Peter married Claire Louise Sampsell on 4 Sep 1948 in Ohio, USA. Claire (daughter of Rexford Lee Sampsell and Thelma Marie Bissler) was born on 26 Feb 1926 in Ohio, USA; died on 1 Jun 2001 in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, USA; was buried on 28 Jun 2001 in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

CENSUS:
1930:
Name: Claire L Sampsell Age: 4 Estimated birth year: abt 1926 Relation to head-of-house: Daughter Home in 1930: Franklin, Portage, Ohio Image source: Year: 1930; Census Place: Franklin, Portage, Ohio; Roll: 1861; Page: ; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 1062.0.

Arthur married Alameda Margaret Love on 17 Sep 1918 in Stark County, Ohio, USA. Alameda was born on 28 Oct 1888 in Michigan, USA; died on 25 Dec 1965 in Stark County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

CENSUS:
1930:
Name: Rexford L Sampsell Age: 31 Estimated birth year: abt 1899 Birthplace: Ohio Relation to head-of-house: Head Race: White Home in 1930: Franklin, Portage, Ohio Image source: Year: 1930; Census Place: Franklin, Portage, Ohio; Roll: 1861; Page: ; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 1062.0.

Ohio Deaths, 1958-2000
Name: Rexford Lee Sampsell Gender: Male Date of Death: 26 July 1993 Birth Date: 09 June 1898 Volume: 29475 Certificate: 055543 Autopsy: No Social Security Number: 288124158 Father's Surname: Sampsell Time of Death: 6:54 PM Marital Status: Widowed Hispanic Origin: Non Hispanic Place of Death: Hospital/ER-Outpatient Years of Schooling: 12 Certifier: Physician Referred to Coroner: No Mother's Surname: Thompson Race: White Birth Place: Kenton, Portage County, Ohio Residence: Ohio Age: 95

Social Security Death Index
Name: Rexford L. Sampsell SSN: 288-12-4158 Last Residence: 44240 Kent, Portage, Ohio, United States of America Born: 9 Jun 1898 Died: Jul 1993 State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (Before 1951 )

Rexford married Thelma Marie Bissler about 1923. Thelma (daughter of Samuel C. Bissler and Clara Kerner) was born on 10 Jul 1899 in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, USA; died on 2 Jan 1983 in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ohio Deaths, 1958-2000
Name: Thelma Sampsell Gender: 2 Date of Death: 02 January 1983 Birth Date: 10 July 1899 Volume: 25127 Certificate: 005481 Autopsy: Yes - Used for certification Social Security Number: 287244816 Marital Status: Married Hispanic Origin: American Place of Death: Ravenna, Portage County Certifier: Physician Race: White Birth Place: Ohio Residence: Kenton, Portage County Age: 83 Years

Peter married Clementine Cecelia Stucker on 23 Nov 1886 in Stark County, Ohio, USA. Clementine was born on 17 Dec 1862 in Stark County, Ohio, USA; died on 27 Jan 1937 in Stark County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: Institution began with job hopes By Mary Cain Kent was 25 years old. He was 21?a new arrival from the farmlands of nearby Suffield. "Boom town" Kent, with its population of 3,000, had beckoned him with hopes of finding a job hauling quarried stone. The stone was quarried from the west bank of the Cuyahoga River, near the base of the Main Street Bridge, built with quarried stone just 15 years prior. Thirty-three years later, on Aug. 3, 1925, the S.C. Bissler & Son furniture store and funeral parlor stood at the corner of West Main and North River Streets (Gougler Avenue), just a few feet from the then abandoned quarry. His talent at driving teams of horses was the catalyst to his impending career, as he was subsequently hired to drive for Ira Herriff, owner of the town's only furniture store and funeral parlor. A mutual admiration society was founded between the two which resulted in his 21-year employment, until the death of Herriff.
According to his only surviving son Robert Bissler, "My father loved the business instantly. It was marriage overnight." Then in 1913, the 66-year tradition of S.C. Bissler & Son was begun when 45- year-old Sam and his 18- year-old son Ira opened this first store at 114 East Main Street. Just prior to its opening Sam Bissler operated a small livery which rented horses and wagons to migrant construction workers who were building a dam near Kent. Supervisors for the construction companies inquired where they could purchase mattresses and cots for workers. Bissler located the goods and finalized his first independent sale before his first store was opened. Growing pains forced the budding company into the building at 112 East Main St., including the second levels of both buildings. Robert remembered his father and brother as enterprising retailers. The pair would regularly load the company van with pianos and travel the countryside selling pianos door-to-door. Being enterprising also led to further expansion and Bissler's decision to construct a new facility. Sam Bissler had long admired the property at the corner of West Main and North River Streets, which was owned by the local banker William Kent, the son of the late Marvin Kent. Kent's namesake, Marvin Kent, had always reserved that particular parcel of land for the future location of a hotel. His son respected his wishes and never sold the land, but in 1923, William died and the heirs of the property ordered it sold. Thus after three generations, the landowner era ended for the Kent family. Local businessmen warned Bissler the venture was ill-fated, claiming that retail business located across the river would never last. "It isn't often a family business can operate so smoothly," said Robert Bissler. "Everyone just works together and does what ever needs to be done. It's strictly a family operation." Construction on the 18,000 square foot brick building began early in 1925 and was completed by the Aug. 1 deadline set for construction. Townspeople watched the construction of the $60,000 retail facility with interest, speculating whether they would "get Sam in" by the deadline.

