USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
THOMAS
William J. Thomas, 59, of Van Wert, died at 3:46 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born March 5, 1946, in Mendon, the son of the late Raymond Max and Freda (Dilbone) Thomas. On June 23, 1979, he married Mattie H. Wright, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Thomas worked in production at Haviland Plastic Products in Haviland and had also worked 20 years at the Huffy Corporation in Celina. He attended Liberty Baptist Church in Van Wert. He had served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both in Van Wert. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge 1120 and Elks Lodge 1197, both in Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, survivors include four brothers, Ronnie Thomas of Findlay, Jerry Thomas and Gene Thomas, both of Beaumont, Texas, and James (Becky) Thomas of Van Wert; a sister, Pam Vannett of Delphos; one granddaughter, Jennifer Armentrout of Richmond, Va., and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a stepson, Keith Armentrout; one half-brother, Max McNett, and a grandson, Preston Lee Armentrout.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Jim C. Burns officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert, with military graveside services performed by the combined honor units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.
Calling hours are 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, where a 40 et 8 service will be held at 7:45 that evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.
ETGEN
David A. Etgen, 32, of Tucson, Ariz., died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at his residence.
He was born February 13, 1973, in Van Wert, the son of Raymond E. and Phyllis S. (Holbrook) Etgen, both of whom survive in rural Van Wert.
Mr. Etgen was a graduate of Lincolnview High School and was employed as a computer operator in Tucson.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Raymond A. "Bud" Etgen of Van Wert; grandparents Donald "Butch" and Bertha Etgen of Van Wert, and a grandmother, Sarah Kanable of Perrysburg.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Kanable, who lived in Willard.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
SMITH
Thelma H. Smith, 89, of Phoenix, Ariz., was welcomed into the Kingdom by her precious Jesus, in a moment in time on May 23, 2005.
She was born July 7, 1915, in Fayette County, W.Va., the daughter of the late Valentine and Margaret Horst. In January 1935, she married George Severn Smith Sr., who preceded her in death in 1990, just after they celebrated their 55th anniversary.
Mrs. Smith was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Community Church in Phoenix.
Survivors include a son, George Severn Smith Jr. of Phoenix; one sister, Myrtle F. Gray of Bethesda, Md.; a granddaughter, Rachel Margaret Harper of Elkins, W.Va.; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Caleb and Molly; several nieces and nephews, among them Dottie Mitchner, Larry Allan Smith, Darlene Fisher and Beverly Nighswander, all of Van Wert; Jeanne Gray of Washington, D.C., and William Mayville of Lorton, Va., and a sister-in-law, Helen Heath of Lacey, Wash.
She was preceded in death by two children, both of whom died at birth.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with a special memorial service scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, in the Chapel of Calvary Community Church in Phoenix.
Calling hours are 2-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions ma be made in Mrs. Smith's name to Sanctuary Ministries Inc., P.O. Box 97416, Phoenix, AZ 85060-7416.
CRYER
Anna Lee Cryer, 72, of Van Wert, died at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2005, at her residence.
She was born July 8, 1932, in Venedocia, the daughter of the late Byron and Delilah (Tumblin) Taylor. She married E. Wayne Cryer, who died September 5, 2000.
Mrs. Cryer was a homemaker.
Survivors include three nephews, Larry Strickler of Van Wert, Jerry Strickler of Harlingen, Texas, and Don Strickler of Nashville, Tenn.; several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, and a caretaker, Dorothy Ahring of Van Wert.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Eloise Strickler.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Bob Ratliff officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Research or Van Wert Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
BURDEN
John Byron Burden, 62, of 18638 Owens Road, Venedocia, died Saturday afternoon, May 21, 2005, from a horse-riding accident at Dew Downs near Sidney.
He was born October 20, 1942, in Auglaize County, the son of the late Walter Bryan and Pearl Maxine (Coon) Burden. On February 1, 1964, he married Linda Crider, who survives at home.
Mr. Burden worked in assembly for 38 years at New Idea in Coldwater until the plant's closing. He then worked at Benchmark Precision in Spencerville until he retired in January 2005. He was a member of the Rockford Eagles lodge and American Legion post.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Ron (Ginger) Burden of Rockford and Mark Burden of Ohio City; two daughters, Laura (Dan) Adams and Kathy (Steve) Roeder, both of Spencerville; a brother, Randy (Pat) Burden of Celina; five sisters, Jean (Gary) Baltzell and Betty (Bob) Dailey, both of Rockford, Kay Lauth of Spencerville, Margaret (Max) Ketcham of Montezuma and Rosalee Burden of St. Marys, and nine grandchildren, Amanda Kiracofe, Brody Adams, Philip O'Neill, Taren Roeder, Alysha Perez, Kyle Crider, Jaylen Burden, Spencer Burden and Trevor Burden.
He was preceded in death by a brother, David Burden; a sister, Sharon Coffman, and a grandson, Adam Kiracofe.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home in Mendon, with Pastor Randy Christian officiating. Burial will be in Wright Cemetery in Jennings Township, Van Wert County.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
HERTEL
Laura E. Hertel, 80, of rural Van Wert, died at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at the Country Inn in Paulding County.
She was born December 11, 1924, the daughter of the late Ray H. and Ethel M. (Butler) High. On October 7, 1945, she married E. James “Jim” Hertel, who survives at home on the family farm.
Mrs. Hertel was a lifelong farm wife and was an involved member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert, serving many years as a Sunday School teacher and in various leadership capacities. She was also active in the Christian Business and Professional Women and served as a lay speaker in the tri-state area for the United Methodist Church. She was a 1942 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School.
In addition to her husband, survivors include three daughters, Ellen (Richard) Matthew of Charlotte, Mich., Nancy (Carl) Slone of Kendallville, Ind., and Beth (Alan) Wilkins of Kennewick, Wash.; a brother, W. Gale High of Van Wert; five grandchildren, Sarah (Steve) Curry, Chris (Ken) Snyder, Josh (Tamara) Mathew, Ben Mathew and Dagny (Chris) Slinger; six great-grandchildren, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and John High; a sister, Pauline Gibson, and an infant grandson, James Warren Hersh.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Timothy Burden officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, and an hour prior to services Friday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Professionals/Visiting Nurses or Trinity United Methodist Church.
RHOADES
Esther Rhoades, 84, of 611 N. Washington St., wet to be with her Lord and Savior at 11:03 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at Hearth & Home Assisted Living in Van Wert.
She was born May 3, 1921, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Howard and Metha (Blank) Thornell. On June 2, 1940, she married Elvin Charles Rhoades, who died March 20, 2004.
Mrs. Rhoades was a homemaker and worked alongside her husband in the family farming operation for many years. She was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert and the church's Friendship Sunday School Class and played piano for children's worship for many years. She was formerly a member of Mentzer Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was church pianist. She and her husband had an evangelistic music ministry in Ohio and Indiana for 17 years.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacqueline (Charles) Profit of rural Van Wert and Marilyn (Dennis) Ries of Venedocia; three grandchildren, Brennan Profit, Deborah (Heath) Waltenberg and Lisa Ries, and two great-grandchildren, Holden Profit and Megan Profit.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Thornell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, in McCracken Chapel of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, with Pastor Clark Williman and Pastor Chuck Glover officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 27, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Evangelical Church or the Alzheimer's Association.
