, December 26, 1950- September 27, 2007, died of heart failure in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dennis was born in Dayton, Ohio to Frederick and Delora O’Grady, both now deceased. A 1969 graduate of Oakwood High School, Dennis had resided in Vienna, Austria for some twenty years having been a retired senior officer of The United Nations, headquartered in Vienna. He is survived by his brother Kevin , 53 of Miami, Florida. Dennis was an extremely active explorer and adventurer having hiked around the world three times and worked in various capacities in Botswana, Iran and The Gaza Strip in his career with the Peace Corps, The United Nations and various governments as a contracted agent in finance and conflict resolution. He was an avid mountain climber and trekker, having accomplished some 32 expeditions over the past 27 years, primarily in the Himalayan Mountain range and the associated passages to India, Tibet and China. He was embarking upon his 33rd expedition when he passed away. He was an accomplished athlete and dancer having become proficient and professional as a dancer in Hollywood, California upon retirement from the UN at age 50. He was an expert on world history and the American Civil War. He was a ravenous reader and student. Dennis was one of those unique individuals in the world that lived life to its fullest dream. He never varied from his principals and his ideals, nor from his work to help others in need in extreme conditions. He will be missed by many. Cremated in a Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on October 4th, 2007 by his surviving brother, Kevin, and his climbing partner of 22 years Mr. Ang Kami Sherpa.
, age 88, formerly of Canajoharie, NY, died Wednesday evening, October 10, 2007, at the Hospice Care Center of Dayton, Ohio. Born on May 20, 1919 in Utica, NY, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Bertha (Fuhrer) Comenale. Following WWII, Virginia married Richard Sheridan and together established their home and raised their children in Canajoharie, NY. She cherished the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, where she spent most of her life. Her husband Richard Sheridan predeceased her in 1988. Her loving family includes her daughter, Maureen Burke of Dayton, OH; her son, Michael (Sherron) Sheridan of Rochester, NY; four granddaughters, Deena (Michael) Rivoli, Elizabeth (Lewis) Vann, Sarah (Mats) Villen, and Lauren (Richard) Yogis; and two great-granddaughters, Erica and Alissa Rivoli. Other family include Mary Anne Robinson, Anne and Aaron Burke, Beatrice Burke, and Margie Pulliam. In 1992, Virginia left New York to move to Dayton, Ohio . She established a weekly “Salon” in her home on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Known for her outstanding culinary talents she provided gourmet dinners and a forum for lively discussions. Family as well as “chosen family members: gathered weekly and included Anne Allen, Sister Marie Karen Sammons and Holly Yancey. The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care and endless joy Emily Porter of Dayton, and her daughter Anna, brought into Virginia’s life. The family also wishes to thank the staff at Heartland of Kettering and Hospice of Dayton for their sensitive and compassionate care given to Virginia in her most vulnerable stage of life. A private memorial service will be held on October 21, 2007 in Dayton, OH. If memorial contributions in her honor are desired they may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45420; or to the Interlochen Scholarship Fund, c/o Sister Marie Karen Sammons, 1218 Creighton Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45420.
Obituaries from recent issues...
