USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
Betty Jane Shepard - On March 18, 2003, at 7:45 AM, Betty Jane Shepard of Piqua, Ohio, took her spirit walk through the western gate of the sacred circle of life to be with Grandfather Creator. Betty was born to Lucieal Pauline Craig and Martin C. Chambers, Sr. on Nov. 12, 1930 in Amsterdam, Oh. She was the granddaughter of Phobe Dottie Crabtree and William H. Craig, great granddaughter of Martha Jane Tallman and Enos Crabtree, and great, great granddaughter of Ohio Shawnee Clan Chief Tallman.
Children surviving Betty are George Daniel and Sherry Schaffer of Piqua, Ohio, William Dwight Shepard of Apopka, Florida, Diane Mae Smith of Tallassee, Alabama, Mrs. Robert (Barbara Jean) East of Eagle Lake, Florida, and Mrs. Anthony (Betty Jo) Lee of Piqua.
She is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy G. Leckey of Minster, Ohio, Vera L. Spieler of St. Marys, Ohio, and Lillian Marshel of Franklin, Ohio, and one brother, Martin C. Chambers, Jr., of Piqua, Ohio. Grandchildren include Robbie Schaffer, Richie Nutter, George Nutter, Mac Smith, Terry East, Chad Lee, Hope Gates, and Travis Speraw. Great-grandchildren are Brittany Nutter, Justin Nutter, Tiffany Smith, Courtney Smith, Mallory Nutter, Kaleb Gates, Alee Gates, and Harper Lee.
Betty’s spirit journey was preceded by and infant daughter, Kimberley Shepard, her parents, one sister, and three brothers.
Betty was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving from 1957 to 1959 as an office specialist. She was a graduate of Piqua Central High School, Class of 1948. She attended Edison State Community College and Sinclair Community College pursuing a degree as a Dietary Supervision Specialist.
Betty was employed most recently by the Miami County Incarceration Facility in Troy, Ohio, as a food preparation specialist. Betty went on medical retirement in July, 2002.
No funeral or memorial service will be held. In leau of flowers, contributions may be made to the Native American Indian Center of Celina, 304 Anthony Street, Celina, Ohio, 45822, in Betty’s name.
May Grandfather Creator walk with you.
Judith L. “Judy” (Slife) Hudson: age 55 of Piqua, died Friday, March 21, 2003 at 3:27 a.m. at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy. Judy was born April 21, 1947 in Sidney to the late Leo T. “Bud” and Edna C. (Glick) Slife. She married
Kenneth L. Hudson, I June 11, 1965 in Piqua; he survives and resides in Piqua.
Mrs. Hudson is also survived by two sons and daughters- in- law: Kenneth and Sharon Hudson, II of Piqua and Michael and Melissa Hudson of Sidney; one daughter and her fiancé: Jennifer Hudson and Kevin Jenkins of Piqua and twelve grandchildren: Kenneth Hudson, III, Shanin Hudson, Keena Hudson, Kahleb Hudson and Jamie Arnold; Nick Baker, Marissa Baker and Kevin Hudson; Rick Wildenhaus, Jr., Brad Wildenhaus, Brandon Wilkes and Gavin Jenkins. She is also survived by six brothers and sisters-in-law: Jim and Sue Slife of Cookeville, TN, John and Sue Slife of Ft. Loramie, Tom and Melissa Slife of Piqua, Don and Theresa Slife of Troy, Rick and Mary Slife of Piqua and Leonard Slife of Piqua and two sisters and brother-in-law: Joanne and Marshall Combs of Sidney and Linda Davis of Sidney. Judy is also survived by a great number of close family and friends that love and will miss her. Her father and mother-in-law preceded her in death: Bernard K. and Thelma A. (Gibbonny) Hudson.
Judy graduated from Piqua Central High School in 1965 and was a member of the Miami County Blind and Visually Impaired Association. She loved BINGO! She was a homemaker.
Memorial services will be Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at Madison Ave. First Church of God, Piqua with Pastor Michael Milthaler officiating. Burial will be at Miami Memorial Park in Covington. Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributons may be made to halp defray the funeral expenses.
TOM (EL-ROPE-O) RIDENOUR, age 64, of Piqua, Ohio, died Saturday March 22, 2003 at 4:40 P.M. at Hospice of Dayton Care Center. He was born in Piqua, Ohio January 9, 1939 to the late Elmer and Dorothy Mae (Herron) Ridenour. He married
Mae Cross on June 10, 1977 in Piqua, Ohio and she survives.
Also surviving are 5 Sons and Daughter-In-Laws: James and Sharon Green and Rick and Beth Green both of Piqua, Ohio; David and Pat Green of Ringling, Oklahoma; Scott and Kimberly Ridenour of Shelbyville, Indiana; Bill and Karen Ridenour of Colorado Springs, CO.
