Margaret E. Pittman
Margaret E. Sandlin Pittman, 93, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at Willow Knoll Retirement Community. She was a native of Menifee County, Ky., where she was born on Dec. 2, 1906, to Calvin and Mary Morrison. Margaret was a homemaker and provided home child care for many years. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Barbara Burton; and several brothers and sisters. Surviving are a son, Richard D. Sandlin, and his wife, Salle, of Xenia, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mayme Hodge of Middletown. ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Baptist Church, with the Rev. Howard Sears and Joshua Sandlin officiating. Interment will be at Grace Memorial Gardens. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

James Risner
James Risner, 77, of 1339 Trinity Place, Middletown, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. He was born on March 24, 1922, in Kentucky, the son of James Clifton and Stella Risner. Mr. Risner was a truck driver for McGraw Construction Co. and belonged to the Teamsters Union. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges. He is survived by a daughter, Billie Jean Silo of Dayton; three grandchildren, Chris Kennedy and Sheila Kennedy, both of Middletown, and Joe Silo of Dayton; three brothers, Yancy Risner and Roy Risner, both of Middletown and Ray Risner of Clay City, Ky.; four sisters, Jewell Rose of Middletown, Mary Jo Cottle of West Liberty, Ky., Bonnie Jean Ledford of Middletown and Ora Roberts of Middletown; two dear friends, Catherine Messer of Middletown and Billie Jean Thomas of Los Angeles, Calif., who loved her uncle Jim; and a host of other friends. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services were concluded on Friday, Feb. 4. at Porter and Sons Funeral Home in Campton, Ky., with Pastor David Wilhoit officiating. A visitation for friends was held on Feb. 3.

Marguerite Sawyer
Marguerite "Mickey" Sawyer, 78, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Middletown, Ohio, passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2000, at Naples Community Hospital in Florida. Mrs. Sawyer was the daughter of Glenn and Olive Haldeman. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and lived her early years in Lakeview, Ohio, near Indian Lake. She graduated from LaSelle College in Massachusetts In 1943. After being employed by Lazarus Department Store, in Columbus, Ohio, she married J.D. Sawyer and moved to Middletown where she was active in the First Presbyterian Church and Middletown Regional Hospital Auxiliary. In 1973, the Sawyer's retired to Naples, Fla. Mrs. Sawyer leaves her husband, J.D. Sawyer of Naples; a son, John Sawyer, and his wife, Teresa, of Middletown; a daughter, Glenna Tolson of Naples; four grandchildren, Johnny and Kristin Sawyer, both of Middletown, Melissa Tolson of Tampa, Fla., and Lauren Tolson of Naples. ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla. MEMORIALS: The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown 45044; or the Middletown Regional Hospital Foundation, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, 45044.

Leah M. Shipley
Mrs. Leah Marguerite Shipley, 90, of Wilmington, Ohio, and formerly of Urbana, Ohio, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at 1:50 a.m. in the Mount Pleasant Retirement Village. She was born on Dec. 8, 1909, near Catawba in Clark County, to Harry S. and Anna (Harmison) Kennedy. She was a homemaker. Leah became a member of the Mechanicsburg Methodist Church at the age of 14, and graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1927. She married William A. Shipley in November, 1927, a well-known farmer and breeder of Holstein cattle. She lived on the family farm (Rosemere Farms) until 1995 when she moved to Cape May, a retirement community in Wilmington, Ohio. Leah's membership was transferred to the Kingscreek United Methodist Church, where she was very active on the board of trustees, assistant treasurer, lay leader, delegate to Lakeside and Missions Conferences. She was a member of the Women's Society of Christian Service, served as president for 10 years and other offices as well. Since 1995, she has attended the Wilmington United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the Eastern Star Lodge, Elizabeth M. Hood Chapter 505 of Urbana. She enjoyed membership in two literary clubs and remained active in the Althea Club. She was active in the Champaign County Republican Party organization and was a presiding judge for several elections. Mrs. Shipley is survived by three daughters, Mrs. William (Marjorie) Carey of Wilmington, Ms. Laura Evilsizor of Mansfield and Mrs. Robert (Sharyn) Edelen of Middletown, Ohio; and a son, William Richard of Urbana; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Shipley; a grandson, William Christopher Evilsizor; two brothers; and one sister. ARRANGEMENTS: The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Walter-Schoedinger Funeral Home, where an Order of Eastern Star service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be h held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Walter-Schoedinger Funeral Home, 642 S. Main St., Urbana, Ohio, with the Rev. Nancy Raypholtz and Pastor Phil Malone officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty, Ohio. MEMORIALS: Contributions in Leah's memory may be made to the Kingscreek United Methodist Church, 1362 Kennard Kingscreek Road, Urbana, Ohio 43070; or to a charity of choice.

