USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Chester Leland Snyder
Chester Leland Snyder, 69, a long-time resident of Croton, died at his home on August 11, 2002 after an extended battle with cancer.
He was born May 21, 1933 to Harry and Lillie Snyder. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from Nestle's where he worked for 35 years.
Snyder's loving wife Nancy, daughter Cheryl, great-granddaughter Rylie Elizabeth Hammond, brother Frank and his parents precedes him in death.
He is survived by three sons, John (Tim) of Croton, Gary of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, and Eric (Darla) of Croton; a daughter, Carol (Rick) Strahsburg of Croton; five grandchildren, Stacie (Brock) Berkley of Newark, Aimee (Brian) Shaub of Johnstown, Zachery, Eric John (E.J.) and Jordan Snyder of Croton; three great-grandchildren, Hailee and Brice Shaub of Johnstown and Kaela Berkley of Newark; a sister, Gloria (Bill) Larimore and a brother, Kenneth (Ruth) Snyder of Centerburg; and by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation was at Crouse-Kauber-Sammons Funeral Home, Johnstown. A graveside service will be held at Hartford Cemetery, Croton with Kenneth Larimore officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chester's name to Central Ohio Hospice, 1435 West Main Street, Suite B, Newark, Ohio 43055-9810.
Hylen Souders
Hylen A. Souders, 81, Galena, former superintendent of Big Walnut Schools, died unexpectedly Sunday (April 9, 2000) in Naples, Fla.
He was born Oct. 29, 1918, in Bucyrus, to the late Calvin and Margaret (Wilson) Souders.
A graduate of Bucyrus High School, class of 1936, he received his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio Northern University where he was president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and vice-president of the Intra-Fraternity Council. He received his master's degree in school administration in 1946 from Ohio State University. He attended Monterrey Tech, Otterbein, Ohio Wesleyan and Miami universities.
Mr. Souders began his teaching career in 1941 at Cridersville High School, then moved to Galena in 1941, where he taught history and industrial arts until 1950 and served as the Galena Local School Executive from 1943 until 1950.
In 1951, he became principal of Big Walnut High School and served as the Big Walnut Local Schools superintendent from 1961 until his retirement in 1977. He was instrumental in the consolidation of Sunbury and Galena School systems. In 1975 the Big Walnut School Board named Souders Elementary School in his honor.
He served as manager of the Job Training Program in Delaware County for the Delaware County Commissioners and central Ohio Educational Training Administration of Newark from 1978-1985.
He was a former clerk for the Village of Galena and assisted with the installation of the village water system. He was first chairman of Berkshire Township Zoning Commission and developed the first zoning regulations for the township. He was a former board member of Delaware County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Delaware County Mental Health Board and Delaware County Social Services.
He was a 50 year member of Blue Lodge No. 139 F&AM, Bucyrus, Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, Aladdin Shrine, Galena United Methodist Church, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Administrators, Ohio Northern University and Ohio State University Alumni associations, Central Ohio MGT Auto Club and L&B Model Railroad Club. He enjoyed travel, photography, antique MGTD's, model railroading, designing and building homes.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Hale Souders; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Wilson Mitchell, Columbus; a son-in-law George Boyer, Tallahassee, Fla.; three stepsons and two daughters-in-law, Wayne and Patty Hale, David Hale, and John and Kelley Hale; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Cecil and Jean Souders, Avon Park, Fla., and Eugene and Judy Souders, Sandusky; a brother-in-law, Walter Denzer, Wallingford, Conn.; five grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Iva Denzer Souders in 1980 and a daughter, Sandra Souders Boyer in 1997.
Calling hours were held with Masonic services at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury. Funeral services were held with the Rev. Harold Holmes officiating. Interment was at Galena Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hylen Souders Scholarship Fund, c/o Delaware County Bank.
Mabel Elizabeth Southworth
Mabel Elizabeth Southworth, widow of the late Billy Southworth of baseball fame, died on Sunday (June 28, 1998) after a long illness.
Surviving are her daughter, Carole Watson of Westerville, and grandchildren, Cheryl (Darryl) Cooper, Shelley (Larry) McKnight, Eric Watson, and Evan Watson.
Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Martin and Emma Elizabeth (Householder) Stemen.
The arrangements are being handled by Crouse-Kauber Funeral Home in Johnstown. Services were private. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Michelle Sowers
Michelle D. "Shelli" Sowers, 37, Johnstown, was called home to her Heavenly Father on Friday (May 4, 2001) following an extended illness.
