Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
16 charitable funds were established through Stark Community Foundation from January 1 through June 30, 2025.
Field of Interest Fund
The late John H. and Evelyn L. Ashton were instrumental in the creation and development of many Carrollton nonprofit organizations and activities as residents and business owners in the community since 1932. John devised a way in which he and Evelyn could continue to give back to Carrollton and the Carroll County community.
Community Charitable Fund
The Community Charitable Fund received the assets of their charitable gift annuity.
Organization Endowment Fund
Established in 2025 by Bridge Point Community Services, this endowment fund provides a lasting source of support to help south-central Stark County residents meet everyday needs, bridging the gap where community resources and services may fall short. Income from this fund will help fund Bridge Point’s resource center, thrift store, educational opportunities and volunteer efforts, ensuring essential support is always within reach.
Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established by the Carrollton Farmers Exchange in memory of Bruce and Crystal Burgett, two longtime supporters of the company and the local agricultural community. Bruce served as general manager of the Exchange from 1997 to 2013, and he and Crystal spent their later years together on their farm just outside Carrollton. Crystal passed away in 2019, followed by Bruce in 2024. In recognition of Bruce’s years of leadership and the couple’s shared commitment to agriculture, this scholarship supports students from Carrollton, Edison or New Philadelphia high schools who plan to pursue a degree in an agriculture-related field—a meaningful tribute to the Burgetts' legacy.
Designated Fund
After a 26-year career in banking, Mark DeChellis retired as a vice president of FirstMerit Bank. Over the years, he dedicated his time and resources to helping nonprofit organizations in our community, including museums and heritage societies, North Canton Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, local hospitals and colleges, The First Tee of Canton and the Unique Club Scholarship Fund. This charitable fund provides financial support to local organizations and initiatives that mattered most to Mark.
Donor Advised Fund
Hoover Company executive David Gault and his wife, Pamela, created a charitable fund to give back to the institutions and causes that have played a meaningful role in their lives, including Otterbein University and Walsh University.
Designated Fund
Proceeds from a 2013 event honoring the life and musical legacy of longtime local band leader, Jack Halkides, were donated to create a fund in his honor. This fund provides annual support to the Canton Symphony Orchestra to help nurture the musical aspirations of our community’s youth.
Designated Fund
A proud member of the U.S. Navy, David B. Klausner built a career as an electrician for the Hoover Company for 30 years before spending 15 years in maintenance with Canton City Schools. David had a natural way of connecting with youth, always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. After his unexpected passing in 2024, his daughters, Kelli, Kim and Caitlin, established a scholarship to honor his memory and continue his legacy of kindness and selflessness. Each year, scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from Canton City Schools to pursue trade school or community college—ensuring that David’s commitment to both young people and the skilled trades lives on.
Organization Endowment Fund
After Aunt Susie’s Cancer Wellness Center merged with Stewart’s Caring Place in 2024, an endowment fund was created to guarantee ongoing funding for free support services and programs for Stark County individuals and families touched by cancer.
Donor Advised Fund
Established by her family, this fund honors the life and legacy of Olivia Sturgill. Olivia embodied love and compassion for others in her career as a hospice nurse and was selflessly dedicated to caring for her patients and their families in end-of-life care. Known for her kindness and generosity, Olivia found true joy in using her time and talents to help others. She also found tremendous joy in caring for the babies that her family fostered over the years. She got to experience the closest possible thing to being a mother, something that she looked forward to with great anticipation. Olivia, 25, passed away May 21, 2024, due to complications from diabetes, however, her spirit of generosity and service lives on through this memorial fund.
Donor Advised Fund
As part of his estate plans, David Tomey created a charitable fund to provide ongoing support to causes he cared about, such as improving healthcare, alleviating poverty, assisting the disabled and elderly and providing scholarship support.
Community Charitable Fund
Created by the Unimet Charitable Trust Fund, this community charitable fund will support a number of nonprofit organizations in Stark County and beyond. Charles Tyburski, for whom this fund is named after, served as legal counsel for The Union Metal Manufacturing Company (later renamed Unimet Corporation) for many years.
Donor Advised Fund
Thank you to the following advisors for referring their clients to establish funds at Stark Community Foundation during the past
two quarters:
Jim Contini, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty
Danielle Frye, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty
Frank Monaco, 415 Group
Working together, we helped these clients achieve their charitable goals and make a meaningful impact in our community.