USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
SHELTON
David B. Shelton, 43, of Van Wert, died Sunday, November 27, 2005, at his residence.
He was born October 2, 1962, in Van Wert, the son of Carole (Eberle) Conn, who survives, and the late David LeRoy Shelton. On February 14, 2004, he married Michelle Swanson, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Shelton was a real estate investor and was in partnership with Dale Reidenbach. He was pastor of Mt. Zion Christian Assembly in Van Wert, was a professional singer and songwriter and also performed with the Van Wert Civic Theatre and former Van Wert Dinner Theatre in Van Wert.
In addition to his mother and wife, survivors include a son, Brayden M. Swanson, at home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 3, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Kirk and Janelle Wade officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 2, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
SIMPSON
James Simpson, 80, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died at 7 a.m. Sunday, November 20, 2005, at Heritage Park in Fort Wayne.
He was born September 19, 1925, in Pineville, Ky., the son of the late Harvey and Shirley (Robinson) Simpson. On August 15, 1951, he married Barbara Click, who survives in Fort Wayne.
Mr. Simpson retired in 1986 from General Electric Corporation in Fort Wayne after 33 years in data processing. He also had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
In addition to his spouse, survivors include a daughter, Robin (Buzz) Kirkwood of Fort Wayne; three brothers, Charles Simpson of Van Wert, Harvey (Georgia) Simpson Jr. of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., and John Saylor of Columbus; two sisters, Billie (Dale) Merris and Jackie DeBolt, both of Van Wert, and two grandchildren, Adam Kirkwood and Joshua Kirkwood.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Lynch.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. David Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 22, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Turnstone Center for Children and Disabled Adults in Fort Wayne.
MEAD
Rebecca L. Mead, 21, died Sunday, November 20, 2005, due to an accident in Athens, Ohio.
She was the daughter of David and Judy Mead, both of whom survive.
Ms. Mead was a 2002 graduate of Columbus Alternative High School and was a senior at Ohio University in Athens, majoring in fine arts-photography.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her maternal grandparents, Bill and Doris Scott of Van Wert; paternal grandparents, Gordon and Jane Mead of Pickerington; aunts and uncles, Susie and Harvey Stoller of Van Wert, Nancy Garibay of Maumee, Anne and Steve Walters of Brighton, Mich., and Rich Mead of Nevada City, Calif.; cousins, Zach (Heather) and Nick Stoller, Alex Garibay, R.J. and Tyler Walters; her boyfriend, Kyle Brown, and many caring friends.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at North Broadway United Methodist Church, 48 E. North Broadway, with the Rev. Edwin Lewis officiating.
A scholarship in Becca's name has been set up for The School of Fine Arts for Ohio University. Contributions may be made to The Becca Mead Scholarship Fund, c/o Huntington Bank, 3350 Indianola Ave. Columbus, OH 43214.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel.
POND
Jed A. Pond, 24, of Willshire, died at 9 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2005, at his residence.
He was born May 3, 1981, in Bluffton, Ind., the son of John Pond, who survives in Florida, and Rosie (Suman) Pond of Willshire.
Other survivors include his maternal grandfather, Kenneth Suman of Willshire, and two sisters, Erica Pond of Willshire and Amy Pond of Marion, Ind.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17, at Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Ind., with the Rev. Mark Rutledge officiating. Burial will be in Willshire Cemetery.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, at the funeral home.
AMERMAN
Edward V. Amerman, 79, of Van Wert, died at 6:46 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at his residence following a brief illness.
He was born February 22, 1926, in Mercer County, the son of the late William F. and Bessie M. (Watson) Amerman. On September 27, 1947, he married Maxine L. Wallick, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Amerman retired in 1984 from Continental Forest Industries Company (now Greif Bros.) in Van Wert after 38 years of service. He was a member of Kingsley United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert, where he had taught Sunday School ad served as Sunday School superintendent. He was a 1945 graduate of York High School.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Mark L. (Sharon L.) Amerman of San Leon, Texas; one daughter, Diane K. (Eric A.) Couch of Van Wert; a sister, Ada Ruth (Cletus) Klosterman of Celina; four grandchildren, Christina A. Kovar, Tammy M. Sidle, Alisha D. Kuhlman and Matthew R. Couch, and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Nelson Amerman, and three sisters, Marion Alice Harner, Lois Francis Baker and Bessie June Wait.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, December 1, at Kingsley United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert, with Pastor Chuck Glover officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Kingsley United Methodist Church's Building Fund.
MILLER
James Richard Miller, 61, of Wapakoneta and formerly of Rockford, died at 12:05 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2005, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
He was born August 1, 1944, in Van Wert, the son of the late Richard Joseph Miller and Harriette Elizabeth (English) Miller Pugh.
Mr. Miller had lived the past six years in Wapakoneta and was a photographer for The Evening Leader newspaper in St. Marys. He also was editor of the former Celina independent.
Survivors include two sisters, Gretchen (Ford) Bollenbacher of Rockford and Cathy (Dick) Reed of Lima, and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be at the convenience of the family.
BROWN
Frances Earlene Brown, 87, of Van Wert, died at 8 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert.
She was born September 8, 1918, in Hillsdale, Mich., the daughter of the late Clarence and George (Vine) Coleman. She had been married to the late Don Richard Brown.
Mrs. Brown retired as a special education teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Van Wert. She graduated with honors from Ohio State University’s Lima branch with a degree in nursing and education.
Survivors include five sons, Harold A. (Ruth) Brown of Lima, Frank C. (Linda) Brown of San Diego, Calif., and Carl R. Brown, Don E. Brown and Richard A. (Rita) Brown, all of Van Wert; a daughter, Mary K. (LeRoy) Hammond of New Haven, Ind.; one sister, Helen Smith of Angola, Ind., and 12 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Lowell Coleman, and one sister, Gladys Thurman.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 29, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, November 28, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The Salvation Army.
