Michael J. Rehfus age 49, passed away at Aultman Hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, with his family at his side. A lifelong resident of Canton, he graduated from Canton McKinley High School in 1978, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from The University of Akron in 1983. He earned his classification as a registered professional engineer in 1988 and as a registered professional surveyor in 1991. While in college, he worked as a co-op student for the Ohio Department of Transportation. In March 1984, he began to work for the Stark County Engineer's office. He became the County Bridge Engineer in 1990, the Chief Deputy Engineer in Oct. 1998, and the Stark County Engineer in Jan. 2003. He was elected to serve as the Stark County Engineer in Nov. 2004 and Nov. 2008. During his service as the Stark County Engineer, which he thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated, he oversaw many visible projects, including capital improvements to Stark County's roadways and bridges. He was named the 1994 Young Engineer for Canton Regional Society of Professional Engineers, President of the Cuyahoga Valley Section of ASHE, American Society of Highways Engineers, Chairman of District 19 of the Ohio Public Works Commission, Board Member of the Stark County Transportation Improvement District, Canton Joint Engineering Council and County Engineers Association of Ohio. He was an avid McKinley Bulldog fan and a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. He loved golfing and bowling and bowled several 300 games and was also known by many as King Pin. He is survived by his loving wife of 23-1/2 years, Debbie (Frank) Rehfus, and their five children, Jennifer (Jenny), Katherine (Katie), Michael Jr. (Mike), Matthew (Matt), and Kristen (Krissy), all of the home. He is also survived by his mother and stepfather, Judy and Manuel Martinez of North Canton; sister, Karen Jeffords of North Canton; brothers, Kurt Rehfus of Canton, Kevin Rehfus of Troy, Ohio, and Seve Martinez of Oakland, Calif.; mother-in-law, Diane Frank of Canton and brothers-in-law, Bill Frank Jr. of Woodsfield, Ohio and John Frank of Canton. He is preceded in death by his father, Morris Rehfus; brother, Mark Rehfus and grandparents, Earl and Mary Rehfus and Max and Millie Stone and father-in- law, Bill Frank Sr. The family wishes to extend its profound thanks to Mike's Oncologists, Dr. Paul Manuszak and Dr. Shruti Trehan and their staff, to the Aultman Hospital Oncology Floor-6 south staff, to Aultman Hospital Palliative Care Unit and Aultman Hospice staff, and to the countless friends and acquaintances who showed such concern and compassion for Mike and his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4940 West Tuscarawas St. Canton with Rev. Fr. William B. Kraynak as celebrant. Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Reed Funeral Home North Canton Chapel (801 Pittsburg Ave. NW) on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to be made to the Rehfus children's education fund at any Fifth Third Bank.
Those wishing to share a fond memory or their condolences may sign the Reed on-line guestbook at our website www.reedfuneralhome.com.
Published in The Repository on 11/11/2009