Jesse F. Amburgey
Jesse F. Amburgey, 72, of 709 S. Marshall Road, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at his residence. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on May 1, 1928, the son of James and Anna (Willoughby) Amburgey, and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He worked for 33 years at Armco Steel Co., retiring as a senior melter in the Open Hearth. Mr. Amburgey was a member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Antioch Shrine. He is survived by a daughter, Donna Tijerina of Kennedale, Texas; two sons, Terry Amburgey of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and James Amburgey of Middletown; seven grandchildren, Stefan Tijerina, Marisa Tijerina, David Amburgey, Eric Amburgey, Catherine Amburgey, Jessica Amburgey and Chris Amburgey; two great-grandchildren, Gage Tijerina, and Brynne Tijerina; and a sister, Mary Collier of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty in 1994, and by a son, Glenn Amburgey in 1990.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery. Masonic services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. American Legion Post 218 Honor Guard will provide military honors at the graveside.

Mildred L. Angst
Mrs. Mildred L. Angst, 53, of Seven Mile, Ohio, died Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. She was born on July 21, 1947, to Elmer D. Mann Sr. and Margaret M. (Hesse) Mann. Mrs. Angst was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church. Among her survivors are her husband, Laurence of Seven Mile; her mother, Margaret M. Mann; a daughter, Jill Angst of Seven Mile; two brothers, Joe (Imogene) Mann of Trenton and Elmer David (Donna) Mann of Hamilton; a sister, Charlotte M. (Larry) Burr of Hamilton; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer D. Mann Sr.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Name Catholic Church in Trenton with Father George Klein as celebrant. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Wayne Township. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, Butler County Unit, Mercy North Hospital, 100 Riverfront Plz., Hamilton, Ohio 45011; or American Cancer Society, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

Luther S. Brewer
Luther Steven Brewer, 53, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 1, 2001, at his home in Torrance. Mr. Brewer was born in Middletown on June 19, 1947. Survivors include daughter, Tessa Godinez of Oxnard; son, Steven Brewer of Germany; grandchildren, Damian and Arianna Godinez and Kaylee Myers; sister, Diana Demostenses; and brothers, Charles Brewer of Middletown, and Mike Brewer of Indiana.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service was held Saturday at Santa Clara Chapel, El Rio 1333 East Ventura Blvd., Calif., 93030. Arrangements were under the direction of James A. Reardon Mortuary, 511 N. A St., Oxnard.

Doshie B. Collins
Mrs. Doshie B. Collins, 85, of Norfolk, Va., passed away Thursday, April 5, 2001, in Norfolk. She was born on Nov. 30, 1915, in Wise County, Va. Mrs. Collins was a member of Burrows Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elisha Collins in 1973. Among her survivors is a daughter, Betty Miller, and her husband, Kenneth W. Nobles; two sons, Rhea Sanders, and his wife, Linda, and Clyde R. Miller, and his wife, Debbie; four stepsons, Floyd, Bobby and Herbert Collins and Pleas Miller Jr.; two stepdaughters, Martha Penwell and Ellen Ellis; a daughter-in-law, Janice Miller; a sister, Bessie M. Stallard; 10 grandchildren; an aunt, Gladys Hall; and a host of other family members and friends, especially, Wilma Loveland.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Butler County Memorial Park Chapel in Trenton. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Memorial Park Chapel. Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home in Middletown is handling arrangements.

