MANSFIELD, Ohio- Without question Doris Beugger was one of Ohio's finest and most talented jazz pianists. Well into her golden years, she would light onto a piano bench and her fingers would dance up and down the keyboard, carefully maintaining syncopated rhythms and melody lines.

Her music is now limited to a few recordings and many memories, as Doris died Sunday morning, May 31, 2009 in Lexington Court Care Center.

Born Doris LaVonne Kistler in Wooster, Ohio to Joseph and Della "Teddy" (James) Kistler, she was graduated from Wooster High School. She attended the Eastman School of Music in Corning, NY, University of Louisville (KY), and The Ohio State University.

Doris began playing the piano at age three. Her father was a vocalist and she would play what she heard him singing. She started to play professionally when she was 12. During her high school years she played piano for the weekend broadcast shows of Canton Radio Station WADC, and remained active with many jazz music groups her entire life. Along with her late husband Werner "Buggs" Beugger on the bass, she played throughout Ohio with their combo "The Noteables."

During her long music career, she encountered numerous celebrities and dignitaries. Well known in music circles, she played in many local groups including Paul Martin's Stardust Band, the house band of the Meyers Lake Ballroom. Wearing her signature ultra-suede suits or sequinned gowns, she played solo gigs at The China Club and Manhattan Room and also gave instruction in jazz piano technique with the Art Academy.

In 1989 she was crowned Ms. Ohio Senior America, and placed in the top five finalists of the national Senior Pageant in Atlantic City. Doris was a Gold Card member of the American Federation of Musicians, and received the prestigious A.F.M. President's Award in 1984.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mansfield Leiderkranz and American Legion Post #16 Auxiliary. Since 1945, she kept a daily log, her diary, every day until her death. She enjoyed fine antique collectibles and spent hours sewing her own performance gowns and clothing.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Wilson of Canton, Ohio and Barbara Rachel of Mansfield; grandchildren, Tracy & Frank Bowen, Trent Hale, Mark & Paula Rahall and Brett & Karen Hale; great grandchildren, Brittany Hale, Breanne Hale, Brice Hale, Alexandra Bowen and Ana Rahall; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Arthur Tate, Robert Jones and Werner Beugger; a son-in-law, James Wilson; sisters, Jane Aspinall, Joan Waggoner and Mary Alice Wagner; and a cherished friend, William Gandert.

Doris' Family will receive friends Tuesday, June 2, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, and Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Local #159 American Federation of Musicians, at the funeral home.

Condolences to the Beugger Family may be made online by visiting: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com