Obituaries for the Week of October 7, 2001

Geraldine K. Fishburn
Geraldine K. Fishburn, 88, died on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at McCullough-Hyde Hospital in Oxford, after a brief illness. Fishburn was born on July 29, 1913 in New York City to Joseph and Tillye Koerpel. Her career as a professional actress began at age 12 when using the stage name Geraldine Kay, she appeared in a Theatre Guild production on Broadway, which was directed by Guthrie McClintic. After building a successful stage career on the east coast, she married Alan M. Fishburn, a radio writer and director, on Oct. 23, 1941. The couple moved to Chicago where her professional credits expanded to include radio and television as well as theater. She was the recipient of two of Chicago's distinguished Joseph Jefferson Awards and was a member of the first Resident Acting Company at the Goodman Theatre. During her career she appeared with Leslie Howard, Montgomery Clift, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Alla Nazimova, Ginger Rogers, Phyllis Diller, Leonard Nimoy, Ted Danson, Ray Walston, Gloria Swanson, Eileen Herlie, Sandy Dennis and Ray Milland. She also served as a Councillor for the Chicago office of Actors' Equity Association, and continued that involvement when she returned to New York City in 1979. She is survived by a son, Geoffrey D. Fishburn, of Oxford; and three great-grandchildren, Stephen, Kathryn and Grace Milders. She will be buried with her parents and sister, Constance Korrel, in New York. The family suggests memorial contributions to the ICU of McCullough-Hyde Hospital, 110 N. Poplar St., Oxford, Ohio 45056, or to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, 165 W. 46th St., Suite 1300, New York, Ny 10036. Smith & Ogle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Twila Helen Fuhr
Twila Helen Fuhr, 85, died at Oxford View Nursing Home on Sept. 25, due to complications from a stroke. Fuhr was born May 13, 1916 to Alice MacDonald Jenkins and Jess Jenkins and was raised on a farm in Carroll, Neb. She graduated from Norfolk, (Neb.) High School at age 16. She married Bernard W. Fuhr on April 3, 1943. After they moved to Oxford, she graduated from Miami University in 1952. During her life in Oxford, she had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and watercolor painting. She was an expert seamstress and an avid knitter. The Fuhrs traveled extensively and had an enthusiastic appreciation of nature. For many years they maintained a summer cabin in Owenton, Ky. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1993 with many friends and relatives in attendance. Fuhr worked at the Planning Executive Institute as an executive assistant in the late 1970s. She served for several years as an election poll worker and volunteered to teach adult reading through the Labach Literacy Program. Survivors include, two children, Deborah Ann Quilligan, of Cincinnati, and Alex Gordon Fuhr, of Oxford; her husband Bernard, of Oxford; and a brother, Gordon Jenkins of Fairmont, Neb. Memorial services are planned for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Oxford Presbyterian Church. The Smith & Ogle Funeral Home of Oxford, is in charge of the services.

Mary Louise Melton
Mary Louise Melton, 79, of Richmond, Ind., died Sunday, Sept. 30, at Reid Hospital after a long illness. She was born March 21, 1922 in Bath, Ind., to Lewis Thomas and Olive Minor Wing, moving from Richmond to Annville, Ky., in 1990. She was a homemaker and a member of Fairview Baptist Church. Survivors are two sons, David and Robert Melton of Richmond, Ind.; two daughters, Louise Melton, of Richmond, and Irma Deitemeyer, of Centerville, Ind.; six grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; six great -grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Her husband, Noah Melton, preceded her in death, as well as three sisters and one brother. Funeral services were Wednesday at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Jones officiating. Burial was in Oxford Cemetery.

