Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Walter Dirmeyer
Walter W. Dirmeyer, 4769 Ohio 182, Upper Sandusky, died at the Wyandot County Nursing Home at 11:50 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2003. He was 92. Born on March 4, 1911, in Eden Township, he was a son of William and Sarah (Tschanen) Dirmeyer. He married Mary Wolford on Nov. 27, 1945, in Sycamore. She died May 20, 2000. Surviving are a son, Charles, Upper Sandusky; three grandchildren, Mackenzie, Zachary and Maxwell; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Linda Rowland, Toledo. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Peggy Jean Traxler; two sisters, Ruth and Olbia; and two brothers, Robert and Benedict. Mr. Dirmeyer retired as a farmer in Eden Township. He attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Upper Sandusky. Mr. Dirmeyer was a 65-plus-year member of Nevada Masonic Lodge No. 343. He also was a member of the National Rifle Association, and enjoyed fishing, especially on Lake Erie, mushroom hunting and traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and Germany. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Preston officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation is at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Friday, and a Masonic memorial service will be at 7:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Lodge in Nevada in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Idella Best
Idella C. Best of North Eighth Street and formerly of Salem Township, died at Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 11:03 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the age of 90. Arrangements are pending at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home.
Walter Dirmeyer
Walter W. Dirmeyer, 4769 Ohio 182, Upper Sandusky, died at the Wyandot County Nursing Home at 11:50 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, 2003. He was 92. Born on March 4, 1911, in Eden Township, he was a son of William and Sarah (Tschanen) Dirmeyer. He married Mary Wolford on Nov. 27, 1945, in Sycamore. She died May 20, 2000. Surviving are a son, Charles, Upper Sandusky; three grandchildren, David, Elena, and Wesley; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Linda Rowland, Toledo. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Peggy Jean Traxler; two sisters, Ruth and Olbia; and two brothers, Robert and Benedict. Mr. Dirmeyer retired as a farmer in Eden Township. He attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Upper Sandusky. Mr. Dirmeyer was a 65-plus-year member of Nevada Masonic Lodge No. 343. He also was a member of the National Rifle Association, and enjoyed fishing, especially on Lake Erie, mushroom hunting and traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and Germany. The funeral is today at 2 p.m. at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Preston officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Masonic Lodge in Nevada in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Lowell Breidenbach
FOREST - Lowell Arden Breidenbach, Forest, died at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Friday, April 11, 2003. He was 82. A son of Harry and Mae (Woodward) Breidenbach, he was born in Hardin County, on Oct. 24, 1920. In 1942, he married Lois Robinson. She survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Connie Gillfillan of Kenton, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Arden; a twin brother, Lewis; and sister Rhonda Reed. A retired farmer, Mr. Breidenbach was an Army veteran, serving at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of Grant United Methodist Church, the Hardin County Farm Bureau and a lifetime member of the Forest V.F.W. Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m., at Price Funeral Home, in Kenton. Burial will be at Hueston Cemetery, in Forest. The Rev. Jeremy Gillfillan will officiate. Friends may visit 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Memorials may be made to Grant United Methodist Church Window Fund of Hardin Hospice Care.
Idella Best
Idella C. Best, 417 N. Seventh St., Upper Sandusky, formerly of Salem Township, died at Wyandot Manor Nursing Home, in Upper Sandusky, at 11:03 p.m. on Thursday April 10, 2003. She was 90. A daughter of John and Philomona (Wagner) Cornely, she born on Jan. 20, 1913, in Cincinnati. On Sept. 15, 1934, she married Virgel Best. He passed away July 13, 1991. Surviving are two sons, Whitney Best of Upper Sandusky and Gene Best of Findlay; two daughters, Marge Linhart of Findlay and Carol Frey of Upper Sandusky; a brother, James Cornely of Findlay; a sister, Berneda McMillan of Upper Sandusky; 17 grandchildren; and 24 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were two sisters, Jane Dreschel and Janet Bland; four brothers, Legora, Ed, Bert and Bobby; and one great grandchild. Mrs. Best was a homemaker and had been a cook for Our Lady of Consolation Retreat Center in Carey. She was a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem Township and most recently St. Peter Catholic Church. She was a member of CLC, Rosary Altar Society, and a social member of the Knights of Columbus in New Riegel. She enjoyed cards, cooking and traveling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church. The Rev. James Holmer will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem Township. Friends may visit at Bringman-Clark & Co. Funeral Home 2-5 p.m. Sunday. A biblical wake will be held Sunday at 4:45 p.m. followed by a CLC memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wyandot County, Hancock County Hospice, or St. Peter Catholic School, c/o Bringman-Clark & Co. Funeral Home, P.O. Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH, 43351.