William H. Egelston
William H. "Bill" Egelston, 68, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Edward White Hospital in Florida. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, and moved to St. Petersburg in 1990 from Miamisburg, Ohio, where he retired as a supervisor for Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co. after 41 years service. Mr. Egelston was a past master of Eastern Star Masonic Lodge 55 of Franklin, Ohio, and was an avid bowler in leagues at Eastern Lanes. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Christine; two sons, William R. and Scott A., both of Middletown; two daughters, Cecelia A. "Chee Chee" of Springboro, Ohio, and Cindy R. Hoffman of Cincinnati; two brothers, Charles "Bud" Egleston of Middletown and Ernest "Ernie" Egelston of Franklin, Ohio; two sisters, Mary Vandever of Middletown and Imogene Priest of Franklin; and seven grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Memorial services will be private for the family only. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home & Cremation Services of St. Petersburg, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Ellison
Floyd Vernon Ellison, 92, of Middletown, died peacefully April 6, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital following a brief illness. A native of West Union, Ohio, he was the son of Rose (Eagle) and William Ellison. Mr. Ellison came to Middletown in 1930 after graduating from business school to begin his career at Armco Steel, retiring in 1962 as comptroller of Armco International Corporation. After retirement he was a management consultant to Charles Huber and the many Huber enterprises in Dayton. Mr. Ellison was also an avid golfer, crafter of beautiful marquetry pieces and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Preceding him in death in 1984 was his loving wife of 52 years, Virginia (Leasure) Ellison; and his son-in-law Langdon Leslie "Les" Leighton, in 2000. Mr. Ellison is survived by his daughter, Marcia Leighton; two grandsons, Peter Leighton and his wife, Lesley (Blum) of Cincinnati, and David Leighton and his wife, Julie (McGee) of Middletown; and five great-grandchildren, John, Christopher and Stephen Leighton of Cincinnati, and Adam and Sarah Leighton of Middletown.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Woodside Mausoleum, followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Robert J. Weingartner officiating.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, Ohio 45044. Arrangements are being handled by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

Peggy Walton Erwin
Peggy Walton Erwin, 71, of Sugar Land, Texas, died Saturday, April 7, 2001. She was born in Middletown on April 10, 1929 and was a graduate of Middletown High School, class of 1947. She was a member of William's Trace Baptist in Sugar Land, Texas. She is survived by two sons, Jeffery (Diane) Salmon of Middletown and Robert L. (Chris) Hawthorn of Woodsen Terrace, Mo.; a daughter, Johanna (Gregory) Cox of Sugar Land, Texas; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; several nieces and nephews and cousins in the Middletown area. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nora Clark, and a brother, Kenneth E. Walton.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held Thursday at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Perry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to William's Trace Baptist Church, 3103 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas, 77479.

Jackie Frisby
Jackie Frisby, 34, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2001. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 28, 1966, a daughter of John David and Wilma Jean (Coffee) Morris. She was a member of the Amanda Baptist Church. She is survived by her mother, Wilma Amburgey of Middletown; a sister, Melissa Jean Taylor of Corbin, Ky.; two brothers, John Morris of Cincinnati and Paul Nicholas Goodale of Bedford, Mass.; her paternal grandmother, Betty Morris; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Sue Rose; paternal grandfather, Arthur Morris; and an infant daughter, Susan Nicole Ballein.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with Pastor Chris Tannreuther officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Simonson Chapel Cemetery.

Richard T. Fry
MIAMISBURG -- Richard Thomas Fry, 76, of 6059 Hill Ave., Chautauqua, Miamisburg, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2001, at Bethany Lutheran Village in Centerville. He was born on Aug. 15, 1924, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Herman and Helen (Rotterman) Fry. He was employed in the felt mill for Bird & Son, formerly Logan Long Co., retiring in 1981 after 32 years. He was a member of the Franklin First Church of God. He was preceded in death by his brother, William Fry; an infant brother; and sisters Mary, Betty and Nancy. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth of Miamisburg; a son, Tom Fry of Florida; a daughter, Pam Fry Weimer of Springboro; three brothers, Walter Fry of West Carrollton, Lester Fry of Michigan and Robert Fry of Red Lion; two sisters, Margaret Norris of Carlisle and JoAnn Purkey of Franklin; four grandchildren, Brian Weimer, Sherry Feltner, Amber Potts and Ronnie Fry; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew Fry and Rylee Potts.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Eaton-Anderson & Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Douglas Sczerba officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, Ohio.

