USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Merrill F. Fiscus
Merrill F. "Bud" Fiscus, 79, of Eaton, died Sunday, June 11, at Elm Creek Nursing Center in West Carrollton.
Born May 26, 1921, in Summer, Ill., he was the son of the late Bruce and Lena (Stillwell) Fiscus, and had lived in Preble County since 1952. He had worked at Avco in Richmond, Ind., as a tool and die maker.
Mr. Fiscus was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, Eaton Kiwanis Club and a lifetime member of Kiwanis International.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ina Mae (Kreitzer) Fiscus, in 1983.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Robert Mize, Brenda and Steven Fisher, all of Eaton; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Vachel Fiscus of Summer, Ill.; a sister, Lucille Luken of New York; a stepsister, Lois Boldt of Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Walter Allen Fiscus.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, 226 W. Main St., Eaton, with the Rev. Richard Boroff officiating. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Boston, Ind. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the funeral home.
Samantha M. Rice
Samantha Marie Rice, 87, of Eaton, died Monday, June 12, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
Born Aug. 30, 1912, in Darke County, she was the daughter of the late Dan and Cora (McLear) Reed. She was a 1930 graduate of Lewisburg High School, and was retired from Lewisburg Container.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Diane Rice of West Manchester, Frederick and Kelly Rice of Lewisburg; grandchildren, Michael, Joseph and Amanda; great-grandchildren, Alex and Aaron.
Graveside services were Saturday, June 17, at Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg, with the Rev. Randy Rau officiating. Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association.
Bernice Carter
Bernice Carter, 79, of Gratis Township, died Wednesday, June 14, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton.
Born March 9, 1921, in Germantown, she was the daughter of John and Cora (Evans) Terrill. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Kenny George of Gratis, Betty and Vernon Sherman of West Carrollton; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Janet L. Carter of Farmersville; six grandchildren, Jeff (Kari) Carter, Kelly (Mike) Lane, Vicki (Kevin) Taylor, Conni (David) Deaton, Kim (Doug) Thompson, Ken (Robin) George; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Eric and Jeremy Taylor, Robby and Aaron Deaton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Carter, in 1998; her parents; and three brothers, Forest, Russell and James Terrill.
Funeral services were Saturday, June 17, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, Middletown, with Dr. Howard Sears officiating. Burial was in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 44777, Middletown, OH 45044-0777.
Elmer M. Loy
Elmer M. Loy, 83, of Lakengren, formerly of Pyrmont, died Tuesday, June 13, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton following an extended illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Ottie (Fryman) Loy. He was the former owner of Loy's Mill in Prymont for many ears, was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, and was a member of Pyrmont United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Neomi Loy; special sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were Saturday, June 17, at Pyrmont United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jan Johnson officiating. Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family. Gilbert-Fellers Funeral Home, Brookville, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pyrmont United Methodist Church, or to the American Heart Association-Preble County Unit.
Donna J. Duncan
Donna Jean Duncan, 43, of Eaton, died Friday, June 16, at her home after an extended illness.
Born Aug. 24, 1956, in Dayton, she was a 1975 graduate of Twin Valley South High School. Mrs. Duncan had worked at Preble County National Bank, Citizens Federal Bank and currently was assistant vice president of Somerville National Bank.
She was a member of Omicron Sigma Sorority of Eaton, and was an active member of the First Brethren Church in West Alexandria as an organist and Sunday school teacher.
Survivors include her husband of 25 years, J. Douglas Duncan; a son, Douglas B. Duncan of Eaton; daughters, Debra J. Duncan and Diana B. Duncan, both of Eaton; her parents, Robert and Virginia (Bullock) French of Eaton; a brother, Robert French II of Eaton; sisters, Vicki J. White of Eaton, Carol A. Buckwalter of Wooster and Barbara A. Bauman of Dayton.
Funeral services were Monday, June 19, at the First Brethren Church, West Alexandria, with the Rev. Jerry Reynolds officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton. Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Duncan Children College Fund, c/o Somerville National Bank, 1131 N. Barron St., Eaton, OH 45320.
Cordelia S. Barnes
Cordelia S. Barnes, 95, of Eaton, died Friday, June 16, at Oxford View Nursing Center.
A native and lifelong resident of Eaton, she was born Jan. 16, 1905, the daughter of the late John and Bess (Treffinger) Mummert. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Omicron Sigma Sorority, Preble County Republican Women's Club, and was a 30-year volunteer for the Red Cross.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Juanita Mummert.
Survivors include two daughters, Wanda Koons of Eaton and Joyce (Richard) Farmer of Cincinnati; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, June 19, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Thomas H. Maxedon Jr. officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Preble County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Dorothy C. King
Dorothy (Conkel) King, 86, of Camden, died Saturday, June 17, at Manor Care at Sycamore.
