USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
COLLINS
Clayton F. Collins, 26, of Van Wert, died at 4 a.m. Thursday, January 1, 2004, due to injuries suffered in an automobile accident.
He was born June 1, 1977, in Camp LeJeune, N.C., the son of Keith (Sheila) Collins, who survives in Van Wert, and Toni L. (Gamble) Collins, who also survives in Van Wert. He was not married.
Mr. Collins worked for Taylor Made Glass in Payne and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by maternal grandparents Robert (Carol) Gamble of Ohio city; paternal grand mothers Lois Steenrod of Englewood, Fla., and Beverly Niswander of Van Wert; a brother, Cameron Collins of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one sister, Tiffany Collins of Van Wert; two half-sisters, Alexandria and Hannah Bartley, both of Van Wert; a niece, Adeline Langdon of Van Wert, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a maternal grandmother, Marcia Gamble, and paternal grandfather, Floyd Collins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 4, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. A committal service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 5, at Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point, with graveside military rites performed by the combined honor guards of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, January 3, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Collins to a charity of donor's choice.
EMERY
Laura I. Emery, 91, of Van Wert, died at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2004, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born November 10, 1912, in Greenville, the daughter of the late Vernon and Bernice (Weaver) McConahay. On February 3, 1940, she married Clod G. Emery, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Emery retired from Kennedy Manufacturing Company in Van Wert in 1976 after 20 years of service. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include two daughters, Kathryn Bolling and Mary Beth Kraner, both of Van Wert; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, James Emery, and two brothers.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 3, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 2, at an hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Emery to the Van Wert County Council on Aging.
MILLER
Edith Miller, 82, of Van Wert, died at 3:25 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2004, at Convoy Care Center.
She was born October 10, 1921, in Pineville, Ky., the daughter of the late James W. and Leova (Simpson) Sharp. On April 6, 1946, she married Richard L. "Dick" Miller, who died January 3, 1996.
Mrs. Miller was a retired bookkeeper and credit manager. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert, and was a 1941 graduate of Van Wert High School. She belonged to the Twigs organization, American Legion Auxiliary 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 5803, both in Van Wert, and the Van Wert YWCA.
Survivors include a son, Richard L. Miller Jr. of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Sandra (Frederick) Clark of Lima and Barbara Berryman and Laurie Barker, both of Middle Point; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 19, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Doug Stockton officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, also in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Sunday, January 18, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Convoy Care Center Activities Fund.
COVEY
Nellie M. Covey, 88, of Haviland, died at 9:20 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2004, at Convoy Care Center.
She was born February 6, 1915, in Paulding County, the daughter of the late Jay and Ara M. (Reid) Gunderman. On June 27, 1941, she married Thomas T. Covey, who died September 12, 1993.
Mrs. Covey retired from Blue Creek School and also worked at the Haviland Post Office. She was a member of Country Chapel United Methodist Church in Haviland and was very active in the United Methodist Women. She was an avid reader and loved genealogy. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was also active with the Van Wert YWCA.
Survivors include a son, James T. (Ruth Ann) Covey of Van Wert; one daughter, Celesta (Robert) Oberlin of Stryker; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Forrest, Harry, Walter and Donald Gunderman, and a sister, Ruby Buchman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, at Country Chapel United Methodist Church in Haviland, with Pastor Deborah Frysinger officiating. Burial will be in Blue Creek Cemetery in Haviland.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the church or a charity of donor's choice.
SKINNER
Rodger Dale Skinner, 52, of Willshire, died at 12:14 a.m. Friday, January 16, 2004, at the Indianapolis, Ind., Veterans Administration Hospital, where he had been a patient.
He was born April 8, 1951, in Chillicothe, the son of Norma Jean (Stubbs) Skinner and the late Richard G. Skinner.
Mr. Skinner was a truck driver for Keith Gehle Transport in Rockford. He was a Vietnam War veteran and had lived in the area since 1962. He was a member of the Rockford Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge, the Celina Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Willshire American Legion post, Celina Moose lodge and Amvets organization in Waverly.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Forrest (Kory) Skinner of Wolf Creek, Mont., and Michael T. Trisel of Waverly, and a sister, Jennifer K. Baublet of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Steven and Jerry Skinner and Ben Ward.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Jody Harr officiating. Burial will be in Willshire Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Monday, January 19, and an hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
MOTYCKA
Noreen R. Motycka, 84, of Middle Point, died at 5:10 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at her residence.
She was born March 3, 1919, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Lewis and Alvina (Busch) Hopsecker. On November 27, 1941, she married John W. Motycka, who died September 29, 1991.
Mrs. Motycka had worked at Van Wert Manufacturing and retired as cook-manager at Lincolnview High School cafeteria. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert and was a member of the Middle Point Jolly Timers.
Survivors include five sons, Bernard (Beckie) Motycka of Ohio City, Marlin (Mary Louise) Motycka of Monroeville, Ind.; Albert (Denise) Motycka of Van Wert and Ron (Carol) Motycka and Ralph Motycka, both of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence, Milton, Herbert and Vernon Hopsecker.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 17, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, the Rev. Lance O'Donnell and Pastor James Pemberton officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 16, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Elevator Fund, Lutheran Youth Fellowship or Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
BYER
Sally S. Byer, 60, of Ohio City, died at 5:20 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2004, at SCCI Hospital in Lima.
She was born August 22, 1943, in Allen County, Ind., the daughter of the late Anton D. and Kathryn (Harshman) Bruns. On December 21, 1965, she married Harold R. "Shorty" Byer, who died April 29, 1996.
Mrs. Byer was a homemaker and a member of the Rockford Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 1292.
Survivors include two sons, Tony (Kelly) Byer of Celina and Jason Byer of Ohio City; two daughters, Leandra Krick of Ohio City and Tammy (Gary Jr.) Carter of Van Wert; two stepdaughters, Linda (Jack) Tice of Convoy and Phyllis (Philip) Battles of Elida; a stepson, Bruce Byer of Ohio City; two sisters, Peggy Dix of Paulding and Kathy (Ron Agler) McConn of Van Wert; 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger and David Bruns.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 17, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Steve Waterman officiating. Burial will be in Mercer Memory Gardens in Celina.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 16, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Ohio City Church of God.