, age 79, of Oakwood, passed away Sunday, September 23, 2007 from complications of pneumonia at Twin Lakes Nursing Home in Cincinnati. Dick was born on February 12, 1928 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Charles and Bula Pope. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Alton. He is survived by his three children, Brian Pope of Oregon, Nancy Pope-Barrett of Batavia, and Chris Alexander of Oakwood; three grandchildren, Cody Cheyanne, Frisco Joe, and Jesse Lee Pope; and his sister, Virginia Columbo of Dustin, Florida. He was a graduate of Altoona High School, received a BA from Otterbein College, where he founded Kings Fraternity, and a MA from Ohio State. Dick served many throughout his lifetime. He ministered in Malta U.M. Church in Malta, Ohio from 1955 to 1957, Columbia Heights U.M. Church in Columbus from 1957 to 1963, Shiloh U.M. Church in Cincinnati from 1963 to 1969, Faith Community Church in Xenia from 1969 to 1984, and Christ U.M. Church in Kettering from, 1984 to 1990. Reverend Pope was instrumental in forming the Inter-Faith Council after the tornado that devastated Xenia in 1974. He also planned and organized the building of John Sale Manor in Xenia. Most importantly he served people his entire life! He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and the ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. There was a celebration of life at 303 Wonderly Ave., Oakwood on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45242, Alzheimer’s Association, 3797 Summit Glenn Rd. #G100, Dayton, Ohio 45449, or Lambda Gamma Epsilon “Kings Fraternity”, 94 West Park St., Westerville, Ohio 43081. Arrangements in care of TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME – FAR HILLS CHAPEL, Dayton, Ohio. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
, age 19, of Urbana, passed away Thursday, September 20, 2007 in Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio. She was born September 27, 1987 in St. Joseph, MI, the daughter of Mark Andrew Barr and Mary Anne (nee Wagner - OHS class of '78) Barr. Madie was a 2005 graduate of Urbana High School where she participated in the High School band, soccer and track & field. Currently, she was attending Ohio University in Athens; through her education Madie was exposed to the different cultures of Central and South America, which she loved. Madie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Urbana. Madie is survived by her mother, Mary Anne Barr, an Oakwood High School ’77 alumna; her brothers, William and Mason Barr, all of Urbana, her maternal grandmother, Mary R. (Thomas) Creager of Dayton; her paternal grandparents, William and Arlyle Barr of Cincinnati; her aunts and uncles, Molly Wagner of Dayton, Nancy (Stephen) Pike of Durham, N.C., Katharine (Charles) Pape of WI, H.B. “Bo” (Maria) Wagner of Dayton and L. Stewart Barr (Suzie Hurvitz) of State College, PA, as well as several cousins, relatives and numerous friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Andy Barr, and her grandfather, HB “Doc” Wagner. A gathering of family and friends was held on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 in the Vernon Funeral Home, Urbana, Ohio. Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 24 in the First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, Ohio, with the Rev. Kevin Horrigan officiating. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made in Madie’s memory to the Pura Vida Fund, established through the Urbana Foundation. Contributions should be made payable to: The Urbana Foundation / Madison A. Barr, P.O. Box 38130, Urbana, Ohio 43078 or to the Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 North 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123-4101.
, age 93, a resident of Neenah, Wisconsin, died on September 18, 2007. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on May 28, 1914, daughter of the late John McIntire and Eleanor Crume Huffman. Ada attended Harman Avenue School, Oakwood High School, Miss Porter’s Farmington, and Miami Jacobs School of Business. She married Thomas J. Hall of Dayton, OH on October 22, 1937. He preceded her in death in 2000. After raising her children, she worked with Tom in his insurance business for many years. In 1992 they relocated to Neenah. As a true Christian, she was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Dayton and St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Menasha. Ada was an active member of the Dayton Widows’ Home, AFS Chapter volunteer and president, social activist for the hungry and homeless, and as a performing clown in a Christian Ministry. Ada’s passing is mourned by friends in many walks of life and many countries, and by her children: Thomas J. Hall (Cheryl Ramcharan) of Brooklyn, NY, Elisabeth H. Hall (Ashish Khokar) of Bangalore, India, and Ada M. Hall M.D. (John Michael Barnes) of Neenah, as well as by her grandchildren: Wendy, Chris, Alanna, Trevor, Melanie and Annie. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2007 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 226 Washington Ave., Menasha. Inurnment will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, OH, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Ada’s memory be made to, The Salvation Army, Double Portion Community Kitchen of Menasha, or the Widows’ Home of Dayton. The family would like to thank the staff of Alterra Sterling House of Neenah for their loving care of Ada in her last months, before joining her beloved and departed husband, parents, brothers and sisters.