Virginia Garrison
FRANKLIN -- Virginia "Marie" Garrison, 81, of Franklin died Sunday morning April 8, 2001, at Willow Knoll Nursing Home. A native of Breathitt County, Ky., she was the daughter of John and Mary Bell (Burse) Haddix, who preceded her in death, along with her husband, Arthur. She was a Girl Scout leader for 25 years, a Sunday school teacher and a member of Faith Baptist Church. She is survived by her daughter, Delores, (Ed) Brooks of Franklin; four grandchildren, Marie, Ed, Art and Paul; two great-grandchildren Megan and Ezra and several nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all of us and others.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Eaton-Anderson & Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Norman Meadows officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial in Monroe Cemetery.

Owen Giddens
TRENTON -- Owen Giddens, 52, of Trenton, passed away in Fort Hamilton Hospital on Friday, April 6, 2001, at 4:55 a.m. He was born May 3, 1948, in Ocala, Fla., the son of Lester and Margarett (Davis) Giddens. Owen was employed as a driver for Turnbull Concrete Company for 10 years. He was a member of Cherry Valley United Baptist Church. On June 2, 1972, in Ocala, Fla., he married Brenda Brackett. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Giddens of Trenton; daughter, Margarett Braaksma and her husband Phil of Kettering; mother-in-law, Mattie Brackett of Trenton; granddaughter, Lexi Braaksma; and two step-grandchildren, Casey and Phillip Braaksma; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul Giddens.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at Cherry Valley United Baptist Church, 1500 Parkamo Ave., Hamilton, with Pastor Claude Robertson and the Revs. Roger Williams and Arnie Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Flat Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Brown Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave., Hamilton.

James H. Hatcher
CARLISLE -- James H. Hatcher, 27, of Carlisle, died at his residence Monday, April 2, 2001. He was born on Sept. 14, 1973, the son of Walter H. Hatcher Jr. and Carol S. Bolden. He attended Madison High School. Mr. Hatcher was employed by American Heat Treating. He attended Grace Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. Mr. Hatcher is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Bussell) Hatcher; his mother, Carol S. Bolden of Middletown; father Walter H. Hatcher Jr. of Middletown; a stepdaughter, Kala Cowgill; a stepson Cameron Cowgill; a brother, Van S. (wife Rachel) Hatcher of Gratis; a nephew, Dakota Scott Hatcher; maternal grandmother, Ethel Amburgey; maternal grandfather, J. C. Amburgey of Chicago; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; five sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter H. Hatcher Sr. and Monnie Hatcher.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown, with the Rev. Roger Green officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044; or PAWS Animal Shelter, 2790 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Middletown 45044.

Edna Hazelwood
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Edna Hazelwood, 70, of Franklin, passed away at Middletown Regional Hospital on Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at 3:43 p.m. She was born in Clay County, Ky., on March 22, 1931, the daughter of Lucian and Minnie Allen. On Jan. 5, 1957, in Jellico, Tenn., she married James Hazelwood. She is survived by her husband, James Hazelwood of Franklin; two sons, James Douglas Hazelwood of Franklin and David Hazelwood of Blue Ash; three brothers, Winton Allen, and his wife, Ruth, of Trenton, Fla., Millard Allen, and his wife, Carol, of Maineville, Ohio, and Wesley Allen, and his wife, Cathy, of Groveland, Fla.; two sisters, Margie Curtis, and her husband, Richard, of Sacramento, Calif., and Jessie Vickers, and her husband, Larry, of Kenansville, Fla.; three granddaughters, Nichole, Tabitha and Jackie Hazelwood; one great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ralph E. Allen; and a sister, Betsy Lee Pennington.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Ave., Hamilton, Ohio, on Monday, April 9, 2001, at 10 a.m., with the Rev. John Carter Jr., Pastor of Trinity Family Fellowship, officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home in Hamilton.

Julia Sue Hewson
Former Middletown resident Mrs. Julia Sue (Loftin) Hewson, a native of Mount Holly, N.J., and a resident of Gulf Shores, Ala., and Beverly Healthcare Center, Fairhope, Ala., died at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2001, in Thomas Hospital, Fairhope, Ala. Mrs. Hewson was a graduate of Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Va., and was 46 years of age. She is survived by her parents, Gordy E. and Sue Loftin of Gulf Shores, Ala.; a sister, Laura (Loftin) Boyer, and brother-in-law, Thomas F. Boyer, and two nephews, Thomas Frantz Boyer and James Gordy Boyer, all of Marietta, Ga.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2001, at the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 616 Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores, Ala.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2346, Gulf Shores, Ala. 36547-2346, to be distributed in accordance with family wishes. Cremation arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home and Crematory, Highway 59, Robertsdale, Ala.

