Elwood B. Keller
FRANKLIN - Elwood B. Keller, 74, of Franklin Township, died Friday, May 8, 1998, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born Jan. 17, 1924, in Winchester, Ky., the son of Charles Hamilton Keller and Lena (Bartlett) Keller. He was a 1942 graduate of Middletown High School, and a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He also was an expediter for McGraw Construction and Armco, retiring in 1982. Mr. Keller was a member of the American Legion Post 218, American Association of Retired Persons and the Armco Association Park. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth E. (Case) Keller; a son, James C. (wife, Alliene) Keller, of Franklin; two grandchildren, James B. (wife, Leisa) Keller, of Middletown; and Christine (husband, Jeff) Ledford, of Germantown; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be private, at the convenience of the family, with the Rev. James Profitt officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are being handled by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Albert F. Kelly
Albert F. "Al" Kelly, 46, of West Chester, died Thursday, April 23, 1998, at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland. He was born on August 4, 1951 in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Clinton J. and Betty G. (Slate) Kelly, of Minoa, N.Y. He graduated in 1973 from Syracuse University's College of Environmental Science and Forestry and remained active as a member of the university's alumni association. He was an executive at Thermo Black Clawson. He worked for 20 years in sales, achieving the position of western regional sales manager before becoming director of marketing and director of new product development. He was involved with patent concepts in a revolutionary dry pulping technique. Because of his dedicated service, he became known throughout the paper industry, particularly in the western U.S., and he had many friends throughout the industry. He participated in many professional conferences and seminars as a lecturer and author. His enthusiasm will be missed at Thermo Black Clawson. He was a member of PIMA, TAPPI and IBMP, an Eagle Boy Scout, and was active in sports, especially golf. As a youth, he was an altar boy in Minoa, N.Y. and locally was at St. Maximillian Kolbe Church, serving as a eucharistic minister. He is survived by his parents; his wife, Susan Brown Kelly of West Chester; two sisters, Maureen Gossin of Minoa, N.Y., and Coleen Kelly of Liverpool, N.Y.; a brother-in-law, David (Barbara) Brown of Columbus; two nieces and two nephews. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. Mass of Christian Burial will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Maximillian Kolbe Church, 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, West Chester, officiated by Father Don West. Burial will be at Pine Plains Cemetery, Manlius, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Maximillian Kolbe Church building fund, 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45011.

Irene Kemmerling
Mrs. Irene O. Kemmerling, 77, of Middletown, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on May 24, 1920, in Jerome, Pa., the daughter of Andrew O'Lenic and Anna Kurilla O'Lenic. She was a resident of Middletown for 29 years and was a homemaker. Mrs. Kemmerling was a member of Holy Family Parish. She was active in the Middletown Fine Arts Center where she won multiple blue ribbon awards for her enamels and oil paintings. She was also a member of Town & Country Garden Club since 1974 and was a former member of Forest Hills Country Club. Survivors include her husband, Albert; two daughters, Karen (William) Stice of Louisville, Ky., and Judith (Joseph) Reidy of Columbus; six sisters, Katherine Ondo of Barberton, Ohio, Anna Ratajczak of Independence, Ohio, Sophie Matthews and Verna Walker, both of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Anita Veliconia and Betty Ruggles, both of Cleveland; and five grandchildren, Todd and Brent Stice and Meghan, Erin and Sean Reidy. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Stephen O'Lenic; and three sisters, Mary Skurko, Helen Kohl and Julia Ofiara. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Chapel of Holy Family Parish, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, 45044.

