Obituaries for the Week of June 18, 2002

John C. Milbourne
John C. "Mel" Milbourne, 72, of Satellite Beach, Fla., died at home with his family by his side on Thursday, May 30, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Milbourne served in the Air Force stationed at Patrick Air Force Base where he met and married Ann Elizabeth Alger of Georgiana in 1953. He relocated to Satellite Beach from his birthplace, Oxford, in 1960 to launch his long and distinguished career in the space industry as an aerospace engineer. Prior to his retirement from Martin Marietta in 1993, he worked on numerous projects including Atlas ICBM/Mercury/Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Titan, and the Space Shuttle programs. His work afforded him the opportunity to meet with and train astronauts, participate in the design of propulsion systems for the lunar module, and roles in systems software design and development and electrical engineering support for numerous other programs. He received the prestigious Manned Flight Awareness Group Achievement Award and a commendation letter from astronaut Deke Slayton in 1973 for his engineering support and crew training on the Apollo Telescope Mount project. In addition to his responsibilities at the Kennedy Space Center, Milbourne served at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and Goddard Space Center in Maryland. After graduating from Stewart High School in 1948, Milbourne studied mathematics at Miami University, electrical engineering at Ohio State University and engineering and computer science at Florida Institute of Technology. He continued his education until the time of his death through a variety of correspondence courses, seminars and auditing courses at Florida Tech. His latest interest was in astronomy. Milbourne loved wildlife and enjoyed many hours feeding and observing squirrels and a variety of birds at his home and encouraged ducks to swim in his pool. He was a member of the Brevard Zoo, Navy League, American Legion, and the Air Force Association. He was a long-time active member of Berachah Church in Houston, Texas. Milbourne is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann E. Milbourne, of Satellite Beach; children Barbara A. Grieb, of Satellite Beach, John M. Milbourne, of Satellite Beach, Gary L. Milbourne, of Indian Harbor Beach, Keith L. Milbourne, of Satellite Beach, and Ann M. Gaule, of Bradenton; six grandchildren, and sister Marjorie Lacy of Deerfield Beach. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday July 6, in his home at 108 Carissa Drive, Satellite Beach, Fla., 32937. A memorial fund has been established at Berachah Church in Houston. Donations may be made in his name at the church by addressing: In Memoriam, John C. Milbourne c/o R.B. Thieme Jr., Bible Ministries, 5131 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77056, phone 713-621-3740.

Mark W. Sherman
Mark W. Sherman, 38, died Monday, May 27, at Bethesda North Hospital. He was born on June 6, 1963, at Cincinnati General Hospital to Donald and Delores (Warman) Sherman. He married Caren Wyatt in Somerville, on May 17, 1986. He was employed as a welder for Sawbrook Steel Castings in Lockland, Ohio. He was previously a salesman for Carter Lumber in Eaton. He was a member of the Middletown Moose Lodge #501. He is survived by his mother, Delores Oetzel; his wife, Caren Sherman; two children, Mark W. Sherman Jr. and Matthew R. Sherman, both of Collinsville; brothers, Kenney (Geneva) Sherman of Wilmington, Ohio, Ronald Sherman of Cincinnati, Keith Sherman of Cincinnati, Steve (Sherise) Sherman, of Bethel, Ohio, Robert Sherman of Titusville, Fla.; sisters, Karen (Ronald) Wilson of Wilmington, Ohio, Joyce Ann Neider of Batavia, Ohio; stepbrothers, James (Marcia) Oetzel of Fairfield, Jerry Oetzel and Terry Oetzel of Bakersfield, Calif.; special friend, Kim Bloom. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Sherman; brothers, Donald Sherman Jr., Terry Sherman, Richard Sherman; stepfather, John William Oetzel. Funeral services were Thursday, May 30, at Nein-Thompson Funeral Home, Camden with Pastor Greg Jackson will be presiding. Burial followed at Somerville Cemetery.