Betty Pfeiffer
KENTON - Betty F. Pfeiffer, Kenton, died at her residence, Friday April 11, 2003, at 2:40 a.m. She was 64. A daughter of Leo and Golda (Salings) Meredith, she was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Edison County, Ky. On February 21, 1960, she married Donald Pfeiffer. He passed away Sept. 7, 2000. Surviving is a son, Todd Pfeiffer of Kenton; four daughters, Kim Miller of Orville, Sue Douglas and Tina McKee of Kenton, Amy Webb of Dola; two brothers, Eulas and Mendell Meredith of Kentucky; four sisters, Anna Mae Johnson of Arizona, Linda Newton and Priseilla Varner of Kentucky, and Sharon Seitz of Kenton; 16 grandchildren; and a companion, George Grohoske of Kenton. Preceding her in death was a son, Darrel; and four brothers, Alvin, Alton, Charles and Dale. A homemaker, Mrs. Pfeiffer was a member of Grant United Methodist Church and Women of the Moose. She enjoyed bowling, mushroom hunting, crocheting and gardening. Services will be Monday at 11 a.m., at Shields Funeral Home in Forest. The Rev. Jeremy Gillfillan will officiate. Burial will be at Grove Cemetery, in Kenton. Friends may visit 2-8 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to the Hardin County Cancer Society, the Hardin County Humane Society or Hardin Hospice Care.
Edwin Ritterspach
Edwin L. Ritterspach, formerly of County Highway 59, Nevada, and of Upper Sandusky for the past 14 years, died Saturday, April 12, 2003, at 3:05 a.m., at Wyandot Manor Nursing Home. He was 84. Born on May 20, 1918, in Antrim Township, he was a son of Lester and Mary Alice (Gordon) Ritterspach. He married Ruth de Alva Saffold on Jan. 7, 1944, in Lyons, Ga. She survives. Also surviving are a son, Carl, Medina; five daughters, Donna Cole, Dawsonville, Ga.; Judy Hall and Karen Ritterspach, both of Upper Sandusky; Jo Anne Wilson, Lebanon; and Cyndi Janeczek, Loudonville; 10 grandchildren, Sgt. James Robert Tayner; Zachary Ritterspach; Rebecca Ritterspach; Adam Ritterspach; Jason Hall; Beth Ricketts; Renee Wilson; Angie Carpenter; Jeremy Brown; and Haley Engard; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carey. A 1936 graduate of Nevada High School, Mr. Ritterspach earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio Northern University in 1940. He taught history and social studies at the Nevada School and in the Wynford School District for 34 years. He also drove a school bus for 27 years. Mr. Ritterspach was a veteran of World War II and of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army and attaining the rank of first lieutenant. A life-long member of Nevada Lutheran Church, Mr. Ritterspach was active in the choir for more than 70 years, and directed it for eight years. He taught Sunday school, served as Sunday school superintendent and also served on the church council. Mr. Ritterspach was a member of the Wyandot County Retired Teachers Association, American Legion Robert Case Post No. 462, a charter member of the Country Gentlemen Chorus and a former member of the Nevada Lions Club. He served on Nevada Village Council and was a member of the Crawford County Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Education Association and of the Side Door 4 Quartet, where he sang bass. Mr. Ritterspach enjoyed singing, photography, bird watching, reading history, especially about the Civil War, and watching sports, especially the Cleveland Indians and Browns. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Nevada Lutheran Church with the Rev. Robert Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted. Visitation is Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky, and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wyandot County or Nevada Lutheran Church in care of Lucas Funeral Home, P.O. Box 207, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Kenneth Baum
SYCAMORE - Kenneth W. Baum, 84, 6369 Ohio 103, Sycamore, died at his home at 2 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2003. A son of Clifford and Eva (Cavanaugh) Baum, he was born in Wyandot County on Nov. 19, 1918. He and Mildred Sims were married April 21, 1946. She died May 14, 1998. Surviving are a son, Paul, Sycamore; a daughter, Carol Bertholf, Mansfield; three grandchildren, Tammy and Lynn Stilwell, both of Oceola; and Tim Baum, Sycamore; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, William; and a brother, Robert. A 1937 graduate of Sycamore High School, Mr. Baum was a retired farmer. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of North Salem Lutheran Church in rural Upper Sandusky, where he sang in the Senior Choir for many years. Mr. Baum was a member of Sycamore American Legion Post No. 250, and of the Wyandot County Farm Bureau. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at North Salem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Tim Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in North Salem Cemetery where Sycamore American Legion Post No. 250 will conduct military graveside rites. Visitation is today from 6-9 p.m. at Walton-Moore Funeral Home in Sycamore, and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to North Salem Lutheran Church.
