USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Betty M. Shisler
Betty M. Shisler, 60, of Lewisburg, died Friday, May 16, 1997, at Hospice of Dayton.
Born Dec. 3, 1936, in Anthrus (Campbell County), Tenn., she was the daughter of Paul and Nola (Archer) Ferguson. She was a cook for Tri-County North School in Lewisburg. Mrs. Shisler was a member of the TOPS Club in Brookville; FISH Organization; Right to Life, Eaton Chapter; Crestview Baptist Church in Trotwood; and was a 4-H leader in Preble County.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Charles L. Shisler; a son, Charles Shisler II of Greenville; daughters, Cheryl Brewer of West Milton, Sharon Marks and Karen Marcum, both of Lewisburg, and Amanda Gebhart of West Alexandria; brothers, James Ferguson and David Ferguson, both of Arcanum, and Dan Ferguson of Union City; sisters, Sue Moore of Arcanum, Paulette Bender of Dayton and Jackie Ogles of West Alexandria; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, May 19, at Barnes Funeral Home-Lewisburg Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Christian and the Rev. Don Bender officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton or to Preble County Habitat for Humanity.
Edna M. DiFederico
Edna M. "Billie" DiFederico, 84, of 206 DiFederico Drive, New Paris, died Saturday morning, May 17, 1997, at her home after an extended illness.
Born April 16, 1913, in Greenup County, Ky., she was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Woodruff) Dillow. She co-owner and operator of DiFederico's Lampost in New Paris with her husband, Joe DiFederico, who died in 1992. She was a member of the Ampcioa Society.
Survivors include two sisters, Betty Phillips of Holmes Beach, Fla., and Alma France of Richmond, Ind.; one brother, Cecil Dillow of Clarksville, Ohio; nieces, nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Beryl Marie Wrona and Thelma Perkins; and two brothers, Raymond and Don Dillow.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, 109 W. Main St., with the Rev. Wayne D. Morrison officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Richmond, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to Reid Hospital Foundation-Hospice or to the Northwest Emergency Squad.
Gordon B. Little
Gordon B. Little, 87, formerly of 6270 Sugar Valley Drive, Camden, died Sunday, May 18, 1997, at the Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton.
Born May 21, 1910, in Hamilton, he was the son of John and Bertha (Harbaum) Little. He worked for the B&O Railroad for 13 years, then at Opekasit Farm Supply, retiring in 1956.
He married Dorothy Browning on June 28, 1930, in Hamilton, and she preceded him in death Jan. 23, 1970.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Vernal and Dixie Little of Camden; daughters and son-in-law, Willa and Russell Feltner of Lewisburg and Helen Little of Anchorage, Alaska; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three sons, John, Virgil and Wallace Little; and three daughters, Maxine, Bernice and Dr. Bertha Little.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at R. C. Nein and Sons Funeral Home, Camden, followed by burial in Fairmount Cemetery, Camden.
Cleo M.K. Thomson
Cleo Merle Kelley Thomson, 84, died Sunday morning, May 18, 1997, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Born Feb. 22, 1913, in Hymera, Ind., she was the daughter of Edward and Grace (Waldrop) Kelley. She graduated from Hymera High School in 1931. She worked many years as a telephone operator and in the later years worked as a clerk for the water department in Hymera before retiring.
She married Henry W. Thomson on Sept. 9, 1933, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 31, 1963.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Bill Foreman of Edinburgh, Ind.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James and Bunny Thomson of Oxford; seven grandchildren, Billy and Bruce Foremen, Dedra Tackett, Derek, Darcy, Danelle and Dustin Thomson; six great-grandchildren, Spencer Tackett, Kacy Thomson, Matthew Wyman Foreman, Mary Elizabeth Foreman, Courtney A. Foreman and Kelley Reed Foreman; a sister, Mrs. LaVern "Thelma" Trump of Hymera, Ind.; and one nephew and wife, Larry and Phyllis Trump of Speedway, Ind.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at McHugh and Mattox Funeral Home, Hymera, Ind. Burial will be in the K of P Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hymera Volunteer Fire Department, Hymera, Ind. 47855.
Jack S. VunCannon
Jack Steven VunCannon, 21, of Arcanum, died Tuesday, May 13, 1997, at his home.
Born June 18, 1975, he was a junior at Bowling Green State University majoring in music education. He was a member of the BGSU Marching and Concert Bands, alumni secretary of Bowling Green State University Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, and attended Phillipsburg Missionary Church.
Survivors include his parents, Jack W. and Carolyn Sue VunCannon of Arcanum; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Doris VunCannon of Independence, Mo., formerly of Eaton where they owned and operated Van's Super Service; aunts, Francis Rose of West Milton, Joan Sloan of Phoenix, Ariz.; an uncle, Barry and Joan VunCannon of Independence, Mo.; and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Elmer and Katherine Rose; and an uncle, Wayne Rose.