, age 46, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Kettering Hospital. He was a graduate of St. Albert the Great School; Alter High School and attended Marquette University and the University of Seville, Spain. Steven was preceded in death by his brother, John C. Solarek. He is survived by his mother, Sarah McBride Solarek, his father, James C. Solarek; his brother James C. Solarek, Jr. and wife, Cynthia; his brother, Jeffrey F. Solarek and wife Karen; nephews, Thomas, Timothy, Andrew, James III and wife, Aisling and Conor Solarek, Ruth and Trent Campbell, uncle, Frederick M. Bayley, Jr. and wife, Betsy; Ellen and John Campbell; Michael and his wife, Wendy and Brett Bayley; Philip Currigan Bayley and Ted and Choyce McBride and family and the Walker, Keyes and Mayhew families. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, Kettering, with Father Thomas Meyer, Father James Manning and Father Joseph Goetz officiating. There was a burial at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, P.O. Box 182039, Dept. 013, Columbus, OH 13218-0239; American Lung Association, W. Central Branch, 7560 McEwen Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45429. The family expresses their gratitude for all the kindness shown at this time. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.routsong.com
, age 22, of Kettering, passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2007. Chase received his bachelors’ degree in Marketing and Business from Ohio University in June, 2007. He was a graduate of Fairmont High School where he was captain of his tennis and swim teams, and received the “Coach’s Award”. Chase worked as a life guard at Moraine and NCR country clubs. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and his dog Miss Molly, and will be deeply missed by all. Chase is survived by his parents, Rip and Denise Hale and his brother, Jonathan, of Kettering; Grandparents, Peter and Marie Katevatis of Philadelphia, PA and Richard P. II and Jacqueline Hale of Monroe, OH; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A funeral service was held on Friday at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, with Dr. Robert Wade officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kettering Education Foundation, Chase Hale Scholarship Fund, 3750 Far Hills Avenue Kettering , Ohio 45429. Condolences and remembrances may be submitted to the family at www.routsong.com
, age 89, of Oakwood, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007. She was born Aug. 12, 1918 in Dayton, Ohio the daughter of Earl and Helen Shock. She was a graduate of Fairmont High School and Denison University. Mrs. Beardsley was a champion golfer and avid bridge player. She was inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, the Denison University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Dayton Golf Hall of Fame and the Fairmont High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She served for 25 years as a member of the USGA Jr. Girls’ and Senior Women’s Golf committees. She also served as a volunteer for the Campfire Girls and the Red Cross. She was a life-long member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law Charles “Craig” and his wife Veronica Beardsley; daughter and son-in-law Phyllis and her husband Michael Kwedar; brother Donald Shock; grandchildren Lauren and Greg Kwedar; nieces Amy Shock, Betty Beardsley Freer and Judy Beardsley Updegrove; nephew Bob Beardsley. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 8 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd. with Rev. George Updegrove officiating If desired, contributions may be directed to Hospice of Dayton 324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45420. Email condolences may be sent to www.routsong.com
, of Oakwood, passed away Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at Bethany Lutheran Village. Survived by her two daughters, Barbara A. Renfroe and Nancy (Jim) Heathman, 2 grandchildren, Lisa and Jimmy Heathman, brother, William “Bud” Welch and 4 great grandchildren. Dorothy was a 1939 graduate of Oakwood High School, graduate of LaSalle College and a member of the Sub-Debs of Oakwood. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Bethany Woodview unit and Hospice of Dayton. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakwood. Private burial in Springfield, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton or the charity of your choice, To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com
, age 78, of Oakwood, passed away Saturday, August 18, 2007 at Hospice of Dayton following a brief illness. Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nina, in 2005, to whom he was married for 57 years. Chuck is survived by his daughters, Christine (Tim) Taylor and Jennifer (Ken) Samoly, both of Chagrin Falls, OH; son, James (Peggy) Woods of Fairfield, OH; 7 grandsons; 1 granddaughter and 2 great-granddaughters. Chuck graduated from Springfield High School and received an associate’s degree from Wittenberg College. He worked at, and eventually became owner and CEO of the Anchor Rubber Company for 55 years. Chuck and Nina were active supporters and board members of the arts and nature in the Dayton area including the Dayton Opera, Dayton Art Institute, the Schuster Center, Aullwood Center, and Smith Gardens. Chuck was also on the board of directors of Sinclair Community College, and was the founding director of the Miami Valley Crimestoppers. Chuck was a long time member of the Masonic Temple of Dayton and the Shriners. Chuck and Nina enjoyed traveling to many places around the world, including trips with the Oakwood Sister City organization and the Shriners. Most recently Chuck tutored at Oakview Elementary School through the Miami Valley Literacy Council. He would often say that the time he spent with his assigned students was the highlight of his week. Chuck will be remembered for his smile and humor, his generosity of money and time, and his devotion to his wife, and family. He will be greatly missed. Visitation was held August 25, 2007 at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, with Masonic services followed by funeral services. Contributions may be made to the Miami Valley Literacy Council, 18 W. First St., Dayton, OH 45402 or the Woodland Mausoleum Beautification Fund, 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton, OH 45409. Condolences may be visited thru the website at www.routsong.com.
