USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Dollie Roberts
Dollie M. Roberts, 78, of Eaton, died Friday, Dec. 11, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, Oxford, after a brief illness.
Born April 28, 1920 in Preble County to the late Matt and Elsie (Rader) Griffin, she had lived in Preble County all her life.
Retired from Dayton Flexible Corporation in Eaton in 1985, she was a member of Eagles Lodge Auxiliary #2202, Eaton.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Melling in 1959; two daughters Doris Mae Melling and Patricia Melling; two sisters, Viola Melling and Mae Melling; and a brother Virgil Griffin.
Survivors include: one son and his wife, Fred (Sandra) Melling of Camden; a daughter and her husband, Vicki (Tom) Dougherty, of Gratis Township; five grandchildren, Lynette Combs, Carolyn Hopkins, Sherri Evans, Cathy Hawkins and Matthew Dougherty; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Chester Griffin of Dayton; two sisters, Rosetti Hull of Muncie, Ind. and Sarah Jordan of Dayton; nieces and nephews.
Services were held Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Greg F. Jackson officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 North Poplar St., Oxford, Ohio, 45056.
Marjorie Holp
Marjorie A. Holp, 84, of Dayton, died Saturday, Dec. 12, at Heartland of Eaton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard and two brothers. She is survived by twin daughters, Janet Barnhart and Janice Landis; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Gilbert-Fellers Funeral Home, Brookville, with Rev. Kermit Phillips officiating. Interment will be in Arlington Cemetery.
Gary Braughton
Gary Lee Braughton, 54, New Paris, died Friday, Dec. 11, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dayton, after an extended illness.
Born on April, 23, 1944, in Richmond, Ind., he was the son of the late Henry T. and Lucille M. Cowgill Braughton. He served in the US Marine Corps from 1963-1975. He had operated a service station in New Paris prior to becoming manager of the Sears Auto Center in Richmond, Ind.
He attended Jefferson High School, and was a member of the Clarence Teaford Post #360 American Legion in New Paris, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Richmond, Ind.
Survivors include: a daughter, Tina Marie Gutierrez of Calif.; three brothers, William Braughton of Camby, Ind., Robert Braughton of New Paris, and Herschel T. Braughton of Eaton; three sisters, Joann Moore and Linda Johnson, both of New Paris, and Verna Jean Arden of Winter Park, Fla.; aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins; four grandsons.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Barnes Funeral Home, with the Rev. Chris Pannreuther officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery at New Paris, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest Emergency Squad at New Paris.
Leigh Walling
Leigh F. Walling, age 51, of 245 Eaton Ave., Eaton, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Heartland of Eaton after an extended illness.
Born Jan. 12, 1947, in Glendale Calif., he was the son of Lloyd C. and Ruby H. (Hyatt) Walling, Jr.
He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran; received a B.S. Degree in business and administration from California State College in San Bernardino, Calif.,; moved to Eaton in 1987. He served on the board of directors for SCOPE from 1991-1994; was manufacturing supervisor for 11 years at Morton International in West Alexandria.
Survivors include: his wife, N. Jane (McWhinney) Paxton Walling; stepson Michael Paxton of Scottsdale, Ariz.; stepdaughter and son in law, Lori and Larry Puckett of Eaton; a brother, Lloyd C. Walling III of Victorville, Calif.; step-grandchildren Brian and Brenda Puckett; and a special aunt, Betty Sanders of Minneapolis, Minn.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 13 at Barnes Funeral Home, with Rev. Edwin Davis officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery in Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown.
Clyde Scarberry
Clyde B. Scarberry, 69, of West Alexandria, formerly of West Virginia, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Heartland of Eaton.
Born Dec. 28, 1928, in Wayne County, W. Va., he was the son of the late Major Thomas and Ella (Swim ) Scarberry. He had worked as a welder in the Columbus area.
He was preceded in death by a daughter Brenda Scarberry; brothers Donald and Clifford Scarberry; sisters Beatrice Huellett and Pearl Mitchell.
Survivors include: daughters Loa Louise Scarberry, Gloria Jean Scarberry, Alicia Dare Scarberry and Carol Quintina Scarberry; sons David Scarberry and Daniel Scarberry; sisters Betty Daniel of West Alexandria and Charlene Ramsey of Huntington, W. Va.; brother Curtis Scarberry of Huntington, W. Va.
Grave side services were held Friday, Dec. 11, at Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Alexandria, with Arvil Dean officiating. Arrangements by Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria.
Ruth Bunger
Ruth L. (Rhinehart) Bunger, 93, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and formerly of Lewisburg and Sun City Ariz., died Wednesday, Dec. 9, at DeHoernle Alzheimer's Pavilion in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
She was born on Sept. 1, 1905 in Preble County. She was the daughter of John W. and Goldie B. (Wolfe) Rhinehart.
She was a 1924 graduate of Lewisburg Union High School; a member of Lewisburg Memorial United Methodist Church, Delta Theta Tau Sorority and Lewisburg Card Club.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Elma Rhinehart in 1977 and a brother, John L. Rhinehart, in 1915.
Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Clyde Dewitt "Pat" Bunger; a son, Russell L. Bunger of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. at Barnes Funeral Home, 411 N. Commerce St., Lewisburg, with the Rev. Jon Thomas Officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 3-6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church or Lewisburg Emergency Unit.
James Redway
James Redway, 79, of Camden, formerly of Xenia, died Sunday, Dec. 13, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
He was born Aug. 31, 1919, in Campbell, to John and Anna (Lesnanski) Redway. He married Helen Fouts on March 30, 1939, in Eaton. Together they had seven children. An infant daughter, his parents and two brothers, Michael and Steve Redway, preceded him in death.
He served in the US Navy from 1943-1946. He was employed at NCR for 20 years and was later employed at Merchant Security. He was a former Chief of Police in the Village of Camden and a member of VFW 2402 of Xenia.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Helen Redway of Camden, one son, James (Patty) Redway Jr. of Jamestown; five daughters, Mary Anne (Aaron) Abney of Colorado Springs, Colo., Joyce (Ron) Lee of Eaton, Jackie (Steve) Bone of Bowersville, Kathy (Ed) Ball of Forest Lake, Minn., and Lorri (Dan) Jack of Xenia; one brother, John Redway of Youngstown, and one half brother, Pete Takacs of Orlando, Fla.; one sister, Helen Kalucky and one half sister, Ann Takacs, both of Youngstown; 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 7721 N. Main St., Camden, on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m., with Father Francis Monig officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5-8 p.m. at the R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, 249 N. Main St., Camden. Burial will be at the Fairmount Cemetery in Camden.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association, 3797 Summit Glen Drive, Dayton.
Gerald E. Baker
Gerald Edward "Jerry" Baker, 37, of East Washington Street, New Madison, died Monday evening, Dec. 28, after a one-car accident on Holtzmuller Road in Preble County near Eldorado.
He was born Feb. 2, 1961, in Asheville, N.C. He was owner and operator of Baker's Home Improvement in New Madison.
Survivors include his parents, Gerald L. and Doris J. (Reece) Baker of Nicholasville, Ky.; maternal grandparents, Shad and Benda Reece of Sand Gap, Ky.; one son, Gerald Dustin Baker of New Madison; two daughters, Natasha A. Baker and Candace Nicole Baker, both of New Madison; one sister, Diana K. Turner of Nicholasville, Ky.; three nephews; three nieces; cousins, including Jack Baker; and an uncle.
He was preceded in death by a brother, W. Steve Baker, in 1987.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 2, at Justis Memorial Funeral Home, McKee, Ky., with the Rev. Woodrow Woods officiating. Burial was in See Cemetery, Three Links, Ky. Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel was in charge of local arrangements.
Earl D. Hecathorn
Earl D. Hecathorn, 77, of Lewisburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton.
Born June 23, 1921, in Harrison Township (Preble County), he was the son of the late Raymond Wilson and Isa "Icy" Mae (Wiles) Hecathorn. He was a 1940 graduate of Monroe Township High School in Darke County, and retired from farming in 1966 in Sterling, Ill., where he owned and operated a dairy farm. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Hecathorn had lived in Preble County since 1966.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Reva I. (Utz) Hecathorn; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela K. and Louis Becker of Lewisburg, Deborah J. and Kenneth Blount of Monroe, Wis.; brothers, Robert Hecathorn of Salome, Ariz., Chester Hecathorn of Sandwich, Ill., Dewain F. Hecathorn of Woosung, Ill.; grandchildren, Andrew E., Philip A. and John R. Blount, Kevin R. and Paula J. Becker.
He was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Dean Hecathorn, in 1947.
Funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 31, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with Pastor Henry Mallon officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Darke County or Veterans Affairs Hospice Unit.
Harold E. Newkirk
Harold E. Newkirk, 80, of Eaton, died Wednesday, Dec. 30 , at Vancrest Health Care Center in Eaton.
Born Jan. 14, 1918, in Dixon Township (Preble County), he was the son of the late Eugene Arthur and Myrtle Bell (Shaffer) Newkirk. He was a retired general contractor, and served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. He was a VFW life member, American Legion Post #215 life member, and a member of FOE #2202, all of Eaton.
Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Rebecca L. Newkirk Beam of Eaton, Carole J. and Danny Mann of Eaton, Jill A. Newkirk of California; sons, Kevin H. Newkirk of California, Todd E. Newkirk of Oregon and Kent M. Newkirk of Miamisburg; stepdaughters, Kathy Fudge Atwell of Miamisburg and Debbie Fudge of Whittaker, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Reynolds McCullough; a brother, Joseph C. Newkirk; and a granddaughter, Julie S. Stockslager.
Memorial services were Saturday, Jan. 2, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad.
Merle L. Johnson
Merle L. Johnson, 75, of West Alexandria, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton.
Born Feb. 14, 1923, in Marion County, Ala., she was the daughter of the late John F. and Lillie (Harbin) Miles. She had been a Preble County resident since 1952, and was a member of the Pentecostal faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Johnson, on Aug. 4, 1998; brothers, Jim and Donald Miles; and sisters, Margaret Hickman and Jennabell Weeks.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Billy F. and Sue Johnson of West Alexandria, Robert L. and Pat Johnson of Eaton; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert Miles and Junior Miles, both of Winfield, Ala.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 4, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with Pastor Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Arthur Hudgel
Arthur Hudgel, 64, of Eaton, formerly of the Lewisburg and Verona area, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born July 12, 1934, in Verona, he was the son of the late Arthur and Bessie (Hartman) Hudgel. He had worked for Charles Elliott as a farm hand and had farmed in Darke County. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Eaton.
Survivors include a brother, George Hudgel of Lewisburg; a sister, Esterline Heitzman of Dayton; a special friend, Winnie Essig of Eaton; nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Wilbur, Ellis, Walter, Bill and Harry Hudgel; and sisters, Mary Shepherd and Martha Hudgel.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with the Rev. Fred Hill officiating. Burial was in Verona Cemetery, Verona.
Arthur Fuchs
Arthur "Pat" Fuchs, 96, of Campbellstown-Crawfordsville Road, New Paris, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Governor Harris Homestead in Eaton after an extended illness.
Born March 17, 1902, in New Haven, Ohio, he was the son of Jacob C. and Anna (Alretzer) Fuchs. He had been a Jackson Township farmer since 1952. Mr. Fuchs was a member of the Campbellstown United Church of Christ; and a 72-year member of Columbia Lodge #44, F&AM of Miamitown, Ohio.
Survivors include a son, Marion A. Fuchs of New Paris; a daughter, Shirley M. Swadner of Eaton; sisters-in-law, Mary Fuchs of Cincinnati and Alma Hillman of Brookville, Ind.; six grandchildren, Barbara Jo Marken, Beverle Jean Hines, Brenda June Kiracofe, Colleen D. Wooden, Krista E. Davis and Trad J. Raper; seven great-grandchildren, Kristen Jo Marken, Erin Lee Marken, Nicole D. Hines, Britney Jean Hines, Alex E. Perez, Keegan M. Wooden and Samuel A. Wooden.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, William Fuchs, Jacob Fuchs Jr., George Fuchs, Albert Fuchs and Richard Fuchs; four sisters, Mary Rungee, Elizabeth Metler, Katherine Fliehman and Hilda Fuchs. His wife, Maye H. (Hutchinson) Fuchs, died in June 1982.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 2, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. James C. Sizelove officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. Masonic services were conducted Friday at the funeral home following visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Campbellstown United Church of Christ.
Sharon E. Burns
Sharon E. Burns, 54, of West Alexandria, died unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 31.
Born Aug. 17, 1944, in Greenville, she was the daughter of the late Norbert and Lucille (Dragoo) Barga. She was a member of the North Congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Eaton.
Survivors include her husband of 34 years, James D. Burns; daughters, Denise Gilreath of Beavercreek, Lora Lawson and husband Michael of West Alexandria; a son, Matthew Burns of West Alexandria; grandchildren, Dylan Burns, Devin Preuss, Kara Lawson and Kaleb Lawson; a brother, Ted Barga of California; sisters, Shirley Stammen of Florida and Susan Gertz of Celina.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with David Salyers officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Vernon C. Lewis
Vernon C. Lewis, 79, of Camden, died Thursday, Dec. 31, at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton.
Born Nov. 8, 1919, in Laurel County, Ky., he was the son of the late James and Victoria (Browning) Lewis. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and was employed as a superintendent at Hamilton Foundry, retiring after 40 years of service. He was an elder at Camden United Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Opal (Begley) Lewis, whom he married May 6, 1955, in Fairfield.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jo Ellen and Keith Cramer of Alexandria, Ind., and Linda and John Leffler of Sterling Heights, Mich.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Naomi Byrd of Clinton, Ill., and Edna Maggard of Hamilton.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 2, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden, with the Rev. William Walthour officiating. Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden.
Dora O. Larsh
Dora O. Larsh, 93, of Eaton, died Thursday, Dec. 31, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born March 17, 1905, in Eaton, she was the daughter of the late David and Kate (Miles) King, and had lived in Preble County all her life. She was a 1923 graduate of Eaton High School. Mrs. Larsh was a member of Campbellstown United Church of Christ, where she was a Sunday school teacher for kindergarten age youngsters for many years, and a member of the Ladies Aid of the church; and was a member of the Neighbors Sunshine Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Kathryn Larsh of Eaton; a son, Gordon K. Larsh of Richmond, Ind.; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert T. Larsh, on March 13, 1990; two sisters, Mary McFall and Virgie Shields; and a brother, Chester King.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. James C. Sizelove officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Campbellstown United Church of Christ.
