Corlie L. Banks
SPRINGBORO -- Corlie L. "Junior" Banks, 72, of 8541 Clearcreek-Franklin Road, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2000, at Sycamore Hospital. He was born on Oct. 14, 1927, in Spring Lake, Ky., the son of Marion C. and Martha (Combs) Banks. He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army. Mr. Banks was employed by Appleton Paper Co. for 32 1/2 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member and deacon of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-grandson, Bill Jr.; brothers Herschel and John "Sherman"; and sisters Beaulah Mae and Geneva. Survivors include his wife, Eva (Harville) Banks; a son, Rusty Banks, and his wife, Joy, of Carlisle; daughters, Debbie Coffey, and her husband, Leo, Kathy Jo Banks and Kim "Bucky" Azbill, all of Springboro, and Diana Russell, and husband, Ernie, of Carlisle; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at the Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main St., Springboro, with the Revs. Joe Carpenter, Garrett Dalton and Roy Young officiating. Burial will be in Springboro Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Lexton N. Centers
Lexton Neal Centers, 67, of 110 N. Heinkel Road, died Monday evening, Sept. 25, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Nov. 8, 1932, a son of Edward and Virgie (Neal) Centers and was a lifelong resident. He worked for more than 40 years for Armco Steel Co. in the No. 3 Open Hearth, and then in Metallurgy, from which he retired in 1990. Mr. Centers had served in the Army during the Korean War. He loved sports and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Grace "Sis" Centers; a daughter, Diane Reed (husband Mark) of Middletown; three grandchildren, Jason, Monica and Valarie; a special sister-in-law, Juanita Centers of Middletown; his mother and father-in-law, Doc and Dorothy Childers of Middletown; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Bobbi Childers of Temple City, Calif.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara and Robert Schenck of Camden, and Alice and Donald Gay of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Centers was preceded in death by his parents; a twin sister, Lorine Keeton; and siblings Dorothy Doughman, Donald Centers, Louise Miller and Cy Centers. He will be sadly missed. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Chi Allen officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery.

Margaret Carey Edwards
DAYTON -- Margaret Carey Edwards, 84, of Dayton, formerly of Middletown, passed away Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at Miami Valley Hospital and is resting peacefully in the land of no pain or tears after a four-year illness. She was born in Miamisburg on May 21, 1916, a daughter of the late William and Margaret (Petticrew) Carey. In heaven, she will be joining her parents; brother, Chester; sister, Lucille; nephew, Jack Center and niece, Sue Ann Reser. Her treasure in heaven and legacy in our hearts was her courage to face insurmountable odds and her willingness to help those who needed her. Her main priority was love for her daughters and her grandchildren. Until recently, she had made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Paul Walker in The Woodlands, Texas, and Gibsonia, Pa. For the last year and a half, she resided in Dayton and had been watched over with loving care by her daughter, Peggy James. Missing her greatly and the light of her life are granddaughters, Julie James of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lori Walker of Houston and extended family members, Mildred James, Mary Lou Walker and Dr. William O. and Chris Smith. Margaret was a retired employee of Dayton Reliable Tool and Linden Tool. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, Miamisburg, with Dr. William O. Smith officiating. Burial is at Hillgrove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service. Margaret and her daughters were touched and thankful for the care and love given by the doctors and staff of Sunrise of Oakwood, Heartland of Kettering, Hospice of Dayton and Lincoln Park Nursing Home. A special tribute to the Miami Valley Hospital staff and Dr. James Murphy and Dr. Townsend Smith who were responsible for giving us a six month extension of her life.

