USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown, 83, of Camden, died Saturday, May 6, at Heartland of Eaton.
He was born in Wolfe County, Ky., the son of Taylor and Lola (Agee) Brown. He had retired from A.K. Steel in 1976 after 33 years.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Leona Brown; three sons, Raymond (Wandee) Brown of Camden, Emerson Brown of Pensacola, Fla., and Stephen (Linda) Brown of Lynchburg, Va.
Also surviving are four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Ethel Tolson of Campton, Ky., Golden Peters of Huber Heights and Edna Miller of Florence, Ky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Butler Brown; and a sister, Carma Manley.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, with Scott Brown officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Gratis.
Faye Pierson
Faye Pierson, 69, of Huber Heights, died Monday, May 8, at Spring Mead Nursing Center in Tipp City.
Born Sept. 6, 1930, in Hamilton, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Emily (Lipps) Morris.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Pierson, whom she married Jan. 21, 1950; a brother, Cecil Morris; and a sister, Imogene Morris.
Survivors include four sons, James (Debbie) Pierson Jr. of Huber Heights, Charlie (Penny) Pierson of Flushing, Mich., Mark (Sharon) Pierson of Troy and Mike Pierson of Huber Heights; three daughters, Donna (Ed) Zink and Julie Young, all of Huber Heights, and Karen (Bill) Manning of Vandalia.
Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Eren, Scott and Greg Zink, Amy and Lori Pierson, Kara, Molly and Chip Manning, Matt and Tommy Pierson, Corey and Andrea Pierson, and Peyton Young; two brothers, Will Morris of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Charlie Morris of Warwick, R.I.; one sister, Helen Hartman of Hillsboro; and other relatives.
Private graveside services will be held. R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden, is in charge of arrangements.
A request of no flowers has been made. Memorial contributions may be made instead to the Huber Heights FISH Children's Christmas Fund, 6131 Ansbury Drive, Huber Heights, OH 45424.
Martha I. Sigler
Martha I. Sigler, 76, of West Alexandria, died Sunday, May 7.
She was born Nov. 2, 1923, in Eaton.
Survivors include her husband, Earl Sigler; a son, Wayne Sigler of New Lebanon; daughters and sons-in-law, Bev Tamplin, Donna Rice, Lois and Jim Crawford, Bonnie and Mike Holderman, all of New Lebanon; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Hazel and Bill Purvis of West Alexandria.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at Rogers Funeral Home, New Lebanon, with Pastor Jim Whorton officiating. Burial will be in Trissel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the funeral home.
Penelope G. Sowry
Penelope G. Sowry, 72, of Eaton, died Friday, May 5, at her residence. Born July 7, 1927 in Cherry Valley, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Mabel (Moschell) Sowry. She had worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the clerical department, was a housekeeper for the Central House in Eaton and had lived in the Eaton area for the past 40 years.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Greta A. McDaniel and Belva E. Cartwright; and two brothers, Donald H. and James M. Sowry.
Survivors include a sister, Mabel I. MacDougall of Brownsburg, Ind.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the convenience of the family.
Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, was in charge of arrangements.
Edna M. Bellaw
Edna M. (Stowe) Bellaw, 88, formerly of 3109 Grand Ave., Middletown, died Monday morning, May 8, at the Willow Knoll Retirement Community where she had been a resident for three years.
She was born May 22, 1913 at Berea, Ky. and had lived in Middletown for 70 years. She had been employed at one time at the P. Lorrilard Co. in Middletown. She was a homemaker; a member of the St. Paul's United Church of Christ and the Sewing Circle, Women's Guild and the Winmore Class at the church. She was also a member of the Middletown Senior Citizens and Prosser Chapter 367, Order of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, John J. Bellaw in 1968: her parents, D. Arthur and Jennie (Ledford) Stowe; brothers, Paul, Ivan and Raymond Stowe; sisters, Billie Stowe, Mona Barrett, Elsa Keller and Reba Dwyer.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Stephen Croake of Middletown; sons and daughter-in-law, Gary J. and Linda Monroe of Monroe and Robert A. Bellaw of Kokomo, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Brad Uhl of Middletown; Elizabeth Uhl-Goodwin and husband Mark of Louisville,Ky.; Todd and Eric Bellaw of Kokomo, Ind.; Ryan Bellaw of San Antonio, Texas; Jennifer and Lindsay Bellaw of Monroe.
