Profile Text
Raver at the World Premiere of ‘Drag Me To Hell’. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, CA. 05-12-09, s_bukley /Bigstock.com
Date of Birth: October 9, 1943
Place of Birth: York, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Death: May 12, 2025
Ethnicity: German, smaller amount of Swiss-German
Lorna Raver was an American actress, of film, stage, and television. She starred as Sylvia Ganush in the film Drag Me to Hell . She also appeared in the films Freeway (1996), The Caller (2011), and Rushlights . She had also been billed as Lorna Raver Johnson.
Lorna was of Pennsylvania Dutch (German) descent, with deep roots in the state. Her family had a long history with the German Plymouth Brethren Church. She was married to writer and producer Yuri Rasovsky, until his death.
Lorna’s paternal grandfather was William Raver (the son of John Myers Raver and Emaline Young). William was born in Pennsylvania. John was born in York, Pennsylvania, the son of Manassas Raver and Maria Myers/Meyers. Emaline was born in York, the daughter of Jacob Washington Young and Lucy Ann Marks.
Lorna’s paternal grandmother was Clara Marcella Bailey (the daughter of Samuel Stine Bailey and Amanda Seiling). Clara was born in York, Pennsylvania. Samuel was the son of Josiah A. Bailey and Julia Ann Stine.
Lorna’s maternal grandfather was The Rev. George Harpel Keeney/Keeny (the son of George E. Keeney/Keeny and Elizabeth Harpel). Lorna’s grandfather The Rev. George was born in York, Pennsylvania. Lorna’s great-grandfather George was born in York, the son of John Petry Keeney/Keeny and Elizabeth Wehrly/Wehrley. Lorna’s great-grandmother Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania.
Lorna’s maternal grandmother was Gertie/Gertrude Ellen Krout (the daughter of Nelson Andrew Krout and Mary Ann/Alice Strayer). Gertie was born in York, Pennsylvania. Nelson was born in York, the son of John M. Krout and Sarah Flinchbaugh/Fuelbaugh/Fluebaugh/Fluebauh. Mary Ann was born in York, the daughter of Henry Strayer and Louise/Louisa Catharina/Catharine Gotwalt.
Sources: Genealogy of Lorna Raver (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Lorna’s paternal grandfather, William Raver – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogies of Lorna’s mother – http://www.genealogycenter.net https://www.wikitree.com
Genealogy of Lorna’s mother (through her own sister) – https://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Lorna’s mother – https://www.legacy.com