, age 80, died Sunday, August 26, 2007 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born in Oakwood, OH, she was a homemaker since 1980, previously worked 10 years at Ball Drug. She was a member of First Assembly of God. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Jack E. Schweigel of Fort Wayne; sons, Daniel E. Schweigel of Columbus, MT, Kevin D. Schweigel, Kent E. Schweigel both of Fort Wayne; daughter, Karen A. Brandon of Wayne, MI; 14 grandchildren, 12 Great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; sisters, Leota Bemiss of Zephry Hills, FL, Helen Johnson of Melrose, OH, Ruby Buckmaster of Ashley, IN, Joan Bowman of Fort Wayne, Jeanette Dimock of Defiance, OH, Nancy Noffsinger of Paulding, OH. She was preceded in death by 1 brother and 2 sisters. Service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Assembly of God, 3301 E. Coliseum Blvd. with calling 1 hour prior. Pastor Ronald Hawkins officiating. Calling 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Rd. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery. Memorials to First Assembly of God.
, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 25 at Routsong Funeral Home, Kettering Chapel. 2100 E. Stroop Rd. Visitation with friends and family to be held from 2 to 4 p.m.
, age 36, of Washington Twp. passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, August 14, 2007. He was born May 16, 1971 in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Dr. James A. & Carolyn E. Sims. Jay graduated from Oakwood High School, and spent a summer in LeVesinet, France. He attended Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. where he tested out of French in a school ranked 45th in the nation. He later went on to graduate from the University of Dayton with degrees in Chemistry and a postgraduate degree in Environmental Technology. Jay was employed with the Onyx Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio. Survivors include his parents of Oakwood; brother Brent Andrew and wife (Nicole Longo ) Sims of New York; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 33 W. Dixon Ave., Oakwood, Oh. with Rev. John S. Koepke III officiating. Interment is in Dayton Memorial Park. If desired, memorial contributions may be directed to the charity of donor’s choice. Arrangements in care of Routsong Funeral Home. E-Mail condolences may be sent to www.routsong.com.
, passed away on August 6, 2007, at Kettering Medical Center. Jean was born on June 26, 1921 in Kenosha, WI. As a teenager, Jean moved with her parents to Oakwood, OH, where she lived until 2006. Jean’s father was a long-time executive at The Standard Register Company. Jean was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Frederick William and Helen Krautsch Stein, her aunt and uncle, Gertrude and Albert Loeffler of Kenosha, and her good friends, Joseph and Merle Pierce and Fred and Vela Shelton of Oakwood. Jean is survived by her good friends, Richard and Susan Lipowicz of Oakwood, Sandy Gordon of Dayton, Gladys Siewert of Kensohsa, and her sister, Sue Ann Hutchinson of Tewksbury, MA. Visitation will be held at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 4 p.m. Jean’s remains will be interred at Green Ridge Cemetery in Kenosha next to her parents. Jean’s friends would like to thank Dr. Felipe Rubio, Michael Wright, R.N. and the staff of the Critical Care Unit at Kettering Medical Center for their kind and loving care. Condolences and remembrances may be visited via the website at www.routsong.
, of Longmont, Colorado, died Monday, August 6, 2007 at the HospiceCare Center in Louisville, Colorado. She was 92 years old. Jane was born to Harold Morrison Eby and Gaynelle (Steel) Eby on May 8, 1915 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. On June 22, 1937, she married James R. Kohr in Dayton, Ohio. Following James’ career with Lowe Brothers Paint Company and Sherwin-Williams, the couple retired to Grand Junction, Colorado to be closer to family. Following Mr. Kohr’s death in 1990, Jane moved to Longmont in 1991. Mrs. Kohr is survived by her daughter, Gaynelle Pietrangelo and her husband, David, of Firestone, Colorado; three grandchildren, Steven Pietrangelo of Denver, Colorado, James Pietrangelo of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Jane Pietrangelo of Mead, Colorado; and three great grandchildren, Soren, Vincens, and Connor Pietrangelo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, James Phillip Kohr, and by her beloved cat, Bianca. A celebration of Jane’s life and open house will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at the home of Gaynelle and David Pietrangelo, 11276 Coal Ridge St., Firestone. A time of remembrance will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by an open house ending at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026 or the Longmont Humane Society, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501. Please share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.
