William M. Graft
William Martin Graft, 76, of Middletown, died Friday, Dec. 1, of a brain tumor at Hospice of Dayton, with his family surrounding him. He was born Jan. 3, 1924, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Robert Graft, of Hamilton, and Ruth Martin Graft, of College Corner, Ind. Bill will be lovingly be remembered by his wife of 51 years, Jean Routson Graft; sons, William Andrew and wife, Kathy, Thomas Martin and wife Teresa; and daughter Carolyn and husband, Danny Reveal; grandchildren, Kristopher and Matthew Graft, Joshua and Victoria Graft, and Ruth and Danny Reveal Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Haley. He is also survived by his brother, Robert C. Graft and wife, Dolly. Bill graduated from Monroe High School in 1943. He went directly into the Marine Corps and served his country in World War II. In 1945, he returned home and went to work at Gardner-Richardson, where he worked for 46 years. Bill was an active member and an elder of St. Luke Presbyterian Church. He was an excellent athlete, playing basketball, tennis, baseball, bowling and, in his later years, golf. In the summer, one could find him in the garden planting vegetables or tending over 50 rose bushes.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, at St. Luke Presbyterian Church, 4311 Walton Court, Middletown, with the Rev. Drs. William Anderson and Bryan Palmer-Smith officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Presbyterian Church.

Avery A. Hale
Avery A. Hale, 78, of Middletown, Ohio, formerly of Caryville, Tenn., passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was a member of the Poasttown First Church of God. Mr. Hale was a World War II Army Air Corp veteran and had retired from Firestone Rubber. He was a member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Alice Hale; and sister, Pauline Hale Williamson. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Omeda Banks Hale of Middletown; brothers Arzo Hale, Leo Hale and James Hale, all of Caryville, Tenn.; sisters Lexie Loy and Pearl Hargrove, both of Caryville, and Aline Kirkland of Fairborn, Ohio; and a special nephew, Buddy Hale.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services were concluded at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Cross Funeral Home Chapel, LaFollette, Tenn., with the Rev. T.D. Hooker officiating. Interment was in Harness Cemetery in Caryville. The family received friends from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday prior to services. Cross Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Ada E. Harrell
Mrs. Ada Elizabeth (Hayes) Harrell, 83, of Heritage Center, Morristown, Tenn., passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2000. She was born on Sept. 29, 1917, in Granger County, Tenn. She was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Franklin, Ohio. Mrs. Harrell was preceded in death by husband, Kelly M. Harrell; a son, Jerry L. Harrell; her parents, Lee and Ruth Hayes; brothers, Everett, Andrew, Haskell and Boyed Hayes; and a sister, Frances Hayes. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy K. and Joe Mills of Morristown, Tenn.; grandchildren, Rob, and his wife, Sue Coleman, of Vandalia, Ohio, and Kevin L. Harrell of Morristown; a daughter-in-law, Sue H. Coffey of Morristown; great-grandchildren, Alexander Kelly Coleman of Springhill, Fla., and Jessica and Austin Coleman of Vandalia, Ohio; and sisters, Nan Hipsher and Irma Lee Helton, both of Morristown, Lena Dalton of Bean Station, Tenn., Eula Helton of Clinton, Tenn., and Georgia Kuykendall of High Point, N.C.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Mayes Mortuary, 444 W. Main St., Morristown, Tenn., with the Rev. C. H. Dalton officiating. Interment will be at Hamblen Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary.

John M. Healy
John M. Healy, 77, of 1600 Woodhall Court, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Equality, Ill., on Aug. 3, 1923, a son of Elmer and Amanda Healy and came to Middletown in 1951. Mr. Healy worked at Armco Steel Co. for more than 35 years, retiring in 1986 from the masonry department. He was a longtime member of the Yankee Road Church of God where he served on the board of trustees and as an usher. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Delores (Fleming) Healy; a daughter, Tamara Gabbard (husband Steve) of Middletown; a son, Randall Healy (wife Beverly) of Huntsville, Texas; three granddaughters, Jaime Healy, Stephanie Gabbard and Teena Gabbard; two sisters, Mary Seagraves and Ruth Asbrock, both of Eldorado, Ill.; and a brother, Charles Healy of Evansville, Ind. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Patricia Ann Healy, on June 6, 1954; by his parents; and two brothers, Webster and James Healy.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Revs. Rodney Williams and Kevin Collins officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery.