On Aug. 2, 1925 at a 3 p.m., the final sale was completed and the doors of the East Main Street establishment closed, later to be reopened as McCrory's 5 & 10 Cent Store. The move was completed overnight with the new establishment opening its doors for business at 7:30 the next morning. During afternoon and evening receptions, no sales were allowed and flowers were given to the first visitors. Entertainment was provided the entire day by a musical trio consisting of a pianist, cellist and a violinist. The original establishment was divided and included ample space to accommodate both the furniture store and the funeral parlor under one roof. The funeral parlor was approximately one-third of the first floor with a separate entrance near the bridge walkway. Furniture was on display in the basement, first and second floor levels. The outside of the establishment looks comparatively the same today as it did in 1925. Gone are the plate glass windows installed on the second story. Remaining is the lighted sign which vertically spells out "Bissler's." Although the operation of the family business has remained constant over the years, prices have changed. Rick Bissler, great-grandson of Sam Bissler, illustrated the price changes with a 1932 sales slip. The sales slip showed that a complete household of furniture, including kitchen appliances, was purchased for less than $400.

Then came the addition of another partner in 1939. Robert was added and an "s" was added to the "& Son" ending to the business name. Dick Bissler was the first member of the third generation to complete his embalmers and funeral operator's certification. Rick Bissler was the first member of the fourth generation to join the family institution. Presently Robert heads the company as president. "I plan to remain active as long as I can breathe," he said. Robert is a past president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, a board member of Huntington-Portage National Bank, life member of Kiwanis and honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1943, Bissler's was selected to become a member of the National Selected Morticians. Robert served a three-year term on the board of the nationally known organization. He was selected as its president in 1965. Married in 1943, he and his wife Eve have four daughters and two grandchildren. The late Ira Bissler had three sons: Jerry F., who serves as company secretary; Richard S., who serves as treasurer; and Father Thomas, a priest serving in the Youngstown Diocese. Jerry and Richard received their embalmers and funeral director's certification in the early 1940's. Rick was the first member of the four generation to be certified. After 28 years of business, a split occurred in 1942, but it was due to expansion and exasperation.

The funeral facilities were moved to a new location in a renovated home located on the corner of West Main and Chestnut Streets. When the move was made, most of Kent was concentrating their attention on the movement of troops during World War II. Or, the latest moves of the Roosevelt Rough Riders in their opening game with Bedford. But during the open house held in September of 1942, residents took note of the modern facilities including air-conditioning and a complete sound system. An elevator was also installed serving three levels of the Colonial home. To ensure a smooth and quiet ride, a 40- foot, below ground elevator shaft was installed as a counter-balance. The funeral home was again renovated and expanded to its present size in 1976. Four generations have succeeded in the family enterprise and the business has continued to operate the same as it was begun in 1914. Samuel Bissler came to Kent to find work and ended up investing a lifetime. In 1892 his only collateral consisted of a horse-drawn carriage and a suit of clothes. In turn the Kent community has collected the interest?a 66-year tradition of service.

And the story continues?We experienced some major changes in the late 1980's. Jerry Bissler died in October of 1986. He had been ill a while, but this loss was very hard on the organization. Dick Bissler retired shortly after his 65th birthday at the end of 1987. We, then, rethought the goals and direction of the business and chose to close the Furniture Store part of the business the end of February 1988. This was a major change, yet it allowed for some other enhancements and focus to the Funeral Service facet.
West Main and Chestnut Streets
The changes did not stop there. September of 1988 brought a great deal of unexpected change with the deaths of Dick Bissler, Mary Bissler and Bob Bissler. Mary was the widow of Ira, one of the founding partners and a major stockholder for years. One of the most fortunate things for the continuation of this family business is that Bob, Dick and Jerry had done their homework in succession planning. It is through their foresight that the business was on solid ground legally and that the business could then focus on growth.The next eleven years brought a sustained remodeling and renovation of the Funeral Home. This plan included the installation of a cremator and addition of a business office with a separate entrance. Many families have a difficult time coming back into the doors of the Funeral home after the services are complete. The entrance for the Business office allows them to return to pick up Acknowledgement cards or Certified Copies of the Death Certificates and not use the "funeral" entrance. Our growth plan keeps us on the leading edge of Funeral Service, so the Cremator installation was a natural part of the plan. Also during these years the Furniture Store building was sold. It has been remodeled into some of Kent's more sought after office space.Our Growth plan is still in place and we are continually working to keep the needs and desires of our families as our goal. We strive to never answer to a family's request with "We don't do that here." Our aim is to assist families in planning a service that skeaks to the life that has been lived; no matter if that includes motorcycles, "Brink's" trucks or High Tea.

Samuel married Clara Kerner on 8 Nov 1893. Clara (daughter of Friedrich Kerner) was born on 29 Oct 1873 in Ohio, USA; died on 19 Apr 1924 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA; was buried on 22 Apr 1924. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

father: Godfried Keener