Beverly J. Flatter
Mrs. Beverly Jean Flatter, 47, of Interlachen, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, at her home after a long illness. She was a native of Jamestown, N.Y., and had lived in Interlachen for the past two years, coming from Cleveland, Tenn. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Interlachen and a homemaker. Mrs. Flatter had participated in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life." She is survived by her husband of 16 years, Tom Flatter of Interlachen; her father and stepmother, Andy and Margaret Tutmaher of Youngsville, Pa.; two sisters, Ann Craton of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Carol Ely of Clarendon, Pa.; a brother, David Tutmaher of Warren, Pa.; in-laws John and Betty Henry of Palatka, Fla., and Darrell and Gaye Flatter of Franklin, Ohio; and six nieces and nephews. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services and a memorial video were held at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at the Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Interlachen, with the Rev. James Roberson officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. today, Oct. 3, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce, Fla. Friends attended a visitation Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Michael R. Georgia Jr.
Michael Ray Georgia Jr., 6, of 127 Depot St., Bluefield, Va., died Friday, Sept. 29, 2000. He was born in Dayton, July 8, 1994, and lived in the area most of his life. He was preceded in death by a grandfather, Charles South. He is survived by his mother, Jennie Elizabeth Lacy of Franklin; his father, Michael R. Georgia Sr. of Bluefield; a sister, Angel Marie Sallee; a brother, Brandon Michael Georgia; his stepmother, Mary Ann Georgia and her parents and sisters; his stepfather, William Lacy; grandmother, Marlene South; grandparents, Bob and Jan Georgia; grandmother, Lisa Vance; grandfather, Paul Manegold; great-grandparents, Louise and Marshall Brewer, Pete and Donna Short and Lou Georgia; an uncle and aunt, Bobby and Donna Georgia, and numerous cousins and other relatives. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home with Pastor Claude Robold officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Miami Valley Memory Gardens.

Beech Hall
MIAMISBURG -- Beech Hall, 90, of Miamisburg, passed away Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at Sycamore Hospital. He was a retired employee of Sorg Paper Co., with 43 years of service and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the First Church of God and the Primetimers. He was preceded in death by a son, Darrell Ray Hall, in 1966; his parents, Thomas and Laura Hall; four sisters and three brothers. Mr. Hall is survived by his wife, Martha; a son and daughter-in-law, Don and Michelle Hall of Bradenton, Fla., and three grandchildren, Christopher, Geoffrie and Thomas. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, Miamisburg, with Pastor Mark McClain officiating. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions, if so desired, may be made to Hospice of Dayton in his memory.

Max Hamilton
Mr. Max Hamilton, 64, of Middletown, passed away at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2000 at his residence. He was born June 18, 1936 in Akron and lived in Middletown since 1962. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a machinist for AK Steel Corp. for 40 years before retiring in 1998. He was a member of the American Legion Post 218 and Disabled Veterans Chapter 131. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Irene (Zimmerman) Hamilton. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Judy A. Hamilton; four daughters, Mary Kozarec and husband Mark of Germantown, Julie Bowman and husband Pete of Middletown, Debbie Lyninger and husband Tim of Fairfield and Vicki Mattor and husband Jim of Redondo Beach, Calif.;; 14 grandchildren, Seth, Alyssa, Ellie, Molly, Brian, Brandon, Brittany, Matt, Chaz, Jesse, Kelly, Kristin, Jillian and Millie and one great-granddaughter, Bailey. ARRANGEMENTS: There will be no visitation. Graveside memorial services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Woodside Cemetery. Arrangements are by Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, 45420.

