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Date of these obituaries: 10-06-2003
Douglas Halcomb, devoted life to helping
Douglas Loren Halcomb of Cold Spring died young.
The 33-year-old police dispatcher, volunteer fireman, emergency medical technician and Special Olympics organizer lived long enough, though, to leave an impressive legacy of community service.
"He never thought of himself. He was never happy unless he was helping other people, " said his wife, Teresa Halcomb.
"You could really see it in all the work he chose.
"He loved to support people and help them through their toughest times."
Mr. Halcomb died Friday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood after battling colon cancer for more than a year.
He was born in Harrison County and grew up in Pendleton County.
The Halcombs married
in 1995 and two years later were in the middle of moving from their home in Butler to an apartment in Highland Heights when the 1997 flood ravaged Pendleton County.
None of their possessions still in Butler -- including Mrs. Halcomb's wedding dress, her dream gown that Mr. Halcomb bought for his wife -- were ruined because the flood water rose to just the level of the baseboards in their former home.
Mr. Halcomb, though, wasn't content just to sit back and savor their lucky break. He was concerned about their former neighbors.
"We were lucky enough not to lose anything, but when we were sitting in our new apartment looking at the (flood coverage) on TV, we had to pack up our car and go back and help, " Mrs. Halcomb said.
"Help" was the primary thing Mr. Halcomb did with his life. He worked 10 years as a telecommunications officer -- or dispatcher -- at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
He was a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Central Campbell Fire Department in Highland Heights.
He also was a director of the Special Olympics in Northern Kentucky, a branch of the international, year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental retardation.
Mr. Halcomb helped organize the annual winter Polar Bear Plunge at Newport on the Levee, the local Torch Run, and Cops and Lobsters, for which he joined Florence police officers raising money by waiting on tables at a Red Lobster Restaurant.
The Halcombs moved into a new home in Cold Spring last year. Mr. Halcomb was forced to retire and undergo operations and chemotherapy when he was diagnosed in July 2002 with colon cancer.
"He met it with what I could only describe as bravery and the utmost of courage, " said Mrs. Halcomb. "He was hopeful, yet realistic at the same time.
"He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked, 'Why me?'
"He just wanted to fight it and give himself as much time as he could."
Her husband's physical battle gave Mrs. Halcomb a chance to show him the kind of care and concern he'd long shown her and others.
"He really turned more to our relationship and our love for one another, " said Mrs. Halcomb. "That's where he got his support.
"I'm at peace. I am happy he is not in pain anymore, and I'm especially touched by the outpouring of his community -- the firemen and the police and the EMTs and all the dispatch community.
"They have been working really night and day since his death to make sure his funeral service expresses his individuality."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Halcomb is survived by his parents, Richard Sr. and Faye Halcomb of Falmouth; brothers, Richard Halcomb, Michael Halcomb and Damien Halcomb, all of Falmouth; and nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.
Burial with firefighter honors will be in Riverside cemetery in Falmouth.
Memorials are suggested to Kentucky Special Olympics, 105 Lakeview Court, Frankfort, Ky. 40601; Pendleton County Shop With a Cop, 233 Main St., Falmouth, Ky. 41040; or Melvin Hart Falmouth Fire Department Christmas Fund Drive, 238 Main St., Falmouth, Ky. 41040.
Ralph L. Biecker, 84, of Lakeside Park, died Thursday at his home. He was a retired clerk with Railway Express Agency Inc., Cincinnati, and a member of Edgewood Senior Citizens and St. Pius X Church in Edgewood, and an Army veteran of World War II. A son, John Andrew Biecker, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Goetz Biecker; sons, Tom Biecker of Villa Hills and William Biecker of Edgewood; a daughter, Susan Moore of Hebron; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Church. Visitation will begin there at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Fort Mitchell. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Social Services, 3629 Church St., Covington, Ky. 41015; or Diocesan Children's Home, 75 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell, Ky. 41017. Linnemann Funeral Home, Covington, is handling arrangements.
Herman "Poonie" Burris Jr., 63, of Maysville, died at 9:47 a.m. Saturday at his sister's home in Maysville. He was a maintenance worker with the Maysville cemetery and former Clyde's Super Value, Maysville.
Survivors include sisters, LaVonna Lawson of Maysville, Ietta Pugh of Indianapolis, Brenda Sartin and Lisa Hensley, both of Tulsa, Okla.; and a brother, Billy Rau Burris of Tulsa.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Brell & Son Funeral Home, Maysville. Visitation will begin there at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Olivet Church Cemetery, Maysville.