Marie S. Wilson
Marie S. Wilson, 98, formerly of Oxford, died Monday, May 27, at the Twin Towers Retirement Home in College Hill. She was born on Oct. 3, 1903, in Bethel, Clermont County, Ohio, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Swing. She was a teacher of botany and other sciences for more than 30 years. After her retirement, she moved to the state of Washington where she continued her teaching profession in the small town of Snohomish, Wash. Upon her retirement she returned to her home in Clermont County. Wilson married Loys Eugene Peart from Bethel, Ohio and he preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1976. In 1979 she married R.H. Wilson of Oxford. They enjoyed nearly 10 years of marriage during their retirement days until his death on Sept. 22, 1987. Wilson and her parents were long-time members of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel, Ohio. She is survived only by her long-time friends and guardians, Ralph and Jean Henderson of Fairfield. She was preceded in death by a close cousin and a friend, Elynor Durham. Graveside services were held on Thursday, May 30, at the Oxford Cemetery. The Smith & Ogle Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements. Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Marie or R.H. Wilson may do so by sending their contributions to either the Bethel United Methodist Church, 402 W. Plane St., Bethel, Ohio, or to Twin Towers Retirement Home, 5343 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45224.

William D. Royse
William D. Royse, 66, of Camden, died Tuesday, May 28, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton. He was born on Sept. 22, 1935 in Morrow, Ohio, the son of the late John D. and Christina E. (Eckel) Royse. He married Kimberly Cambell in Lebanon, Ohio. He was a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He is survived by two children, James Royse and Robert Royse; brothers, George Royse, of California, Charles (Marion) Royse of Florida, Ernie (Claudine) Royse of Florida, John (Flossie) Royse of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Mary Oettlin of Columbus, Ohio and Mildred Layman of Goshen, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Royse and Christina E. Eckel Royse. Services were held Saturday, June 1, at Nein - Thompson Funeral Home in Camden with Pastor Jim Williams presiding.

Robert Clark Jewell
Robert Clark Jewell, 88, of Oxford, died Wednesday, May 29, at the Oxford View Nursing Center. He was born Feb. 26, 1914 in Preble County, the son of J.C. and Jennie (Coulter) Jewell. On Oct. 15, 1935, he married Mable Smith in Liberty, Ind. and she preceded him in death on Jan. 18, 1985. He farmed his entire life, finally retiring at the age of 82. He was a member of the Bath United Methodist Church and the Odd Fellows Lodge. He is survived by two sons; Robert Jewell Jr. and wife, Phyllis, of Brookville, Ind., and Richard Jewell, and wife, Ida, of Bath, Ind.; one daughter, Betty Seibert, and husband, Richard, also of Bath; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a sister, Helen Huffman of Modesto, Calif. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Jewell Benge; five brothers, Paul, Mark, Lewis, Hubert and Lloyd and also a daughter-in-law, Linda Jewell. Services were held Saturday, June 1, at the Smith & Ogle Funeral Home. Burial was at the College Corner Cemetery in Union County, Ind. The family has suggested that memorials be made to the Brookville EMST.

Karl T. Hammerle
Karl T. "Pete" Hammerle, 86, of 2230 E. McDill Rd., Liberty, Ind., died early Sunday morning at Oxford View Nursing Home. Born May 15, 1916 he was the son of Frank A. and Louise Kelsch Hammerle of Union County, Ind., where he lived all his life. He was employed by the Liberty post office as a clerk for 30 years and as its Postmaster for the final 12 years until his retirement. He was a member of the American Postal Worker's Union. He served in the U.S. Army during World War ll and finished his service with the rank Lt. Colonel. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Liberty, Ind., and had served as the Commander of the American Legion. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Moffett, of Liberty; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Nina Slack Hammerle; son, Paul F. Hammerle; and two brothers, Paul F. and Norbert Hammerle. Funeral services were Tuesday, June 4, at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Liberty, Ind., with the Rev. John O'Brien officiating. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Liberty. Showalter-Blackwell-Long Funeral Home, Baker-Fosdick Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made in his memory to Habitat for Humanity International at 121 Habitat St., Americus, Ga. 31709-3498.

