Deaths for August 1, 2001
William Bach
William H. Bach, 86, of Middletown, died Monday, July 30, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Orveda (Miller) Bach, and daughters, Carolyn Kinder and Donna Fisher.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, Middletown. Visitation is noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Anthony Butch
Anthony F. "Tony" Butch, 92, of Middletown, died Tuesday, July 31, at Willow Knoll Retirement Community.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Butch, and son, James Butch.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main, Middletown. Visitation is 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Frank Chaffins
Frank Chaffins, 77, of Middletown, died Tuesday, July 31, at his home.
He is survived by his wife, Billie Chaffins, and daughters, Teresa Azbell and Kathryn Males.
He was a Navy veteran, having served in World War II.
Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Ronald Jeffery
Ronald E. Jeffery, 63, Coral Springs, Fla., formerly of Middletown, died Thursday, July 26, at Cedars Medical Center, Miami, Fla.
He is survived by his wife, Carol A. Jeffery; son, Ronald J. Jeffery; and daughters, Shelley M. Thompson and Deborah G. Grose.
Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.
Ray Nistler
Ray R. Nistler, 75, of Hamilton, died Friday, July 27, at his residence.
He is survived by his sisters, Theresa Wilsman and Cecilia Rice.
Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family. Colligan Funeral Home, Hamilton, is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene Scorti
Eugene P. Scorti, 78, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Middletown, died Saturday, July 28, at Bay Pines Medical Center.
He is survived by his brothers, Paul, Pat and Michael Scorti, and sisters, Mary Wellinghoff, Angelina Scorti, Theresa Muthert and Frankie Jones.
Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Parish-St. John's Church. Visitation is 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown.
Geraldine Washington
Geraldine Washington, 56, of Forest Park, died Monday, July 30, at Manor Care at Woodside.
She is survived by her husband, Tyrone Washington; daughters, Cheryl Cook, Audrey Ransom and Denise White; and step-children, Michelle Washington and Tyrone Washington Jr.
Funeral services are 7 p.m. Friday at James Temple Church of God in Christ, 1116 Lincoln Ave., Cincinnati. Visitation is 6 p.m. Friday at the church. Green-Hall & Jordan Funeral Home, Hamilton, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert B. Kramer
Robert "Bob" Battrick Kramer of Middletown, died on Thursday, July 26, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital after a short illness. The son of Howard and Mabel Kramer, he was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on June 5, 1922. He was raised in Oxford, Ohio, and graduated from Stewart High School in 1940. In addition to his studies, Bob was a very capable athlete earning varsity letters in golf, basketball, baseball and football.
Although entering college the following fall, his studies were interrupted by military service. Bob joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps in the February 1942 and transferred to the Air Corps in the fall of 1943. He served in the Signal Corps and spent one year over-seas in Okinawa as a staff sergeant. He received an honorable discharge in March 1946.
While attending Miami University, Bob played shortstop for the Redskins and was Miami's first-ever four year varsity letter winner. Bob graduated from Miami with a Bachelor of Science Degree in education in June 1947 and completed a Master of Science Degree in Physical Education from Indiana University, in June 1951.
He married Mary Julia Reed on July 26, 1947, and began his career with Middletown City School in that same year. Bob dedicated 30 years in service as teacher, counselor head counselor and assistant principal at Middletown High School and retired in June 1977. Bob also served as an assistant basketball coach with Paul Walker and helped lead the Middies and Jerry Lucas to two undefeated seasons and a state title.
Maintaining his love and talent in golf, Bob became a life member of the Professional Golfers Association in 1966 and served as the pro at Forest Hills Country Club from 1960 until March 1992. He played whenever possible and established cherished friendships as a part of this association.
Widowed in 1980, Bob was blessed to meet and marry Carolyn Foster to share the final years of his life. They married on December 27, 1986, and she survives him. In addition, he leaves three children, Jack (Karen) of Fairborn, Jill (Jon) Baltzell of Florence, South Carolina, and Marti (Alan) Kyger of Oxford; a sister, Helen (Jim) Randels of Columbus; six grandchildren, Timothy and Bethany Kramer, Nathan and Kate Baltzell, and Hueston and Griffin Kyger; two nieces, Susan (Harry) Hixson and Linda (Jim) Leffel and their families; and numerous cherished friends.
Funeral service was held Monday July 26, 2001.
Fanchon Frances Widmeyer
Fanchon Frances Widmeyer, age 85, of Fairfield, died on Monday, July 30, 2001, at Mercy Hospital of Fairfield. Born on November 17, 1915, in Port Union, Ohio, she was the daughter of George G. and Sadie M. (Berry) Widmeyer. She was educated in the Port Union and Union schools. Fanchon was a bookkeeper for McCroy's and Wright Aeronautical.
Miss Widmeyer is survived by her brother, Billie L. Widmeyer, Sr., and his wife Juanita of West Chester, Ohio; niece, Janet Jordan of Cross Plains, Indiana; three nephews, Ronald Edwin Widmeyer and his wife Becky of West Chester, Ohio, George A. Widmeyer and his wife Lillian of West Chester, Ohio and Billie L. Widmeyer, Jr., and his wife Kathy of Batavia, Ohio; four great-nieces and one great-nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, James Ralph Widmeyer, killed in France on July 5, 1944, and Clifford Edwin Widmeyer.
