USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
DAVIS
Helen Pauline Davis, 80, of Venedocia, died at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert.
She was born March 6, 1925, in Delphos, the daughter of the late James Leonard and Alice Mae (Williams) Millisor. She married Willy Harold Davis, who died December 31, 1982.
Mrs. Davis worked at the Borden’s Food factory in Van Wert for more than 30 years until it closed. She was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.
Survivors include two nieces, Gloria Leiter and Marilyn Strickler, who were her caregivers, and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Millisor, and one sister, Elaine Marcile Lare.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, September 9, at Venedocia Cemetery, with the Rev. Clark Williman officiating.
Viewing hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 8, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Calvary Evangelical Church or Van Wert Manor.
SNYDER
Willard E. “Bill” Snyder, 76, of Van Wert, died at 2:10 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert following an extended illness that he battled with spirit and good humor.
He was born December 15, 1928, in Bellefontaine, the son of the late Silas S. and Lela (Schantz) Snyder. On September 25, 1955, he married Sondra A. Kilgore, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Snyder was the former co-owner of Snyder’s Marathon service station in Van Wert and had worked at D&H Parts in Van Wert. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both of Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Steven L. (Vanessa) Snyder of Toledo and Randy D. Snyder of Convoy; a daughter, Linda A. (Shawn) Morin of Bowling Green; one sister, Elaine Couts of Kansas City, Mo., and eight grandchildren, Rick and Jamie Schmidt, Cameron and Eli Snyder and Zachary, Gabriel, Sammy and Lydia Morin.
He was preceded in death by a son, David A. Snyder, and three brothers, Eldon, Gaynord “Si” and Roger Snyder.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Jim Burns officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point, with graveside military rites conducted by the combined honors units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Community Health Professionals, Visiting Nurses and Hospice.
TINKER
Etta J. Tinker, 94, of Van Wert, died at 9:23 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
She was born December 11, 1910, in Delaware County, the daughter of the late Samuel Lantz and Sarah Jane (Fraker) Bassiger. On September 4, 1936, she married Oscar A. Tinker, who died August 28, 1995.
Mrs. Tinker worked as a nurse part-time for Van Wert County Hospital. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and a former member of the Van Wert Eastern Star Chapter, Van Wert County Hospital Twig group and Van Wert Elks Lodge Auxiliary. She graduated from Ohio State University School of Nursing.
Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn (Leslie) Zielke of Summerville, S.C.; one sister, Agatha Johnson of Columbus; four grandchildren, Stephen Sommers, Katheryn Zvomuya, Amy Zielke and Matthew Zielke, and three great-grandchildren, Oscar Zvomuya, Megan Zielke and McKenna Zielke.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Norma J. Sommers.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home Van Wert, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. A private family burial will be held in Browns Chapel Cemetery in Ross County.
Viewing hours are from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Community Health Professionals or First United Methodist Church, both in Van Wert.
CUSTER
Doyt Eugene Custer, 88, of New Port Richey, Fla., and formerly of Van Wert, died on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at the New Port Inn in New Port Richey.
He was born August 7, 1917, in Ohio City, the son of the late Gilbert and Myrtle (Brunni) Custer. He married Mildred (Debacher) Evans, who died in 1998.
Mr. Custer was a lifelong resident of Van Wert until his move to Florida six years ago. He was a retired employee of the Van Wert City Street Department. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II and was a life member of both American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 (former post commander), both of Van Wert.
Survivors include a son, Terry (Linda) Custer of Holiday, Fla.; one daughter, Kathy (Joseph) Young of Homosassa, Fla.; three grandsons, Troy (Felicia) Custer, Roderick (Betty) Custer and Jason Young, all of New Port Richey, and five great-grandchildren, Brett, Cody and Ciara Custer and Tory and Cory Custer, all of New Port Richey.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Harold, Forest, Edmund and Glen Custer; a sister, Agnes Custer, and one grandson, Aaron Custer.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 21, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Daniel Cook officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City, with military graveside rites performed by the combined honors unit of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.
Viewing hours are 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to VFW Post 5803 or Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
SMITH
Virginia I. Smith, 93, of Van Wert, died at 12:33 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2005, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
She was born December 17, 1911, in Defiance County, the daughter of the late Ezra W. and Alta H. (Osborn) Warren. She married Gilbert Smith, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Smith was a teacher who retired from Ridge School and worked for many years in administration at The Marsh Foundation in Van Wert. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert and was a very active member of the Van Wert Woman’s Club. She was formerly active in the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross, was a member of the Van Wert County Retired Teachers Association and belonged to the Auxiliary of Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Van Wert.
Survivors include two sisters, Martha F. Zehner of Bellvidere, Ill., and Mary L. Barnes of Defiance, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Glenadene Koch.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Dr. Edward Jillson officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Defiance.
Viewing hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ralph Gallapoo, Glenn Livingston and Gil Smith Endowment Fund for Educators, the American Red Cross or a charity of donor’s choice.
GIBSON
Bradley M. Gibson, 53, of Convoy, died at 10:44 a.m. Monday, September 19, 2005, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.
He was born September 20, 1951, in Van Wert, the son of E. William and Jean M (Hildbold) Gibson, both of whom survive in Convoy.
Mr. Gibson was an accountant and owned Bradley M. Gibson, CPA, Inc., of Van Wert. He was a member of Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., and was a member of the Van Wert County Board of Elections, of which he previously served as chairman. He had formerly owned Gibson’s Super-Valu Grocery Store in Convoy.
In addition to his parents, survivors include a son, Andrew W. Gibson of Convoy; one brother, Brent A. (Jamie) Gibson of Convoy, and two sisters, Marcia K. (Gary) Drake of Convoy and Karen S. (Mike) McClure of Van Wert.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Convoy, with the Rev. Jan Berthinee officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Viewing will be held an hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Convoy Community Foundation.
Gearhart, Mack & Jurcyzk Funeral Home in Convoy was in charge of arrangements.
JEROME
Jeanne Annette Jerome, 81, of 215 Bonnewitz Ave., Van Wert, died at 6:05 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2005, at Van Wert Manor nursing home in Van Wert.
She was born November 16, 1923, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Howard and Addie (Davis) Parks. On June 9, 1941, she married Chalice M. Jerome, who survives in Van Wert.
Mrs. Jerome was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert and was a 1941 graduate of Van Wert High School.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, James (Hannah) Jerome of Phoenix, Ariz., and Terry L. Jerome of Houston, Texas; a daughter, Sandy (Chuck) Thatcher of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one sister, Mary Purdy of Delphos; five grandchildren, Chanda Lichtsinn, Debby Bowman, James “JJ” Jerome, Candy Pflum and Tina Jerome, and five great-grandchildren, Steven Lichtsinn, Christen Thatcher, Lyndsey Bowman, Allison Bowman and Brandon Bowman.
She was preceded in death by a son, Kim Alan Jerome, who died June 29, 2005, and one sister, Betty Belle Miller.
Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Tuesday, September 27, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Rick Adams officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Viewing hours are 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
