USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
KREISCHER
Gaylord C. "Fritz" Kreischer, 78, of Van Wert, died at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at his residence.
He was born July 16, 1924, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Lawrence W. and Edith R. (McClure) Kreischer. He was not married.
Mr. Kreischer was a retired postal worker with the Lima Post Office and was also a railway mail clerk for 20 years before working in Lima. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Van Wert and was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II, where he received the Purple Heart. He was a member of American Legion Post 178 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both in Van Wert and was a former member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Survivors include seven brothers, Ralph (Helen) Kreischer, James Kreischer and Max (Janet) Kreischer, all of Van Wert, Gerald (Dixie) Kreischer and Harold (Sherry) Kreischer, both of Ohio City, Larry (Karen) Kreischer of Convoy and Ronnie (Linda) Kreischer of Lexington; three sisters, Barbara (Robert) Bashore of Paulding, Marcile Pennell of Idaho Springs, Colo., and Audrey Harter of Ridgecrest, Calif., and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Floyd Kreischer.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in rural Van Wert, with Pastor Kenyon Kaehr officiating. Burial will be in Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in rural Van Wert, with military graveside services performed by the combined honors unit of the Van Wert VFW and American Legion posts.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Friday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Kreischer to The Salvation Army or a charity of donor's choice.
GRONE
Arthur A. Grone, 86, of Delphos, died at 6:12 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2003, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
He was born March 8, 1917, in Marion Township, Allen County, the son of the late Joseph and Agnes (Kaverman) Grone. He married Eva L. Yochum, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Grone was a rural mail carrier for the Delphos Post Office for 44 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served three years in World War II as a carpenter's mate first class. He was a member of the National Association of Rural Carriers, Delphos Country Club, Eagles Aerie 471 in Delphos and was a 1935 graduate of Delphos St. John's High School. He was an avid golfer -- getting three holes in one -- and enjoyed carpentry work.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Neil (Norma) Grone of West Chester, James (Lois) Grone of Fort Jennings and Michael (Dawn) Grone of Sidney; two daughters, Mary (Kinnaird) Kniss of Avilla, Ind., and Diana (Richard) Hitchcock of Delphos; three sisters-in-law, Zelma Grone and Patricia Yochum, both of Delphos, and Beatrice Basinger of Oregon; 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Marie Reinemeyer, and one brother, Richard Grone.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Randy Giesige officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Harter & Son Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Grone to the St. John Catholic School Tuition Fund.
WELKER
Richard S. Welker, 90,of 15640 Jonestown Road, Venedocia, died at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2003, at the Marjorie Lee Retirement Community in Cincinnati.
He was born July 1, 1912, in York Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Eltie E. and Anna Jane (Hughes) Welker. On November 27, 1935, he married Geraldine May "Judy" Welker, who died April 9, 1995.
Mr. Welker graduated from York High School in 1930 and earned his bachelor of theology degree from Huntington College in 1935. He served as pastor of a United Brethren church in Portland, Ore., until 1942 and then worked as a brakeman on the Erie Railroad. After World War II he began farming in York Township and later worked for Tuttle Construction in Lima for more than 20 years and retired as a field superintendent in 1977. He was a longtime member of Elgin United Brethren Church and attended Kingsley United Methodist Church in Van Wert. He was also a former member of the York Board of Education and was president of the original school board for Lincolnview Local Board of Education.
Survivors include two sons, David Richard (Brenda Smitley) Welker of Marietta, Ga., and John B. (Susan Hitchcock) Welker of Circleville; two daughters, Kathy Joy Welker of Cincinnati, and Kristina May Welker of Syracuse, Ind.; one brother, Lowell (Eleanor Orick) Welker of Mendon; one sister-in-law, Helen Clay Welker of Van Wert; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Orren O. Welker and Delmar E. Welker, and a sister, Leona Reahm.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Cowan & Sons Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be on Goodwin Cemetery in York Township.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Welker to the Building Fund of Kingsley United Methodist Church.
GUYTON
Carl L. Guyton, 80, of Winter Haven, Fla., and formerly of Paulding, died at 1:50 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2003, at Mariner Help of Winter Haven, where he had been a patient for three days.
