Arnold Banks
Arnold Banks, 62, of Middletown, Ohio, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at 7:17 p.m. at Middletown Regional Hospital where he had been a patient for four days. He was born on Jan. 2, 1939, in Diablock, Ky., and had lived in the Middletown area for 15 years. Mr. Banks had worked as a coal miner in Hazard, Ky. He attended the World Harvest Church of God in Trenton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. and Ora (Allen) Banks; and a sister, Louetta Dixon. He is survived by a daughter, Sandra Lou Watts, and husband, Pearl, of Hazard, Ky.; two grandchildren, Dedra and Flint Watts, both of Hazard, Ky.; a sister, with whom he made his home, Helen Fields, and her husband, Forrest, of Middletown; a brother, Herbert Banks, and his wife, Opal, of Hazard; and many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Local visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the World Harvest Church of God, 602 E. State St., Trenton. Local services will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Randall Bagus officiating. There will also be visitation and services in Kentucky. The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Engle Funeral Home, 301 E. Main St., Hazard, Ky., where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. Interment will be at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Hazard, Ky. Local arrangements are by Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown.

Denis M. Cox
Denis Michael Cox, 43, of Middletown, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Feb. 25, 1957, the son of Robert Cox and Patsy Cox Read (husband Ed). He graduated from Monroe High School where he excelled in sports and art, receiving the Pentathlon First Place honor in 1974. He was also outstanding in art and excelled in Mid-Miami League relays and distance relays. In football, he played Pee-Wee football at age 8 and continued through high school. He was voted outstanding player of 1974 and also won numerous other trophies. Denis had worked at Armco Steel Co. His years of illness kept him from normal happiness. He is now with his Heavenly Father and his biological father resting in a beautiful place. He is survived by his mother, Patsy, and stepfather, Ed Read; a sister, Deborah Jean Mazzoni (husband Mark) of Leawood, Kan.; and three nephews, Vincent, Mike and Steven. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert C. Cox; and his grandparents, Raymond and Elsie Cox, and Adrian and Goldie Smallwood.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Green officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery.

Paul John Ellis
Paul John Ellis, 83, formerly of Middletown, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at Hawthorn Glen Nursing Home. He was born on Sept. 5, 1917, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Frank Ellis and Ellen (Beverly) Ellis. Mr. Ellis was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion. He retired from Armco Steel Co. in 1981. He is survived by three daughters, Brenda (Frank) Morris of Middletown, Sharon (Allen) Heiner of Santee, Calif., and Sherry (Patrick) Sheehan of Middletown; a son, Paul (Nancy) Ellis of Killeen, Texas; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and two brothers, James Ellis of Berea, Ky., and Clifford Ellis of Middletown. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Lois; his second wife, Willie Mae Ellis; and a sister, Virginia.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Wesley Poole officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, 215 S. Sutphin St., Middletown 45044.

Byrd Estes
Byrd Estes, 54, of Georgetown, Ky., vice president financial adviser for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Inc., Lexington, Ky., and husband of Lisa Hammond Estes, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at the Georgetown Community Hospital. A native of Middletown, Ohio, he was the son of Wilson and Loretta Moore Estes of Trenton, Ohio. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, past member of the Scott County Kiwanis and past president of the Scott County Athletic Boosters. Survivors besides his wife and parents include a daughter, Trisa Anne Estes of Richmond, and her future husband, Mike Hanson, of Nashville; a son and daughter-in-law, C.W. and Dana Estes of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Robert Estes of Chicago; a sister-in-law and her family, Kathy and Steve Lett, and Brian and Peter Lett, of Libertyville, Ill.; and a brother-in-law and his family, Chuck and Carrie Hammond, and Leslie and Adam Hammond, of Albuquerque, N.M.
ARRANGEMENTS: Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Georgetown, Ky., with the Rev. Jay Pierce officiating. Johnson's Funeral Home of 641 S. Broadway, Georgetown, Ky., is in charge of arrangements.
MEMORIALS: Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Scott County Fieldhouse Project, in care of Donna Rennecker, 111 Pintail Court, Georgetown, Ky. 40324; or the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Restoration Fund, 209 S. Broadway, Georgetown, Ky. 40324.

