Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Howard W. Latz
Died: Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Age: 69
ATHENS -- Howard W. Latz, 69, of South Canaan Road, Athens, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Born Jan. 9, 1933 in Rochester, N.Y., he was the youngest child of the late Harry W. and Alice J. Brown Latz and an Athens-area resident since 1966.
Mr. Latz was a professor of chemistry at Ohio University for 31 years and served as chairman of that department from 1982-86. He fully retired from the university in November 1997. He was a member of the American Chemical Society since 1961.
He attended Rochester, N.Y., public schools, graduating from East High School in 1950 and received a BS in industrial chemistry in 1959 from Rochester Institute of Technology. He was awarded an MS degree in 1961 and a PhD in analytical chemistry in 1963 from the University of Florida. Prior to coming to Ohio University, Mr. Latz was employed as an analytical research specialist with Union Carbide Corporation in Tarrytown, N.Y.
A U.S. Army veteran, he served from 1953-1955 and his principal duty assignment was with the military police detachment, 7126 AU, Task Group 7.2, APO 187 at Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls in the South Pacific. Mr. Latz served as a security guard for the Atomic Energy Commission during the Operation Castle test of several hydrogen bombs. He was a member of American Legion Post 21, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 37, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3477 and AMVETS Post 76.
He is survived by his wife, Sue; a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Peter Fahey of Burgaw, N.C.; a son, Craig of Wilmington, N.C.; a son, Douglas of Athens; a step-daughter, Shannon Atkinson Whitney of Athens; a granddaughter, Lexi; a sister, Erma McGee and brother-in-law, John Flannery, both of Rochester, N.Y.; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Latz of Orange City, Fla.
In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Thelma J. Flannery; his brother, Ronald H. Latz; and his brother-in-law, Donald McGee, in addition to several aunts and uncles.
No visiting hours or memorial services will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Athens County Association for Retarded Citizens or to Beacon School.
Arrangements are being handled by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home, Athens.
Clarence Nelson
Died: Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Age: 73
THE PLAINS -- Clarence Nelson 73 , of 36 Cross St., The Plains, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. He had been fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for five years. He was born Sept. 26, l929, in Athens County, son of the late Edward and Goldie Nelson.
Clarence completed a 25-year career at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital on Oct. 31, 1995. He was hired in 1970 to oversee final stages of the new hospital construction. As director of plant operations he managed several departments -- engineering, maintenance, housekeeping, safety & security and purchasing.
He took extension courses from Ohio University and Wittenberg College and earned an associates degree in mechanical engineering. He enjoyed his work greatly and he lived each day of his life to the fullest. He was a very kind loving husband and father and will be greatly missed.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nelsonville for over 40 years, transferring membership to The Plains United Methodist Church in 1995. He served as trustee, on the administrative board, and was on the building committee for the expansion of the church at The Plains.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margaret "Peggy" Ann Nelson; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Elizabeth Nelson of The Plains; a step-granddaughter Leigh (Dan) Mohler, great-granddaughter Katie Mohler, stepgrandson J.R. Fouty; a sister Carrie "Jackie" Hatfield of Nelsonville, sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Clarence Winigman, Ardith and King Kelley, and Edna and Duane Roberts, all of Nelsonville; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Elizabeth and R. Edward Green.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday Oct. 19, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. at The Plains United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Roach officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery Nelsonville, Ohio.
Calling hours will be observed on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Warren-Brown Funeral Home, Nelsonville, and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday.
Mary Kathleen Shyu Chen
Died: Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Age: 69
ATHENS -- Mary Kathleen Shyu Chen, 69, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, in her sleep at home in Columbus.
She was born in Hubei Province, China, but moved in 1949 to Taiwan, where she graduated from Taipei First Girls' High School. She received a BS in chemistry from Berry College in Miami, Fla., and an MS in chemistry in 1957 from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she subsequently worked as a research chemist.
She and her husband moved in 1963 to Athens where she later owned and managed Chen's Restaurant.
In 1973, after she received an RN degree from Hocking College, she began to work at the Athens Mental Health and Mental Retardation Hospital. From 1980-83, she owned and managed the Oak Room Restaurant.
