Mary Lou Back
Mrs. Mary Lou Back, 86, of Middletown, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
She was born in Ladds, Tenn., on March 2, 1912, to Matthew and Myrtle Higdon. Mrs. Back was a homemaker and had lived in this area since 1947.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, June Back of Middletown; a son-in-law, Glen Sallie of Middletown; five grandchildren, James Dean Back of Carey, Ohio, Glendell and Wendell Sallie, both of Middletown, Timmy Sallie of Monroe and Wilgus Glen "Jr." Sallie of Middletown; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Evelyn Carrol of Middletown.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilgus Back, in 1971; her parents; a daughter Kathleen Sallie; a son, Al Dean; four brothers, Fred, Earl, Leon and Harry Higdon; and two sisters, Mae Hale and Ella.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. Everett J. Crockett officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Robert L. Bailey
Robert L. Bailey, 74, of 551 Bay St., Dunedin, Fla., formerly of Middletown, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 12, 1999, in Palm Harbor, Fla.
He was born in Middletown on March 17, 1924, a son of Harold and Mildred (Keister) Bailey, and was a teacher in the Middletown School District. He began his career at McKinley Junior High School, then moved to Verity Middle School. He retired as a mathematics teacher at Middletown High School after 23 years of service.
Mr. Bailey loved flying, having been a P-38 fighter pilot during World War II. He later was a single-engine instructor pilot and instructed for the Dayton Soaring Club, flying gliders. He moved to Florida after his retirement in 1984.
He is survived by a daughter, Cathy Wagers of Cincinnati; a granddaughter, Amy Bailey of Anaheim, Calif.; a sister, Jean Baker (husband Dale) of Trenton; a brother, Don Bailey (wife Fern) of Trenton; a sister-in-law, Dot Bailey of Germantown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Fred Bailey.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Butch Ernette officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before services Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Miltonville Cemetery. American Legion Post 218 Color Guard will provide graveside military honors.
MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the local hospice chapter or to a favorite charity.
Shirley Banks
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Shirley Banks, 54, of 5684 Olive Ave., died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999, at her residence.
She was a custodian for Franklin City Schools for 19 years, retiring in 1990. She was a 1962 graduate of Franklin High School and had also formerly worked for Aeronca and NCR Corp. Mrs. Banks was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.
Survivors include her loving husband of 33 years, David; a son, Jamie of Franklin; a daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Tommy Bray of Franklin; and grandchildren Tyler, Kyle, Chase and Logan Bray. She also leaves behind a host of loving friends, relatives and co-workers.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Kermit Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Springboro Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.
Osa L Barnett Sr
Osa L. Barnett Sr., 83, of Middletown, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He was born in Breathitt County, Ky., on Jan. 29, 1915, the son of George and Elizabeth Barnett. He had lived in this area since 1954. Mr. Barnett was a carpenter. He was employed at Smokey Inc. in Centerville, Ohio, for 20 years before retiring in 1981. He was a member of Solid Rock Church.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Nannie; four daughters, Reda McCartt, and her husband, Fred, of Middletown, Sue Baker of Franklin, Jean Ross, and her husband, Martin Luther, of Middletown, and Sheila Hensley, and her husband, Vernon, of Hamilton, Ohio; five sons, Phillip Barnett, and his wife, Joyce, of Keller, Texas, Harold Barnett, and his wife, Gertrude, of Middletown, Larry Barnett, and his wife, Freda, of Middletown, and Osa Barnett Jr., and his wife, Dorothy, of Dallas, N.C., and Mike Barnett of Franklin; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jesse Barnett and Robert Bruce Barnett, both of Jackson, Ky., and Ray Barnett of Mason, Ohio; and two sisters, Beatrice Brown of Middletown and Mary Banks of Knox, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; two sisters; and three grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Solid Rock Church, with the Revs. Lawrence Bishop and Darlene Bishop officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Solid Rock Church in Monroe. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Charlotte Bennett
Charlotte Bennett, 87, of Orlando, Fla., formerly of Franklin and Middletown, Ohio, died Jan. 8, 1999. Charlotte was the wife of Harold Bennett, who preceded her in death in 1979. They owned and operated Bennett Drugs in both Franklin and Springboro for many years.