Rose M. Spencer
Rose M. Spencer, 84, of Middletown, died Thursday morning, Jan. 27, 2000, at Garden Manor Extended Care Center. She was born in Lee County, Ky., on Nov. 9, 1915, the daughter of Daniel Childers and Margaret (Spencer) Childers. She lived most of her life in the Middletown area and worked in the finishing department at Crystal Tissue for 40 years, retiring in 1979. She leaves a son, Raymond (wife Judy) Spencer of Middletown; five grandchildren, Deborah Maxwell and Stephanie Spencer, both of Columbus, Ohio, Dan Spencer of Mount Sterling, Ky., Kimberly Banks of Middletown and Mark Banks of Virginia; seven great-grandchildren, Danny and Lindsay Spencer and Mitchell Maxwell, all of Columbus, Harry Stogsdill and Jennifer Stogsdill of Middletown, John Banks of Kentucky and Kelly Banks of Florida; four great-great-grandchildren, Emily Stogsdill, Gavin Hall, Tommy Banks and Kayla Banks; a brother, Dock (wife Dorothy) Childers; a sister, Inez (husband George) McGill; and a sister-in-law, Florence Childers. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and four sisters. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Thomas B. Mellott officiating. Friends may call from noon until service time. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery.

Robert Spicer
Robert Spicer, 70, of 1413 Johns Road, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. Mr. Spicer was born in Jackson, Ky., on April 28, 1929, the son of James and Lizzie (Bellamy) Spicer. He was employed by Armco Steel Corp. for 39 years as a crane operator before retiring in 1986. In recent years, he worked for Adesa in Franklin until he became ill in 1997. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956. He was a former member of the Middletown Sportsman Club and was an avid sportsman, enjoying many hunting trips to Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. He also enjoyed golfing and bowled in local leagues and tournaments over the past 38 years. He was preceded in death by twin infant sons Ronnie and Rickie, his parents and a sister Pearlie Clemons. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carma (Osborne) Spicer; two sons, Robert, and his wife Darlene and Roger, and his wife Kathy; grandchildren Kyle and Kellie, all of Middletown; eight brothers Lloyd (and wife Juanita), Lawrence (and wife Georgia), Bill (and wife Leveda), all of Middletown, Hargis (and wife Maude) of Huber Heights, Roy (and wife Edna) of Franklin, Charlie of Middletown, Hobert (and wife Thelma) of Gibsonburg, Ohio, and Earl (and wife Helen) of Springboro; three sisiters, Marie Hudson of Franklin, Lois Jean (and husband Norman) Vincent and Shirley (and husband Ollie) Strong, both of Middletown. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, the Rev. Randall Baugus officiating. Internment will be at Woodside Cemetery.

Brenda S. Stephens
Brenda Sue Stephens, 47, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000, at Fort Hamilton Hospital. She was born in Jellico, Tenn., on May 1, 1952, and lived in this area most of her life. Brenda graduated from high school in Hamilton, Ohio, and was a probation officer for the Butler County Adult Probation Department. She had also been previously employed by the Monroe Police Department and at Armco/AK Steel Co. She was a member of Fairfield Baptist Church in Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Herbert Moses; paternal grandparents Dewey and Etna Stephens; two aunts, Pauline Moses and Thelma Strunk; and an uncle, Clifford Stephens. Survivors include her parents, Harold and Cora Stephens of Trenton, Ohio; maternal grandmother Una Moses of Williamsburg, Ky.; six uncles, Elmer Moses and wife Flora Lee of Williamsburg, Edward Moses and wife Brenda of Corbin, Ky., Ermon Moses and wife Mary of Pine Knott, Ky., Carl Moses and wife Vena of Williamsburg, Floyd Moses and wife Wilma of Williamsburg and George Stephens and wife Shirley of Hamilton; three aunts, Ruth Davis and husband Lacy of Sparta, Tenn., Ida Kerr and husband Eldon of Hamilton, and Nancy Strunk and husband Sid of Williamsburg; a host of cousins and friends; and special companions, Shadrach and Abby Shag, her dogs. ARRANGEMENTS: Services will be at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Whitley Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, 45044.

