USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Winifred B. Essig
Winifred B. (Willis) Essig, 83, formerly of Gratis, died Monday, Dec. 27, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Eaton.
Born Jan. 26, 1916, in Middletown, she was the daughter of James and Edith (Birk) Willis. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Essig, in 1981; her parents; and a brother, Ted Willis.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and James Eby of Farmersville; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Marvin Willis of Gratis; two brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were Thursday, Dec. 30, at Fairview Cemetery, Gratis, with the Rev. Larry Lindstrom officiating. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown.
Marty R. Gross
Marty R. Gross, 57, of Eaton, died unexpectedly Monday morning, Dec. 27.
She was born May 6, 1942, in Hamilton, and was a 1960 graduate of Preble Shawnee High School. Mrs. Gross retired from Parker Hannifin Corp., Eaton, after 19 years, and was a member of Kings Highway Holiness Church in Richmond, Ind.
She was preceded in death by her father, Norman R. Agnew, in 1987.
Survivors include her husband of 18 years, William R. Gross of Eaton; a stepson, William R. Gross Jr. of Eaton; her mother, Hilda R. (Parvis) Agnew of Eaton; sisters and brother, Phyllis R. Jeffries of Angier, N.C., Joe R. Agnew of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Cheryl R. Jones of Leciester, N.C.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, Dec. 30, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with Pastor Elthur Hale officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kings Highway Holiness Church, 1403 S. Ninth St., Richmond, IN 47374.
Ben A. Williamson
Ben A. Williamson, 68, of Lewisburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
He was retired from NCR Corp. in Dayton after 25 years, and owned and operated his own lawn service and trucking company. He was a member of West Milton Lodge #577, F&AM.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin R. Williamson and Stella Williamson; and one sister.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Williamson; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Jeff and JoAnne Steinke of Rushville, Ind.; three daughters; one sister; and his grandchildren.
Graveside services were Thursday, Dec. 30, at Royal Oak Memorial Gardens near Brookville, with the Rev. Rick Mowry officiating. Hale-Sarver Funeral Home, West Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewisburg Emergency Unit.
Sara S. Cossins
Sara Spencer Cossins, 68, formerly of Eaton, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, at her home in Caldwell, Idaho, after an extended illness.
Survivors include her husband of 14 years, Claryl Cossins; her children and their spouses, Charles Spencer of California, Mike and Diane Spencer of West Alexandria, Ron and Connie Spencer, Jim and Georgie Spencer, and Wanda and Chuck Jamison, all of Eaton, Les and Jill Spencer of New Paris, Jeff and Cheri Spencer of Idaho and Jean Spencer of California; 26 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 13 brothers and sisters residing in Ohio, Indiana and Arizona.
Funeral services were held in Idaho.
Karl Gebhart
Karl Gebhart, 82, of Lewisburg, died Thursday morning, Dec. 30, in Richmond, Ind.
He was a graduate of Lewisburg High School and Miami Jacobs College, a veteran of World War II and a retired farmer. He had been a director of the Peoples Banking Company; had served on the boards of the Preble County Pork Festival, the Preble County Pig Roast and the 4-H Advisory Council; and was a 4-H advisor.
He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Myra; children, Ellen and Karl Honsperger of Fremont, Gary and Danine Gebhart of Hamilton, Mark Gebhart and Roger Gebhart of Lewisburg; six grandchildren; a niece and nephew.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 3, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with Pastor Edward Williams officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Preble County Council on Aging, Eaton; or to Brown Memorial Library, Lewisburg.
Lillian M. Day
Lillian M. Day, 82, of Middletown, died Thursday, Dec. 30, at her home.
She was born Aug. 7, 1917, in Louisville, Ky., and had resided in the Middletown area for over 40 years. She retired as a machinist from Ideal Manufacturing in 1982.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle D. Day.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, James and Jean Day of Fairfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Thomas Reid of Huber Heights; four grandchildren, Dawn Daniel, Melinda Hart, Jason Day and Jordan Day; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-granddaughters.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, Middletown, with the Rev. Betty Wilson officiating. Burial was in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton.
