VIRGINIA A. BURHANNA

GENEVA -- Virginia A. Burhanna, age 93, of Geneva, Ohio, died Monday, January 16, 2006, at UHHS Memorial Hospital of Geneva.

Born April 5, 1912 in Cleveland, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth G. and Grace (Cramblett) Perry.

She began her education in a one-room school house in North Perry, Ohio. On January 25, 1925, she came to Geneva to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Agnes (Perry) and Gordon B. Allen, after her mother's death. She was adopted by the Allens.

As a teenager, she joined the Geneva First United Methodist Church and graduated from Geneva High School in 1930.

In spite of the "Depression", she went to work the next day at Turner's Restaurant. In 1931, she was asked by a friend to take the job of Society Editor at the Geneva Free Press where she worked for eight years. She met her husband of 60 years, Carl H. Burhanna, who was a solicitor for the paper. They were married on April 9, 1939 in Geneva.

She became active in the social life of the town and in 1938 was President of the Geneva Business Professional Women's Club. Later she served as a two-year president of Platt R. Spencer P.T.A., where her son, Robert, attended school in East Geneva. Concerned about the education and activities of children, she volunteered to be a Spencer Club Scout Den Mother for two years. She was also a member of Geneva's Girl Scout Board, a member of the Rebekah Lodge, Republican Club, Spencer Study Club, North Star Grange and Methodist Women's Society and afternoon circles. She served as Secretary and Publicity Chairman for ten years. She was a charter member of the WSCS. She did publicity for the North Coast District PTA and the County Council.

In the 1950's, she wrote a column for the Geneva paper covering North Geneva and Geneva-on-the-Lake news. She was on assignment for special stories. She enjoyed the Cleveland Indians, the Olympics, and Triple-Crown horse races on TV.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Susan Burhanna of Geneva; three grandsons, Kenneth (Taryn) Burhanna of Kent, Ohio, Douglas (Amy) Burhanna of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, and Marcus (Eileen) Burhanna of New Carlisle, Ohio; six great-grandchildren, Jordan, Reilly, Casey, Isabella, Abe, and Noah; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl H. Burhanna in 1999; her parents, Kenneth G. and Grace (Cramblett) Perry; aunt and uncle, Agnes (Perry) and Gordon B. Allen; and a sister, Margaret Burhanna.

Funeral Service will be 7 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2006, at THE BEHM FAMILY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 175 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio, with Reverend John Gross, of Geneva First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Perry Cemetery, Center and Middle Ridge Roads, Perry, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to Geneva First United Methodist Church, 89 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio 44041.