USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Clarence E. Oldfather
A longtime Eaton newspaperman, Clarence E. "Sparky" Oldfather, 86, of Eaton, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Greenbriar Nursing Center.
Born May 28, 1913, in Eaton, he was the son of the late Walter L. and Laura (Peters) Oldfather. After graduating from Eaton High School in 1931, he became interested in newspaper publishing and printing. Mr. Oldfather began working at the Bulletin newspaper in Eaton in 1932, then went to work for the late Charles B. Unger, owner of The Register-Herald, in August 1941.
Several years later, Unger sold the publication, and he became partners with Harold V. Sell in ownership of the newspaper. He retired Jan. 1, 1973, after more than 27 years as co-owner and co-publisher of The Register-Herald. The newspaper was sold to Brown Publishing Company in January 1973, and the new owners honored the two publishers by declaring them Publishers Emeritus. The publication carries their names and title on the masthead of every issue today.
Following his retirement from the newspaper, he was a part-time bookkeeper for Beoddy Oil in Eaton for seven years. Mr. Oldfather was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Ervin Oldfather, in 1952.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Helen L. (Lamar) Oldfather; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Wallace Kramer of Eaton, Carolyn and William Hoover of Troy; a son and daughter-in-law, Nevin and Carol Oldfather of Columbus; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Edna Handley of Eaton; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church, Eaton, with the Rev. Wayne D. Morrison officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery. Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 123 W. Decatur St., Eaton, OH 45320.
Mark U. Craig
Mark U. Craig, 33, of Eaton, died Thursday, Feb. 10, in Clearfield, Wis., as the result of an automobile accident.
Born July 7, 1966, in Alamogordo, N.M., he had lived in Eaton since 1994. He had been a truck driver for Swifty Oil Company and was presently a carpenter for Home Tech Construction. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and a member of Sacramento Lodge #24, F&AM in Alamogordo, N.M.
Survivors include his parents, James P. and Helgie (Tarnowski) Craig of Alamogordo, N.M.; his wife, Michelle A. (Froment) Craig; daughters, Brittany Craig, Brianna Craig and Tiffany Pierce, all at home; a son, Travis Pierce, at home.
Also surviving are sisters, Kathryn Hopkins of Alamogordo, N.M., and Patty Wisecup of Coon Rapids, Minn.; paternal grandmother, Susan Craig of Tekonsha, Mich.; maternal grandmother, Frieda Tarnowski of Alamogordo, N.M.; nieces and nephews; father- and mother-in-law, Leo and Carol Froment of Arlington, Vt.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 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, where Masonic graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m.
Maggie L. Shump
Maggie L. Shump, 95, of New Paris, died Saturday, Feb. 12, at her home.
She was a former resident of Trotwood, and a member of the Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Elwood Shump, in 1993; a son, Clyde Dean; a brother, Moss Clark; and two sisters, Mammie Crawford and Frances Smeltzer.
Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Robert Dean of Virginia, Jay and Patty Dean of West Alexandria; a daughter, Betty Garrett of West Manchester; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Polly Dean of Webster City, Va.; a brother, Gordon (Lizzie) Clark of Brookville; sisters, Theda Carter of Tennessee, Virginia Carter of Virginia; a sister-in-law, Della Clark; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Rogers Funeral Home, Trotwood, with Pastor Arvil Dean officiating. Burial was in Roy Oak Memorial Gardens, Brookville.
Harold Fouts
Harold Fouts, 82, of Terre Haute, Ind., formerly of Hamilton, died Sunday, Feb. 13, at Mercy Franciscan at Schroder in Hamilton.
Born Jan. 15, 1918, in Glendale, Ohio, he was the son of the late Albert and Lillian (Schmitt) Fouts. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and retired from the Pillsbury Company after 35 years of service.
He married Peggy Manning on Feb. 17, 1937, in Richmond, Ind.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Fouts, presently of Hamilton; a son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Darlene Fouts of Hamilton; a brother, Gordon Fouts of Fairfield; two grandchildren, Cindy (Tim) Stieg and Mark Fouts, both of Hamilton; five great-grandchildren, Dawn Parr, Mark Fouts Jr., Shenell, Sunny and Hollyann Stieg; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, 249 N. Main St., Camden, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, Gratis. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Howard N. Dick
Howard N. Dick, 91, of New Paris, died Sunday, Feb. 13, at Cedar Springs Care Center in New Paris.
Born Jan. 4, 1909, in Marietta, he was the son of the late Ralph H. and Charlotte (Howard) Dick. He had been a resident of New Paris since 1982.