Donald E. Fudge
Donald E. Fudge, 80, formerly of Bruce Street, Eaton, died Friday, Dec. 31, at Greenbriar Nursing Center.
Born Oct. 15, 1919, in Preble County, he was the son of the late Paul R. and Marie G. (Martz) Fudge. He was the former owner of Fudge's Grocery in Eaton. Mr. Fudge was a member of Grace Lutheran Church; past master of Bolivar Lodge #82, F&AM; Eaton Chapter #22, RAM; Preble Council #135, R&SM; Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton; and Preble County Historical Society. He was a volunteer with the American Red Cross-Preble County Unit, and a volunteer at Wernle Home in Richmond, Ind.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Randy and Ralph Fudge.
Survivors include his wife, Doris K. (Ford) Fudge; two sisters, Mary C. Dunn and Carol Miley, both of Eaton; a half sister, Barbara Beard of Greenville; a half brother, Robert Fudge of Worthington; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton. Masonic services and viewing were Monday evening at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Chester E. Spitler
Chester E. Spitler, 90, of Eaton, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, at Governor Harris Homestead.
Born Sept. 27, 1909, in Lanier Township, he was the son of Clarence and Alice (Russell) Spitler. He was a 1928 graduate of Lanier High School; and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific area from January 1943 until September 1945.
In 1950, he opened his own business, Spitler's Shell Service on Salem Avenue in Dayton, which later became R.&S. Service Center. He handled U-Haul Rentals and on the location, he built and patented the fleet of "Load & Go" utility trailers which he rented. In 1968, he sold the location to Ponderosa. Later he sold Load & Go trailers to International General Rentals.
From 1972 to 1974, he gave his services to the Riverside Christian Training School at Lost Creek, Ky. In 1980, he moved from Dayton to Eaton, but spent half of each year near Bradenton, Fla., where he was a member of the Bradenton Shuffleboard Club.
He became a Pro Shuffler and competed in many of the Florida West Coast Shuffleboard Tournaments. He was also a member of the Greenville Shuffleboard Club and participated in many of the Ohio tournaments.
Mr. Spitler was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church when in Bradenton, and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eaton.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Sarah Alice (Andrews) Spitler; one daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Alice and Richard McCann of Bradenton, Fla.; a grandson, Jon Pierre Pieratt; a granddaughter, Jennifer Lee McReynolds and husband Kenneth of Atlanta, Ga.; a great-granddaughter, Deanna Alice McReynolds of Atlanta, Ga.; and two sisters, Treva Moyer of Dayton and Hazel Rhoades of Fairborn.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Iva Orth, Opal Metzger and Lucile Metzger; and an infant brother, Emerson Spitler.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, with the Rev. Randall Best and the Rev. Suzanne Dillahunt officiating. The family will receive friends from noon-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery near West Alexandria.
William C. Kester
William C. Kester, 84, formerly of Lutheran Drive, Eaton, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, at Heartland of Kettering.
Born Feb. 26, 1915, in Greenville, he was the son of the late Fred C. and Sophia M. (Rose) Kester, and had lived in Preble County most of his life. He retired in 1975 from General Motors in Dayton after 35 years.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred M. (Tuthill) Kester; a son and daughter-in-law, R. Gene and Bobbe Kester of Centerville, Ohio; grandsons, Michael Gene Kester and Robert Gene Kester; great-granddaughter, Kirsten C. Kester; sister, Edyth Veit of Columbus; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer Kester; and two sisters, Mary Wilt and Lucille Wiley.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, 226 W. Main St., Eaton, with the Rev. Brian Dillahunt officiating. Burial will be in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad.
Dorothy M. Davis
Dorothy M. Davis, 93, formerly of McCabe Street, Eaton, died Saturday morning, Jan. 1, 2000, after a brief illness. She had resided at Vancrest Health Care Center since September 1999.
Born June 16, 1906, in Dixon Township, she was the daughter of the late Simeon F. and Ada (Davisson) House, and had lived in Preble County all her life. She attended Wares Chapel Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Davis, in 1972; a brother, Everett House; and three grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons, Robert F. Davis Sr. of Eldorado and Gerald A. Davis of Eaton; a daughter, Linda Van Skiver of Eaton; eight grandchildren; 12-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, 220 E. Main St., with the Rev. Brian Rea officiating. Burial will be in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad, to Vancrest Health Care Center or to Hospice of Middletown.