Richard H. Henderson
Richard H. Henderson, 94, of Mount Pleasant Village in Monroe, died at Middletown Regional Hospital Thursday morning, Dec. 7, 2000. He was born on Nov. 1, 1906, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Lester and Jessie Kellum Henderson. He was employed by the Miami Carey Co. for 44 years, retiring in 1967 as a supervisor. Mr. Henderson had served as an original City of Middletown Volunteer Fire Department fireman and was also a former member of the Carlisle Lions Club. He is survived by two sons, Richard L., and his wife, LaVonne Henderson, and Robert E., and his wife, Margaret Henderson, all of Middletown; two granddaughters, Karen Sue Sutherland and Beth Ann Lockhart; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth S. Henderson in 1977; a brother, Lester K. Henderson; and a sister, Elizabeth Henderson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Thomas Mellott officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday. Entombment will be at Woodside Mausoleum.
MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Pleasant Life Care Fund or the Christ United Methodist Church.

Janet L. Hibberd
LEBANON -- Janet L. Hibberd, 62, of 5103 N. Ohio 48, Lebanon, passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. She was born June 5, 1938, in Marshall, Ohio, the daughter of Estel A. and Inez B. Wilson. She was a loving wife and mother. She also owned the Shadow Box in Springboro. She was a member of the Springboro Baptist Church. Mrs. Hibberd was preceded in death by her father, Estel Wilson. She is survived by her husband, Gary; her mother, Inez B. Wilson of Hillsboro; two sons, David and Dale Ditmer, both of Springboro; a daughter, Denise Willhite of Rowlett, Texas; two stepsons, Robert Hibberd of New Lebanon and Dean Hibberd of Nashville, Ark.; a stepdaughter, Wendy Good of New Lebanon; six brothers, Early Wilson of Seymour, Tenn., Donald Wilson of Peebles, Ohio, Marvin Wilson of Hillsboro, Larry Wilson of Sardinia, Ohio, Curtis Wilson of Hillsboro and John Wilson of Lexington, Ky.; three sisters, Joyce King of Hillsboro, Shirley Peters of Loveland and Sharon Silva of Maineville; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Springboro Baptist Church, 125 E. Mill St., Springboro, with the reverends Connie Hancock and Keith Willhite officiating. Burial will be in Centerville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main St., Springboro.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Springboro Baptist Church Building Fund, Dallas Theological Seminary, 3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75204 and Hospice of Dayton, P.O. Box 3509, Dayton, 45401-3509.

Rev. Robert Hight
Former Middletown resident Robert "Bob" Hight died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000, at his home in Penney Farms, Fla. Bob was born on Aug. 19, 1930, in Darby, Pa. He received his higher education at Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia (B.D.), Gordon College in Beverly Farms, Mass., (B.A.), and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (M.Div.). Bob was an American Baptist pastor, serving churches and new start churches in New Jersey, Michigan, Maine, New York and Ohio. For the last 12 years on his ministry, he was an area minister for Southwest Ohio with the American Baptist Church of Ohio. Bob and his wife, Becky, lived in Middletown, Ohio, from 1988 through 1996. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Middletown. He is survived by his wife, Becky, of Dexter, Me.; four children, Paul of Dayton, Ky., Cathie Haag of Middletown, Anne (Bartuska) of Macon, Ga., and Leigh of Athens, Ohio; and seven grandchildren, Alex, Rebecca and Libby Haag, Justin and Philip Bartuska, and Kara and Alexis Hight. Also surviving are a brother, Leigh Hight; sister and brother-in-law, Claire and George Barnum; sons-in-law, Richard Haag and John Bartuska; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ted, Lois and Jini Inman; and mother-in-law, Ruth Inman. Bob and Becky moved to Penney Retirement Community in February, 1997. There he served as president of the Residents' Association and was involved in many other volunteer activities. Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in January, 1999, Bob bore his illness with grace and without complaint. He said many times that he was grateful to have no pain and to be in his right mind (such as it was, he said). He felt God's presence and His care every day, and he was especially thankful to be in Penney Retirement Community with so many caring and supportive friends. "Nothing shall separate us from the love of God."
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the First Baptist Church of Middletown on Breiel Boulevard and Riverview Drive.

