USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Miles J. Manning
Miles J. Manning, 83, of East Main Street, New Lebanon, died Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton after a brief illness.
Born April 9, 1913, in Ezel, Ky., he was the son of Charles B. and Clara (Havens) Manning. He moved to New Lebanon in 1963, and attended Faith Chapel in Farmersville.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Irene (Craft) Manning; three sons and daughter-in-law, Ron and Jane Manning of Brookville, Randall Manning of Englewood and Wade Manning of New Lebanon; one daughter, Naomi M. Perrill of Missouri; one brother, Arlo Manning of Dan, Ky.; one sister, Mae Rich of Monroe, Ohio; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one grandson; a brother, Chester Manning; and a sister, Alice Mays.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family of Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Barnes Funeral Home-Preble Memory Gardens Chapel, 3377 U.S. 35 East, West Alexandria, followed by burial in Preble Memory Gardens.
Druscilla A. Hamilton
Druscilla A. Hamilton, 81, a resident of Shiloh Springs Care Center, Trotwood, and a former resident of Eldorado, died late Sunday evening, Jan. 19, 1997, following a lengthy illness.
Born Oct. 25, 1915, in New Bremen, she was the daughter of Irvin A. and Mahalia (Luedeke) Fark. For many years, she and her husband were owners of the Eldorado Creamery.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Hamilton; and a brother, David Fark.
Survivors include two sisters, Beverly Copp of Indianapolis, Ind., and Dorothy L. Haupt of Trotwood; four nieces and five nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Bussard-Barnes-Vaniman Funeral Home-Eldorado Chapel, with the Rev. Kathryn Hawbaker and the Rev. Raymond A. Michel officiating. Burial will be in Wares Chapel Cemetery near West Manchester. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eldorado Unitarian-Universalist Church.
William H. Griffey
William Hubert Griffey, 64, of Ohio 122, Somerville, died Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, at Barbara Parks Nursing Home in Middletown.
Born on April 24, 1932, in Frenchburg, Ky., he was the son of William and Lula (Rainey) Griffey. He was a U.S. Marine veteran, served two tours in Korea, and received the Purple Heart. He had been retired from Crystal Tissue in Middletown.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Ada (Back) Griffey; three sons, Steven Lee Griffey of Monroe, Wayne Griffey of Somerville, and Brian Griffey of Middletown; one daughter, Jennifer Griffey of Somerville; two grandchildren, Joshua Allen Griffey and Rachel Nicole Griffey, both of Granite Falls, N.C.; and a brother, Charles Griffey of Franklin.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Edgar Griffey, and three sisters, Opal Ginter, Adeline Hope Webb and Bonita Reed.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, with the Rev. Jack Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Ray Sauer
Ray Sauer, 89, of U.S. 35 East, West Alexandria, died Monday, Jan. 20, 1997, at Washington Manor Nursing Home in Dayton.
Born May 14, 1907, in Preble County, he was the son of Irvin and Lucy (Pontius) Sauer. He was a graduate of Ohio State University with both bachelor of science and master of science degrees. He was a lifelong farmer and resident of West Alexandria, and a member of St. John United Church of Christ in West Alexandria.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Margaret Sauer; two daughters and sons-in-law, Emily and Frank Scott of Kettering, and Kathy and John Benavides of Perrysburg, Ohio; one son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Carol Sauer of Janesville, Wis.; three grandchildren, Emily Marie Benavides of Perrysburg, Scott and Brian Sauer, both of Janesville, Wis.; two brothers, Hugh Sauer of West Alexandria and Herb Sauer of Columbia, Mo.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Sugar Grove Cemetery, West Alexandria, with the Rev. Dr. James Altenbaumer officiating. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, 20 E. South St., West Alexandria.
George F. Wadlington
George F. Wadlington, 68, of West Main Street, Eaton, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996, at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg.
Born Oct. 22, 1928, in Pickaway County, Ohio, he was the son of Roy Louis and Margaret Ethel (Ginther) Wadlington. He graduated from The Ohio State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural education in 1951 and 1965, respectively.
Prior to coming to Preble County, he taught vocational agriculture at McComb, Ohio (1951-1952) and served as 4-H agent in Auglaize County (1952-1954). He moved to Eaton in August 1954, where he became the youngest county agricultural agent in Ohio
Mr. Wadlington later worked at Eaton National Bank from 1964-1965 and taught vocational agriculture at Eaton High School from 1965-1967. He served as the Eaton area supervisor for OSU Extension Service from 1969 until his retirement in 1982.
Mr. Wadlington served the Eaton community in many different ways, from being a city councilman from 1965-1970 to being an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Eaton. In addition, he was involved with Eaton Little League, Eaton Lions Club for 42 years where he was president 1965-1966, Master Key Member and a Melvin Jones Fellow, Eaton Chamber of Commerce, the Preble County Alumni Club and the Advocate Program assisting with student recruitment and scholarship programs for the Ohio State University.
He was a member of the Preble County Farm Bureau, Preble County Historical Society, Eaton Country Club, Eaton Retail Merchants Association, National County Extension Agents Association and Epsilon Sigma Phi.
In addition, he was the owner/operator of the Eaton Car Wash from 1967-1991, served as board member for L&M Products in 1991 and as the president of Public Employee Retirees of Preble County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Glendine H. Wadlington in 1992; and a brother, Rex Wadlington, in 1993.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Guy Benge of Springboro; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Charles L. and Kathryn Wadlington of Miamisburg, and G. Fred and Andrea Wadlington of Jeffersonville, Vt.; a brother, Gene Wadlington of Circleville; seven grandchildren, Melanie and Alan Wadlington, Anna and Marcus Wadlington, Kari, Sara and Scott Benge; and a special friend, Delma Little of Eaton.
Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church in Eaton, with the Rev. Wayne D. Morrison officiating. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Glendine Huggins Wadlington Memorial Fund, c/o Lester Barnhart at The Ohio State Office of Academic Affairs Development, 510 Fawcett Center, 2300 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210; or to the First Presbyterian Church, Eaton.
Frank Holsinger
Frank Holsinger, 96, formerly of Kimmel Road, Eldorado, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton.
Born July 12, 1900, in Preble County, he was the son of the late Ebeneezer and Elsie (Miller) Holsinger, and lived in Preble County most of his life. He was a member of Price's Creek Church of the Brethren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel ( Petry) Holsinger, in 1975.
Survivors include two daughters, Donna Knose and June Shipley, both of Eaton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lowell and Rosie Holsinger, and Harold and Shirley Holsinger, all of Urbana; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Neva Holsinger; a granddaughter, Jackie Lee Duncan; a grandson, Daniel Wilson; and a great-grandson, Michael Wilson.
Funeral services were Thursday, Jan. 2, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Michael Chapel, West Manchester, with the Rev. Raymond E. Rothwell officiating. Burial was in Monroe Cemetery, Eldorado.
Orville Phelps
Orville Phelps, 74, of West Alexandria, died Monday, Dec. 30, 1996, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton.
Born Jan 5, 1922, in Preble County, he was the son of Edward and Mary (Powell) Phelps. He was a graduate of Farmersville High School and and Army Air Corps veteran. Mr. Phelps worked for General Motors for 44 years before retiring in 1984. He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Farmersville and the James E. Ryan American Legion Post #322.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Martha; two sons and daughters-in-law, Merle and Janet Phelps of Lewisburg, and Mark and Daria Phelps of Hillsboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Lee O'Banion of Seaman, Ohio; four grandchildren; and a brother, Warren Phelps of West Alexandria.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank Phelps; and a sister, Ethel Focht.
Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 3, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Farmersville, with the Rev. Larry Lindstrom officiating. Burial was in Twin Valley Cemetery on Enterprise Road. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, was in charge of arrangements.
Josephine L. Back
Josephine L. Back, 77, formerly of Gratis, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 1996, at Garden Manor Nursing Home in Middletown.
Born March 18, 1919, she was the daughter of Clinton and Sarah (Miner) Flemming.
Survivors include her husband, Bert Back of Middletown; one son, Donald Smith of Berea, Ky.; one sister, Elva Kash of Middletown; three stepchildren, Kenneth Back, Lucille Robbins and Mary Metcalf; and several grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Morris.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 4, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Gratis, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, Gratis.
Donald G. Decker
Donald G. Decker, 64, of Leon Drive, West Alexandria, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1996, at Middletown Hospital in Middletown.
Born Nov. 24, 1932, in Middletown, he was the son of Ralph and Helen (Jones) Decker. He attended Ohio University and was retired from Armco in Middletown. Mr. Decker was a U.S. Navy veteran, a member of King Hiram Masonic Lodge #88 and James E. Ryan Post #322 American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Donna Decker; sons and daughters-in-law, Terry Decker, Pat and Tammy Decker, all of Eaton, Mike and Jane Decker of Maysville, Ky., Scott and Wendy Jennings of Yakima, Wash.; daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie and James Israeloff of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Donna and Joe Laird, Katie and John Vice, all of Eaton, and Lori Moore of West Alexandria; a sister, Donna Craig of Eaton; and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 4, at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Alexandria.
Joyce V. Blakeman
Joyce V. Blakeman, 78, of 628 E. Main St., Eaton, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1997, at Elm Creek Nursing Center in West Carrollton after an extended illness.
Born Sept. 26, 1918, in New Castle, Va., she was the daughter of Samuel P. and Nellie (Newsome) Smith. She received her B.A. degree from Ohio State University in 1937 and her master's degree from Miami University in 1968. She had been a teacher at Miami University and the New Lebanon schools, retiring in 1986.
Mrs. Blakeman was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Eaton; the Alumni Club of Ohio State University and Miami University; Eaton Country Club; Preble County Retired Teachers Association; and Ohio Education Association.
She had served on many education programs in Preble County. Mrs. Blakeman had trained 28 student teachers from Miami University. She received the Teacher of the Year in Home Economics award from the state of Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Blakeman, in April 1964; and two brothers, Auburn Smith and Quentin Smith.
Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Andrea and Jerry Schrodi of Centerville, Ohio, Cynthia and Jim Straszheim of Eaton, Carolyn and Steve Gorton of Jacksonville, Fla.; one son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Sherill Blakeman of Eaton; eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Rudy Smith of Middletown and Samuel P. Smith of Florida.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 4, at the convenience of the family at Barnes Funeral Home-Eaton Chapel, with Dr. Phillip D. Malone officiating. There was no public calling. Burial was in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church or to the Preble County Literacy Coalition.
