USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
HEIGHT
Elvin Arnold Height, 83, of Van Wert, died at 9:50 a.m. Sunday, September 28, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
He was born June 24, 1920, in Hoaglin Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late George and Stella Mae (Emmans) Height. His wife of 53 years, Erma Ruth (Voyles) Height, survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Height was a retired employee of the former Continental Can Company of Van Wert. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the South Pacific Area of Operations during World War II. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 in Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Penny R. Thompson and Brenda J. Riley, both of Van Wert, Carolyn Kay Firestone of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Nancy S. Raser of Parma, Mich.; a son, Patrick W. Height of Scottsdale, Ky.; one brother, Leroy "Ted" Height of Van Wert, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Courtney James Cosgrove and Elvin Arnold Height II; 13 brothers and sisters, and a grandson, Andrew John Raser.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Brickner Funeral Home, where military rites will be conducted by the combined honors unit of American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803. The Rev. Paul W. Miller will officiate.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
SENNEBOGEN
Vetha C. Sennebogen, 82, of 515 N. Jefferson St., Van Wert, died at 9:48 a.m. Monday, September 29, 2003, at her residence.
She was born December 3, 1920, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Clide F. Sr. and Ruah Jane (Gamble) Ford. On June 14, 1940, she married Henry C. Sennebogen, who died in 1978.
Mrs. Sennebogen retired as head bookkeeper for the Landmark Farm Bureau. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, was a member of the local Catholic Ladies of Columbia council and had been active in various church programs. She was past president and currently vice president of Psi Iota Xi Sorority and made a donated "scratchers" to local charitable organizations. She enjoyed bowling and was an active bowler for many years.
Survivors include three sons, Henry K. "Hank" Sennebogen of Houston, Texas, Steve Sennebogen of Van Wert and Rick Sennebogen of Akron; two daughters, Barb (Leland) Brown and Ruah J. Hanicq, both of Van Wert; a daughter-in-law, Julie Schumacher of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one brother, Clide Ford Jr. of Van Wert; a sister, Gloris Ford of Van Wert; 15 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Sennebogen; four brothers, Jim, Gilford, Clayton and Henry Ford, and a sister, Viola Ford, who died in infancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, where a Psi Iota Xi memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:45 p.m. that day.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Sennebogen to the American Cancer Society or Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
DEITSCH
Minnie Boneta Deitsch, 86, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of Rockford and Celina, died at 8:06 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2003, at her residence.
She was born October 30, 1916, in Rockford, the daughter of the late Benjamin Calvin and Merlie Catherine (Rush) Snyder. On August 7, 1937, she married Olen Ordale Deitsch, who survives.
Mrs. Deitsch was a homemaker and a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Celina.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by four daughters, Sue Ellen Deitsch, Judy Ann (James) Sherron and Cindy Deitsch, all of Fort Wayne, and Joyce (Richard) Fishel of San Demas, Calif.; a sister, Bessie Fancke of Celina; one grandchild, and a stepgrandchild.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Darlene, Dee, Lowell and Verl Snyder; five sisters, Lena Cook, Lela Felver, Arberdeen Fickert, Opal Huffman and Jessie Sapp, and a stepgrandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Thursday and an hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home.
DERR
William Charles "Bill" Derr Jr., 33, of 315 N. Race St., died unexpectedly at 8:48 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2003, at the residence of his sister.
He was born April 25, 1970, in Hicksville, the son of Dona Connon, who survives in Van Wert, the late William C. Derr Sr. On July 7, 1999, he married Connie Walters, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Derr had been a truck driver for E. Conrad and Sons Trucking in Van Wert.
In addition to his mother and his wife, he is survived by a stepson, Justin Lee of Van Wert; three sisters, Tina (Mark) Coil of Convoy and Dawn (Joe) Mihm and Bonnie (Matt) Hakes, both of Van Wert; four half-brothers, Gary (Linda) Richhart, Gregg (Shaun) Richhart and Roger (Cindy) Richhart, all of Woodburn, Ind., and Rick Richhart of New Haven, Ind.; a half-sister, Gail (Ed) Claymiller of Fort Wayne, Ind., and 11 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a niece and one nephew, and two uncles Virgil and Richard Debacher.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Scott Fleming officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
FRIEDLY
Daniel Leroy Friedly, 81, of Van Wert, died at 12:13 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2003, at Convoy Care Center.
He was born July 17, 1922, in Convoy, the son of the late Julius and Ida (Oechsle) Friedly. On February 8, 1947, he married Marilyn Wilson, who died February 1, 2001.
Mr. Friedly retired in 1996 as owner of Friedly Evergreens and was also a farmer and nurseryman. He fellowshipped with The Way International in New Knoxville. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps serving during World War II (1943 until he was honorably discharged in 1946). He was a member of the 73rd Bomber Wing Association, a member of Wassenberg Art Center, the Van Wert County Historical Society and Alpha Tau Zeta fraternity of Ohio State University.
Survivors include a son, Daniel W. Friedly of Bradford.; one daughter, Lyna (Lee) Friedly Rizor of Huntsville, Ala.; a brother, Robert Friedly of Jupiter, Fla.; one sister, Wanda Overmyer of Greenville, and five grandchildren, Nathan and Joel Friedly, Frances, Jonathan and Betsy Rizor.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Nolan Friedly.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Malvin George officiating. A private family burial will be held.
Calling hours are 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, plus the family will available after services.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Friedly to the Convoy Care Center Activities Fund.
GEHRES
M. Pearl Gehres, 92, formerly of 510 S. Chestnut St., died at 10:15 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2003, at Hearth & Home Assisted Living in Van Wert.
She was born April 23, 1911, in St. Marys Township, Adams County, Ind., the daughter of the late Harry and Fanny L. (Smith) Ray. On May 1, 1937, she married Durward Belmont Gehres, who died August 31, 1984.
Mrs. Gehres retired from Wayne Trace Local Schools as a fifth-grade teacher. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Van Wert and the Women's Missionary Society. She was a graduate of Pleasant Mills High School and Defiance College. She was a life member of the Ohio Education Association.
Survivors include two sons, David E. (Dorothy) Gehres of Line Lexington, Pa., and John E. (Joyce) Gehres of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a daughter, Ruth Ann Gehres of Ann Arbor, Mich.; one brother, Robert (Marie) Ray of Rupert, W.Va.; four sisters, Rosemary (Clarence) Crabtree of Mount Sterling, Ky., Ruth Spitler, formerly of Willshire, Thelma (Clarence) Snow of Brookville, Fla., and Jean Ray of Decatur, Ind.; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Ray, and one sister, Frances Foor.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday and an hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Gehres to First Baptist Church in Van Wert.
DENNEY
Fauna Lenore Denney, 96, formerly of 15122 Mendon Road, Van Wert, died at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2003, at Van Wert Manor Nursing Home.
She was born February 22, 1907, in York Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Henry C. and Minnie (Wolery) Waltz. On November 25, 1937, she married Otis Leon Denney, who died January 26, 1977.
Mrs. Denney retired from Kennedy Manufacturing Company in Van Wert in 1972 after 46½ years as administrative secretary and assistant secretary of the company. She was a lifetime member of Kingsley United Methodist Church, was a member of Van Wert County Hospital's Twig I group and served as an American Red Cross volunteer.
Survivors include two nephews, Richard (Ruth) Swartz of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Carl E. Uhrich of Van Wert.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Waltz, and a niece Margaret E. Pierce.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Kingsley United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert, the Rev. Chuck Glover officiating. Burial will be in Tomlinson Cemetery in Mercer County.
Calling hours are 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Denney to Kingsley United Methodist Church.