Sally S. Elam, 94, of Latonia, died at 1:25 p.m. Thursday at Rosedale Manor, Latonia. She was a retired cook with Anchor Grill in Covington. A daughter, Lemira Conway, died in 1998.
Survivors include daughters, Ruby Lanier of Versailles, Joyce Chenault of Covington and Doris Schuele of Warsaw; 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at noon Wednesday at Allison and Rose Funeral Home, Covington. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.
Bill Ellsworth, 63, of Highland Heights, died at 9:10 a.m. Sept. 27 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. There are no immediate survivors.
Services will be at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. C&C; Mortuary, Covington, is handling arrangements.
Virginia Lee Fahlbush, 83, of Dayton, died at 8:08 a.m. Thursday at Highlands of Fort Thomas nursing home. She was a retired cook. Her husband, Ned Fahlbush, died in 1995.
Survivors include sons, Randy Fahlbush of Dayton and John Fahlbush of Monterey, Calif.
Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be at noon Wednesday at Mother of God Church, Covington. Mrs. Fahlbush donated her body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Memorials are suggested to Goodwill Industries of Greater Cincinnati, 10600 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215. Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Covington, is handling arrangements.
Grace M. Graves, 92, of Falmouth, died Friday at Clark Regional Medical Center, Winchester. She was a homemaker and a member of Ruth Temple AME Methodist Church, Falmouth, and Lane CME Church, Covington. She was a Sunday school teacher and was active at First Baptist Church, Falmouth. Her husband, Will T. Graves, died in 1978.
Survivors include daughters, Christine Gay of Winchester, Sylvia Graves of Covington and Ann Higgins of Falmouth; sons, Thomas Graves of Kokomo, Ind., and William Graves of Cincinnati; a brother, Robert W. Watson of New York; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Falmouth. Visitation will begin there at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Falmouth. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice.
Hannah K. Hughes, 87, of Covington, died at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Northern Kentucky Care and Rehabilitation Center, Highland Heights. She was a homemaker and a member of Southside Baptist Church, Covington. Her husband, Claude Hughes, died in 1977.
Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn Holt of Butler; a sister, Eye Popp of Worthville; and brothers, Milton Holt of Florence and Donald Holt of Hebron.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Don Catchen and Son Funeral Home, Covington. Visitation will begin there at11 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.
Barbara Ann Johnson, 57, of Cynthiana, died Saturday at Robertson County Health Care Center, Mount Olivet. She was a homemaker and a member of Cynthiana Baptist Church.
Survivors include sons, Todd Johnson of Harrison County and Anthony B. Johnson of Cynthiana; a daughter, Stacey Smith of Georgetown; brothers, Ronald Roberts of Cynthiana and Stephen Price Whitley of Ohio; sisters, Sharon Marie Casey and Kathy Hicks, both of Cynthiana; and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Battle Grove Cemetery, Cynthiana. Memorials are suggested to Robertson County Health Care Center Activity Fund, Mount Olivet, Ky. 41064.
Helen B. McCord, 81, of Maysville, died Friday at Ohio Valley Manor, Ripley, Ohio. She was retired, and was a member of Minerva Baptist Church. Her husband, Carl "Red" McCord, died in 1969.
Survivors include a son, Walter M. McCord of Maysville; brothers, Walter Herbert Beckett and Winn Estell Beckett; a sister, Leona Hord Beckett; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Brell and Son Funeral Home, Maysville. Visitation will begin there at 6 p.m. today. Burial will be in Mays Lick Cemetery.
David Archie McDonald, 63, of Demossville, died Sunday at his home. He was a farmer and retired foreman with Hellertown Manufacturing Co., Hellertown, Pa. He was a member of the Butler Lions Club and the Studebaker and Crosley Car Club and was an Air Force veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Irene McDonald; a son, David McDonald of Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter, Debra Lobb of Baltimore; a stepson, Mark Petrakis of Demossville; a stepdaughter, Jamie Petrakis of Albuquerque; sisters, Essie White of Erlanger, Billie Bushard of Elsmere and Donna McDonald of Covington; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Peoples Funeral Home, Butler. Visitation will begin there at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hope, 909 Kenton Station Drive, Maysville, Ky. 41056.
James C. Moore, 68, of Covington, died at 4:35 p.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington. He was owner of Moore Trucking Co., a member of Florence Baptist Church and a Navy veteran of the Korean War. A daughter, Sandra Moore, died in 1996.
Survivors include sisters, Margie Bingham of Owenton, Louise Houze of Covington and Catherine Hensley of Ludlow; a brother, Charles D. Moore of Summertown, Tenn.; two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Hebron. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sand Run Cemetery, Hebron. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, 401 E. 20th St., Covington, Ky. 41014.
Geraldine Noell, 61, of Covington, died at 6:15 a.m. Sunday at Northern Kentucky Care and Rehabilitation Center, Highland Heights.
Arrangements are pending at Allison and Rose Funeral Home, Taylor Mill.
Donald William Osterbrook, 82, of Florence, died Friday at Woodcrest Manor, Elsmere. He was a mechanical engineer with American Tool Works and General Electric, a member of Florence Christian Church and a Navy veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Osterbrook; a son, Donald Charles Osterbrook of Independence; daughters, Mary Alice Osterbrook of Florence and Carol Anne Terry of Solon, Ohio; and five grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Stith Funeral Home, Florence. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erlanger. Memorials are suggested to Florence Christian Church, 300 Main St., Florence, Ky. 41042; or Licking Valley Council of Girl Scouts, Adult Enrichment, 607 Watson Road, Erlanger, Ky. 41018.
Frances Rena Dalheim Price, 86, of Independence, died Saturday at Northern Kentucky Care and Rehabilitation Center, Highland Heights. She was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Independence and the church Mission Baptist Women's group. She was a Sunday school teacher at the church, and a former preschool teacher there. Her husband, Warren E. Price, preceded her in death.
Survivors include sons, Dr. W. Wayne Price of Williamsburg, Va., Dr. Floyd D. Price of Prestonburg, Clarence W. "Newt" Price of Bedford, Texas, John R. Price of Blanchester, Ohio, and Randy K. Price of Blue Ridge, Va.; a daughter, Sharon Wombles of Raleigh, N.C.; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Independence. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell. Memorials are suggested to Hickory Grove Baptist Church Organ Fund, 11969 Taylor Mill Road, Independence, Ky. 41051; or the charity of the donor's choice.
Anna Louise Schaeffer, 86, of Burlington, died Saturday at her home. She was a homemaker and a member of Mary Queen of Heaven Church, Erlanger. She was a former employee of the Marydale Retreat Center and a volunteer with Mary Queen of Heaven School.
Survivors include daughters, Jo Ann Bridley of Burlington and Mary Engelland of Villa Hills; sons, Dr. Andrew Schaeffer, Don Schaeffer and Clem Schaeffer, all of Burlington; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mary Queen of Heaven Church, Erlanger. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Fort Mitchell. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 6612 Dixie Highway, Suite 2A, Florence, Ky. 41042; or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 182039, Dept. 13, Columbus, Ohio 43218. Stith Funeral Home, Florence, is handling arrangements.
Jerome Schulte, 84, of Union, died at 9:26 p.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington. He was a member of St. Timothy Church, Union.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Geiger; a daughter, Debra K. O'Daniel of Union; sons, Terence L. Schulte of Milford, Ohio, and Michael J. Schulte of Villa Hills; a sister, Ruth Geil of Cincinnati; and four grandchildren.
Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Timothy Church. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor's choice. Connley Brothers Funeral Home, Latonia, is handling arrangements.
Margaret Elizabeth Schuster, 85, of Erlanger, died at 8:25 a.m. Saturday at Florence Park Care Center, Florence. She was a cashier with Kroger's in Covington, a member of Lakeside Christian Church in Lakeside Park and past worthy matron with Rosebud Chapter No. 39 Order of the Eastern Star. Her husband, Robert Schuster, died in 1991.
Survivors include daughters, Patsy Lutz of Fort Mitchell, Donna Gosney of Fort Thomas and Brenda Carr of Erlanger; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Don Catchen and Son Funeral Home, Elsmere. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Eastern Star services at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill.
Angie Smith, 27, of Berry, died Sunday at St. Clair Hospital in Morehead.
Arrangements are pending at Woodhead Funeral Home, Berry.
Dillon Treadway, 1 day, son of Angela Treadway of Walton and Marc Warren of Fort Campbell, died Wednesday at Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati.
Other survivors include grandparents, Laura and Larry Treadway of Walton, Valarie Duffield of Erlanger, and Donna and Chuck Knuf of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger. Visitation will begin there at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erlanger. Memorials are suggested to Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.
Harold Wagers, 62, of Owenton, died Saturday at University Hospital, Cincinnati. He was a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Arnetta Wagers; daughters, Teresa Donnelly of Owenton and Sharon Byrd of Corinth; sisters, Edith Wilson and Juanita Cottle, both of Middletown, Ohio, Patricia Banks of Florida, Brenda Brown of Wellington and Beverly Smith of Hazlegreen; a brother, Marlin Wagers of Middletown; and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at McDonald & New Funeral Home, Main Street location, Owenton. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, Owenton.