Grace M. Howard
Mrs. Grace M. Howard, 90, of Trinity Manor, 301 Clark St., Middletown, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Richmond, Ky., on March 24, 1910, and lived in the Middletown area for 82 years. Mrs. Howard was a homemaker and a member of the Towne Boulevard First Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Warnia Lee Howard in 1952; her parents, Albert and Louise (Cruse) Mize; two sisters, Marge Brockman and Geraldine Bradford; and four brothers, Charles, Eugene, Donald and Carl Mize. She leaves a daughter, Carol Harlow of Mattoon, Ill.; three grandsons, Shane (Jeanne) Harlow of Lockport, Ill., Kenneth (Rhondia) Harlow of Humbolt, Ill., and Michael Harlow of Leominster, Mass.; seven great-grandchildren, Elicia and Tyler Comerford, both of Lockport, Ill., Wade Harlow of Lockport, Ill., Kena Harlow of Humbolt, Ill., Jacob Harlow and Kerrigan Harlow, both of Harrodsburg, Ky., and Megan Harlow of Leominster, Mass.; a sister, Alma Puckett of Middletown; and a brother, William Mize of Dayton, Ohio. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., with the Revs. Frank Curtis and Everett J. Crockett officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Dorothy Mae Kelley
Dorothy Mae Kelley, 76, of Trenton, died Friday, Sept. 29, at Mercy North Hospital of Hamilton. She was born Jan, 4, 1924, in Middletown and had lived in the area her entire life Mrs. Kelley was a clerk at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton and a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence "Buck" Kelley in 1973, parents, William and Iona (Woodrey) Willis and brother, Raymon Willis. Survivors include a son, Terry L. Kelly and wife Sharon of Middletown; two granddaughters, Yvette McGuire and husband Larry of Cincinnati and Michelle Covey and husband Scott of Trenton; five great-granddaughters, Tara Roberts. Kaila Covey, McKenzie Covey, Amber Covey and Lindsay Sponsel; a brother, Richard Willis and wife Olive of Middletown and several nieces and nephews. ARRANGEMENTS: A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2 at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, 311 N. Miami St., Trenton with the Rev. Brian R.E. Peterson officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery. There is no visitation. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, 2710 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Carl Raymond Kincaid
Carl Raymond "Ray" Kincaid, 78, of Centerville, formerly of Middletown, died Friday, Sept. 30, 2000 at Manor Care in Centerville. He was born in May 8, 1922 in West Middletown, a son of the late Edward "Ned" and Elsie (Spencer) Kincaid. Mr. Kincaid worked for 34 years as a senior sales representative for Dayton Machine Tool Co., retiring in 1984. He was a real estate agent for 10 years with Irongate Inc. Realtors, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Dayton Masonic Lodge 147 from 1955 to 1998, (Antioch Temple) Shrine member and was an active member of the Humane Society and the Audubon Society. The West Middletown native was a 1940 graduate of Middletown High School and worked at Armco Steel in Middletown before joining our World War II efforts. Mr. Kincaid then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, completed his training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and then served with the Fourth Division in the Marshall Islands. This division conquered the Marshalls, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Sgt. Kincaid was awarded the purple heart and bronze star for action on Iwo Jima. There he boldly exposed himself to intense enemy fire and skillfully led his platoon, saved them from an enemy trap and advanced them toward their objective. Mr. Kincaid was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lester Kincaid, who died in 1982 and a sister, Betty Kincaid, who died in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Roberta M. (Stults) Kincaid; a daughter, Mona Kincaid, a retired military officer and a sister, Thelma K. Turvey. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation is noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services are 2 p.m. at Woodside Cemetery. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Association of Butler County, 5225 Hamilton-Trenton Road, Trenton, 45067. Ray Kincaid was a devoted husband and father, who actively supported many humane charities to improve the quality of life for humans and animals.

Clifford H. Kolb
HAMILTON -- Clifford Henry Kolb, 85, of Hamilton, Ohio, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at 11:20 p.m. at Mercy Hospital of Hamilton. He was the youngest son of Henry and Marie (Stahlheber) Kolb. He attended Butler County schools and graduated from Wayne Township High School in 1935. For 30 years, he was employed at Fisher Body in tool and die and was also a Wayne Township farmer. From 1978 to 1994, he and his wife spent winters at Mobile Home Estates in Tavares, Fla. On April 19, 1941, he was married to Genevieve Lane at St. Mary's rectory in Hamilton. From April 1942 to December 1945, during World War II, he was in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant. Mr. Kolb was a member of the Butler County Farm Bureau, the Town and Country F.B. Advisory Council, Butler County Association for Retarded Citizens, American Rabbit Breeders Association, AARP and United Automobile Workers local 233. He is survived by his wife, Genevieve; a son, Robert Lane Kolb (Sherry) of Muncie, Ind.; two daughters, Mary Kolb Couch (Paul Jr.) of Anderson, Ind., and Catherine A. Kolb of Hamilton, Ohio; five grandchildren, Dr. Lori Beth K. (Dr. Michael) Kuczmanski, David and Matthew Kolb and Eric and Gregory Couch; and a great-grandson, Tyler Lane Kuczmanski. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Earl and Clarence Kolb; his parents; and an infant son. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 3950 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton, Ohio, with the Rev. Edwin R. Beck officiating. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park. Visitation is today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westover Life Care Fund, 855 Stahlheber Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011; or to the BCARC Memorial Fund (Butler County Association for Retarded Citizens), 5645 Liberty Fairfield Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011; or to a charity of choice.

