Malone Alumni News

  Congratulations to Charity Rysak '19 on her recent appointment from Gov. Mike DeWine to be the state commissioner for the New African Immigrants Commission. Charity began her term on December 19th of 2025, and will serve until at least 2028 in this capacity. Charity is originally from Angola, Africa, and she moved to the Canton area almost a decade ago, obtaining her U.S. citizenship in 2022. Charity spent part of her childhood as a refugee in Zambia due to the civil war that was taking place in Angola. Charity is also a licensed realtor and a substitute teacher. In Charity's new role, she will be advocating for community integration, access to services, and elevating African immigrant voices in policy discussions. Rysak’s long-term goal is executive leadership, where she can shape statewide policy, build sustainable partnerships, and lead community-centered initiatives. Since her time at Malone, she has been heavily involved in civic engagement in Stark County, and her dete...

  Abigail Bontrager '25 has been building very strong connections throughout Northeast Ohio as she pursues a symphony position as a cellist. She plays for the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and with Azure Strings, a chamber group that plays at weddings and other special events. Abigail grew up playing chamber music with her mother, who is a freelance violinist in the Stark County area for many years, and her two siblings. Abigail has played the cello since she was 3 years old, and this training and expertise has given her amazing opportunities. Abigail graduated from Malone with a double major in cello performance and business administration. Abigail was also able to spend her last semester abroad in Austria, learning both musically and academically. Her favorite pieces of music to play are Tchaikovsky's No. 5 & ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) pieces with her tribute band. She is currently planning to audition for symphony positions while contin...

  Congratulations to Jonathan '20 and Haleigh '20 Dendinger on the birth of their baby girl, Rosie Malone! She came into the world on Super Bowl Sunday (February 8th), weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz, and was 19 inches long. Sending our happiness and prayers to the family as they adjust to this new chapter of life! We are so excited for them.

  Judith Cohodas '99, age 81, passed away on February 5. Judith obtained her Bachelor's degree in management (MMP) from Malone. Judith is survived by her 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 nephews. We send our prayers to the family of Judith during this difficult time, and pray the peace of the Lord would surround them. To read her obituary, click here .

 The 2025 Lake Township Chamber of Commerce award winners were recently announced, and 3 winners for this year are Malone alumni! They are: Kristina Kindler '93 '02 - Educator of the Year Kristina is a double graduate of Malone, and has spent 3 decades teaching at schools in Stark County, including Heritage Christian School and Lake Center Christian. Kristina's classroom is marked by creativity and growth through several supportive strategies she incorporates for her students. She is deeply committed to her faith, and blends her faith into her teaching at Lake Center. Known for her joyful spirit and dedication, she exemplifies the mission of Christian education both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations to Kristina on this amazing honor! You can read the full writeup for Kristina  here . Christian Ramsburg '12 - Outstanding Young Professional of the Year Christian graduated from Malone and went on to work for major shale formations in the gas & oil indus...

  Congratulations to Judge Elizabeth Thomakos '11 on her recent retirement from the Court of Common Pleas in Tuscarawas County. Elizabeth was elected as a judge in 1998, and hasn't looked back since. She attended Stephens College in Missouri, but her life changed and she decided to pursue law school after hearing a speaker she was covering as a communications and journalism major.  Thomakos launched key initiatives during her time on the bench, including a civil mediation program and a Drug Court aimed at rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses. She then came to Malone to obtain her degree in Christian Ministries to develop a deeper sense of understanding for the people she was interacting with in court, and to make her a more compassionate judge. In her retirement, Thomakos hopes to be more involved in productions with the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, where she is so stranger to the stage. Congratulations to Elizabeth on this new chapter of life, we wish you all t...

Meet Christina Kimbrough ‘11, founder of Free Life and a community organizer committed to providing authentic connections – without alcohol. Her Malone experience was integral in making it happen.  Christina had a mixed relationship with alcohol after graduating from Malone, where her habit of social drinking eventually took up more and more space in her life. Right before the pandemic in 2020, Christina realized she needed a change. Stepping back from her life in Florida, Christina came back to Northeast Ohio to live with her grandmother for a few months.  “The pandemic was great for me,” she remembers. “It removed social situations where I would have been drinking and gave me time to heal.”  Upon returning to her home and husband, Christina realized that the social and community-building opportunities in her area often centered around alcohol. She joined a Facebook group of individuals who wanted to gather together without the pressure to drink, and they started organiz...

  Congratulations to Keith Redmon '88, as he recently announced he is stepping down as the President/Director of Redmon Funeral Homes. Keith is retiring from the family business, as is his wife, Catherine. Keith is looking forward to more time with his family, more availability away from the business he launched a career into, and more time with his church family. Four years ago, Keith made the difficult decision to sell the family business to Rollings Funeral Homes, based out of Atlanta, Georgia. He knew the decision wasn't easy, but he knew his father would be okay with the decision. Keith and his wife are excited for the next chapter of their life, and he has a peace in the unknown for what lies ahead for him. Congratulations to Keith for his amazing career in serving families and meeting their needs, and we wish him all the best in this next season of life! To read the full article on Keith and his career, click here .

  Dr. Millard Niver, Ph.D., age 91, passed away on December 21, 2025. Dr. Niver was a long-time math and computer science professor at Malone. Dr. Niver deeply impacted the lives of his students, and the Malone community mourns his loss. In his free time outside of teaching, Dr. Niver enjoyed woodworking, nature, and golfing.  Dr. Niver is survived by his wife of 70 years, Thelma, his 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service held for Dr. Niver on February 21 at the First Presbyterian Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio at 10 am. We send our prayers to the family of Dr. Niver during this time. To read his full obituary, click here .

Jodi Tyler '15, age 53, passed away on January 17. Jodi graduated from Malone with her Bachelors degree in Project Management. She had a very successful career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company. Jodi enjoyed spending time with family and being a cat mom in her free time.  Jodi is survived by her mother, 2 siblings, and 5 nieces. We send our prayers to the family of Jodi during this difficult time, and pray the Lord would provide peace to her family. To read the full obituary, click here .

  Richard Bowen '02, age 57, passed away on January 22. Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Malone (MMP), during which he was in the middle of a career spanning more than three decades working for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction in various capacities. Rick had & maintained a deep love and passion for the outdoors. Rick took pride in the hunting camp he had built near Wayne National Forest, as this was another way he could spend time in nature. Rick is survived by his wife, Vicki, his parents, his two children and two stepchildren. We send our prayers to the family of Rick during this difficult time. To read the full obituary, click here .