Funeral services were Thursday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at the Herr-Riggs Funeral Home in Middletown, with the Rev. Susan Thompson officiating. Burial was in North Monroe Cemetery, Monroe.
Ora M. Withrow
Ora Mae Withrow, 92, of Camden, died Tuesday, May 9, at her home.
Born Sept. 24, 1907, in Nicholson, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Harry L. and Betty Ann (Byrd) Hageman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Edwin Withrow , whom she married, Aug. 26, 1923 and who died Nov. 16, 1984 after they had been married 60 years. He was a self-employed farmer and they both farmed most of their lives.
When Mrs. Withrow was in her 80s, she was elected as an honorary chapter farmer for the Preble Shawnee FFA. She was a foster mother for about 20 years. She and her husband sheltered over 500 people in a period of 60 years. She was active in church for 50 years.
Survivors include two sons, Gerald Edwin Withrow and Albert Earl Withrow; daughter, Anna Lee Duffie; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Alice Hageman of Riverside, Calif. and Helen Jackson of Eaton; two nieces and two nephews.
Surviving also is her best friend, Margaret Heidman, 93, of Fort Thomas Ky., whom she knew since she was 15 years old.
She was also preceded in death by her four brothers, Ray Hageman, Walter Hageman, Harry Hageman and Elmer "Ned" Hageman.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 13, at the Church of the Nazarene in Eaton. Burial was in Somerville Cemetery. R.C. Nein and Son-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden, was in charge of arrangements.
Paul G. Houser
Paul Gene Houser, 70, of New Paris, died Tuesday, May 9, at Oakridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Ind.
Born March 2, 1930 in Eaton, he was the son of the late Norman J. and Louise (Rust) House. He was a 1948 graduate of Dixon High School and a Dixon Township farmer. He retired as division manager of Sears in Richmond, Ind.
He was a member of Fellowship Lodge 106 F&AM and Chapter 310 Order of Eastern Star, both of New Paris; Antioch Temple of Dayton; Optimist Club of Richmond, Ind.; and St. Paul United Methodist Church, New Paris; was an honorary Kentucky Colonel; and Sears Retirees.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Marilyn M. (Evans) House; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Lee Houser of Columbus, Jeffrey E. and Teresa Dye of Paulding;, Matthew A. and Teresa Dye of Florence, Ky.; daughters and son-in-law, Catherine and Ken Reid of Fountain City, Ind. and Paul Cramer of Atlanta, Ga.
Also surviving are four grandchildren, Allison Russ, Josh Rader, Mary Jessica Cramer and Jacob Dye; brother and sister-in-law, James Terry and Amy Houser of Sun City, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Pete Ridgeway of Huntington, Ind.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen V. House in 1999 and Mabel L. Smith in 2000; and grandson, Nathaniel Gene Dye in 1999.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 13, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in New Paris, with the Rev. Gary L. Green officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery in New Paris.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 301 E. Main St., New Paris, OH 45347.
Russel G. Howell
Russel G. Howell, 92, of Rockford, died Thursday, May 11, at his residence.
Born Sept. 2, 1907, in West Manchester, he was the son of Orville and Jesse (Fellers) Howell. He married Helen Owens in 1932, who preceded him in death in 1942. He then married Clara Belle Stover on Dec. 24, 1942.
He worked at New Idea in Coldwater for 20 years and was also a farmer. He was a member of Shanes Lodge 377 F&AM, Scottish Rite Antioch Temple, Dayton; Mercer County Farm Bureau Association; the Rockford Presbyterian Church and was a former Dublin Township Trustee for 20 years.
