, Curtis, Megan and Jessica all of Muscatine; and his brother, Phillip Butler and his wife Joan of Camp Hill, Pa. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Summa Hospice The Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home (330-928-2147) 1930 Front Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44222-0189. James E. Cardarelli James E.
Cardarelli, 78, of Cuyahoga Falls, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, after a short illness. Mr. Cardarelli was born in Akron on Feb. 5, 1921.
He graduated from North High School, attended Kent State University, and was in pre-law school at Kent State until he was drafted in the Army during World FO. E. War I1, serving for years. After the war, Jimmy was a beer salesman for 27 years, working for Burkhardt Burger Distributors. Upon his retirement, he was a bailiff for the Cuyahoga Falls Court for 16 years.
He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, F.O.E. 2207, and was past president of the Carovillese Society. Preceded in death by his parents, Nick and sister, Geraldine; brother, Anthony; and nephew, James Spinelli, he is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Cecilia; sons, James G. (Judith) of Silver Lake, Rick (Susan) of Stow; grandchildren, Theresa Richard Matthew and Stephanie sister, Irene (John) Spinelli of Green; and many nieces and nephews. We wish to give heartfelt thanks to the doctors nursing staff at noun Stow Glen Nursing Home, Country Place Nursing Home, and Akron City Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, 10 a.m., at Immaculate of Mary Church. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, 936 N. Main Akron, Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Military honors will be conducted Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery by the University of Akron Army R.O.T.C.
Memorials may be made to the local chapter of your Multiple Sclerosis Society. (HennessyBagnoli, AKRON, 376-4251.) Anthony Rudolph Cihlar BARBERTON Anthony Rudolph Cihlar, 81, died Sept. 17, 1999, at Magnolia Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wadsworth. He was born in Doylestown and resided in Barberton for 52 years. He was employed at the Firestone Tire Rubber Co.
with years service in the boiler room, retiring 15 years ago. He was a member of the Barberton Senior Citizen Center and was a World War Army veteran. He is survived by wife, Mary; brothers, Henry of Doylestown and of Green Bay, sister, Bertha Alford of Barberton. NO FUNERAL SERVICES AND NO wood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers CALLING HOURS.
Interment at, Lakememorials are requested to Make-aWish Foundation of Northeast Ohio, 24100 Chagrin Blvd. 125, Cleveland 44122. The family wishes to thank all of the staff and friends at Magnolia Care and Rehabilitation Center for all their support and kindness. (HahnHostetler of Barberton, 825-2467.) A Time For Memory Memorialize your loved one with a written expression in the In Remembrance column of the Beacon Journal. Special art or a photo can be used.
Call Ms. Walker at 996-3333 to place your memorial notice. Hazel Amanda Carsten CUYAHOGA FALLS Hazel Amanda Carsten, 86, passed away Sept. 17, 1999, at her home. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
TODAY at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front Cuyahoga Falls. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 130 Broad Cuyahoga Falls 44221, Rev Richard Hasler officiating. Memorials may be made to the Pilgrim United Church of Christ or Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital Auxiliary Guild, 1900 23rd Cuyahoga Falls 44223, in her memory. (Clifford-Shoemaker, 928-2147.) A Golden Rule Funeral Home stopped at a light.
Thinking he had gone too far into the intersection, he backed up, and his car bumped the car behind him. No one was hurt, but as Bhatia apologized to the occupants of the other car, a passenger noticed he seemed to have a bulge under his shirt and pointed it out to police. The knife was discovered, and Bhatia was arrested. The 69-year-old priest is to appear in Mentor Municipal Court on Oct. 4 for a pretrial hearing.
If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. His lawyer, Laura DePledge, a Lake County public defender, said Friday she's still determining how to best defend Bhatia, and had no other comment. In a similar case in 1 Cincinnati in 1996, the 1st Ohio District Court of Appeals overturned a municipal court conviction of a Sikh man for carrying a concealed weapon. "To be a Sikh is to wear a kirpan it is that simple. It is a religious symbol Mark" way a weapon," Judge Painter wrote.