He was born January 5, 1923, in Toledo, the son of the late Frank and Blanche (Wilson) Guyton On March 15, 1946, he married Maxine Caldwell, who died July 26, 1997. On August 29, 1998, he married Bernadette (McCullough) Deatrick, who survives.
Mr. Guyton was a manager for 15 years for the Winthrop Apartments of Bowling Green, retiring in 1986. He was a member of First Christian Church in Haines City, Fla., and a former member of Paulding United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps serving with the 20th Air Corps Battalion (Flying Tigers) in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 587 in Paulding.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Rita (Robert C.) Matthias of Van Wert, Bobbie (Paul) Schoen of Smithton, Ill., and J. Roseann (Rick) Eitniear of Las Vegas, Nev.; one son, Carl (Cathy) Guyton Jr. of Castalia; two stepdaughters, Pat Osborn of Defiance and Robin Deatrick of Fort Wayne, Ind.; five sisters, Helen Shong and Barbara (Larry) Procunier, both of Defiance, Ilean (Earl) McClain of Paulding, Esther (Arine) Bland of Melrose and Shirley (Elton) Reneau of Findlay; a half-sister, Marsha Gorman of Wallingford, Ky.; three stepsisters, Joyce Varner of Tucson, Ariz., Barbara Richards of Paulding and Carolyn Belden of Defiance; nine grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and several stepgreat-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Guyton and an infant brother, and a stepson, Terry Deatrick.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Paulding, the Rev. Susan Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Paulding Memorial Cemetery.
Calling hours are from 2-9 p.m. Tuesday at DenHerder Funeral Home in Paulding and from 10 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Guyton to the Margaretta Township Fire Department in Castalia.
SNYDER
Kathryn M. Snyder, 71, of Middle Point, died at 4:05 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born December 1, 1931, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late David and Thelma (Tabler) Stemen. On November 25, 1949, she married Dewane E. Snyder, who died February 28, 2001.
Mrs. Snyder retired in 1997 at working 22 years in the business office of Van Wert County Hospital. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Middle Point and was a member of the Middle Point Fire Department Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons, Stephen (Deborah) Snyder of Oxford and Douglas (Margaret) Snyder of Cincinnati; one daughter, Jody Snyder of Tiffin; a brother, Dean (Shirley) Stemen of Middle Point, and five grandchildren, Erica Morris, Lora Snyder, Sara Snyder, Amanda Snyder and Derek Snyder.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Stemen.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Thomas Cover officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Snyder to the Middle Point Fire Department Auxiliary or Trinity Lutheran Church.
MEYERS
Melvin J. Meyers, 94, of Delphos, died at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos.
He was born February 28, 1909, in Delphos, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Best) Meyers. On October 24, 1933, he married Helen Kerman, who died March 22, 1992.
Mr. Meyers retired from Norfolk -Western Railroad as a yard master after 48 years. After retirement, he worked at Myer IGA in Delphos. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, was a life member of the Delphos Eagles and an honorary member of the Delphos Veterans of Foreign Wars post. He attended St. John's School and played in various bands since age 13, including the Merle Hollar band until 1983 as a drummer. He also liked painting ceramics and gardening.
Survivors include three sons, William (Diane) Meyers of Van Wert, Thomas (Deb Kinder) Meyers of Roanoke, Ind., and Daniel Meyers of Delphos; three daughters, Carole (Leonard) Herman of Columbus, Mary (Richard) Banta of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Margaret (Anthony) Mesker of Delphos; 18 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons, James and Richard Meyers; a daughter, Janice Richardson; a brother, Eugene Meyers, and a sister, Leona Krendl.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, with Father Thomas Gorman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Meyers to St. John church.
SANDEL
Bruce Sandel, 55, of Convoy, died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, at his residence.
He was born April 3, 1948, in Mansfield, the son of Louise (Collins) Sandel, who survives in Van Wert, and the late Robert Sandel. On March 8, 1976, he married Linda Greenway, who survives in Convoy.
Mr. Sandel was a surveyor and a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam War era.
In addition to his mother and wife, he is survived by four daughters, Heather Sandel of Van Wert, Nicole Wells of Statesboro, Ga., Kelly Sandel of Mansfield and Kim Wegal of Columbus; a son, Nathan Sandel of Statesboro; one brother, Dennis Sandel of Convoy; a sister, Linda Stoddard of Van Wert, and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Michael W. Saylor officiating.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.