Theola King
Theola "Buddy'' King, 59, of 812 Ninth Ave., passed away Tuesday, May 5, 1998, at Franciscan Hospital, Mount Airy Campus. A native of Uniontown, Ala., he was the son of the late Monroe and Marguerite Bennett King. Mr. King was a resident of Middletown for more than 50 years. He was educated in Middletown public schools and was a longtime employee of Armco/AK Steel Co. He is survived by three sons, Tyrone King of Newport, Ky., Todd A. King of Oakland, Calif., and Terrence King of Fairfield; and two brothers, James King of Middletown and Louis King of Franklin. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Donald H. Jordan Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Barbara A. Kirby
Mrs. Barbara Ann Kirby, 54, of 1809 Highland St., Middletown, died at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 1998, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She had been a patient there for 10 days. She was born in Middletown on July 21, 1943, and lived here all her life. Mrs. Kirby had worked at Barkelew Electric Co., Rink's Department Store and, for the past three months, she had been employed as an assistant manager at the Cotton Mill Store. Among her survivors are her husband of 11 years, Jack Kirby; a daughter, Lori Kakaris, and her husband, Bennie, of Middletown; a son, Charles Farquer II, and his wife, Shandi, of Middletown; three stepsons, Jack Alan Kirby of Hamilton and Bill Kirby, and his wife, Tammy, and Ted Kirby, all of Middletown; 12 grandchildren, Duane and Chastity Cox, Coy, Nicholas and Keri Kakaris, Zachary and Elexis Farquer, Holly, Justin and Sara Kirby and Sierra and Elijah Kirby; three brothers, Michael Mynhier, and his wife, Sue, and Kenneth Mynhier, and his wife, Nancy, all of Middletown, and Thomas Mynhier, and his wife, Mary, of Cosby, Tenn.; two sisters, Carolyn Smith, and her husband, Roy, of Middletown, and Shirley Coyner, and her husband, Don, of Baltimore, Md.; and a sister-in-law, Becky Mynhier of Trenton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Taylor and Florence (Brown) Mynhier; a daughter, Tami Lynn Farquer, in 1993; and two brothers, Robert and Donald Mynhier. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., with the Rev. Ronald D. Reynolds officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Harold D. Knepshield, Sr.
Harold David Knepshield, Sr., 82, passed away at his West Middletown home on Friday, April 24, 1998. He was born October 4, 1915, the son of Harold L. and Pearl V.(McChesney) Knepshield, of Middletown. Harold was a lifelong member of the Middletown area and had made his home in West Middletown for almost 60 years after graduation from Middletown High School in 1933. He had worked at Armco Steel since 1934 and retired in 1975. He was a longstanding member of Jefferson Lodge 90 F.& A.M., Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio 87, the Grand Lodge of Ohio as well as Pythian Lodge 37. He had also long been a member in good standing of the First United Methodist Church of Middletown, where he and wife were members of the "Promises" program to Japan in 1969. He was also active in the Middletown Senior Citizens Center, where he sang. His grandfather, Jacob Ulam Knepshield, and his family moved to Middletown as original employees of Armco in 1900. They are listed in the History of Butler County as well as Amstrong County, Pennsylvania. His wife of 42 years, Coralie Seelbrede Knepshield, preceded him in death in 1980. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Howard J. and Charles M. Knepshield. Survivors include daughters Sharonlee Knepshield-Johnson and her husband, Gene, of Dublin, and Derylann Knepshield-Mather and her husband, Ted, of Germantown; a son, Dr. Harold David Knepshield and his wife, Kathy, of Sacramento, Calif.; two sisters, Mary E. Leopold and R. Louise Knepshield, both of Middletown; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and a special friend, Doris Savage, of Chautauqua. The Middletown community will miss our longstanding member of 82 years and his community spirit. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave.. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Keeny officiating. Jefferson Lodge 90 will perform a masonic service at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Burial is at Butler County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 120 S. Broad St., Middletown, Ohio 45044.

Ruth L. Kash
Ruth L. Kash, 87, of Lebanon, died Friday, June 5, 1998, at 3:55 a.m. at Otterbein Methodist Home in Lebanon. She was born July 26, 1910, the daughter of the Rev. Charles L. and Margaret Tyler Pfaltzgraf. She spent nine years as a resident of Otterbein Home and was a former resident of Middletown, where she taught in Middletown Public Schools for more than 40 years before her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto Kash; and a sister, Mary Ervin. She is survived by her stepson, William C. Kash of Plano, Texas; and a niece, Lois (Merrill) Evans of La Habra, Calif., formerly of Jeffersonville. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Jeffersonville with the Rev. Robert Linter officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Memorial services will be held Thursday at the Chapel at Otterbein with the Rev. Roger Braun officiating.