Born in Columbus on July 1, 1963, to Glenda (Hambrick) Feazel of Sunbury and Kenneth Feazel of Whitehall, she was a member of the Big Walnut High School Class of 1981 and was employed by Ross Labs.
Sowers was a member of Genoa Baptist Church and the ladies Bible study group and Precept Bible Studies at the church. She enjoyed everything and lived life to the fullest, participating in water skiing, horseback riding, roller skating, hiking, camping, gardening and motorcycle riding.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her son and daughter, Jordan and Rachel, both of the home; two brothers, Douglas of Center Village and John of Columbus; her grandparents, Bonnie Hambrick of Sunbury and Earl and Donna Feazel of Galena; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation was held at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury, with funeral services held at Genoa Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Academy of Genoa Baptist Church, 7562 Lewis Center Road, Sunbury 43074.
Alice Spangler
Alice Mary Spangler, 82 of Cardington, died on Monday (July 17, 2000) night at her residence.
She was born in Bellefontaine on December 25, 1917 to the late Alva and Adaline (Dietzel) Hill. She had lived in Cardington since 1973 and the Fargo and Sunbury areas prior to that. She was a member of the Delaware Grace Brethern Church and she was a retired cook for the Sunbury Grill.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Perry Jr. of Marengo, David and Polly of South Amherst, Charles and Jeanne of Valdosta, Ga., and Steve and Kim of Delaware; daughters and sons-in-law Myra and Roy Taylor of Atlanta, Ga., Mary Catherine Webb and Roy Roberts of Columbus and Gertrude and Wayne Arnold of Cardington; 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Perry E. Spangler Sr., on August 11, 1993.
Calling hours were held at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury, where funeral services were held with Pastor Jeff Gill officiating. Interment followed in the Sunbury Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Morrow County, P.O. Box 86, Mt. Gilead, 43338 or the Hospice at Riverside and Grant, 3535 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, 43214-9861.
Cecil Sparks
Cecil R. Sparks, 69, Mount Vernon and formerly of Sunbury, died at his home on Friday evening (November 15, 2002).
He was born in Flat Gap, Kentucky, on December 22, 1932, to the late Hobart and Madge (Salyers) Sparks. He had worked at Galena Brick and Shale, Nestles, Sparks Sohio and delivered Mids Bags and Mount Vernon News.
A member of the Covenant Christian Church of God, he was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds and University of Kentucky basketball, he also taught school in Little Mine Fork, Kentucky.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepson, Jerry Johnson, who passed away on November 13, 2002; three brothers, Jim, William, and Carmel Ford; and a sister, Roma.
Surviving are his wife, Susan K. (Frank) Sparks, whom he married on July 30, 1993; two stepsons and their wives, Danny and Judy Johnson of Columbus and Wayne and Ailene Johnson of Westerville; six stepdaughters and their spouses, Maryann and George Freeman of Sunbury, Debbie Johnson of Sunbury, Dena and Juanito Dolendo of Lewis Center, Phyllis Sparks of Westerville, Teresa and Eddie Barker of Manard, Arkansas, and Tina Mitchell of Newark, Arkansas; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Hobart Jr. and Linda Sparks of Kilbourne and Gene and Sue Sparks of Sunbury; a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Tobe Wheeler of Straffordville, Kentucky; his step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury, where services were held with Pastor Greg Browning officiating.
Interment was in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.
James H. Sparks
James H. Sparks, 77, Sunbury, died Wednesday (August 8, 2001) at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus.
He was born on June 21, 1924 in Flat Gap, Kentucky to the late Hobart and Madge Salyers Sparks. Sparks moved to Sunbury 27 years ago from Johnstown. He was a retired foreman with PPG Glass in Mount Vernon.
Jim loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a Little League coach, enjoyed hunting, fishing and attending Big Walnut area sporting events.
Sparks is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Phyllis Johnson Sparks; his daughter, Linda (Theron) Harris of Delaware; his son, Gary (Teresa) Sparks of Utica; his 11 grandchildren, Glen (Tammy), Scott, Jeremy, Sheila, Shane, Brad (Christy), Christine (Craig), Amanda (Shawn), Jason (Amber), Steve and Joey; his eight great-grandchildren, Courtney, Cassidy, Lucas, Nathan, Brandon, Brittney, Emily and Sadie; his three brothers, Hobart (Linda) Sparks of Kilbourne, Cecil (Sue) Sparks of Mount Vernon and Gene (Sue) Sparks of Sunbury; and his sister, Nancy (Tobe) Wheeler of Straffordville, Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steve Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Braxton Luke and Noel Marie; a brother, William; and a sister, Olive.
Visitation was at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury where services were held with pastors Wayne Booth and Carol Weiss officiating. Interment was in Sunbury Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the BW Athletic Boosters.
Willard Sparks
Willard Sparks, 69, Sunbury, died Wednesday (January 31, 2001) at St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville.
Sparks was born on May 7, 1931 in Johnson County, Kentucky and was a resident of Sunbury since 1956. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a retired employee of the Galena Brick Yard and Nestle' Corporation in Sunbury.
He attended Centerburg Enterprise Baptist Church and Kerz Enterprise Baptist Church in Flat Gap, Kentucky. He enjoyed his family and gardening.
Sparks is survived by his mother, Gusta Sparks of Flat Gap, Kentucky; his second wife, Neva Mae (Ramey); a son, Willard F. Sparks of Sunbury; three daughters, Rita (Donald) Hinkle of Sunbury, Diana L. (Ralph) Arms of Mount Vernon and Angel Kay Arthur of Sunbury; three stepsons, Ford Allen Sparks of Flat Gap. Kentucky, Russell (Cathy) Sparks of Salyersville, Kentucky, and Billy Ray (Barb) Sparks of Flat Gap, Kentucky; two step-daughters, Jo Ann (Howard) Thompson and Gwen (Tom) McKenzie of Flat Gap, Kentucky; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; nine step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; brothers Darvin Sparks of Mount Vernon and Russell Sparks of Sunbury; and by sisters Betty Evans, Anna Edwards and Judy Lewis, all of Sunbury, and Sue Lemasters of Marion.
He was preceded in death by his father, Othie Sparks; his first wife, Betty Jo McKenzie Sparks in 1997; and a daughter, Judith Darlene Sparks in 1989.
Visitation was at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury where funeral services were held with the Reverend Crate Sparks officiating. Interment was in Trenton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Tommie Ray Spaulding
Tommie Ray Spaulding Sr., 61, of Marengo, died at his home Monday evening, March 30.
He was born on March 7, 1937 in Purtain, WV to the late Steward and Maudie (Bowens) Spaulding. He moved to Columbus in 1954 from West Virginia and to Marengo in 1974. Retired in 1991 after working 37 years in the pre-upholstery dept. of Simmons Mattrress Co. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, sportsman, Wal-Mart Shopper, member of the New Testament Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Jessie Mae (Crum); sons and daughters-in-law, Tommie Ray and Kim Spaulding Jr. of Marengo, William and Theresa Spaulding of Galion; Daughter and son-in-law, Maudie and Mike Welty of Marengo; nine grandchildren; sisters Ruth Henson of Worthington, Betty Jane Evans of Columbus; brother William Spaulding of Marengo; half brothers Garner Jude of Toledo, James Jude of Taylorsville.
He is preceded in death by son, Hobert Spaulding and sister Virginia Cremeans and two brothers Danny Ray and Howard Spaulding.
Services will be held at the New Testament Baptist Church and the Rev. William Kirk and Mr. Loy Dunigan will officiate. Interment was at the Marengo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of Morrow County, P.O. box 86, Mt. Gilead, Ohio 43338.
Carman Spiert
Carman N. "Spook" Spiert, former Deputy Chief of Police and retired member of the Columbus Division of Police, died Wednesday (August 8, 2001) at the Columbus Alzheimer's Center.
He was a graduate of the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville Police Science and Administration course, Executive Leadership Management Training Course at Capital University and completed several other police-related courses and seminars at Ohio State University and the FBI Academy.
Spiert was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Provost Unit of the Aladdin Temple Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his sons, Raymond A. and Donald R. Spiert, Roland Monroe of Grove City, and Norman Monroe of Florida; daughters Rita Brown of Florida and Lisa R. Griffith of Florence, South Carolina.; brothers Arthur and Vincent of Texas, Anthony of Columbus, and John of Florida; sisters Anne Russell, Lucille Wilkinson of Galena, and Mary Ulrey of Columbus; many grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and his friend and companion, Pat Coey of Columbus.
Visitation was held at Schoedinger East Chapel, where funeral services were held with the Reverend Charles Hagenberger officiating. Interment was in Glen Rest Memorial Estate.
