USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
WREEDE
Melvin William Wreede, 72, of Delphos, died at 7:13 p.m. Thursday, December 23, 2004, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
He was born February 27, 1932, in Delphos, the son of the late Richard and Mary (Ludwig) Wreede. On March 21, 1958, he married Patricia Knopp, who survives in Delphos.
Mr. Wreede previous worked with sheet metal at Superior Coach in Lima and, following that, had worked part-time with Bruce Wollenhaupt doing sheet metal work. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos and enjoyed fishing, gardening and carpentry.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Dina Wreede of Boston, Mass., and Pamela (James) Vogt of Spencerville, and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold, Eugene and Paul Wreede, and a sister, Betty Wreede.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 28, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos, with the Rev. William Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, December 27, at Harter & Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, and an hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delphos.
DRAKE
Steven D. Drake, 52, of Middle Point, died Thursday afternoon, December 23, 2004, at his residence.
He was born March 8, 1952, in Van Wert, the son of the late Fred and Marjorie (Parrott) Drake. On September 23, 1977, in Van Wert, he married Tina Robinson, who survives at home.
Mr. Drake attended the Church of the Nazarene in Van Wert.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Heidi Taylor of Russells Point and Nicole (Russell) Kennedy of Van Wert; two sisters, Cheryl Thomas and Patty Drake, both of Van Wert, and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, at the Church of the Nazarene in Van Wert, with the Rev. Daniel Cook officiating.
There will be no public calling hours.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family.
Funeral arrangements were made by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert.
MARSHALL
Harley R. Marshall, 82, of Van Wert, loving husband, dad, and grandpa, died at 9:25 a.m. Friday, December 24, 2004, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born February 27, 1922, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Emery and Odessa Grace (Blackwood) Marshall. On June 12, 1943, he married Mary R. Dunifon, who survives at home.
Mr. Marshall retired from International Harvester Corporation in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was a member of the former Ridge United Methodist Church. He served in World War II and Korea and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and bronze service stars. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 and American Legion Post 178, of which he was a past commander. He was a life member of the American Prisoner of War Association, a past chef de gare of Voiture 154, 40 et 8; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans group; a member of the 99th Infantry Division Association, World War II POW group; the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary, and was an avid railroad collector and historian.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Diana (Thomas) Bockrath and Shirley (Stephen) Smith, both of Van Wert; a brother, Haldon Marshall of Marion, Ind.; one sister, Leafel Smith of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren, Denise Bockrath of Westerville, Matt (Melissa) Bockrath of Van Wert, Seth Smith of Dublin and Sean (Amanda) Smith of Indianapolis, Ind.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Glen Marshall, and a sister, Mary Jane Marshall.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Mary Ann Tomlinson officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township, with military graveside services conducted by the combined honor units of Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are to North Union United Methodist Church or to a charity of donor's choice.
BRANDT
Joshua "Grease" Brandt, 20, of Willshire, died Friday, December 24, 2004.
He was born April 25, 1984, in Van Wert County, the son of Larry E. and Jackie J. (Archer) Brandt, both of whom survive.
Mr. Brandt worked in line assembly at Thunderbird Products.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Bobbi S. Brandt of Willshire; and his grandparents, Mary Zimmerlee of Decatur and Tom and Dottie Brandt of Willshire.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, at The Crossroad Church, with the Rev. Jody Harr and Rev. John Goodwin officiating. Burial will be in Willshire Cemetery.
Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday, December 27, and from 2-4 and 6-8 Tuesday, December 28, at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wren Fire and EMS.
FRANKS
Darrell W. Franks, 85, of Van Wert, died at 1:23 p.m. Friday, December 24, 2004, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born April 24, 1919, in Petroleum, Ind., the son of the late Harvey and Mabel (Crain) Franks. On May 13, 1945, in Van Wert, he married Patricia J. Graham, who survives at home.
Mr. Franks was a retired business teacher, principal, basketball coach and superintendent. He taught two years at Mendon Schools and 32 years for Hoaglin-Jackson Township School and Lincolnview High School. He was a member of Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ohio State Retired Teachers Association, and was an avid polka dancer.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Jeanne (Ed) Hammond of Kinston, N.C., Jacalyn (Bob) Carrick of Cleveland and Jann (Dan) Sheeran of Middle Point; a sister, Ruth Franks of Bluffton, Ind.; nine grandchildren, Jeremy Hammond, Megan, Catherine, Robert and Jane Carrick, and Shannon, Jordan, Taylor and Logan Markward, and one great-granddaughter, Emma Hammond.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Hazel Stevens.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Rev. Paul Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Wert or Lincolnview High School athletic funds.
WILSON
Kevin Howard Wilson, 44, of Gainesville, Fla., died Saturday, December 25, 2004, in Gainesville.
He was born June 1, 1960, in Van Wert County, the son of Deanna J. (Carrier) Wilson Mosier, who survives in Scott, and the late Alvin Enos Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was a musician and played bass guitar in several bands.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by a stepfather, Thomas Mosier of Scott; a friend, Anna Marie Kirkpatrick of Gainesville; one son, Max Smith Kirkpatrick of Gainesville; a daughter, Tiffany Fealscott of Columbus; one sister, Kelly D. Thomas of Convoy; one grandson, and a nephew.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, December 31, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Terry Martin officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Calling hours are 1-3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
CUSTER
Jerry Leon Custer, 63, of 10658 U.S. 127 South, Van Wert, died at 9 a.m. Sunday, December 26, 2004, at his residence.
He was born August 14, 1941, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Harold M. and Margaret Lucille (Kreischer) Custer.
Mr. Custer had worked at Aeroquip Corporation for 10 years and then owned and operated Custer's Produce south of Van Wert for 35 years, retiring in 2002. He also operated the Custer's stand at the Van Wert County Fair for 30 years. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 886 in Van Wert. He was a 1959 graduate of Wren High School and enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren.
Survivors include a daughter, Leslie (Scott) Brown of Van Wert; four grandchildren, Brooke Custer, Zachary Gent, Bronson Brown and Chandler Brown, and seven nieces and nephews, Rodney D. (Jane) Custer of Florida, Randy L. (Kathy) Custer of Convoy, Sue A. Brotherwood of Spring Hill, Fla., Vickie (Scott) Conderembse of Fort Jennings and Charles D. (Pat) Custer, Gordon A. (Malinda) Custer and Pam (Robert) Waltmire, all of Van Wert.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Allen J. Custer, Forest Dean "Bud" Custer and Jackie Gilbert Custer.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, St. Paul's United Church of Christ in rural Van Wert, with the Rev. Kenyon Karr officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
