Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Laura Ruffing
CAREY - Laura Jean Ruffing, 4353 TR 98, Carey, died at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at Blanchard Regional Health Care Center, Findlay. She was 60. Born May 6, 1943, in Carey, Mrs. Ruffing was a daugher of Albert S. and Hulda M. (Kentfield) Bentz. She married Samuel J. Ruffing Oct. 31, 1964, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, and he survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Rhonda Pitts, Julie Walter and Lisa Bakies, all of Carey; a son, Charles, Fostoria; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Joan Thompson and Mary Blair, both of Carey. She was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Eddington. Mrs. Ruffing was a housewife. She was a 1961 graduate of Carey High School and a member of the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Basilica, the Rev. Leo Kennedy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Carey. Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, Carey, where a Scripture service will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Dorcas Carey Public Library in care of Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay St., Carey, OH 43316.
Timothy Smith
FREMONT - Timothy Robert Smith, rural Tiffin, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the age of 55. A son of Wilbert and Helen Rose (Beier) Smith, Fremont, he was born on Aug. 24, 1948. He and Diane Beier were married on Dec. 22, 1972, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fremont, by the Rev. Benjamin Ringholtz. She survives. Also surviving are a son, Hans, Houston, Texas; a daughter, Heidi Tyson, Manassas, Va.; his parents; two brothers, David, Columbus; and Thomas, Bucyrus; and two sisters, Kathleen Gerber, Temperance, Mich.; and Karen Muirhead, Port Clinton. A 1966 graduate of Fremont St. Joseph High School, Mr. Smith served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, being honorably discharged as an EN-3 in 1970. He then attended Spartan School of Aeronautics, obtaining an airframe and powerplant license in 1972, and went to work in jet engine maintenance at Toledo Business Airport. Mr. Smith also worked at Tiffin Enterprise in maintenance until he helped start up the Stroh Can Plant (the future American National Can) in Fremont. His latest employment was with Advanced Organics in Upper Sandusky. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin. Mr. Smith enjoyed woodworking, golfing, antique cars and airplanes, traveling to Europe and spending time with his family. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation is Thursday at Wonderly-Horvath Funeral Home, Fremont, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic School, Tiffin.
Violet Risner
CAREY - Violet Ruth Risner, 8058 West CR 59, Carey, died at Tiffin Mercy Hospital at 11:32 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2004. She was 76. Born in Mount Blanchard on Nov. 3, 1927, she was a daughter of Harry E. and Glaydes (Nichols) Orwick. She married Monroe Risner on April 4, 1951. He survives. Also surviving are nine children, Robert, Sycamore; Lorena Gibson, Wawaka, Ind.; Sheila Simon, Findlay; Brenda Risner, Carey; Duane, Berwick; Dwight, Fostoria; Pamela Donelson, Sycamore; Rhonda Risner, Carey; and Rita Shellhorn, Sycamore; 24 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dennis Orwick, Carey. She was preceded in death by a son, Roger; four sisters; and three brothers. Mrs. Risner graduated from the former Salem High School in 1954. She was a homemaker. Private graveside services will be held in Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey, with the Rev. Harold Bowling officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Findlay District, or the American Heart Association in care of Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay St., Carey OH 43316.
Barry Frey
LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - Barry M. Frey, 37, formerly of Kirby, and more recently of Lehigh Acres, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004. Born in Kenton on Feb. 2, 1966, he was the son of Edwin "Bud" and Iola (Saalman) Frey. Surviving are his wife, Katrina; two children, Brandon and Adriana; his mother; two brothers, Bill and Duane Frey, Ohio; three sisters, Vera Gobrecht and Becky Bower, both of Ohio; and Yvonne Kirdy, Punta Gorda, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father. A resident of Lehigh Acres since 1979, Mr. Frey graduated from Edison Community College and was employed by Saftronics Inc. for the past 17 years as an applications engineer. Graveside services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Lee Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Katrina Frey in trust for Brandon and Adriana Frey, PO Box 1808, Lehigh Acres FL 33970. Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory, Fort Myers, Fla., is handling arrangements.