CLASSIFIED Death Notices David M. Bailey David M. Bailey, 52, of the Portage Lakes, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 16, 1999. Funeral services will be Monday, Sept.
20, 1999, at 10 a.m., at the Schermesser Funeral Home, Akron Chapel, 1446 S. Main with Rev. Eric Crites officiating. Calling hours will be TODAY from 5 to 8 p.m. Interment at Glendale Cemetery.
(Schermesser, Akron Chapel, 724-9351.) Thomas Liversidge Baldwin STOW Thomas Liversidge Baldwin, 82, passed away Sept. 15, 1999. An area resident for 54 years, he had been employed by the Firestone Tire Rubber Co. as an industrial engineer, retiring in 1976 with 33 years service, and was a member of Stow Community United Church of Christ and the Stow Lions Club. Preceded in death by his son, Roger Baldwin, in 1984, he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Thomas Golliher of Aurora; grandchildren, Randy, Chris, Alex, Tammy, and Dee Dee; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Emily Petrilla of Pottstown, Pa.
Memorial services Monday, 10:30 a.m., at the Stow Community United Church of Christ, 1567 Pilgrim Stow, Rev. Mark Pemberton officiating. Inurnment at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Stow Community Church in memory of Thomas Liversidge Baldwin. (Dunn-Quigley, Ciriello Carr, Stow Chapel, 688-3866.) George John Biros Sr.
George John Biros Sr. went home to be with his Lord on Sept. 17, 1999. He was born in Cleveland on April 22, 1914. He worked at Lear Siegler as a lab technician, and as a TV repairman.
He loved his church, St. Wenceslas, in Maple Heights, where he served as a Minister of Hospitality and on the Holy Name Society. He coached Little League baseball, and loved the Cleveland Indians. He also enjoyed golfing with his son and sonin-law. Mr.
Biros was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary Grace (nee Millen); and his brothers, Joe (Stella) and John. Mr. Biros is survived by his children, Wisconsin State Senator Judy Robson, Nancy Derdul (Joe) of Elizabeth, Jane Stankewicz (Ben) of Strongsville, and George Jr. (Judy); 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Marge Hauberg (Roland) and Anne. Friends may call at the Ferfolia Funeral Home, 5386 Lee Rd.
(near Broadway), Maple Heights, for visitation Monday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Tuesday, 9:15 a.m., at the funeral home. Services at St. Monica at All Cemetery in Northfield. Catholic Church, at 10 a.m.
Interment (Ferfolia, 1-216-663-4222.) Joan "Josephine Ann" Bridges Joan "Josephine Ann" Bridges, 86, of Stuart, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, in Port Salerno, Fla. She was born in New Albany, and was a resident of Stuart for the past 44 years, coming from Akron. She was co owner of Bridges Boat in Akron for years, and man active member of the V.F.W. Jensen Beach.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Kenneth E. Bridges Sr. Survivors include daughters, Carole Ellis of Stuart, Suzanne (Glenn) Winter of Cuyahoga' Falls, Joyce Burton of Port St. Lucie, Connie Jones of Jensen Beach, son, Kenneth (Dorothy) Bridges Akron; brother, Richard McCready of El Cajon, 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren. Friends may call Thursday, Sept.
23, 1999, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Forest Hills Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at 12 p.m., at Forest Hills Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Palm City, Fla. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 919 N.
Michigan Ave. Suite 1000, Chicago, Ill. 60611-9501. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Hills Funeral Home in Palm City, Fla. Irene Demchak (nee Moon) Irene Demchak (nee Moon), 73, of Macedonia, beloved wife of the late Anthony; dear mother of Barbara (Ed) Tribbett, Anthony T.
