Mildred J. Gahres

Mildred J. Gahres "Millyjo", 95, of Akron, passed away on April 20, 2025. She was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on August 4, 1929, to the late Charles N. and Bertha E. (Rupp) Hardenstine. She grew up in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon Valley High School. After graduating, her first job was as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone in Lebanon. She met and married Robert S. Gahres on November 6, 1948. They moved to Akron in the early 50s, where she raised her family.

Mom was very active in her children's lives. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Brownie Leader. If we wanted Girl Scout cookies, we had to use our allowance money. She also was very active in the Wooster Hawkins Little League, where she was the official score keeper for numerous playoff and championship games. For many years, Mom enjoyed bowling in both a couples league with Dad and a Ladies League. She attended the PBA Tournament of Champions at Riviera Lanes as often as she could. She was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan. Mom was very active at Divinity Lutheran Church where she volunteered to work in the office up until the church disbanded.

Mom worked outside the home once her children were in school. She worked at the S&H Green Stamp Store as well as a children's photography studio named Clown Town. Her children John and Melanie served as models for photographers to practice on. Finally, Mom was employed by Fashion Barn, retiring in the late 1980s.

After retirement, she enjoyed watching the grandchildren play sports, perform in school activities, walking the track at Ellet High School, and eating out with family and friends. But most of all, Mom got great joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren around holidays and family dinners. Her favorite holiday was Easter. Every year she hosted Easter dinner for family from Pennsylvania and local families. It was very fitting that she chose Easter Sunday to pass into eternity.

In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, Jeffery R. Gahres; brothers, William, Harry, twins Howard and Harold, and Kenneth Hardenstine; sisters, Evelyn Gassert, Amy Tatum, Jennie Wise, and Beatrice Blouch.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Paul H. (Mary) Gahres, Sharen F. Schneier, Melanie L. Gahres, and John M. (Cathy) Gahres; brother, Ronald (Barbara) Hardenstine; sister, Mary Spangler; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews including special nieces, Barbara Buffenmeyer and Linda Miller.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 10-11:30 a.m. immediately followed by an 11:30 a.m. memorial service at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron. Inurnment at Rose Hill Burial Park.

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