USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
FOREST L. ARTHUR, age 78, of Piqua, Ohio, died Thursday April 8, 2004 at 5:30 P.M. at Koester Pavilion, Troy, Ohio. He was born January 15, 1926 in Maysville, Ky. to the late Herbert W. and Leona (Hays) Arthur.
Forest married
Gloria M. Louden March 27, 1948 in Sidney, Ohio and she survives.
Also surviving are 3 Sons and Daughter-In-Law: William & Cindy Arthur, Dan Arthur, and Harold Arthur all of Piqua. 1 Daughter and Son-In-Law: Rita & Sandy Baxter of Macon, Ga. 3 Brothers: William Arthur of Piqua, O., Vernon Arthur of Sidney, O. Wayne Arthur of Troy, O. 1 Sister: Kathryn Hurley of Dayton, O. 8 Grandchildren, and 13 Great Grandchildren. Mr. Arthur was preceded in death by 4 Brothers.
Mr. Arthur attended the Piqua Salvation Army. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Forest worked for Dinner Bell Meats in Troy for 24 years and retired in 1989.
Funeral services will be held Monday April 12, 2004 at 11 A.M. at MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME with Major Ronald Starnes officiating. Burial will follow in Miami Memorial Park, Covington, O. Calling hours will be Monday 10 A.M.- 11 A.M. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Passport of Shelby County 1201 Fairington Rd. Sidney, Ohio 45365 or Piqua Salvation Army 129 S. Wayne St. Piqua, Ohio 45356.
William R. Lake, Sr.: age 72 of Piqua; died Monday, April 12, 2004 at 3:15 p.m. at Heartland of Piqua Nursing Home. He was born April 29, 1931 in Piqua to the late Raymond and Gladys (Gibson) Lake. He married
Joyce E. “Susie” (Haney) Lake January 20, 1950 in Richmond, IN; she survives.
Bill is also survived by three daughters and son-in-law: Peggy Rose of MD, Kathy and Randy Fergus of Hilliard and Cheryl Christopher of AL; one son and daughter-in-law: William and Marcia Lake, Jr. of Piqua; 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. One brother, Leon Weaver, preceded him in death.
Mr. Lake moved to FL in 1971, where he resided for 32 years, returning to Ohio in November 2003. He attended Piqua City Schools, was a founding member and instructor of Box 13 Rescue Divers with Piqua Fire Department. Bill was an original installer of Cable TV in the Piqua area was the owner/operator of Matthews Radio and T.V. and was a salesman with Firestone in FL for many years. He enjoyed scuba diving, trading rare and precious items and boating.
Private Services are being handled by Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua.
Memorial contributions may be made to Piqua Ambulance Fund American Legion Post #184 301 W. Water St. Piqua, Ohio 45356 or Hospice of Miami County PO Box 502 Troy, Ohio 45373.
FRANKLIN E. SCHMIDT, age 86, of Piqua, Ohio died Thursday April 15, 2004 at 12:40 P.M. at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, Ohio. He was born February 28, 1918 in Sidney, Ohio to the late Raymond and Pearl (Barker) Schmidt. He married
Mary C. Brush on May 12, 1937 in Piqua, Ohio and she survives.
Also surviving is 1 Daughter and Son-In-Law: Terry & Ralph Quinter of Piqua; 2 Sons and Daughter-In-Law: David & Betty Schmidt of Sidney and Franklin E. Schmidt II of Piqua, Ohio. 1 Brother: Eugene Schmidt of Piqua, Ohio and 1 Sister: Rose Boroff of Sidney, Ohio. 7 Grandchildren and 19 Great Grandchildren. Franklin was preceded in death by 1 Son: Joe Schmidt.
Mr. Schmidt worked for The Stolle Corp. in Sidney, Ohio for over 20 years. Frank & Mary owned and operated Smitty’s Restaurant in Piqua for over 20 years.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME.
STEPHEN T. (POPPS) VENTURA, 55, of Piqua, died at 6:19 a.m. Tuesday April 20, 2004, at Koester Pavilion, Troy. He was born September 15, 1948 to Joseph and Bonnie (Hurdle) Ventura. He married
Delores F. Craft in Sept. of 1973 and she preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 1984.