Nicholas S. Kavanaugh
CARLISLE - Nicholas Steven Kavanaugh, 19, of 815 Dubois Court East, No. 1, died Sunday, June 28, 1998, at Miami Valley Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Oct. 18, 1979, the son of Dave Mullins Sr. and Diana Kavanaugh. He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1997 and was currently working as a machine operator for Dayton Superior. Surviving are his father, Dave Mullins Sr. of Franklin; his mother, Diana Kavanaugh of Franklin; grandmothers Minnie Kavanaugh of Carlisle and Sally Estes of Franklin; three brothers, Christopher Michael Kavanaugh, Gene Berry King and David Mullins Jr., and a sister, Dena Mullins Merrill, all of Franklin; and a special friend, Stephanie Ellis of Miamisburg. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin. The Rev. Dave Bowling will officiate. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Anna B. Kerns
Anna Belle Kerns, 78, of Seven Mile, died Thursday, June 11, 1998, at the Butler County Care Facility where she had lived for six months. She was born in Oct. 3, 1919, in Trenton, the daughter of Willard and Jennie (Cameron) Kerns. She was a graduate of Wayne High School and a 1938 graduate of the Butler Business College. She was a former caretaker for a number of residents in the Seven Mile area. She was also a member of the Seven Mile United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women of the church. She served as the church's secretary for several years. She also was a member of the Watama Club and a former Farm Bureau member. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Walter Kerns, in 1995. Her survivors include a sister, Clara Butts, and her husband, Ronald, of Trenton; four nieces, Elizabeth Denham, of Goshen, Margaret Combs, of Florence, Ky., Kathryn Girrman, of Forrest Park, and Sarah Beacker, of Hamilton; two nephews, Ronald Butts, Jr., of Trenton, and James Edward Butts, of Seven Mile; and great nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tom Brunner officiating. Burial will be in the Miltonville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seven Mile United Methodist Church.

Dr. Arthur E. Kunz
Arthur E. Kunz, M.D., 57, of Tucson, Ariz., died Tuesday, June 23, 1998, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Sept. 8, 1940, to Arthur E. Kunz and Jean Mulholland Kunz Snyder. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and graduated from UC's medical school in 1966. Dr. Kunz was a physician. He served in the Navy for 28 years during both the Vietnam and Gulf wars. A senior captain, he was a flight surgeon and served with the Seabees. Dr. Kunz had also volunteered and served as a doctor with the Chinese Aborigine Indians. He was a Middletown city tennis champion and the captain of UC's No. 1 tennis team. An avid sportsman, he played softball, basketball and football while in the Navy. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, skiing and sailing. Surviving are his wife, Patty of Tucson, Ariz.; his mother, Jean Kunz Snyder; two sons, Alexander Kunz of San Diego, Calif., and Christopher Kunz of Tucson; a daughter, Nicole Kunz of New York, N.Y.; and a brother, Steve Kunz of Channelview, Texas; and his favorite friend, "Duke.'' He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur E. Kunz; and his stepfather, Ross Snyder. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. The Rev. Roland Marcus will officiate. There will be no visitation. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Robert R. Keith
Robert Rexel Keith, 77, of 621 Wilson St., died Friday, Jan. 29, 1999, at his residence. He was born on Oct. 29, 1921, in Bigwood, Ky., the son of Ledford and Nancy (Adams) Keith. Mr. Keith was employed by the city of Middletown for 30 years, retiring in 1985. He also worked as a school crossing guard in Middletown after his retirement. He was a member of Trenton Church of God. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dorothy Mae (Creekbaum) Keith; two sisters, Beulah Back of Wellington, Ky., and Eunice Bowlin of Frenchburg, Ky.; a brother, Charles A. Keith of Middletown; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Ray (Reva Mae) Keith of Middletown; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Ray Keith. ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Trenton Church of God, with Pastor Larry E. Fultz officiating. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Dr. Anthony Kokenakis
Dr. Anthony G. Kokenakis, 84, of Middletown, died Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 3, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born on Oct. 12, 1914, in Boston, Mass., to George and Koula Droukas Kokenakis. He was a member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, member of the American Fracture Association, and an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the Wright State University School of Medicine. He was also a member of the Ohio State Surgical Association, American Medical Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Butler County Medical Society, Dayton Orthopedic Society, Cincinnati Orthopedic Society, a former chief of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Middletown Regional Hospital, University of Michigan Orthopedic Alumni Society, and a member of the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE). Dr. Kokenakis was a member of the American Rhododendron Society, winning many blue ribbons, and a member of the National Conifer Society. He received the first President's Award for the best Truss in a show for his Rhododendron Tripoli. He was a member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Middletown. He was a member of the Torch Club and had been president of the Hellenic Orthodox Church. The Medal of St. Paul was presented to him by His Excellency Bishop Timothy of Detroit for all his good works and deeds in the church. As a charter member of the Academy of Wright State School of Medicine, he was recognized for his contributions for dedication to excellence in clinical practice through education, research, and the preservation of high ethical principles. He was a charter member of Brown's Run Country Club. Dr. Kokenakis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dorothy Pappas Kokenakis; a son, Angelo E. Kokenakis of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a daughter, Kay Joan (Dean) Govostis of Lake Forest, Ill.; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Jaclyn Govostis; and a sister, Helen Contos of Megalopolis, Greece. He was preceded in death by a son, George A. Kokenakis on Sept. 3, 1991; his parents, George and Koula Kokenakis; and two brothers, Charles G. and John G. Kokenakis.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, with Father Stephanos Shagoury and Father Straniton Darozenski officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home in Middletown.
MEMORIALS: Memorial donations may be made to Mid-Miami Health Care Foundation at Middletown Regional Hospital, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Josephine Keuthan
Mrs. Josephine M. Keuthan, 83, of Peebles, Ohio, formerly of Middletown, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1999, at her daughter's residence. She was born in Middletown on Oct. 18, 1915, to John and Anna Jendek Balaz. Mrs. Keuthan worked for G.C. Murphy for 25 years, retiring in 1976. She was a member of Holy Family Parish and St. Mary Queen of Heaven Church and belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John. Among her survivors are two sons, Frank C. Keuthan of Craig, Colo., and Charles E. Keuthan of Palm Bay, Fla.; two daughters, Margaret A. McQuinn of Peebles and Betty Jo Ulrich of New Carlisle, Ohio; four sisters, Anna Cmehil of Bethel, Mary Kraft and Betty Krizan, both of Middletown and Kay Steele of Franklin; a sister-in-law, Helen Balaz of Middletown; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Keuthan, in 1991; her parents; and a brother, John Balaz.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Chapel of Holy Family Parish. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home.