Sally Evers
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Sally Evers, 90, of 319 Fifth St., passed away at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Menifee County, Ky., on Oct. 16, 1910, the daughter of Shelby and Belle (Steele) Palmer. Mrs. Evers was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James in 1990; a son, Orville McQueen in 1995; and sisters, Gladys Raney, Maude Ellington, Carrie Norris, Elva Sallee, Mattie Reed, Edith Halsey, Ina Downing and Margaret Brewer. She is survived by three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at the Miltonville Cemetery, with Father Joseph Bruening officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Eaton-Anderson-Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 106 N. Clinton St., Middletown, Ohio 45042.

William C. Howse
Former Middletown and Lebanon, Ohio, resident William C. Howse, 64, of Leesburg, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at his residence in Florida. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 1936, and moved to central Florida in 1996 from Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Howse was retired from his job as a maintenance engineer in the Lakota school system. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4273, both of Leesburg, Fla. He cooked the Wednesday suppers at the church and was an avid bingo player. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean of Leesburg; two sons, Timothy Howse of Monroe and Theodore Howse of Mason, Ohio; a daughter, Lori Pelfrey of Mason; a brother, Thomas Howse of Middletown; and five grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001, at the West Chester Wesylen Church on Tylersville Road, West Chester, Ohio. Arrangements were handled by the All Faiths Cremation Society of Lady Lake, Fla.

Edward Lyninger
GERMANTOWN -- Edward Lyninger, 68, of Germantown, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at Sycamore Hospital. A longtime resident of Germantown, he was born on Feb. 22, 1932, in Zag, Ky., to the late Samuel W. and Lela (Lewis) Lyninger. Mr. Lyninger retired from Armco Steel Co. in 1982 after 32 years of service. Ed was a member of the Germantown Historical Society, Germantown Eagles, Aerie 2292, and Middletown Moose Lodge 501. He was preceded in death by his brother, William Lyninger. Survivors include three sons, Steven (Barbara) Lyninger of Springboro, Scott (Vickie Towery) Lyninger of Germantown and Samuel E. (Beth Ann) Lyninger of Carlisle; six grandchildren, Carrie, Bradley, Kathryn, Nicholas, Holly Beth and Samuel Christopher; and two brothers, Ray Lyninger of Middletown and Kenneth Lyninger of Nevada.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and there will be an additional viewing Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. (one hour prior to the service) at the Dalton Funeral Home, corner of Ohio 4 and Weaver Road, Germantown. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Funeral Home, with the Rev. Steven Streibick officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Bonnie J. Marcum
Mrs. Bonnie Jean Marcum, 70, of Jacksonburg, Ohio, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at her residence. She was born on March 13, 1930, in Middletown, the daughter of Stanley Blaine Nickell and Verna (Dykes) Nickell. Mrs. Marcum was the owner of Marcum's Carryout in Jacksonburg. She was a member of the Jacksonburg United Methodist Church. Surviving are a daughter, Linda L. Stoffregen of Hamilton; two sons, Edward L. Marcum and Ronald B. Marcum, both of Jacksonburg; four grandchildren, Bonnie K., Edward L. and Kurtis L. Stoffregen, and Zachary J. Marcum; two sisters, Auldine Moore of Hamilton and Judy Richardson of Middletown; and a brother, Ben Nickell of Middletown. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Marcum in 1971; a brother, Paul Nickell; and her parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown, with the Rev. Jeff Motter officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.