Eldora C. Lautensleger
Eldora C. Lautensleger, 85, of Middletown, formerly of Baltic, Ohio, died Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at Garden Manor. She was born April 15, 1915, in Sugarcreek. Mrs. Lautensleger was a homemaker and lived in the area since 1989. She was a graduate of Sugarcreek High School and a former member of Zion United Methodist Church of Christ, where she was a Sunday School teacher. Mrs. Lautensleger was active in builders class, Women's Guild, Community's Church Women United Organization and a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul W. Lautensleger, in 1993, who she married July 6, 1941; a sister, Mabel Gerber; two half-brothers; two half-sisters and a nephew, Raymond Gerber. Survivors include two sons, Richard W. Lautensleger and wife the Rev. Mary of Laurel Springs, N.C., formerly of Middletown, and Dale A. Lautensleger of West Alexandria; grandchildren, Jim Lautensleger of West Alexandria, Jason Lautensleger of Eaton, Kristen Prince of Middletown, Kirk Lautensleger of Denver and Tiffany Lautensleger of Davidson, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Gunter Lautensleger, Christopher Prince, Tyler Prince and Mary Katherine Prince; brothers, Howard Hostetler of Coshocton and Melvin Hostetler of New Philadelphia; and four nieces and a nephew. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services are noon Tuesday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Susan Jones Thompson officiating. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery, Baltic, with the Rev. Mary S. Lautensleger officiating. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 530, Middletown, 45042 or Hope House, 34 S. Main St., Middletown, 45044.

Dorothy McClain
LEBANON -- Dorothy McClain, 87, of Lebanon, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, at the Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Community. She retired from NCR after 25 years of service and was affiliated with the Lebanon Baptist Church. Ms. McClain was preceded in death by a sister, Christine Sanders. She is survived by two sons, John Treadway, and his wife, Ruie, of Monroe, and Wally Treadway, and his wife, Leslie, of California; a daughter, Jan King, and her husband, Richard, of Centerville; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rose Peattie of Arizona. ARRANGEMENTS: Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Community Benevolent Fund, 585 N. Ohio 741, Lebanon, Ohio, 45036. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family.

