USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Dorothy D’Andrea
Dorothy P. (Landes) D’Andrea, 80, of Columbus, died Monday (Feb. 10, 2003) in her home.
Born in Essex, she was a dental assistant for many years and was the recipient of the Doctor’s Hospital Golden Achievement/Golden Hero Award in 1995. She was an avid walker and enjoyed animals, cooking, gardening and arts and crafts.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Joe; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Attilio D’ Andrea, Atto and Olga D’Andrea, Edmund and Addie D’Andrea and Tina D’Andrea; nieces and nephews, Joanne Dickens Decker and her husband, Jim; Carolyn Dickens Benton and her husband, Robert, Sharon Dickens Hutton and her husband, Joe, Mark Dickens, Ilene Ruby, Wilma Diehl, and Larry, Phyllis and Gerald Landes; and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles; three sisters, Thelma, LaVerne and LaVaughn; and brothers-in-law, Ermo D’Andrea and William G. Dickens.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High St., Columbus, where funeral services will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Larry Baker will officiate. Burial will be in Kingwood Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to the Central Ohio Breathing Association, 1520 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, OH 43220.
George R. Gehrkens
George R. Gehrkens, 88, of Delaware, died Sunday (April 13, 2003) at Riverside Methodist Hospital.
He was born in February 1915, in Hollywood, Calif. He studied engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. He joined North American Aviation Inc. in 1937, as one of the first engineers at the fledgling company. He was actively involved in developing many of the most well known airplanes of World War II, and was a senior project engineer of the P-51 Mustang. In 1942 he was sent to England by the Army Air Corps to oversee the addition of drop tanks on the Mustangs. That was accomplished quickly, and the Mustangs were able to escort long-range bombers over Germany, which was recognized as a major factor in winning the air war in Europe. During the Korean conflict, he was a senior project engineer for development of the F-86 Sabre Jet, which dominated the skies against the Russian MIG-15s. He transferred to the Columbus Division of NAA in 1951 as chief engineer. In 1962, he was promoted to executive vice president of the division and became a vital leader in the development of all airplanes produced there. These included the FJ Fury series, the T2 Buckeye, the OV-10 Bronco and the visionary A3J Vigilante. He retired from NAA in 1970 and continued his profession as an aviation consultant in the U.S. and Europe. He never considered himself retired, and was always on the alert for new challenges and ideas. He was “talking airplanes” until his final days.
He also owned and operated Transtainer Systems Manufacturing, which made semi trailers, then owned Caretree Systems Manufacturing, which made tree nursery equipment. He was associated with the Land Corp. and was Ohio’s deputy director of energy. He also spent time in Belgium developing a jet trainer, and it was there that he met his wife, Peggy. He had many other interests, also. He was a member and captain of the North American Flying Horsemen dressage team in California, and a past president of the River Ridge Riding Club. He enjoyed showing and raising American saddlebreds and mowing the pastures on his southern Delaware County farm.
Mr. Gehrkens is survived by his wife, Peggy; sons and daughter-in-law Mike and Tamie Gehrkens and Bill Gehrkens; his first wife, Virginia May; nieces and nephews in California; his extended family in Belgium, Dominique Rhosart, Calau Rhosart, Nanou and Ben Tollehere, and Orphee Rhosart; and many friends world-wide.
He was preceded in death by his second wife, Pat Van Keuren.
Visiting hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Weir-Arend Funeral Home, 4221 N. High St., Columbus, where a funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James M. Long officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery.
Charles B. Mead
Charles B. Mead, 80, a resident of Medina County for 30 years, died Monday (April 14, 2003) in Medina.
He was born March 10, 1923, in Woodstock, Ohio, to Andrew and Lulu (Wallace) Mead. He served in the Army in World War II. A truck driver for American Freight, he was a member of Teamsters Local 407.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Heineman) Mead, of Brunswick; daughters and sons-in-law Gloria Morris of Fayetteville, N.C., Charlene and Joe McGarvey of Henderson, Nev., and Judy and Steven Kissinger of New Philadelphia; a son and daughter-in-law, George and Dianne Mead of Marion; daughter-in-law Sue Mead of Illinois; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Mead; a grandson, Simon McGarvey; his sister, Ellen Schuster; and brothers Raymond and Clyde Mead.
Visiting hours are Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Waite & Son Brunswick Chapel, 3300 Center Road, at Interstate 71 and Ohio 303. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Allen C. Alexander officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Medina County SPCA, 6334 Deerview Lane, Medina, OH 44256.
Richard Snavely
Richard C. Snavely, 75, of Bucyrus, died Tuesday (April 15, 2003) at Bucyrus Community Hospital after a short battle with acute leukemia.
He was born Sept. 30, 1927, in Oceola to Clarence L. and Lois (Gilliland) Snavely, now deceased. He was a 1945 graduate of Holmes Liberty High School and he attended Ohio University. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and he belonged to American Legion Post 181. His other memberships included 50 years in Nevada Masonic Lodge No. 343, 50 years as a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason, and 50 years in the Aladdin Temple Shrine.
Mr. Snavely retired Feb. 1, 1987, after 35 years with Timken Co. He was an avid sports fan and well-known supporter of local fast pitch softball teams. He belonged to Good Hope Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Betty (Ley) Snavely, whom he married on June 28, 1953; by a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Jay Morrison of Powell; five step-grandchildren, Jay Jr., Jeff, Joe, J.T. and Jaylynn; and two step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Leo Ley and Donnie Ley and his wife Bonnie, all of Bucyrus; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.
Visiting hours will be held Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Munz-Pirnstill Funeral Home, 215 N. Walnut St., Bucyrus. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 129 W. Charles St., Bucyrus, with Rev. Michael Wiechers officiating and Rev. Al Perry of Delaware Christian Church assisting.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Good Hope Lutheran Church renovation fund, the Crawford County Humane Society or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Ross Updegraff
Ross A. Updegraff, 73, of Delaware, died Monday (April 14, 2003) at Grady Memorial Hospital.
He was born June 7, 1929, in Hancock County to Truman and Helen (Shuster) Updegraff, now deceased. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and he retired from CSX Transportation after 44 years of service. A longtime Delaware resident, he was a member of the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge No. 1167, the Eagles and the National Rifle Association.
He is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Larry Updegraff of Walbridge, Dale and Michelle Updegraff of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and Dean Updegraff of Palm Harbor, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Margo and Joe Okapal of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gene and Rae Updegraff of Sun City West, Ariz., and Bob and Louise Updegraff of Wagner, Okla.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna and Polk Olendorf of Van Buren and Doris and Paul Wonder of Carey; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Updegraff.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home, 92 N. Sandusky St., and also on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. at Witzler-Shank Funeral home, 701 N. Main St., Walbridge, where a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Lake Township Cemetery.
Clara Welsh
Clara Welsh, 76, of Delaware died Monday afternoon (April 14, 2003) at the Sarah Moore Home.
She was born Sept. 6, 1926, in Chillicothe to the late Lawrence T. and Lucy VanZandt Griffin. She graduated from North High School in 1945. A central Ohio resident for the majority of her life, she moved to Delaware in 1996 from Crystal River, Fla. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs Welsh was known as a fabulous cook. She loved animals, the outdoors, bird watching, and flower and vegetable gardening. She attended Delaware Bible Church, was a former Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and volunteered at Children’s Hospital.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Martin Fletcher of Delaware; her grandchildren, Carrie B. Myle and her husband Eric, Meghann Fletcher of Delaware, and Matthew and Jason Welsh of Gahanna; a sister and brother-in-law, Jean G. and Ted Andrews of Albuquerque, N.M.; nephews J. David Welsh of Bowie, Md., and Larry Andrews of Pasadena, Calif.; and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, John C. Welsh, on Oct. 10, 1996; a son, John C. Welsh III on April 29, 1985; and a brother, Samuel G. Griffin.
Visiting hours will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 75 W. William St., Delaware. A funeral service will be held Thursday at Delaware Bible Church with music beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the funeral at 1:30 p.m., with Pastor Marvin Hintz officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sarah Moore Home, 26 N. Union St., Delaware, OH 43015.
Julia Anne Wilson
Julia Anne (Roberts) Wilson, 78, of Cedarville, died Tuesday (April 15, 2003) at home.
She was born in Delaware to William B. and Helena (Craig) Roberts and was a Frank B. Willis High School graduate. She was an active member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Her voluntary duties to the church included being a church missionary, steward, treasurer, and superintendent for Sunday school. Much of her time included her devotion to Bible study.
She is survived by her ex-husband, Herbert R. Wilson; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and the Rev. Donald Collier and Marsha and Conrad Hill, all of Columbus, and Brenda and Stephen Jones of Lima, Ohio; a sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Dwight Trimble of Delaware; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda K. Wilson; two brothers, Lawrence and James Roberts; and three sisters, Geraldine A. (Robert) Smith, Sara Lee (James) Montgomery, and Mary Kathryn (Geno) Scott.
Visiting hours will be Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Ingling Williams Funeral Home, Cedarville. Services will be held in St. Paul A.M.E. Church at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dwight Smith officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, on Saturday.
Wayne Henry Brandes
Wayne Henry Brandes, 85, of Ashley, died Monday (Sept. 22, 2003) at Marion General Hospital.
He was born in Long Point, Ill., on May 20, 1918, to Henry and Anna (Ramme) Brandes. His family moved to the current family farm near Waldo in 1920. He was a 1938 graduate of Waldo High School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for four years, during which he served 16 months in Cairo, Egypt. He graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics as an aeronautical engineer. Mr. Brandes was a member of Delaware Bible Church where he served in many ministries of the church. He was a World War II veteran and a member of the American Legion. He married Margaret Louise Boger on Aug. 17, 1943 in Liberal, Kan. They have three children and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jil and Ray Dunlap of Abingdon, Ill., and Tami and Mark Allen of Greenville, S.C.; five grandchildren, Brett Dunlap, Kari Dunlap Beers, Kali Dunlap, Brandon Allen and Bryce Allen; and four great-grandchildren, Mason Dunlap, Kade Dunlap, Rocky Lee Beers and Raegan Beers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Vernal and Ray Augenstein, and Buela and Harold Graham; a son, Rocky Lee; and a granddaughter, Megan Dunlap.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Delaware Bible Church, 45 Belle Ave., where funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m., with Pastor Marvin Hintz officiating. Burial will be at Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware Bible Church or to Gideon’s International.
Arrangements are being handled by Bennett Brown Rodman Funeral Home and Crematory.
William R. “Bill” Sullivan
William R. “Bill” Sullivan, 70, of Delaware, died Tuesday (Dec. 9, 2003) at Grady Memorial Hospital.
He was born Jan. 10, 1933 in Columbus, to Harry and Pauline (Morgan) Sullivan. He was a 1950 graduate of Linden-McKinley High School. His father, Harry, established Sullivan’s Western Auto on North Sandusky Street in 1948 which later became Sullivan’s True Value until 1995. In 1950, Mr. Sullivan joined his father in the business while attending Ohio Wesleyan University and in 1995, he became owner of Sullivan Auto Sales. He was a member of William Street United Methodist Church, the Elks Lodge, and the Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Edna; a daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Clay Mantovani of Columbus; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Vicki of Upper Arlington; a granddaughter, Kimberly Sullivan; a sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Dick Bartlett of Lancaster; two nephews, Gary of Canal Winchester and Steve of Lancaster; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patricia and Gary Culver and their children, Tracy and Tonie, all of Delaware.
Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home, 32 W. Winter St. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at William Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sharon Beattie officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the William Street United Methodist Church, 28 W. William St., Delaware, OH 43015 or to the Red Cross, Delaware chapter, 5 W. Winter St., Delaware, OH 43015.
Anna Bell
Anna May Virginia Bell, 91, of Delaware, died Tuesday (Oct. 23, 2001) at The Arbors at Delaware.
She was born Dec. 9, 1909, in Washington Cottage, Tenn., to Bessie (Burton) Edwards and William Edwards.
She resided most of her life in Ostrander, where she was a homemaker. She was a member of Ostrander Presbyterian Church and Ostrander Order of Eastern Star.
Mrs. Bell is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Revella and Robert W. Jones of Fairfield Glade, Tenn.; two grandsons, Jed Flahive, married to Cindy, and Max Flahive, all of Delaware; four great-grandchildren, Kirsten, Michael, Jason and Jeremy Flahive; and a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Evelyn Edwards of Fort Wayne, Ind. Her husband, Ralph, died in 1980. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Edwards.
There will be no visiting hours or funeral services.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Grady, 561 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015, or Ostrander Presbyterian Church, 117 W. North St., Ostrander, OH 43061. Robinson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