, age 88, died Monday, June 25, in her Hyde Park home in Chicago, Ill., said her son, Ross. She suffered from heart problems in recent months. She was born to a Democratic family in a largely Republican suburb (Oakwood), which she often said is what led to her predilection for fighting large odds. Her father, William Pickrel, served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor. A graduate of the Oakwood High School Class of 1937, she worked to ensure a place for women and minorities in jobs, housing and philanthropy during more than 50 years as a Chicago activist. After graduating from Denison University, she was a volunteer with the American Red Cross in Guadalcanal and Hawaii during World War II.
She met and married soldier from Chicago, Carl Petersen, and settled in Kenwood. She moved to Kenwood after WWII and quickly became involved in the neighborhood’s integration issues. She organized the Kenwood Real Estate Committee and gathered groups of women from the neighborhood to meet with real estate agents and to show that blacks and whites could live together. In the early 1960’s, Ms. Petersen helped start Hyde Park Federal Savings & Loan to help African Americans get mortgages and loans. And served several years as a vice president with the institution. Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie put her on the Fair Practice Commission, and in the early 1970’s she served as the committee’s chair man. In the mid-1970’s, she started Women in Foundations/Corporate Philanthropy, a precursor to the Chicago Foundation for Women, which sought to ensure that women were properly represented in philanthropic efforts. “She was a woman way ahead of her time,” said Hannah Rosenthal, executive director of the Chicago Foundation for Women. “Her focus as a philanthropic leader was to make sure women and the disadvantaged and minorities were at the table.” Besides her son, survivors include two other sons, Scott (Atlanta, GA) and Todd (London, England); a brother, William Pickrel (Xenia, Ohio); a sister, Margaret Anderson (Coatesville, PA); and four grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned.
, age 76, of Kettering, died Saturday, July 28. 2007, in Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio. Born Sept. 3, 1930, in Sturgis, MI, a son of the late William H. and Norma M. (Troyer) Turner. He was united in marriage June 5, 1950, to Joan (Birdzell) Turner who preceded him in death in 1999. Mr. Turner attended Indiana University where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Fine Arts. He was a self-employed businessman and operated Bill Turner Interiors for over 50 years. Survived by one daughter, Jamie Thompson of Beaver, OH, and brother Thomas (Sharon) Turner of Topeka, IN. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial services were held on Monday, July 30, 2007 at the Newcomer Beavercreek Chapel, 3380 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beaverceek, OH, with Rev. Major Montgomery and Kevin Priddy officiating under the direction of the Cox Funeral Home-Beaver, OH. Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
, age 85, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978, died from heart failure July 17 at St. Joseph’s hospital in Atlanta. A World War II veteran, Siler served in combat duty aboard two ships in the Pacific and participated in the occupation of Northern Honshu, Japan, following Japan’s surrender. His Coast Guard career highlights included serving as a deck officer afloat, as an aviator performing search and rescue patrols, and ashore in the law enforcement, marine safety and environmental protection fields. Other assignments included chief of the search and rescue branch in Juneau, Alaska, deputy chief of staff in Washington, and commanding officer at Air Station Miami, where the station received a Coast Guard unit commendation for Cuban exodus operations during October and November of 1965. During Siler’s his tenure as commandant he instituted a minority recruiting program and was instrumental in having women admitted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, making it the first of the military service academy to do so. He also oversaw the expansion of the Coast Guard’s marine environmental protection program, with the passage of the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976, to include an increase of the service’s jurisdiction along the nation’s coastline to more than two million square miles. Under Siler’s leadership the Coast Guard transformed from a humanitarian service to an organization that was recognized as a leader in marine environmental protection, a highly effective law enforcement agency and a conservation-conscious protector of marine resources. After retiring from the Coast Guard with 35 years of service, Siler moved with his wife to The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga., where he was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club of Savannah South, the Propeller Club, the Navy League and the World Affairs Council. Born in Seattle, Wash., Siler graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1938 and from the Coast Guard Academy in 1943. He received a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1968. Surviving are his wife, Betty W. Siler of Savannah; son Gregory John and his wife Terri Siler of Columbia, Md; daughter Marsha and her husband James V. Antista of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren David Wesley and wife Karen, Wesley Howard and wife Nessie, Christopher Justin Antista and Lauren Elizabeth Antista; and great-grandchildren Alexandria Siler and Nicholas Owen Siler. Memorial services and full military honors are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Savannah. The family will receive friends at a reception in the Green Meldrim house following the service. Flowers can be sent to Fox and Weeks Funeral Home in Savannah, and remembrances may be made to the Coast Guard Academy, the American Heart Association, or St. John’s Episcopal Church.