Billie Houser
Mrs. Billie Houser, 76, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000, at her residence. She was born in Ardmore, Ala., on Sept. 13, 1924, and lived here since 1950. Mrs. Houser was a homemaker. She attended University Baptist Church and was an avid bridge and scrabble player. She also enjoyed refinishing and refurbishing antique furniture. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles W. DeWitt in 1976, and Mary A. DeWitt in 1992; a daughter, Terri Lynn Houser in 1958; and two brothers, Charles DeWitt in 1974 and Harold DeWitt, earlier this year. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, John W. Houser; daughters Jennifer Beckner (Russ) of Middletown and Laurie Brown (Randy) of Perkinsville, Vt.; sons Greg Houser (Brenda) and John Houser, both of Middletown, and Thomas Houser (Cora) of Virginia Beach, Va.; a sister, Anita Brobst of McHenry, Md.; seven grandchildren, Lindsay Beckner, Jessica and Jenny Houser, Ethan, Dylan and Levi Brown and Matthew Houser.
ARRANGEMENTS: Memorial services were concluded at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with Ron Carter officiating. Interment was at Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044; the Salvation Army, 106 N. Clinton St., Middletown, 45042; or a charity of donor's choice.

Russell E. Hoover
Former Middletown resident Russell E. Hoover, 69, of Alpena, Mich., died Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at Alpena General Hospital. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on May 22, 1931. Mr. Hoover served in the Army Air Corp during the Korean War as an airline mechanic. After returning from the Army, he worked for the Middletown Ford dealer and was president of the local AFL-CIO. He and his wife, Mary, moved to Alpena, Mich., in 1968, where he worked for Washburn Ford, Robb's Sport and Garden Center, Sports Unlimited, and retired from GTE in 1991. Mr. Hoover lwas a member of IBEW Local 1106, Eagles of Alpena and the City of Alpena Planning Commission. He was also chairman of the Huron Environmental activist League and was very active in local politics. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Edna (Dean) Hoover. Survivors include his wife, Mary; a son, Russell (Amy) Hoover; daughters Angela Smith and Andrea (John) Kellis; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; a brother, Paul (Clare) Hoover; and a sister, Marian (Marion) Myers.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, with the Rev. Johnny Schmitt officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery.

William Howard
William "Bill" Howard, 84, of Middletown, died Friday evening, Dec. 8, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. Mr. Howard retired from Armco after 43 years. He was a general foreman and supervisor of the east processing annealing section. Mr. Howard was an active sportsman, having played baseball with the Armco league in the 1930s and 1940s. He also bowled in an Armco league and the businessmen's league, where he and his partner won several first-place finishes. Since 1976, he was an avid golfer and played in the Armco retirees and couples leagues. He is survived by his wife, Virginia M. Howard; a daughter, Phyllis (Charles) Rouster of Middletown; brothers, Autie Howard Jr. and Curtis Howard, both of Middletown; sisters, Opal Zwick of Monroe, Pearl Neal of Middletown, Lillian Constiner of Lebanon, Thelma Hess of Middletown and Janet Craig of Marietta; grandchildren, Charles Rouster Jr., William Rouster and Lora Lietz, all of Middletown, and Cheryl Misckulnig of Ross, Ohio; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Autie and Ihle Adkins Howard; a brother, Clifford Howard; and sisters, Marie Cobb, Mildred Bottles and Prudia Morris. Mr. Howard was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Civille officiating. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment is at Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Middletown.

Edward L. Huffman
Edward Leroy Huffman, 83, of Middletown, died Sunday morning, Dec. 3, 2000, at the Glen Meadows Nursing Home in Hamilton. He was born on Dec. 26, 1916, in Middletown, the son of Arthur Huffman and Louise Mary (Duffey) Huffman. Mr. Huffman was employed by Sorg Paper Co. for 47 years, retiring in 1981. He was the captain of the Sorg bowling team. He is survived by a son, Michael Steven Huffman of Colorado; two stepdaughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Gary Osborne of Carmel, Ind., and Linda and Bill Osterberger of Hamilton; grandchildren, Jerry Bowling Jr., David Underwood, Jason Underwood and Renee' Osterberger; sisters, Juanita Hume and Florine Huffman, both of Middletown; and two brothers, Arthur Waldren Huffman Jr. of Middletown and Fred Huffman of Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dora Ruth (Shirley) Huffman in 1997; a son, Sonny Huffman; and a sister, Lola Larison.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at the Woodside Cemetery Chapel, with the Rev. Harold Thompson officiating. There will be no visitation. Entombment will be at the Woodside Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements are being handled by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Louise Hughes
Mrs. Louise Hughes, 94, of Middletown, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on Nov. 7, 1906, in Reading, Pa., the daughter of Samuel Stuckey and Bertha (Kelly) Stuckey. Mrs. Hughes wintered in Matlacha, Fla. She was an avid bridge player, a member of Page Ladies, the Republican Club and the First United Methodist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Betty A. Wendt of Middletown and Nancy L. Bilhardt (husband Andrew J.) of Lake Waynoka, Sardinia, Ohio; three granddaughters, Kimberly (husband Tim) Wright of Maitland, Fla., Andrea L. Ernest of Peoria, Ill., and Sarah M. Bilhardt of Akron, Ohio; a grandson, Robert H. Wendt of Middletown; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; a niece; and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. L. Hughes in 1972; an infant son, Robert L. Hughes; three sisters, Margaret Peterson, Sarah Wrenn and Helen Shetter; a son-in-law, Robert E. Wendt in 1991; and a grandson, William Douglas Wendt.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Doug Alder officiating. Visitation will be from noon until service time. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the McKnight Terrace, 3000 McGee Ave., Middletown 45044.

