Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Helen Shafer
Helen Elizabeth Shafer, formerly of South Seventh Street, Upper Sandusky, and more recently of the Wyandot Manor Nursing Home, died at Wyandot Manor at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004. She was 102. Born in Pleasant Bend on Jan. 29, 1902, she was a daughter of Henry and Laura (Orem) Mootz. She married Ancel G. Shafer on Oct. 2, 1930, in Continental. He died July 23, 1991. Surviving are two nieces, Virginia Johansen, Albian, Mich.; and Joan Craig, Cincinnati; and a nephew, Bill Mootz, Louisville, Ky. She was preceded in death by six brothers, C.O., H.O., A.R., D.R. and Charles Mootz, and an infant; and three sisters, Loa Davidson and infant twins. Mrs. Shafer graduated from Continental High School in 1920, and obtained her teaching certificate from Defiance College. She and her husband owned and operated Shafer Insurance. In 1975, they sold the agency to Reid Insurance and retired. She had been a member of John Stewart United Methodist Church since 1945, and was active with the Welcome Couple Sunday school class and the Grace Davis Circle. Mrs. Shafer was a member of the Upper Sandusky Music Club, and enjoyed reading and listening to music. The funeral will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Geissinger officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Ridge Cemetery in Leipsic. Visitation will be at the funeral home for an hour before the service. Memorials may be made to the organization of the donorÕs choice in care of Lucas Funeral Home, PO Box 207, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Beulah Salyer
CAREY - Beulah Salyer, 212 W. Brown Ave., Carey, died at Eaglewood Care Center at 6:22 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004. She was 96. Arrangements are pending at Stombaugh-Batton Funer-al Home in Carey.
Martha Jane Mewhorter
Martha Jane Mewhorter, formerly of Salem Township and more recently of 408 Indian Drive, Upper Sandusky, died at Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 2:47 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004. She was 82. Born in Wyandot County on Feb. 21, 1921, she was a daughter of Gilbert S. and Bessie (Troup) Ellis. She married Russell L. Mewhorter on Aug. 16, 1942, in Upper Sandusky. He died Dec. 20, 1983. Surviving are two sons, Dennis and Bruce, Upper Sandusky; two daughters, Sue Zender, Carey; and Nancy Nocera, Upper Sandusky; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Virgina Lovingood, Scottsboro, Ala.; and a special friend, Kenneth Beard. She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas; three brothers, Joe, Rueben and Myron Ellis; and two sisters, Elizabeth McDaniels and Anna Myrtle Bookmyer. Mrs. Mewhorter retired in 1986 from the AAA Wyandot County Auto Club where she was office manager. She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she was a past council member, choir member, Sunday school teacher and officer of the women of the church. Mrs. Mewhorter volunteered at Wyandot Memorial Hospital and was a member of the hospital guild. She was a member of the Wyandot County Council on Aging and its board, Usando Literary Club, Wyandot County AARP and had been serving as treasurer of the Wyandot County Senior Citizens. Mrs. Mewhorter also was a former member of the Wyandot County Farm Bureau and Salem Grange. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jerry Elsholz officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation is at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, and at the church for an hour before the service Thursday. Memorials may be made to Wyandot Memorial Hospital, St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Wyandot County Senior Citizens in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Ervin Gottfried
Ervin E. Gottfried, formerly of County Highway 47 in Salem Township, and more recently of 701 Mission Drive, Upper Sandusky, died in the emergency room of Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 4:58 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004. He was 82. Born in Salem Township on July 17, 1921, he was a son of Walter S. and Meta Ida Marie (Gohl) Gottfried. He married Betty Shambaugh Weisenauer on April 17, 2001, in North Salem Lutheran Church. She survives. Also surviving are five stepsons, Dale, Jeffrey, Steven, Allen and Douglas Weisenauer; two stepdaughters, Lora Haddad and Barbara Munroe; and his guardian and tenants Jack and Carla Gottfried, Upper Sandusky. He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Gottfried. A 1939 graduate of the former Salem High School, Mr. Gottfried was a lifelong Salem Township grain and livestock farmer. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Pacific, Japan and China. He was a life member of North Salem Lutheran Church, and was chairman of the church cemetery committee for many years. He also participated in the dartball league. Mr. Gottfried was a member of the Wyandot Tracers, Sandusky Valley Archaeological Society and Wyandot County Beef CattlemenÕs Association. He also was a former director of the U.S. Commission Co. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at North Salem Lutheran Church with the Revs. Tim Schmidt and Jerry Elsholz officiating. Burial will be in Old Mission Cemetery. Visitation is at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home today from 5-8 p.m. and for an hour before the service Tuesday. Memorials may be made to North Salem Lutheran Church in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Diane D. Culver