Charlotte is survived by two daughters, Pat Conarroe of Middletown and Sue Ellen Powell of Orlando, Fla., three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Edith White of Grove City, Ohio, and Hazel Proud of Orwell, Ohio.
Memorial services will be held at the Woodside Chapel at 2 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 13.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association.
Richard E. Biedenbender
Richard Erle Biedenbender, 72, of Fairfax, Va., formerly a resident of Baltimore and Young Streets in Middletown, died of cancer Friday, Jan. 29, 1999, at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va. .
He was a logistician and value engineer who was a retired division chief of defense working at the office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Biedenbender served with the Army in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He later became a civilian employee of the Defense Department. He joined the office of the defense secretary in 1968 and retired in 1981 after 33 years of government service.
He was a 1976 recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Medal and helped establish both the Society of American Value Engineers and the Society of Logisticians. After leaving the government, he did logistics consulting work and wrote a logistics text book as well as technical articles.
Mr. Biedenbender was a mathematics graduate of the University of Dayton in his native Ohio and received a master' degree in statistics from Michigan State University. He also did graduate work in engineering at Stanford University.
His hobbies included playing bridge, ballroom dancing and golfing. He lived in West Springfield, Va., before moving to Fairfax in 1996.
His first wife, Lucy, died in 1992. Survivors include his wife, Jean Carlat Biedenbender of Fairfax; a son from his first marriage, Rex; two brothers, Ray of Elyria, Ohio, and Harry of Arlington, Texas; and a sister, Marie Biedenbender of Middletown.
Funeral services were concluded at St. John Neuman Church in Reston, Va., on Monday.
Robert C. Bowman
Robert C. Bowman Sr., 82, of Miamisburg, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, at Kettering Medical Center.
Mr. Bowman was a retired employee of Aeronca with 25 years of service. He was a member of Minerva Lodge 98, Free & Accepted Masons, and attended New Jersey Presbyterian Church in Carlisle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Charles Bowman.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Martha J. (Bell) Bowman; four sons and daughters-in-law, Robert C. Jr. and Judith Bowman of California, Richard and Constance Bowman of Washington, Rodney and Susan Bowman of Maryland and Randy and Mary Jo Bowman of Anna, Ohio; two sisters, Lucie Rogers of Florida and Gladys Van Dyke of Missouri; a sister-in-law, Doris Bowman of Miamisburg; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at New Jersey Presbyterian Church, 780 Fairview Drive, Carlisle, Ohio, with Dr. William Anderson officiating. Burial will be in New Jersey Presbyterian Cemetery.
Friends may call on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, 508 E. Linden Ave., Miamisburg.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Jersey Presbyterian Church in Mr. Bowman's memory.
Leslie Brock
FRANKLIN - Leslie Brock, 79, of 6656 Linwood Drive, Franklin, died Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at 12:10 a.m. at his residence after an extended illness.
He was born in Dreyfus, Ky., on Aug. 31, 1919, and has lived in the Middletown/Franklin area since 1951. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a machine operator for Inland Container Corp. where he worked for 18 years, retiring in 1975. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, Ohio, and the Franklin Post of Amvets.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dillard and Lillie (Webb) Brock, six brothers, Willie, Dan, and Theo Davison, Lester, Vester and Chester Brock; two sisters, Martha Tyre and Peggy Davison, and one great grandson, Michael Long.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis A. Brock, two sons, Ronald L. Brock and wife Louise of Franklin, and William L. Brock and wife Linda of Sardina, Ohio; three daughters, Lily Ann Pate and husband George of Franklin, Sue Collinsworth and husband Edward of Middletown, and Catherine Perry and husband Brady of Franklin; 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two sisters, Pearl Wiley and husband Jim of Frankfort, Ky., and Donala Lakes and husband Nute of Dreyfus, Ky., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown. Services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Gary Hartman officiating. Interment will be at Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, with military rites by the American Legion Post 218 Color Guard. Arrangements are by the Herr-Riggs Funeral Home.
