News

The Akron Municipal Court and the Glendale Cemetery will co-host an in-person tribute on Monday, November 9, 2026 beginning at 2:00 p.m. for World War II Veteran John F. Seiberling who is buried at Glendale. A guided walking tour will follow, weather permitting.

Seiberling served eight consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio’s 14th congressional district from January 3, 1971, to January 3, 1987 equaling 16 years of service.

Seiberling’s paternal grandfather is the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s founder. He served in the Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Major and helping plan transportation for the D-Day invasion.

In 1974, Seiberling helped to establish what later became the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and served as faculty at The University of Akron School of Law from 1992 to 1996.

Seiberling lived from 1918 to 2008 and is buried at Glendale Cemetery in Section 19, Lot 30.

This is the fifth year the Akron Municipal Court has hosted an event in November to honor a local veteran.

The ceremony will take place in the Civil War Memorial Chapel on the Glendale property.

Members of the press and public are welcome to attend the event taking place at 150 Glendale Avenue in Akron.

The following speakers are listed on the agenda for the ceremony:

• Dennis Parks, Court Management System Project Manager for the Akron Municipal Court, will describe Mr. Seiberling’s journey as a veteran and leader.
  
  
• Staci Nevels, Founder of Journey4Heroes, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides the Grief Recovery Method for veterans, their families and members of the community, will discuss how civilians can offer support to military families and the importance of family support to enlisted personnel. 
  
  
• Reed J. Kimball, Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.) and the Director of Education at the MAPS Air Museum in The City of Green, will discuss what a veteran is (from a veteran's perspective) and how veterans might celebrate Veterans' Day differently.

The guided walking tour (weather permitting) will be led by Executive Director of Glendale Cemetery Steven Kaut and President and CEO of The Summit County Historical Society Leianne Neff Miller.

Akron Municipal Court Bailiff and Valor Court Coordinator Jon Groza will serve as the event’s emcee.

The Chapel is not heated, so please dress appropriately based on the day’s weather forecast.

“Although, I am not a veteran, I am the son of a WWII veteran and the nephew of seven WWII veterans. All United States Veterans are appreciated for their service," said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jerry Larson who presides over the Valor Court, a specialized Veteran’s treatment docket. "John Seiberling served the Akron community in a positive fashion following his time in World War II. I am grateful for Glendale Cemetery’s leadership team for partnering with us to host this event.”

Greeters will point guests in the proper direction for parking and entry into the Memorial Chapel upon arrival.

Any questions related to the event should be directed to the Court’s Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator Nicole Hagy at (330) 375-2186 or NHagy@akronohio.gov.

Judge Jerry Larson

Dennis Parks, Court Management System Project Manager, Akron Municipal Court