Evelyn L. Parks
Evelyn L. (Jerdon) Parks, 73, of Fairhaven, Ohio, died Thursday, May 30, at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital. She was born June 6, 1928 in Covington, Ky, to the late Emery and Marie (Hilbert) George. Parks retired from food service at Miami University. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Jerdon; second husband, Earl (Skinner) Parks; sister, Ruth Dickerson; brother, Donald George; and grandson Torey Jerdon. She is survived by sister, Eleanor Beckett, Fairhaven, Ohio; brothers, Richard George, and Roger George, of Ind., Russell George, Eaton, Ohio, and Johnny George, Richmond, Ind.; daughters and husbands Susan and Leon Roberts, Camden, Ohio, Karen and Harold Frazier, Ashville, Ohio, Debbie and Bob Pierson, Springfield, Ohio, Marie and Tom Hayes, Eaton, Ohio, and Julie and Tom Buchanan, Ingold, NC; sons and wives Barry and Pamela Jerdon, New Paris, Douglas and Vicki Jerdon, Eaton, Dennis and Laurie Jerdon, Shelbyville, Ind., and Kerry and Kim Jerdon, Camden; step-daughter and husband, Elaine and Bob Ford, Englewood, Ohio; 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Monday, June 3, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne D. Morrison officiating. Burial was at Fairmount Cemetery, Camden. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

Rose P. Johnson
Rose P. Johnson, 77, of Oxford died at her residence early Sunday morning, June 2. Johnson was born on Nov. 4, 1924 in Lauratown, Ark., to Walter Lee and Addie Jane (McKinney) Malone. On Jan. 9, 1943 she married General Johnson in Randolph County, Ark. After farming in the Walnut Ridge area for many years, the Johnsons moved to Rockford, Ill., where they resided for 21 years. In 1983, they moved back to Walnut Ridge for their retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband in December 1994 after 52 years of marriage. In 2000, she moved to Oxford to be closer to her daughter and son. She was an active member of the United Freewill Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge and was affiliated with Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Lillibridge, and her husband, Jim, of Oxford; son, Ron L. Johnson, of Louisville, Ky.; two grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 7 in Walnut Ridge, Ark. Memorials may be made to the outreach ministry of Cobblestone Community Church, 152 Ryan Dr., Oxford, Ohio, 45056.

Miriam Louise Rogers
Miriam Louise Rogers, 80, of Lavaca, Ark., formerly of Oxford, died on Sunday, May 26, in a Fort Smith hospital. She was born Sunday, Dec. 25, 1921 in Dayton, to George Marshal and Nora Suhr Haywood. She was a loving and dedicated homemaker, and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston, Ark. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Vera Mae Hastings, of Oxford. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, James; six daughters, Jane Moore and Cari Shifflett, of Lavaca, Ark., Sharon Bartlett, of Pataskela, Ohio, Verda Rogers Johnson, of Oxford, Becky Johnston, of Barling, and Victoria Cain of Marietta, Ga.; two sons, Jimmy Rogers, of Greenwood, Ark., and Joey Rogers, of Rockledge, Fla.; one sister, Vera Taylor, of Ohio; three brothers, Harold Haywood, of Calif., Herb Haywood, of Ohio, and Donald Haywood, of South Carolina.; 28 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were her grandsons. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 28, at Sacred Heart Church with the Rev. Peter Sharum officiating.

Charles Norris Houghton
Friends and admirers of the family of Oxford residents, Sara and Grace Norris (Houghton), are welcome to join an informal memorial celebrating the life of Charles Norris Houghton, internationally renowned theatre man and arts educator. Houghton's remains will be interred beside his mother Grace and Aunt Sara ("Aunt Sade") in the Oxford Cemetery family plot on Thursday afternoon, June 13. The service in New York City, his home for most of his 92 years, was held last autumn at the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York where he was an Elder. He was cremated. The informal celebration at 3 p.m. next Thursday in the Oxford United Methodist Church, 14 North Poplar Street, will feature reminiscences by Oxford and New York City friends of Houghton and his family as well as refreshments hosted by the Sara Norris Circle of the United Methodist Women of the church. At 4 p.m. those who wish may also attend the brief graveside interment ceremony.