Modesta Bruggeman
Mrs. Modesta Anna (Wasserman) Bruggeman, 98, of 10 Wilmington Place, Dayton, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999, at Walnut Creek Nursing Center in Kettering, Ohio.
Born in Fremont, Ohio, on June 7, 1900, she was the daughter of Amandus and Anna Schmittuz Wasserman. She was a member of Holy Family Parish in Middletown.
She leaves three sons, Jack (LaRene) Bruggeman and Paul B. (JoAnn) Bruggeman, both of Middletown, and Bob J. (Jamie) Bruggeman of Dayton; a sister, Revella Siefferlin of Centerville; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and ten great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Bruggeman was preceded in death by her husband, John L., on Nov. 5, 1981; her parents, Amandus and Anna Wasserman; and six brothers and four sisters.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Chapel of Holy Family Parish, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Wayne Township.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Chapel.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, in care of Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark St., Middletown 45042; Heartspring (SPEBSQA Project), 2400 Jardine Drive, Wichita, Kan., 67219; or a charity of choice.
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Janice Burley
Mrs. Janice Burley, 57, of Melbourne, Fla., formerly of Middletown, passed away Sunday, January 24, 1999.
She was born on Nov. 22, 1941, in Middletown, and had worked as a waitress for many years. She was a member of St. Susanna's Church in Mason and was very devoted to her family.
She is survived by her fiancˇ of four years, Charles Scheidt; three children, two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Andy Muraski and Donna and Glenn Poller, all of Mason, Ohio, and a son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Carrie Burley of Middletown; eight grandchildren, Danny, Amanda, Zachary, Rachel, Johnnie, Eric, Tina and Austin; two stepchildren, Karen Bowling of Germantown and Greg Burley of Las Vegas, Nev.; three step-grandchildren, Joshua, Jessica and Jake; her fiancˇ's children, Pam and Perry Jones, Angela Eby, Cheryl Hestand, Leah Scheidt, Phil and Becky Scheidt, Doug Scheidt and his fiancee, Lisa, and Charlie's grandchildren, Jennifer, Daniel, Christopher, Heather, Tammy, Michael, Drew, Chris and Nick; and many other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Irene Snyder; and her husband, William Burley.
No services are planned.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Butler County Unit, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, 45044.
She will be sadly missed by all.
Ronald L. Butts Sr.
Ronald L. Butts Sr., 84, formerly of Trenton, Ohio, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at 3:05 p.m. in Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati.
He was born in Xenia, Ohio, the son of Earl and Jessie (Machael) Butts. He married Clara Kerns on Aug. 28, 1943, in Okeana, Ohio. He was a self-employed farmer in Wayne Township for more than 50 years and had been a school bus driver for the Edgewood School District for 25 years, retiring in 1978. Mr. Butts was also a custodian for Wayne Elementary School for 18 years. He was a member of the Seven Mile United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Clara; four daughters, Elizabeth Denham, and her husband, Larry, of Goshen, Ohio, Margaret Combs, and husband, Philip, of Florence, Ky., Kathryn Girrman, and husband, Mike, of Forest Park, Ohio, and Sarah Baecker, and husband, John, of Hamilton; two sons, Ronald L. Butts Jr., and wife, Darla, of Trenton, and James E. Butts, and wife, Kim, of Hamilton; a brother, Walter Butts of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; a sister, Elizabeth Cross of Dayton; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert, Richard and Paul; and two sisters, Carol Crawford and Mary Koontz.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N.W. Washington Blvd., Hamilton, with the Rev. Thomas A. Brunner officiating. Burial will be in Miltonville Cemetery.
Friends may call from noon until 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Jay Byrd
FRANKLIN -- Jay Byrd, 60, of Franklin, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He was born in Middletown on Dec. 16, 1938, and was a lifelong area resident. Mr. Byrd was employed as a rigger at Armco Steel Co. where he worked 37 years before retiring in 1994. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans.
He played basketball for Middletown High School on the state championship teams of 1956 and 1957. He was a guard and also played on the 1955 team.
