Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
L. Bert Frye
Died: Sunday, July 13, 2003
L. Bert Frye went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 13, 2003, after suddenly being stricken by a cerebral hemorrhage Saturday afternoon at his home in Xenia. He was born on October 24, 1917 to Bert Scott and Laura (Peithman) Frye near Sedalia, MO, and was the oldest of seven children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard of Kansas City.
Bert was a graduate of the University of Missouri at Rolla, in 1940 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. From 1940 to 1942, he was employed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which was the forerunner of NASA.
In August of 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II, serving more than 3 ½ years, 17 months of which was spent overseas in Italy and Algeria, North Africa, in technical services with the AAF repairing aircraft returning from bombing missions in Europe. He was married
to Esther G. Wilder on April 2, 1944. Following the war, he graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary and also worked in traffic engineering with the city of Grand Rapids, MI.
He then embarked on a teaching career, first at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 1957, and then went to what was then called Cedarville College in 1961, where he retired from teaching in 1985. During this time, he taught courses in physics, physical science, mathematics, engineering, geology, thermodynamics and astronomy, the latter being his first love.
A master’s degree in astrophysics was granted to him in 1964 by Miami University, after which he continued to teach at Cedarville College for the next 21 years.
During these years he was the recipient of seven successive summer grants by the National Science Foundation for pursuing scientific research in his fields of teaching, the last two being NASA-sponsored research projects involving experiments that went aboard planetary space vehicles, such as the imaging experiment that went aboard the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, which was the first to fly to Jupiter in 1971.
Bert had a big interest in family history as well, and organized the national Fry(e) Family Association involving over 200 families across the U.S. He was served as its Chaplain since 1992.
Bert leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Esther (Wilder) Frye, and a son Jonathan, as well as four grandchildren: Talitha Nicole (Crallie), Ethan Scott, Clarissa Grace and Andrew Jonathan; and one great-grandson, Drysten Crallie.
He is also survived by two sisters, Jane (Duddles) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Bernice (Hallman) of St. George, Utah, and three brothers, Robert S. of Lee’s Summit, MO; James F. of Jenison, MI; and Gene of Kansas City, KS.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, July 17, 2003, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. in the Grace Baptist Church with Pastor David Graham officiating. INGLING WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Cedarville, assisting the family.
Patricia L. Evans
Died: Sunday, July 13, 2003
Age: 63
Patricia L. Evans, 63, of Cedarville, passed away Sunday morning at Hospice of Dayton.
She was born in Xenia August 14, 1939, the daughter of Kenneth and Ruth Wagner Gordin.
She was a 1957 graduate of Greeneview High School and was married
to Alvin Evans August 17, 1957.
She is survived by her husband, Alvin; mother, Ruth Gordin; daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Greg Gifford; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Aimee Evans; grandchildren Allyson and Luke Evans, stepgrandson Chas Gifford, all of Cedarville; sister Connie and husband Doug Peck of Springfield; and brothers Mark and wife Ann Gordin of Jamestown, Steve and wife Ruth Gordin of Xenia.
Services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Powers Funeral Home in Jamestown, where friends may call Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m.
Burial will be in Grape Grove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.
Morton C. Benson
Died: Saturday, July 12, 2003
Morton C. Benson, Fairborn, Ohio, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2003 at Greene Memorial Hospital, Xenia, Ohio. He was born June 4, 1918 in Kansas City, Kansas and was preceded in death by his parents, Morton and Laura Benson.
Morton was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, veteran of W.W.II, and retired from WPAFB, Foreign Technology Division. He was a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in electrical engineering.
He was a life long Ham Radio operator.
He is survived by his brother, Harold A. Benson (Alice) of Leawood, KS.; nephew, Harold A. Benson II of Overland Park, KS.; niece, Janet A. (Dr. Keith J.) Abercrombie of Leawood, KS.; great-niece, Ann C. Abercrombie of Leawood, KS.; and dear friend, C. Scott Kunkle.
Private arrangements in the care of Morris Sons Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St., Fairborn, Ohio.
Dennis L. Johnson
Died: Saturday, July 12, 2003
Age: 83
Dennis L. Johnson, 83, of Fairborn, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2003, in his residence. He was born on Oct. 9, 1919, in Staples, Minnesota, the son of the late Elmer T. and Ruth M. (Quance) Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was a retired electrician with Wright-Patterson AFB, served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, was a member of VFW Post 428, Lodge 11 and Council 88 F. & A.M., Lancaster, Ohio, Aladdin Council, and the Byron Church.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beatrice M. Johnson; a sister, Marian Buchholz of Minnesota; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services will be conducted by the family. Arrangements were entrusted to the Belton Funeral Home, Fairborn.
Ellen M. Berwanger
Died: Saturday, July 12, 2003
Age: 80
Ellen M. Berwanger, 80, of Xenia, passed away Saturday evening, July 12, 2003, at her residence.
She was born January 31, 1923, in New Burlington, the daughter of Jessie and Marie Bennington Ary.
She is survived by her husband, Russell T. Berwanger, whom she married
February 25, 1946; a daughter, Darcy Susan Cost, Springfield; three grandchildren, Lisa Glass and her husband, Steve, who personally cared for her grandmother during her illness at her residence, Gary Cost, II, and Angela Bailey; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mildred Reynolds and Helen Busby and her husband, Jack, all of Xenia; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dorothy Schardt.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the Neeld Funeral Home, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia, with Pastor David E. McClellan officiating.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. Wednesday until service time.
Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH. 45402.
Donald Irvin Adams Jr.
Died: Friday, July 11, 2003
Age: 44
Donald Irvin Adams Jr., 44, of Xenia, passed away Friday afternoon at Greene Memorial Hospital.
He was born November 22, 1958, in Vincennes, Indiana, the son of Donald I. Sr. and Esther (Mowen) Adams.
Donald had worked at Dunkin Donuts and Hilltop Apartments as a security guard. He also drove a taxi for the Xenia Cab Company. He was a CB radio enthusiast, loved fishing, flea markets and picnics.
He is survived by his wife, Kitty (Moore) Adams, whom he married
December 8, 1987; a son, Marvin Staley; his mother, Esther Corbean, Xenia; sisters, Dawn Michelle (Gary Dudley) Adams, Xenia, Tina Marie (Joe Rajchel) Adams, Xenia; brothers Mark Allen (Rhonda) Adams, Xenia, Douglas Ray Adams, Xenia, Gerald Lee "Jerry" Adams, Fairborn; sisters-in-law, Doris Adams, Beavercreek, and Heather Adams, Xenia; his favorite pup, Baby; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, a brother, Michael Duwayne Adams; and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Moore.
A gathering was held Saturday evening to reflect on his life hosted by his family and friends. Donald was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. There will be no services. McColaugh Funeral Home, Inc., 826 N. Detroit St., Xenia, handled all arrangements.