Born Aug. 20, 1912, in Lucasville, Ohio, she was the daughter of Harvey and Myrtle (Eblin) Conkel. She was employed by Boy Scouts of America for 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence King.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and William Dare of West Carrollton; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Curtis Conkel and Elden Conkel, both of Lucasville.
Graveside services were Tuesday, June 20, at Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice.
Keith D. Hensley
Keith D. Hensley, 77, of 229 S. 8th St., Richmond, Ind., died Saturday, June 17, at Reid Hospital.
Born Aug. 12, 1922, in Preble County, he was the son of Raymond and Bertha (Hickey) Hensley, and had lived in Richmond most of his life. He was a retired national expediter for Avco, Retlinger and Standard Thompson.
He was a 1941 graduate of Liberty (Ind.) High School, attended Earlham College, graduated from Texas Christian College in Fort Worth, Texas, and received a doctorate degree from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a World War II veteran of the Naval Air Corps.
Mr. Hensley was a member of the Interlight Metaphysical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Central United Methodist Church. He was a former member of Howard Thomas Post #315.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy L. (Hengstler) Hensley; two daughters, Patricia Hensley and Penelope "Penny" Hensley, both of Boston, Mass.; one son, Robert Michael Hensley of Indianapolis, Ind.; two grandchildren; one stepdaughter, Brenda C. Farmer of Richmond; one stepson, William Martin Hengstler of Richmond; eight step-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Jo Hensley; and two stepsons, Robert and Rick Hengstler.
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 20, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, Richmond, Ind., with the Rev. Elaine Clark officiating. Burial, with military graveside services by the Wayne County Veterans Council, was in Richland Cemetery, Liberty, Ind.
Mary E. Spraggins
Mary E. Spraggins, 76, formerly of Lewisburg, died Saturday morning, June 17, in Coolidge, Ariz.
Born July 18, 1923, in Dayton, she was the daughter of Harry E. and Lucille E. (Mahan) Brock. Mrs. Spraggins was a 1941 graduate of Lewisburg High School. Since 1979, she had been a deputy clerk of the Superior Court of Pinal County, Ariz. She was a member of the Lewisburg United Church of Christ.
Her husband, Ray M. Spraggins Sr., died in 1983.
Survivors include two sons, Ray M. Spraggins Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz., and Gary R. Spraggins of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.; a daughter, Nancy R. Coleman of Phoenix, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Rowena Kouts of Lewisburg; and a brother, Richard Brock of Greenville.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 22, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, 411 N. Commerce St., with the Rev. James N. Lehman officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, P.O. Box 3509, Dayton, OH 45401-3509.
G. Matthew Henry
G. Matthew Henry, 25, of Brookline, Mass., died unexpectedly Monday, June 19, in Cincinnati.
He was born April 4, 1975, in Dayton, to George E. and Deborah (Moysey) Henry of Eaton.
He was employed by Proctor and Gamble as customer team finance manager for CVS Drug Stores and BJ's Wholesale Club. He developed a Finance and Accounting New Hire program and a sales training software system for Proctor and Gamble.
Mr. Henry was a 1993 graduate of Eaton High School and a 1997 graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind.
He was a member of the Management Fellows Honors Program, Phi Beta Kappa, and was scholarship chairman, treasurer and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was academic chairman of the Inter-fraternity Council and a student director of the DePauw Community Service Board. He was also actively involved in numerous community service projects with P&G.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Eaton.
Survivors include his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Travis Lovely; two nieces, Jordan and Jenna Lovely; paternal grandparents, George L. and Martha Ellen Henry; maternal grandmother, Mae Ferne Moysey; aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Walter G. Moysey.
Funeral services were Friday, June 23, at the First Presbyterian Church, Eaton, with the Rev. Wayne D. Morrison officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton. Visitation was Thursday evening at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the G. Matthew Henry Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Bank One, 1311 N. Barron St., Eaton, OH 45320.
Barbara E. Byrd
Barbara Ellen (Millard) Byrd, 72, of Clayton, died Monday, June 19, at Hospice of Dayton following an extended illness.
She was a piano and art teacher, was organist for many years at Phillipsburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, a 25-year member and past worthy matron of Eastern Star Chapter #563 in Englewood, and was an avid photographer and gardener.