Funeral service will be held at the Webb Noonan Funeral Home, Ross Avenue at South "D" Street, Hamilton, on Friday August 3, 2001, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
John H. Malott
John H. Malott, age 83, of West Chester, passed away on Tuesday July 31, 2001. He was born on September 10, 1917, in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of George and Edna (Riffel) Malott. He was married to Anne Marie Spadafora on June 15, 1940. He served in the United States Army in the European Theater during World War II. He was employed with McGraw Construction Company for over 28 years, until his retirement,in 1979. He was a member of the Hamilton Elk BPOE #93, and was a life member of V.F.W. Post #1069.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie; two daughters, Judy (James) Cayse of West Chester, Ohio and Linda (William) Bothwell of Hamilton; three grandchildren, Rick Stempfley of Hamilton, Lisa (Michael) Deese of Westminster, Maryland and Amy (Brian) Gerrity of Raleigh, North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Sydney Stempfley and Samantha Deese; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elmer Malott; and five sisters, Beatrice Randall, Elizabeth Getz, Clara Siple, Katherine Sheriff and Gwen Wilmer.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 3, 2001, at 11:00 a.m. Kowalk Funeral Home-Rose Hill Chapel, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Walter A. Rogusky
Walter A. Rogusky, age 90, of Dayton, passed away at Brookhaven Life Care Community, on Monday, July 30, 2001, at 11:35 p.m. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, on April 15, 1911, the son of Peter and Helen (Wesbar) Rogusky. Walter was employed as a pattern maker for Buckeye Pattern, retiring in 1979. On April 27, 1946, in Springfield, Ohio, he married Pauline Hewitt, who preceded him in death in 1983.
He is survived by his daughter, Carol Oler and her husband Michael of Fairfield; brother, Charles Rogusky of Springfield; devoted friend and companion, Antoinette Harris of Dayton; three grandchildren, Leslie and David Oler, Susan Snyder and her husband Paul and a great granddaughter, Julia Snyder. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tony Rogusky; and sister, Lillian Telaak.
Funeral services will be held at the Brown Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, Hamilton, on Thursday, August 2, 2001, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Grant Montgomery, Pastor of Ross United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Otterbein Home, 585 N. State Rt. 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Loretta Mary Betscher
Loretta Mary Betscher, age 98, formerly of Hamilton, Ohio, died Tuesday, July 31, 2001, at 1:15 a.m. in Garden Manor Retirement Community, Middletown, Ohio. She was born on December 25, 1902, in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Edward C. and Mary (Glindmeyer) Toerner, being educated in St. Ann School. On August 1, 1936, in St. Ann Church, she married Walter Betscher and he preceded her in death in 1965. She was a member of St. Peter in Chains Church and the Rosary Society.
She is survived by her children, Mary Carol Cooper of Hamilton, Joan Betscher of Hamilton, Walter (Judith) Betscher of Hamilton; Jack (Luarie) Betscher of Findlay, Ohio; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; one sister, Rose Toerner of Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Jane Betscher; sisters, Sister, Mary Modesta D.P., Hilda T. Crawford; and brothers, Joe, Charles, Edward and John Toerner.
Prayers will be Thursday August 2, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. at the Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 3950 Pleasant Avenue, Hamilton, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church with Fr. Timothy Bunch officiating. Burial in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until time of Prayers.
David F. Pietsch
"Everybody loved Dave," said his wife of 38 years, Bonnie Pietsch. David F. Pietsch was the kind of person that one would meet and instantly like. His infectious sense of humor and ever-kind personality set him apart as someone very special.
Born in 1939, Mr. Pietsch had been a life-long resident of East Liverpool, Ohio. He was a graduate of East Liverpool High School in 1957. He retired from J & L Speciality Products, Inc. in Midland, Pennsylvania, in January 2001. He had worked at the plant, which formerly had been Crucible Steel, for 36 years. He and his wife moved to Hamilton, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati, in April.
In addition to his work in the steel mill, Mr. Pietsch had many vocations. He often worked multiple jobs at the same time exemplifying his strong work ethic. He had been employed by the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, West Virginia, and he also owned Pietsch's Paint and Paper Place with his wife for seven years. Mr. Pietsch also served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1958 until 1962.
Mr. Pietsch was a member of the Fairfield Church of Christ and a former member of the Second Church of Christ in East Liverpool. There he served as deacon, a trustee, and an elder. He was also a charter member of the Waterford Rotary Club and a member of the United Steel Workers of America. He enjoyed golfing and traveling to visit his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Pietsch passed away July 31, 2001, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr Pietsch is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Alfred Pietsch in 1960; Mrs. Ila Pietsch Freshwater in 1999; and his brother, Lt Cmdr. Paul H. Pietsch, U.S. Navy Ret. in 1986.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, David M. Pietsch of Westland, Michigan, Douglas J. Pietsch of Fairfield, Ohio and SSgt. Kevin A. Pietsch USMC of Beaufort, South Carolina; one daughter, Kimberly Pietsch Miller of Hamilton, Ohio; one sister, Frances A. Carr of East Liverpool, Ohio; one brother, Alfred Pietsch of East Liverpool, Ohio; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the Avance Funeral Home, 4976 Winton Road, Fairfield, Ohio, (513-829-6257) from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday August 2, 2001. Funeral services will be held at the Fairfield Church of Christ, 745 Symmes Road, Fairfield, Ohio, (513-867-1883) at 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 3. A memorial service will be held at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, West Virginia. Date and time to be announced.
Memorials may be sent to Fairfield Church of Christ, 745 Symmes Road, Fairfield, Ohio 45014 or Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, Ohio 45242