USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Irene S. Phillips
Irene S. (Strang) Phillips, 100, died Saturday, March 11, at Otterbein-Lebanon.
Born Feb. 22, 1900, in Bridgewater, Iowa, she was the daughter of Ernest J. and Blanch (Herstein) Strang. She attended Dickinson State College and Valley State College in North Dakota before receiving her bachelor's degree from Miami University in elementary education.
She was a teacher at West Elkton Elementary School for 17 years and for the Middletown School District for three years before retiring in June 1965. Mrs. Phillips was a former x-ray technician at Middletown Hospital. She was a member of Greenbush United Methodist Church, where she was a secretary of the Ladies Aid.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Homer Phillips; two sisters, Thelma Neisja and Beulah Olson; and a brother, Lyle Strang.
Survivors include three nephews, Dennis (Leona) Olson of Richardson, Texas, David (Lyndia) Olson of Allen, Texas, and Leon Neisja of Manden, N.D.; and a niece, Blanche Huberholtz of Manden, N.D.
Visitation will be from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Otterbein-Lebanon Chapel, with services immediately following. Burial will be in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton. Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Elizabeth A. Brombaugh
Elizabeth Ann Brombaugh, 75, of New Lebanon, died Monday, March 13, at her home.
Born April 20, 1924, in Johnsville, she was the daughter of Charles and Lulu (Shollenbarger) Fogle. She was a homemaker, and had retired from Baxter-Travenol Corp. in 1979.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ezra Brombaugh, in 1994; her parents; a son, Chuck Shade; a brother, Fred Fogle; and a grandson, Steven Shade.
Survivors include three daughters, Nancy (Tim) Karns, Peggy (Don) Stayrook and Judy (Doug) Schul, all of West Alexandria; a son, Tom Shade of Eaton; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Doug Brombaugh of Springboro and David Brombaugh of New Lebanon; a stepdaughter, Judy Gerhard of Englewood; two sisters, Eileen McNinch and Janet McCloud, both of New Lebanon; two brothers, Charles "Bill" Fogle and Richard "Dick" Fogle, both of New Lebanon.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Englewood Manor Nursing Home, c/o Activity Department, P.O. Box 340, Englewood, OH 45322.
Claire E. McCormack
Claire E. McCormack, 81, died Monday, March 13, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
Born March 31, 1918, in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Edwin and Anna (Griffin) Wernhoff. She retired in 1982 from the Lima Public Library after 23 years of service, and was instrumental in starting the Elida Branch Library of the Lima Public Library. She was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Lima.
She married Richard B. McCormack on Aug. 8, 1942, and he preceded her in death on July 13, 1980. A son, Kevin J. McCormack; and a brother, Edwin Wernhoff, are also deceased.
Survivors include three sons, Richard E. McCormack of Columbus, Father Keith J. McCormack of Mansfield and Mark D. (Melynda) McCormack of Van Wert; one daughter, Nancy A. (Robert) Cira of Eaton; six grandchildren; and one brother, John Wernhoff of Vermont.
Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, March 17, at St. Rose Catholic Church, with her son, Father Keith McCormack, officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima. Hogenkamp-Straub Funeral Home, Lima, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lima Public Library Shut-In Book Service, or to St. Rose Catholic Church in Lima.
Wilma J. Garber
Wilma Jean Garber, 69, of Eaton, died Wednesday, March 15, at her home.
Born April 12, 1930, in Lanier Township (Preble County), she was the daughter of Ira H. and Lottie C. (Bowser) Brubaker. She was a homemaker, and a member of Lower Twin Old German Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Richard; a son, Alan R. (Naomi) Garber of West Alexandria; four daughters, Sharon (Roger) Moser of Goshen, Ind., Connie (Danny) Bower of Camden, Judy (Galen) Dutter of West Alexandria and Ann (Mark) Brubaker of Grangeville, Idaho; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Darrell Brubaker of West Alexandria.
Funeral services were Sunday, March 19, at the Lower Twin Old German Baptist Church, with the Home Brethren officiating. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home-West Alexandria, was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys T. Clemens
Gladys T. Clemens, 85, of Grove City, Ohio, died Tuesday, March 14, at Mt. Carmel Hospital West in Columbus. She was a former resident of Dayton.
Born July 27, 1914, in Dayton, she was the daughter of the late William Frank and Victoria (Nock) Thaman. She was a 1933 graduate of Julienne High School and attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Columbus.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Robert Clemens; and a sister, Lucille C. Ballman, in 1962.
Survivors include a daughter, Lucille R. Taylor of Grove City; a brother, William R. Thaman of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Friday, March 17, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Thomas Fitzsimmons officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Dayton.
Helen T. Woodbury
Helen Taft Woodbury, 90, of Eaton, died Friday morning, Dec. 24, 1999, at Heartland of Eaton after an extended illness.
Born Oct. 11, 1909, in Hamilton County, she was the daughter of the late William E. and Ida A. (Weihmeiar) Meyer. She had lived in Dayton, moved to Alden, Mich., in 1972 and to Eaton in 1993.
Mrs. Woodbury was the financial secretary at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton for 17 years; a member of Belair United Methodist Church in Belair, Mich.; past mother advisor of Rainbow Girls; and past member and worthy matron of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Levi Woodbury, in 1982; two brothers; and three sisters.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Shirley Woodbury of Eaton; a daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Donald Rabold of Jupiter, Fla.; and a sister, Heneretta Cortney of Cincinnati.
Memorial services were Sunday, March 19, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Greg Hyre officiating. Burial was in Concord Church Cemetery, Englewood.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, Preble County Chapter, P.O. Box 141, Eaton, OH 45320.
James M. Taylor
James M. Taylor, 81, of Eaton, died Sunday, March 19, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born Jan. 1, 1919, near Bristol, Va., he was the son of the late Henry and Fanny (Houser) Taylor, and had lived in Preble County most of his life. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Martha E. (Stanton) Taylor, whom he married April 20, 1946; a sister, Sylvia Mercer of Eaton; a special sister-in-law, Frances Foster of Eaton; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Ella Taylor, Hazel Asbury and Alice Ballinger; brothers, Robert Taylor, Stewart Taylor and his twin, William Taylor.
Funeral services were Tuesday, March 21, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Fred Hill and the Rev. Paul W. Wesler officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evangel Assembly of God, 216 S. Cherry St., Eaton, OH 45320.
Reba M. Shaw
Reba May Shaw, 86, formerly of Aukerman Street, Eaton, died Wednesday, March 22, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton after an extended illness.
Born April 2, 1913, in Williamsburg (Wayne County), Ind., she was the daughter of the late Elnathan and Ethel (Coltrane) Charles. She was a 1931 graduate of Williamsburg High School and a graduate of Indiana Business College in Richmond, Ind.
Mrs. Shaw served on several organizations in Dixon Township; had worked in the Preble County Extension Agency and Probate Court office; was a member of Farm Bureau Discussion Group #4; a former Sunday school superintendent for St. Paul United Methodist Church in Eaton; had served as Welcome Wagon hostess and an Avon sales representative in the Eaton area. She was a member of Concord United Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Brower Shaw, on Oct. 21, 1997.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon J. and Robert C. Barnes of Eaton; grandchildren and spouses, Brian R. and Erin M. Barnes, Stephen A. and Lori R. Barnes, all of Lewisburg; great-grandchildren, Matthew B. and Christina D. Barnes, Logan P. and Lorin E. Barnes, all of Lewisburg; a twin sister, Ruby L. Buriff of Eaton; a niece and husband, Nedra S. and Karl Mielke of St. Marys; and several cousins.
Funeral services were Monday, March 27, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Van Tine and Pastor Philip Raines officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 33, Eaton, OH 45320; or to Concord United Church of Christ, 2225 Concord-Fairhaven Road, Eaton, OH 45320.
Kenneth O. Johnson
Kenneth Ott Johnson, 80, of The Brethren's Home, Greenville, and formerly of Troy, died Monday, March 20.
Born June 22, 1919, in Eaton, he was the son of the late Raymond D. and Beulah (Ott) Johnson. He was a graduate of Eaton High School, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and retired in 1983 from B.F. Goodrich in Troy. He was a member of the Troy Church of the Brethren.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen (Hinshaw) Johnson, whom he married Oct. 31, 1947, in Covington, Ky.; two sons, William Johnson of Dallas, Texas, and Gary Johnson of Huber Heights; his stepmother, Vonda Johnson of Eaton; one grandchild; two brothers, Dale Johnson of Greenville and Willard Johnson of Eaton; and a half sister, Carolyn Turner of Eaton.
Memorial services were Thursday, March 23, at Jackson Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, with Pastor Sheila Shumaker officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Troy Church of the Brethren.
Paul E. Somers
Paul E. Somers, 79, of Farmersville, died Tuesday, March 21, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
Born June 18, 1920, in Fairhaven (Preble County), he was the son of the late Charles Emery and Mary Irene (Deem) Somers. He retired from I.W.D. in Dayton in 1986; was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; and a Red Cross driver in the Eaton area for the past six years.
Mr. Somers was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Dayton, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton, and attended the United Methodist Church in Farmersville.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Billie D. Somers, in 1983.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lucille (Ruby) Somers; a daughter and son-in-law, Sandy S. and Steve Kenney of Vandalia; a son, Paul E. Somers II of Dayton; granddaughters, Katie (Adam) Edgington of Covington, Ohio, and Sarah Kenney (Paul) Schaeffer of Dayton; and a great-grandson, River Edgington.
Funeral services were Friday, March 24, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Ted Grotsky officiating. Burial, with full military graveside services by the Preble County Honor Guard, was in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Farmersville Rescue Squad, Farmersville, OH 45325.
Jerry D. Malott
Jerry D. Malott, 47, of New Market-Banta Road, Lewisburg, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 21, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
Born Sept. 28, 1952, in Dayton, he was the son of Herbert D. and Helen (Bowling) Malott. He was a U.S. Army veteran, was owner and operator of Kristen Auto Sales in West Alexandria, and had operated Brays Auto Sales in Dayton for 20 years. Mr. Malott attended the Philadelphia Church of God in Dayton.
Survivors include his companion, Regina Moore; mother, Helen Malott Abner of Lewisburg; a friend, Pamela Malott of Xenia; sons and daughter-in-law, Nicky and Terri Prince of Columbus, and Jared Malott of Xenia; daughters and son-in-law, Becky and Roman Valdivia of Denver, Colo., and Kristen Malott of Lewisburg.
Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Terry L. and Ronda Malott of Lewisburg, sisters and brothers-in-law, Janet and Larry Werner, Marilyn and Johnny Hosbrook, all of Lewisburg; two grandchildren, Trae Watters and Mickey Valdivia.
Funeral services were Friday, March 24, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with the Rev. William Harrison officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewisburg Emergency Unit and/or the American Heart Association-Preble County Unit.
Fannie Rettich
Fannie Rettich, 80, of Trotwood, died Tuesday, March 21, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton.
She was born April 13, 1919, in Oxford.
Survivors include her husband, Bob Rettich, whom she married April 26, 1941; a daughter, Frances L. Napier of Amarillo, Texas; sons, John G. Rettich of Eaton and David R. Rettich of Farmersville; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a foster sister, Melva Ross of Oxford.
She was preceded in death by a brother, David Witham.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 25, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Fred Hill officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Preble County Unit, P.O. Box 203, Eaton, OH 45320.
Milton D. Smith
Milton D. "Smitty" Smith, 72, of Eaton, died Wednesday, March 22, at his home.
Born Jan. 27, 1928, in Hamilton, he was the son of the late John and Ida (Milheiser) Smith. He was a truck driver and retired in 1985 from the Pease Trucking Co. in Fairfield; and served as a courier for Preble County Juvenile Court after retirement. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
He was the bass player and vocalist for Mike Seegers and the County Traveliers band from 1984 to 1995. He was a former member of the FOE in Eaton and a member of the Country Music Association in Troy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John J. Smith Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Carole (Weikert) Smith; a son, John Smith of Hamilton; a daughter, Pam Gabbard of Trenton; stepsons and spouses, David Weikert, Tracy Caylor and Ernie Hatmaker, all of Eaton, Pat and Tracy Caylor of Riverside, Ohio; stepdaughters and spouses, Robyn Smiley of New Orleans, La., Brenda Mohamed, Edie and Chris Atkins of Eaton.
Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, John and Judy Weikert of Germantown; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ellie and Jack Marcum, Dorothy "Dot" and Howard Hoskins, all of Hamilton, Mary Jones of Seven Mile; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, special ones being Angie, Brad and Tonya Smith of Hamilton, and Anthony Weikert, who lived with Milton; numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 25, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, OH 45044.
Arleene E. Ryder
Arleene E. Ryder, 88, formerly of Lewisburg, died Wednesday, March 22, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born May 24, 1911, in Harrison Township (Preble County), she was the daughter of Isaac D. and Vina B. (Garber) Ryder. She was a 1929 graduate of Lewisburg-Union High School, and had lived in the West Sonora area most of her life. She was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewisburg.
Survivors include several cousins.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 25, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with the Rev. Jon Thomas officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, Lewisburg, OH 45338.
Harold E. Webb
Harold E. Webb, 80, of Eaton, died Saturday, March 25, at Heartland of Eaton.
He was born Oct. 18, 1919, in Harriman, Tenn. He retired in 1976 from Delco - Division of GM, was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Eaton.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mavis Pearl (Roberts) Webb, in 1997; twin sons, Harold E. and Darrell E. Webb, in 1945; and his mother, May Clough.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jon O. and Linda Webb of Eaton; six grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, Tenn., with the Rev. Ted Painter officiating. Burial will be in New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery there. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Tennessee. Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