Richard C. Reck
Richard C. Reck, 71, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at his residence. He was born in North Star, Ohio, on March 19, 1929. Mr. Reck was a member of the Home Street First Church of God in Trenton. He worked in maintenance at Armco Steel Co. for 39 years, retiring in 1987. Richard was an avid barber-shopper. As a member of the Middletown Elks Lodge 257, he helped charter the Middletown Elk Tones and also participated in the Hamilton Elk Tones. He graduated from Middletown High School where he was president of both his junior and senior classes. He was on the 1946 championship basketball team and was very active in many other sports. Survivors include his wife, Doris; two sons, David Reck of Middletown and Daniel (Colleen) Reck of South Bend, Ind.; a brother, Jack (Wanda) Reck of Middletown; two grandchildren, Benjamin and Erin Reck; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Elva (Murray) Reck, and a son, Dale Reck.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Cable officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery in Middletown. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, with a service by the Elk Tones at 7 p.m.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, P.O. Box 3509 Dayton, Ohio 45401-3509; or American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Russell Schalk
Russell Schalk, 54, of 2985-B Wilbraham Road, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001, at his residence. He formerly worked for Ronco Masonry and was an Army veteran. There are no immediate survivors.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be held at Dayton National Cemetery Monday, Feb. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Mary Louise Smith
Mary Louise Smith, 56, of Middletown, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at her residence at 522 Young St. She was born in Middletown where she lived most of her life. She was a member of Tried Stone Baptist Church. She graduated with the class of 1964 from Middletown High School. Ms. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Willie B. and Alene Smith; three brothers, Alvin, Buckey and Wallace Smith; and two sisters, Rose Watts and Dean Calhoun. Surviving are two sons, David and Tyrone Smith of Middletown; two daughters, Tina Smith of Middletown and Shelly Smith-Culbreath of Radcliff, Ky.; three sisters, Josephine (John) Calhoun, Gwendyln Roberts and Sigrid Rakestraw of Fort Wayne, Ind.; one brother, Willie B. Smith Jr. of Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren, Nakia Smith, Tyra Smith, Arianna Smith, Mercedes Franklin, Shamir Brown, Dakota Smith, Terry Smith, Michael Callahan and Christopher Smith; one great-grandchild, Ragin Smith; a very special friend, Henry Gamble; and other relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Private visitation services for family and close friends only will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Tried Stone Baptist Church, 621 Lafayette Ave., where funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Ford will officiate. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Arrangements are by Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, 918 S. Main St.

Robert E. Soule
Robert E. Soule, 77, of Monroe, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2001, at his residence. He was born on July 25, 1923, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Ira Soule and Alice (Gardiner) Soule. Mr. Soule had worked as a brick layer for 40 years before his retirement. He served with the 429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, in World War II in Normandy, France, and in central Europe. The Don Broughton Construction Co. formerly employed him during which he worked on the chapel in Woodside Cemetery as well as Barnitz Stadium. He was an avid fisherman and was very proud of his family. Mr. Soule is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Irma Jean (Hazelton) Soule; three daughters and two sons, Debbie (Chuck) Grubb of Trenton, Chuck Soule, Sherry (Orville) Nicely, and Jeanne Soule, all of Monroe, and Dan (Debbie Soule of Canton, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; two brothers, William and Charles Soule; and his parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Woodside Cemetery Chapel, with Chaplain Linda Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown.

William H. Stone II
William H. Stone II, 50, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 31, 2001, at Manor Care Nursing Center in Miamisburg. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Dec. 31, 1950, a son of William and Lillian (Sherard) Stone. He had been employed as a carpenter. Mr. Stone attended Christ United Methodist Church and was an Army veteran. He is survived by five daughters, Jessica Theis of Camden, Anitsa Hohenbrink of Miamisburg, Jennifer Stone of Canton, Ohio, Carmen Gomez of Middletown and Adrian Stone of Trenton; four sons, William H. Stone III and Joey Stone, both of Canton, Ohio, and Roland and Roger Stone, both of Camden; 15 grandchildren; a sister, Zelda A. Stephenson of Middletown; and two brothers, Dwight E. and Allen R. Stone, both of Middletown.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown, with the Rev. James R. Compton officiating. Friends may call from noon until service time Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Miltonville Cemetery.

Steven M. Stover
Steven Michael Stover, 48, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. The Middletown native was born on June 29, 1952, and was a lifelong Middletown resident. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Mr. Stover was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 501, American Legion Post 218 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3809. He is survived by his parents, Virginia and Donald Stover of Somerville, Ohio; three brothers, Don Stover Jr. of Jacksonburg, Jeff Stover of Middletown and Chris Stover of Somerville; a sister, Sherry Smith of Middletown; a son, Steven Stover II of Franklin; a grandson, Nash Stover of Franklin; and his fiancee, Nora Theile of Middletown.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home in Middletown. Interment will be at Fairmound Cemetery in West Elkton. Friends may call Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Military rites will be performed by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 218.

