USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Claude VanTress
Died: Saturday, April 6, 2002
Age: 88
Claude VanTress, 88, of Xenia, passed away Saturday morning (April 6, 2002) at the Liberty Nursing Center. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma (Mouser) VanTress, who died Nov. 8, 2000.
He was born Dec. 22, 1913, in Greene County, the son of Calvin H. and Minnie Lewis VanTress. He was a lifelong Greene County farmer, a member of the Union United Methodist Church and the New Burlington Masonic Lodge 574 F & AM, and a former member of the Farm Forum.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Naomi VanTress, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, C. Robert VanTress, Thirl M. VanTress and Fred VanTress; and a sister, Martha Haines.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the NEELD FUNERAL HOME, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia, with the Rev. Dennis A. Meyer officiating, and burial in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union United Methodist Church, 393 Washington Road, Xenia, 45385.
Jeffery Lee Davis
Died: Friday, April 5, 2002
Age: 45
Jeffery Lee Davis, 45, of Wilmington, died 4 a.m. Friday (April 5, 2002) at his residence. He is survived by his wife, Janet Diles Davis.
Mr. Davis was born Feb. 27, 1957, in Wilmington, son of James R. and Norma Jean Lunsford Davis of Wilmington. He was a lead machine builder at Cincinnati Grinding Technologies. He was a member of A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio Inc. Clinton County and of the Wilmington Fraternal Order of Eagles 1224. He had attended Clinton-Massie schools.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by three sons, Shawn (Stephanie) Black of Butlerville, Jeffery J.R. Davis of Wilmington and Jarrod A. Davis of Wilmington; three daughters, Mindy Davis of Bryant, Heather Davis of Wilmington and Sara Davis of Wilmington; two brothers, Mike (Sandy) Davis of Joliett, Ill., and Randy (Jana) Davis of Wilmington; three sisters, Vicky (Wayne) Mills of Blanchester, Brenda Stewart of Wilmington and Pam (Haskel Jr.) Combs of Wilmington; three grandsons; five granddaughters; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to A.B.A.T.E. Of Ohio Inc. Clinton County, in care of Haskel Combs Jr., 1252 Anderson Road, Wilmington, 45177. Arrangements are under the direction of REYNOLDS-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 327 N. South St., Wilmington.
Victor Ralston
Died: Thursday, April 4, 2002
Age: 74
Victor Ralston, 74, died Thursday (April 4, 2002) from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Roush Ralston, his high school sweetheart.
Mr. Ralston was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Freeport, Pa., and grew up in Rome, Ohio. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he married Evelyn Roush and helped run the family business, Ralston General Store. In 1962, he joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol and was stationed at Circleville, where he put down roots. After 20 years in the Patrol and assignments that took him to St. Mary's and Wilmington, he retired from the Ohio State Patrol, moved to Circleville, and served as a bailiff for the Circleville Municipal Court. Over the years, he cultivated an interest in flying, earning an instrument license and enjoyed flying around the country in his vintage aircraft. In retirement, he kept himself busy earning an aircraft mechanics license, volunteering at the Pickaway County Seniors Center and Berger Hospital, and wintering in Florida. He was a member of the Community United Methodist Church and an affiliate of the Gulfview United Methodist Church in Panama City Beach, Fla. He was a very outgoing person and made friends everywhere he went. He always appreciated fast automobiles, pretty flying weather and the help and fellowship of his many friends. Always quick to lend an ear or a helping hand, he will be missed by friends and family alike.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Mark (Bonnie Long) Ralston of New Milford, Conn.; a daughter, Vicki (Ed) Stickel of Circleville; four grandchildren, Rachel and Matt Ralston and Jesse and Molly Stickel; a brother, Marion (Atha) Ralston of Lancaster; a sister, Pat Goodman of Columbus; and close friends, George and Ruth Ann Coey of Hilliard.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at DEFENBAUGH-WISE-SCHOE-DINGER FUNERAL HOME, 151 E. Main St., Circleville, the Rev. Jim Sands officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colo. 80204; 720-932-7850; e-mail: breathe@pulmonaryfibrosis.org. The family would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support.
Carolyn Cooper
Died: Wednesday, April 3, 2002
Age: 55
Carolyn Sue Cooper, 55, of New Vienna, died Wednesday (April 3, 2002) at her residence. She is survived by her husband, Robin Cooper. They were married Dec. 27, 1988.