, died on July 15, 2007 following a long illness. Dr. Evans practiced internal medicine in Dayton for over 45 years. He is survived by his wife, Emily, his sons, Thomas M. Evans and David M. Evans, his grandchildren, Dan Evans and Sarah Evans, his brother, Nicholas M. Evans, and his sister, Joan Taylor.
, age 91, of Oakwood, passed away in the late morning hours of Saturday, July 14th. She is preceded in death by parents Harry and Irene Brown, and her beloved husband Arlin. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Arlin and Carol Greber and daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Bob Stein. The grandchildren and their families include: Erick and Jenny Greber and their daughter Grace; Jeff Greber; Robert Stein and Anna Stevens; Barbara (Stein) and Tom Rau and their son John. Juanetta was born and raised in Akron, Ohio attended Akron University, and graduated from Kent State University where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She taught school for three and a half years in Massilon, Ohio. After her marriage to Arlin Greber, her focus shifted to caring for her family and friends. She was very active in church and civic organizations. She was a past member of the Akron Woman's City Club, Firestone Country Club, and the Dayton Country Club. There will be a private burial service at David's Cemetery in Kettering. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton, Ohio, with Rev. John Neely officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Shriner's Burn Institute, 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3095 or Alzheimer's Association, Miami Valley Chapter, 3797 Summit Glen Dr., Suite G100, Dayton, Ohio 45449. Arrangements in care of Routsong Funeral Home.
of Oakwood, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 6, 2007. He was 73. Born October 17, 1933 in Marshall, MO, he was the only child of Alva Clifford and Dorothy (Hyland) Schooley. Hy was a 1950 graduate of Marshall High School, served four years in the Air Force, and earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri. His engineering career began at Hughes Aircraft, he then worked briefly at NCR before spending nearly 30 years with Systems Research Labs working with signal intelligence and defense electronics. He left SRL to start a new venture, Systems Technology Labs, where he served as President and CEO. Hy continued working and expanding STL through several mergers before finally selling the company and retiring in 2002. In retirement, he was active counseling entrepreneurs through S.C.O.R.E. and was serving on the Wright Library Board, and was enjoying taking classes at the University of Dayton. Hyland is survived by his wife of 45 years Nancy Sherk Schooley, and daughters Pam (Ralph Guglielmi) of Columbus, and Laura (Jamshaid Rai) of San Francisco. Also surviving are, brother-in-law Dr. William (Maridel) Sherk and sister-in-law Rebecca Sherk Creager; nieces and nephews William (Joni Sherk Jr., Arik (Debbie) Sherk, Christopher Sherk, Stuart (Julie) Sherk, Dr. Derek Sherk, Kirsten (Robert King) Sherk, Hutchings Rogge, Rebecca (Matt) Rogge Allen, and Elizabeth Rogge Stein and many special great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Woodland Cemetery Chapel, in Dayton, OH, on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wright Library or the Dayton Art Institute.
, Longtime Oakwood Board of Education member, Dr. Jim Uphoff, his wife Harriet, and their son Nicholas (OHS ’97) attended the Celebration of Life service on July 7 near Los Angeles, CA for his late brother, Robert D. Uphoff who died on June 15. Harriet sang the solo, “Amazing Grace” and Nick read a scripture passage, Romans 8: 31-39. Dr. Uphoff carried his brother’s ashes
urn to the burial site for the internment ceremony. Bob Uphoff, Dr. Uphoff’s’s only
sibling, was 78. He had a most successful career in engineering management with TRW and had been a leader in his church for many years. Dr. Uphoff is now the only surviving member of his immediate family as both of their parents are also deceased.
Especially moving was the short note written by 8 year old Rachel Farley to her grandpa, Bob, shortly before his death. It was included in the Service Bulletin and read by the pastor. She wrote:
Dear Grandpa
If you think it will be sad going to heaven, it really isn’t. You see what people don’t know is that it is rather fun going to heaven. It is because you are still alive, you are just invisible. I hope you think what I think about heaven.