Anna Taylor
Mrs. Anna Taylor, 86, of 3014 Yankee Road, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 31, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Indian Mound, Tenn., on Oct. 5, 1914, the daughter of Jessie and Roxie (Wallace) Parker. Mrs. Taylor was retired from the Pollock Paper Co. Her husband, Cornelius Taylor, preceded her in death in 1985. She is survived by her children, Helen Keef-Schuman of Las Vegas, Nev., Harlan Taylor, Judy Dyas, Johnny Taylor and Terri Taylor, all of Middletown, Cooney Taylor of Jakarta, Indonesia, and Danny Taylor of Springboro; 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Etheridge Parker of Indian Mound, Tenn.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with Pastor Joe Goodloe officiating. Burial will follow in Butler County Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.

Inez M. Tuttle
Mrs. Inez M. Tuttle, 82, of Monroe, Ohio, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. A Middletown native, she was born on April 26, 1918, to Buford C. and Bertha F. (Murphy) Goad. Mrs. Tuttle was a member of the First Christian Church. She had worked as an executive secretary for Sorg Paper Co. Survivors include a son, David Tuttle of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and a good friend, Judy Patrick of Middletown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald C. Tuttle on Sept. 3, 1997; and her parents, Buford and Bertha Goad.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., with the Rev. Carol Oetzel officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church, 4520 Rosedale Road, Middletown 45042; or Mount Pleasant Life Care Fund, 225 Britton Lane, Monroe 45050.

John H. Watson
John H. Watson, 86, of Middletown, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Kensington Place in Middletown. He was in Middletown on Sept. 13, 1914, the son of the late Louis and Maude (Hill) Watson. Mr. Watson worked for Armco Steel Co. for 34 years and retired in 1977. He leaves a daughter, Helen Williams of Middletown; a sister, Mildred Dwyehouse; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (Schenck) Watson; his parents; a son, Roy Watson; son-in-law, Charles Williams; brothers, Robert, Jake, Elmer, Edward, Charles and David Watson; and a sister, Ruth Watson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Butler County Memorial Park Chapel, with Pastor Phillip Williams officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park, Wayne Township. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Troy Whitt
Troy Whitt, 87, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in West Liberty, Ky., on May 9, 1913. Mr. Whitt worked in research and development at Aeronca for 37 years and also as an auctioneer. He retired in 1977. He was a member of Eagles Aerie 528. He played multiple musical instruments but will be remembered mostly for his violin. He had his own band in the 1930s. Mr. Whitt also collected antiques and was a broadcaster with WMOH in the early 1960s. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boonie and Ada Whitt; a son, Carl Raymond Whitt "Snookie"; a brother, Carl Whitt; a sister, Elizabeth Miller; a grandson, Matthew White; and two great-grandchildren, Amber and Joshua Bowermaster. He is survived by his former wife, Maude Whitt; two sons, Robert Whitt and Terry Whitt (Paulette), both of Middletown; three daughters, Gloria Pombles and Janice White (Brack), both of Middletown, and Candice Klamo (Don) of Hamilton; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Virlin Whitt of DeLand, Fla., Bethel Whitt of Bradenton, Fla., and Blaine Whitt of Middletown; a sister, Mary Agnes Taylor of Grand Junction, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. David Zornes officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Thomas S. Williams
Thomas S. Williams, 37, of Monroe, died suddenly Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was the loving son of Charles H. and Ida Mae (Chance); devoted father of Jeremy Clinton Williams; former husband of Kimberly (Baird) Williams; dear brother of Timothy Wayne Williams; loving uncle of Alison Gabbard, Tanya Dolin and Elizabeth Williams; and great-uncle of William Dolin and Quinton Gabbard. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was an armed forces veteran. Mr. Williams worked in construction for the Benner Corp. in Cincinnati.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Feb. 2, at Shorten & Ryan Funeral Home, 400 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Omer Abner
Omer Abner, 61, of Peebles, Ohio, died there Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. A native of Winchester, Ky., he was born on Jan. 2, 1940. He was employed as a sales manager at Sears before retiring in 1992 and was a member of the Masons. Mr. Abner was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Abner; a brother, Elmer Abner Jr.; and a sister, Bee Faggionato. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Mary Jane Abner; children Ronnie Creech of Atlanta, Ga., Pamela Waddell (Timothy) of Middletown, Teresa Roldon (Lou) of Indianapolis, Ind., Christy Abner of Connersville, Ind., Tammy Abner of New Richmond, Ohio, Tonya Maloney (David) of Sturbridge, Mass., and Robert Abner (Sherri) of Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his mother, Christine Stidham; a brother, Donald (Emmy) Abner of West Elkton, Ohio; and sisters Toni (Frank) Brown of Middletown and Charlene (Greg) Williams of Trenton.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be at noon Saturday, Jan. 27, at Solid Rock Church, with the Rev. Gary L. Chapman officiating.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45428-9907; or Darlene Bishop's Unwed Mothers Home, P.O. Box 350, Monroe, Ohio 45050. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home in Middletown is handling arrangements.