Nancy Lou Johnson
Mrs. Nancy Lou (Beam) Johnson, 62, of Middletown, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Middletown on Aug. 5, 1938, to the late Russell C. and Vera (Seddon) Beam. Mrs. Johnson was a former member of Amaranth, White Shrine, and Prosser Chapter (former Ida Morningstar Chapter) Order of Eastern Star. She had also worked with the Girl Scouts for several years. She was active with the Order of DeMolay and served as the president of their mother's club. Nancy was the president and co-founder of the Middletown Area Antiques Association. Among her survivors are her husband, Mark Johnson of Middletown; two sons, Russell M. Johnson of Monroe and Randall M. Johnson of Middletown; a daughter, Jodi Lou Johnson of Middletown; and five grandchildren, Jonathan Andrew Lott, Michael Green and Sierra, Brittany and Autumn Johnson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jean Tyler officiating. Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Columbus. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044; or American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., Suite 102, West Chester, Ohio 45069.

Mason Keeton
Mason Keeton, 87, of Middletown, Ohio, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at 5 a.m. at Middletown Regional Hospital where he had been a patient for one week. He was born on Nov. 18, 1913, in West Liberty, Ky., and had lived in the Middletown area for 62 years. Mr. Keeton was employed as a machine operator for Inland Container Corp. for 40 years, retiring in 1977. He attended the Elizabethtown and Poasttown First Church of God Churches. He was a former Sunday school teacher and board member of the Poasttown First Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Mark and Virginia (Adkins) Keeton; and a brother, Mack Keeton. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nora; a daughter, Loretta Hughes of Middletown; a son, Richard O'Hair Keeton Sr. of Bradenton, Fla.; five grandchildren, Richard O'Hair Keeton Jr., Caressa Lenea Rush, Holly Steavens, Carmon Miller and Leila Hughes; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Elzie Keeton and Buford Keeton, both of Middletown, and Talmadge Keeton of California; and two sisters, Renola Arnold of Michigan and Essie Sparks of Middletown.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Poasttown First Church of god, 6376 Middletown-Germantown Road, Madison Township. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Poasttown First Church of God, with the Revs. Don O'Hair, Denzil Brandenburg and Gary Ashley officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton. Arrangements are by Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown.

Ruth S. King
TRENTON -- Mrs. Ruth S. King, 76, of Trenton, Ohio, passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Madison Township, Ohio, on Jan. 20, 1924, to the late Herman and Lillian (Frantz) Seeman. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Trenton. Mrs. King had worked for the Wrenn Paper Co. for 20 years. She was also a member of the Trenton Historical Society and the Order of Eastern Star. She is survived by her husband, James P. King of Trenton; a brother, Harvey Seeman of Pensacola, Fla.; a cousin, Richard Scott of Indian Springs; and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, with Pastor Brian Peterson officiating. Interment will be in Miltonville Cemetery in Trenton. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 311 N. Miami St., Trenton, Ohio 45067. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home in Middletown is serving the family.

