USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
ZELEN
Opal O. Zelen, 99, of Ohio City, died at 9:20 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2003, at Van Wert Manor nursing home.
She was born August 7, 1903, in Ohio City, the daughter of the late John and Rachel Irene Anne (Bowen) Daugherty. On December 24, 1935, she married John Zelen, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Zelen was a registered nurse Illinois for 30 years. After her husband's death, she returned to her home in Ohio City, where she worked for a year as a house mother at Starr Commonwealth. She also owned and managed a variety store in Ohio City and worked as an activities director at Vancrest Health Care Center, retiring from there at the age of 76. She was a 1921 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School and went to Fort Wayne, Ind., for nurse's training. After two years at a hospital sanitarium there and three years of experience as a private duty nurse, she went to Chicago for a year and a half of further training. She was a member of Ohio City United Methodist Church and its WSCS.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Mike Waldron of Ohio City United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given on behalf of Mrs. Zelen to the church.
GEHRES
Connie S. Gehres, 62, of Convoy, died at 11:25 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, at her residence.
She was born March 9, 1941, in Van Wert County, the daughter of Carl and Lois (Brown) Fegley of Convoy. On November 4, 1961, she married Emmett E. Gehres, who survives in Convoy.
Mrs. Gehres was owner of Connie's Beauty Shop in Convoy for 33 years. She was a member of Convoy United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women of the church and sang in the church choir. She was a member of the Van Wert County Republican Women and was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by a son, Clint (Tamela) Gehres of Dayton; one daughter, Patti (Steve) Cramer of Convoy; a brother, Roger (Carolyn) Fegley of Convoy, and three grandchildren, Caleb, Jennifer and Kristin.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Convoy United Methodist Church, the Rev. Greg Leigh officiating. Burial will be in Convoy IOOF Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Gearhart, Mack & Jurczyk Funeral Home in Convoy.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Gehres to the church of Community Health Professionals Hospice program.
BREWER
Velma M. Brewer, 84, of 325 Middle St., died at 10 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
She was born September 8, 1918, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late William O. and Ethel (Gotts) Pontius. On August 30, 1939, in Decatur, Ind., she married Ronald G. Brewer, who died April 16, 1994.
Mrs. Brewer was a bookkeeper at Montgomery Ward for 12 years and at Brookside Dairy for 25 years. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Van Wert, and the Women's Society of the church. She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and also served on the board of the Van Wert County YWCA.
Survivors include a stepson, Ronald J. (Virginia) Brewer of Celina; a brother, Don (Donna) Pontius of Van Wert; four nephews; a niece; three stepgrandchildren, and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bert and Burdette Pontius.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Douglas Stockton officiating, assisted by Rev. Paul Miller. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Visitation will be from 2:30-4:30 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Brewer to a charity of donor's choice.
MOTYCKA
Mary (Maag) Marxen Motycka, 77, of Van Wert, died Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
She was born June 20, 1925, in Lakewood, the daughter of the late Clinton and Helen (Fugate) Maag. She was first married to the late Dr. Norman Marxen, from 1948-1968, and then to the late Frank Motycka, from 1979-1987.
Mrs. Motycka was a registered nurse, graduating from White Cross Hospital in Columbus. She was a supervisor of nursing for Van Wert County Hospital and a longtime director of nursing at Van Wert Manor nursing home.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. Jeffrey Marxen of San Diego, Calif., and Dr. Thomas Marxen of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Dr. Pamela Marxen Kelly of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Karen Sondrol of Muscatine, Iowa; four stepsons, Frank Motycka of Houston, Texas, Rick Motycka of Midland, Texas, Dr. Tom Motycka of Chapin, S.C., and Mike Motycka of Middle Point; 13 grandchildren, and six stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Clinton Maag.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery in Columbus.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Further information may be found at www.bricknerfuneralhome.com.
ROBERTS
Ruby Lee Roberts, 90, of 1254 S. Shannon St., died at 2:20 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Van Wert Manor nursing home.
She was born August 25, 1912, in Medina County, Texas, the daughter of the late Henry Ebb and Willie Lee (Busch) Holt. On March 7, 1945, she married Rogers Mack Roberts, who died December 31, 1989.
Mrs. Roberts worked in an aircraft engine plant during World War II and was a waitress, salesperson and seamstress. She attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include two sons, William (Patricia) Farrer of Spokane, Wash., and Roget Mack (Deborah) Roberts Jr.; four daughters, Ruby Lois (Bob) Bretz of Longview, Texas, Anita (James) Menck and Sarah Virginia (Malcolm) Reus, both of San Antonio, Texas, and Francis (Pat) Foust of Van Wert; one brother, Carl Holt of San Antonio; 27 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Charlie Farrer; one brother; two sisters, and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor John Perkins officiating. Burial will be in Oak Rest Cemetery in Medina, Texas.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and there will be an additional visitation at Grimes Funeral Home in Bandera, Texas, on Friday and a memorial service Saturday morning there.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Roberts to the Trinity Friends Church Tornado Relief Fund.
REDLINGER
John Robert Redlinger, 85, of 229 N. Washington St., died at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Van Wert Manor nursing home.
He was born June 27, 1917, in Convoy, the son of the late John Samuel and Cora Redlinger. He married Myrtle Zoa Camp, who died June 17, 1969.
Mr. Redlinger was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a member of Robert G. Longwell Post 5803, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Van Wert.
Survivors include a brother, Paul A. Redlinger of Scott; one sister, Mary Mills of Belleville, Mich., and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Lewis Redlinger, and one sister, Agnes Greulach.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Rod Ratliff officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy, with military rites performed by the combined honor guards of VFW Post 5803 and American Legion Post 178.
Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Redlinger to a charity of donor's choice.
CHECK
Pauline L. Check, 74, of Fort Jennings, died at 12:05 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Rose Lawn Manor in Spencerville.
She was born July 27, 1929, in Flat Rock, Mich., the daughter of the late Louis and Agnes (Renton) Kortier.
Ms. Check was a dietician at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. She enjoyed cross-stitch and traveling.
Survivors include three sons, Butch Check of Wapakoneta, Rusty Check of Seattle, Wash., and Arnie Check of North Carolina; two daughters, Joan Kaufman of Kalida and Crystal (Mark) Herron of Fort Jennings; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra M. Check.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Fort Jennings.
Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Check to the Alzheimer's Association or home health care.