Margie Morris Nichols
Mrs. Margie Morris Nichols, 46, of Middletown, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, at her residence. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, on Nov. 25, 1953, and was a lifelong resident of this area. Margie was a hair stylist at Shear Dimensions for 14 years and a member of the Camden Pentecostal Church. Among her survivors are her husband, Dennis Nichols; a son, Jason Morris, and his wife, Kelli, of Middletown; daughter Tracey Phillips, and husband, Jason, of Trenton; stepdaughter Brittney Nichols of Elizabeth City, N.C.; three grandchildren, Charlee and Wade Phillips of Trenton and Kyle Morris of Middletown; her parents, Earl and Clara (Hensley) Singleton; six sisters, Barbara Ponder, and husband, Robert, of Seven Mile, Jennie Hollon, and husband, Gary, of Camden, Louise Fites, and husband, Mike, of Middletown, Ind., Sharon Barker, and husband, Bruce, of Carlisle, Terry Petitt, and husband, George, of Eaton, and Linda Crain, and husband, Randy, of Carlisle; two brothers, Earl Singleton, and wife, Marylynn, of Camden, and Danny Singleton of Middletown; 16 nieces and nephews; five great-nieces and nephews; and a friend, Charles Morris of Middletown. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown, with Pastor Michael Gadd officiating. Interment will be in Fairmound Cemetery in West Elkton. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Edward C. Ott
MONROE -- Edward C. Ott, 67, of Monroe, died Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born July 21, 1933, in Dayton, Ky., and had lived in the area since 1967. Mr. Ott received an honorary discharge from the U.S. Army following the Korean War. He worked as a meat cutter in McGee's Supermarket on Vannest Avenue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward L. and Dorothy M. Ott. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Janice McCray Ott; two daughters, Pati Smith and husband Steve of Trenton and Amber Johnson and husband Bobby of Middletown; grandchildren, Tyler Smith and Kaitlyn Smith; a sister, Natalie Ott of Elsmere, Ky.; a brother, Jerry Ott of Florence, Ky., and an aunt, Arvella Ott of Cincinnati. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial is at Butler County Memorial Park, Trenton.

Marie Pence
Mrs. Ora Marie Pence Hollon, 65, of Middletown, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000, at Garden Manor Nursing Home. She was born on Aug. 16, 1935, in Campton, Ky., the daughter of Nevil Taulbee and Maggie (Moore) Taulbee. Marie is survived by her daughter, Linda (husband David) McGuire of Middletown; a son, Mike (wife Jeni) Pence of Centerville, Ohio; three grandchildren, Michael, Eli and Sydney; three sisters, Thelma Tumbleson of Cincinnati, Ada Lee of Dover, Tenn., and Elizabeth White of Campton, Ky.; and a brother, Carl Taulbee of Campton, Ky. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reese Pence; and a son, Paul (Ted) Patton. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bill Youngkin officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Dayton Memorial Park. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., Suite 102, West Chester, Ohio 45069; or the American Heart Association, 2936 Vernon Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219-9932.

Brenda J. Phillabaum
Mrs. Brenda J. (Lane) Phillabaum, 57, of West Elkton, Ohio, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2000. Brenda was born on Oct. 4, 1942, to the late Walter and Jesse (Akers) Lane. She was a member of the West Elkton United Methodist Church and was instrumental in starting the West Elkton Branch of the Preble County Library. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Marie Cornett, Pauline Shoemaker and Wilma Messer; and her brother, Earl Lane. Mrs. Phillabaum is survived by her husband of 40 years, Harley C. Phillabaum Jr.; her daughter, Susan (Patrick) Maloney of Middletown, Ohio; her son, Keith (Jayne) Phillabaum of Germantown; two granddaughters, Emily and Amber Maloney; four sisters, Dorothy Hoskins of Eaton, Laura Jean Taylor of Middletown, Regent Chamberlain of Somerville, Ohio, and Norma Creekbaum of Middletown. ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Dalton Funeral Home, corner of Ohio 4 and Weaver Road, Germantown, where the funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. Ruben Cabanillas will officiate. Burial will be in Fairmound Cemetery, West Elkton, Ohio. MEMORIALS: If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.

Oma Plott
Mrs. Oma Plott, 64, of Middletown, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, from the Hospice facility in Dayton. Mrs. Plott was born on Dec. 26, 1935, in Barwick, Ky., to Mack and Alice (Morris) Neace and was the youngest of their 11 children. She had lived for more than 56 years in the Middletown-Franklin area. Mrs. Plott was a homemaker and a longtime member of the Breiel Boulevard First Church of God. She and her husband, Ben, had just observed their 45th wedding anniversary. In addition to her husband, three sons survive: Michael of Edmond, Okla., and Mark and Matthew of Middletown; and two grandsons, Joshua of Columbus and Nicholas of Middletown. Also surviving are one brother, Alex Neace of Miamisburg; and two sisters, Susan Whitt of Middletown and Martha Davis of Miamisburg. Seven brothers, Dan, James, Charles, Roscoe, Edward, Everett and Ray Neace, preceded Mrs. Plott in death. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation for the family and friends is today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private. The Rev. David Colp will officiate. Burial will be in Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin.

