USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
McMILLAN
Cory Allen McMillan, 30, of Defiance, died at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at his residence.
He was born January 24, 1974, in Paulding County, the son of Sidney H. and Mary Lou (Kochel) McMillen, who survive in Defiance.
Mr. McMillan was self-employed in the auto salvage business.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Desiree Becca McMillan of Wauseon; two sisters, Rebecca (Matthew) Salinas of Paulding and Diana (Edwin) Yoh of Oakwood; two grandmothers, Waneta Kochel of Defiance and Nellie McMillan of Trammel, Va., and five nieces.
He was preceded in death by his two grandfathers, Ralph Kochel, who died in 1989, and Guy McMillan, who died in 1961.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 22, at Rock Church on Ohio 637 in the Five Span-Arthur area, with Pastor Bobby Branham officiating. Burial will be in Hedges Cemetery in Jackson Township, Paulding County.
Calling hours are 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at Den Herder Funeral Home in Paulding and an hour prior to services Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
MANEY
John Fox Maney, 81, of Van Wert, died at 5:12 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2004, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born February 5, 1923, in Cincinnati, the son of the late John S. and Helen (Fox) Maney. On October 5, 1947, he married Margaret Shaffer, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Maney was a prominent Van Wert businessman and civic leader and had joined with his father in the operation of Maney's Bootery after he returned home from World War II, and continued its operation until its sale in 1985. He was a member of First United Methodist Church for 80 years and served in many capacities there, including chairman of the Administrative Board and chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce and had served two terms as president of the board, and also was a founder and past president of the Van Wert Downtown Retail Merchants Association. He was a past president of the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee, was one of the three founders of the Centurion Club and was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Normandy Invasion and Battle of the Bulge. He was a life member of both American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Dr. J. Kevin (Dr. Dondra) Maney of Westerville, and two grandchildren, J. Spencer Maney of Westerville and Bridget Maney of Oxford.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 4, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with graveside military rites by the combined honors units of American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church.
RALSTON
Bradley Ralston, 48, of Van Wert, died Friday, March 12, 2004, at his residence.
He was born May 2, 1955, in Van Wert, the son of Roger and Patricia (Taylor) Ralston, who both survive in Van Wert.
Mr. Ralston was employed at Grief Brothers Manufacturing in Van Wert. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1320 and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 886, all in Van Wert.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sons, Matt Ralston of Dayton and Adam Ralston of Decatur, Ind., and a daughter, Erin Ralston of Athens.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jeff Ralston.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Tim Burden officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 3-7 p.m. Monday, March 15, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of donor's choice.
THOMAS
Clarence W. Thomas, 79, of Van Wert, died at 10:25 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2004, at Van Wert Manor nursing home.
He was born November 10, 1924, in Wickliffe, the son of the late John William and Rosie May (Adams) Thomas. On November 11, 1951, he married Helen Louise Smith, who died November 24, 1995.
Mr. Thomas worked in production at Fruehauf Trailers in Fort Wayne, Ind., until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert and served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include a son, Layton K. (Alice) Pfost of Vine Grove, Ky.; two daughters, Linda K. (Milton) Brown of Decatur, Ind., and Brenda (David) Smith of Van Wert; one brother, David (Beverly) Thomas of Van Wert; a sister, Mary (Robert) Ankney of Grayling, Mich.; seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosanna Marie Thomas, and one brother, John Thomas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Middle Creek Cemetery in Grover Hill, with graveside military rites performed by the combined honor units of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the funeral home, where a prayer service will be held at 7:45 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
BRAKE
Virginia J. Brake, 71, of 202 Wall St., Van Wert, and formerly of Bellefontaine, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born September 11, 1932, in Bellefontaine, the daughter of the late Jake and Mildred (Good) May.
Ms. Brake retired as a manager of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1080 in Bellefontaine and was also very active in volunteer work. She was a member of Ohio City Church of God and the local Amvets organization. A graduate of Ridgeway High School, she had a passion for her family and gardening and was an avid reader.
Survivors include five sons, Larry P. Banta and Dave L. (Traci) Brake, both of Van Wert, Mark A. (Renee) Banta of Monroe, Mich., George (Kathy) Brake of Ohio City, and Greg (Kim) Brake of Atlanta, Ga.; a daughter, Kathy S. Banta of Van Wert; three brothers, Jim Cotrell and Lee Cotrell, both of Florida, and Earl "Punk" May of Belle Center; two sisters, Donna Kay Steward and Betty Barton, both of Florida, and eight grandchildren, James, Mark, Levi, Ann and Jonathan Brake, Jacob and Chloe Brake and Michael Banta.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom May and Kenny May.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Matt Braun officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio City Church of God.
FISHER
Martha L. Fisher, 90, formerly of Van Wert, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at her daughter's home in Cape Coral, Fla., following an extended illness.
She was born January 10, 1914, in Ohio City, the daughter of the late Fred L. and Maude L. (Youngblutt) Wright. On October 12, 1938, she married Harold T. Fisher, who preceded her in death on February 9, 2002.
Mrs. Fisher was a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Rosa Lee (James) Marker of Cape Coral; a granddaughter, Brenda S. Marker; one grandson, Dr. James B. (Jennifer P.) Marker, and a great-grandson, J. Wyatt Marker.
She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, Ray B. Wright, O. Dean Wright, T. Gaylord "Jake" Wright, Robert S. Wright, F. Myrle Wright, Richard Wright, Max R. Wright, Margaret E. Buschor and Betty J. Stettler.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, March 15, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 1-2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Children Hospital or Hope Hospice.
PACKER
Grace L. Packer, 95, of Van Wert, died at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born June 23, 1908, in Mercer County, the daughter of the late Samuel and Minnie (Snyder) Rhodes. On August 4, 1928, she married Thomas A. Packer, who died April 4, 1985.
Mrs. Packer was a homemaker and a charter member of the Church of the Nazarene in Van Wert. She was very active in her church.
Survivors include a son, Richard E. (Janet) Packer of Van Wert; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Earl Rhodes, and two sisters, Edith Wilkins and Mary Miehls.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army or a charity of donor's choice.