Ralph D. Purdy
Ralph D. Purdy, 95, of Seminole, Fla., died on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Seminole Square. He moved from his native Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1978. His work experience was worldwide as he served as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education. Memberships include The American Association of School Administrators, The National Educational Association (NEA), Phi Delta Kappa, and The American Lapidary Society. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Clearwater, Fla. He also participated in local Kiwanis organization and he was a Mason. He is survived by one son, Gary D. Purdy, of Verno Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Rosemary L. Rauch, of Westerville, Ohio, and Kathi E. Biltz, of Middletown; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Betty Shepherd
Betty (Goodwin) Shepherd, 71, of Oxford, died at her residence on Monday, Oct. 1. She was born March 16, 1930 in Camden, the daughter of George and Mae (Thrush) Goodwin. She was an avid bingo player, sometimes playing six times a week and loved animals, especially her cat Boots. She is survived be a son, David Basham, and his wife, Joan, of Liberty, Ind.; two daughters, Carmen Ashley, of Hamilton, and Debra Potter, of Oxford; five grandchildren, Derek Ashley, Damon Ashley, Amy and her husband, Eric Curtner, April Diaz and Paula Basham; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Myron Goodwin and wife Betty, of Seven Mile, and Dean Goodwin and wife Mary, of Miamisburg; and a sister, Miriam Bourne and husband Lum of Westerville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Gerald, Sonny, Keith and Warren Goodwin. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Smith & Ogle Funeral Home, Oxford. Services will be held immediately afterward, beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be the College Corner Cemetery, West College Corner, Ind.

Herbert B. Todd
Herbert B. Todd, husband of the late Fern Hornung Todd, died on Sept. 17 at his home in Springfield, Va. He was 89. Born on the family farm on Todd Road on June 11, 1912, he was the son of Samuel and Bessie Wolfe Todd. Until moving to Virginia in 1997 to be close to his daughter, he was a lifelong resident of Oxford. He graduated from Stewart High in 1930 and enrolled in Miami University for two years where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He transferred to Ohio State University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Education. Prior to World War II, he taught in Moundsville, W.V., and Darrtown, Camden and College Corner, Ohio. He married Fern Hornung on Sept. 10, 1937. In June 1943, he entered military service as a topographical draftsman for the United States Army and served 31 months, 19 of which were in Verdun, France. Back in Oxford, he was elected to council on the Veteran's Ticket. The Todds managed Hornung's Market for 20 years before returning to teaching in the Talawanda school district in the mid 1960s. Todd retired from teaching in 1978. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, the Oxford United Methodist Church and was an avid goose hunter and fisherman. He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Connie and Gus Angelas of Irvine, Calif., and Beth and Ed Jones of Alexandria, Va.; three grandchildren, Christopher Angelas, Todd and Jenny Jones; and a brother, Donald Todd of Dayton. A private memorial service is planned in October at the Washington Farm United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Va.

Ola M. Wheeler
Ola M. Wheeler, 65, of Camden, died on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at her home. Wheeler was born in Oneida, Tenn., the daughter of the late Author and Lona (Burk) McCann. She married Lester V. Wheeler in Chicago, Ill. She is survived by four children, Virginia Case and Stori (Rob) Coppert, of Toledo, Ohio, Philip (Sharon) Wheeler, of West Manchester, Ohio, and Donna Case, of Oak Harbor, Ohio; four brothers, Danny, Earl, and Arzo McCann, all of Tennessee, and John McCann of Toledo; one sister, Goldie McCann of Georgia; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and her former husband, Lester Wheeler, of Miami. Fla. In addition to her parents, three children preceded her in death. The family will held a memorial service at the Gratis Church of the Brethren on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. R.C. Nein & Sons-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden is assisting the family with arrangements. Obituaries for the Week of February 3, 2002

Sarah C. Oberhauser
Sarah C. Oberhauser, 31, of West College Corner, Ind., died in an automobile accident Saturday, Jan. 26, near Oxford. Oberhauser was born June 28, 1970 in Belmond, Iowa, the daughter of Paul W. and Sue Oberhauser, of Somerset, Ohio, and her late mother, Jane Ann Hickman Oberhauser (1971). A loving mother of Megan and Drew and a devoted high school teacher, she was a 1988 graduate of Sheridan High School, where she was All-State in track, cross country and basketball, as well as being valedictorian of her class. She was a 1994 graduate of Miami University, where she received her teaching certificate and began her career teaching science at Talawanda High School. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Somerset. Surviving are two children, Megan and Drew VanWinkle; their father, Kevin VanWinkle, of West College Corner, Ind.; four sisters, Amy Oberhauser, of Versailles, Ky.; Janelle (Darrell) Finck of Thornville, Nancy (James) Walchanowicz of Olmsted Township, Ohio and Elizabeth (Troy) Severson of Belmond, Iowa; four brothers, Paul B. Oberhauser of Massachusetts, Roger (Crystal) Oberhauser, of Utica, Peter (Anna) Oberhauser, of Trimble and David Oberhauser, of Fayetteville, Ark.; a special friend Ted Maxwell, of College Corner, Ind.; many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death, in addition to her mother, by her maternal grandparents, Melvin and Martha Hickman; and paternal grandparents Louis and Marion Oberhauser. The funeral mass was held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Tony Breen officiating. Burial was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in Oxford on Friday, Feb. 1, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 420 South Campus Avenue, in Oxford, at 5:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sarah Oberhauser Memorial Scholarship Fund, established for the college education of her children. Donations are being accepted at any Firstar Bank.