Survivors include his wife of 11 years, Rose; two daughters, Bonnie Byrd of Cincinnati and Ginger Helm of Monroe; a granddaughter, Tiffany Williams of Monroe; two stepdaughters, Linda Taylor of Middletown and Robyn Ramirez of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Roy T. "Ish" Byrd, and his wife, Linda, of Middletown; a sister, Lynn Lucas, and her husband, Tim, of Middletown; a step-grandchild, Rickkie Lewis of Middletown; and two step-great-grandchildren, Jordan and Lauren, both of Middletown.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy W. and Bernice Byrd.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at noon Saturday at Joseph Baker Stevens Funeral Home in Middletown, with Chaplain Jackie Ward officiating. Interment will be at Middletown Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
Marie Byrd
Marie Byrd, 73, of 7874 Rhapsody Drive, Dublin, Ohio, died Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999.
She was born in Middletown on Dec. 18, 1925, the daughter of Robert and Dora Green Hart. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1943 and was a member of Manerva Park United Methodist Church.
Her husband, Charles, preceded her in death in 1976.
Surviving are three children, Robyn Byrd of Dublin, Sharon Smith of Columbus, Chuck Byrd of Ankeny, Iowa; one grandchild, Charlie Marie, and one sister, Louise Smith of Dayton.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.
Donald Ballinger
Donald Ballinger, 55, of Middletown, died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Rosie Ballinger, among others.
Arrangements are incomplete at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home.
Emma C. Cooper
Emma Catherine Cooper, 94, of Middletown, died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Garden Manor Extended Care Center.
Arrangements are incomplete at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.
Willie Battiste Jr.
Willie Battiste Jr., 73, of Middletown, son of the late Willie and Gertrude Battiste, was born in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 12, 1926. He passed from this life unexpectedly on Thursday, March 11, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He moved to Middletown in 1975 and resided here the past 24 years.
He shared a special bond with his sister, Dorothy Battiste, who resides in New Orleans, La., and a devoted friend, Jessie Massie, of Middletown. Willie was a father, stepfather and a good friend. Everyone who knew him loved him.
Mourning his passing are his wife, Goldie; his sister, Dorothy Battiste; his children, Alex Battiste, and his wife, Gwendolyn, Leo Battiste, and his wife, Tara, Russell Battiste, Vernol Battiste, and his wife, Antoinette, Gloria Dillard, and her husband, Ernest, Juanita Jones, and her husband, Bertram, Deborah Massie, and her husband, Edward Lampley, Derrick Massie, Michele Massie, and her husband, Myron, Dorothy Nicholas, Stephine Spencer, and her husband, Richard, Frances Watkins, and Angela Young, and her husband, Harold; 45 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be at noon Thursday at the chapel with the Rev. N.L. Cooper officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery.
Arthur F. Biechler
Arthur F. Biechler, 80 of 64 Hemlock St., Franklin, died Friday, March 12, 1999, at 7:42 p.m. at Middletown Regional Hospital.
He was born in Franklin on July 21, 1918, the son of Carl and Verna Castle Biechler. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army 1st Division, 745th Tank Battalion. He was employed by General Motors Harrison Radiator Division as a mill wright for 43 years and retired in 1980.
His memberships include First Baptist Church of Franklin, Deardoff Senior Citizens, Russell McElfresh Post 149 of the American Legion, a life member of the DAV Chapter 131 of Middletown, Eastern Star Lodge 55 F & AM, Grand Council 87 R.A.M., Middletown Council 136 R.S.M., Middletown Commandry 71 Knights Templar and O.E.S. Chapter 535 of Franklin.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a grandson, David, in 1987.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Virginia Morgan Biechler; two sons, Dwight and wife, Diana Biechler of Riceboro, Ga., and Carl and wife, Judy Biechler of Springboro; three grandchildren, April Lynn, Melissa and Morgan.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Gary Hartman officiating. Burial will be at Woodhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Daniel Bowling
Daniel Bowling, 99, of Hamilton, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, March 16, 1999.
He was born June 26, 1899, in Manchester, Ky., the son of William and Harriet (Allen) Bowling.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Parriet Campbell Bowling.
He was a coal miner, farmer, retired employee of Champion Paper Co., and a former pastor of Manchester (Ky.) Church of God. He was a member of Princeton Pike Church of God.