Mr. Ventura is survived by his father Joseph Ventura of Bellbrook; four sons, Jason C. Ventura of Troy, Nicholas A. Ventura and Patricia Adams of Piqua, Stephen T. Ventura II and Jarred Ventura of Florida; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Annie Ventura of Illinois, John and Kathleen Ventura of Sidney, Michael and Paula Ventura of South Carolina; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Sandra and Don Zerkel of Tipp City, Peggy and Frank Putich of Springboro, Catherine and Ken Serey of Tipp City, and Vicki and Steve Laux of Kettering; two grandchildren, Jenna Ventura of Piqua, and Iverson M.J. Ventura of Piqua; and a special friend/”serogate” son: Brent Loesch of Kettering. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In addition to his mother, Bonnie Ventura, and wife, DeeDee Ventura, one sister, Mary Theresa Ventura, preceded him in death.
Steve graduated from Bellbrook High School in 1967. He was a member of St. Boniface Church in Piqua. He worked for American General Insurance Company for 13 years and he retired from Direct Graphics in Sidney after 10 years of service.
Steve absolutely loved raising his son’s and loved watching all of their sporting events. Thank you very much to UVMC and most especially to the wonderful people at Hospice of Miami County and the caring people at Koester Pavilion.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2004 at St. Boniface Church in Piqua with the Rev. Fr. Angelo Caserta officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary cemetery in Dayton. Calling Hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday in the Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Miami County, P.O. box 502, Troy, Ohio 45373, or St. Boniface Catholic Church 310 S. Downing St. Piqua, Ohio 45356.
JUANITA G. VOLKER, age 92, of Piqua, Ohio, died Tuesday April 20, 2004 at Piqua Manor Nursing Home, Piqua, Ohio. She was born December 20, 1911 in Rossburg, Ohio to the late John Wesley and Margaret (Eibe) Brown.
Juanita married
Robert J. Volker on June 17, 1933 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Piqua, Ohio. He preceded her in death in 1989.
Juanita is survived by one nephew: Fred Volker, Lubbock, Texas; one niece: Joan Wuorenma, Birchwood, Wisconsin; and special friends: John & Clarice Carpenter, Piqua and Barbara Baker, Piqua. One daughter, one brother and one aunt preceded her in death.
Mrs. Volker graduated from Greenville High School in 1929 and attended Baltasers College in Greenville for 1½ years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She belonged to the Alter Society.
Juanita was employed at S. S. Kresge’s Co. and the Jupitor Store in Piqua for 25 years as a clerk before retiring in 1978. She spent 17 years of that time managing the Lunch Counter at Kresge’s. Juanita also worked for Piqua Memorial Medical Center for 5 years.
Graveside services will be Friday April 23, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at Forest Hill cemetery with Rev. Fr. Thomas Grilliot officiating. Burial will follow immediately. There will be no public calling hours. Arrangements are being handled by Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua, Oh.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Church Building Fund, 528 Broadway Street, Piqua, Oh 45356 or Piqua Ambulance Fund, American Legion #184, 301 W. Water Street, Piqua, Oh 45356.
HELEN L. JONES, age 79, of Piqua, Ohio, died Friday April 23, 2004 at the residence of her daughter, Kathy. She was born June 17, 1924 in Oran, Ohio to the late Lewis and Sophia (Snow) Ganger.
Helen married
John W. Jones on December 29, 1942 in Columbia City, Indiana. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1987.
Helen is survived by 2 sons & daughter-in-law: John T. Jones, Alabama and James & Linda Jones, Milford, OH.; 4 daughters & sons-in-law: Barbara & Michael O’Leary, Peggy & William Dorman, Corky & Spencer Kelch and Kathy & William Cline, all of Piqua; 1 sister: Mrs. Mabel Blanchard, Wheaton, IL, 1 brother & sister-in-law: William & Bertha Ganger, Piqua; 22 grandchildren: Julie & Alex Fischer, Annie & Scott Barnette, Christopher O’Leary, Scott & Mariela O’Leary, Robert & Rosie O’Leary, Jonathon & Denise Dorman, Eli & Tammy Dorman, Seth & Tracy Dorman, Zach Dorman, Lori & JJ Bowman, Jenny & Bill Lemmon, Jamie & Mert Jones, John & Mindy Garland, Katina & Jimmy Kay, Amber Cline, Jacob Cline, Brian Jones, Nathan Jones, Jimmy & Sherry Jones, Justin & Kim Jones, Jessica & Tony Pearson and Jacob Jones; 24 great-grandchildren & 2 on the way. One granddaughter: Lisa Kelch; 1 grandson: Chad Kelch; 1 brother and 2 sisters preceded her in death.
Mrs. Jones graduated from Houston High School in 1942. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She belonged to the Alter Society. Perpetual Adoration. Label Committee, Festival Committee and served as a Sacristan from 1988-1997..
Helen was employed at Allen-A in Piqua for 22 years as a seamstress before retiring in 1988.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday April 27, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Thomas Grilliot and Rev. Fr. Francis Keferl co-officiating. Burial will be in Miami Memorial Park, Covington, OH. Calling hours will be from 4-8 PM, Monday, April 26 at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua, Oh.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Church Building Fund, 528 Broadway, Piqua, Oh 45356 or Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, Ohio 45373.
Jerome “Jerry” J. Steinke: age 88 of Piqua; died Monday, April 26, 2004 at 7:55 p.m. at Koester Pavilion in Troy. He was born December 2, 1915 in Fort Loramie, Ohio to the late Louis and Anna (Schmidt) Steinke. He married
Ellen P. (Howe) Steinke November 27, 1937 at St. Boniface Church; she preceded him in death July 12, 1993.
Jerry is survived by two daughters and son-in-law: Margie and Denver Burch of MN and Renie and Tom Huffman of Piqua; one brother: Orville Steinke of Piqua and four sisters: Mary Louise Yenney of Piqua, Victoria DeLoye of Fort Loramie, Georgianna Schlicker of Piqua and Rita Vagedes of Piqua. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Christine Payne, Debra Ernst, Patty Durnen, Lori Luby, Barb Rasmussen and Jerry Burch and Keith Huffman, Lisa Beasecker, Vicki Huffman and Brenda Huffman; 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Two sisters: Alma Barhorst and Loretta Warren; four brothers: Edward, Gilbert, Silvinus and Leroy Steinke, one grandchild and one great grandchild preceded him in death.
Mr. Steinke worked in Piqua as a Building Contractor for 45 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of St. Mary Church and Knights of Columbus.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 30, 2004 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Church in Piqua with Fr. Thomas Grilliot officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Church 528 Broadway Piqua, Ohio 45356 or Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter The Laurelwood 3797 Summit Glen Dr. STE 100 Dayton, OH 45449 or Hospice of Miami County PO Box 502 Troy, OH 45373.
Paul M. West: age 73 of Piqua; died Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 11:02 a.m. at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy. He was born May 5, 1930 in West Milton, Ohio to the late John W. and Ludemia (Brandburg) West. He married
Maxine (Cavender) West November 5, 1954 in Piqua; she survives.
Paul is also survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Pamela and Ronald Bell of Troy, Peggy and Brad Voris of TX; one son and daughter-in-law: Randy and Audrey West of Vandalia. He is also survived by one brother: Robert West of Columbus; three sisters: Irene Leaman of Urbana, Joanne Zirkle of NC, Gloria Grant of Lima; four grandchildren: Robert T. Bell of Sidney, Brad P. Voris of TX, Shelley West of Vandalia and Zach West of Vandalia and many nieces, nephews and friends. One son: Paul M. West II preceded him in death.
Mr. West was a member of the Piqua American Legion Post #185, Piqua Fraternal Order of the Eagles #614, Troy Loyal Order of the Moose #2611 and the Troy Fish and Game. He served our country during the Korean Conflict in the US Army. Paul retired from Piqua Mineral Company in 1988.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua with Rev. Lincoln Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Miami Memorial Park in Covington. Visitation will be Friday 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., with a Service by the Troy Loyal Order of the Moose at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County PO Box 502 Troy, OH 45373 or the American Cancer Society 1130 Vester Ave. Suite G Springfield, OH 45503.
Nellie R. (Shellie) Martin: age 91 of Florida, formerly of Piqua; died Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at University Community Hospital in Tampa, FL. She was born January 26, 1913 in Martinsville, IL to the late Allen and Lula (Montgomery) Shellie. She married
Irven C. Martin May 10, 1941 in Piqua, OH; he preceded her in death in 1987.
Nellie is survived by two daughters and son-in-law: Phyllis Hicks of Piqua and Carolyn and James Matheny of FL and one son: Richard Jones of FL. 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren also survive her. Two daughters: Leona Bollinger and Patty Jones, one son: Sherman Jones and one brother: Everett Wagle preceded her in death.
Mrs. Martin was a member of Temple Heights Baptist Church in FL and formerly a member of Piqua Church of the Nazarene.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua with Rev. Dorsey Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill cemetery in Piqua. Visitation will be Friday 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