Tom Ritterspach
Tom E. "Redbird" Ritterspach, 439 N. Third St., Upper Sandusky, died at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, at 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2004. He was 87. Born in Wyandot County on March 2, 1916, he was a son of Henry and Mary (Wilson) Ritterspach. He married Mary Janet Sweigard on March 2, 1941, in Upper Sandusky. She died Aug. 22, 1976. Surviving are a son, William, Upper Sandusky; a daughter, Phyllis McFarland, Dublin; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Hale, Indianapolis, Ind.; and his special friend, Beulah Hoerr, Upper Sandusky. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara McKenzie; two sisters, Grace Stowe and Ruth Cook; and three brothers, Robert, Howard and Ralph. Mr. Ritterspach graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1934, and retired as owner/operator of U.S. Construction Co. He was a former co-owner of Upper Asphalt Co., and worked his entire life in blacktop, paving and road building businesses. Mr. Ritterspach served in the U.S. Army during World War II in an anti-aircraft division in France and Germany. He was a 50-year member of First Lutheran Church. Mr. Ritterspach was a member of American Legion Post No. 225, VFW No. 2842, Moose Lodge No. 1093, Warpole Masonic Lodge No. 176, McCutchen Chapter No. 96, Upper Sandusky Council No. 98 and a life member of Elks No. 83. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and vegetable gardening, especially onions, tomatoes and corn. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Julianne Smith officiating. Burial will be in Old Mission Cemetery, where local veterans' organizations will conduct military graveside rites. Visitation is at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and an Elks memorial service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday. Visitation also will be at the church Friday for an hour before the service. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Arthur Shellhouse
SYCAMORE - Arthur L. Shellhouse, 3552 TH 10, Sycamore, died at his home at 6:38 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. He was 89. A son of Henry Ray and Anna (Burns) Shellhouse, he was born in Crawford County on March 6, 1914. He and Lola Belle Leonberger were married Nov. 30, 1939. She died Nov. 16, 2002. Surviving are three daughters, Jean Chaney, rural Sycamore; Mary Jo Wolf, Columbus; and Janet Robinson, rural Sycamore; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert, rural Sycamore. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell and Forrest. Mr. Shellhouse was a retired farmer and also had worked at General Electric in Tiffin. He was a member of the Sycamore United Church of Christ. Mr. Shellhouse was a member of the Belgian Draft Horse Association and of the Mohawk Historical Society. He enjoyed Belgian horses and his dogs. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Walton-Moore Funeral Home in Sycamore, with the Rev. Diane Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sycamore. Visitation is Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Sycamore United Church of Christ, the Mohawk Historical Society or the Wyandot County Home Health Agency.
Frances Tennihill
Frances A. "Fran" Tennihill, 519 W. Guthrie Drive, Upper Sandusky, died at 5:51 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at her residence. She was 63. Born in Grier, Ky., on March 1, 1940, she was a daughter of Dorsa W. and Nell P. (Wells) Byrd. She married David Tennihill on Sept. 10, 1994. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Jeffrey Ryckman, Bellville, Mich.; Master Sgt. Curtis Ryckman, McQuire AFB, N.J.; a stepdaughter, Ginnette Clark, Gibsonburg; a granddaughter, Jennifer Ryckman; three stepgrandchildren; two brothers, Jack Byrd, Harrodsburg, Ky.; and Alfred Byrd, Lexington, Ky.; and a sister, Elizabeth Byrd, Detroit, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Tennihill retired in January 2003 as a teller at First Citizens National Bank after 17 years of service. She also had been employed for 10 years at The Detroit Bank and Trust in Detroit. She was a past president and life member of VFW Auxiliary No. 2842 and a life member of the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., and of AMVETS No. 777 Auxiliary. She was a member of Women of the Moose and Friends of the Library. Mrs. Tennihill enjoyed reading history and mystery books, working crossword puzzles, music and dancing, cooking and growing roses, irises, glads and summer geraniums. She loved to travel the United States and abroad, especially Germany and England. She also collected heart-shaped containers. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home with the Rev. Cathy Wirth officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday from 1-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Upper Sandusky Community Library, Hospice of Wyandot County or Wyandot Memorial Hospital in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Delaphine Russell
WARSAW - Delaphine Tressa "Peanie" Russell, 75, of West Smith Street died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community. She was born Jan. 1, 1929, in Reed City, Mich., to Perry Foster Sr. and Teressa (Rogers) Herring. She married Ernest M. Russell on April 18, 1947. He died Dec. 4, 1999. Surviving are a son, Chuck, Warsaw; a daughter, Carol Stewart, Forest; three grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and eight stepgreat-grandchildren; four sisters, Ivoline Todd, Reed City, Mich.; Mary Spaugh, Paris, Mich.; Deloris Wood, Clovis, N.M.; and Sharon Marcellus, Slottville, Mich; and four brothers, Perry Herring, Elkhart, Ind.; Dale Herring, Reed City; Norman Herring, Cadillac, Mich.; and Larry Herring, Reed City. Mrs. Russell owned and operated E&C Well Service with her husband. Visitation is Saturday from 3-8 p.m. at Fischer Funeral Home, 412 E. Main St., Warsaw, where services will be held at 8 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Hannah officiating. Graveside services will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Forest.