Mr. Bowling is survived by five children, Mrs. Lucy Treadway, of Talvares, Fla., Walter (Buck) Bowling, and his wife, Pearl, Mrs. Vaughn (Lillie Bea) Patrick, and Wilbum (Curly), and his wife, Imogene, all of Hamilton, and Winslow (Winn) Bowling, and his wife, Dorothy, of Franklin; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two grandsons, Lee Treadway and Vaughn Patrick III; a great-great grandchild; and 12 brothers and sisters.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Princeton Pike Church of God, 2470 Princeton Road, with the Rev. Marvin Cann officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Webb-Noonan is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund of Princeton Pike Church of God, or to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, Ohio 45044.
Earl H. Branham
HAMILTON - Earl H. Branham, 87, of Hamilton, died at the Mercy Hospital of Hamilton at 5:40 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 1999.
He was born in Louisa, Ky., on May 21, 1911. He was the son of Thomas and Viola (Cox) Branham. He married Texas Looney on July 16, 1931, in Garrett, Ky. Mr. Branham was a coal miner for the Elkhorn Coal Co. in Wayland, Ky. for 24 years and then with National Lead of Ohio at Fernald for 24 years, retiring June 1, 1976. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy in the South Pacific.
He is survived by his wife, Texas Branham; two sons, Gene Branham, and his wife, Lois, and Pete Branham, and his wife, Bette, all of Hamilton; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Branham Jr. of Panama City, Fla; and a sister, Betty Turner of Cincinnati.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack and Harold Branham; and a sister, Bonnie Moody.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at the Webb-Noonan Funeral Home, Ross Avenue at South D St., Hamilton, at 2 p.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Grant M. Montgomery officiating.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today with entombment at the Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum.
Barbara Burton
TRENTON -- Mrs. Barbara Burton, 70, of Trenton, died Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at her residence.
She was born in Middletown on April 16, 1928, and was a lifelong resident. Mrs. Burton was a homemaker and a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, James Douglas Burton, Gerald Richard Burton and Mark Timothy Burton, all of Middletown, and Daniel Lee Burton of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Rebecca Pitts of Trenton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Sandlin of Xenia, Ohio; and her mother, Margaret Ethel Pittman of Middletown.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James M.; her father, Gerald Sandlin; and a grandson, Scott Pitts.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace Baptist Church in Middletown, with the Rev. Howard Sears officiating. Interment will be in Grace Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044.
Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home in Middletown is handling arrangements.
James Albert Byrd
James Albert Byrd, 69, of Fairborn, formerly of Middletown, died Monday, March 22, 1999, at his home.
Preceding him in death were his mother and father, Eulala Henry and Otis B. Henry.
He is survived by his companion, Gladys Trainer of Fairborn; a daughter, Frances Shively of Middletown; grandsons, Stephen Jacobs-Johnson of Dayton and Brian Jacobs-Johnson of Gallipolis; a son, James Byrd Jr. of Key West, Fla.; a daughter, Valerie of Colorado Springs, Colo; a stepson, Charles (Chuck) Jacobs of Union, Ohio; stepdaughters, Missy Tackett of Gallipolis and Maureen Stanley of Morgantown, W.Va.; and aunts, Roxie Brooks of Tavares, Fla., and Elsie Wheeler of Middletown. He is also survived by his stepchildren, David Trainer, Christa Trainer and Gina Pippenger; and his grandchildren, Mckinzie, Megan and Michael; and many other friends and family members as well as his faithful pet, Spuds Mackensie.
Mr. Byrd served his country proudly in World War II and during the Korean War. He was a member of General MacArthur's Honor Guard, which was one of the most outstanding groups of young men in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6861 in Fairborn. He was an avid fan of basketball, baseball and other sports. He gave encouragement to all of the people he loved and knew.
He will be missed by all of us.
Now is the time for him to rest and go to his eternal home. Grandpa - we love you!
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service is pending. He wished his body to be donated to Wright State University.
MEMORIALS: Memorial donations may be sent to the Dayton or Montgomery County Cancer Society.
