Stephen D. Laferre

Stephen Douglas LaFerre, 77, of Wadsworth, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Akron City Hospital, after a brief illness. Born June 5, 1940 in Dover, Ohio, he was the son of the late Donald Frederick and Mary Catherine (Edman) LaFerre.

Steve grew up in Dover and was a 1958 graduate of Dover High School before serving his country in the Army Reserves in the early 60s. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University in 1967, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity. Steve began his professional career with Modern Tire Dealer in 1967. He later was employed by B.F. Goodrich in their tire group public relations department until 1995. He was then a consultant for various publications until his retirement in 2010. His great joy, the past few years, was outings with his lunch buddies and talking politics.

On January 4, 1969, he married the former Carol Jean Johnson with whom he enjoyed 49 years of loving marriage. One of the happiest days of his life was December 13, 1977, when they welcomed their daughter into their family. Steve is survived by Carol; daughter, Terri (Jeff) Lamm; grandchildren, Wayne (Kristy) Stripe, Samantha (Ben) Mahan and Laura (Brian) Sarlouis; great-grandchildren, Connor, Cierra, Rory and Cole; sister, Bonnie Lindsey; his dear, canine companion, Max; a number of extended family members; and a host of dear friends. His family and friends will miss his infectious smile, his wit, his enjoyment of life and his love.

Steve’s family will receive callers at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1. A celebration of his life to be held in Wadsworth is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Summa Cardiovascular Institute’s Heart Valve Clinic in Akron.