Edith A. Powers
LEBANON -- Mrs. Edith Ann Powers, 57, of 2023 W. Pekin Road, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, at her residence. She was born in Menifee County, Ky., on Jan. 28, 1943, the daughter of Johnnie and Minnie (Phipps) Helton who preceded her in death. She was very active as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Surviving are her husband of 36 years, Carl Powers; two daughters, Lori Skidmore, and her husband, Colin, of Springboro, and Brandi Powers of Lebanon; and five brothers, Wendell, David, Dale, Mike and Rick Helton, all of Menifee County, Ky. Edith will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and friend. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with Mr. Ronald Buchanan officiating. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from noon until time of service at the funeral home.

Carl Puckett
Carl Puckett, 84, of Middletown, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dayton. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 3, 1916, and was a lifelong resident. He was an Army veteran. Mr. Puckett was formerly employed at Moraine Paper Co. and retired after 43 years of exemplary service. He was a faithful member of the Wood Road Pentecostal Church of God. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Dovie (Vickers) Puckett; his mother, Anna Bell (Ware) Puckett, and his father, Noah Puckett; three brothers, Odie, Willard and Hubert Puckett; a sister, Fannie Puckett; and a great-grandson, Jacob Ryan Agee. He leaves two daughters, Anna and William Cassidy and Ginger (Virginia) and Buddy (Orla) Bratton, all of Middletown; seven grandchildren, David Bratton, Susann Manning, Sharon Cassidy, Jeff Bratton, Amy Cassidy, Lori Agee and Stephen Bratton; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family, his church family, nieces and nephews, and his very special friends, Tom Smedley, Patsy Fugate and Lily Isaacs. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown, with the Rev. Randy Helton officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center, 9 North Hospice, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45428.

Bertha M. Strickland
LEBANON -- Mrs. Bertha Mae (Williams) Strickland, 82, a resident of Lebanon for most of her life, died Monday, Sept. 25, 2000, at Bethesda Warren County. She was born in Magnolia Springs, Texas, on Oct. 4, 1917, to Henry and Florida Williams. Mrs. Strickland was a member of the Zion Baptist Church and a dedicated homemaker and mother. Her parents, husband Robert Strickland, one sister, Mary Ellen Scott, and four grandsons all preceded her in death. Survivors include three sons, William Robert Strickland of Lebanon, Freddy Alden Strickland, and his wife, Debra, of Lebanon, and Larry Gene Strickland, and his wife, India, of Huber Heights; a foster son, James Sanders of Lebanon; two daughters, Anna Louise Humphrey, and her husband, James, of Sydney, and Catherine S. Johnson, and her husband, Ralph, of Middletown; 27 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, and the funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m., all at the Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home in Lebanon. Interment will follow in Lebanon Cemetery.