Alma Alberry
Alma M. Alberry, formerly of Newark and more recently of Upper Sandusky, died at Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at the age of 90. A daughter of Howard and Edna Mae (Daugherty) Wallace, she was born in Columbus on Aug. 6, 1913. She married Clyde Groce, who preceded in death. She then married Herbert Humbert, who also preceded her in death. She married Thomas Alberry, who preceded her in death. Surviving are a daughter, Edna Jacks, Upper Sandusky; three stepsons, Dale Alberry, Newark; Neil Alberry, Madison, Ala.; and Gary Humbert, Newark; a stepdaughter, Carolyn Bentley, Newark; four grandchildren, Olen Jacks, Newark; Walter Jacks, Marion; Juanita McCort, Newark; and Clyde Jacks, Jacksontown; seven stepgrandchildren, Gail Tracy, Corral Miller, Jeanette O'Neal, June Bunnell, Neil Alberry, Rhonda Vanoy and Rhoda Wallace; 21 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; a nephew; and two nieces. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard Wallace Jr. and Walter Wallace; a sister, Beatrice Ludwig; and a stepsister, Gladys Smith. A 1931 graduate of Central High School in Columbus, Mrs. Alberry was a homemaker and also helped out on the family farm when she was married to Mr. Groce. She attended the Apostolic Gospel Church in Upper Sandusky, and was active in the adult Sunday school class. Mrs. Alberry enjoyed reading the Bible, crocheting and volunteering. She also enjoyed visiting the other Fairhaven residents. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Apostolic Gospel Church with the Rev. Greg Hord officiating. Graveside services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. in Hanover Cemetery east of Newark. Visitation is Friday from 6-9 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky, and for an hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community or to the organization of the donor's choice in care Lucas Funeral Home, PO Box 207, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Carol Sturch
CAREY - Carol June Sturch, formerly of Chicago and Carey and more recently of The Heritage Nursing Home in Findlay, died at the nursing home at 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004. She was 81. Born in Carey on March 3, 1922, she was a daughter of Ernest and Rose (Updegraft) Shane. She married Edward Sturch in 1972. He died in 1995. Two sisters, Marilyn Huston, Carey; and Clair Shane, Cleveland, survive. Mrs. Sturch was a waitress and an artist. She was involved in World War II in the U.S. Navy WAVES. She attended Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Mrs. Sturch was a member of the American Legion in Chicago. The body has been cremated and graveside services will be held at a later date. Beach Funeral Home in Carey is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Carl Yates
CAREY - Carl Dennis Yates, 48, Bettsville, died at his residence at 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004. A son of Dennis J. and Patricia L. (Williams) Yates, he was born in Upper Sandusky on May 7, 1955. He is survived by his companion, Ruth Hites; his father and stepmother, Sue Yates, both of Carey; a sister, Jean Ann Ricksecker, Columbus; and four half sisters, Betsy Messmer, Julia Gossman and Sara Yates, all of Carey; and Diana Walker, Findlay. He was preceded in death by his mother. Mr. Yates was a U.S. Army veteran, and member of American Legion Post No. 344 in Carey. He attended Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Carey. The body has been cremated and graveside rites will be held at a later date in Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey. Visitation will be private. Beach Funeral Home in Carey is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Dorcas Carey Public Library.
Gail Waggy
NEVADA - Gail R. Waggy, 74, of Bucyrus died at his home at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004. A son of Howard and Oakey (Moore) Waggy, he was born in Antrim Township on Aug. 3, 1929. He married Eugenia Fackler on Sept. 23, 1949, in Nevada. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Russell, King George, Va.; and Jeff, Nevada; two daughters, Sue Hemmerly and Cynthia Fruth, both of Bucyrus; 10 grandchildren, Michelle Horsley, Bucyrus; Mark Hemmerly, Bucyrus; Trista Conjelko, Huntersville, N.C.; Ron Zimmer Jr., Oak Island, N.C.; Brian Waggy, Mooresville, N.C.; Chris Waggy, Nevada; Brittany Zeger, Nevada; Cody Zeger, Nevada; Kyle Rollins, King George; and Nikki Rollins, King George; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Dean Waggy, Harpster; and three sisters, June Brewer, Nevada; Beulah Miller, Lakeview; and Linda Swartz, Nevada. Mr. Waggy attended Wyandot and Harpster schools. He owned and operated Waggy Drywall for more than 40 years, retiring in 1991. Mr. Waggy enjoyed fishing, NASCAR, especially Jeff Gordon, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren and family. Graveside services will be held in Nevada Cemetery on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bill Wert officiating. Visitation is Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Nevada. Memorials may be made to Homecare Matters Hospice or the Bucyrus Township Fire Department in care of Lucas Funeral Home, PO Box 98, Nevada OH 44849.