Eloise D. Kolker
Mrs. Eloise D. Kolker, 80, of Middletown, died at Middletown Regional Hospital Thursday evening, Dec. 7, 2000. She was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 18, 1920, the daughter of Nick and Stella Ditmyer George. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Merry Widows Club. Mrs. Kolker is survived by a son, Kevin N. Kolker of Middletown; a stepson, Carl A. Kolker Jr. of Aurora, Ind.; two stepdaughters, Barbara Whitt of Middletown and Jo Ann Gerald of Redbank, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Heather and Ryan Kolker; numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews; a sister, Beatrice Brewer of Mansfield, Ohio; and a brother, Joseph H. George of Monroe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl A. Kolker Sr.; two sisters, Madeline George and Mildred Brashear; and a stepdaughter, Charlotte Martin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Revs. Terry Van Heyningen and Carol Oetzel officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park.

Gladys A. Kresheck
Mrs. Gladys Alberta Kresheck, 92, of Middletown, Ohio, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, in Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born on Sept. 3, 1908, in Ransonville, N.Y., the daughter of William and Sarah (Podmore) Zappendorf. Gladys was a lifelong and active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Middletown, Ohio, Missouri Synod, and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She was also a member of the Middletown Homemakers Club. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Neal and Emily Kresheck of Springfield, Ohio, and Gordon and Janet Dawson Kresheck of Manitou Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren, Laura and James Mulhall of Columbus, Ohio, Lynn and Matthew Votaw of Ponte Vedra, Fla., Sten E. and Wendy Kresheck of Hanover Park, Ill., and D. Aine Kresheck of DeKalb, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Anna and Andrew Mulhall, Benjamin, Sarah and Katherine Votaw, and Daniel, Luke and Michael Kresheck. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin C. Kresheck in 1980; a sister, Florence Chase; a brother, Lincoln Zappendorf; and a grandchild, Carey E. Kresheck.
ARRANGEMENTS: A service of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m. in Messiah Lutheran Church, 4715 Holly Ave., Middletown. The Rev. Thomas W. Chopp will be the presiding minister. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the Bible Study Room at the church. Burial will be in Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Two Rivers, Wis.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church, 4715 Holly Ave., Middletown, Ohio 45044. The family is being served by Littleton & Rue Funeral Home in Springfield, Ohio. You may express condolences to the family through http://www.littletonandrue.com/.

Robert Kurtz
MONROE -- Robert M. Kurtz, 75, of Monroe, passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and retired from Armco in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Rose N. Kurtz, and a daughter, Beverly E. Moore (Gary).
ARRANGEMENTS: Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Rev. Artis Lattimore
The Rev. Artis Lattimore, 88, of Middletown, was born on March 12, 1912, in Walton County, Ga., and he went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000 at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was the third of three children of the late Cleveland and Isabella Jiles Lattimore. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Pearlie Mae Culbreath Lattimore on Dec. 27, 1931, in Barron County, Ga. To this union four children were born. He then moved to Middletown, Ohio, in 1943. He united with the New Era Baptist Church under the late Rev. Price's ministry. He also united with the Triedstone Baptist Church. Rev. Lattimore was preceded in death by his wife, Pearlie Mae; his parents; two brothers, Willie Lattimore of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Troy Lattimore of Middletown, Ohio; two daughters, Artis Mae Sims and Hazel Oneida Wilson, both of Middletown. He leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Hattie E. Washington of Hamilton, Ohio, and Drew Willie Sharp of Middletown; 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at tnoon Thursday, Dec. 14, at Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, 918 S. Main St., with the Rev. Herbert Hart officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service at the chapel. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park.

Clarence Bascom Livesay
SPRINGBORO -- Clarence Bascom Livesay, 76, of Springboro, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Ruby J. (Lane) Livesay; daughters, Libby Ann Brown of Tazewell, Tenn., and Laura Cynthia Kissinger of Carlisle; sons, Clarence Michael Livesay of Waynesville and Jeffrey Darrell Livesay of Springboro; sisters, Blanche Parkey of Rockwood, Tenn., Evelyn Sweatt of Monroe, Mich., Ellen Livesay of Ashville, N.C., and Judy Jones of West Carrollton, and a brother, Jonny Livesay of Franklin. Clarence was a U.S. Army veteran who served throughout Europe during World War II.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main St., Springboro. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Brian D. Martin
Brian D. Martin, 36, of 1807 Dalton Court, Lexington, Ky., died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. He was a native of Hindman, Ky., and a veteran of the U.S. Navy and National Guard. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Carol and Dan Stebbins of West Alexandria, Ohio; his father, David L. Martin, of Middletown; his brother, James Neal Martin, of Middletown; and his maternal grandmother, Opal Plummer of Lake Havasu, Ariz. Arrangements: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Chapel of the Corner Stone Memorial Park, Ohio 73, Trenton, with Lawrence and Darlene Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park, Stanton, Ky. Wells Funeral Home, Stanton, Ky., is in charge of the arrangements.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, Ky. 40504-3277.