Clarence Webster
SYCAMORE - Clarence N. Webster of 8955 TH 1069, Box 24, McCutchenville, died at Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 8:25 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2003. He was 90. Born in Seneca County on March 28, 1913, he was a son of Ralph and Clara (Smith) Webster. He married Madeline Burkhardt on Jan. 1, 1935. She died Sept. 13, 1987. He married Marjorie Bloom on Dec. 3, 1988. She died Nov. 24, 1991. Surviving are five daughters, Darlene Rutledge, Shelbyville, Ky.; Deanna Miller, Republic; Miriam Roper, McCutchenville; Judy Kroeger, Toledo; and Linda Lawrence, Tiffin; a son, James, McCutchenville; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy Gottfried, Melmore; and Hazel Gottfried, Bryan. He was preceded in death by a son, Ralph; a grandson; and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Webster was a retired mechanic. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in McCutchenville. Mr. Webster went daily to Seneca County Commission on Aging for meals. He was a member of McCutchen Grange No. 2360. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Walton-Moore Funeral Home with the Rev. Roy Howell officiating. Burial will be in Rock Creek Cemetery in Seneca County. Visitation is at the funeral home from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Seneca County Commission on Aging or to the organization of the donor's choice.
Kathryn Shipman
Kathryn Shipman died Saturday, April 12, 2003, in Leawood, Kan. Born in Antrim Township in 1908, she was a daughter of Sherman and Matilda (Brandt) Klinger. She married Joseph Shipman, who died in 1977. Surviving are two daughters, Susan Worley, Del Mar, Calif.; and Martha Jo Andrews, McClain, Va.; a son, John Sherman, Chapel Hill, N.C.; five grandchildren, Karen and Andrea Worley, Joseph Shipman, and Eliza and Jonathan Andrews; and two sisters, Martha Jane Kipker, Bellefontaine; and Roma Lawrence, Upper Sandusky. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold, Dwight and George Klinger; and two sisters, Isabelle Eby and Florence Clark. A graduate of Nevada High School and Bowling Green State University, Mrs. Shipman taught elementary school at Nevada and Willoughby schools. Services will be conducted in Leawood, with internment at Nevada Cemetery at a later date.
Dorothy E. Beidelschies
SYCAMORE - Services for Dorothy E. Beidelschies of 7486 S. Ohio 53, McCutchenville, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Trinity United Church of Christ, McCutchenville. The Rev. Roy Howell will officiate. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, McCutchenville. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at Walton-Moore Funeral Home, Sycamore, and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Trinity UCC or the McCutchenville Volunteer Fire Department. Mrs. Beidelschies died in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2003. She was 83. Born on July 30, 1919, in Seneca Township, Seneca County, she was a daughter of Harvey and Bertha (Meyer) Shellhouse. On June 20, 1942, she married Carl Beidelschies, who died June 30, 1996. Surviving are three sons, David and James, both of rural McCutchenville; and Richard of Tiffin; a daughter, Margaret "Peg," rural McCutchenville; seven grandchildren, Thomas, James, Daniel, Donovan, Kyle, Christopher and Stacy; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Florence Palmer and Doris Simpson, both of rural McCutchenville. A brother, Arthur Shellhouse, is deceased. Mrs. Beidelschies was a homemaker who also helped with the family farm. The was a member of Trinity UCC, McCutchenville, and was a 1936 graduate of McCutchenville High School. She won many awards at the Seneca County Fair for her quilts. Gardening was a favorite pastime.
