USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Russell Lee Sparks
Russell Lee Sparks, 57, of Sunbury and formerly of Alexandria, died Friday (Aug. 29, 2003) at his residence.
He was born June 6, 1946 in Dayton. He was employed by Jess Howard Electrical Co. for 33 years and was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Delaware, and was an amateur radio operator.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Russell E. and Rebecca Sparks of Johnstown, and Tyson L. and Tammy Sparks of Newark; a daughter, Doreen Patrick of Windham, Maine; his father, Walter Sparks of Florida; a brother, Walter Sparks of Reynoldsburg; a sister, Laura Margoliz of Mount Sterling; four grandchildren; special friend Bonnie Chandler and special pet Sparks Von Dukie-Duke.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sparks, and mother, Elizabeth Pendleton Sparks.
Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Crouse-Kauber-Sammons Funeral Home, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown, with funeral services Friday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Michael Rector officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Alexandria, Ohio.
Esther Irene (Hux) Anderson
Esther Irene (Hux) Anderson, 83, of Sunbury died Sunday (Sept. 28, 2003) at The Sanctuary at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, after a short illness.
She was born April 4, 1920 in Madison County to John W. and Etta (Rader) Hux. She was married to Carl D. Anderson on Oct. 8, 1940. She was a member of Kilbourne United Methodist Church, a former member of Riverside Grange, a past Delaware County deputy of the Ohio State Grange, a seventh-degree member of National Grange and a past member of Delaware County Farm Bureau council. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and had many loves in her life. She loved God and the church. She had the love of Carl D. Anderson, her husband of 43 years, she loved her birds at the feeder, she loved to feel the pull of fish on her line, she loved her big family with many brothers, sisters and cousins and she loved her flowers. One of her biggest thrills was walking on a glacier in Alaska when she was 80 years old. But most of all she loved being Mom, Mamaw and Grammy.
Mrs. Anderson is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Sid Hightower of Sunbury; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Laura Anderson of Fairbanks, Ala., and David and Cynthia Anderson of Dublin; seven grandchildren, Neil and Teresa Hightower of Delaware, Jarrett and Beth Hightower of Sunbury, Eric and Adam Anderson of Philadelphia, Alisa Anderson of Fairbanks, Ala. and Kelsey and Hunter Anderson of Dublin; two great-grandsons, Nathan Hightower of Sunbury and Jayden Deitz of Fairbanks, Ala.; five sisters, Martha Leppler of Lima; Velma Bell of Washington Court House; Helen Miller of Sedelia, Ruth Milstead of Delaware and Norma Jean Phillips of North Fort Myers, Fla.; one brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Norma Jean Hux of London; and one brother-in-law and his wife, Donald and Becky Anderson of Washington Court House.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Mary Mechling and Mildred Hughes; and four brothers, Leonard, William, Harold and Earl Hux.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kilbourne United Methodist Church, 5591 Ohio 521, where a funeral service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jerrie Bell-Brion and Earl Ralph Hux officiating. Burial will follow in Bloomingburg Cemetery in Bloomingburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kilbourne United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8, Kilbourne, OH 43032.
Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home in Delaware is in charge of arrangements.
John D. Wanzo
John D. Wanzo, 92, of Delaware died Friday evening (Sept. 26, 2003) at Sunny Vee Nursing Home in Delaware.
He was born in Delaware on Jan. 22, 1911 and raised by John Wilson and the Wilson family. Wanzo worked for 30 years as a supervisor for Dennison Engineering and was a member of Zion AME Church in Delaware.
During the 1930s, John was a proud member of the Brown Buddies. The other members of the Brown Buddies were Chetley “Chet” Elston, Willard “Jesse” Brodnax, Harry Hywarden, and Wilbur “Webb” Scott. He loved to sing, enjoyed music, boating, bingo, and all sports.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha J. (Clemons) Wanzo, on Nov. 19, 1986; a daughter, Gwendolyn Snow, in 2002; and an infant grandchild.
He is survived by a son, William Wanzo of Delaware; five grandchildren, Bill, Anna, Baron, Daron and Tiffany; several great-grandchildren; former daughter-in-law, Denise Wanzo of Denver, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Ann Clemons of Denver; extended members of the Wilson family, including Ben Wilson Sr.; dear friend, Ernie Penn of Delaware and a host of other friends.
Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 75 W. William St., where funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. with Deacon Franklin Moore officiating.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Georgia M. Mitchell
Georgia M. Mitchell, 88, of Sunbury, died Saturday morning (Dec. 6, 2003) at Country View of Sunbury.
She was born Feb. 22, 1915 in Columbus, to the late Clarence and Emma (Strang) Reed. She was a retired licensed practical nurse from Sunbury Nursing Home where she had worked for 21 years.
She is survived by her daughter, Emma Strickland of Hilliard; two sons and a daughter-in-law, James K. and Kathleen Mitchell of Cincinnati, and Robert A. Mitchell of Memphis, Tenn.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen J. Mitchell, on March 28, 1991; and two brothers.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where services will follow at 1:30 p.m., with Pastor Hugh G. Snepp officiating. Burial will be in Fancher Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Frederick C. Trefz
Frederick C. Trefz, 77, of Cardington, died Monday morning (Dec. 8, 2003) at his residence. He was born Dec. 14, 1925 to the late Frederic D. and Caroline (Wanner) Trefz.
A lifelong resident of Marion and Morrow counties, he was drafted into the Army after his junior year in high school and went on to serve during World War II. He had worked at Whirlpool Corp. for 26 1/2 years. In addition to his full-time job, he enjoyed farming, was a member of the Farm Bureau and was very active in the Waldo United Methodist Church.
On Aug. 5, 1951, he married the former Helen L. Rengert, who survives, at Windfall Lutheran Church. He also is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Kelvin and Marilyn Trefz of Powell and Terry and Judy Trefz of Cardington; and a daughter and son-in-law, June and Tom Bell of Lima; five grandchildren, Matthew Trefz and his wife, Rebecca; Jill Trefz, Ryan Trefz, Brian and Evan Bell; one sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Preston Owen; one brother and sister-in-law, John and Cecilia Trefz; and three sisters-in-law, Alma Clunk, Sally Rengert and Joan Banning.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, George, Paul and Jim Trefz; and two sisters, Theresa Wright and Brigadier Major Margaret Trefz.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Gompf Funeral Home, 440 S. Center St., Cardington. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Waldo United Methodist Church, with Pastor Bill Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Waldo United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 182, Waldo, OH 43356 or Hospice of Morrow County, P.O. Box 86, Mount Gilead, OH 43338 or in care of the funeral home.
Frances M. Moxley
Frances M. Moxley, 93, of Delaware and formerly of Columbus, died Sunday (Jan. 25, 2004) following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in 1910 in Phoebus, Va., and was retired from Bible Literature International. She formerly lived on the west side of Columbus and more recently was a resident at the Arbors at Delaware. She was devoted to her church, Immanual Baptist Church, and participated in church choir, was a Sunday school teacher and AWANA youth club adviser.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Patricia; grandchildren Rick (Stephanie), Tim (Marilyn) and Mark; great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Katie Lee Rector of Galax, Va.; brother-in-law, Odell Moxley of Independence, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; parents, Cora and Charles Markham; and brothers, Burke and Baxter Markham.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jerry Spears Funeral Home, 2693 W. Broad St., where a service will be held Thursday at 1 p.m., with Pastor William Abernathy officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Cemetery.
Brent William Murfield
Brent William Murfield, 38, of Powell, died Sunday morning (Jan. 25, 2004) as a result of an automobile accident.
He was a lifelong Delaware resident and was employed by Honda of America. He was a member of the Stratford St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and was a 1983 graduate of Hayes High School. He enjoyed golfing, softball and baseball, and he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop No. 348 at Stratford St. Paul’s.
He is survived by his fiancée, Stacey Crace, and her children, Amanda and Elizabeth; his parents, Thomas and Marilyn Murfield of Delaware; three brothers, Brad (Lisa) of Westerville, Brian (Shy) of Ofallon, Ill., and B.J. (Alyssa) of Columbus; three nephews, Justin, Eric, and Ryan; two nieces, Tiffany and Shyanne; and his little buddy, Hank.
Visiting hours will be today from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home, 92 N. Sandusky Street. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Stratford St. Paul’s United Methodist Church,1701 Columbus Pike, with Pastor Craig Arnold officiating. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Park.
Virginia Jane Shannon
Virginia Jane Shannon, 81, of Delaware, died early Monday morning (Jan. 26, 2004) at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.
She was born July 11, 1922 in Columbus, to Harry Myers and Sylvia Evans Myers. She had been a resident of Delaware since 1944, was a member of Hyatts United Methodist Church and was a farmer’s wife.
She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Dutcher of Columbus and Susan Lavender of Lewis Center; four granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; a son, Charles; a sister, Helen Amorine; and a son-in-law, Don Dutcher.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home, 92 N. Sandusky St., where funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m., with Pastor Tim Reeves officiating. Interment will be at Kingwood Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association, 1950 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228-4102.
Gayland ‘Dago’ Breece
Gayland “Dago” Breece, 69, of Delaware, died early Monday morning (March 29, 2004) at Grady Memorial Hospital.
He was born July 11, 1934 in Delaware to Lester and Elsie (Curtis) Breece. He was an iron ore worker for the Iron Workers Local No. 172 out of Columbus, was a lifetime Delaware resident, a social member of the VFW No. 3297, AMVETS No. 104, a past commander of The Sons, and a life member of the Eagles Lodge Aerie No. 376. He was an avid fisherman who loved Lake Erie and in his younger days enjoyed rabbit, deer and squirrel hunting. He was also an Ohio State University and Cleveland Browns football fan.
Visiting hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home, 92 N. Sandusky St., where funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Danny R. Clark
Danny R. Clark, 61, of Delaware, died Friday (March 26, 2004) at St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus.
He was a man who loved gardening, fishing, hunting and Lake Erie. He retired from Jeffrey Manufacturing. Co.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol Sue; daughter, Pamela (Rocky) Gordon of Buckeye Lake; son, Dana “Big D;” grandchildren, Richard, Ashley, Abby, Carol, Ruby “Toto,” all of Delaware; brother, Max, of Logan; aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Lloyd; and one brother, Jimmy.
Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Shaw-Davis Funeral Home North Chapel, 4341 N. High St., where funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be in Union Cemetery.