J. C. Martin
J. C. Martin, 70, of Middletown, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000, at Hospice of Dayton. He was born on April 24, 1930, in Clark County, Ky., the son of James and Nora Martin. Mr. Martin is survived by a son, Ronald J. Martin of Fort Myers, Fla.; three stepsons, Lawrence Inman of Centerville, Ohio, Allen Inman of Franklin and John Inman of Middletown; six grandchildren; a sister, Mary Reffitt of Apopka, Fla.; and two brothers, Oscar Martin of Kentucky and Robert Martin of Middletown. He was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie Ann Martin, on May 19, 1997; and his parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Randy Wallace officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park.

Bradley R. Morgan
Bradley Ray Morgan, 23, of Middletown, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, at his residence. He was born on Sept. 9, 1977, in Middletown, the son of Carl Ray Morgan and Claudia "Sue" (Booth) Morgan. Brad worked in the floor maintenance department of Specialty Building Services. He is survived by his parents, Carl and Claudia "Sue" Morgan of Middletown, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Bonita Drive Church of Christ, 4609 Bonita Drive, Middletown, with the Rev. James Kinser officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton.

Bruce Odle
Bruce Odle, 76, of Middletown, passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000, at his residence. A native of Lyons, Va., he was born on Sept. 28, 1924, a son of Esten and Nettie (Marshall) Odle. Mr. Odle was a member of the University Baptist Church. He worked for Armco Steel Co. as a crane operator for more than 31 years, retiring in 1986. He served his country during World War II in the Navy. Bruce was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3809 and a member of American Legion Post 218. Survivors include his wife, Clara of Middletown; sons Boyd A. (Nancy J.) Odle of Middletown and Bruce W. (Dawn A.) Odle of Tucker, Ga.; a daughter, Brenda (James) Geran of Middletown; a brother, William A. Odle of Coeburn, Va.; a sister, Cleo Barnett of Bluefield, W. Va.; and five grandchildren, James Geran Jr., Stacy L. Geran, Britt A. Odle, Lindsay B. Sponsel and Carson E. Odle. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Hasten Odle.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, Dec. 9, at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Nolan Phillips officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Wayne Township. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044.

Richard A. Parella
Richard A. Parella, 69, of Middletown, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born Nov. 21, 1931, in Middletown, to the late Verchie (Binkley) and the late Richard A. Parella Sr. Mr. Parella was the owner of Grand Cleaners until his retirement in 1987. Survivors include two nieces, Jayne (John) Palmer of Franklin and Judy Kidwell of Springboro; two great-nephews, Christian (Brandy) Kidwell of Springboro and Brandon Kidwell of West Carrollton; and a great-niece, Lauren Palmer of Franklin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Orpha A. Parella, in 1991; his parents; and a sister, Bette J. Cummins in 1996.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. James Stern officiating. Interment will be in Woodside Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the time of the funeral Tuesday.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, 45044; or the American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown, 45044.

Elmus D. Ratliff
TRENTON -- Elmus D. Ratliff, 87, of Trenton, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000, at his residence. He was born Aug. 19, 1913, in Frenchburg, Ky., and lived 61 years in the Trenton area. He worked as an inspector for General Motors for 36 years before retiring in 1978. Mr. Ratliff attended Morehead College and taught school in Menifee County for seven years. He was also active with his love and care of horses. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Verna (Phipps) Ratliff, in 1987; his parents, Roscoe Ratliff, in 1946 and Lula (McClure) Ratliff, in 1971; a brother, Robert Ratliff, in 1972; a sister, Lois Sorrell, in 1990; a son-in-law, John Stump, in 1986, and a granddaughter, Lori Hounshell, in 1964. He is survived his wife of 6 1/2 years, Ruby Ratliff; sons, Roger "Bud" Ratliff (Debbie) of Camden and Jim "Red" Ratliff (Cheryl) and Johnny Ratliff (Mattie), both of Middletown; daughters, Carol Hounshell of Felicity, Ohio, and Phyllis Stump of Middletown; stepdaughter, Diana Clark (David) of Frenchburg; stepson, Don Harvey of Frankfort, Ky.; sisters, Delphine Mann and Christine Patrick, both of Frenchburg and Edith Birchfield (Orville) of Wellington, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one step-great-grandson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Gordon Schneider
Former area resident Gordon Allen Schneider, 58, of Beaumont, Texas, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at his residence. A native of Hamilton, Ohio, and formerly of Middletown and Trenton, Ohio, and Strykersville, N.Y., he lived in Beaumont for 17 years and was a retired Mobil Oil operator. He was also a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, a former member of Local 510 Pipe Fitters of Middletown and the Volunteer Fire Department of Trenton. He was the son of Robert and Dorothy Schneider. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, and a brother, Charles. He is survived by his wife, Lianne Schneider of Beaumont; a son, Petty Officer First Class Gordon Allen Schneider Jr. of LeMoore, Calif., Naval Air Station; a daughter, Leslie Erin Sharp of Beaumont; brothers Dale Schneider of Cincinnati, Ohio, Stephen R. Schneider of Orlando, Ohio, and Paul David Schneider of Louisville, Ky.; sisters Katherine Baker of St. Cloud, Fla., and Elizabeth Nantz of Hamilton, Ohio; and six grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Mary Queen of the Rosary Catholic Church in Strykersville, N.Y. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Beaumont under the direction of Broussard's Mortuary in Beaumont, Texas. A Christian Vigil was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, at the mortuary.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Monsignor Kelly High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas.