Survivors include her husband of 54 years, James O. Byrd; children and spouses, Babette and Jim Runkle of Piqua, Leslie and Eileen Byrd of Eaton, Claudia and Carl Couch of West Alexandria, Nancy Ellen and Thomas Ersted of Dayton.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Lynne Adams, Chris, James and Tom Runkle of Piqua, Mike Byrd of Eaton, Lucas Shoemaker of Milaca, Minn., Noelle and Josiah Shoemaker of Dayton; nine great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Donna Millard of New Lebanon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Ruth C. (Eby) Millard; and a brother, Fred Millard.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 22, at Phillipsburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with the Rev. Daniel Fant officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Phillipsburg Emanuel Lutheran Church.
William D. Nixon
William D. Nixon, 69, died Wednesday, June 21, in Poquoson, Va., where he had recently moved with his wife.
Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late William Donald Sr. and Prudence (Fink) Nixon. He graduated from West Elkton High School in 1948 and from Miami University of Ohio in 1952.
He played basketball for West Elkton High School when the school won the 1948 Preble County basketball championship, and was the leading scorer in the tournament. He played on the All-County Team in 1947 and 1948.
A three-time All-Stater, he attended Xavier University for two years on a basketball scholarship before finishing his degree at Miami. He went on to teach at Gratis High School and served as coach, leading the team to a 1952-53 league championship. He later went to teach and coach at Gettysburg and Versailles high schools.
Mr. Nixon made his career with NASA as chief of the Elementary and Secondary Programs Branch in Washington, D.C. He was closely associated with the Space Mobile Program and Teacher in Space Program.
Prior to going to NASA headquarters, he was chief of educational programs at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a number of years. He was recognized for his achievements in educational TV, having conducted a statewide program entitled "Exploring Science," which was presented to more than 80,000 students in the 1950s.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Nancy; a daughter and her husband, Valerie Nixon and Larry of Columbus; a son and his wife, Mark Nixon and Sandy of Poquoson, Va.; a daughter and her husband, Leanne and Scott of Silver Spring, Md.; four grandchildren, Darcy, Amanda, Caitlin and Eric.
Also surviving are a brother, Chuck and wife Ginny of Middletown; two sisters, Rosemarie Sheley of Middletown, Ruthann Hartbarger and husband Ronnie of West Elkton; nine nieces and nephews; two aunts, Helen Stansell of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Ruby Billett of Franklin.
A memorial service will be held in West Elkton at a July date to later be determined. Claytor Rollins Funeral Home, Poquoson, Va., is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poquoson Rescue Squad, 1035 Poquoson Ave., Poquoson, VA 23662.
Elenore S. Cossins
Memorial services for Elenore Sara Nesbitt Spencer Cossins of Caldwell, Idaho, formerly of Eaton, will be at 4:30 p.m. (Ohio time) on Sunday, July 2, at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel, Ind.
The family invites friends and relatives to join them in remembering their mother.
Anyone needing directions is asked to call Jim Spencer at (937) 456-7248.
Elsie Smith
Elsie Smith, 84, of West Alexandria, died Sunday, June 25, in Dayton.
Born Sept. 26, 1915, in Johnsville (Montgomery County), she was the daughter of Vernon and Susan (Eby) Flory. She was a graduate of Farmersville High School, and had lived in West Alexandria since 1943. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, a member of the West Alexandria Garden Club as well as a floral and china painting artist. She had done private and public volunteer work her entire life, most recently at the Once Around Shop in Eaton.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Sue, in 1952; a brother, Joseph B. Flory; and a sister, Barbara Ulrich.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Donald Smith; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Carolyn Smith of Louisville, Ky.; two grandsons, Richard and Spencer Smith; a sister, June Jenny of Reading; a brother, Frederick Flory of Germantown; brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Flory of Seattle, Wash., Jean and Fred Flory of Germantown, Joe and Carolyn Smith of Eaton, Bob and Mary Fahrenholz of West Alexandria, Dorothy and Bob Rike of Arkansas; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 29, at St. John United Church of Christ, West Alexandria, with the Rev. Ronald Dafler officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Lowen Rose
Lowen Rose,81, of Little League Drive, Eaton, died Saturday, June 24, at Catalpa Health & Rehab Center in Dayton.
He was born April 1, 1919, in Hamilton. He was a World War II U.S. Army infantry veteran, and received the Purple Heart in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was employed at Kemper Brothers of Richmond, Ind., for over 40 years as a cabinetmaker and worked in home construction. He had lived in Eaton since 1982.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Smith and Millard Smith; a stepbrother, Jim Smith; and three sisters, Elsie Hellard, Mattie Smith and May Smith.
Survivors include a daughter, Rita Duncan of Eaton; sisters, Nanny Murphy and Fannie Smith, both of Sand Gap, Ky.; and a brother, Green Smith of Richmond, Ky.
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 27, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel. Burial, with full military services, was in Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton.