John O. Hendry
John "Jack" O. Hendry, 78, of Frankfort, Mich. and Oxford, died Sunday evening, June 2, at the Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich. He was born on Oct. 11, 1923 in New Orleans, La., the son of the late John O. and Mable Jane (Freeman) Hendry. He received his bachelor of arts degree and bachelor of fine arts from Miami University in Oxford. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy submarine service. He married Lorraine Pickartz on Dec. 30, 1944 in New London, Conn. Hendry was a self-employed consultant, involved with in-plant training in the area of communications. He was affiliated with the Bacharah Church of Houston, Texas. His artistic talents included painting in oils, which he used to paint pictures of university buildings at Miami University that were offered in limited editions, prints and posters. He also was a comic strip cartoonist and had done a series of cartoons for Antique Magazine. Hendry was also editor of the Miami Alumnus from 1961-1965. An Eagle Scout, he also had been president of his high school class, president of the Oxford Country Club and president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at Miami University. He also was involved with Sigma Delta Chi, ODK, as well as the swimming and track teams at DePauw University. He also was an avid fisherman, golfer and certified SCUBA diver. He is survived by his wife Lorraine Hendry, of Frankfort, Mich. and Oxford; two daughters and one son-in-law, Susan Jane Hendry, of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Laurel Lee and Joseph Nugent of Oakridge, NJ; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brother and sister-in-law C. Malcom and Marie Hendry, of Houston, Texas; and sister, Alice Delores Butler, of Evansville Memorial contributions may be made in his name for the George Rider Memorial at Miami University.

Thelma P. Robinson
Thelma P. Robinson, 90, died May 12, Mother's Day, at Manor Care Nursing Home at Fair Oaks in Fairfax, Va. She was born Jan. 27, 1912, in Eaton, to William Tell Pheanis and Blanche Lamm Pheanis. She grew up in Camden and Oxford, and graduated from high school in Oxford. She went on to graduate from Miami University in 1934 and from Carnegie Mellon in 1936. She worked at what is now the Alumni Library at Miami during her years as a student and again after she graduated. On August 1, 1940, she married W. Cary Robinson, a graduate of Miami who became an avionics engineer. They lived in Boca Raton, Fla. and Biloxi, Miss. and settled in Bethesda, Md. in 1949. She worked at the National Institutes of Health from 1954 until 1962, first as a medical librarian and then as chief circulation librarian. While working at NIH, she helped Rachel Carson with research for "Silent Spring" and is referenced in the book's acknowledgments. She retired as chief research librarian for the National Navy Medical Research Institute in 1972. She was a member of the Special Libraries Association and the Society of Friends. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to the Robinson family farm in Buckingham County, Va., where they were instrumental in starting the first public library in the county. She volunteered at the library and particularly enjoyed reading to children. She moved to Reston, Va., in 1995 and resided there until shortly before her death. She is survived by her children, Dr. Penn Ansorg, of Cincinnati, and Quinn Robinson, of Reston; four grandsons; and a great-granddaughter; a brother, William Pheanis and four nephews and a niece. Her husband of 48 years and her sister, Henrietta Hoover, preceded her in death. A private memorial service will be held in Dillwyn, Va.

Reva Ruth A. James
Reva Ruth A. James, 89, of Lewisburg, Penn., died Friday, May 24. She was born Nov. 10, 1912 in Sullivan County, near Carlisle, Ind., the fifth of nine children of Charles Albert and Phoebe Ann (Thornberry) Atkinson. On Jan. 22, 1939 she married Floyd L. James in Bloomington, Ind. He preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 2001. They had been married for 62 years. She graduated from Greencastle High School in Greencastle, Ind., in 1930, and attended DePauw University for one and a half years, graduating from Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind., in 1935 with majors in history and English. After one and a half years in graduate study in history, she accepted a position in January 1937 in Edon, Ohio, teaching high school English, Latin and French as well as coaching the girl's basketball team. After two years of teaching, she married and moved to East Chicago, Ind., where her husband was teaching chemistry at the Indiana University extension. They lived next in Athens, Ohio for three years and then moved to Oxford, in 1944 where they lived for 54 years, before moving to Lewisburg, Penn. in 1998. In Oxford, in addition to being a homemaker, she was active in the Oxford United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Morning Circle. She was also a member of the Current Events Club and a member and officer of the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, sewing, traveling and bridge. She is survived by two daughters, Martha and her husband, Charles, Root of Lewisburg and Alice and husband, Loukas, Kalisperis of State College; one son, David and wife Jeanette of Dearborn, Mich.; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two sisters, Zenobia Turrell, of La Jolla, Calif., and June Baker, of Leawood, Kan. Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband, were two brothers, Herman and Guy and four sisters, Audrey Davis, Margaret Grandstaff, Kathryn Dettloff and Mildred Humphrey. Services were held Sunday, May 26, at Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, in Lewisburg, with the Rev. John Dromazos officiating. Contribution may be made in her name to the Public Library for Union County, 204 Reitz Blvd., Lewisburg, Penn. 17837 or the Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, 40 S. Third St., Lewisburg, Penn. 17837.