1 Daughter: Teresa and Mike Jess of Piqua, Ohio. Very special friends: Nancy and Bill Clemens of Piqua, Ohio and Linda Ksiazkiewicz of Ann Arbor, MI, 3 Brothers: Gary Ridenour of Piqua, Ohio; Ralph Ridenour of Union City, Indiana; Rev. Virgil Ridenour of Ringling, Oklahoma. 18 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by 1 Daughter: Patricia Birt and 1 Sister: Dottie Winemiller.
Mr. Ridenour was a 1958 graduate of Houston High School. He attended Crossroads Church of God in Piqua, Ohio. He was a member of the Troy Loyal Order of the Moose in which he was past president and has held every office in the Piqua and Troy clubs. He was Honorary Past President of the Ohio Moose Assn.; Past president of the Moose Legion Assn. of Ohio.
He worked at Ridenour Construction Co. in Piqua for several years.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday March 26, 2003 at 1 P.M. at MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME with Rev. Jerry Wilson and Hospice Chaplain Ed Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill cemetery, Piqua, Ohio. Calling hours will be Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. in the funeral home. The Loyal Order of the Moose will have a service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County P.O. Box 502 Troy, Ohio 45373 or Hospice of Dayton 324 Wilmington, Ohio 45420.
Roy D. Whiting: age 61 of Piqua, died Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 1:30 a.m. in his residence. He was born July 9, 1941 in Sabine, WV to the late Ben Franklin Whiting and Zelia Marie (Ewing) Lewis.
Mr. Whiting is survived by one son: Roy Lee Whiting of Canada; two daughters: Linda Randolph of Kentucky and Pamela S. Whiting of Dayton; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by two sisters: Zelda Evans of WV and Agnes Hurley of Piqua and one brother: James H. Whiting of Troy. Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death: Emerson, Bennie and Talmadge Whiting and Catherine Pack.
Roy retired from Dayton Press after over 15 years of service as a Master Plumber. He loved to fish and work on his truck.
All Services are Private. Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua has made arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County PO Box 502 Troy, Ohio 45373.
ROBERT K. (BOB) WESTFALL, age 43, of Piqua, Ohio, died Thursday March 27, 2003 at 11:07 A.M. at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, Ohio. He was born in Piqua, Ohio to the late Kermit Westfall who preceded him in death in 2001 and Barbara J. (Shinall) Mullins who survives and lives in Piqua.
Also surviving is 1 Son: Robert Kyle Westfall II of Troy, Ohio. 1 Daughter: Angel Sunshine Westfall of Troy, Ohio. The mother of his children: Tammy Westfall of Troy, Ohio. 3 Brothers: Ralph Westfall of Piqua, Ohio; James Keaton of Piqua, Ohio; Jonathon of Mullins, Ky. 4 Sisters: Kimberly Engley of Piqua, Ohio; Chris Westfall of Kentucky; Lori Cotterman of Arkansas; Brenda Caudill of Kentucky.
Robert attended Piqua City Schools.
Funeral services will be Monday March 31, 2003 at 1 P.M. at MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME with Rev Bill Shinall officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill cemetery, Piqua, Ohio. Calling hours will be Monday from 12 Noon until 1 P.M. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn. P.O. Box 182039 Columbus, Ohio 43218-2039 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 105 West Fourth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
M. ARTHUR SHELLENBERG, age 80, of Piqua, Ohio, Loving Father and Husband, died Saturday March 29, 2003 at 2:45 P.M. at Upper Valley Medical Center. He was born in Benton Ridge, Ohio June 3, 1922 to the late Frederick and Eva (Freeman) Shellenberg.
He married
Barbara Meyers on May 18, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan and she survives.
Also surviving are 5 Daughters and Sons-In-Law: Kathy and Mike Ryan of Troy, Ohio; Pam and George Leugers of Tampa, Fla.; Marge and Mike McKale of Duncansville, Pa.; Julie and Mark Pitts of Naples, Fla.; Jill and John White of Piqua, Ohio.
3 Sons and Daughters-In-Law: Mark and Leslie Shellenberg of Tampa, Fla., Tom and Laurie Shellenberg of Tampa, Fla.; John and Denise Shellenberg of Sidney, Ohio.
20 Grandchildren: Matt Ryan, Katy Jacomet, Sandy Wall, Steven Keller, Alex and Ben Leugers, Angie, Jorge Morales, Emily and Abby Pitts, Jonathon, Laura and Katlyn White, Christine, Jacob and Katie Shellenberg, Brandon and McCain Shellenberg, and Ricky Shellenberg. 6 Great-grandchildren: Lydia & Charlie Ryan, Anna & Sophie Jacomet, Grace Skillman and Jasmine Morales.
