USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Rita M. Scarce
Rita M. Scarce, 76, of State Route 122, Richmond, Ind., died Thursday, July 9, 1998, at her home.
Born Sept. 8, 1921, in Hamilton, she was the daughter of Robert and Anna (Schue) Downie. She was a 1939 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Hamilton. Mrs. Scarce was a former beautician in Campbellstown, and a member of Visitation Catholic Church in Eaton.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, William R. Scarce; daughters and sons-in-law, Leah Ann and Bob Gaffney of Newport Beach, Calif., Terri L. and Charles Havlin of Eaton; a son and daughter-in-law, William "Butch" and Patti Scarce of Lake Forrest, Calif.; brothers, Robert Downie and Richard (Sandi) Downie, both of Hamilton; a sister, Mary Ann (Robert) Weaver of Hamilton.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Debbie, Deneane, Danny, Kevin, Russel and Samuel; step-grandchildren, Melinda and Chris; great-grandchildren, Christie Lynn, Cameron, Caytie Anne, Stanley and Donna; and step-great-grandchildren, Natasha, Zachary, Kelsey and Amber; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Mass was Monday, July 13, at Visitation Catholic Church, Eaton, with the Rev. Ralph Lawrence officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris. Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Fund - Preble County Unit.
Roy O. Grant
Roy O. Grant, 78, of Dayton, died Friday, July 10, 1998, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton.
Born March 7, 1920, in Skafel Cane, Ky., he was the son of George and Addie (Martin) Grant. He retired in 1981 after 31 years at Inland Division of GM.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Geneva H. (Hollan) Grant; daughters, Wanda Towl of Dayton, Carolyn Grant of Kentucky and Patricia Gilbert of Bainbridge, Ohio; a son, Michael Grant of Dayton; a stepson, James A. Marcum of West Alexandria; sisters, Edna Clark of Magee, Ky., and Evelyn Compton of Huber Heights; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Forrester Grant; and a sister, Thelma Hazelbaker.
Funeral services were Monday, July 13, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, West Alexandria, with Pastor Clifford Hurst officiating. Burial was in Preble Memory Gardens.
Doris J. Wilmot
Doris Jean Wilmot, 64, of Shields Drive (Lakengren), Eaton, died Friday, July 10, 1998, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Born Oct. 11, 1933, in Ohio, she was the daughter of Charles W. and Thelma (O'Dell) Floyd. She had attended the New Testament Church of Christ.
Survivors include her mother, Thelma Floyd of Dayton; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela D. and John Matheny of Springfield, Kimberly A. and Randy McCoy of Andersonville, Tenn., Melissa J. and Johnnie Mitchell, Kristy L. and Paul Petro, all of Eaton; grandchildren, Toni Michelle and Gerald Russell Ballengee, Stephanie Lynn McCoy, Brandy Renee Wilmot, Stacy Ann McCoy and Brett Robert Petro; nieces, nephews, cousins; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and a special friend, Denis K. Paxson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Leon Wilmot, in 1970; her father, Charles W. Floyd, in 1969; brother, Delmar "Sonny" Floyd, in 1989; and sister, Patty Barton, in 1996.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 14, at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with the Rev. Lowell T. Spencer officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad.
Mary H. Harbison
Mary Helen Harbison, 77, of Eaton, died Friday afternoon, July 10, 1998, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton.
Mrs. Harbison, a former resident of Dayton, retired from Kroger's in 1975 after 30 years of service. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton and was active in the Homebuilders Sunday School Class.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Lowell E. Harbison; a daughter and son-in-law, Rosemary and James Neiswanger of New Paris; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia A. and Walter Schuster of Winchester, Ind.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Edward A. Harbison, in 1988.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 14, at Grace United Methodist Church, Dayton, followed by burial in Forest Hills Cemetery, Vandalia. Whitmer Bros. & Thomas Funeral Home, Dayton, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3797 Summit Glen Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45449.
Rev. Carleton F. Spencer
The Rev. Carleton F. Spencer, 85, of 212 Chestnut St., Lewisburg, died Friday, July 10, 1998, at his home.
Born July 5, 1913, in Chester, Mo., he was the son of the late Ralph E. and Hanna (Stamper) Spencer. He was a graduate of Westmar College, LeMars, Iowa; the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, with a master of divinity degree; and the Chicago Art Institute.
He was a retired minister from the Congregational Church, West Manchester, and also taught art for 14 years at C.R. Coblentz School District. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; and a brother, Harvey Spencer.
Survivors include a daughter, Susan Keckler of Bright, Ind.; a son, John Spencer of Torrence, Calif.; grandchildren, Mike Keckler and Michelle Rice; a great-grandson, Dustin Rice; a sister, Evelyn Harrison of Lawton, Iowa; and a nephew, Fred Harrison.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, July 14, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Lewisburg, with Pastor David Justis officiating. Burial was in Mote Cemetery, Pitsburg, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seekers Class at Calvary United Methodist Church, Lewisburg.
Harry Straw
Harry Straw, 87, of Eaton, died Saturday, July 11, 1998, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton following a sudden illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Preble County, he was born April 12, 1911, the son of the late Charles A. and Lavina (McBride) Straw. He was a member of the Campbellstown United Church of Christ and Eaton Senior Citizens, was a former member of the Eaton Camera Club and Richmond Camera Club. He had served on the board of education for Jackson Township Schools in Preble County, where he was also a school bus driver.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Rose Straw of Yukon, Okla.; a daughter, Diane Straw of Eaton; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond J. Straw of Eaton; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna (Parker) Straw, in October 1996; and brothers, Ralph Straw, Fred Straw and L. Robert Straw; and a sister, Cretus Hagen.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with Pastor Glen E. Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Preble Memory Gardens, West Alexandria.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Emergency Squad, 318 N. Maple St., Eaton, Ohio 45320.