William Stillwaugh Jr.
William Stillwaugh Jr., 76, of 516 Orchard St., died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at his residence. Mr. Stillwaugh was born June 17, 1923 in Middletown, the son of William Stillwaugh and Katherine (Keller) Stillwaugh. He was a pilot for Armco Steel for 22 years. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Stillwaugh was a member of the Aviation Club and the Quiet Birdmen. He was also a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mattie J. (Sorrell) Stillwaugh; a nephew, Terry Wills of Middletown and several cousins. He was preceeded in death by his parents. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Woodside Cemetery Chapel with the Rev. Susan Jones Thompson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions for William Stillwaugh Jr. may be made to the St. Paul's United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.

John R. Stone
John Richard Stone, 72, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000, at Sycamore Medical Center in Miamisburg. He was born in Middletown on July 18, 1927, to Frank and Martha (Hoppe) Stone. Mr. Stone worked at Armco Steel Co. for 40 years, retiring in 1983, as a supervisor in the inspection department. He was a life member of the Middletown Sportsman's Club and a member of Lebanon Elks Lodge 422. He leaves his wife, Mary L. Stone of Middletown; a brother, Robert F. Stone of Dundee, Mich.; four sisters, Betty L. Bryson of LaSalle, Mich., JoAnn Nisley of Monroe, Mich., Janice K. Thomas of Ramona, Calif., and Florence M. Majeske of Sterling Heights, Mich., and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandmother, Stella Symmonds. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Charles E. Walsh
Charles E. Walsh, 76, of Middletown, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at McKnight Terrace. Mr. Walsh was born Aug. 3 1923 in Pittsburg, Pa., to Edward and Marie (Nebel) Walsh. He was a member of Holy Family Parish - Holy Trinity Church. He was a member and past president of Wildwood Club and a Kentucky Colonel. He worked for Armco Steel for 30 years, retiring in 1976 as superintendent of the coke plant. Survivors include a son, Charles E. "Chuck" Walsh and special friend Marlene Chaffins of Trenton; a daughter, Carol A. (and husband Gary) Mizer of Middletown; brothers Jim, Dan, Eddie and Tom Walsh of Pittsburg and Dick Walsh of California; sister Ruth Ehlinger of Pittsburg; daughter-in-law Wanda Walsh of Morrow; Grandchildren Jim (and wife Dawn), Brian (and wife Patti), Todd (and wife Kym) and Nicolle Walsh, Brad (and wife Tracy) and Jeff Neeley; great-grandchildren Josie and Beatrice Walsh and John Scott; step-grandchildren Sherry (and husband Mark) Johnson, Terry (and wife Theresa) Mizer, Beth, Dan and Mike Mizer; step great-grandchildren, David and Robert Johnson and Tammy and Gary Mizer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Walsh in 1998, and his parents. ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish-Holy Trinity Church with Father John Civille officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. MEMORIALS: May be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., Suite 102 West Chester, 45069 or to the American Heart Association, 105 McKight Dr., Middletown.

