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Miscellaneous Preble County, Ohio Obituaries - 1997

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Eveline J. Morris 
Eveline J. Morris, 71, of Camden, died Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. 
Born April 19, 1926, in Brookville, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Bessie (Stoner) Fryman. She was a graduate Brookville High School. She was employed by General Motors, where she was the cafeteria manager until her retirement in 1981. 
Survivors include her husband, Myron Morris, whom she married April 23, 1947; four sons, Richard (Betty) Morris of Xenia, Kenneth (Gail) Morris of Camden, Charles Morris of Middletown and Thomas (Pam) Morris of Carlisle; two sisters, Opal Howerton and Dorothy Walker, both of Brookville; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 
Private funeral services were held at the convenience of the family at R.C. Nein & Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, Camden. Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. 

Floyd Snowden 
Floyd "Embry" Snowden, 90, formerly of Somerville, died Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Birdmont Health Care Center in Wytheville, Va. 
Born Sept. 26, 1907, in Bybee, Ky., he was the son of Charles and Polly Anne (Hines) Snowden. He worked as a tool and die maker for Frigidaire, retiring in 1968. He was a member of IOOF #147 in Gratis. 
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Willie Mae Snowden; two sons, Gary (Betty) Snowden of Camden and Kenneth A. Snowden of Dayton; a daughter, Pat (Rick) Lehmkuhl of Rural Retreat, Va.; a brother, Robert A. Snowden of Haysville, N.C.; a sister, Alma Christopher of Fairborn; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Della, Fannie and Margaret; and six brothers, Shelby, Joe, Clayton, Jim, Charlie and John Snowden. 
Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 6, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, Camden. Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. 

Donald J. Tobias 
Donald Joe Tobias, 47, of Englewood, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, following a sudden illness. 
He had been employed for more than 21 years at Parker Hannifin Lewisburg's plant. 
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Ellen M. (Duffley) Tobias; two daughters, Stephanie and Melissa Tobias, both of Englewood; a brother, Ron (Debby) Tobias of Beavercreek; and his mother-in-law, Eleanore Duffley of Dayton. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred M. and Marie (Cole) Tobias. 
Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 6, at Kindred Funeral Home, Englewood, followed by burial in Polk Grove Cemetery, Butler Township. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northmont Education Foundation, 4001 Old Salem Road, Englewood, Ohio 45322. 

Paul F. Linnens 
Paul F. Linnens, 82, of Eaton, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Richmond, Ind. 
He was born Nov. 23, 1915, in New Castle, Ind. He retired from Perfect Circle in New Castle, Ind. Mr. Linnens was a life member of the VFW in New Castle and a member of the UAW. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah (Leullen) Linnens; and one daughter. 
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara R. Purdy of Eaton; grandchildren and great-grandchildren living out of state. 
There were no services. Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, was in charge of arrangements. 

Vivian L. Baker 
Vivian L. Baker, 60, of 4611 Swallow Court, Lebanon, died Friday, Dec. 5, at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg after an extended illness. 
Born Jan. 20, 1937, in Lewisburg, she was the daughter of Heber and Blanche (Hilleary) Gebhart, and had lived there most of her life. She retired in March 1991 from DESC in Dayton. She was a member of Ideal Chapter #293, Order of Eastern Star of Lewisburg; and the DESC 25-Year Club of Dayton. 
Survivors include her husband of 24 years, Jack D. Baker; a brother, Verlin Gebhart of Lakeside Park, Ky.; and several nephews. 
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 8, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with the Rev. Roger K. Braun officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Otterbein Home, Lebanon. 

Helen E. Botner 
Helen E. Botner, 76, of Somerville, formerly of Camden, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford. 
Born April 25, 1921 in Hamilton, she was the daughter of Ance and Mary (Bowling) Hoskins. She was formerly employed as the director of nursing residence at Jackson Memorial Hospital, School of Nursing, in Miami, Fla. 
Her husband, Allen C. Botner, preceded her in death. 
Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law, Mary Speir, Alana Botner (James) Hampton, all of Mooresville, N.C.; a grandson, Daniel C. (Michelle) Speir of Camden; two great-granddaughters, Chantelle and Chelsea Speir of Camden; and one sister, Judy Herald of Kentucky. 
She was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Raymond Hoskins; and two sisters, Hester Osborn and Geneva Petty. 
Private funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 4, at R.C. Rein & Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, Camden, with the Rev. Marvin Hocker officiating. Burial was in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton. 