Viola Schuler
Viola Schuler, 82, of Liberty Ind., died Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Hillcrest Estates Nursing Home in Liberty. She was born Nov. 12, 1919 to Johnie and Adeline Burch Clark in Clay County. Shuler was married Feb. 8, 1956 in Brookville, Ind. to Urban N. Schuler. She was a resident of Franklin County, Ind. until moving to Union County four years ago. She worked at the Rex Factory in Connersville, Ind.; the Sperry Rubber and Plastic in Brookeville, Ind.; Springfield School and many years in home healthcare and nursing homes. Schuler attended the Liberty Nazarene Church, in Liberty, Ind. She is survived by two sons, Donald L., of Okeana, and Randal J. of Connerville, Ind.; two daughters, Linda L., of Liberty, Ind., and Nancy P., of Cedar Grove, Ind.; a brother, Charles Clark, of Battle Creek, Mich.; two sisters, Daisy Doerflein, of Liberty, Ind., and Ella Lackey, of Connersville, Ind.; two daughters-in-law, Bettie Schuler (Donald L.), of Okeana, and Sue Schuler (Randal J.), of Connersville, Ind.; two sons-in-law, John Franklin (Linda L.), of Liberty, Ind., and Cecil Brown, of Cedar Grove, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Showalter-Blackwell-Long Funeral Home, Baker-Fosdick Chapel, with the Rev. Ernie Owens and the Rev. Basil Shaw officiating. Burial followed in West Point Cemetery, Liberty, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillcrest Estates Nursing Home.

Frances M. Gentry
Frances M. Gentry, 91, of Oxford, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Oxford View Nursing Center. She was born in the Oxford area on Dec. 17, 1910 to Morey and Gladys Passmore Morrical. She was a graduate of Stewart High School in Oxford and was married to Hugh Gentry on Dec. 28, 1929. She worked as a bookkeeper for Ziliox and Roe Auto Company for 20 years. She is survied by two nieces, Holly Morrical and Kathi Morrical, of Oxford; one nephew, Charles Patrick Morrical, of Columbus, and dear friend, Earl Brumley. Graveside services were held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Oxford Cemetery.

Robert E. Warren Sr.
Robert E. Warren Sr., 80, died Sunday, Jan. 6. He was born March 4, 1992 to Roy and Marie Warren in Tiffin, Ohio. After moving to Oxford at an early age, Warren was educated here, and became a member of the Elm Street Christian Church. He found work at the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, when he was 19, but left to serve in the U.S Navy during World War II. He married Julia Proctor on Feb. 24, 1950. Warren retired from Great Lake Steel in 1986 after 46 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Julia Warren; a son, Robert Warren Jr.; a daughter, Cheryl Warren; four sisters, Jeanette Mothershed, of California, Betty Booker, of Arizona, Ernestine Moore, of Arizona and Bonnie Smith, of Florida; a brother, Frank Warren, of Ohio; two granddaughters; two great-granddaughters and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Services were held Friday, Jan. 11, at Greater Bethlehem Church in Detroit, Mich. The Rev. Randolph Thomas officiated. McFall Brothers Funeral Homes, Detroit, was in charge of arrangements.

Audrey C. Hesse
Audrey C. Hesse, 66, of North Bend, Ohio, and formerly of Oxford, died Friday, Jan. 25, at Hospice of Cincinnati. She was the daughter of Edward and Gertrude Zeiser and was married to William H. Hesse. She is survived by her sons, Ricky; David and Tim Short; and John and Teri Hesse, and by her grandchildren, Tyler and Carley Short. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Dennis George Funeral Home, Cleves. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be directed through the funeral home.