Grace B. Smith
Mrs. Grace Belle Smith, 93, formerly of Todhunter Road, Monroe, Ohio, died at the Ohio Valley Manor and Convalescent Center in Ripley, Ohio, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000. Mrs. Smith had been making her home with her granddaughter, Donna Ferlise Caldwell of West Union, Ohio, for the past several years. A homemaker, she was born in Wolfe County, Ky., on April 16, 1907. She was preceded in death by her husband, Langley Smith; two sons, George J. Smith and Sam Smith, both of the Middletown area; three brothers and one sister including Ernest Pence, Odell Pence, Elzie Pence and Ann Beatty, all of the Middletown area. Survivors include four sisters, Viola Shaw of Blue Ash, Ohio, and Elizabeth Lukey, Marie Wills and Betty Rush, all of the Middletown area; one son, Russell Smith of Chiefland, Fla.; daughters Elizabeth Hale of Trenton, Ohio, and Edith Meehan of Danville, Ill.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Langley, and her brother, Ernest, operated an industrial painting company known as the Pence and Smith Industrial Painting Co., and worked mainly for the Armco Steel Co.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton.

Dolores J. Snowden
Mrs. Dolores J. Snowden, 72, of 8891 N. Gilmore Road, Fairfield, Ohio, passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000, at her residence. She was born on June 24, 1928, in Red Lion, Ohio, the daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Ebel) Blackburn. She was employed by Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield. Mrs. Snowden was a lifelong resident of Red Lion and was a church organist at the Red Lion Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim "Jip"; a son, Chris, and friend Angie, of Lebanon; daughter, Cathy Brinkley and her husband Mel, of Mason; brother-in-law, Harold "Bud" Phillips of Springboro; sister-in-law, Ruth Blackburn of Red Lion; grandchildren Abigail and Rachel Smith and Matthew Brinkley; several nieces and nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Tom and Dale; and a sister, Virginia.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main St., Springboro, with the Rev. Robert Henry officiating. Burial will be in Springboro Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to the Red Lion United Methodist Church.

Donald C. Spindler
Donald C. Spindler of Parma, Ohio, died on Sunday, December 10, 2000. A long-time resident of Middletown, he was born August 27, 1922, in Dixon, Illinois, son of the late Walter H. Spindler and Mayme L. Spindler. He was a graduate of Middletown High School in 1940 and Capital University in 1943. He received a master's degree in analytical chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1949, and an honorary doctor of science degree from Capital University in 1980. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served on the destroyer escort USS Sturtevant, and reached the rank of Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve. He worked for the Ferro Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio, as a spectroscopist and supervisor of analytical and instrumentation chemistry, retiring in 1988 as associate director of Research and Administration. He received many professional honors from the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), including the Churchill Award (1973), Award of Merit and Fellow, the Scribner Award (1978), and Honorary Member (1979). Mr. Spindler was a member of Divinity Lutheran Church in Parma Heights, serving as president of the church board and as a member of the senior choir. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ruth Acheson Spindler, of Parma; sons William Spindler of Kenner La, and Jeffrey Spindler of Ann Arbor Mich.; daughter Katherine Spindler of Athens Ga.; sister Margery Spindler McIntosh of Middletown, Ohio; brother James Spindler of Lincoln Mass.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Evelyn Worsley Spindler, and a brother, Alan Spindler.
ARRANGEMENTS: Arrangements are being handled by the Busch Funeral Home, Parma, Ohio. The funeral service will be held at Divinity Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, with interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman Ohio.
MEMORIALS: Memorial gifts may be made to Divinity Lutheran Church, Capital University, or the National Parkinson's Foundation.