Mary Lortz
CAREY - Mary A. Lortz, 1601 Ohio 568, Carey, died at her home at 9 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004. She was 73. Born in Carey on Sept. 19, 1930, she was a daughter of Arden P. and Ruth G. (Long) Heilman. She married Elgin Bayes on March 1, 1947. They later divorced. She and Fordyce H. Lortz were married on May 26, 1973. He survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Jennifer Mohr, Carey; three sons, Danny Bayes and Roger Bayes, Carey; and David Bayes, Fostoria; two stepsons, Roger Lortz, Carey; and Gary Lortz, Findlay; 11 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and a brother, Ronald Heilman, Upper Sandusky. She was preceded in death by three granddaughters. A 1948 graduate of Carey High School, Mrs. Lortz was a retired church secretary. She was affiliated with Grace United Methodist Church, Carey. Mrs. Lortz was a member of the United Methodist Women, Carey Women's Club, Carey Food Pantry, Mary Martha Class and the Wesleyan Guild. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Sharrett officiating. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Carey. Visitation is at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home on Tuesday, from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. It also will be for an hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Carey Food Pantry or the Dorcas Carey Public Library in care of Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay St., Carey OH 43316.
John Lind
John C. Lind, 137 Sycamore St., Upper Sandusky, died at the Wyandot County Nursing Home at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 2004. He was 94. Born in New Denhoff, Russia, on Nov. 11, 1909, he was a son of William and Katherine (Stoll) Lind. He married Lucille E. McPike on Nov. 12, 1930. She died Aug. 6, 1979. He and Joan Davis were married on March 10, 1986. She survives. Also surviving are a son, C. James, Galion; two daughters, Donna Schlorb, Upper Sandusky; and Sharon Harpst, Galion; two stepdaughters, Debra Davidson, Bloomville; and Pamela Bowen, Upper Sandusky; six grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and eight stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Henry, Phillip and Edward; and three sisters, Lydia, Mary and Emma. Mr. Lind retired as a sales representative after 50 years for Kirby Vacuum Cleaners, a division of Scott and Fetzer Manufacturer Co. He distributed to several Ohio counties and won many top salesman awards. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, having spent 32 months in the South Pacific on the Navy ship ATR as a diver. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mr. Lind was a life member of Elks Lodge No. 83, the American Legion Post No. 225 and VFW Post No. 2842. He enjoyed being with people, playing cards and was a Cleveland Browns fan. He visited the Browns training camp every year and at one time, knew members of the team personally. Graveside services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Sycamore, with the Rev. Jerry Elsholtz officiating. Local veterans' organizations will conduct military graveside rites. Memorials may be made to the Wyandot County Nursing Home in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Lois Staats
CAREY - Lois A. Staats, 309 Miller St., Sycamore, died at Fairhaven Retirement and Health Care Community at 1:55 a.m. today. She was 69. Arrangements are pending at Stombaugh-Batton Funer-al Home in Carey.
Goldia Molnar
Goldia Mae Molnar died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004, at Wyandot Manor Nursing Home. She was 93. Born Aug. 3, 1910, in Cygnet, Mrs. Molnar lived most of her life in Lorain, moving to Upper Sandusky several years ago. She married Ernest S. Molnar, and he died in 1962. Surviving are a son, Charles S., Upper Sandusky; a brother, Charles L. Thompson, Elyria; a sister, Margaret Zimmerman, Wellington; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Molnar was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald and Ernest; a brother, William Thompson; two sisters, Doris Potchurek and Leora Walter; and a great-grandson, Jason Molnar. Mrs. Molnar retired in 1974 after 30 years with General Industries in Elyria. She was an edger. She later worked at the front desk of Kennedy Plaza in Lorain for 22 years. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in Lorain and Knights of St. John Auxiliary since 1930. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing bingo and watching the Cleveland Indians. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home, 2920 Broadway, Lorain, the Rev. Luis Maldonado officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from noon until the time of services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Carla Lopez
Carla Vanessa Lopez died at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2004, at Toledo Children's Hospital. She was 1 day old. Born on Feb. 6, 2004, at Wyandot Memorial Hospital, she was a daughter of Guadalupe Lopez-Hernadez of Upper Sandusky. She survives. Also surviving is her maternal grandmother, Elvia Hernadez of Jumiltepec, Mexico. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lucas Funeral Home. Burial will be in Old Mission Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the organization of the donor's choice in care of Lucas Funeral Home, PO Box 207, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