Christian I. Terrell
Christian Isaiah Terrell was stillborn, Friday, Sept. 29, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. Christian was the son of Craig Terrell and Elanya (Calton) Terrell of Middletown. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Steve and Deborah Terrell and Diana and Gary Calton, all of Middletown; maternal great-grandparents, Greenville Phipps and Sydney Calton; paternal great-grandparents, Joe and Ellen Carol Terrell and Cecil and Louise Young; paternal great-great-grandmother, Thelma DeRosett; many aunts and uncles and great-aunts and great-uncles. He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparent, Mildred Bernice Phipps; maternal great-grandparent, Manford Calton; and paternal great-great-grand-parent, Louis DeRosett. ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Butler County Memorial Park in Wayne Township, with the Rev. Gary Ashley officiating. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Jane L. Thomas
Jane L. Thomas, 83, formerly of Middletown and Dayton, Ohio, died peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000, in Sylvania, Ohio. She was born on Dec. 20, 1916, in Middletown, Ohio, to Frank and Alwina Chapman. She was a 1934 graduate of Middletown High School and Holy Trinity Business School. On Jan. 26, 1939, she married David Thomas Jr., who preceded her in death in 1976. She worked 23 years for the John C. MacBeth Insurance Agency in Dayton, retiring in 1984. As a dedicated volunteer, Jane gave lovingly of herself through the Girl Scouts, Little League, Good Samaritan Hospital, The House of Bread, a Christian clown troupe, and 45 years at College Hill Community Church, Dayton, Ohio. She moved to Sylvania, Ohio, in 1996 to be closer to her family. Jane was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Surviving are her children, Sue (Chuck) Thayer of Toledo, Ohio, and David (Susan) Thomas of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren Cathy (Scott) Tong of Alexandria, Va., Michael (fiancee, Arlene) of Arlington, Va., Karen Thomas of New Haven, Conn., Molly (Jimmy) Hicks of Toledo, Sarah Thomas of San Francisco, and Chris Thayer of Toledo; great-grandchildren Jimmy and Jalynn Hicks, and Evan Tong; brother Charles Chapman of Casper, Wyo.; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Alwina Leichty; and brothers Frank and David. ARRANGEMENTS: There will be no visitation. Memorial services will be held in the Monroe Street United Methodist Church in Toledo on Friday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. and at College Hill Community Church in Dayton, Ohio, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30. Private graveside services will be held at Woodside Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests contributions to the Jane and Dave Thomas Fund, in care of The Dayton Foundation, 2100 Kettering Tower, Dayton, Ohio 45423-1395, to benefit the youth at College Hill Community Church. Jane's family extends a sincere thank you to the Crestview and Lake Park staffs and family physician, Dr. Shirley Bodi, for their compassionate care. Arrangements are by the J. Jeffrey Fretti Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.

Harold W. Ware
SPRINGBORO -- Harold W. Ware Sr., 78, of 60 Locust St., passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2000, at his residence. He was born on April 1, 1922, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of James Willis and Blanche (Warnick) Ware. He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Ware was formerly employed by the Ware Sales and Service Studebaker in Franklin for 15 years, the Maxwell Paper Co. for 16 years, the Bergstrom Paper Co., and retired from the Powers/Fiat Co. in 1984 following eight years of employment. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Golden; sons Harold W. Ware Jr., and his wife, Theresa, of Brookville, and Daniel Lee Ware, and wife, Kate, of Aberdeen; a daughter, Linda C. Shepherd, and husband, Doug, of Madison Township; grandchildren Shane R. Ware, Denise Millet, Renee G. Givens, Harold W. Ware III, Daniel Jr., Jeremiah Johnson, Joey Brumfield, Bryan D. Shepherd and Amanda Shepherd; and a great-grandchild, Whitney. ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000, at the Springboro Cemetery with full military honors. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Ware family, 60 Locust St., Springboro, Ohio 45066. Arrangements are being made by Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin.

James D. Adams
James D. "Toby" Adams, 60, of Middletown, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Wolfe County, Ky., on July 22, 1940, and lived in this area for 39 years. Mr. Adams was employed as a supervisor at Mecco Sand and Gravel where he worked for 33 years before retiring earlier this year. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Adams on June 15, 1989. Survivors include his mother, Gladys Adams of Middletown; two sons and their wives, Kenneth and Wendy Adams of Trenton and Douglas and Patty Adams of Middletown; a daughter, Melinda Robinson, and her husband, David, of Middletown; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; six brothers, Leon, Bill and James C. Adams, all of Middletown, Denzle Adams of Ocala, Fla., Stanley Adams of Monroe and Carl Adams of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and three sisters, Bertha Jean Banta and Betty Traver, both of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Ruby Hollon of Ezel, Ky. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Barbara S. Amburgey
Barbara Sue Amburgey, 49, of Middletown died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Middletown on June 20, 1951. Ms Amburgey was a lifelong resident and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bunion and Mary Amburgey. Survivors include three brothers, Bill Amburgey, and his wife, Sharon, of Carlisle, Charles Amburgey, and his wife, Kathy, of Middletown, and Bob Morgan, and his wife, Mary, of South Carolina; two sisters, Christine Keller, and Donna Smith, and her husband, Charles, all of Middletown; numerous nieces and nephews; four close friends, Shirley Campbell of Middletown, Patty Weaver of Franklin and Harry and Stella Ward, of Middletown; and numerous friends. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bruce Powell officiating. Interment will be at Woodhill Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home, 1500 Manchester Ave.

