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Date of these obituaries: 10-19-1999
Edna Mae Rasche, secretary to founder of Kroger groceries
Edna Mae Rasche of Woodlawn had to accept responsibility early on.
And the lessons she learned were evident throughout her life as she distinguished herself as a wife and mother, a responsible employee and a civic-minded citizen.
Mrs. Rasche died Wednesday night at the Newport Baptist Convalescent Center. She was 91.
She was born in an area of Campbell County that eventually was incorporated as Woodlawn, and lived there all her life.
"She grew up three doors away from where she raised her family," said a son, Terry Rasche of Woodlawn.
Mrs. Rasche's father died when she was 12, so her mother was forced to go to work in an overall factory in Newport. That left Mrs. Rasche, the oldest of the children, to care for two younger sisters.
Mrs. Rasche learned office skills like typing and shorthand during a two-year commercial course at the former Our Lady of Providence in Newport, a Catholic girls school.
The training stood her in good stead when she took a job with Barney Kroger, the founder of the Kroger supermarket chain. She worked in payroll and bookkeeping and eventually became Kroger's personal secretary.
Mrs. Rasche then became the personal secretary of Sarah Weston, a wealthy lady noted for her philanthropy, most notably to the Cincinnati Association of the Blind. Mrs. Rasche also worked as a secretary to Mrs. Weston's son, Cincinnati attorney Harris Weston, founder of the Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati.
Mrs. Rasche stopped working outside her home to rear five children. She was a fantastic cook and talented seamstress, Terry Weston said.
He said his mother made many of her clothes and her children's clothes, and took a healthy pride in her work.
"If we went to church and got behind somebody wearing a store-bought shirt," Terry Rasche said, "she would say afterward, 'Did you see that the cloth didn't match up where the sleeves came out on the back of the shoulders'?
"We would tease her and tell her to pay attention in church."
Mrs. Rasche's husband, Joseph H. Rasche, was among the founders of the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department more than 50 years ago, and Mrs. Rasche became active in the ladies auxiliary, which raised money for the firefighters.
Mrs. Rasche's husband died in 1996. They were married
63 years.
Besides Terry Rasche, Mrs. Rasche's survivors include daughters, Joan McGrath of Phoenix, Ariz., Marlene McCabe of Point Lookout, N.Y., and Beverly Jansen of Fort Wright; a son, James Rasche of Miami, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony Church in Bellevue. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, 401 E. 20th St., Covington, Ky. 41014; or St. Anthony Christian Service Committee, 320 Poplar St., Bellevue, Ky. 41073.
Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home in Newport is handling arrangements.
Hilde Aldridge, 69, of Maysville, died at 4 p.m. Sunday at Meadowview Regional Medical Center in Maysville. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Henry Aldridge Jr.; a stepson, Larry Aldridge of Aberdeen, Ohio; stepdaughters, Martha Aldridge and Peggy Brooks, both of Lexington; a sister, Helen Thompson of Waynesville, Mo.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Private graveside services will be at the convenience of the family. Brell and Son Funeral Home, Maysville, is handling arrangements.
Richard G. Billiter, 43, of Cincinnati, formerly of Dry Ridge, died at 1:45 p.m. Monday at University Hospital in Cincinnati.
Arrangements are pending at Stith Funeral Home, Florence.
Howard H. Bowen, 74, of Independence, died at 8:45 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. He was a retired sausage maker with E. A. Kohl Co., a Mason and a member of the Past Masonic Masters Association and the Scottish Rite.
Survivors include his wife, Naomi Bowen; a daughter, Linda Cummins of Independence; a son, Randy Bowen of Independence; a sister, Naomi Morgan of Rockholds; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Independence. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Masonic services at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Burns Institute, 3229 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.
Denver Bruce Jr., 72, of Covington, died at 12:15 a.m. Oct. 11 at St. Luke Hospital West, Florence. He was a dry cleaner.