Louise E. Grossnickle 
Louise E. Grossnickle, 83, of West Oak Street, West Alexandria, died Thursday, Dec. 4, at Heartland of Eaton. 
Born Feb. 12, 1909, in West Alexandria, she was the daughter of John and Sarah (Elkins) Bowers. She worked as a cashier at Millers' Super Market in Eaton for many years, and was a member of the West Alexandria Church of the Brethren. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira, in 1986; and three brothers. 
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, John and Donna Grossnickle of West Alexandria; a daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Bob Marcum of West Alexandria; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Martha Jane Creager of Piqua. 
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 8, at the West Alexandria Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. Matthew Fike officiating. Burial was in Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, was in charge of arrangements. 

Kevin A. Nicewander 
Kevin Alan Nicewander, 18, of Michael Drive, West Alexandria, died at his home on Thursday, Dec. 4. 
Born Oct. 24, 1979, in Dayton, he was the son of Mac A. and Theresa (Kessel) Nicewander. He was a senior at Twin Valley South High School, and was a member of the high school football and baseball teams. 
He was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Keith Nicewander, in 1995. 
Survivors include his mother, Theresa Shell of West Alexandria; his father and stepmother, Mac and Tina Nicewander of Tipp City; stepbrother and stepsister, Ronnie and Stephanie Byrd of Tipp City; maternal grandmother, Marilyn Jackson of Dayton; maternal grandfather, Howard Kessel of Kirksville, Mo.; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Nicewander, Port Orange, Fla.; aunts, uncles and cousins. 
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, with the Rev. W. Michael O'Dell officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the TVS Athletic Association. 

Raymond H. Brandly 
Raymond Harold Brandly, 76, of Hamilton, died Friday, Dec. 5, at Mercy Hospital. 
Born Feb. 19, 1921, in Richmond, Ind., he was the son of the late Henry and Elsie D. (Burkhardt) Brandly. He was a graduate of Dixon High School. Mr. Brandly was self-employed in real estate, and had been a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of Minerva Lodge #98, F&AM, Miamisburg; Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton; Antioch Temple, Dayton; past patron of Jacob Eby Chapter #571, OES, West Carrollton; and president of the National WACO Club for 30 years. 
Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law, Susanna Lynn Brandly of Camden, Marja Brandly (Michael) Irwin of Ventura, Calif.; one sister, Marie B. Flora of Eaton; one brother, Earl Brandly of Eaton; nieces, nephews and cousins; and his former wife, Alice (Campbell) Brandly of Dayton. 
He was preceded in death by a nephew, Kent Brandly. 
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton, with the Rev. James Whitley officiating. Friends may call from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, where an Eastern Star service will be conducted at 8 p.m. 
Memorial contributions may be made to WACO Historial Society Museum & Learning Center, P.O. Box 62, Troy, Ohio 45373. 

Florence Gwynne 
Florence (Carpenter) Gwynne, 95, formerly of 325 W. Central Ave., Camden, died Sunday, Dec. 7, at Woodland Country Manor Nursing Home, Somerville. 
Born April 27, 1902, in North Baltimore, Ohio, she was the daughter of Gilbert Howard and Ginevra (Lanning) Carpenter. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Camden, a member of the Philomathean Club and a former member of the Delta Theta Tau Sorority. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H. Gwynne, in 1957. 
Survivors include a niece, Florence Jean Stevens of Winston Salem, N.C.; and other relatives. 
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, 249 N. Main St., Camden, with the Rev. Jackie Marshall officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. 

Bhuli N. Patel 
Bhuli N. Patel, 59, of 2871 U.S. 35, West Alexandria, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, Dec. 7, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. 
Born March 13, 1938, in Mori, India, she was the daughter of Kunverji R. and Divaliben K. Patel. 
Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Narottam M. Patel; three sons, Dinesh N. Patel of Middletown, Naresh N. Patel of Huber Heights and Hitendra N. Patel of Eaton; one daughter, Indu C. Patel of Hillsboro; four grandchildren; four brothers, Shanti K. Patel of Tennessee, Ramu K. Patel of London, England, Ganpat K. Patel of Mori, India, and Dullabh K. Patel of Surat, India; and one sister, Mangi T. Desai of Washington, D.C. 
A prayer service was held Monday, Dec. 8, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel. A second prayer service took place Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the funeral home prior to the cremation ceremony. 

Lydia L. Chitwood 
Lydia Lovina (Drew) Chitwood, 88, a longtime resident of Riverside, Ohio, died Sunday, Dec. 7, at Heartland of Beavercreek. 
A native of Arcanum, she was a former real estate agent and realtor. 
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Glenn C. Sliver and Roy F. Chitwood; and a son, Joseph Richard Sliver. 
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and Eugene Gant of Riverside; two sons, Alva of Randolph Township and Paul Sliver of Michigan; eight grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. 
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Harris Funeral Home, 49 Linden Ave., Dayton, with the Rev. Jody McQuire officiating. Burial will be in Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home. 

Mary S. Stamback 
Mary S. Stamback, 92, formerly of Eaton-Gettysburg Road, Eaton, died Sunday, Dec. 7, at Governor Harris Homestead. 
Born March 23, 1905, in Kitchel, Ind., she was the daughter of Joseph E. and Jenny (Puckett) Wood. Mrs. Stamback had been an assistant nurse for Dr. Richard Kenney in Eldorado and Dr. George Wilkialis in Eaton. She was a member of the New Hope United Methodist Church and Gettysburg Community Club. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Stamback, in 1974; a sister, Eva Leach; and a brother, Elmer Wood. 
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, William J. and Jean K. Stamback of Eaton; three grandchildren, Sarah (Nick) Peters, Peggy (Rick) Sauerland and Patricia (Jay) Wolfe; and great-grandchildren, Rachel and William Sauerland, Natalie and Justin Peters, Jon and Bonnie Wolf. 
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry Dunn officiating. Burial will be in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home. 
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. 

Cecil H. Turpin 
Cecil H. Turpin, 87, of Ohio 503, Camden, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton. 
Born Feb. 24, 1910, in Estel County, Ky., he was the son of John and Louse (Johnson) Turpin. He was a graduate of Lanier High School and had retired from National Cash Register Co. in Dayton. He was a member of West Alexandria Masonic Lodge #88. 
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Stella Turpin; two sons and daughter-in-law, Robert and Loretta Turpin of Eaton, and John Turpin of Hollister, Calif.; a daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Gorman Dull of Gratis; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gertrude Brubaker of Leesburg, Fla. 
He was preceded in death by a brother, George Turpin; and a sister, Ora Mae Roark. 
Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 20, at the First Brethren Church, Gratis, with the Rev. Robert French officiating. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, was in charge of arrangements. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the church. 

Lawrence R. Beneke 
Lawrence R. Beneke, 82, of Doe Run Court, Beavercreek, formerly of West Alexandria, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Wood Glen Nursing Center. 
Born Aug. 6, 1916, in Dayton, he was the son of Deitrich and Mary (Wigger) Beneke. He was a graduate of Dixie High School and had attended Miami Jacobs College. He was employed at General Motors for 40 years, retiring in 1976. 
Mr. Beneke was a former member of the West Alexandria Board of Education, Preble County Board of Education, Preble County Historical Society and an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ. He was instrumental in the development of the West Alexandria Public Library. He believed in the importance of community and accomplished much with his quiet leadership. He was a former member of the West Alexandria Kiwanis Club. 
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Martha (Rinehart) Beneke; two sons and daughter-in-law, Larry and Diane Beneke of Centerville, Ohio, and Gordon R. Beneke of Springfield; a grandson, Aaron Beneke and wife Rochelle of Kettering; a great-grandson, Austin Beneke of Kettering; a sister, Ruth Stevenson of Brookville; and a special friend of the family, Stephen Brownlee of Springfield. 
Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 19, at St. John's United Church of Christ, West Alexandria, with Pastor Ron Dafler officiating. Burial was in Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, was in charge of arrangements. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Miami Valley Alzheimer's Association. 

Blondena E. Bradley 
Blondena E. Bradley, 81, of 118 E. Main St., New Paris, died Friday, Dec. 19, at her home. 
Born Jan. 25, 1916, in Richmond, Ind., she was the daughter of John and Ollie (Sewell) King. 
Survivors include three daughters, Marjean Ruby and Joanne Bradley, both of New Paris, and LaDonna Clark of West Alexandria; two sons, Jack Bradley of New Paris and Jerry Bradley of Lafayette, Ind.; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Bradley, in 1990; and four brothers, Chester Sewell, Johnney King, Robert King and Russell King. 
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, with the Rev. Luke Frazer and the Rev. Mark Wesler officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. 

Harry H. Smith 
Harry H. Smith, 72, of 57 N. Lafayette St., Camden, died Saturday morning, Dec. 20, at his home. 
Born Aug. 16, 1925, in West College Corner, Ind., he was the son of Charles C. and Florence B. (Napier) Smith. He was a machine operator at Square D in Oxford for 21 years, retiring in 1990. He served in the U.S. Navy, and received an honorable discharge Jan. 5, 1946. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary V. (Swindell) Smith, on Nov. 29, 1983. 
Survivors include two daughters, Victoria Swindell and Harriett B. Smith of Camden; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Marylin Smith of West Chester; two granddaughters, Rachel M. Conrad and Heidi E. Swindell; two great-granddaughters; nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 23, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, Camden, with the Rev. Marvin Hocker officiating. Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami Valley, 930 Laurel Ave., Hamilton, Ohio 45011. 

Virginia M. Cunningham 
Virginia M. Cunningham, 81, of 11367 Morrison-Mikesell Road, New Paris, died Saturday morning, Dec. 20, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind. 
Born Dec. 3, 1916, in Rossville, Ga., she was the daughter of Thomas Agustus and Johnnie Ethel (Copelan) Morgan. She retired in 1996 from Scotty's Lumber Co. in St. Petersburg, Fla., and had lived in New Paris since April of this year. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence P. Cunningham; eight brothers and sisters. 
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Earl Flora of New Paris; a son, Joel E. Elliott of St. Petersburg, Fla.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. 
Funeral services were held at the convenience of the family. Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel was in charge of arrangements. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest Emergency Squad. 

Beulah L. Overholts 
Beulah L. Overholts, 74, of North Maple Street, Eaton, died Sunday, Dec. 21, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind. 
Born Aug. 22, 1923, in Eaton, she was the daughter of Nelson and Zelma C. (Helton) Weatherly. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Albert Overholts, in 1993; and two brothers, Kenneth Nelson Weatherly, in 1988, and Russell M. Weatherly, in 1990. 
Survivors include one daughter, Berneda Jane Lainhart of Eaton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Albert Leon and Lova Overholts of Peoria, Ariz., Russell A. and Sheila Overholts of Hillsboro; an adopted son, Keith E. Overholts of Eaton; two sisters, Elsie C. Weatherly of California and Ida Mae Wysong of Imperial Beach, Calif.; one brother, Howard F. Weatherly of Eaton; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Van Tine officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown. 

Barbara A. Fitch 
Barbara A. Fitch, 70, of Eaton, died Monday, Dec. 22, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton. 
Born Sept. 28, 1927, in Richardson, Ky., she was the daughter of the late John and Ella (Butcher) Vanhoose. Mrs. Fitch had been employed by the City of Trotwood. She attended Full Gospel Temple. 
Survivors include her husband, Bill C. Fitch; two sons, Marvin Fitch of West Alexandria and Jeff Fitch of Dayton; one daughter, Ramona Carol Strecker of Cincinnati; one brother, Paul David Vanhoose of Springfield; four sisters, Evelyn Fitch of Lakeland, Fla., Joada Stacy and Jonella Vanhoose, both of Eaton, and Ruth Ann Adkins of Port Washington, Ohio; nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters. 
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, 226 W. Main St., Eaton, with the Rev. Raymond E. Rothwell officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the funeral home. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. 

Joseph Brown 
Joseph Brown, 96, of Brookville, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton after a short illness. 
Born Jan. 11, 1901, in Montgomery County, he was the son of Perry and Elizabeth (Good) Brown. He had lived in the Brookville area most of his. He retired in 1962 as a patrolman from General Motors, Frigidaire Division. 
Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his wife, Lula R. (Via) Brown, in March 1968; and a son, Ralph E. Brown, in February 1988. 
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Stella Brown of Eaton; and two grandsons, Ronald Brown of Germantown and R.J. Brown of Eaton; several nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 26, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Brookville. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Preble County Unit. 

Martha L. Cape 
Martha L. Cape, 87, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Mt. Pleasant Nursing Home in Monroe, Ohio. 
Born Aug. 26, 1910, in West Alexandria, she was the daughter of the late Lawder and Ruth Coffman. She had been a resident of the Middletown area since 1935, and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. 
Survivors include her husband, Edward L. Cape; a daughter and son-in-law, M. Diane and Tom Molnar of Washington Crossing, Pa.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Robert E. and Barbara Cape of Powell, Ohio; five grandchildren, Alison and Kerry Molnar, Christopher, Cynthia and M. Ryan Cape; a sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Gordon Brillhart of Eaton. 
Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 27, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, Middletown, with Pastor Gene Leiter officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria. 
Memorial contributions may be made to: Martha L. Cape Memorial Fund, c/o Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 212 S. Broad St., Middletown, Ohio 45044. 

Dale K. Bunger 
Dale K. Bunger, 86, of Eldorado, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Wayne Hospital in Greenville. 
Born April 16, 1911, near New Madison, he was the son of Warren and Sarah (Kelsoe) Bunger. In his early years, he was a livestock dealer and drove a truck for Pure Oil Company. He retired from Hines Truck Stop many years ago. He was a member of Eldorado United Methodist Church. 
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lillian (Brumbaugh) Bunger; a daughter and son-in-law, Marjol and Victor I. Miller of Richmond, Ind.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Dola Brown of Versailles; a niece and nephew. 
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Bussard-Barnes-Vaniman Funeral Home, Eldorado, followed by burial in Greenmound Cemetery, New Madison. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Central Rescue Squad. 

Gesiena K. Bourne 
Gesiena K. "Zena" Bourne, 86, of Eaton died Saturday, Dec. 27, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind. 
A native and lifelong resident of Preble County, she was born Nov. 5, 1911, the daughter of the late John Henry and Johannah (Fahrenholtz) Straszheim. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and a former member of the church's Lois Circle. 
Her husband, William Frank Bourne, died Nov. 11, 1971. 
Survivors include two sons, Kenneth E. Bourne of Richmond, Ind., and Jerold L. Bourne of Eaton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Lucille Clark of Eaton; nieces and nephews. 
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, William Straszheim, Albert Straszheim and James Straszheim; and two sisters, Mary Milstead and Bertha Johnson. 
Funeral services were Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Suzanne Dillahunt officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. 

Donald L. Besecker Sr. 
Donald L. Besecker Sr., 71, of Greenville, died Saturday, Dec. 27, at his home following a long illness. 
Born April 21, 1926, in Miami County, he was the son of Ray and Ruth (McGriff) Besecker. He retired in 1981 as owner of Besecker Oliver Sales of Greenville and Eaton, and had also farmed for many years in the Darke County area. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Bradford. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Lee (Gerber) Besecker, on March 9, 1979; and his parents. 
Survivors include two sons, Donald L. Besecker Jr. of Devon, Pa., and Gary L. Besecker of Greenville; one daughter, Shirley Coen of Point Pleasant, W. Va.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; three brothers, Gaylen Besecker of Ansonia, Verlin Besecker of Arcanum and Gene Besecker of Florida; two sisters, Lavonne Birt of Greenville and June Marceill Linder of Greenville; nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, with the Rev. Chris Riffle and the Rev. Lloyd McClurg officiating. Burial will be in Abbottsville Cemetery, where a military graveside service will be conducted by the Greenville Veterans' Honor Guard. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Darke County. 

Alice M. Sciannamblo 
Alice M. (Lazaron) Sciannamblo, 79, of 9990 Pleasant Valley Road, Somerville, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, at Middletown Regional Hospital. 
She was born July 18, 1918, in Middletown. Mrs. Sciannamblo was a graduate of Miami University, and was a professional dancer and teacher of dancing. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Middletown. 
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Angelo V. Sciannamblo; and cousins, Nick and Maria Georgopoulos and family of Middletown. 
She was preceded in death by her father, Steve Lazaron, in 1970; her mother, Lucy (Wagner) Lazaron, in 1991; and two brothers, James Lazaron, in 1996, and Thomas Lazaron. 
Funeral Mass was Monday, Dec. 29, at St. John's Chapel, Middletown, with Father George W. Klein officiating. Burial was in Woodside Cemetery. Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, Ohio 45044; or to the American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, Ohio 45044. 

Stephen A. Hubek 
Stephen A. Hubek, 79, of Eaton died Sunday, Dec. 28, at Heartland of Eaton. 
Born June 6, 1918, in Hamilton, he was the son of John and Mary (Sloboda) Hubek. He was employed by the Preble County Highway Department as a supervisor and heavy equipment operator for 30 years, retiring in 1978. 
He was a U.S. Army veteran and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American DEF SER Medal, American THR SR Medal, EAME THR SER Medal and the Bronze Star Victory Medal. 
Survivors include his wife, Rhoda (Boggs) Hubek, whom he married Nov. 27, 1946; one son and daughter-in-law, Stephen M. and Sherry Hubek of London, Ohio; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn M. and John Robert Lowman of Eaton, Sarah Ann and John David Turman of Taylor Mill, Ky.; and six grandchildren, Stephen M. Hubek, John Walter, Timothy Alan and Lori Marie Lowman, Zachary Scott and Abby Brooke Turman. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John and Rudolph Hubek. 
Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, Dec. 30, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Camden, with Father Francis Monnig officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. R.C. Nein &Sons-Limber Funeral Home/Willard Moss Jr. Memorial Chapel, Camden, is in charge of arrangements. 

Ruth A. Smith 
Ruth Ann Smith, 68, of Eaton died Sunday, Dec. 28, at Vencore Hospital in Greenwood, Ind. 
Born March 29, 1929, in Camden, she was the daughter of the late Ivory and Marie (Lunsford) Lewis. 
Survivors include children, Kim Blair of Bethel, Ind., Scott Smith and wife Susan, Tracey Smith and Maynard Smith, all of Eaton; brothers, Dean Lewis and Ronald Lewis, both of Richmond, Ind.; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Everett Stump of Eaton; a nephew, Greg Davis of Eaton; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Lewis; and a sister, Louise Goad. 
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, 3377 U.S. 35 East, West Alexandria, with Pastor Raymond Rothwell officiating. Burial will be in Preble Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. 

Mary L. Harris 
Mary Leona (Stack) Harris, 79, of 237 Eaton Ave., Eaton, died Monday, Dec. 29, at her home. 
Born Jan. 30, 1918, in Preble County, she was the daughter of Edmund and Mary Ellan (Cahill) Stack. She was a 1935 graduate of Eaton High School, a member of the Eaton Church of the Visitation and St. Ann's Sodality. 
Her husband, Royal W. Harris, died in 1994. 
Survivors include one son, Ned Harris of Eaton; two daughters and son-in-law, Bonnie and Nelson Yates of Eaton, and Connie Harris of Crawfordsville, Ind.; one sister, Catherine Allen of Kettering; and two grandchildren, Mary Ellen Yates and Nelson Yates. 
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Church of the Visitation, 407 E. Main St., Eaton, with the Rev. Thomas Fitzsimmons officiating. Burial will be in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton. Rosary services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, 220 E. Main St. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad or to the Reid Hospital Foundation - Hospice Unit. 

Ronald V. Neeley 
Ronald V. Neeley, 60, of Woodside Drive, West Alexandria, died Monday, Dec. 29, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton. 
Born May 24, 1937, in Gray Hawk, Ky., he was the son of Hubert and Lorraine (Pearson) Neeley. He was a former owner of Formula 1 Body Shop in Dayton, and was a U.S. Navy veteran. 
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Joyce Neeley; two daughters, Michelle Lambertson of West Alexandria and Lori Bechtol of New Paris; one son, Ronald Neeley of West Alexandria; three brothers, Jack Neeley of Redwood, Calif., Jerry Neeley of Dayton and Danny Sperry of West Alexandria; one sister, Deborah Lockhart of Dayton; and four grandchildren, Rachael, Krystle, Nikki and Dylan Lambertson. 
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Sperry; and a granddaughter, Brittany Neeley, in 1985. 
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, followed by burial in Trissel Cemetery, New Lebanon. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. 
The family will be accepting donations to help with expenses. 


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