Diane D. Culver, 69, of 348 1/2 W. Johnson St., Upper Sandusky, died at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus at 8:48 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2004. Born in Wharton on Sept. 20, 1934, she was a daughter of Galen and Beulah (Young) Kauble. She and Lawrence ŌLarryĶ Culver were married March 6, 1954. They later divorced. He survives in Upper Sandusky. Also surviving are a son, Rex, Sylvania; two daughters, Gayle Culver and Penny Culver, both of Spring, Texas; six grandchildren, John DeMayo, Leanne Dolson and Oliva, Nile, Noland and Lars Culver; a great-granddaughter; and a half brother, Harold Hayden, Punta Gorda, Fla. She was preceded in death by a half brother, Charles James Hayden. Ms. Culver attended Ohio University and was on the synchronized swim team. She retired as a customer services representative in 2001 from GTE/Verizon in Marion. Before that, she was a telephone operator in Upper Sandusky, and was an accounts payable/receivable clerk at Unison in Houston, Texas, from 1978-94. Ms. Culver also was part owner and staff member at the former Gas Lite Lounge and had worked for Koehler Drug Store. She attended John Stewart United Methodist Church. Ms. Culver enjoyed writing, reading and visiting the library, music, flowers, sewing, crocheting and making ceramics. She was a fan of Ohio State University football and enjoyed taking summer vacations at Drummond Island, Mich. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Geissinger officiating. Burial will be in Wharton-Richland Union Cemetery at a later date. Visitation is at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and before the service Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the Upper Sandusky Community Library or the American Cancer Society in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Lillian Vent
Lillian C. Vent, 6844 CH 61, Upper Sandusky, died at Wyandot Manor Nursing Home at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at the age of 91. A daughter of Anthony and Theresa (Scharf) Kill, she was born in Landeck on Feb. 9, 1913. She and Lawrence G. Vent were married in St. JohnÕs Catholic Church, Landeck, on Jan. 14, 1950. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas, Columbus; and James, Sunbury; a daughter, Joyce Vent, Columbus; two grandsons, Colin and Devin Vent; a brother, George Kill, Spencerville; and four sisters, Alfreda Gerdeman and Pauline Geise, Landeck; Alma Dampf, Los Angeles, Calif.; and Ladonna Bergen, Las Vegas, Nev. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon and Linus Kill; and two sisters, Marguerite Ellerbrock and Beatrice Bockey. A homemaker, Mrs. Vent worked as a housekeeper for several families. She had worked at GE in Tiffin, and Woolen Mill in Lima. She was formerly employed at Millington Plastic and retired from Bond Plastic in 1976. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, the Catholic Ladies of Columbia and the former Rosary Altar Society. Mrs. Vent was a volunteer for the St. Vincent DePaul Society, delivered meals to shut-ins, was a playground supervisor at St. Peter School and was on the dinner and prayer chain committee of the church. She enjoyed floral and vegetable gardening, baking, collecting recipes, reading and traveling. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church with Father Kent Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home from 2-4 and 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. A biblical scripture service will take place Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Peter School or the Wyandot County Home Health Agency in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Rita Keller
TIFFIN - Rita F. Keller, 80, of Tiffin, died at Elmwood Assisted Living at the Shawhan on Friday, Feb. 13, 2004. Born on July 26, 1923, in Tiffin, she was a daughter of Robert and Mabel (Bisner) Strausbaugh. She married James J. Smith, who died July 22, 1948. She then married Vernon J. Keller on April 20, 1968, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin. He died Feb. 25, 1997. Surviving are three stepsons, Allen Keller, Upper Sandusky; Harold Keller, Richmond, Va.; and Donald Keller, Raleigh, N.C.; a stepdaughter, Esther Lawrence, Reynoldsburg; 13 stepgrandchildren; and 16 stepgreat-grandchildren. A 1941 graduate of Calvert High School and a 1943 graduate of Tiffin University, Mrs. Keller was a secretary at American Standard for 40 years. She was a member St. Mary Catholic Church. Mrs. Keller was a member of the Alpha Iota Sorority and alumnae group and of Daughters of Isabella. She enjoyed bowling and traveling, and was a volunteer at St. Francis Home and Mercy Hospital of Tiffin in its gift shop. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church with the Rev. David Ross officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery, Upper Sandusky. Visitation is today from 4-8 p.m. at Hoffmann-Gottfried Funeral Home, Tiffin. There will be a wake service at 4:30 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to Calvert High School, Heartland Hospice or the organization of the donorÕs choice.