Survivors include a son, Mark Bruce of Winchester; daughters, Linda Bruce and Sandy Bruce, both of Winchester; a sister, Martha Long of Winchester; and three grandchildren.
Services will be at the convenience of the family. Mr. Bruce bequeathed his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Catchen Funeral Home, Covington, is handling arrangements.
James L. Davenport, 86, of Florence, died Monday at St. Luke Hospital West, Florence. He was a retired clerk with the Newport Post Office and a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Newport, Newport Masonic Lodge No. 358 F&AM and Indra Consistory Scottish Rite in Covington.
Survivors include a daughter, Jane Davenport of Crescent Springs; a son, Dr. Michael Davenport of Taylor Mill; a sister, Joyce Webb of Largo, Fla.; and two grandchildren.
No services are planned. Memorials are suggested to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 10901 Reed Hartman Highway, Suite 202, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242. Stith Funeral Home, Florence, is handling arrangements.
Leo A. Fleckinger, 59, of Independence, died Saturday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. He was a retired salesman with Lazarus Department Store and a member of Mary Queen of Heaven Church, Erlanger.
Survivors include his wife, Marianne Fleckinger; sons, Michael Fleckinger and Martin Fleckinger, both of Florence, and Bobby Orr of Erlanger; daughters, Margie Kuechler of Independence, Melanie Mounce of Alexandria and Janice Lubbers of Erlanger; a brother, Jerry Fleckinger of Union; 17 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Mary Queen of Heaven Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Fort Mitchell. Memorials are suggested to Mary Queen of Heaven Church, 1130 Donaldson Highway, Erlanger, Ky. 41018.
Edward Flickinger, 85, of Morning View, died Monday at his residence.
Arrangements are pending at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Independence.
Thomas "Dean" Frielden, 62, of Covington, died Monday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood.
Arrangements are pending at Allison and Rose Funeral Home, Covington.
Paul Daniel Geise, 63, of Crescent Springs, died at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. He was a parts service manager with ITT Co. in Cincinnati and a member of St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs, and Kehoe Council Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Gay Salmon Geise; sons, Phillip Daniel Geise of Louisville, Charles Edward Geise of Ludlow and Christopher Michael Geise of Columbus, Ohio; daughters, Rebecca Ann Aud of Philpot and Patricia Marie Bradley of Columbus, Ohio; brothers, Carl Geise of Monfort Heights, Ohio, Jerome Geise of Union and Thomas Geise of Edgewood; sisters, Martha Winterhalter of Cincinnati, Margaret Goetz of Crescent Springs, Dorothy Geise and Virginia Geise, both of Fort Wright, and Mary Ruth Hammann of Erlanger; and seven grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial was this morning at St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs. Burial was in Mother of God Cemetery, Fort Wright. Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home, Ludlow, is handling arrangements.
Mary Greta Moss, 81, of Elsmere, died at 2:50 p.m. Sunday at Florence Park Care Center in Florence. She was a retired employee of Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan Co., Cincinnati, and a member of St. Henry Church Altar Society, Elsmere.
Survivors include a brother, Marvin Moss of Edgewood; nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Henry Church, Elsmere. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Thursday. Entombment will be in St. Mary Mausoleum, Fort Mitchell. Memorials are suggested to St. Henry High School, 3755 Scheben Drive, Erlanger, Ky. 41018; in the form of Masses; or to charity. Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger, is handling arrangements.
Mona Jean Murphy, 71, of Covington, died at 11:40 p.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth North Hospice Unit in Covington. Her husband, John T. Murphy, died in 1993.
Survivors include daughters, Michele Neel of Junction City, Kan., and Julia Richerson of Dallas; sons, Bill Murphy of Lebanon and Jack Murphy of Florence; a sister, Mary Ann Fisher of Fort Thomas; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Church, Latonia. Rosary service will begin there at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Murphy bequeathed her body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit/Pastoral Care, 401 E. 20th St., Covington, Ky. 41014.
Bedford Nelson, 63, of Independence, died Sunday at Florence Park Care Center in Florence. He was a retired distribution specialist with Rockwell International and a deacon and usher with Calvary Baptist Church in Latonia.
Survivors include his wife, Cymantha Campbell Nelson; a son, Andrew Nelson of Kingsport; and brothers, Clifford Nelson of Middletown, Ohio, and Johnny Nelson of Lake City, Tenn.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Florence. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erlanger. Memorials are suggested to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, West Southern and Tibbatts Ave., Covington, Ky. 41015.
Bonnie L. Nicholas, 54, of Alexandria, died Saturday at her home. She was an employee of Dixie Chili in Newport.
Survivors include sisters, Nancy Cundiff of Highland Heights, Nellie Cain of Carthage, Debra Sullens of Moreno, Calif., and Sheree Short of Alexandria; nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Radel Funeral Home, Highland Heights. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate.
Leona Mae Hammons Prince, 76, of Covington, died at 2 p.m. Saturday at her home. She was a retired elementary school teacher with Kenton County Schools and tutored children in her home. Her husband, Earnest Prince, died Sept. 7.
Survivors include a daughter, Pam Stanley of Erlanger; brothers, Avery Hammons of Detroit and Joe C. Hammons of Morning View; a sister, Sarah Judge of Baraboo, Wis.; and two grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Allison and Rose Funeral Home, Taylor Mill. Visitation will begin there at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to New Life Tabernacle, 2961 Ernst Lane, Hebron, Ky. 41048.
Tony Santini, 70, of Bellevue, died Sunday at his home. He was a route driver with Jack Snodgrass Beer Distributing Co. and a former security guard with Northern Kentucky University and Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of John R. Little VFW Post No. 3186 in Southgate and a former member of Lawler Hanlon VFW Post No. 5662, Newport. A daughter, Josephine Santini, and a son, Rick Santini, preceded him in death.
Survivors include daughters, Paula Bullard of Cincinnati and Annette Lewis of Bellevue; sons, George Santini of Newport and John Santini of Alexandria; sisters, Antoinette Howard and Frances Roach, both of Cold Spring, Joyce Mardis and Angie Menninger, both of Newport, and Patricia Owens of Highland Heights; brothers, Frank Santini of Erlanger, Joe Santini of Highland Heights and John Santini of Newport; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas Church, Fort Thomas. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Dobbling Funeral Home, Fort Thomas. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 7730 U.S. 42, Suite C6, Florence, Ky. 41042.
Clara Ann Schmitz, 101, of Villa Hills, died at 6 p.m. Saturday at Madonna Manor NursingHome in Villa Hills. She was a homemaker. Her husband, Charles Schmitz, died in 1973.
Survivors include daughters, Virginia Billiter of Covington and Lorraine Wieghaus of Paramus, N.J.; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Madonna Manor Chapel, Villa Hills. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Mother of God Cemetery, Fort Wright. Catchen Funeral Home, Elsmere, is handling arrangements.
Mary C. Simmins, 70, of Dayton, died at 9:24 p.m. Sunday at her home. She was a homemaker and a member of American Legion Post No. 123 in Norwood, Ohio, the Railroad Expo in Latonia and the 55 Club of St. Bernard Church in Dayton. Her husband, Louis F. Simmins, died in 1997.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Louise Spencer of Parker, Colo.; sons, Robert L. Simmins of Dayton, Edward J. Simmins of Monument, Colo., Thomas C. Simmins of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and James D. Simmins of Hamilton, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be at noon Wednesday at St. Bernard Church, Dayton. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Mother of God Cemetery, Fort Wright.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northern Kentucky, 1403 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, Ky. 41075. Catchen Funeral Home, Covington, is handling arrangements.
Donna Marie Thomas, 76, of Butler, died Monday at Robertson County Nursing Home in Mount Olivet.
Arrangements are pending at Peoples Funeral Home, Butler.