(Marilyn) Demchak, Kevin and Mark Demchak, Pam (Joe) Palencik, and Donna (Bill) Pickl; loving grandmother of seven, greatgrandmother of three, died Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 9080 Shepard Macedonia, Ohio. Friends will be received at JohnsonRomito, a Golden Rule Funeral Home (Route 82, one mile west of Route 8), Northfield Center, Ohio (1-330-468- 1443), Monday, 5 to 8 p.m. Burial at All Saints Cemetery.
Theodore "Ted" Diamantis Theodore "Ted" Diamantis, 66, died Sept. 15, 1999. He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, AHEPA, and the North Akron Board of Trade. Preceded in death by his father, Demetrios Diamantis, he was the beloved son and brother to his mother, Marika Diamantis of Greece; brothers, George and Fonda Diamantis of Akron; sisters, Dina DiaAkron, Catherine "Nina" Diamantis of Greece, Efthalia "Litsa" Diamantis-Hatzis and her husband, Evangelos Hatzis, of Greece; nephew, Dimitris Hatzis of Greece; nieces, Kalliope Hatzis of Greece, Maria Diamantis and her husband and daughter, Edgardo and Veronica Lopez, of Florida; niece, Cristina Diamantis of Florida; cousins, Denny and Aphrodite Economou of California; many other aunts, uncles, and cousins in Greece. Services will be held at 1 p.m.
MONDAY at the ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, with Fr. Jerry Hall officiating. Interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends may call at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N.
Miller SUNDAY from 5 to 9 p.m., with a Trisayios service at 8 p.m. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St. Akron 44304. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 867-4141.) Johnnie Evelyn Fanoni SPRINGFIELD TWP.
Johnnie I Evelyn Fanoni, 74, passed away Sept. 17, 1999. She was born in Alabama. Mrs. Fanoni lived in the Akron area most of her life, and was employed with Edwin Shaw 15 years, retiring, in 1987.
Fanoni belonged to the Goodyear Retirees Club, Local 856, and was a member of the Evangel Temple Assembly of God. Preceded in death by her parents, brother, and sister, she is survived by her husband of 46 years, Donald; son, Doug Fanoni of Akron; daughters, Cheryl (Jim) Abels of Green and Joyce (Stan) Tharp of Dayton; grandchildren, Patrick, Carly, Erin, Jonathan, Lauren, and Dana; sisters, Nell Tibbs of Akron and Ruby Benson of Santa Rosa, Calif. She was a loving grandmother and very devoted to her grandchildren. Funeral services Tuesday, 11 a.m., at Evangel Temple Assembly of God, 688 Dan with Pastor Michael Mancari officiating. Burial at Hillside Memorial Park.
Friends may call at Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home, 760 E. Market Monday 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. The family suggests memorials to Hospice Care Center of to Edwin Shaw Hospital. (Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home Chapel, 535-7141.) Denver Harold Groves Denver Harold Groves, 71, passed away Sept. 17, 1999, at his residence, and has gone to be with the Lord in his Heavenly Home.
Denver was born Feb. 24, 1928, in Richwood, W. and had resided in Akron for the last 50 years. He was a veteran of World War I1, serving in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his loving wife, Norma (Miller) Groves; son and daughter-in-law, DanPat Groves; daughter and sonin-law, Chris and Greg Woody; stepbrothers, Wesley Boyd and Billy Groves; grandchildren, David Groves, Julie (Brent) Halter; great-grandchildren, Shelby and Dalton Halter; special niece, Carolyn Kugleman. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur S. Groves; mother, Daisy Groves; and stepmother, Zela Groves. Friends may call TODAY from 2 to 5 p.m. at NEWCOMER-FARLEY FUNERAL HOME, 131 N.
Canton Rd. (at Gilchrist Road). Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in Selbyville, W. Va.
Pleasant Dale Cemetery in Selbyville, W. Va. (NEWCOMER-FARLEY, 784-3334.) Continued on next page.