Mrs. Cooper was born Aug. 5, 1946, in Portsmouth, daughter of Mary Irene Fitch Howard and the late Harris Howard.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by a daughter, Kimberly (James) Little of Portsmouth; two grandchildren; four sisters, Darlene Hottinger of Martinsville, Janice Jones of New Vienna, Loretta Williams of Portsmouth and Teresa Winters of Portsmouth; and six brothers, Eddie Howard, Mike Howard and David Howard, all of New Vienna, Luke Howard of Martinsville, Tim Howard of Sabina and Gene Howard of New Vienna.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Chucky Howard.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. at the Wilmington Church of God, with burial in Adams Cemetery, Portsmouth. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at LITTLETON FUNERAL HOME, 104 N. Jackson St., Sabina, and from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the church.
Russell L. Shearer
Died: Wednesday, April 3, 2002
Age: 87
Russell L. Bud Shearer, 87, of Latrobe, Pa., died Wednesday (April 3, 2002) He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Goodman Shearer, who died in 1980.
Mr. Shearer was born June 8, 1914, in McKeesport, Pa., son of the late Wilham and Hattie Louisa Sipe Shearer. Prior to his retirement in 1976, he was employed by Teledyne Vasco in Latrobe. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Tony Angelo Aerie 01188 and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 907, where he was a former golf member.
He is survived by a daughter, Beverly A. (Philip) DiCenzo of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Deana DiCenzo, Bryan (Jennifer) DiCenzo and David DiCenzo; a great-grandson, Garrett Philip DiCenzo; two nieces, Louise (Boyd) McIlnay and Miriam Brewer; and a nephew, Bobby Moffat.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Rebecca Shearer, Dorothy Brant and Margaret Moffat; and a brother, John Shearer.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel at HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, Pa., the Rev. August B. Twigg officiating, with interment in United Cemetery, Unity Township, Pennsylvania. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society.
Hilda M. Sanderson
Died: Monday, March 18, 2002
Age: 89
Hilda M. Sanderson, 89, of Burlington, Ky., formerly of Dayton, died 2:56 a.m. Monday (March 18, 2002) at St. Luke-West Hospital, Kentucky.
She had retired as a self-employed caregiver.
She is survived by a sister, Evelyn Gray of Wilmington; three grandsons, Terry L. Sanderson of Suffield, Conn., Todd L. Sanderson of Jamestown and Brett L. Sanderson of Dayton; and a granddaughter, Vickie L. Goodridge of Burlington, Ky.
She was preceded in death by a son, Jan Sanderson, who died in 1977.
Gerald Wayne Damron
Died: Sunday, March 17, 2002
Gerald Wayne Damron of Livermore, Calif., died Sunday (March 17, 2002) at the Palo Alto V.A. Hospital after an illness with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He is survived by his wife, Edwina. They were married in 1966.
Mr. Damron was born in Wilmington in 1942, son of the late William Paul, who died in 1986, and Holline Damon McPherson, who died in 2001. He attended Wilmington schools prior to enlisting in the Navy in 1961. He was stationed in Alemeda, Calif., and served aboard the U.S.S. Ranger. He worked for the Oakland School District as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked as a self-employed locksmith. He was an active member of the Livermore Eagles Lodge, where he served as a local trustee. He also served as a state representative for the State of California. He was a loving Papa to his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children, Charlie Atkins, Barrette (Becky) Damron of Leavenworth, Kan., Charlene (Mike) Atkins of Santa Rosa, Calif., Brad (Julie) Damron, Lynnette (Kevin) Atkins and Piilani, all of Livermore, Calif.; 12 grandchildren, Charlie, Travis, Alex, Brandon, Michael, Josh, Steven, Jessie, Nakia, Angela, Edwina and Amanda; four brothers, Earl (Karen) Damron of Pace, Fla., Burt (Pam) Damron of Kettering and Bill (Chris) Damron of New Vienna; a sister, Janet (Rick) Morris of Wilmington; and a stepfather, the Rev. Maynard McPherson of Springfield.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Yvette, who died in 1967.
Memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family and he will be laid to rest with his daughter.
Dorothea P. Dennis
Died: Sunday, March 17, 2002
Age: 80
Dorothea P. Dennis, 80, of New Vienna, died Sunday (March 17, 2002) at Highland District Hospital, Hillsboro. She is survived by her husband, James L. Dennis. They were married Aug. 21, 1944.
Mrs. Dennis was born March 8, 1922, in Fayette County, daughter of the late Elbert and Alpha Mitchell Davis. She graduated in 1940 from Reesville High School. She was a member of the New Vienna Church of Christ.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Janice K. Dennis Blaser of Leesburg and Lana Jean Larrick of Leesburg; five grandchildren, Timothy Larrick, Tina Jean Figgins, Stacey K. Bartley, Leann A. Parrish and Deann D. Spence, nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Ellen Caldwell of Sabina and Annalee (Joe) Fife of Wilmington.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Mahaffey.