Funeral services were Friday, May 16, at Tobias Funeral Home, Beavercreek Chapel, with Pastor Charles Short officiating. Burial was in Woodside Cemetery, Middletown.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bowling Green State University College of Musical Arts, Moore Musical Art Center, Bowling Green State University.
Mary F. Bowen
Mary Frances Davis Bowen, 79, of New Paris, died Tuesday, May 20, 1997, at her home.
Born March 5, 1918, in New Paris, she was the daughter of Frank B. "Pat" and Grace B. (Samuels) Murphy. She was a 1935 graduate of Jefferson High School and had attended Earlham College. She retired in 1982 after 13 years as a secretary with Beldon in Richmond, Ind.
Mrs. Bowen was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in New Paris; elder and past treasurer, Westminster Guild; former choir director of the First United Presbyterian and St. Paul United Methodist churches in New Paris. She was a member of the Tuesday Club, New Paris Garden Club, a Cancer Society volunteer and had been active in many community events.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Byron Clark Davis, in 1981; her second husband, Robert L. Bowen Sr., in 1986; a son, Michael Wayne Davis, in 1991; and a son-in-law, David S. McCreary, in 1996.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Gary and Georgianna Davis of New Madison, Kevin Frederick and Kellie Davis of New Paris; daughters and son-in-law, Shannon Frances and Ralph Dungan of New Paris and Kathleen Elyse McCreary of Eaton.
Also surviving are a daughter-in-law, Regina Davis Reeves of Milton, Fla.; stepdaughter and husband, Debra Bowen and David Williams of Litchfield Park, Ariz.; 23 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were Friday, May 23, at the First United Presbyterian Church, New Paris, with the Rev. Mike Evans and Dr. William P. Anderson officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Fund-Preble County Unit, or to the First United Presbyterian Church in New Paris.
Raymond L. Welch
Raymond L. Welch, 64, of Lewisburg, died Monday, May 19, 1997, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
He retired in 1994 after 19 years with Whirlpool Corporation in Dayton, and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the VFW Post in Lewisburg, Roamin' Trojans in Troy and a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewisburg.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Augusta L. (Westen) Welch; a son and daughter-in-law, William D. and Rebecca E. Welch of Marion; a daughter, Wendy Lee Welch of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister, Marjorie McLaughlin of Cameron, W. Va.; and his father, William D. McCloud of Glendale, W. Va.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Phoebe H. (Price) McCloud, in 1987; and a brother, James A. Welch, in 1987.
Funeral services were Thursday, May 22, 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 or to the Lewisburg Emergency Unit.
Ruby A. Gilbert
Ruby A. (Heddinger) Gilbert, 70, formerly of Eaton, died Wednesday, May 14, 1997, in Denver, Colo.
Survivors include two sons, Donald and William; a daughter, Cheryl; a granddaughter; a great-grandson; two sisters, Elner Geeding of Eaton and Wanda Wickoff of Tulsa, Okla.; nieces, nephews and cousin.
She was preceded in death by her father, Sam; her mother, Effie; and a brother, Eugene.
Ralph W. Neanen
Ralph W. Neanen, 86, of 7376 School Lane, New Paris, died Thursday afternoon, May 22, 1997, at his home.
Born May 9, 1911, in Preble County, he was the son of William and Edna (Harter) Neanen. He had been a Jefferson Township farmer all his life. He was a past member and president of the Preble County Fair Board for over 32 years; a Jefferson Township Trustee for over 28 years; member of Fellowship Masonic Lodge #106 of New Paris; Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Eaton Chapter; St. Paul United Methodist Church, New Paris, and Sunday school superintendent.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Adonna V. Neanen, in 1987; and a sister, Helen Neanen, in 1966.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Joyce Neanen of New Paris; a twin brother, Robert Neanen of New Madison; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Sunday, May 25, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, with the Rev. Gary L. Green officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris.
Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Emergency Squad and/or St. Paul United Methodist Church, New Paris.
Eunice Back
Eunice Back, 89, of Gratis, died Thursday, May 22, 1997, at Friendly Nursing Home in Germantown.
Born July 18, 1907, in Breathitt County, Ky., she was the daughter of Pearl and Mattie (Chapman) Clemons. She was a member of the Thompson Memorial Primitive Baptist Church in Franklin.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland Back, in 1977.
Survivors include three daughters, Aileen Garrett of Middletown, Dorothy Donson of Eaton and Janice Back of Gratis; four sons, James Back of Uniontown, Pa., Clyde Back of Gratis, Alvin Back of Dayton and Arlie Back of Middletown; two brothers, Malcolm Clemons of Lexington, Ky., and Everett Clemons of Sonora, Ky., eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Johnny, Ed and Earl Clemons; and two sisters, Ruth Ward and Imogene Watkins.
Funeral services were Tuesday, May 27, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, with Elder Eddie Garrett officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, Gratis.