Thomas Bardon
Thomas F. Bardon, County Highway 55, Upper Sandusky, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at 1:15 p.m. at Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community. He was 83. Born in Upper Sandusky on Nov. 2, 1919, he was a son of Harry and Grace (Bower) Bardon. He married Ruth F. Wolf on March 20, 1941, in John Stewart United Methodist Church. She survives. Also surviving are a son, Robert, Upper Sandusky; a daughter, Barbara Ann Saull, Upper Sandusky; six grandchildren, Megan Myers; Jacob and Alex Bardon; and Sydney, Scott and Samantha Ruttmann; two stepgrandchildren, Jeremy and Tyson Saull; a great-grandchild; a stepgreat-grandchild; and a sister, Jane Bringman, Upper Sandusky. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Sue Bardon; and a twin brother, Richard. A 1937 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, Mr. Bardon was a lifetime farmer. He was a member of John Stewart United Methodist Church for more than 65 years. He was a member of the WTP Sunday school and Fidelitas class and served as a church trustee for a number of years. Mr. Bardon was a member of the Wyandot County Democratic Club, serving on its executive committee. In addition to farming, he enjoyed walking in the woods, reading, playing euchre, spending winters in Florida, bus trips, dinner theater plays and concerts, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns football and spending time with his family. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at John Stewart United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne Geissinger officiating. Graveside services will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date. Visitation is at Lucas Funeral Home Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., and at the church for an hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund 2000 of John Stewart United Methodist Church, Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community or the organization of the donor's choice in care of Lucas Funeral Home, PO Box 207, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Brandon Cross
SYCAMORE - Brandon N. Cross, 203 W. Seventh St., Sycamore, died at 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in a four-vehicle accident on U.S. 30 west of Upper Sandusky. He was 27. Arrangements are pending at Walton-Moore Funeral Home in Sycamore.
Julia Trautwein
FREMONT - Julia Helen Trautwein of Fremont, died Thursday afternoon, April 17, 2003, at her home at the age of 76. Born in Canton on April 3, 1927, she was a daughter of Cecil and Elsie (Eggleston) Foster. On June 21, 1958, she married Vernon Trautwein in Mansfield. He survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Janet Daniels, Fostoria; a son, Lynn Trautwein, Bettsville; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Gertrude Roberts, Orlando, Fla. She was preceded in death by a sister, Ilene Taylor. A 1945 graduate of Orrville High School, Mrs. Trautwein was a homemaker. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Fremont. Visitation is Saturday from 2-4 adn 6-8 p.m. at the Keller-Ochs-Koch Funeral Home, 416 S. Arch St., Fremont. Private graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date with the Rev. Doug Nagel officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Memorial Hospital or First Presbyterian Church.
Christina Lafontaine
FOSTORIA - Christina "Betty" Lafontaine of Alvada, died at 1 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2003, at Independence House, Fostoria. She was 85. Born in Seneca County on Oct. 29, 1917, she was a daughter of Michael and Emma (Hammer) Frankart. She married Simon C. Reinhart on March 4, 1935. He died July 30, 1953. She then married Lloyd F. Lafontaine on Dec. 29, 1956. He died Jan. 29, 1994. Surviving are three sons, Donald Reinhart, Alvada; Floyd Reinhart, Sycamore; and Dale Reinhart, Carey; two daughters, Carolyn Amburgey, Findlay; and Pat Stevens, Alvada; a stepson, Daniel Lafontaine, Elgin, S.C.; a stepdaughter, Judy Hucke, Carey; 37 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Frankart, Fostoria; and a sister, Corrine Williams, Fostoria. She was preceded in death by a son, Eugene Reinhart; a daughter, Mary Catherine Earl; two grandchildren, Steven Reinhart and Christina Jean Amburgey; three brothers, Alfred, Albert and Francis "Dutch" Frankart; and two sisters, Rita Smith and Mary Williams. A homemaker, Mrs. Lafontaine worked at Edgewood Manor in Fostoria for 11 years and at Penwood Motel in Alvada for 20 years. Mrs. Lafontaine was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Alvada, and of its Rosary Altar Society. She also was a member of New Riegel Right to Life, New Riegel American Legion Auxiliary and a life member of the Seneca County Farm Bureau. Mrs. Lafontaine was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, a sacristan of the church for many years and a lifetime caregiver. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Alvada, with the Rev. David Reinhart officiating. A rosary will be recited at 10:10 a.m., and burial will follow the Mass in St. Peter Parish Cemetery in Alvada. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Hoening Funeral Home in Fostoria, where a rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church, New Riegel Right to Life or Bridge Hospice.