Mae L. Alexander
Mrs. Mae L. Alexander, 80, of Hamilton, Ohio, passed away there Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001. She was a Middletown native and was born on Nov. 20, 1920, to William J. and Ora C. Brewer. Mrs. Alexander had formerly worked as a beautician owner and as a factory worker. She was a member of New Covenant Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred "Dosey" Alexander in 1989, and her parents. She leaves a daughter, Janet L. Morris of Hamilton; two grandsons, Rocky Lee Morris (Kris) of Middletown and Alfred David Luckey of Hamilton; four great-granddaughters, Andrea, Laura, Britney and Brighton Morris; two brothers, William C. and Raymond L. Brewer; and three sisters, Mabel Dickerson, Ruth Surgenor and Wilma J. Winburn.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 1 p.m. Monday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown, with the Rev. Jerry Westfall officiating. Interment will be at North Monroe Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044.

Charles R. Azbill
MIAMISBURG -- Charles R. Azbill, 59, of Miamisburg, passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, at Sycamore Hospital. He was born on July 31, 1941, the son of Rollie and Geneva (Glenn) Azbill. He was formerly employed as an auto mechanic at the Lee Shell Station in West Carrollton. Charles was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Alvin. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sharon; four sons, Rocky, Timothy, Charles Jr. and Rodney Azbill, all of Miamisburg; three brothers, James of Franklin, Dale of Palmdale, Calif., and Glenn of Chillicothe; four sisters, Flora Stivers of Germantown, Nancy Aiello of New Lebanon, Rosemary Neff of Carlisle and Faye Disher of Franklin; and ten grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at Eaton-Anderson-Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Gary Huff officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodhill Cemetery.

George C. Baker
FRANKLIN -- George C. Baker, 69, of Franklin, passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, at Kettering Hospital. He was born on Feb. 7, 1931, in Franklin, Ohio. A graduate of Springboro High School, he was employed with NCR for 25 years and Armco/AK Steel Co. for 17 years, retiring in 1993. Mr. Baker was a member of the Franklin Eastern Star Lodge 55. He was preceded in death by his parents, George C. Baker Sr. and Margaret Hollon Baker; a brother, Robert Lynn Baker; and a sister, Carolyn Fortney. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mafra, and a daughter, Pamela McClain of Franklin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Eaton-Anderson-Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Rick Carr officiating. Burial will be in Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Ky., where a graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. He was a good man who will be missed.

Flossie Batze
TRENTON -- Mrs. Flossie Batze, 76, of Trenton, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on Feb. 1, 1924, in Morris Fork, Ky., the daughter of Floyd and Dora Cornett. Mrs. Batze worked at the Manchester Inn in Middletown and was a member of the Trenton Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert Carl Batze; a daughter, Angela (Dana) Fox of Carlisle; two sons, Robert A. (Fran) Batze and David C. (Loretta) Batze, both of Middletown; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and three sisters and three brothers. She was preceded in death by a sister and her parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Trenton Church of the Nazarene, with the Rev. Douglas Vannest officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown. Burial will be at Hickory Flat Cemetery in Overpeck, Ohio.

Clara Mae Butts
TRENTON -- Mrs. Clara Mae Butts, 84, formerly of Trenton, Ohio, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Denham, in Goshen, Ohio. She was born on April 12, 1916, in Trenton, Ohio, the daughter of Willard and Jennie (Cameron) Kerns. She was a graduate of Wayne High School and attended Miami University. She married her husband, Ronald L. Butts. Sr. on Aug. 28, 1943, in Okeana, Ohio, and he preceded her in death in 1999. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was an avid reader and enjoyed raising flowers. She was a good cook who specialized in fresh vegetables from her garden. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth Denham, and husband, Larry, of Goshen, Ohio, Margaret Combs, and husband, Philip, of Florence, Ky., Kathryn Girmann, 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; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Anna Belle Kerns in 1998; and a brother, Walter Kerns in 1995.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Miltonville Cemetery. There is no visitation.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to a charity of one's choice. Weigel Funeral Home in Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.

