Aretta (Smith) Handa

Aretta (Smith) Handa, 93, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Mrs. Handa was born on August 6, 1932 in Benton, TN to the late Thomas D. Smith and Cleo Corbin Smith.

Mrs. Handa and her husband were co-owners of Geauga Dry Cleaners in Middlefield, OH in the 70’s. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be greatly missed. She found the Lord in her late 80’s. She survived three bouts of Covid and breast cancer in her 90’s. She began painting at 90 and made jewelry in her younger years.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Handa was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Smith and sister, Rethal Smith Zalar.  Her husband, Donald Handa Sr., son, Donald Handa Jr., and daughter, Kathleen Handa Ptacek.

Surviving children, Daniel (Darlene) Handa, Sheila (Tim) Hastings and Amy Brigham Loza.

Grandchildren, Crystal (John) Klooz, Donny Handa, Jason Dudas, Michael Dudas, Danielle (Michael) Kormos, Deborah Adrian, Dennis Handa, Daina (Doug) Knowles, Branden Vondruska, Keven (Gabi) Hastings, Shannon (Joey) Johnson, Courtney (Daniel) Troy, Colin (Elaine) Bucholtz, Chance Loza.

Great grandchildren, Gavin Vondruska, Joseph Adrian, Alana Knowles, Liam Knowles, Victoria Knowles, Brayden Johnson, Riley Johnson, Autumn Bucholtz, Landon Bucholtz, Conrad Troy, Baron Troy, and Raegan Troy. Many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends of Aretta Handa are invited to attend her visitation beginning at 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Grace Cathedral 1055 S. Canton Road, Akron, Ohio and her funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Chris Machamer will officiate. Burial will follow at Chestnut Grove Union Cemetery in Olmsted Falls, Ohio.

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