William Stallworth
William David "Billie" Stallworth Sr., 71, formerly of Middletown, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2000, at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Barbara T. Stallworth; five daughters, Nora Stallworth, Andrea Stallworth, Sharon Stallworth, Felicia Stallworth and Monica L. Stallworth; two sons, William Gerald Stallworth and William David Stallworth Jr.; seven grandchildren; a devoted aunt; and nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1000 Yankee Road, Middletown, with the Rev. Donald H. Jordan Sr. officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. Monday until time of service at the church. Arrangements are by Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, 918 S. Main St.

Virginia Thomas
Mrs. Virginia Thomas, 77, of 2267 Joshua Circle, died Monday morning, Dec. 4, 2000, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Charlotte County, Va., on April 16, 1923, a daughter of George and Virgie (Cook) Rose, and lived much of her life in Zanesville, Ohio. She moved to Middletown in 1985. She is survived by two daughters, Susan Miller (husband Glenn) and Shawn Rogers (husband Will), both of Midldetown; three grandchildren, Melissa Miller Wurst, Ryan H. Rogers and Ashley M. Rogers; her mother, Virgie Rose of Zanesville; a sister, Elizabeth "Mickey" Porche' of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and two brothers, George F. Rose and Lester E. Rose, both of Zanesville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garvis Thomas in 1983; by her father; and a brother, Sterling D. Rose.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with Pastor C. Nolan Phillips officiating. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Duncan Falls Cemetery in Muskingum County, Ohio.

Mildred Marie Truster
SEVEN MILE -- Mildred Marie Truster, 90, of Seven Mile, died at 8:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at Fort Hamilton Hospital. She was born Nov. 12, 1910, in Seven Mile, the daughter of Ora A. and Elsie (Hardman) Noffsinger. She received her education in Seven Mile public schools. On May 17, 1929, she married Barton Truster in Honey Creek, Ind. He preceded her in death in 1969. Mrs. Truster was employed by the U.S. Post Office in Seven Mile for 40 years, where she served as postmaster for 11 years. She was a member of the Seven Mile Presbyterian Church and the Pythian Sisters. Mrs. Truster is survived by her daughter, Jane Stroup and husband M. Phillip of Seven Mile; one brother, Glenn Noffsinger and wife Mary Lou of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren, Belinda Brewer of Cincinnati, Ward Brewer of Houston, Tim Stroup and wife Pam of Hamilton, Beth Benjamin and husband Dan of Seven Mile, Julie Plagens and husband Curtis of Houston and Tom Stroup and wife Robyn of Blooming Grove, Ind.; a special great-granddaughter, Nicole Brewer; and other great-grandchildren, Damon Brewer, Brian Benjamin, Taylor Stroup, Alex Stroup, Lindsey Plagens, Hannah Benjamin, Jason Brammer, Ashley Plagens, Sam Brammer and Robert and Ali Cox. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Webb-Noonan Funeral Home, Ross Avenue at D Street, Hamilton, with the Rev. Linda McClanahan officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the service. Burial will be in Collinsville Cemetery.
MEMORIALS: The family suggests contributions to Hospice of Cincinnati, Box 710784, Cincinnati, 45271-0784; or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY, 10163.

William C. Warden III
FRANKLIN -- William C. "Butch" Warden III, 51, of 7004 Shaker Road, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at Sycamore Hospital. He was born on March 4, 1949, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of William C. and June Marie (VanMeter) Warden Jr. He was a 1967 graduate of Franklin High School and worked an electrician at Fraser Paper in West Carrollton for five years. He was a member of the Middletown Eagles Crystal Aerie 3458 and the Middletown Moose Lodge 501. He is survived by his wife, Donna; two sons, William Ryan, and his wife, Annie Warden, of Franklin and Benjamin Edward Warden, at home; a brother, Robert J. Warden, and his wife, Linda, of Vandalia; and a sister, June A. Warder of Franklin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Unglesby-Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin. Burial will be in Woodhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.