Alice Rostorfer
KENTON - Alice M. Rostorfer, 73, of Kenton, died at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton. Born in Kirby on June 2, 1930, she was a daughter of William J. and Christina E. (Hoer) Brewer. She married Russell R. Rostorfer Jr. on Oct. 28, 1950, in Angola, Ind. He died May 31, 2000. Surviving are three sons, Russell III, Kenton; Jerry, Marysville; and Gary, Harrod; three daughters, Glenna Furr, Kenton; June Boyer, Upper Sandusky; and Bonnie Moore, Bellefontaine; a stepdaughter, Diana Fish, Kenton; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Francis Brewer, Upper Sandusky; and three sisters, Mary Ratliff, Upper Sandusky; and Grace Benjamin and Florence Steele, both of Kenton. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin and Anthony Brewer; and a sister, Eilene McAdams. Mrs. Rostorfer worked at the DWG Cigar Factory in Lima many years ago and was a retired homemaker. She was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Kenton. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Schindewolf-Stevens-Stout Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Hess and Father James Csaszar officiating. Burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Kenton. Visitation is at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Hardin County Area Cancer and Heart Association.
Ashlyn Martin
FOREST - Ashlyn Brooke Martin, 103 S. Martin St., Forest, died at 5:16 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton. She was 2. Born in Toledo on Jan. 3, 2002, she was a daughter of Kevin D. and Melissa A. (Tinker) Martin. They survive in Forest. Miss Martin also is survived by a brother, Jevin Michael Martin, at home; two sisters, Alesha Renee Martin and Kelsay Brianne Martin, both at home; paternal grandparents Duane and Evelyn Martin, Forest; maternal grandparents, Russell and Irene Tinker, Forest; her paternal great-grandmother; and her maternal great-grandmother. The funeral will be Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Shields Funeral Home in Forest, with the Rev. Donald Clinger officiating. Burial will be in Hueston Cemetery, Forest. Visitation is Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati.
Joseph Yates
CAREY - Joseph Franklin Yates, 82, 204 Dow St., Carey, died at his residence at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004. Born on July 20, 1921, in Pedro, he was a son of Thurman and Missouri (Delaney) Yates. He married Mabel L. Justice on Sept. 13, 1947. She died April 21, 1999. Surviving are four daughters, Kathy Ruhlen, Karen Walton, Deborah Pergram and Penny Stephan, all of Carey; a son, Joseph Jr., Findlay; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dennis, Carey; and Roy Dallas, Henryville, Ind.; and a sister, Virgie Steen, Carey. He was preceded in death by six other brothers and sisters. Mr. Yates was a maintenance person at National Lime and Stone Co. in Carey. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was of Protestant faith. Mr. Yates was a life member of the Carey VFW. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Beach Funeral Home in Carey, with the Rev. Paul Goetz officiating. Burial will be in Zion Bloom Cemetery, south of Vanlue, where full military rites will be conducted by local veterans' organizations. Visitation is for an hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Carey EMS or the organization of the donor's choice.
Janice Linke
Janice K. Linke, formerly of Forest and more recently of Lakeview, died at 8:58 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine. She was 59. Born June 10, 1944 in Hardin County, she was a daughter of Marvin E. and Mabel (Mewhorter) Lamb. Her father survives in Forest. She married Edwin W. Linke on Jan. 27, 1993, and he survives. Also surviving are one son, Gregory Flowers, Findlay; a daughter, Bev Bowen, Mount Blanchard; two stepsons, Kyle Linke, Moyock, N.C.; and Scott Linke, Westerville; a stepdaughter, Kayla Schreckengost, Harlock, N.C.; two brothers, Maurice Lamb, Tiffin; and Doug Lamb, Kenton; a sister, Shirley Kneisley, Forest; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Lamb. Mrs. Linke was a 1962 graduate of Forest High School. She retired from Harris Corp. in Findlay. She was a former member of Grant United Methodist Church in Grant. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Shields Funeral Home, Forest, with the Rev. Karen A. Fourman officiating. Burial will be in Hueston Cemetery, Forest. Visitation is from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Heart of Indian Lake Rehab Center in Lakeview, Ohio.