D. Eugene Kiracofe
D. Eugene Kiracofe, 82, formerly of 752 Charles St., and most recently a resident of Woodridge at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren, died Sunday, July 5, 1998, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Born Jan. 10, 1916, in Gratis, he was the son of Martin Luther and Lucy (Eby) Kiracofe. He graduated from Gratis High School and attended the University of Wisconsin before earning a B.S. degree from Ohio State University in 1942. He then received a master's in agriculture from Purdue University.
Mr. Kiracofe retired in 1982 after 30 years as head of the field department for Weaver Popcorn Co., Van Buren, Ind., where he had been an agronomist since 1952. He also taught in the vocational and agricultural departments at Lancaster High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Mr. Kiracofe was a member of the Varsity "O" Club at Ohio State University, the Exchange Club of Huntington and had served as a 4-H leader. He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Methodist Men, served on many boards and as a Sunday school teacher for the fifth grade fellowship for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie (Pauling) Kiracofe, whom he married July 26, 1942; four sons, John T. Kiracofe of Austin, Texas, Philip K. Kiracofe of Tallahassee, Fla., Roderick E. Kiracofe of San Francisco, Calif., and Mark P. Kiracofe of Nashville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren.
Also surviving are four brothers, Dr. Howard Kiracofe of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Dr. Clayton Kiracofe of Sidney, Albert Kiracofe of Gratis and Alfred Kiracofe of South Haven, Mich.; and three sisters, Grace Shafer, Mrs. Elbert (Helen) Brubaker and Mrs. Marvin (Betty) Willis, all of Gratis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Louise Patton, Edith Snyder and Virginia Shafer.
Funeral services were Tuesday, July 7 at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren, with the Rev. John Bellante officiating, and on Wednesday, July 8, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntington, Ind., with the Rev. Steven N. Ailes officiating. Burial was in Lancaster Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 530 Guilford St., Huntington, Ind. 46750.
Mary M. Coblentz
Mary Mildred Coblentz, 92, of #2 Washington Square, New Paris, died Tuesday, July 14, 1998, at her home.
Born April 6, 1906, in New Paris, she was the daughter of the late Van E. and Ida F. (Smith) Thompson, and had lived in Preble County all her life. She was a retired teller from the First National Bank of New Paris. Mrs. Coblentz served as Jefferson Township Clerk for 12 years; was a member of the Church of Christ in New Paris; and a member of Eastern Star for 74 years, serving as past worthy matron three times.
Survivors include her husband of 18 years, Lawrence E. Coblentz Sr.; one son, Marion T. Rautsaw; one daughter, Paula F. Henry; three grandchildren, Brett Rautsaw, Brian Rautsaw and Paul Henry; and nine stepchildren, June Walker, Phyllis Werts, Norma Wahl, Mary Boyd, Gene Sarver, Charles Sarver, Dale Sarver, Joe Coblentz and Larry Coblentz.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Rautsaw; her second husband, Lloyd Sarver; and numerous other family members.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 18, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, Eaton, with the Rev. Keith Sarver officiating. Burial was in Springlawn Cemetery, New Paris.
Marion E. Bright
Marion E. "Skinny" Bright, 81, of Gettysburg-Darke County Road, New Paris, died Tuesday, July 14, 1998, at the VA Medical Center in Dayton.
Born Feb. 26, 1917, in Greensfork, Ind., he was the son of Ross G. and Ella (Miller) Bright. He had lived in New Paris since 1960 and retired in 1977 after 22 years at Natco Corp. in Richmond, Ind. He was a member of Local IAM Union, and a member of Clarence Teaford Post 360, American Legion in New Paris. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
Survivors include three sons, Robert E. Bright of West Manchester, John W. Bright of New Madison and Michael J. Bright of Eldorado; one daughter, Marta L. Neal of West Milton; one brother, James A. Bright of Winchester, Ind.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frieda J. (Cox) Bright, in 1992; two sisters, Ruby Bright and Irene McGrew; and two brothers, Gerold and Basil Bright.
Funeral services were Friday, July 17, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, followed by burial in Buena Vista Cemetery, Union Port, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to Clarence Teaford Post 360, American Legion, New Paris.
Jerry L. Vance
Jerry Lee Vance, 40, of Hollansburg Road, New Paris, died Wednesday, July 15, 1998, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind., after an extended illness.
Born Aug. 30, 1957, in Dayton, he was a 1975 graduate of Arcanum High School and had attended Wright State University. He was a restaurant manager at Frisch's Big Boy in Cincinnati, and had lived in Cincinnati prior to moving to New Paris in March.
Survivors include his parents, Harold B. and Betty M. (Cantrell) Vance of New Paris; three brothers, Randall J. Vance of Germany, Craig W. Vance of New Paris and Eric A. Vance of Gainesville, Texas; four sisters, Gwen D. Davis of Arcanum, Tina M. Rhoades of Anderson, Ind., Pam L. York of New Lebanon and Sheryl L. Moore of Greenville; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 18, at Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris Chapel, with the Rev. Don Boyer officiating. Burial was in Arlington Cemetery, Brookville.