From Rachel.
We love you so much!!!”
, age 93, formerly of 234 Triangle Ave., Oakwood, a former Office Manager at WPAFB, who retired in 1972, died July 5, 2007. She was the wife of the late Joseph Patrick Dugan. She is survived by her five children, Peggy (Mrs. Fred Sheppard), Mary Dugan, S.C., Joe Dugan, Jr., Teresa (Mrs. Fred F. Frecker), and her sister, Mary F. Morris of Olney, Maryland. She was a grandmother of ten and a great- grandmother of seventeen. The Funeral Mass was preceded by a short visitation period on Monday, July 9 at Calvary Cemetery Chapel, South Patterson Blvd., Dayton. Arrangements by the Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley Funeral Home. New Carlisle, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorial donations for Margaret Dugan may be made to Wesley Glen Retirement Community, 5155 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: www.trostelc-hapman.com.
, age 47, of Springboro, formerly of Oakwood, passed away Thursday, June 28, 2007. He was an alumni of Oakwood High School, Class of 1978. He was co-owner of the Greenland Ventures. He served as a youth softball and soccer coach in Springboro. Preceded in death by his grandparents Catherine and Harry Lewber and Orpha and William Evans. Survived by his wife Kelly L., daughter Alexandra (Ally), parents George and Bonnie Lewber, sister Shauna (Todd) Klausner, nephews Jacob and Zachary and his cats, Gus, Syd, & Trevor. Family will receive friends Tuesday, July 3, 2007 from 11 a.m. until time of funeral services at 1:30 p.m. at Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home, 1632 Wayne Ave. Rev. Roger Godsy-Bell officiating. Entombment to follow at Woodland Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Special Wish Foundation.
, age 82, of Tiffin, Ohio, died Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at his residence. He was born Sept. 26, 1924 in Lykens, Ohio to the late Howard and Ruth (Jump) Seery. In 1947, in Tiffin, he married Alma L. Digby, and she died in March of 1984. Survivors include four sons, Lynn (Georgianna Nye) Seery of Dayton, Ohio, James (Joanne) Seery and Chris Seery, both of Tiffin, and Ricky Seery of McCutcheonville; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Vicki Ferguson, and an infant brother. Mr. Seery attended Columbian High School and served as a paratrooper and shrpshooter in the Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was a retired self-employed block and stone mason. He was a member of the VFW Tiffin Post and an avid fisherman with a great sense of humor. There will bee no services or visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of the Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio (419) 447-3113. To send condolences to the family, go to www.traunerofuneralhome.com.
, died on June 20, 2007 at the Hospice of Dayton.
Dr. Pryor was born in 1924 to the Rev. Ralph and Mrs. Phyllis Perrin Brown in Buckhannon, West Virginia, where her father was professor of Philosophy and Bible Studies at West Virginia Wesleyan College. A graduate of the Buckhannon-Upshur County public schools and West Virginia Wesleyan, she was one of the earliest women students at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. She later told family and friends that when she had applied, she was asked why they should admit her, since she would just “get married and have children and quit” practicing medicine. Notwithstanding that question, Dr. Pryor was admitted to the program, completing it in 1951, one of two women among the 27 graduating students. Because that program was, at the time, a 2 year program, Dr. Pryor completed her medical education at the Virginia College of Medicine, graduating in 1953 as one of only 9 women in a class of 94. After completing her internship at Cincinnati General Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Pryor joined her brother, David Brown, M.D. in private practice in Troy, Ohio for several years, where she was introduced to her husband, Richard E. Pryor, then a young attorney and Marine Corps reservist from Dayton. After marrying Mr. Pryor in 1956, Dr. Pryor gave birth to two sons, Richard and Lawrence, and in 1961 relocated to Dayton with her family. She then partially fulfilled the prediction she had heard when she applied to medical school, leaving private practice for several years in order to tend to her family. During that time, though, she was an active volunteer, serving on the board of the local camp for children with juvenile diabetes, Camp Ko-Man-She, and as President of the Dayton Widows Home. As her children grew, Dr. Pryor once again began practicing medicine, one of the many ways in which she served the public. She became an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine in 1978, where she taught until her retirement in 1990. She was appointed to serve on the Oakwood City Council in 1976, and she served for 14 consecutive years as a Council member, as well as Vice-Mayor during part of her tenure. During that time, Dr. Pryor also worked tirelessly to create a special program to meet the medical needs of adolescents in the Dayton area, a group she thought was underserved. She achieved that goal in 