Wilbur Wilson
Wilbur "OOP" Wilson, 70, of Middletown, passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Lebanon, Ohio, on May 26, 1929. He attended Middletown Public Schools. He was a member of the Masonic Temple, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6405, and joined fellowship at New Hope Baptist, now United Missionary Baptist Church. OOP, as he was affectionately called by those who knew him well, was married to the late Hazel Ann Mack Wilson, and fathered eight children. OOP served a short term in the U.S. Air Force and was a coil tractor operator before retiring from Armco/AK Steel Co. After the loss of his first wife, Hazel, in 1975, OOP was remarried to Bernice Wilson and the couple lived for many years on 8th Avenue. OOP enjoyed retirement working in his garden, assisting those often overlooked with whatever he could, and living with the company of numerous friends who shared his passions. OOP was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Helen and Charles B. Matthews; his wife, Hazel Mack Wilson; sons Dane and Wayne Wilson; sisters, Joanne White, Florence Cottrell and Vera Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Wilson; a sister, Ruth Pickett; brothers Charles (Idella) Crockett and William (Doris) Wilson; children, Dwight (Carol) Wilson, Paula (Leroy) Stringer, Donna (Jimmy) Davis, and Mark, Darren and Michael Wilson; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews to cherish his memory. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. today, Feb. 1, at Power of Deliverance Temple, 401 Crawford St., with Bishop Keith Brooks officiating and the Rev. Dwight Wilson, eulogist. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation is from 6 p.m. until time of service at the church. Arrangements are by Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel.

Betty Winning
Betty G. Winning, 82, of Germantown, passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. She retired after 19 years of teaching at Germantown/Valley View Schools, was an alumna of Ohio State University and a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Twin Creek Garden Club and the Twentieth Century Club. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Ross J. Winning Jr.; her parents George T. and Edna F. (Smith) Dusler; and a sister-in-law, Audrey A. Barrows She is survived by her four children, Rachel A. (husband Robert) McClain, Germantown, R. James (wife Lolita) Winning, Springboro, Thomas E. (wife Gloria) Winning of Germantown, and Martha L. Winning, of Solon, Ohio; five grandchildren, Michele A. Combs, of Dayton, Matthew R. McClain, of Dayton, Lora Winning, of Germantown, Thomas E. Winning Jr., of Germantown, and Zachary R. Winning, of Springboro; two great-grandchildren; sister Helen V. (husband John) Pelton, of Columbus; sister-in-law Lois (Gil) Barker, Columbus; nieces and nephews; and special friends Christine G. Oberhaus, of Solon, Ohio, and Donna Tipton, of Germantown. ARRANGEMENTS: Family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Arpp & Root Funeral Home, Germantown. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Larry Grunden officiating. Burial will be in GermantownCemetery. MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.

James B. Abner
GERMANTOWN-James B. Abner, 82, of Germantown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, at Sycamore Hospital. The Germantown native was born on April 7, 1917, to the late James T. and Rena (Johnson) Abner. He retired from Armco Steel Co. in 1979 after 43 years of service. He was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Germantown Masonic Lodge 257 Free & Accepted Masons, Twin Valley Chapter 240 Royal Arch Masons, Germantown Chapter 431 Order of Eastern Star, Mound High Twelve Club, Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton, and was the current president of the Kentucky Colonel organization at Antioch Shrine Temple. Mr. Abner was preceded in death by his sister, Louise Denny; and a brother, Roy Abner. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Leota G. (Smith) Abner; a daughter, Eunice Jeannette (Larry) Sparrow of Winston-Salem, N.C.; two sons, Beverly Eugene (Mary T.) Abner Sr., and Gary David (Stephanie) Abner, all of Germantown; nine grandchildren, Lorrie Annette Sparrow of Chicago, Ill., Beverly E. Abner Jr., Julie and Marvin Summers, Sarah J., Bradley W., Stephen J., Wesley K., Aaron D., and Noah J. Abner; his great-granddaughter, Christina A.; two sisters, Ethel Pence (age 94) of Florida and Elizabeth (Dine) Pieratt (age 90) of Middletown, Ohio; and two brothers, William Edward Abner of Germantown and Robert Abner of Florida. ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. (Masonic service at 7:45 p.m. and Scottish Rite Ring Service at 8 p.m.) at the Dalton Funeral Home, corner of Ohio 4 and Weaver Road, Germantown. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 36 S. Cherry St., Germantown, with the Rev. Sivaji Subramaniam officiating. MEMORIALS: If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Germantown Rescue Squad or Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