Joseph Depree Young
Joseph Depree Young, 70, of Antioch, died at home on Dec. 29. He was a native of Los Angeles, Calif., and lived there until he was 9 years old and his family then moved to Kansas City, Mo. where he lived for most of his early adult life. He graduated from R.T. Coles High School in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952-55, attending evening school at the University of Massachusetts extension. He was a Staff Sergeant when he finished his tour of duty. He attended Miami University, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Young was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and helped the fraternity establish its chapter on Miami's campus. He worked with coach Darrell Hedric to recruit basketball players to Miami and it was in Oxford that he met and married his wife, Mary Ann Barry. He was a consultant for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where he had the opportunity to sell policies to former professional basketball stars Oscar Robertson and Wayne Embry. He became a manager with The Kroger Company, in Cincinnati, and was promoted to supervisor of employee insurance and benefit plans. He continued in this field, working for Miller Brewing Company, The Bank of California, and Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. He served as president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Miami University Alumni Association, Oxford, of the Miami Men's Club of Greater Cincinnati, and member of the Alumni Executive Council, Miami University. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Ann, of Antioch; his son, Anthony Young and daughter-in-law Priscilla Young of Antioch; daughters Jennifer Young and Dori Young, of Antioch; and daughter Judith Young, of Oakland; two grandsons; sisters Doris Smith, Regina Townsend, Mamie Boyd and Audrey Kelsaw of Kansas City, Mo. and many nephews, nieces and cousins. His brother John H. Young preceded him in death. A memorial service was held on Jan. 12, at Lafayette Christian Church. Donations to the Lafayette Christian Church Memorial Fund, 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette, Calif. 94549, are suggested in lieu of flowers.

Jimmy M. Schwab
Jimmy M. Schwab, 80, died Friday, Jan. 25, at his home in Reily. He was born June 27, 1921 in Reily Township, the only child of Karl and Hazel (Lemon) Schwab. He was the president of his class, graduating from Reily High School in 1939. On June 3, 1944, he married Esther Witte at the Front Street Presbyterian Church in Hamilton. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his wife's death on April 1, 2001. He was a dedicated employee of Champion Paper Company from 1944 until his retirement as a maintenance supervisor in 1983. He took great pleasure in the farm that has been in his family for nearly 100 years. Devoted to his family, he was also actively involved in the community. He had served as president of Reily School Board and later was elected to the Talawanda Board of Education. He was a member of Farm Bureau, Champion Old Timers, Oxford Senior Citizens and had been secretary of Springdale Cemetery Association and president of Reily Alumni Association. He was a tireless worker for Reily Presbyterian Church, teaching the Adult Sunday School Class, serving as trustee, Youth Group Leader, Elder and Clerk of the Sessions. He actively participated in the Miami Presbytery. He is survived by his son, Michael Schwab, and wife, Nancy, of Hamilton; daughters Tari Tharp and husband, Donald, of Oxford, and Lori Schwab, of Loveland; grandsons David Schwab and Jesse Tharp and other relatives and friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Lisa, in 1976. Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Reily Presbyterian Church. Burial was in the Springdale Cemetery, Reily. Smith & Ogle Funeral Home, Oxford, was in charge of arrangements. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Reily Presbyterian Church, 6370 Peoria-Reily Rd., Oxford, Ohio 45056 or to a charity of one's choice.

Phillip D. Clegg
Phillip D. Clegg, 44, of Oxford, formerly of Latonia, Ky., died at home early Monday, Jan. 28. He was born on July 25, 1957 in Lima, Ohio, the son of Thomas Howe and Joan Katherine (Moorman) Clegg. In 1979, he joined the Navy where he earned the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. On May 10, 1986, he married Janet Lyn Fulton in Oxford. For the past nine years he owned and operated the Clegg Tree Service. He also enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts and woodworking. He is survived by his wife Jan Clegg, of Oxford; three sisters, Sandra Lynn Frank, of Nashville, Tenn., Kathleen Louise Ball, of Walton, Ky., and Rachel Denise McKeehan, of Florence, Ky. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on today, Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Smith & Ogle Funeral Home, 101 W. Church St., Oxford. There will be no visitation. Burial will be in the Oxford Cemetery. The family has suggested memorial contributions be made in his name to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 N. Poplar St., Oxford, Ohio 45056. or to the Humane Association of Butler County, 522 Hamilton-Trenton Rd., Trenton, Ohio 45067.