Beginning in the 1980s, she worked as a nurse in Charleston, W.Va., the Washington, D.C., area and Tulsa, Okla. In 1996, she moved back to Ohio, working as a nurse.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Chen Russ.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Diana Chen and Keith Wisecarver; a son, Derek Chen; grandchildren Adam, Amy and Allison Wisecarver, all of Tulsa, Okla.; brothers Jonathan Shyu, Luca Shyu, Agustine Shyu and Mein-Hwa Shyu; sisters Christina Shen and Susanna Hsu; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at Southwick-Good Funeral Chapel, 3100 N. High St., Columbus on Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with a service following. Dr. Alan Wendt will be officiating.
Private family interment will be in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ronald McDonald House.
Earl Roy Wimer
Died: Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Age: 69
WELLSTON -- Earl Roy Wimer, 69, of South Bloomfield, formerly of Wellston, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus.
He is survived by his wife, Carrie (Craft) Wimer; five daughters; one son; one brother; one sister; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are Saturday, 11 a.m., at J.P. Rogers Funeral Home. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Military services will be conducted at the graveside.
Friends may call at the funeral home tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.
Alta Ferrell
Died: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Age: 87
POMEROY -- Alta Ferrell, 87, of Goldridge Road, Pomeroy, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Born March 4, 1915 in Wayne, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Sarah Ann Merritt Mullins.
She was a retired school bus driver in Logan, W.Va. She loved to travel and loved quilting and crochet, and was an avid vegetable and flower gardener, and a member of the Meigs County Senior Citizens.
She is survived by a son, Donald (Margaret) Ferrell of Lyburn, W.Va., two daughters, Frances A. Reed of Salem, N.J., and Betty C. Packo of Ypsilanti, Mich.; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jean Lambert of Christian, W.Va.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Norwood Ferrell; two daughters, Margaret M. Blankenship and Clara B. Brechmin; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild.
Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens in Chapmansville, W.Va.
Calling hours are today from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bigony-Jordan Funeral Home in Albany.
Additional calling hours and services will be held at the James Funeral Home in Logan, W.Va.
Esther Longsworth West
Died: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Age: 92
POMEROY -- Esther Longsworth West, 92, of Elm Street, Racine, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at Rocksprings Rehabilitation Center in Pomeroy.
Born March 15, 1910, in Wirt County, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late John B. and Jeanette Morgan Longsworth.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glen West; and a son, Gordon Harold West.
She is survived by her daughter, Beulah West Cornell.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Ewing Funeral Home. Burial will be in Letart Falls Cemetery.
Calling hours are tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holzer Hospice, Meigs County Branch, 115 E. Memorial Drive, Pomeroy, 45769.
Ottillia L. Romine
Died: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Age: 91
RUTLAND -- Ottillia L. Romine, 91, of Rutland, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at Overbrook Center, Middleport.
Born Oct. 30, 1910, in Proctorville, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Kathryn Estep Bickar. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Romine. She is survived by a daughter, Alice Plantz, and sons Kenneth, Ernest, Robert, William and Melvin Romine.
Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Fisher Funeral Home, Middleport. Burial will be in Miles Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Frances Ruth Butt
Died: Monday, October 14, 2002
Age: 90
NELSONVILLE -- Frances Ruth Butt, 90, of Adrian Wells Retirement Home, Grove City, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002.
She was retired from Ameritech after 45 years of service. She was a member of Grove City Christian Church and Eastern Star in Nelsonville. She was the past president of Columbus Business and Professional Women's Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Anna M. Butt; her brothers, Ralph, Howard, George and Bill Butt; her sister-in-law, Anna Butt; and nephew, Jim Butt.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Erma Butt of Nelsonville; nieces Bev (Doug) Longmire and C. Kay (Tom) Sullivan; a nephew, Keith Butt of Logan; and great-nephews Brian (Diane) Mays, Kevin Mays, Mike (Tracy) Sullivan, Mark (Angela) Sullivan and Jason (Promys) Sullivan.
Visitation is Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home, 2697 Columbus St., Grove City, where the funeral will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. John Hays is officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memory Gardens, Nelsonville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VistaCare Hospice, 4041 N. High St. Suite 300, Columbus 43214.
Ruth's family is eternally grateful to her extended family at Adrian Wells Retirement Home for their loving care.