Maggie P. Cassidy
Maggie P. Cassidy, 90, of College Corner, Ind., died Monday afternoon, May 27, at Mercy South Hospital in Fairfield. She was born on April 4, 1912, in Laurel County, Ky., to William and Dora Karr Hale. She had lived in the Union County area for over 60 years. She was a member of the College Corner United Methodist Church and the College Corner Community Club. She had worked for the Oxford Laundry in Oxford and for 20 years at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford as a nurse's aide. Her survivors include: her son and daughter-in-law, Bill J. and Dorothy Cassidy, of Aurora, Ind.; her brothers Warren Hale, of Corbin, Ky., Harley Hale, of Georgetown, Ohio, Edward Hale, of Georgetown, Ohio, and Omer Hale, of Ilwaco, Wash.; her sisters, Marie Hamblin, of Corbin, Ky., Gladys Pall of Corbin, Ky., Erphine Hale of Corbin, Ky., Virginia Bowling of London, Ky.; and nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe W. Cassidy, who died in 1991; her son, James M. Cassidy; her daughter, Deloris M. Ervin; her parents; and two brothers, and one sister. Funeral services will be conducted at the College Corner United Methodist Church, W. College Corner, Ind., today, Thursday May 30, at 11 a.m. (Ohio time). Burial will follow in College Corner Cemetery, W. College Corner, Ind. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service today at the church. Showalter-Blackwell-Long Funeral Home, Baker Chapel, College Corner, Ohio is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in her memory.

Richard W. Fink Sr.
Richard W. Fink Sr., 87, of Findlay, died of natural causes on Sunday, May 26. He was born on Sept. 7, 1914, to Edwin and Reba M. (Burch) Fink. On May 26, 1937, he married the late Melba Ford in Cincinnati. Fink had two children, Dr. Richard W. Fink Jr., of Cincinnati, and Sharon F. Wiseman, of Findlay. He had seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert J. and Edwin A. Fink. Fink worked in construction and architectural design for Cincinnati Millicron from 1937 to 1948, also at Miami Valley Lumber Co., in Oxford, from 1948 to 1966. From 1966 to 1986 he was in charge of zoning, building inspection, and water and sewage departments in Oxford. He volunteered in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and was a trustee and elder in the Presbyterian Church in Mason, Ohio. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, and attended the University of Cincinnati. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to be given to The Christ Hospital Nursery at the Christ Hospital, 2139 Auburn Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, or to Marriage Ministry at Montgomery Community Baptist Church, 11251 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Visitation will be today, Thursday, May 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Routson Funeral Chapel. Private graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 1, at Rest Haven Cemetery in Cincinnati.

Daniel J. Markey
Daniel J. Markey, 23, of Oxford, died in McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Friday, May 24 at 10:28 p.m. He was born in Hamilton on Nov. 25, 1978, the son of Michael and Tari (Moore) Markey. He is survived by his mother, Tari Whitt, of Oxford, and his step-father, Mickey Whitt, of Oxford; two sons, Miles Joseph Markey and Daniel Jaden Markey, both of Oxford; one daughter, Lily Markey, of Oxford; a brother, Sam Markey, of Oxford; grandparents, Kenneth and Virginia Moore, of Somerville; an uncle, Kenny Moore, of Dayton; an aunt, Robyn Wabrick, of West College Corner, Ind.; and by a devoted companion, Stephanie Mann, of Oxford. He was preceded in death by his father, Michael Markey, in 1992. Funeral services will be held tonight, Thursday, May 30, at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave., at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Greg Jackson, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church, Camden, officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from from 5 to 6 p.m. Cremation will be held.