Survivors include a sister, Virginia D. Moyle of Coronado, Calif.; a brother, Robert M. Dick of Crystal River, Fla.; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at Cedar Springs Care Center, 7739 U.S. 40, New Paris. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus. Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Carl S. Akey
Carl Samuel Akey, of Tellico Village Community, Loudon, Tenn., died Saturday, Feb. 12. He was a former Lewisburg businessman.
He began a feed manufacturing business, Carl S. Akey, Inc., and opened the original facility in Lewisburg in January 1976, serving primarily the Indiana and Ohio market. The company became one of the major feed companies in the United States.
During his business career, Mr. Akey received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions to the agriculture and feed industry, including induction into the Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He moved to Tellico Village in Tennessee during its inception. He used his entrepreneurial and business skills attained in his agricultural and feed industry to establish and develop the lakeside development, including Lakeside Plaza Restaurant and Lakeside Plaza Market, which he operated until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Garrie and Laura Akey.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Taylor Akey; a daughter, Kay Akey Creech of Lewisburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Lowell Akey of Zanesville, Ohio.
Graveside services were Monday, Feb. 14, at Loudon County Memorial Garden, with the Rev. Jim Bishop officiating. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Tellico Village Baptist Church. McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon, Tenn., is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tellico Village Baptist Church Building Fund, Lakeside Plaza, Loudon, TN 37774.
Paul R. Drake
Paul R. Drake, 81, of Eaton, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, following a lengthy illness.
Born Oct. 27, 1918, in Lostcreek Township, Miami County, he was the son of the late Frank F. and Nora O. (Covault) Drake. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Asiatic/Pacific Theater of Operations. He was the owner of Drake Shoe Shoe in Eaton since 1967, and was a former member of the Eaton IOOF.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Keith E. Drake; 12 brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Betty L. (Webb) Drake, whom he married Dec. 24, 1946; children and their spouses, Carol L. and Stuart Brooks, Lowell E. and Vicky Drake, Janice L. and Steve Wentzell Jr., all of Eaton, Paula A. and James Proeschel of Camden; grandchildren, Brian, Kelly and Mark Brooks, Robert Drake, Stacy and Adam Wentzell; and great-grandchildren, Izik Paxson and Mason Brooks.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with Pastor Jeff Hill officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad or to the Eaton Fire Department.
Mary E. Mason
Mary Elizabeth (Rediger) Mason, 91, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, at BrookHaven Nursing Home in Brookville.
She was born Jan. 25, 1909, and graduated from Lewisburg Union High School in 1928. She received her B.S. from Miami University in 1935, and her master's in 1944. She taught school for 37 years, six years at Lewisburg Elementary, 20 years at Grace A. Greene and 11 years at Bellhaven Elementary, retiring in 1971. Mrs. Mason was a member of the United Church of Christ at Lewisburg for 76 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ada E. (Buehner) Rediger; her husband, Harold Mason; and sisters, Goldie Jeanette, Pearl Rediger and Ada L. Unger.
Survivors include sisters and brothers, Hannah Somers of The Brethren's Home in Greenville, Harry and Hazel Rediger of North Ft. Myers, Fla., John and Janice Rediger of Lewisburg, Donald and Gladys Pelton of Rochester, N.H.; stepsons Mr. and Mrs. Ormond Mason and family, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Mason and family.
Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Eugene and Patricia Kreitzer and family, Ed and Wanda Baumer and family, David and Eunice Unger and family, Dixie Northern and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Rediger and family, Richard Rediger, Tom and Paulette Rediger and family, Larry and Linda Aukerman and family, Dan and Kim Bascom, Drew and Pam Pelton and family; and a close friend, Bob Shiverdecker.
Her body was donated to the Wright State School of Medicine.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ, Lewisburg, OH 45338.
Charlotte Azzalina
Charlotte Azzalina, 90, of Eaton, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind. She was a former resident of Phillipsburg, N.J.
Born Dec. 27, 1909, in Manchester, England, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Charlotte Hill. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg, N.J., and had retired from Grant's Department Store in that city.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Azzalina, in December 1949; brothers, Samuel and Albert Hill; and sisters, Esther Atnello, Alice DeGroff and Emma Fretz.
Survivors include a son, Carl Azzalina of Eaton; a daughter, Edna Shade of Marathon, Fla.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Edna Cryan of Phillipsburg, N.J.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 19, at Rupell Funeral Home, Phillipsburg, N.J., followed by burial in St. James Cemetery there. Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, was in charge of local arrangements.
H. Vada Phillips
H. Vada Phillips, 86, of Trotwood, died Monday, Feb. 14, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
Born Aug. 15, 1913, in Rogersville, Ala., she was the daughter of the late John I. and Sara E. (Brown) Rice. She was a member of the Northridge Church of Christ, and had retired from customer service at Rike's department store.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Armand C. Phillips, whom she married Jan. 16, 1935; children, Lillie Esther Cole and husband Jewell Daniel of Ft. Mitchell, Ala., Glen C. Phillips and wife Cathy of Beavercreek, Rose Marie Petitt and husband George of Eldorado, June D. Ballard of Dayton, Joan B. Olage of Dallas, Texas, and Milton L. Phillips and wife Kathy of Huber Heights; 21 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Mary Helton and husband Reed of California.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 18, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with Pastor Brad Poe officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Randy Rodgers
Randy Rodgers, 43, of Middletown, died Friday, Feb. 18, at Middletown Regional Hospital after an illness of six months.
He had worked in the coke plant of AK Steel for 10 years, was a member of the Living Word Church of Middletown and was involved with the Prison Ministry for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Valerie A. Rodgers; a daughter, Sommer Rodgers of Monroe; a stepson, Andy (Tonya) Meadors of Camden; his mother, Chloie (Harry) Hatfield of Middletown; his mother-in-law, Carol Rader of Camden; and a half brother, David Rodgers of Middletown.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Rodgers.
Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 21, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, Middletown, with the Rev. Randall K. Wheeler officiating. Burial was in Woodside Cemetery, Middletown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society-Butler County Unit, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, OH 45044.
Leonard L. Markey
Leonard Lowell Markey, 81, of Eaton, died Friday, Feb. 18, at his home.
Born June 29, 1918, in Monroe Township, Preble County, he was the son of the late Leonard and Estenia (Reinheimer) Markey. He was a 1937 graduate of Monroe High School, and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He retired in March 1980 from the U.S. Postal Service after 31 years.
Mr. Markey was a member of The National Rural Letter Carriers Association and served as secretary for the Local Carriers Association. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Eaton.
He was preceded in death by a son, Rodney Markey, in 1955.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Eileen F. (Charles) Markey; sons and daughter-in-law, Ronald L. "Ronnie" Markey, Thomas G. and Sharon Markey, all of Eaton; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca L. and Bernard Lehman of West Alexandria; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Thomas H. Maxedon Jr. officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church and/or the Eaton Emergency Squad.
Charles W. Shafer
Charles William Shafer, 65, of Eaton, died Sunday, Feb. 20, at Hospice of Dayton following a lengthy illness.
Born July 29, 1934, in Richmond, Ind., he was the son of the late Ralph and Jeanette (Sample) Shafer. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, worked 21 1/2 years at NCR in Dayton and retired from Weyerhaeuser in Eaton after 23 years. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in West Alexandria.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly, in 1980; and a grandson, Stephen Marcum Vonderhaar.
Survivors include his wife, Ursula (Geiss) Shafer, whom he married Aug. 21, 1983; sons, Kevin Shafer of Eaton and Jeff Shafer of West Alexandria; daughters, Ann Cox, Joy French, Sue Longo, all of Eaton, Donna Rigsby of Cambridge City, Ind., and Fay Marcum of Liberty, Ind.; a son, Mark Quante of Eaton; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Beulah Conrad and Gladys Harrington, both of Dayton.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, 3377 U.S. 35 (between West Alexandria and Eaton), West Alexandria, with Pastor J. Herman Bassler officiating. Burial will be in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.
Wilbur Stahlheber
Wilbur Stahlheber, 85, of Camden, died Monday, Feb. 21, at his home.
Born May 9, 1914, in Butler County, he was the son of the late William and Alma (Pieper) Stahlheber. He was a self-employed farmer, having farmed in the Preble County area for 65 years. He was a member of the Preble County Farm Bureau.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle (McQueen) Stahlheber, whom he married on July 5, 1941, in Hamilton; and a brother, Vic Stahlheber.
Survivors include one son, Gary Stahlheber and Kathy Weadick of Camden; two sisters, Dorothy Taylor of Camden and Hilda Shumaker of Hamilton; three step-grandchildren, Angela, Mike and Steve Weadick; and one step-great-grandchild, Chase Thompson.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 25, at R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden, with the Rev. Greg Jackson officiating. Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden.
Lorrene E. Reid
Lorrene E. Reid, 92, formerly of South Washington Street, New Paris, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born Oct. 6, 1907, in New Paris, she was the daughter of the late Everett O. and Susan G. (Baker) Reid. She was a member of the Eastern Star, First Presbyterian Church, and was a charter member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, all of New Paris.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph W. Reid, in 1995; and a sister, Olive Cox, in 1993.
Survivors include two nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 26, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, with Richard DeLong officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. Eastern Star services were conducted just prior to the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of New Paris.
