Frona A. Liston

Age 97, of North Canton and formerly Minerva, died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Altercare of Alliance.  She was born June 27, 1925 in Hartville to Paul Gopp and Lydia (Barkheimer) (Gopp) Bushman. Frona retired from GBS Filing Systems in Malvern, but most of her life has been dedicated to service to others. Frona served in the U.S. Navy during World War II after graduating from North Canton High School and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017. For more than 50 years, Frona was a life member of WAVES National, now known as Military Women Across the Nation, and served as the 2000 National Convention Co-Chair. She also is a life member of Northeast Ohio Women Veterans Unit 21 and has served as past president, president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Frona initiated a published history collection of Unit 21 women veterans who served. A copy is housed at the Library of Congress.

Frona worked with the Minerva school system and the village librarian to coordinate an adult literacy program in Minerva. In equestrian association volunteering her time with her husband John with COSCA Central Ohio Saddle Club Association, PtHOA Pinto Horse Association of Ohio, PINTO Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc. and Welsh Pony Club.  Frona has mentored many young adults by encouraging high standards and promoting the ideals of responsibility and dedication. She is an adult literacy tutor with the Sebring Area Literacy Council, a volunteer at the North Canton Heritage Society where she serves to preserve, protect and share history of North Canton, Ohio, and she tutored children and adults ELS English as a Second Language.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Liston who died in 1988, son, William Liston, her siblings, Lee Gopp, Calvin (Barbara) Flenner and Berneice (Bob) Simpson. She is survived by 4 children, Dale (Dolores) Liston, Anthony (Becky) Allen, Ann Allen-Wallace, Kay Raga, 11 grandchildren, Terri Tidwell, Traci (Ron) Becker, Jim Liston, Greg (Candice) Liston, Matt (Dara) Liston, Debbie (Dan) Barone, Kim (Kevin) Shaw, Anthony Allen, Robert Silverwood, Andrew (Alexandra) Wallace, Sarah (Eric) Robinson, 29 great grandchildren, Ashley Norris, Courtney Deyoe, Whitney Killman, Taylor Becker, Cale, Colby, Tyson, Reid, Abbey and Paige Liston, Brianna Gerber, AJ, Aaron, Austin Shaw, Taylor and Madison Allen, Caroline, James, Samuel and Baby Boy Wallace, 10 great grandchildren, Brett, Owen, David and Emma Norris, Teagan and Remi Gerber, MJ and Blair Liston, Easton and Callie Killman.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1:00 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Chaplain Larry Karlen officiating.  Burial with full military honors will be in Liberty Cemetery.  Calling hours will be one hour prior to services from noon to 1pm.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to WIMSA Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA  22201.