Mr. Shellenberg was preceded in death by 1 Brother, 1 Sister and 1 Daughter: Kay Keller. He attended Piqua Central High School and was a member of St. Boniface Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #184 and Piqua VFW #4874. Mr. Shellenberg served in the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the SS Belleau wood. He retired from Chef’s Pantry and was currently employed with Paul Sherry Auto Group in Piqua, Ohio.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 A.M. at St. Boniface Church. Burial will follow in Forest Hill cemetery, with full military honors by Piqua VFW Post # 4874. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-9 P.M at MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME. A prayer service will be held Monday at 4 P.M. in the funeral home. VFW Post #4874 will conduct a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Boniface Reserve Education Fund 310 S. Downing St. Piqua, Ohio 45356.
Gertrude F. (Pickering) Gary: age 83 of Piqua, died Thursday, April 3, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy. Gertrude was born June 16, 1919 in Urbana, Ohio to the late Reuben and Bessie Mae (Garling) Pickering. She married
Robert Gary February 26, 1942 in St. Boniface Church, he preceded her in death October 26, 1998.
Mrs. Gary is survived by one daughter: Theresa Demint, two granddaughters and one great granddaughter. She is also survived by a nephew and his wife: Jon and Louise Pickering of Troy and many other nieces and nephews. Seven brothers and sisters preceded her in death.
Gertie was a member of St. Boniface Church and was a homemaker.
Mass Of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 7, 2003 at 11 A.M. at St. Boniface Church. Burial will follow at Forest Hill cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 2:00p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Boniface Church 310 S. Downing St. Piqua, Ohio 45356.
CHARLES E. JACKSON, age 56, of Piqua, Ohio, died Friday April 11, 2003 at 4:14 P.M. at his residence. He was born June 3, 1946 in West Virginia to the late Neal Jackson and Stella (Thompson) Jackson who survives and lives in Piqua, Ohio.
He was married
to Joyce (North) Burger and she survives. Also surviving is 1 Daughter and Son-In-Law: Sandy and Randy Mills of Troy, Ohio. 1 Step Daughter: Teena Peake of Virginia; 2 Step Sons: Arthur Burger and James Burger both of Troy, Ohio. 1 Sister: Wanda Elswick of Piqua, Ohio; 2 Brothers: Bob Jackson and Ronnie Jackson both of Piqua, Ohio.
3 Grandchildren: Levi, Randy Jr. and Kyile Mills all of Troy, Ohio. 13 Step Grandchildren. Mr. Jackson graduated from Piqua Central High School in 1964. He was a member of Trinity Worship Center in Piqua, Ohio. He was also a member of the Piqua Golf Club.
He was employed at Miami Valley Steel Co. in Piqua for 17 Years.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday April 16, 2003 at 10 A.M. at MELCHER-SOWERS FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Michael Gross officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5-8 P.M. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County P.O. Box 502 Troy, Ohio 45373.
James F. Nash: age 74 of Springfield, Oh, formerly of Piqua, died Monday, April 14, 2003 at 3:30 a.m. at his residence. Jim was born in McComas, West Virginia to the late Frank and Lenora (Aistrop) Nash. He married
Myrna (Brown) Nash and she survives.
Also surviving are four sons and daughter-in-laws: Steven and Linda Nash, Piqua, Ohio William and Pam Kerrigan, Kieffer, West Virginia, Daniel and Tammy Kerrigan, Kieffer, West Virginia and Timothy and Karen Kerrigan, Piqua, Ohio. Mr. Nash also is survived by four daughters and son-in-laws: Jamie and Jimmy Baker, New Carlisle, Ohio, Marie Boyer, Springfield, Ohio, Pamela and Bob Beam, Conover, Ohio, and Roxanne and Charles Drake, Piqua, Ohio. He has two brothers and one sister: Frank Nash, Jr., Piqua, Ohio, Kenneth and Almeda Nash, Piqua, Ohio and Rosa Brown, Piqua, Ohio. Two aunts: Clara Helton and Ellie May Hartman, both of Saltville, Virginia, also survive. Mr. Nash had 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, 1 granddaughter and 1 great-grandson.
Jim graduated from Rupert High School in Rupert, West Virginia. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Carlisle, Ohio. Jim completed welding school at Hobart Trade School in Troy, Ohio. He was a welder for Piqua Steel Company for 30 years. He also operated and owned his own business “Pyramid Welding” for 8 years. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Retiree’s Club and Greenbrier, West Virginia, Historical Society.
Jim served in the U S Army from 1946 to 1949. He was in both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 508th Airborne Divisions. He made 18 parachute jumps.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 4:00 PM at St. Boniface Church. Visitation will be Wednesday 1:30 – 3:30 PM at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 3:30 PM. Burial will be on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 11:00 AM at Forest Hill cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity 518 Garfield Avenue Troy, Ohio 45373.
