Joseph A. Slayman

MANCHESTER -- Joseph A. Slayman passed peacefully from this earth on June 8, 2013 after a long struggle with cancer.

Joe graduated from Manchester High School in 1954, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He was a Marine Corps Veteran and retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. after 38 years.

Joe's love of athletics at Manchester was evident to everyone throughout his entire life. He coached boys HiY basketball, Manchester 7th grade boys basketball, freshman football and junior varsity baseball. His real enjoyment came when he started coaching girls softball. He coached nine years with his wife Ruby, grades 4-12, having five league championships. He then coached high school girls softball as an assistant coach from 1974-1979, head coach from 1981-1984. He was the 1984 All Ohio League Coach of the Year.

In his spare time Joe was the score board operator for Manchester boys high school basketball home games for 25 years. His wife Ruby by his side again, as she was the official scorer for 25 years.

Joe was on the selection committee for the Swede Olson/Jim France Hall of Fame for 28 years. Joe was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977 and his wife Ruby in 2005, as an honorary member.

Joe was the Manchester Alumni Association member for five years, organized the old school alumni activities for ten years, six with Ruby and a nine year volunteer at the Bridgestone Golf Tournament. He enjoyed his ten year association as an usher/bus coordinator at the annual Christmas Music Spectacular at the Palace Theater and Civic Theater. He was a member of Grace Bible Church, formerly the Manchester Trinity Chapel and served as a permanent usher for 21 years.

Joe was preceded in death by Ruby, his wife of 55 years; uncle, William Ringley; aunt, Emma Ringley; brothers-in-law Colonel Leslie Seigneur and Roger Silknitter. He is survived by daughter, Valerie Slayman; sister, Donna Slayman Seigneur of Arkansas; one niece, Renee Seigneur; nephews, Randall, Lanny and Leslie Seigneur; and grand nephew Jake Seigneur.

Special Thanks to Rose Lane Nursing Home, Akron General Hospice Care and Danni at Visiting Angels.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 3 to 6 p.m. at Grace Bible Church, 5781 Manchester Rd., Akron, with the Funeral Service starting at 6 p.m.. A private burial with military honors will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to the Humane Society. (Swigart-Easterling, 330-854-2356) www.swigarteasterlingfuneralhome.com