Mary Homan Baker
Mrs. Mary Homan Baker, 77, of Hamilton, formerly of Trenton, died Monday evening, Sept. 18, 2000, in Mercy Hospital. She was born in Middletown on Dec. 27, 1922, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Montgomery. She graduated from Trenton High School, attended Asbury College and received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Cedarville College. Later, she also attended the University of Cincinnati. Mrs. Baker had been an elementary school teacher at Amanda Elementary School, then West Middletown, Franklin, and spent the majority of her career at Carlisle Local. She taught for 30 years before retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Franklin Baptist Church and also belonged to the Retired Teachers Association of Ohio. She is survived by her husband, Jack W. Baker; two sons and their wives, Steve and Vickie Homan and Wesley and Karen Homan; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Karen and Phil Norton and Myra and Jack Myczka; five grandchildren, Amy, Cindy, Jonathan, Jacob and Angie; a great-granddaughter, Molly; a brother, Frank Montgomery; and a sister-in-law, Ann Montgomery. Her first husband, John E. Homan Jr., preceded her in death in 1969. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty; and a brother, John. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with Pastor George Brewer officiating. Friends may call from noon until service time Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park in Hamilton.

Bernard N. Brannon
Bernard Nicholas Brannon, 82, of Middletown, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 20, 2000, at Veteran's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. Bernard was a cheerful Irishman, always humming a tune, always happy. He had a remarkable ability to maintain his positive attitude no matter what he had to endure. As a young man, Bernard was tested by two traumatic events. On Aug. 20, 1944, while serving in the Marines during World War II, he sustained severe burns in a gasoline explosion. He spent more than a year in military hospitals overseas recovering from his wounds. After he returned from the war and married his childhood sweetheart, Geraldine Sora, their firstborn son died at age 4 of retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer. Bernard continued to live as a patriotic family man, honoring his country and his son with his eternal optimism. While in the military, he served in the Fourth Amphibian Tractor Battalion which took the 22nd Division Marines ashore during the invasion of Guam in the South Pacific. Bernard retired from Diamond International Corp. (now Jefferson Smurfit) in 1981 after 35 years of service. He was a charter member of the Harold John Hursh Chapter 131 of Disabled American Veterans, a member of American Legion Post 218 and Knights of Columbus Council 1610. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Church of Holy Family Parish. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine (Sora) Brannon on May 16, 1988; and a son, Thomas James on Dec. 24, 1951. Survivors include a son, John Albert Brannon, and his wife, Glenda, of West Middletown; and two daughters, Patricia Ann Trotta, and her husband, John, of Greensboro, N.C., and Jo Marie VanCleve, and her husband, Jerry, of Middletown, with whom Bernard made his home since 1990. He was a loving grandpa to Amy Michelle Brannon, John Thomas Brannon, Jerry Thomas VanCleve and Joseph Brannon VanCleve. In addition, he is survived by two very special nieces, Ruth Sallie and Mary Catherine Fenton, both of Middletown. Mr. Brannon also leaves his faithful dog, Ginger, who was his constant companion in his golden years. ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Church, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 218. MEMORIALS: Memorial donations may be made to Middletown Senior Citizens, 140 N. Verity Parkway, Middletown 45042. td>