He is survived wife, Clara Belle; four sons, Joe Allen Howell and Thomas G. Howell of Convoy, Ralph F. Howell of Cape Coral, Fla. and Larry O. Howell of Rockford; one brother, Paul Howell of Sun City, Ariz., two sisters, Ethel Johnson of Versailles and Anna May Agler of Eldorado; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by two sisters Inez Roll and Grace Howell.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 15, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford with the Rev. Karen Long officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockford Presbyterian Church or to the Mercer County Visiting Nurses.
Samuel H. Via Sr.
Samuel H. Via Sr., 92, of Gratis, died Friday, May 12 at Heartland of Eaton.
He was born on July 4, 1907, in Gladstone, Va. He was an Army veteran. He had worked for McGraw Construction in Middletown for many years. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church of Fairfield.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Gladys Via; three sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph and June Via of Eaton, Charles and Pat Via of Franklin and David and Joyce Via of Gratis; daughter, Wanda Via of Gratis; a daughter-in-law, Patsy Via of Brookville; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Samuel H. Via Jr. in 1986 and a great-grandson, Brian N. Via in 1985.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May, 16, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Gratis with the Rev. Stanley Booher officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, Gratis.
Chester F. Ross
Chester F. Ross, 88, of Arcanum, died Friday, May 12 at his residence.
Born Jan. 12, 1912 in Winchester, Ind., he was the son of the late Glenn D. and Minnie Mae (Crawford) Ross. He was a 1931 graduate of Jefferson High School in New Paris; a farmer in the New Paris area; meat cutter at A&P Grocery in Richmond, Ind.; member of the Abbottsville United Methodist Church. He have lived in the Arcanum area since January 1990.
Survivors include is wife of 65 years, Gladys M. (Hobbs) Ross; son and daughter-in-law, Linda L. and Robert Good of West Manchester; brother, Phillip Ross of New Paris; sister, Martha Brisley of Dayton; two grandchildren, Robin (Marcus) Medrano and Craig (Becky) Ross; one great-granddaughter, Abby Ross; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Esther Pitcher and Mary Osborne; and two brothers, Ival Ross and Loyal Ross.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 16 at Barnes Funeral Home in New Paris, with the Rev. Russell Christman and the Rev. Kris Lawson officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery in New Paris.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arcanum Rescue Squad or Abbottsville United Methodist Church at Arcanum.
Owen S. Unger
Owen S. Unger, 87, of Lewisburg, died Sunday, May 14, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, after a short illness.
Born Nov. 3, 1912, in Twin Township, Preble County, he was the son of the late John and Ruth (Stiver) Unger. He was a graduate of West Alexandria High School. He retired in 1979 as a machine operator for General Motors after 27 years of service and was a Preble County farmer.
He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran; past commander and member of the DAV 104; VFW 975 and American Legion Post 213 all in Lewisburg; and a member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harley, Herman and Roy Unger; and five sisters, Iva and Lucy Unger, Ruth Buckingham, Nellie Slusser and Hazel Leslie.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (Young) Unger; daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Larry Smith of Enon, and Rebecca and Gary Grant of Brandenburg, Ky.; three grandsons and spouses, Rick and Amy Smith, Jon and Mary Grant and Tom Grant.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m. at Barnes Funeral Home, 411 N. Commerce St., Lewisburg, with the Rev. Michael Pratt officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery in West Alexandria, with full military honors by the Preble County Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewisburg Emergency Unit, PO Box 388, Lewisburg, OH 45338, or Calvary United Methodist Church, 208 W. Dayton St., Lewisburg, OH 45338.
John Stubblefield
John Stubblefield, 69, of Lewisburg, died Saturday, May 20, in Brookville, Ind.
Born June 5, 1930 in Combs, Ky., he was the son of the late John Sr. and Hazel (Wooten) Stubblefield. He retired in 1998 as owner-operator of John's Marathon in Lewisburg; a U.S. Air Force veteran,; member of American Legion 213 -- Paul Sodders Post in Lewisburg; was active in bowling leagues and was an active sponsor of sporting events in Lewisburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Oma J. (Ray) Stubblefield in 1988.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Linda Y. and Randy Taylor; sons and daughter-in-law, Gregory K. "Peck" and Jacqueline Stubblefield, and Jeffrey "Bogey" Stubblefield, all of Lewisburg; brother, Charles Stubblefield of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Maude Angelini and Sue Couch, both of Combs, Ky.; grandchildren; Lee Ann Brown, Amber Nicole Stubblefield, Matthew and Patrick Taylor; great-grandson, Levi Brown; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 24, at 1 p.m. at the Barnes Funeral Home, 411 N. Commerce St., Lewisburg, with the Rev. George W. Pennington officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lewisburg Emergency Unit.
Beverly H. House Jr.
Beverly H. "Bud" House Jr., 64, of Eaton, died Monday, May 15, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born on Oct. 21, 1935 in Fairfield Township, Butler County, he was the son of the later Beverly P. and Flora Belle (Conkins) House Sr. He was a 1952 graduate of Hamilton High School. He retired in 1992 from the Ralston-Purina Co. after 33 years of service as a foreman.
He was a member of the Eaton Baptist Temple, and had attended Lindenwald Baptist Church in Hamilton. He was a Hamilton Little League baseball coach for seven years at Joyce Park, Hamilton, and coached the swim team for the YMCA in Fairfield. He was a member of the Elks of Hamilton.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Carolyn A. (Watkins) House; son, Ricky House of Auburn, Calif; daughter, Ronda Rae Allen of West Alexandria; brother, Carl House of Fairfield; sisters, Lorraine Lovell of Florida, Elsie Mae Feltner of Camden, Carolyn Stout of Hamilton and Susan Ford of Knoxville, Tenn; three grandchildren, David, Ashley and Elizabeth Allen; father-in-law, Jess L. Watkins of Hamilton; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janet and Neil Couch of Fairfield, and brother-in-law, James Watkins of Miamisburg; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Hubert House.
Funeral services were held on Friday, May 19, at Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Raymond L. Webb and the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hamilton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Preble County Unit, PO Box 406, Eaton, OH 45320.
John L. Morelli
John L. Morelli, 73, of Eaton, died Tuesday, May 16, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton.
Born Jan. 8, 1927 in Dayton, he was the son of the late William Henry and Mattie Littler Morelli. He retired in 1987 after 36 years as a senior buyer for TRW Globe Motors of Dayton; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; was a member American Legion Post 215 at Eaton; Odd Fellows Lodge 30 at Eaton; Preble County Literacy Coalition; TRW Globe Motors Credit Union Founder and past president; member Eaton Post Office Customer Advisory Board; avid orchid grower and farmer.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Edith R. (Hunsucker) Morelli; daughter, Melissa K. Morelli of Hamilton; son, Ricky J. Morelli of Eaton; cousins.
He was preceded in death by a half brother, Benjamin Newman.
Memorial services were held on Friday, May 19, at the Barnes Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating.
Military honors were provided by the Preble County Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad or the Preble County Literacy Coalition.
Mary R. Royer
Mary R. Royer, 70, of Eaton, died Thursday, May 18 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Born Feb. 15, 1930 in Moreland, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Eugene W. and Mamie (Potter) Emery. She retired in 1985 after 30 years at Reid Hospital; was a 1954 graduate of Reid Hospital School of Nursing; member of the RN Club in Richmond; state and national nursing associations; past president of the Richmond chapter; and instructor of Nursing aids programs.
Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Glenn K. Royer; sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Dale Briggs of Goshen, Ind.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dorvin and Bobbi Emery of Modoc, Ind., Weldon and Janet Emery of Rotonda West, Fla.; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Emery in 1946; and a sister, Gaye Peimer in 1949.
Funeral services were held on Monday, May 22, at Barnes Funeral Home -- Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria with the Rev. Kathryn Hawbaker and the Rev. Raymond A. Michel officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad.