James Shumaker
James F. Shumaker, 10323 CH 49, Upper Sandusky, died at Wyandot Memorial Hospital at 2 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2004. He was 70. Born in Wyandot County on Feb. 18, 1933, he was a son of Anthony P. and Dorothy (Finkle) Shumaker. He married June E. Hill, who died Dec. 23, 1982. He and Marlene L. (Strawser) Scheitler were married Oct. 29, 1998. She survives. Also surviving are four sons, Gary, Tiffin; Tony and Alan, Upper Sandusky; and Steven, Show Low, Ariz.; three daughters, Christine Stahl, Bucyrus; Linda Stansbery and June Larick, Upper Sandusky; three stepsons, Randall Scheitler, Columbus; Douglas Scheitler, Mount Gilead; Richard Scheitler, Nevada; a stepdaughter, Lori Pennington, Mount Gilead; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Richard, Upper Sandusky; and five sisters, Pat Berg, Dody Rowe and Dorothy Dible, Upper Sandusky; Rachel Rall, Crestline; and Sara Bader, Safety Harbour, Fla. He was preceded in death by a brother, William. A 1951 graduate of the former Salem Township School, Mr. Shumaker worked for 44 years at Mills Metal. He had been a shop foreman and retired as plant manager. He attended St. Peter Catholic Church. Mr. Shumaker was a member of AMVETS Post No. 777, Eagles Lodge No. 2184 and Knights of Columbus No. 2050. He enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, hunting, NASCAR, especially Dale Earnhardt, Ohio State football, camping, traveling, playing cards, telling jokes and his dog, Pumpkin. A Mass of Christian burial will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Kent Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is at Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home from 2-4 and 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, where a biblical scripture service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Wyandot County Heart Support Group or the tree fund of the Upper Sandusky parks in care of Bringman-Clark and Co. Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
Barry Frey
KIRBY - Barry Frey, 37, formerly of Kirby and more recently of Lehigh Acres, Fla., died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004. A memorial Mass is planned for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Kirby with a potluck dinner.
Dale Secord
FINDLAY - Dale J. Secord, 79, Van Buren, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. He was born March 16, 1924, in Marseilles, to Lester D. and Lena Mae (Davidson) Secord. On Feb. 23, 1946, he married Gale Wiltshire and they divorced. He then married Kathy Gogley on Oct. 31, 1978, in Findlay. She survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Teresa Secord, Kenton; a son, Joseph, Van Buren; and two brothers, Ramon, Findlay; Robert, Topeka, Kan. He was preceded in death by a son, Bradley Dale; and two sisters, Patricia Larson and Marilyn Coats. A 1942 graduate of Marseilles High School, Mr. Secord was a U.S. Army veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He worked for Douglas Guardian Warehouse Corp. in Detroit, as an auditor. Mr. Secord was a former member of the Elks in Findlay. The funeral was Wednesday at Routson Funeral Chapel in Findlay, with the Rev. Dan Young officiating. Burial was in Bechtel Cemetery, Van Buren, with military honors conducted by the Hancock County Veterans' Memorial Squad.
Wilma Korb
SYCAMORE - Wilma Ernestine Korb, formerly of Bloomville, died at Altercare of Bucyrus at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004. She was 87. Born in Leo County, Ind., on Sept. 2, 1916, she was a daughter of the Rev. Ernest J. and Lula M. (Erwin) Maupin. She married Howard E. Korb on Aug. 5, 1950. He died April 27, 1990. Surviving are four sons, Philip, Belleville, Ill.; Daniel and Samuel, Apopka, Fla.; and James, Elliston, Va.; two daughters, Patricia Korb, Elliston, Va.; and Wilma Korb, Bucchannan, Va.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters. A graduate of the Chicago School of Nursing, Mrs. Korb was a practical nurse, caregiver and homemaker. She was a member of Our Masters Chapel in Benton, and also of Hall Methodist Church in Elliston, Va. Mrs. Korb enjoyed working in her garden and canning vegetables and fruits. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Walton-Moore Funeral Home, Sycamore, with the Rev. Charles McGlone officiating. Burial will be in Benton Cemetery, Crawford County. Visitation is Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alex Kanode Memorial Fund in care of First National Bank, 105 Arbor Drive, Christiansburg VA 24073.
Carol Stewart
FOREST - Carol Sue Stewart, 418 W. Dixon St., Forest, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 18, 2004, at her home at the age of 56. Born in Crawford County on March 5, 1947, she was a daughter of Lawrence and Pauline (Parks) Hotelling. She married John F. Stewart on March 26, 1976. He survives. Also surviving are her mother in Upper Sandusky; two sons, Chard and Eric, Findlay; two stepsons, Jim, Wharton; and Jeff, Kenton; a stepdaughter, Julie Hollis, El Paso, Texas; a grandson; four stepgranddaughters; two stepgrandsons; two brothers, Delno Hotelling, Toledo; and Basil Hotelling, Upper Sandusky; and a sister, Sharon Pletcher, Marion. She was preceded in death by her father, a sister, Frida Wells; and a brother, Thomas Hotelling. Mrs. Stewart was a nurse's aide at Wyandot Manor Nursing Home in Upper Sandusky. She attended Heritage Christian Union Church in Forest. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Heritage Christian Union Church with the Rev. Mark Bishop officiating. Burial will be in Hueston Cemetery, Forest. Visitation is at Shields Funeral Home in Forest from 4-8 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to the Hardin County Heart Association, Hardin County Cancer Society or the Wyandot Manor Nursing Home.
