USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
SEARIGHT
Mamie Josephine Searight, 91, of Celina, died at 11:15 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2004, at Celina Manor Nursing Home.
She was born September 16, 1913, in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, to the late Grover and Ice Scioto (Fast) Nuding. On September 14, 1946, she married Jesse Lee Searight, who preceded her in death on October 20, 2003.
Mrs. Searight was a homemaker and worked on the family farm. She was a member of Mount Tabor Church of God in Celina and a member of its women's association, the WCSC.
Survivors include a son, Ron (Lisa) Searight of Rockford; one daughter, Jean Ireland of Rockford; a brother, John (Lucille) Nuding of Celina; one sister, Bernadine Krugh of Liberty Center, and two grandchildren, Brent Ireland and Sheena Searight.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Don and Charles Nuding; a sister, Helen Harner, and one grandson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 4, at Mount Tabor Church of God, located between Celina and Mercer, with Pastor Jim Keiser officiating. Burial will be in North Grove Cemetery in Celina.
Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Tabor Church of God, State of the Heart Hospice or the National Alzheimer's Association.
BUCHANAN
Ruth Pauline Buchanan, 89, of St. Marys and formerly of Rockford, died at 10:15 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2004, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys.
She was born July 17, 1915, in Rockford, the daughter of the late John and Frances (Witter) Alspaugh.
Ms. Buchanan was a homemaker but was employed for a time at Tu-Way and Sharp Canning Factory, both in Rockford. She was a member of Rockford United Methodist Church, formerly Grace United Methodist Church, where she had sung in the choir. She had also played piano at the United Brethren Church located between Rockford and Willshire.
Survivors include a son, Paul Buchanan of Rockford; two daughters, Patsy Kelsey of Florida and Sharon Ellington of Vancouver, British Columbia; two sisters, Marjorie Alspaugh and Mildren Botkin, both of St. Marys; a niece, Jean Rupert of Xenia; seven grandchildren, Kim Ellington, Randy Kelsey, Karen Kabbler, Julie Carmody, Joe Eric and Michael Buchanan, and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Monty Ellington.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 3, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Mike Berne officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, and an hour prior to services on Wednesday at the funeral home.
RABE
Merle Ray Rabe, 83, of Fort Recovery, died at 8:05 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2004, at his residence.
He was born June 10, 1921, in Washington Township, Mercer County, the son of the late Vincent and Esther (Schroyer) Rabe. On September 9, 1944, he married Ann Bollenbacher, who survives at home.
Mr. Rabe was a farmer and a member of Wabash Church in Wabash. He was a past township trustee and a past member of Midwest Rural Electric.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Blaine Rabe of Orange Park, Fla., and Kevin Rabe of Salinas, Calif.; a daughter, Irene Jill Rabe, at home; one brother, Ralph Rabe of St. Marys, and two sisters, Jean Boroff of St. Marys and Mary Montague of Kettering.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 4, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Wilton Hull officiating. Burial will be in Swamp College Cemetery in Celina.
Calling hours are 9 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cheryl Ann School in Celina or to the Coldwater Library in Coldwater, Ohio.
PRIOR
Raymond L. Prior, 74, of Lakeview, died at 5:19 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2004, at SCCI Hospital in Lima.
He was born January 7, 1930, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Darrel E. and Chloe Pearl (Webb) Prior Sr. On October 25, 1952, he married Helaine F. Foley, who survives at home.
Mr. Prior retired from Champion Spark Plug in Toledo in 1983. He is a member of Indian Lake Community Church in Russels Point, was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners and the Ohio National Guard. He was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Navy and belonged to the Lima American Legion post.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael C. (Kathy) Prior of Marysville; two brothers, Richard (Jane) Prior of Palm Springs, Calif., and John Prior of Lima; a sister, Katheryn (Howard) Burgess of Cridersville; three sisters-in-law, Wanda Prior of Columbus, Dortha Prior of Van Wert and Louerei Prior of Fort Wayne, Ind.; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert Prior, Darrell Prior Jr. and Henry Clinton Prior.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. O'Hara officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 11 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Indian Lake Community Church in Russels Point.
LEWIS
Keegan J. Lewis, 23 days old, of Van Wert, died at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2004 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Keegan was born October 6, 2004, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Benjamin T. and Jessie (McGuire) Lewis, who both survive in Van Wert.
Other survivors include maternal grandparents Arvell and Teresa McGuire of Grover Hill; paternal grandparents Mary Jo and Karl Miller of Continental and Gary and Karen Lewis Defiance; maternal great-grandparents Talma and Marilyn Gribble of Grover Hill; paternal great-grandmother Mary Peffley of Defiance; paternal great-grandfather John Lewis of Greeneville, Tenn., a sister, Kirsten Lewis, at home, and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Tom Peltier and Brother Larry Chalker officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
MAY
Corwin J. May, 95, formerly of 509 E. Tully St., Convoy, died at 8:05 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2004, at Vancrest Assisted Living in Van Wert.
He was born September 13, 1909, in Tully Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Walter A. and Mae (Stephenson) May. On June 9, 1930, he married Lucille Reidenbach, who died October 23, 1986.
Mr. May retired from International Harvester in Fort Wayne, Ind., with more than 43 years of service. He also transported cars for 25 years for local auto dealers. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy, the Convoy Fox Hunters and Van Wert County Horseshoe Club. He enjoyed fishing and throwing horseshoes and won many trophies. He played baseball in his younger days and was an avid race fan.
Survivors include two sons, Daniel C. (Nancy) May of Hanover, Mich., and Thomas W. May of Fort Wayne; two daughters, B. JoAnne Bucher of Fort Wayne and Judith E. (Donald) Baer of rural Convoy; 10 grandchildren; one stepgrandchild; 15 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence May; one sister, Helen May, and a granddaughter, Michele Elaine May.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy, with the Rev. Michael Saylor officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Calling hours are 3-8 p.m. Monday, November 1, at Cowan & Son Stainfield Memorial Home in Convoy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Van Wert Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
SULLIVAN
Evelyn M. Sullivan, 89, of Hamilton, died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, October 30, 2004, at Hospice of Cincinnati.
She was born September 21, 1915, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Floyd and Edna (Hendricks) Mercer. She married Thomas W. Sullivan, who died April 14, 1965.
Mrs. Sullivan had retired from Bethesda Hospitals in Cincinnati. While in Van Wert, she had worked in the offices of Dr. Walter Scheidt and Dr. N.L. Marxen.
Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Lee Baltzell of Cincinnati; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, James Baltzell.
Funeral services will be conducted at noon Tuesday, November 2, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Lance O'Donnell officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township.
Calling hours are 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati.