Pearl A. Adams
Mrs. Pearl A. Adams, 93, of 708 Auburn St., died Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, 2000, at Willow Knoll Convalescent Center. She was born in Wolfe County, Ky., on May 14, 1906, the daughter of Frank and Retta (Johnson) Sample. She lived in this area since 1965. Mrs. Adams was a member of the First Christian Church. She leaves three daughters, Burl Collinsworth of Denniston, Ky., Pheba Bair of Middletown and Alta Mae Neff of Lexington, Ky.; three sons, Larry Adams and Lenville Adams, both of Franklin, and Heral Adams of Curtice, Ohio; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 26 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Adams in 1978; a daughter, Norma Thomas; two grandsons, Roger Thomas and Justin Bair; and a great-granddaughter, Cody. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Carol Oetzel officiating. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Max H. Bailey
Max H. Bailey, former Middletown resident and Armco executive of 32 years, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at the Seasons Courtyard in Kenwood after an extended illness. He was 81. A native of Oregon, Mo., Max received his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska. He served as a Marine Corps aviator during World War II, with two years of flying dive-bombers out of Midway Island, then six months as a test pilot in California where he met his future wife, Jane, also a Marine officer. The couple moved to Middletown in 1948 where Max became a sales engineer in Armco Metal Products for four years followed by 12 years in management in California. He joined Armco International in 1964 and the Bailey family lived in Australia, Malaysia, Sweden and South Africa before his retirement in 1981. His personal contributions to the good of others were many but went unheralded. This was his nature. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane, of Kenwood; two sons, Todd H. of Indian Hill and Mark B. of Overland Park, Kan.; a daughter, Kim A. of Indian Hill; four grandchildren Ellen and Scott Bailey and Lisa and Bert Schilling, all of Indian Hill; two sisters, Georgia Dearring of Columbia, Mo., and Merilyn Rodecker of Oakside, Calif. There will be no visitation and no public service. His favorite charities were many of Middletown and the Salvation Army.