Georgia DeBord
FRANKLIN - Mrs. Georgia L. DeBord, 61, of 6859 Hamilton-Middletown Road, died Thursday night, Jan. 25, 2001, in the emergency room at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Bledsoe County, Tenn., on Sept. 23, 1939, a daughter of William and Margie Lawson. She worked for 17 years at First Baptist Day Care before retiring in 1995. Mrs. DeBord was a member of the Stratford Heights Church of God. She is survived by her husband, Bobby L. DeBord; two daughters, Deborah Lynn DeBord of Tallahassee, Fla., and Lisa Comley of West Chester; two sons, Bobby L. DeBord Jr. of Franklin and Dwayne DeBord of Carlisle; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five sisters, Faye Reed, Betty Poling, Kathy Coldiron, Joetta Lawson and Susie Johnson; and a brother, Thomas Lawson. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Margaret Kelly and Shirley Rudd.
MEMORIALS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Stratford Heights Church of God, with Pastor Walter Watkins officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown. Burial will follow in Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin.

Margaret E. Faries
Margaret Eleanor Faries passed away January 27, 2001 at the Middletown Regional Hospital at the age of 84. She was the youngest and last survivor of ten children born to Charles E. and Bertha Brown Kemp Faries. She was born in Trenton in 1917 and lived with her mother and father in West Middletown caring for them until their deaths. She graduated form Middletown High School in 1934. She was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church and a lifetime member of the West Middletown Baptist Sunday School. Her genealogy was woven through many pioneer families, the Kemps, Miltenbergers and Hinkels, as well as the Faries. In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by all of her sister and brothers; Mary Hildebrand, Mabel E. Faries, Mildred E. Greathouse, Magdalen E. Faries, M. Edna Faries, Charles S. "Bud" Faries, twins Jane E. Burgess and brother James E. Faries and John E. Faries. She is survived by all of her nephews and nieces: C. Richard Greathouse, Jr. (Fran), Mary E. Montgomery (John), James E. Burgess (Dancy), Harold G. Faries (Connie), Judith Ann Ready (Jack) and Edward L. Faries and their children and grandchildren. As in the case with many girls born on the farm, Margaret milked cows twice a day, working at the West Middletown (Heno) Post Office in between. After the passing of her parents and the West Middletown Post Office, she moved to Middletown and lived with her sister Edna. She worked a the Middletown Post Office from which she retired thirty years of service. Margaret was an avid, talented bowler, looking forward to bowling with the First Presbyterian Team on League nights.
ARRANGEMENTS: Services will be at the Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Weingartner will officiate. Burial will take place at Elk Creek Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, 45044 or to the Abilities First Foundation (formerly Doty House) 4710 Timber Trail Drive, Middletown, 45044 or to the charity of choice.

Emma E. Brown
Mrs. Emma Elizabeth Conn Brown, 87, formerly of Middletown, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001, at the Franklin Nursing Home. She was born on May 31, 1913, in Isonville, Ky., the daughter of Noah and Rebecca (Hayes) Skaggs. She was self-employed as a caregiver for many years. She was a member of the Nazarene Church in Middletown for more than 35 years. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Haden; her parents; a grandson; and four sisters and one brother. She is survived by her son, Jesse, and his wife, Penny Conn, of Ellsinore, Mo.; three daughters, Geneva Back of Lexington, Ky., Rebecca Smith of Lucasville, Ohio, and Louise Poteet of Franklin; a brother, Buel Skaggs of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Eaton-Anderson-Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Virgil Applegate officiating. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary Ann Brumfield
Mary Ann Brumfield, 70, of 3915-B Bonita Drive, died Saturday evening, Jan. 20, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Sept. 18, 1930, the daughter of Buenas and Mary Belle (Leavell) Boyd, and belonged to the First Baptist Church. She was the manager of the Forest Creek Apartment Community for the past 10 years. She is survived by her son, Michael Brumfield of Columbus, Ohio; and by her cousins, Sue Ann Hale, Lynn Leavell Wells, Paige Spencer and Celeste Scheibert. She will also be lovingly remembered by her good friend, Melanie Keenan.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Karen Helton officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery.