Mildred J. Bendel
Mrs. Mildred Jean (Rutledge) Bendel passed away Wednesday, June 28, at Willow Knoll Nursing Home. Mrs. Bendel was born at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton on March 15, 1923, the daughter of William Stanley and Claribel (Whitehead) Rutledge. Mildred was a homemaker and a loving, caring and devoted mother to her children and was always interested in their education and welfare. She was also a generous and sharing friend and family member. Mildred was reared on a farm near Monroe, Ohio. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1941 and from Holy Trinity School's business education program in 1942. Mildred worked at the Armco General Office and for the Red Cross organization during World War II. She married Richard Charles Bendel on Sept. 9, 1943, while he was in the U.S. Army during World War II. After her marriage, she lived in Middletown with her husband of 56 years. They rededicated their marriage vows for their 50th anniversary celebration in September 1993 at Blue Ball Presbyterian Church with their family and friends. As a child she was a member of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church and transferred to Blue Ball Presbyterian Church in 1959. At Blue Ball Church she was a member of the Vintage Years in Christ Group, an organization of the church's senior members, and the Women's Circle. She also served as a nursery mother and Bible school teacher. During the years her children were in school, Mildred was active in the Mayfield School Parent Teachers Organization and the Lemon-Monroe Band Boosters Association, holding several officer and committee chairperson positions. With her husband, she was presented with the Middletown Teachers Association "Friend of Education" Award in 1987. Mrs. Bendel is survived by her husband, Richard C. Bendel Sr.; four sons, Richard Charles Bendel Jr., and his wife, Melinda Kay, of San Diego, Calif., Frederick Eugene Bendel, and his wife, Darlene Carol, of Camden, Ohio, Joseph Rutledge Bendel, and his wife, Patricia Lynn, of Lexington, Ky., and John Stanley Bendel of Middletown; a daughter, Virginia Ann Draa, and her husband, Charles Melvin Draa, of Canfield, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Daniel, Beth Ann, Kristy, Jeremy, Jacquline, Aaron, Natalie and Sara; a great-granddaughter, Rachel; three step-grandchildren, Dana, Ramsey and Carson Green; a sister, Dorothy E. Fouts of Trenton, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Edna Kirby. She was preceded in death by an infant sister, Annetta Marie in 1930; a sister, Virginia Mae in 1942; a son, Daniel Rutledge Bendel in 1959; her father, William Stanley Rutledge in 1962, her mother, Claribel Rutledge in 1979; and her brother, Charles Rutledge in 1996.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Michael Evans officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care; or the Blue Ball Presbyterian Church. Special thanks to Middletown Regional Hospital, Willow Knoll Nursing Home and to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care Center for the special care they gave her.

Henrietta Clark
Mrs. Henrietta Clark, 89, a resident of Mount Pleasant Retirement Community in Monroe, died Thursday, June 29, 2000. She was born in Jacksonburg, Ohio, on May 26, 1911, a daughter of Charles and Anna (Kienzle) Stoneburner, and spent her life in this area. She was a graduate of the Middletown Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for more than 20 years, retiring in 1974. Mrs. Clark was a member of the Middletown Nurses Alumni Association, the National Federation of Grandmothers Club, and St. Paul's United Church of Christ. She is survived by a daughter, Carol Pavlick of Vancouver, Wash.; two sons, Charles Clark of Bardonia, N.Y., and James Clark of Middletown; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Vail Clark in 1981; an infant son, John Martin Clark in 1934; her parents; a sister, Jane Streeter in 1967; and a brother, Stanley Stoneburner in 1990.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Susan Jones Thompson officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Butler County Memorial Park.

Pamela S. Conner
Pamela S. Conner, 49, of Waynesville and formerly of Franklin, died Friday, June 30, 2000, at her residence. She graduated from Franklin High School and was formerly employed at the Waynesville Lumber Co. She was a member of the Oregonia United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Gary, and two brothers, Derrick and Jeff Carpenter. She is survived by three daughters, Jodi Philpot of Miamisburg, Jill Christman of Waynesville, and Julie Caron of Oregonia; her parents, Willie and Marjorie Carpenter of Franklin; five grandchildren; one brother, Scott Carpenter of Middletown; four sisters, Paula Carpenter of Waynesville, Melissa Kennedy, Amy Turner, and Dina Garay, all of Franklin; two stepsons, Josh Conner of Lebanon and Dale Conner of Amelia; and two stepgrandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are 11 a.m. Monday at the Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Burial in Miami Cemetery in Waynesville. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice of Clinton County.

Donald Dakin
Donald "Charlie" Dakin, 62, of Shafor Street, Middletown, died Monday morning, June 26, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Oct. 7, 1937. Mr. Dakin worked in custodial maintenance at Middletown Ford since 1997. Charlie enjoyed playing pool and fishing. He is survived by two daughters, Jane (husband Donald) Hoppe of Middletown and Beverly (husband Robert) James of Monroe, Ohio; four grandchildren, Kyle Hoppe, Sloan Marie Hoppe, Katie James and Brent James; special companion, Joyce Helton; and special friends at Middletown Ford.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Georgia E. Deaton
Georgia E. Deaton, 72, of Middletown, died Friday, June 30, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born May 22, 1928, in Van Cleve, Ky., to Clayton and Lindy (Fletcher) Perdue. She is survived by four sons, Charles P. (Mary) Back of Middletown, Larry R. (Patricia) Back of Hamilton, Rollie "Tom" (Kim) Mullins Jr. of Franklin, and James "Ike" (Rhonda) Deaton Jr. of Middletown; three daughters, Wanda J. (David) Schul of Deland, Fla., Virginia A. "Ann" Snider of Madison Township, and Marcella F. (Gene) Brown of Piqua; two brothers, Carl (Wanda) Perdue of Madison Township and Paul (Jan) Perdue of Trenton; three sisters, Marie Chapman and Eunice (Frank) Roe of Carlisle, and Martha (Harold) Lebarge of Trenton; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and special friend Rollie Mullins of Middletown. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Patricia (Tresa) Collier; and two brothers, Menifee Taulbee and Dan Taulbee.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. The Rev. Mark Jackson will officiate. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 106 N. Clinton St.

Evelyn M. Gleason
Mrs. Evelyn M. Gleason, 67, of Middletown, Ohio, passed away at 12:50 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2000, in the emergency room at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on July 20, 1932, in Kings Lynn, England, and had lived in Middletown since 1955. Mrs. Gleason was a homemaker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Middletown and a former member of AARP. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillian (Denny) Defty. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Carl Gleason; a son, David A. Gleason, and his wife, Patricia, of Middletown; a daughter, Deborah J. Reed, and her husband, Bryan, of Mesa, Ariz.; two granddaughters, Danielle Gleason and Megan Reed; a sister, Marjorie Peagram of Kings Lynn, England; and many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. John Keeny officiating. There will be no visitation. Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown, is serving the family.

Frank C. McDaniel
Frank Clifford McDaniel, 69, of Corpus Christi, Texas, a former resident of Middletown, Ohio, and Scioto County, Ohio, died Tuesday, June 27, 2000, at his home in Corpus Christi. He was born on Aug. 15, 1930, in Sciotoville, Ohio, the son of the late Alva A. and Elnora (Nichols) McDaniel. Mr. McDaniel was a construction supervisor and traveled a lot on his job. He was a member of Construction Local 1477 in Middletown, Ohio, and Local 1445 in Topeka, Kan. He attended Trinity Nazarene Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. McDaniel belonged to the Minerva Masonic Lodge No. 98 in Miamisburg, Ohio, and was an Army veteran. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis (Hamilton) McDaniel, whom he married in 1955; three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank E. and Pamela McDaniel of Overland, Kan., Terry L. and Betsy McDaniel of Crosby, Texas, and Perry L. and Marian McDaniel of Bossier, La.; two brothers, Alva Lee McDaniel of Newark, Ohio, and Glen McDaniel of Ashville, Ohio; five sisters, June Marcum of Portsmouth, Ohio, Lorraine McDaniel of Lucasville, Ohio, Faye Allen of Minford, Ohio, Betty Brown of Circleville, Ohio, and Sharon Grayley of Dennellon, Fla.; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded n death by a daughter, Cheryl Annette McDaniel; and three brothers, George, Donald Ray and Lawrence McDaniel.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2000, at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford, Ohio. The Rev. Jim Benner will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens at Franklin Furnace, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home in Minford from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5. The Lucasville Lodge will conduct a Masonic service at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday before the service. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the James Irwin Post 622 American Legion.

Pauline J. Morris
Mrs. Pauline Jean Morris, 62, of Middletown, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on Aug. 5, 1937, in Magoffin County, Ky., the daughter of James Adams and Hazel (Risner) Walters. Mrs. Morris, formerly of Kentucky, had been a resident of the Middletown area since 1984. She was a member of the Moose Auxiliary 501. She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Johnson of Versailles, Ky.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; her mother, Hazel Walters of Winchester, Ky.; a sister, Alene Creech of Winchester; a brother, Tommie Walters of Middletown; and a special friend, Carlos Sohrenssen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Gilbert Morris in 1984; a daughter, Carolyn Hamilton; and a son, James Pelfrey.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery.

Rosie L. Ratliff
Mrs. Rosie Lee Ratliff, 84, a longtime resident of 616 Cleveland St., died Thursday morning, June 29, 2000, at the Elm Creek Nursing Center. She was born in Cartersville, Ky., on July 20, 1915, a daughter of Archibald and Laura (Payne) Ballinger, and lived in this area most of her life. She had worked for the Middletown school system as a cafeteria worker, primarily at Sherman and Lincoln Schools, retiring in 1977. She was a member of the Christian Assembly of God. She is survived by seven daughters and sons-in-law, Ruby (Norman) Trenum, Neoma (Robert) Dunn, Arlene (George) Payne, Joyce (Bob) Burns, and Brenda (Robert) Lansdale, all of Middletown, Janet (Frank) Leslie of Trenton and Lorene (William) Ernst of Union, Ohio; a son and daughter-in-law, Terry (Joyce) Ratliff of Middletown; 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Ballinger of Middletown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Ratliff in 1981; a daughter, Sylvia Dell in 1937; her parents; four sisters, Emmie, Annie and Magdeline Ballinger, and Hazel Coldiron; and a brother, Earl Ballinger.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 3, at the Christian Assembly of God, 6830 Trenton-Franklin Road. Pastor Don Dohm will officiate. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Vernon Reed
FRANKLIN -- Vernon Reed, 71, of Franklin, Ohio, died in Middletown on Tuesday, June 27, 2000. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Dec. 15, 1928, and was a lifelong resident. Mr. Reed was employed as a machine tender at Crystal Tissue where he worked for 44 years. He retired in 1990. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Anna Reed; a son, Tony Reed, and his wife, Brenda, of Franklin; a daughter, Debbie Black of Dayton, Ohio; three grandchildren, Angie Allen (Chris), Shannon Reed (Karen) and Anna Marie Furnace (Herbie); and three great-grandchildren, Daniel, Nathan and Bailey Jo.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, Ohio 45044.

Grace Scheibert
Mrs. Grace (McCord) Scheibert, 92, of Middletown, passed away Monday, June 26, 2000, at her residence. She was born in West Charleston, Ohio, on Feb. 23, 1908, to William B. and Mary A. (Shepard) McCord. She graduated from Bethel High School in Tipp City in 1927. She went on to graduate from the Middletown Hospital School of Nursing in 1930, and did her graduate work at John Hopkins Medical Center in New York. Mrs. Scheibert worked at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Mich., from 1930 to 1942 and studied at Cornell Medical Center in New York in 1934. She served her country during World War II as a first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed in North Africa and Italy. Grace also worked for many Middletown families as a private duty registered nurse. She was a member of the 17th General Hospital Association and Middletown School of Nursing Association. Her hobby was gardening and she enjoyed growing orchids. She leaves a stepdaughter, Marilyn S. Hatfield of Middletown; three stepsons, Mark E. Scheibert of Accokeek, Md., and Frank J. and Richard J. Scheibert, both of Middletown; grandchildren, Mark E., Lisa, Julie, Erik, Gloria, Mariann and Alissa Scheibert, Rena Cox, Kim Miller, and Roy S., Richard, Mark, Elizabeth and Erik Hatfield; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a nephew, David Roberts; and nieces Helen "Ginger" Berrigan, Kathy Caredou, Jean Moorman, Dyan Harvey, Pam Norman, Judith Cohen and Mary Land. Mrs. Scheibert was preceded in death by her husband, Mark S. on April 3, 1994; her parents, a brother, George W. McCord, and three sisters, Lillie M. Fry, Lena M. Roberts and Lucille M. Hill.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 3, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with Pastor Gene Leiter officiating. Interment will be at Bethel West Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Middletown Fire Department Medics, 2300 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown 45044; or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 212 S. Broad St., Middletown 45044.

Mildred Sebastian
MIAMISBURG -- Mrs. Mildred Sebastian, 73, of Miamisburg, passed away Friday, June 30, 2000, at her residence. She is survived by her daughter, Tami Shields, and her husband, Kirk, of Miami Township; sons Gary Curtis of West Carrollton, David Curtis, and his wife, Tatyana, of Miamisburg and Steve Curtis and Jamie Sebastian, both of Miamisburg; sisters Barbara Carpenter of Mount Blanchard and Billie Ruth Ingram of South Carolina; a brother, Dale Ingram of Springfield, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Newcomer-Barclay Funeral Home, 3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering, Ohio. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

James K. Shaffer
James K. Shaffer, 59, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. A native of Middletown, he was born on May 8, 1941, to Kenduall and Helen (Green) Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer was employed at AK Steel Co. where he had completed 28 years of service. He was a member of Union Chapel United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 22 years, Doris C. (Graef) Shaffer; three daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Tim Hawes and Barbara and John Schwarz, all of Piqua, Ohio, and Debbie and Ken Strawn of Newark, Ohio; six grandchildren and a great-grandson; three sisters, Joan McGill of North Carolina, Mary Turner of Middletown and Sandee Thompson of Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. (one hour prior to the service) at Woodland Mausoleum, 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton, with the Rev. David Kepple officiating.
MEMORIALS: If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Union Chapel United Methodist Church; or the American Cancer Society. Dalton Funeral Home in Germantown is serving the family.

Jerome A. Smith
Middletown native Jerome A. "Jerry" Smith, 67, of Elida, Ohio, died at 6:32 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2000, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 7, 1933, the son of the late Chester and Mary (Fay) Smith. He married Kathryn (Morton) Smith on July 16, 1960, in Hamilton, Ohio. Mr. Smith was a senior buyer for Westinghouse and retired in 1991. He belonged to St. Gerard's Catholic Church in Lima, Ohio, where he was a Eucharistic minister and reader. Jerry was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie 370 in Lima and the Westinghouse Golf League. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn "Kay" Smith of Elida; two sons, Paul Smith of Chicago, Ill., and Matthew Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio; a daughter, Sandra Sandrock (Terry) of Denver, Colo.; two grandchildren; two brothers, William Smith (Ruth) and Donald Smith (Paula) both of Middletown, Ohio; and a sister, Mary Margerum (Howard) of Hamilton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Chester Smith.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Monday, July 3, at St. Gerard's Catholic Church in Lima, Ohio. Interment will be at Gethsemani Cemetery in Lima. Military graveside services will be conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275. Friends may call Sunday, July 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, 920 N. Cable Road, Lima, Ohio. There will also be a Parish Wake Service at 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gerard's Educational Foundation.

Cordell L. Wallace
Mrs. Cordell L. Wallace, 76, of Middletown, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Dover, Tenn., on March 4, 1924, the daughter of Ed and Fannie (Link) Cathey. She is survived by her husband, Perry Wallace of Middletown; four sons, Jack (Nancy) Wallace of San Clemente, Calif., Bob (Ginny) Wallace of Franklin, Perry E. (Linda) Wallace Jr. of Middletown and Ron (Ellen) Wallace of Jacksonville, Fla.; a daughter, Carol (Skip) Salome of Newark, Ohio; a brother, Owen (Odell) Cathey of Dover, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Joni Lynn Wallace, Todd Salome, Kelli Diaz, Cathey Salome, Tammy Frye, Bobbie Wallace, Perry Wallace III and Rachel Wallace; and a great-grandchild, Lauren Diaz. Mrs. Wallace was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Fannie Cathey; a brother, Landis Cathey; and a sister, Myrtle Wallace.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodside Mausoleum in Middletown. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Wanda Williams
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Wanda Williams, 75, of Franklin, Ohio, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Beattyville, Ky., on Nov. 24, 1924, to Willie and Daisie (Center) Taylor. Mrs. Williams was employed as a clerk at the Sorg Paper Co. for 20 years before retiring in 1976. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen R. Williams in 1992; her parents; and a son, Roger Williams. She leaves a son, Ronald Lee Williams, and his wife, Kim, of Carlisle; grandsons Ronald Williams Jr. and Brian Baker, both of Middletown, and Darren Williams of Dallas, Texas; granddaughters Taylor Williams of Carlisle and Racheal Williams of Houston, Texas; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Taylor, and his wife, Helen, of Fairborn, Ohio, and Marion Taylor, and his wife, Elaine, of Trenton; and a sister, Virginia King of Lebanon.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 3, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Keith C. 'KC' Wolfram Keith C. "KC" Wolfram, 69, formerly of Middletown, and Tarpon Springs, Fla., died Monday, June 26, 2000, at his home in Columbia, S.C. Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was a professional dancer/choreographer, photographer, newsman, director of theatre/softball tournaments, and Ohio Junior Miss pageants. He retired as a European-trained food and beverage director of many world-class resorts. He was a graduate of Dayton's Kaiser High School. He was a Navy veteran and graduate of the U.S. Naval Aviation Electronics School. Surviving are his wife, L. Faye Wolfram of Columbia, S.C.; daughters KayCee Wolfram Ritchie of Arvada, Colo., Kim Wolfram of Westminster, Colo., and Kelli Wolfram of Columbia, S.C.; stepchildren, Kerry McLean Martin of Clearwater, Fla., Shana Leigh Cooper of Largo, Fla., and Dana C. Patrick of Loveland; sisters, Marla Duckworth of Las Vegas, Nev., and Karen Snider of Charlotte, N.C.; and brother Barry Keller.
ARRANGEMENTS: Services pending.
ARRANGEMENTS by Dunbar Funeral Home.

Patricia R. Agner
Mrs. Patricia Ruth Agner, 71, of Monroe, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 23, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She had formerly worked for the G.C. Murphy Co. Most recently, she owned and operated her own business, Dolls by Patricia. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, James E. Agner; three children, James S. (Jimmy) Agner, Stephanie A. James of Middletown, and Vallerie D. Bussell of Trenton; five grandchildren, Shane A. Brewer, Gary L. Thompson, Melissa L. Thompson, Jennifer P. Bussell and Patrick Bussell; one great-grandchild, Damon Thompson; a sister, Lillian Moren; and many nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Euclid J. Pierce Sr., and Armina Jane Pierce; brothers Euclid J. Pierce Jr., Warren G Harding Pierce and Robert H. Pierce; and sisters Ella Mae Pierce and Mary M. Hurley. She was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church for 51 years. Mrs. Agner was active in the ladies prayer group, Jolly 60s, choir, ladies fellowship, and shut-in and soul-winning ministries. Most importantly, she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior 51 years ago.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Grace Baptist Church, with the Rev. Howard Sears officiating. Burial will be in Grace Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 26, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Dorothy L. Byrd
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Dorothy L. Byrd, 57, of 1000 Poinciana Drive, passed away Monday, June 19, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on April 11, 1943, in Hamilton, Ohio. She is survived by her husband, James, and a niece, Brandy Lamb, of Franklin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22, at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. James Maggard officiating. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Chalmer Combs
Chalmer Combs, 75, of Liberty Township, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born on Oct. 6, 1924, in Fisty County, Ky., the son of Drew Combs and Perry Lee (Combs) Combs. He served his country in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Combs was an avid equestrian. He participated in horse shows and was also a flag bearer in horse shows and the Monroe parade. Surviving are three sons, Anthony Andrew (Kristi) Combs of Springboro and Chris and Kevin Combs, both of Liberty Township; three daughters, Mary Rose (Keith) Farmer of Middletown, Kim (Jeff) Sullivan of Liberty Township and Karen Sue (Todd) Parks of Monroe; four sisters, Estelle Boleyn of Garrett, Ky., Lowell Baker of Liberty Township, Ohio, Matilda Day of Middletown and Wendy Fugate of Carrie, Ky.; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Fay, on Sept. 16, 1996; his parents, Drew and Perry Lee Combs; a son, Andrew Combs; a sister, Fayma Combs; and three brothers, Burnis, Wilburn and Woodrow Combs.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Monday, June 26, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Charles Wolfinbarger officiating. Interment will be in Butler County Memorial Park in Wayne Township. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Gerald R. Cruse Sr.
TRENTON--Gerald "Jerry" R. Cruse Sr., 69, of Trenton, died Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Dec. 29, 1930, and was a lifelong resident. Mr. Cruse was employed as a sheet metal worker at Aeronca for 27 years before retiring in 1978. He was a member of the Trenton Moose. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde L. Cruse Sr., and Lolah B. (Crull) Cruse; a sister, Lolah Ann Cruse; a grandson, Michael Zbacnik; and a special friend and brother-in-law, Sonny Clemons. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joan E. Cruse; a son, Gerald "Russ" (Angie) Cruse Jr. of Tampa, Fla.; five daughters, Pamela A. Cruse of Tampa, Fla., Paula K. (Mike) Binns of Middletown, Sherri L. (Fred) Hogan of Hamilton, Sandra J. (Tony) Zbacnik of Trenton and Jerri S. (Paul "Gus") Goodwin of Trenton; four brothers, Clyde L. Cruse Jr. of Middletown, Edward H. Cruse of West Elkton, Olin P. Cruse of Monroe and Kenneth L. Cruse of Franklin; a sister, Mary R. Wendt of Middletown; grandsons Colin Salyer and Alex Goodwin of Trenton; granddaughters Christa Travillian of Trenton, Amanda Binns and Sarah Binns of Middletown and Natalee Goodwin of Trenton; great-grandson Bryan Zbacnik of Trenton; step-grandchildren, Jenny, Kevin and Molly Hogan of Columbus; step-great-granddaughter Cynthia Groves of Columbus; special sister-in-law, Carolyn Clemons of Trenton; and a special friend, Paul Swope of Trenton.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 23, at Hickory Flats Cemetery in Hamilton, with the Rev. John Chetham of7ficiating. There will be no visitation.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trenton Rescue Squad, 105 S. Miami St., Trenton, Ohio 45067; or Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is serving the family.

