CLEVELAND, Posted 5:25 p.m. May 12, 1998 -- What would you do if you suddenly were handed a check for nearly $300,000?

That's what one California woman is asking herself, thanks to a story first aired on NewsChannel5.

The story begins back in the early part of this century. Hanna Ostberg worked for Cooper Tire in the 1920's, and while there, she invested in the company, but never collected all the dividends. The company apparently sent the dividend checks to a post office box, but that stopped in the late '80's.

Ostberg became one of thousands of people who have unclaimed funds. Funds which were somehow left behind from a bank deposit, stock investment or perhaps a utility overpayment.

Just days ago, Joe Pagonakis tried to help Cuyahoga County Officials find Hanna Ostberg. This led him to Clyde and Donna Ostberg, who say they've been bombarded by folks looking for her.

Unfortunately, the Ostbergs don't know Hanna, but they've joined in on the search, and have been trying to solve this puzzle for more than 2 years, with no luck. Until now.

Shortly after the story aired on NewsChannel5, the news department received a call from a woman who said she might know who Hanna is. That lead turned out to be accurate. Sadly, however, Hanna will never see the final dividend check from Cooper Tire. She passed away over ten years ago.

But she has family. And her family members say Hanna moved around a good deal, before ending up with a granddaughter in Trumbull County.

Now a Hanna's 87-year-old daughter, who lives in California will be handed a check for $273,789.

In 1997, there were 19,268 claims paid from the state, totaling more than $25 million dollars. There are thousands more in Cuyahoga County and in Ohio who have unclaimed funds, and your name may be among them.

To check For Unclaimed Funds:

• In Cuyaghoga County, call (216) 443-7466.
• In Ohio Check the Commerce Department's Website.