Alma Hoover
FRANKLIN -- Mrs. Alma Hoover, 88, of Franklin, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at Willow Knoll Nursing Home in Middletown. She was born in Greenbrier, Tenn., on April 20, 1912, and had lived in the Franklin area for 55 years. Mrs. Hoover was the owner/operator of The Spot Restaurants and Drive-In and had worked there for 30 years before retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Breiel Boulevard First Church of God in Middletown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Noble V. Hoover in May, 1994; her parents, Benjamin and Bessie Choate; a grandson, Edward H. Reid in 1976; sisters Bethel Clark and Billy Yenser; and a half brother, Robert Givens. Among her survivors are two daughters, Dolores "Dody" Reid, and her husband, Chester, of Middletown, and Dorothy "Dot" Bowling, and her husband, Winslow "Win", of Franklin; six grandchildren, Debra Smithson, Cheryl Gilmore, Patrick Sebastian, Frankie Doepers, Cheryl Palmer and Brad Bowling; nine grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, at the Breiel Boulevard First Church of God, North Breiel Boulevard, Middletown, with the Rev. David Colp officiating. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton. Friends may call today, April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the Breiel Boulevard First Church of God Youth Fund, 2000 N. Breiel Blvd., Middletown 45042.

Arlene R. Howard
Arlene R. Howard (nee DeWitt), 63, of Zanesville, formerly of Middletown, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2001. She was born in Middletown on May 12, 1937, to the late Cyril L. and Kathryn Dietz (nee Wallace) DeWitt. She worked at the Lear Corporation in Zanesville for 24 years. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Pierce, and son, Phillip Howard, both of Newark; four grandchildren, Lauren and Jessica Pierce, and Nicole and Nicholas Howard; a great-granddaughter; two brothers, Dwight DeWitt of Miami Township and Richard (Vicki) Dietz of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Poasttown.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Muskingum County Animal Shelter, 1431 Serenity Lane, Zanesville, 43701. Dalton Funeral Home, Germantown, is serving the family.

Virginia M. Howard
Virginia Mary Howard, 84, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at Willow Knoll Retirement Community. She was born in Fayetteville, Ohio, on March 16, 1917, the daughter of the late Nicholas Carlier and Anna Margaret (Sellner) Carlier. Mrs. Howard was a member of Holy Trinity Church of Holy Family Parish. She played golf with the Housewives League of Armco and the Armco Couples League. She was also an avid bowler. Mrs. Howard was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. She leaves a daughter, Phyllis Jean (Charles) Rouster of Middletown; four grandchildren, Charles (Shelly) Rouster Jr. and Bill Rouster, both of Middletown, Cheryl L. (Scott) Mischkulnig of Ross, Ohio, and Lora (Mike) Lietz of Middletown; and great-grandchildren, Pete and Ali Rouster, Maggie and Max Mischkulnig and Dan, Joe and John Lietz. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Howard on Dec. 8, 2000; her parents; brothers Burt, Bernard and Nicholas Carlier; and sisters Bernadette McMichael, Bernadene Long and Lucille Snyder.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Holy Trinity Church, with Father John Civille as celebrant. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery, Middletown. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home.
MEMORIALS: Contributions in Mrs. Howard's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 644 Linn St., Suite 1026, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203.

Mabel Huff
Mabel Huff, 90, of Middletown, died Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Garden Manor Retirement Village. She was born Dec. 15, 1910, to the late Edmond S. and Rosa (Moore) Palmer in Middletown. Mabel was the owner of the Arlington Beauty Shop in Middletown, where she worked as a beautician for several years. She was also a member of the Hunter United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She is survived by her son, Richard G. Butterfield of Bradenton, Fla.; three brothers, Floyd Palmer, Wilford Palmer and Kenneth Palmer, all of Middletown; two sisters, Edith Easter and Marjorie Gardner, both of Middletown; granddaughters, Kristi (Mike) Back, Laurie (Rick) Grubb, and eight other grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Ralph Richard Butterfield; second husband, Jacob E. Huff; daughter, Faye Profitt; two brothers, Harold and Leroy Palmer; three sisters, Norma Stewart, Veda Wilson and Ruth Post; and one grandchild.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. at Bonita Drive. The Rev. Robert Airhart II will officiate. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hunter Community United Methodist Church, Shaker and Fisher roads, Franklin, Ohio, 45005.

Harold Jackson Jr.
Harold "Jesse" Jackson Jr., 47, of Middletown, died at his home on Wednesday evening, April 4, 2001. He was born on Feb. 15, 1954, to Harold L. and Juanita (Lawson) Jackson Sr. Jesse served in the Navy and had worked in building maintenance for Miami University both on the Oxford and Middletown campuses. He was a member of the Christian Assembly of God. He liked fishing, camping and sports. He was creative and liked to draw. Mr. Jackson is survived by his wife, Karen; three sons, Shawn (Jamie) Jackson, Ryan Myers and Brandon Myers, all of Middletown; three daughters, Katrina Jackson of Dayton, Heidi Jackson of Trenton and Cherish Jackson of Middletown; his parents, Harold and Juanita Jackson Sr.: four brothers, Randy, Marvin, Aaron and Norman Jackson, all of Hamilton; and a sister, Cathy Garrett of Hamilton. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Corey, Jacob, Dylan, Brianna, Savannah and Codi. He was preceded in death by his sister, Yvonne Jackson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at the Christian Assembly of God, 6830 Trenton-Franklin Road, Monday, April 9, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Don Dohm will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to time of service from noon to 1 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. Arrangements are by Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home.

Marie Kimberlin
Marie Kimberlin, 81, of Middletown, passed away Monday, April 1, 2001, at Glen Meadows Nursing Home. She was born in Corbin, Ky., on Sept. 23, 1919, and lived in the Middletown area for more than 60 years. Marie had done child care work in her home and was a member of the Grace Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brent and Laura (Wilder) Adams; five brothers, Ledford, Roger, Oscar, Arthur and Homer Adams; and three sisters, Wilma Smith, Ida Mae Whistler and Faye Cruze. She is survived by two brothers, Raleigh Adams and Paul Adams, both of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Joseph Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice, 1132 West Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240.

Kenneth D. Koons
FRANKLIN -- Kenneth David Koons, 45, formerly of Franklin, died Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at his residence. He was born in Middletown, Ohio, on Dec. 6, 1955, the son of Darrell Kenneth and Barbara (Ivins) Koons. He graduated from Franklin High School with the class of 1974. Mr. Koons was employed for the past 20 years at Concrete Technology in Springboro as a mixer operator. He was preceded in death by his father in 1973. Surviving are his wife, Donna Williams; his mother, Barbara Koons of Franklin; two daughters, Kelley Koons of Miamisburg and Hope Williams of Dayton; two brothers, Kurt Koons of Middletown and Keith Koons of Franklin; grandmother Kathleen Ivins of Trenton; grandchildren Xavien and A. J.; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today, April 7, at Eaton-Anderson & Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, with the Rev. Doug Sczerba officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.

George C. Lamb Jr.
Former Middletown resident George C. Lamb Jr., of Durham, N.C., died peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2001, at Duke University Medical Center, with his family by his side. George was born in Middletown, Ohio, on June 9, 1925. A top tennis player in the Middletown area, he was junior tennis champion while in high school. After high school, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Following the war, he attended the University of Virginia where he met Pat (Elizabeth Boteler Lamb), his wife of 49 years. He then earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. George began work for the United Parcel Service in 1952 and never left the company, becoming UPS's national operations manager in 1972 and chairman and chief executive officer in 1980. George headed the company until retirement in 1984. He remained on the company's board of directors until 1990. George guided UPS through an unprecedented period of growth and success and was especially proud of the company's business ethics. He was truly honored to have worked for a company that exemplified the high integrity which was the guiding principle of both his business and personal life. George was a religious and charitable man who supported medical research at Duke University, the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, which is home to the Elizabeth B. Lamb Center, a pediatric research facility. He also launched UPS's first employee United Way Campaign. Today, UPS is the second largest United Way contributor in the country. George is survived by his wife, Pat; children George Lamb III, William Lamb, Claire Solly and Margaret Lamb; grandchildren, twins Elizabeth and Carolyn Lamb, Joseph and Elizabeth Reed Solly, and Charlsea and Ellen Lamb; and his sister, Sally Rigby. They love and will miss him very much.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Durham, N.C., where he was a member. Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home of Durham, N.C., is assisting the Lamb family.

Charles R. Landis
HAMILTON -- Charles R. Landis, 70, of Hamilton, died Sunday, April 8, 2001, at 11:20 p.m. in his home. He was born in New Miami, the son of Charles E. and Ida (Holland) Landis. He was a 1948 graduate of Hamilton High School and attended the University of Cincinnati. Mr. Landis was a U.S. Army veteran serving in France during the Korean War from Sept. 10, 1948, to July 9, 1951. He married Malvrie Paragin in Liberty, Ind., on March 2, 1957. He was an associate account specialist for Armco Steel Co. from 1953 until his retirement from the Butler Pennsylvania Works in 1990. He was a member of the University Baptist Church, Middletown, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1069 in Fairfield and the High Point Lodge 773 Free & Accepted Masons, Monroe. He is survived by his wife, Malvrie; two sons, Charles R. Landis, and wife, Mary E., of Nashville, Tenn., and Stephen R. Landis, and wife, Karla, of Miamisburg, Ohio; his daughter, Karen R. Corbett, and husband, William, of Cincinnati; a brother, Ralph Landis, and wife, Ruby, of Hamilton; a sister, Irene Elston of Daly City, Calif.; two grandchildren, Kayla and Joshua Corbett; and many other family members and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N. W. Washington Blvd., Hamilton, with the Rev. Nolan Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.

Fred E. Melling
CAMDEN -- Fred E. Melling, 60, of Camden, Ohio, died Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born on Oct. 3, 1940, in Eaton, Ohio, to the late Kenneth and Dollie M. (Griffin) Melling and lived in Preble County, Ohio, all his life. He was a U.S Army veteran. He was a supervisor at Hoosier Container, Richmond, Ind. Mr. Melling was a member of Eagles Lodge Aerie 2202 in Eaton, American Legion Post 215 in Eaton, National Rifle Association and the Fort St. Clair Gun Club. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Melling; his mother, Dollie M. Roberts; and sisters Doris and Patricia Melling. Surviving are his wife, Sandra L. (West) Melling, to whom he was married on Nov. 6, 1959; daughters Lynette (Doug) Combs of Gratis, Carolyn Hopkins of Middletown and Cathy (Michael) Hawkins of Camden; four grandchildren, Desiree Calloway, Kyle Swartz, Morgan Hopkins and Tyler Hawkins; a sister, Vicki (Tom) Dougherty of Gratis Township; a niece, Sherri Evans; nephew Matthew Dougherty; and a great-niece, Jessika Evans.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, 226 W. Main St., Eaton, Ohio, with the Rev. Greg F. Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Mound Hill Union Cemetery, Eaton, with military graveside services conducted by the Preble County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown, Ohio 45044.

William L. Otte
William L. Otte, 74, of Middletown, died Tuesday, April 3, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Dec. 16, 1926, to Louis Otte and Barbara (Krebs) Otte. Mr. Otte was a member of St. John's Church of Holy Family Parish. He was a World War II Army veteran. He was formerly employed an inspector at Armco Steel Co. He worked there for 42 years before retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1610 and a past member of American Legion Post 218 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3809. He leaves two sons, John L. Otte of Gardner, N.C., and Stephen A. (Lee Ann) Otte of Middletown; three daughters, Ann M. (Bernard) Esselman, Mary C. (Timothy) Hudson and Helen E. (Robert) Penny, all of Middletown; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, William J. Otte in 1992; and two sisters, Helen Otte and Mary Hurr.
ARRANGEMENTS: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6, at St. John's Church of Holy Family Parish, with Father Chuck Mentrup as celebrant. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery. American Legion Post 218 Honor Guard will conduct military rites at the graveside. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home.
MEMORIALS: Contributions in Mr. Otte's name may be made to Hospice of Middletown, 4414 Lewis St., Middletown 45044.

Mattie Sims
Mrs. Mattie Sims, 63, of Middletown, died Monday, April 2, 2001, at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. She was born on Sept. 13, 1937, in Statham, Ga., to the late Erastus and Emma Johnson. She was a resident of Middletown for 42 years. She was employed at Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Community for 11 years. Mattie was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd and Oscar Johnson; and sister-in-law, Geneva Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 42 years, James Sims of Middletown; three sons, James R. (Shawn) Sims Jr. of Middletown, John W. (Jeryce) Sims of Washington, D.C., and James A. Sims of Middletown; one daughter, Mattie D. Sims of Middletown; two brothers, Perry (Cynthia) Johnson of Philadelphia, Pa., and Columbus (Francis) Johnson of Statham, Ga.; one sister, Helen Johnson of Statham, Ga.; four grandchildren, Aaron, Ariel, Autumn and Kennedy Sims; one great-grandchild, Amonte Sims; and a host of relatives and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Hall-Jordan Memorial Chapel, 918 S. Main St., Middletown. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairfield Baptist Church in Statham, Ga. Interment will be in the Fairfield Baptist Church Cemetery. (Eberhart & Son Funeral Home, Winder, Ga., 131 King St. 30680 Phone 770 867-9292.)

Robert G. Small
GERMANTOWN -- Robert G. Small, 75, of Germantown, passed away Monday, April 2, 2001, at his residence. He was born in Newburyport, Mass., on Dec. 9, 1925, to the late Lester and Elizabeth (Nelson) Small. He was retired from American Freight Line. Robert was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Middletown YMCA. He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross and a member of the Teamsters Retiree's Club. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Audrey (Hutchinson) Small; three sons, Thomas Sheridan of Baton Rouge, La., Richard, and his wife, Kim Small, of Dayton, and Chris Small of Germantown; two daughters, Gloria, and her husband, Jerry Staten, of Dowagiac, Mich., and Melanie, and her husband, Paul Drerup, of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Eleanor Abby of Newburyport, Mass.; 12 grandchildren, Holly Wright, Mark and Andy Staten, Chris Sheridan, Sheila Hannahs, Joe Mythos, and Michael, Amy, Nina, Jason, Amanda and Shawna Small; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Germantown, with Pastor Del Harper officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Arpp & Root Funeral Home in Germantown.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Elsie Ward
FRANKLIN -- Elsie Ward, 69, of Franklin, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Logan Ward; brother, Jerry Lee; and sister, Darla Osborn Rodriguez. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Mayabb and her husband, Dennis Gosney of Kettering; son, Wade Ward and wife, Marie of Goshen; grandchildren, Jared Mayabb, Adam Gosney, James Christopher Gerhardt and Linsey Gerhardt; great-grandson, Cameron Mayabb; sisters, Ella Emery of West Chester, Rella Cotton of Carlisle, Betty Peters of Carlisle, Deanna Johnson of Kentucky; and brothers, Ronald and Darrell Cox of Kentucky.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Newcomer-Barclay Funeral Home, 3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering. Interment will be in David's Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Henry Wood
Henry Wood, 92, of Middletown, Ohio, died Monday, April 2, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Allen Station, Ky., on Feb. 6, 1909, the son of Sam and Susie (Gardner) Wood. He was preceded in death by his wife, Robinette. Mr. Wood was formerly employed in construction for Olinger Brick Co. and retired in 1970.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6, at Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, with the Rev. Doug Sczerba officiating. Eaton-Anderson & Unglesby Funeral Home, 1357 E. Second St., Franklin, is in charge of arrangements.