Sherman Gibson
Sherman Gibson, 88, of Monroe, died Monday, June 19, 2000, at Hawthorn Glen Nursing Home. He was born on Dec. 17, 1911, in Wolfe County, Ky., the son of Pruitt and Mattie (Willoughby) Gibson. Mr. Gibson retired from Armco in 1977 after 31 years of service. He served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of American Legion Post 218 and a past member of the Eagles Aerie 528. Sherman enjoyed the out-of-doors very much. He was an avid gardener, hunter and award winning fisherman. He was a man who loved his work and his fellow man. He leaves a son, John L., and his wife, Linda Gibson, of Middletown; a daughter, Judith L., and her husband, John Young, of Vandalia, Ohio; four sisters, Nellie Hodge, Opal Combs and Mary Rogers, all of Middletown, and Sarah, and her husband, Omer L. Creech, of Monroe; and grandchildren, Shani and Sara Gibson and Ward and Whitney Bell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Mae in 1985; his parents; and a brother, Willie Gibson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Jimmie Harden
Jimmie Harden was born on Feb. 17, 1916, in Montgomery County, Ala., to the late Henry and Cora Harmon Harden. He departed this life Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at Garden Manor Extended Care Center. He worked for many years in the laundry business in Montgomery, Ala., working two full-time jobs. He was employed at Alabama State Teachers College during the day and at Capital City Laundry at night. He would leave one job and go directly to the other job without going home. During the 1950s, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he continued his career in the laundry business. There, he worked for Atlas Linen Laundry Co., until he retired in 1981. His laundry career covered 50-plus years of service. He also worked part time in a custodial job past his 80th birthday. He was married to Rebecca Brown Harden for more than 20 years. After their separation, he united with Buleah Brisker Harden. Both preceded him in death. Jimmie was a kind-hearted Christian man who was always willing to do a favor for another person. He is survived by two sons, Jimmie (Wanda) Harden Jr. of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Willie Harden of Columbus, Ohio; five daughters, Rochell (Bennt) Thompson of Middletown, Carrie McCann of Lompoc, Calif., Jereme Holiday of Columbus, Angela Harden of Middletown and Aetha Harden of Columbus; a brother, Henry (Gloria) Harden of Montgomery, Ala.; a sister, Fannie (Henry) Garrett of Montgomery; grandchildren Gloria Collins, Thomas E., Darryl and Cynthia Carroll, Yolanda Robinson, and Elronde Colson plus 14 more; great-grandchildren Kimberly, James and 12 more; great-great-grandchildren Kryon and five more; and a host of relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, June 26, at Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, 918 S. Main St., with the Rev. Gregory Tyus officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until time of service Monday at the chapel.