Donald D. Krall
Donald D. Krall, 86, died Sunday, Dec. 12, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Born Oct. 12, 1913, in Cincinnati, he was the son of John Calvin and Kathryn Elizabeth (Delaney) Krall.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred (Dourson) Krall; a daughter, Janet Giurgius; sisters, Gladys Stratman, Ethel Peeden and Phyllis Krug; and a cousin, Clarabelle Krall Laird.
A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 20, at St. Cecilia Church, Cincinnati. Beach Memorial Chapel, St. Petersburg Beach, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Cecilia School Scholarship Fund, 4115 Taylor Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45209.
Irene Southam
Irene Southam, 88, of Eaton, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Heartland of Eaton.
Born June 1, 1911, in Mississippi, she was the daughter of George and Hixie (Walker) Robert.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; two brothers, Luther Raybourne and Claude Raybourne; and two sisters, Lucie Lawton and Mary Donaldson.
Survivors include nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, is in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Ashinger
Raymond "Pete" Ashinger, 82, of Jordan Road, West Alexandria, died Thursday, Dec. 23, at Hospice of Dayton.
Born May 13, 1917, in Richmond, Ind., he was the son of Raymond and Maude (Kaucher) Ashinger. He retired from Inland Manufacturing in 1982 after 43 years and was a member of the Inland Retirees Club.
Mr. Ashinger was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, a member of James E. Ryan Post #322 American Legion and Post #8066 VFW. He was a former square dancer in the Lewisburg Promenaders, and was a member of the West Alexandria Church of the Brethren.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruth Ashinger; a daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and P. Kent Richison of New Lebanon; and a grandson, Samuel Richison.
Funeral services were Monday, Dec. 27, at the West Alexandria Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. Philip Dell officiating. Burial was in Sugar Grove Cemetery near West Alexandria. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.
Homer A. Yost
Homer A. Yost, 84, of Mt. Orab, formerly of Eaton, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Washington Court House.
He was retired as a patrolman from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Survivors include his wife, Oma Lee Yost; a daughter, Shelia Ann Loser of Eaton; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruby Myers of Eaton; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha O'Nell; father, Francis Yost; stepfather, William Bottomley; sisters, Marie Penney and Phyllis Unger; and a brother, Harold Yost.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 3, at Mt. Orab Church of Christ, followed by burial in Mt. Orab Cemetery. Thompson-Stevens Funeral Home, Mt. Orab, was in charge of arrangements.
James R. Jordan
Word has been received here of the death of James Robert "Robin" Jordan, 73, who died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, in Roseville, Calif. Death was attributed to a malignancy.
The son of the late Charles E. and Lulu Jordan, longtime Lewisburg residents, he was a 1944 graduate of Lewisburg High School. He attended the 50th alumni reunion of his class, that being the last time he was in the Lewisburg area.
Survivors include his wife, Edna Jordan; two daughters, Robin and Jamie; four grandchildren; and two brothers, Jack of Brookville and Charles of Beavercreek.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Kay Jordan, a nurse for many years in the office of Dr. B.R. Smith, a Lewisburg physician.
Lucy Rose
Lucy Rose, 79, formerly of rural Eldorado, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton following a long illness.
Born Nov. 27, 1920, in Campton, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Suzanne King. She was a homemaker and was retired from State Line Truck Stop, New Paris.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darley Rose, on May 25, 1991; two sisters; and one brother.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were Thursday, Jan. 6, at Bussard-Barnes-Vaniman Funeral Home, Eldorado, with Pastor Rick Mowry officiating. Burial was in Monroe Cemetery, Eldorado.
Memorial contributions may be made to Greenbriar Nursing Center, 501 W. Lexington Road, Eaton, OH 45320; or to the Alzheimer's Association, Miami Valley Chapter, 3797 Summit Glen Drive #G100, Dayton, OH 45449.
