USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
LAING
Treva Elizabeth Laing, 97, died of natural causes surrounded by family and friends on Saturday morning, November 5, 2005.
She was born June 20, 1908, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Joseph and Sara Katherine Hertel. She met and married the love of her life, Bruce Odean Laing in 1929, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Laing grew up on a farm with her six brothers and sisters. She was a graduate of Van Wert High School, Class of 1926, and also graduated from the Illinois Training School for Nurses at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. She and her husband lived in Chicago during the Great Depression and the days of Al Capone, while Mr. Laing completed dental school at Loyola University. Two children, Bob and Gerry, were born to them in Chicago. The family decided to settle in Mrs. Laing's hometown of Van Wert, where they established a family dental practice (which is still in existence and operated by Mrs. Laing's grandson, Dr. Kevin Laing). The family welcomed two more children, Vern and Dorothy, born in Van Wert. Mrs. Laing was an accomplished homemaker and enjoyed preparing meals for her immediate and extended family. She was an energetic volunteer for the American Red Cross, Van Wert Woman's Club and Pink Ladies hospital auxiliary. She was a founding family member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert. Mrs. Laing moved to Orlando, Fla., in 1974. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Orlando. She enjoyed many visits from all her children, grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren. She lived a beautiful Christian life as the loving matriarch of her large family. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Survivors include two daughters, Gerry (Dr. Tom) Fennessy of Libby, Mont., and Dorothy "Dottie" (Gordon "Stumpy") Harris of Orlando; one son, Dr. Vern Odean (Olga) Laing of Dallas, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Mary Laing of Van Wert; 13 grandchildren, Scott Laing, Kevin Laing and Brian Laing, all of Van Wert; Terry Fennessy of Memphis, Tenn., Tim Fennessy and Tammy Marsden, both of Spokane, Wash., Tracy Kriskovich of Tracy, Calif., Laura Laing Gordon of Jackson, S.C., Libby Waddell of Phoenix, Ariz., Bruce Laing and Lydia Hockemeyer, both of Dallas, and Sarah Overmeyer and Bruce Harris, both of Orlando; 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Robert Bruce Laing.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, November 7, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Orlando. Burial will be held at a later date in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The Van Wert County Foundation/Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 130 E. Main St., Van Wert, OH 45891.
STEINMETZ
Glenn E. Steinmetz, 87, of Van Wert, died at 3 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
He was born December 28, 1917, in Van Wert, the son of the late Glenn and Iva (Black) Steinmetz.
Mr. Steinmetz as a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include two sisters, Phyllis Schaadt of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Eleanor (Vic) Gentile of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Patricia Coleman, Pauline Frock and Luella Mae Steinmetz.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, November 25, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. John Goodwin officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from noon until the time of services on Friday at the funeral home.
BISSONETTE
Charles J. Bissonette, 72, of Van Wert, died at 4 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2005, at his residence.
He was born September 23, 1933, in Standish, Mich., the son of the late Joseph and Lavina (LaClair) Bissonette. On September 11, 1954, in Standish, Mich., he married Leona Korytoski, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Bissonette retired from Chrysler Corporation after 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert and enjoyed walking and traveling during his retirement.
In addition to his spouse, survivors include four sons, Kenneth Bissonette of Katy, Texas, and Peter (Linda) Bissonette, Scott (Tressa Jo) Bissonette and Jeffrey Bissonette, all of Van Wert; two brothers, Donald Bissonette of Levering, Mich., and Art Bissonette of Bay City, Mich.; a sister, Ida Lahti of Levering, Mich.; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Three brothers, Henry, Leo and John Bissonette, preceded him in death.
Private family funeral services will be held, with arrangements by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
There will be no visitation.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Van Wert Community Health Professionals or the church.
HARRISON
William D. "Bill" Harrison, 84, of 1254 S. Shannon St., Apt. 101, Van Wert, died at 2:30 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2005, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
He was born July 12, 1921, in Ohio City, the son of the late Guerdeon Dent and Mary Kathryn (Glossett) Harrison.
Mr. Harrison was a retired factory worker in the Chicago area and locally worked on the Erie & Lackawanna Railroad. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Survivors include his lifelong companion, Victoria Oszakiewski; three daughters, Barbara Arnold and Vicki (Tom) Vinson, both of Van Wert, and Diane Davies; two sisters, Isabelle (Charles) Truax of Van Wert and Romayne (John) Palmer of Florida, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in St. Adelbert Cemetery in Niles, Ill.
There will be no visitation.
Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert was in charge of arrangements.
JOHNSON
Velma Ruth Johnson, 87, of Van Wert, died at 8:50 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2005, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born September 8, 1918, in Dixon, the daughter of the late William Russell and Eva Mae (Densel) Purk. She was first married to Oscar Ray Wise, who died in August 1947. On October 31, 1953, she married Gail Johnson, who died September 13, 1972.
Mrs. Johnson was a 32-year employee of Wilkinson Printing and retired in 1980. She was a 1937 graduate of Van Wert high School and had played basketball while in school.
Survivors include a son, Kenneth Ray Wise of Van Wert; three daughters, Sandra Kay Herber of Fort Wayne, Ind., Sharon Lee (Jim) Roberts of Van Wert and Karen Lou Cashel of Findlay; eight grandchildren, Kim Maxwell, Sherry Herber, Kelly Rooks, Mitchell Roberts, Jeffrey Roberts, Dou Cashel, Lindsay Follas and Nicholas Wise; seven great-grandchildren, Melinda, Reanna, Cecilia, Jerri, Chance, Jarrett and Dalan, and her cousin and best friend, Helen Ortt.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Scott Fleming officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Viewing hours are 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Van Wert County Hospital or a charity of donor's choice.
EAST
Robert B. "Rob" East, 49, of Van Wert, died at 4 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2005, in Washington Township, Van Wert County.
He was born May 23, 1956, in Akron, the son of Marcia (Bell) Shaw, who survives in Van Wert, and the late Leonard East, who died May 16, 2002.
Mr. East was a truck driver for TNT Trucking in Delphos.
In addition to his mother, survivors include three sons, Jeremy (Alicia) East and Ryan East, both of Delphos, and Matthew East of Van Wert; four stepdaughters; a brother, Charles (Joanna) East of Van Wert; three grandchildren, Steven Suever, Alex East and Caden East, and eight stepgrandchildren.
No services information was released.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
HARBER
Marguerite Marie Harber, 95, of Van Wert, died at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert.
She was born April 2, 1910, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Samuel Gilbert and Lina Mae (Handwerk) Grunewald. On October 31, 1943, she married Walter Jason "Butch" Harber, who died August 5, 1977.
Mrs. Harber had worked at the Montgomery Ward store in Van Wert and retired from Gregg's Department Store in Lima in 1975. She ewas a 1929 graduate of York High School and was a member of First Baptist Church in Van Wert, where she had been pianist for many years.
Survivors include two sisters, Nell L. Rice of Scott and Dorothy M. Brown of Midland, Mich., and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 11, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Steve A. Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, November 10, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church in Van Wert.
