MICHAEL R. GUESMAN, 66 Recognized as a country music pioneer

WARREN -- Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hall Funeral Home for Michael R. Guesman, 66, of 3663 Elmwood Ave. N.E., who died Sunday morning at his residence.
Mr. Guesman was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Carmichael, Pa., a son of William F. and Mary Miller Guesman, and came here in 1969.
He worked 10 years at Packard Electric Division of General Motors and had served with an Air Force crash and rescue team during the Korean War.
He was recognized in 1980 by the Country Music Association and the Grand Ole Opry as a country music pioneer for his songwriting, and was invited to participate in the family reunion of country music artists at the 9th International Country Music Fanfare in Nashville. He played guitar.
Besides his mother of Rogers, he leaves his wife, the former Rachel G. Ouelette, whom he married June 9, 1955; four sons, Donald of Leavittsburg, Paul of Vienna, Michael E. of Newton Falls and Allan of Warren; three daughters, Debra Wiscott of Girard, Diane Slavich of Port Sulpher, La., and Carol Hinchman of Winter Haven, Fla.; two brothers, Ronald of Rogers and George of Marlboro, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A sister, Charmaine Hartley, and a brother, Donald, are deceased.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
4/24/01