Anna M. Bastin
Mrs. Anna Mae Bastin, 71, of Cookeville, Tenn., died there Wednesday, Jan 19, 2000. She was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Aug. 13, 1928. She was formerly employed as a telephone operator at Ohio Bell Telephone Co. where she worked for 30 years. Mrs. Bastin was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond D. Bastin, in 1999; a grandson, James Richard Bastin; and a granddaughter, Andrea Bastin. She is survived by two sons and their wives, Donny and Sally Bastin of Monroe and Richard and Virginia Bastin of Cookeville, Tenn.; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; two brothers and their wives, Allen and Rosie Spencer of Miamisburg, Ohio, and Jim and Ann Spencer of Florida; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Wells of Rochester, N.Y. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. Glenn Ball officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Roberta Darlene Began
FRANKLIN - Roberta Darlene Began, 35, of Franklin, went to be with her parents on Friday, Jan. 21, 2000. She was born in Dayton on July 6, 1964, and lived her whole life in the community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley Earl and Arlene Began. Survivors include three brothers, Bob Began and wife Madeline of Gratis, Roger Began of Dayton and Rodney Began and wife Melissa of Trenton; four nephews, Jason Began, Perry Began, Sam Began and Nathan Began; two nieces, Rhonda Stafford and Emily Began; a stepmother, Lois Began; two great-nieces; two great nephews and many aunts, uncles and friends. ARRANGEMENTS: Services will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, 120 W. Second St., Room 211, Dayton, 45402; Angel Place, Battered Women's Support, P.O. Box 421594, Middletown, 45044, or Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, 45044. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth E. Booth
Kenneth E. Booth, 81, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, at his residence. He was a native of Mount Sterling, Ky., where he was born on Nov. 23, 1918, to Edmon T. and Alma (Harris) Booth. He was a lifelong resident of the Middletown area. Mr. Booth served in the Army in the 101st Airborne Division. He was formerly employed at Armco/AK Steel Co. and had also worked in the Streets Department for the City of Middletown for 23 years. He attended Central Avenue Mission. Mr. Booth was preceded in death by his wife, Jannie (Fields) Booth; his parents; a brother, James W. Booth; and a sister, Agnes Hahn Hensley. Surviving are two sisters, Lorraine A. Slifer and Virginia Elam, and brother-in-law, Joseph Elam, all of Middletown; a brother, Ted Booth; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews who loved him. ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Woodside Cemetery, with Mr. Chad Slifer officiating. There will be no visitation. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Avenue Mission, 1325 Central Ave., Middletown 45042. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Fred L. Brandenburg
LEBANON - Fred L. Brandenburg, 69, of 3907 Sprinboro Road, Lebanon, passed away Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000 at his residence. He was born on Oct. 24, 1930 in Carlisle, the son of Lee and Zella "Plyman" Brandenburg. He worked for Appleton Paper Co., retiring after 37 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Wayne Brandenburg. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Catherine; four daughters, Sheila McGinnis and husband Jerry of Miamisburg, Connie Everetts and husband Richard of Lebanon, Marcia Chontos and husband Ronald of North Carolina and Deborah Hall and husband Kevin Eversole of Franklin; five sisters; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, with pastors Randy Helton and James E. Abner officiating. Burial will be at Miami Valley Memory Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Beverly J. Cast
Mrs. Beverly J. Cast, 54, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at her residence. She was born in Middletown on Oct. 21, 1945, to Ernest and Mary Patrick. She owned and operated Patrick's Pub for 18 years. Among her survivors are her husband of 18 years, Robert Cast; and a sister, Tina Sears, and her husband, Charles, of Englewood, Fla. Mrs. Cast was preceded in death by a son, Donald; her parents; and a brother, Stephen Patrick. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Anna M. Tussey Carpenter
MIAMISBURG - Anna M. Tussey "Granny" Carpenter, 81, of Miamisburg, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000 at Sycamore Hospital. She was a retired employee of Inland after 27 years of service and a member of Kirksville Christian Church, Kirksville, Ky. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Ping; stepfather, Gay Lunsford; first husband, Frank Tussey; second husband, Ova Carpenter; a grandson, Bobby Tussey and a sister, Della Wilcox. She is survived by her mother, Lou Alta King of Madison County, Ky.; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Arlene Tussey of Franklin; a daughter and son-in-law, Anna M. and Cecil Truett of Miamisburg; two brothers, Luther Lunsford of Mt. Orab and Bills Lunsford of Carlisle; three sisters, Mamie Lambert of Mt. Orab, Fannie Lamb of Paint Lick, Ky. and Edna Tussey of Kirksville; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, Miamisburg, with the Rev. Frank Kelly officiating. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Mary F. Cornthwaite
TRENTON - Mary F. Cornthwaite, 68, of Trenton, died at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at Mercy Hospital of Hamilton. She was born on Dec. 16, 1931, in Franklin, the daughter of Charles and Geneva (Wolfe) Priest. She was a 1950 graduate of Franklin High School. On March 24, 1950, she married Don Cornthwaite in Connersville, Ind. Mrs. Cornthwaite enjoyed baking and cooking and was employed by the Talawanda School District and D. Russel Lee Career Center, where she worked in the cafeteria. She was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her only granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Anderson, and a brother, Robert Priest. Mrs. Cornthwaite is survived by her husband, Don; her children, Mike Cornthwaite of Hamilton, Jerry Cornthwaite and his wife Pam of Aurora, Ind., and Linda Anderson of Clearwater, Fla.; brothers, Charles Priest of Miamisburg and Jim Priest of Middletown; and grandsons, James Anderson, who is in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Italy and Jeffrey Cornthwaite of Cincinnati. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Webb Noonan Funeral Home, Ross Avenue at D Street, with the Rev. John H.H. Lewis officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Hickory Flat Cemetery. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Presbyterian Church, 23 Front St., Hamilton, 45011, or to a charity of choice. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Harry Davin and his staff for their kindness and also to Vitas Hospice.

Ruth Anne Cundiff
Ruth Anne Cundiff, 80, of Middletown, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at her residence. She was born in Calla, Ky., Sept. 26, 1919, and had lived in the community since 1955. A homemaker, she received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve following World War II. Mrs. Cundiff was also a lifetime member of both American Legion Post 218 and D.A.V and an active member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3809. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Daniel Cundiff Jr. in 1998, and her parents, Daniel Boone and Floria Pelfrey. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Keneau of Middletown and Judy A. Morris and husband John A. Conyers of Georgia; four grandchildren, Amber Baker, Alissa Smith, Daniel Agee and Jerry Prato; two great-grandchildren, Justin Smith and Tanna Baker; six brothers and five sisters. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park, Trenton. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to P.A.W.S. Adoption Center Inc., P.O. Box 684, Middletown, 45042.