1993, with the inauguration of the Adolescent Wellness Center, founded by a coalition of local hospitals and the Wright State University School of Medicine. Dr. Pryor was also a long-time supporter of Planned Parenthood and its goal of providing quality health care to women, serving in various positions with that organization over the last 20 years. In fact, in this new century, Dr. Pryor acted as Interim Medical Director of the Montgomery County chapter of Planned Parenthood for a year and a half, from September 2003 until her 81st birthday in March 2005. Dr. Pryor also served for many years on the United Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. Dr. Pryor was the recipient of many honors during her long career, including being named by the Dayton Daily News as one of Dayton’s Top 10 Women in 1979, receiving a Woman of Influence Award from the YWCA in 2002, the Rotary Club of Oakwood’s Civic Leadership Award in 2002, and the Wright State School of Medicine Service Award in 1990. Most recently, Dr. Pryor was named as a Living Legend of Medicine last November by the West Virginia University School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Pryor was preceded in death by her husband Richard in 2005. She is survived by her sister, Ellen Lou Aulds of Kettering; two sons, Richard (Elizabeth Smith-Pryor), of Kent, Ohio, and Lawrence (Lisa), of Providence, Rhode Island; and four grandchildren, Richard, Grace, Arden and Avery Pryor. There was a memorial service honoring her life and work held on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 33 W. Dixon Ave., Oakwood. Her family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Dr. Mary and Richard Pryor Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Advancement Office, 3640 Col. Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435. Family will receive friends following the memorial service at the Dayton Country Club. For condolences and other remembrances please visit the Routsong website at www.routsong.com.
, age 92, of Kettering, passed peacefully in his home Tuesday, June 19, 2007, under the care of loved ones. Gus was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. As president of the Class of 1933 at Stivers High School, he oversaw many memorable class reunions in Dayton. Gus earned his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1937. He served as editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Lantern, the student-run newspaper, for two years. Gus was the owner and president of Dayton Process Engravers, Inc. at 207 South Perry Street, Dayton, a photo-engraving company founded by his father, August Elias Brunsman, Sr. In pursuit of his interest in history and printing, Gus researched and published a book in 1940 on the career of William Maxwell, the first printer in the Old Northwest Territory. He and his wife, Charlotte Kundert Brunsman, distinguished themselves as historians of the Wright Brothers as printers and publishers. Their writings and lectures brought to light the hidden history of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s printing career. They co-authored Wright & Wright Printers, The Other Career of Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1989 and 3 Wright Brothers and a Last Man’s Club, the digested book of minutes from 10-1-1886 through 10-4-1939, in 1991. Thanks to Gus’ tireless energy and intellectual curiosity, the history of the Wright Brothers as printers and the history of printing in Dayton are preserved at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park. As a Park volunteer, he helped to develop exhibitions of the Wright brothers as printers; was a founding member of the Wright Research Group; facilitated the donation of Wright printing materials still in possession by the Wright family; helped found the “Print Shop Committee,” a group organized to research and preserve Dayton’s printing history; was a key figure in the establishment of the Park’s 1930s period print shop; and contributed publications. He and his wife donated a vintage Kelly printing press that remains on display in the Park’s print shop. Gus also served as a president of the Oakwood Kiwanis Club. With his wife, he enjoyed 28 visits to Switzerland where he painted alpine scenery. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years (Charlotte), two brothers (Robert and Howard), and three sisters (Mabel Bowman, Henrietta Kistler, and Ethel Galt Adams). He is survived by his children: August Brunsman III and his wife Nicole of Columbus, OH; Caroline Schaffer and her husband David of Tuskegee, AL; John Brunsman and his wife Sue of Bellevue, WA; four grandchildren: August Brunsman IV and his wife Amanda, Angie Brunsman, and Jake and Britten Stark; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Monday, June 25 at the Routsong Funeral Home, 6 Oakwood Ave., Oakwood, with Rev. Robert Neeb officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Print Shop, Carillon Historical Park, 2001 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45420. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home’s website via the guestbook at www.Routsong.com.
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