Ruth B. Kirby
FRANKLIN -- Ruth B. Kirby, 86, formerly of Franklin, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, at Heartland of Oakridge in Miamisburg. She had worked as a welder at General Motors Corp. for 36 years. Ms. Kirby was a member of Franklin Baptist Church here. She is survived by two granddaughters, Jacqueline Stewart of Dayton and Cheryl Whitehead of Florida; four grandchildren; and two sisters, Helen Frank and Lois Becker of Clyde, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Alma Bailey; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Dora Kirby; and a sister, Gertrude Berie.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin. The Rev. Steve Crossman will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin Baptist Church or Hospice of Dayton.

Ruth A. Kohler
Mrs. Ruth Angeline Kohler, 93, of Monroe, passed away Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 25, 1905, the daughter the late Herman and Orpha Ketrow Thoelking. Mrs. Kohler had worked as a secretary in the inspection department of Armco Steel Co. for 19 years, retiring in 1971. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She leaves two sons, Dale (Edith) Kohler of Middletown and Earl Kohler Jr. of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren, Martin and Lynn Kohler, Rick Sundell and Kristen McMahon; and a great-granddaughter, Sabrina Sundell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Kohler, in 1951; and a sister, Esther Thoelking.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Weingartner officiating. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, 45044.

Betty Jane Kroger
Betty Jane Kroger, 73, of Middletown, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 1999, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born Aug. 10, 1925, in Jamestown, Ohio. She worked as a bookkeeper and sales clerk at Watson's Dry Cleaners, and she lived in Middletown for 16 years. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Hebert; her second husband, John Kroger; and her parents, Leslie and Lenora (Clemmons) Smith. She is survived by daughter Sandi Evans (David Sr.) of Middletown; son Chris Kroger of Orient, Ohio; grandchildren Dawn (Donny) Nickell of Gratis, David Evans Jr. (Aneisa) of Middletown, and Allison June Kroger of Middletown; great-grandchildren Kolton Evans, Shaynne and Dakota Nickell; and sister Barbara Fraley of Florida.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Butler County Memorial Park.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown.