Howard Schunk
Howard W. Schunk, 81, died Friday, Aug. 10, 2001. He was the beloved husband of Virginia C. (Roellinger) Schunk, dear father of Nancy (Dennis) Gates of Cincinnati, Jerry (Barbara) Schunk of Middletown and Ken (Cheryl) Schunk of New Hampshire; brother of Ruth Martz and Irene (Howard) Finn; grandfather of Abby, Dan, Caroline, Johanna, Andrew and David Schunk, Kristin and Adam Gates. He was a member of Cheviot Fire Association and Goldenaire Seniors.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be from Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 4418 Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. until time of the service.
MEMORIALS: If so desired, memorials may be made to the above church.

Grace G. Shafer
GRATIS -- Mrs. Grace G. (Kiracofe) Shafer, 92, of Gratis, Ohio, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001, in Fairborn, Ohio. She was born in Gratis on Nov. 27, 1908, to Martin Luther and Lucy (Eby) Kiracofe. Grace was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph E. Shafer and Robert Smith Sr. She had worked for 28 years at McCall Corp. in Dayton. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Bill Fulmer of Fairborn; three grandsons, Richard Vance of Lake Tahoe, Calif., Ronald Vance of Hyrum, Utah, and William Fulmer of Dayton, Ohio; a great-grandson, Graham Fulmer of Dayton; four brothers, Howard (Jean) Kiracofe of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Clayton (Evelyn) Kiracofe of Sidney, Albert Kiracofe of Gratis and Alfred (Lee) Kiracofe of South Haven, Mich.; two sisters, Helen (Elbert) Brubaker of Camden and Betty (Marvin) Willis of Gratis; three stepdaughters, Norma Jarrett of West Carrollton, Janet Welcome of Eaton and Phyllis Cummins of Huber Heights; a stepson, Charles Smith of Dayton; sister-in-law, Margie Kiracofe of Warren, Ind.; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Also deceased were three sisters, Louise Patton, Virginia Shafer and Edith Snyder; a brother, Eugene Kiracofe; an infant daughter, Joanne Shafer; and a stepson, Robert Smith Jr. The family wishes to thank the care-givers at Patriot Ridge Nursing Home for their excellent comfort and compassion.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at Gratis Church of the Brethren on Ada Doty Street, Gratis, with the Rev. Robert Caplinger officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Gratis. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MEMORIALS: Memorial donations may be made to the church.

Velma Sparks
Velma Jean Sparks, 67, of Irvine, Ky., died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2001, at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville, Ky., and had lived in Middletown most of her life. She was a deli worker at several supermarkets in the Middletown area and was a member of the Yankee Road Church of God. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Carrie (Hall) Webb, and husband, Raymond "Kayo" Sparks. She is survived by her sons, Rex Sparks of Irvine, Ky. and Gary Sparks of Camden; a daughter, Donna Hocz of Grants Pass, Ore.; a sister, Lorena Gilbert of Middletown; grandchildren, Abby, Valerie, Jason and Aaron; great-grandson, Evan Michael, and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 105 McKnight Drive, Middletown 45044.

George J. Tsolometes
George J. Tsolometes, beloved husband of Anastasia Tsolometes (nee Simitakos); devoted father of John, Peter (Trina) and Jimmy (Maria) Tsolometes; loving grandfather of George, Anastasia, Elum and Dorothy Tsolometes; died unexpectedly Aug. 7, 2001. He was 79. Mr. Tsolometes was a longtime restaurateur.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call at the Vorhis Funeral Home, 11365 Springfield Pike, Springdale, from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 7000 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.
MEMORIALS: If desired, sympathy may be expressed in the form of a memorial contribution to the church or charity of the donor's choice.

Frances Wander
Frances A. Wander, 68, of Hamilton, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 11. She was born on Jan. 16, 1933, in Middletown, the daughter of Ralph and Lillie (Hains) Burgher. She was married on June 9, 1954, in Monroe to James Wander, who survives her. She was employed as a research analyst for Citimortgage in St. Louis for 15 years until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church and she loved to quilt and was a loving and generous person. She is survived by her husband, James; three children, a son, Jay (Lisa) Wander of Hamilton; two daughters, Julie (Jim) Brace of Liberty Township and Jennifer (Mark) of Behnke of St. Louis; two sisters, Riva (Leroy) Beatty of Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, and Nancy Huffman of Middletown; three grandchildren, Kathryn and Jennifer Brace of Liberty Township and Sara Behnke of St. Louis, and many loving nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church in Hamilton with Father Timothy Bunch officiating. Friends may visit Wednesday evening, Aug. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m.
MEMORIALS: The family has asked for memorial donations to be sent to Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash 45242.

James C. Coleman
CAMDEN -- James C. Coleman, 63, of Camden, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, at Hospice of Dayton. Jim was born on Aug. 14, 1937, in Somers Township to John and Kathryn (Charles) Coleman. He retired from Miami Paper with 38 years of service. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Coleman. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jean L. (Toms) Coleman; his mother, Kathryn Coleman; a daughter, Chris (Don) Smith; two sons, James (Michelle) Coleman and John (Debbie) Coleman; three stepsons, Timothy (Cheryl) Zink, James "Mike" (Debbie) Zink and Andy (Betty) Zink; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Dalton Funeral Home, corner of Ohio 4 and Weaver Road in Germantown. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Monday at the Fairmount Cemetery in Camden.
MEMORIALS: If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton. Contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Sarah Combs
Mrs. Sarah "Ollie" Combs, 70, of 840 Jackson Lane, passed away Sunday evening, Aug. 5, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was born in Morgan County, Ky., on May 1, 1931, a daughter of John and Cordie (Craft) Blair. She had formerly worked for Forest Hills Country Club and for Goodwill Industries. Mrs. Combs was a member of the Solid Rock Church. Her husband, William "Buster" Combs, preceded her in death by one day. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Mike Doll of Middletown; two granddaughters, Sarah and Stephanie; and three sisters, Ica Ferguson of Florida, Rose Isbel of Georgia and Hazel Lawson of Carlisle, Ohio. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Ethel Pratt, Bethel Nickell and Nila Back.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Solid Rock Church, with Pastors Darlene and Lawrence Bishop officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in North Monroe Cemetery. Arrangements are by Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home.

William C. Combs
William C. "Buster" Combs, 79, formerly of 840 Jackson Lane, Middletown, passed away Saturday morning at Garden Manor Retirement Community. He was born July 4, 1922, in Middletown, the son of William and Dixie (McQuinn) Combs. He served with the Marine Corps during World War II, seeing combat with the 4th Marine Division in Saipan, Tinian, the Marshall Islands and Iwo Jima, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Later, he enlisted in the Army and was discharged from the National Guard as a sergeant 1st class. He was also employed as an industrial painter before retiring. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Earl Combs. He is survived by his wife, Sarah (Blair) Combs; a daughter, Elaine (Mike) Doll of Middletown; and two granddaughters, Sarah and Stephanie.
ARRANGEMENTS: Military services will be conducted by the American Legion Post 218 Color Guard at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at North Monroe Cemetery.

Rev. Albert Creekbaum
The Rev. Albert E. Creekbaum, 96, of Winter Haven, Fla., formerly of Middletown, Ohio, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001, at 7:47 p.m. at Integrated Health Services in Winter Haven. He was born on June 5, 1905, in Powell County, Ky. He lived most of his life in Middletown but had lived in Florida for the past three and a half years. He was self-employed in real estate and home construction. Rev. Creekbaum was also a minister at the Grand Avenue First Church of God and a member of the Towne Boulevard First Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Benjamin and Lucinda Creekbaum; and his wife, Nannie Lee (Hall) Creekbaum in 1987. Surviving are a daughter, Betty P. Napier of Middletown; a son, Joe K. Creekbaum, and his wife, Karen, of Winter Haven, Fla.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Towne Boulevard First Church of God, 3722 Towne Boulevard, Middletown. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Church, with the Rev. Frank Curtis officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements are by Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown.

David F. Dillon
David F. Dillon, 76, of Middletown, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. He was born in Middletown on Sept. 10, 1924, the son of David and Julia (McDonough) Dillon. Mr. Dillon was a member of Holy Trinity Church of Holy Family Parish. He attended Miami University and the University of Cincinnati law school. He practiced law here in Middletown before going to work for the U.S. Government in Israel, India, Singapore and Kuala Lampur. He then became a teacher in Fremont, Calif., and retired from there. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. Surviving are a brother, John C. (Lucy) Dillon of Middletown; a twin sister, Agnes (John) Giorgis of Cleveland, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joseph M. and James P. Dillon; five sisters, Mary Dillon, Fran Dillon, Eileen Kercsmar, Margaret Miller and Irene Cahill.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Holy Trinity Church, with Father John Civille as celebrant. The family will receive friends from 8:30 to 9 a.m. in the vestibule of the Church prior to Mass.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice. Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Ernest L. Franklin
FRANKLIN -- Ernest LeRoy "Sonny Boy" Franklin, 70, of Franklin, Ohio, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, at the Franklin Ridge Nursing Home. He was born on Jan. 28, 1931, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Edward R. Franklin and Della (Eakin) Franklin. Mr. Franklin worked as a toll and die maker for the Estee Mold and Die Co. in Dayton. He was a member of the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War. He is survived by a daughter and her husband, Melody and Louis West of Middletown; a son and his wife, Kevin and Stephanie Franklin, of Vandalia; three grandchildren, Rebecca West, Ashley Franklin and Sarah Franklin; and a sister and her husband, Delores and Glenn Woodward of Franklin. He was preceded in death by a sister, Violet Smelser; and four brothers, Melvin, Wilbur, Paul and John Franklin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home in Middletown with the Rev. James R. Compton officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum, Middletown.
MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 2936 Vernon Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219-9932.

B. G. Henderson
HAMILTON - B. G. Henderson, 61, of Hamilton, passed away on Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at his daughter’s residence. He was born on June 26, 1940, in Irvin, Ky., the son of John Noah and Eleanor Alma (Estes) Henderson. He worked as a machine operator for Delphi-Harrison Division of General Motors for 30 years until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1996. He was raised from birth by his grandparents, Claybourne and Alma Estes, and he called them mom and dad. His 11 aunts and uncles were always considered to be his brothers and sisters. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3986. He is survived by his children, Sandra (Ted) Jelliffe of Fairfield and Scott (Tracy) Henderson of Hamilton; two brothers, Voris (Mary) Estes of West Chester and Farrell (Lon) Estes of Phoenix, Ariz.; five sisters, Toni Lynn McLaughlin of Norridgewock, Maine, Lillian Stevens of Hernando, Fla., Geraldine Proffitt of London, Ky., Evelyn (Mike) James of Cincinnati and Joy Lauper of Hamilton; six grandchildren, Sean, Shane and Chase Jelliffe, all of Fairfield, and Stefanie, Alex and Emily Henderson, all of Hamilton. Dad will also be missed by many close family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Claybourne and Alma Estes; three brothers, Eldon (Virgie) Estes, Cecil Estes and Wyndal Estes; and a sister, Jessie (Bill) Hamm.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2001, at Kowalk Funeral Home, Rose Hill Chapel, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton, with the Rev. James Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may visit Monday morning, Aug. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Elma Ireton
Mrs. Elma Ireton, 85, of Hunter, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, at Middletown Regional Hospital. She was a Middletown native and lifelong area resident. Elma was born on March 18, 1916, to Asa T. and Nancy (Halsey) Spencer. She married Melvin Ireton and he preceded her in death. Mrs. Ireton was a beautician and member of the First United Methodist Church. She was an avid bridge player and an active member of the Community Mother's Club. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Cookie Merryman; and a brother, Glen Spencer. Surviving are a son, Don Ireton of Hunter, Ohio; a granddaughter, Gail Hamm of Monroe; great-grandchildren, Jon Cox and Amanda Cox of Monroe; a brother, Roger Spencer of Middletown; a sister, Clara Prater (Urkis) of Wisconsin; and a niece, Nancy Eaton (John) of Wisconsin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to the Middletown Area Senior Citizens Inc., or Ed Rusk Center, 140 N. Verity Parkway, Middletown 45042; or to the First United Methodist Church, 120 S. Broad St., Middletown 45044.

Brian McIntosh
Brian "Big Mac" McIntosh, 36, of Hamilton, Ohio, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001, in Fairfield, Ohio. He was born on March 21, 1965, in Middletown, Ohio. He was employed as a machine operator at Magnode. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Juanita (Stewart) McIntosh. Survivors include two brothers, Tim McIntosh of Trenton, Ohio, and Charles Michael Bailey and Wendy Kleinsmith (Pruitt) of Trenton; three nephews, Joshua McIntosh, Seth Bailey and Creed Pruitt; two nieces, Amber McIntosh and Kaitlyn Pruitt; and his stepmother, Joyce Bailey.
ARRANGEMENTS: Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown, is serving the family.

Alfred “Al” Millard
Alfred “Al” Millard, 73, of Lebanon, Ohio, formerly of Germantown, Carlisle and Springboro, Ohio, passed away Monday, Aug. 6, 2001. Alfred was born on Oct. 12, 1927, to the late James L. and Mary B. (Conrad) Millard. He retired from Delco Moraine in 1989 after 19 years of service. He was a member of the Union Chapel United Methodist Church, Germantown Masonic Lodge 257 Free & Accepted Masons, Twin Valley Chapter 240 Royal Arch Masons, Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton and Mound High Twelve. He was also a Kentucky Colonel. Mr. Millard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara L. (McKeever) Millard; his daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Jerry Muchmore of Pleasant Plain, Ohio; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Julie Millard of Middletown; four grandchildren, Kate and Nathan Muchmore and Caleb and Daniel Millard; and his sister, Norma Jean (Richard) Tracy of Franklin.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, three hours prior to the service, at the Dalton Funeral Home, corner of Ohio 4 and Weaver Road, Germantown. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. Thursday with Dr. Kenneth L. Galdeen officiating. (There will also be a Masonic service at 6:45 p.m.) Burial will be in the New Jersey Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Carlisle.

Edward Mynhier
Edward Mynhier, 78, of Middletown, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at Hospice of Dayton, where had been a patient for four days. He was born March 13, 1923 in Middletown, the son of Farmer and Martha (Kring) Mynhier, and lived here all his life. He worked as a delivery driver for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company for 17 years, a security guard for Mosler Safe and a delivery driver for Ditman’s Wholesale Candy before retiring. He also served in the Army during World War II. He is survived by a daughter, Darlene K. Dunlap of Middletown; a son, Thomas E. (Denise) Mynhier of Middletown; eight grandchildren, Jaclyn (Shawn) Herd, John Dunlap, Timothy Dunlap, Stacy (Dan) Curtis, Holly Eckhardt, Matthew Steenbergen, Tommy Mynhier and Amos Mynhier; six great-grandchildren, Summer, Cheyenne, Kayla, Devon, Nathaniel and Maliki; two brothers, Warren (Marie) Mynhier of Monroe and James F. “Junior” Mynhier of Middletown; and two sisters, Jocie (Todd) Davis and Ann (Virgil) Downs, both of Middletown. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois Mynhier; a son-in-law, Tim F. Dunlap; two brothers, Russell and Brack Mynhier; an infant twin sister, Ethel Mynhier; and another sister, Ruby Mynhier.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 at Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown, with the Rev. Don McCowan officiating. Burial will be at Dayton National Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the funeral home in care of Edward Mynhier.

Floyd E. Palmer
Floyd E. "Smokey" Palmer, 85, of Middletown, passed away Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, at 7:20 a.m. at Kensington Place, where he had resided for five years. He was born on July 9, 1916, in Lemon Township, Butler County, Ohio, and had lived in the Middletown area all his life. Mr. Palmer served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was employed as a foreman in the masonry department at Armco for 30 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of American Legion Post 218, Veterans of Foreign Wars Miami Valley Post 3809, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 501, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 528 and the National Rifle Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Rose (Moore) Palmer; two sons, Raymond Campbell and Richard Palmer; a granddaughter, Angela Campbell; two brothers, Lee and Harold Palmer; and four sisters, Ruth Post, Veda Wilson, Norma Stewart and Mabel Huff. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Rose "Peggy" Palmer; a daughter, Brenda Matthews, and husband, Bill, of Middletown; four sons, Edmond Palmer, and wife, Dorothy, of Valley Mills, Texas, Jerry Palmer of Valley Mills, Thomas Palmer of Waco, Texas, and William Palmer, and wife, Regina, of Anchorage, Alaska; 12 grandchildren, Tracey Miller, Tara Gairland, John Campbell, Dwayne Palmer, Pam Strahl, Richard Palmer Jr., Valerie Murphy, William, Timothy, Dina and Linda Palmer and Shawna Hicks; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wilford Palmer, and wife, Betty, and Kenneth Palmer, all of Middletown; and two sisters, Edith Easter, and husband, Everett, and Margie Gardner, all of Middletown.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Herr-Riggs Funeral Home, 210 S. Main St., Middletown. Funeral services will be at noon Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park in Trenton, with military services at the graveside by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 218.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vistas Hospice, 1132 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240.

Marilyn J. Parker
Marilyn J. Parker, 70, of Bellaire, Ohio, formerly of Camden, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at her home. A teacher, she began her career in 1955 as director of music at Camden-Shawnee Schools in Preble County. She is survived by a brother, Chester D. Parker Jr., of Massillon.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Toothman Funeral Home, 141 S. Marietta St., St. Clairsville. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made to Rock Hill Presbyterian Church or Belmont County Animal Rescue League.

John E. “Johnny” Sowers
John E. “Johnny” Sowers, 78, of Knoxville, Tenn., died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at Blount Memorial Hospital in Knoxville. He was born April 11, 1923 in Xenia, the son of Paul and Myrtle (Muterspaw) Sowers. He was the owner and operator of Skateway Roller Rink in Middletown and raced horses in Lebanon. He was also a veteran. He is survived by two daughters, Tina L. (Brian) Shanley of Aiea, Hawaii and Tracy L. (Harold) Hudson of Louisville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Broady Hudson, Kaitlynn Hudson and Anela Shanley; a sister, Louise (Mike) Walleman of St. Louis; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 at Baker-Stevens Funeral Home, 1500 Manchester Ave., Middletown, with the Rev. Russell Robold officiating. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in Xenia. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home.

Gladys Stacey
Mrs. Gladys Stacey, 87, of Middletown, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001, at Kensington Place in Middletown. She was born in Lebanon, Ohio, on Oct. 17, 1912, and was a lifelong resident of this area. Mrs. Stacey had worked as a welder at Armco Steel Co. during the Depression and as a sales clerk at J. C. Penney. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Stacey; a sister, Faye Owens; a son, Bill Long; her parents, Frank and Rose (Bickell) Charles; and two brothers, Bud Charles and Charles Charles. She leaves a son, Dennis Lee (Toni) Pieratt of Middletown; a daughter, Judy (Cecil) Murray of Seven Mile; a sister, Phyllis Charles of Middletown; a brother, Edward L. Charles of Middletown; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Stacey has donated her remains to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Baker-Stevens Funeral Home is serving the family.

Donald J. Stalker
Donald J. Stalker, 61, of Canton, Ohio, passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001, peacefully at his home following a short illness. Born in Middletown, Ohio, on May 2, 1940, to the late John Howard Stalker and Pauline Rosalie Meader Stalker, he was employed by the Hoover Co. for 31 years. He was a 1962 graduate of Ohio State University and served in the U.S. Army with a military police detachment. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2223, Hoover Co. Tuesday Night Golf League, AARP, OSU Alumni of Stark County, Par Investment Club and was a volunteer for Ohio Reads at Gibbs School in Canton. He is survived by his wife, Bette (Englehart) Stalker; three stepdaughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Gary Johns, Tammy and Greg Patterson and Sheri and Kirk Harrold; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Russell and Jeannette Harig; six grandchildren who loved him dearly; a brother, Robert Stalker of Angelica, N.Y.; four nieces, Arleen, Suzanne Sally and Sarah; and four nephews, David, Paul, Bill and Jon.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2001, in the chapel at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens, 3655 Wales Ave., Massillon, Ohio. Interment will follow. Pastor Janet Rhodes will officiate.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be given in Donald's name to The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave., S.W., P.O. Box 202, Wilmot, Ohio 44689; or Trinity United Church of Christ, 3909 Blackburn Road N.W., Canton, Ohio 44718.

Elsie Walters
Mrs. Elsie (Sponcil) Walters, 89, of Middletown, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, at Garden Manor Retirement Village. She was born on March 2, 1912, in Montgomery County, Ky., the daughter of John C. Sponcil and Sarah (Rogers) Sponcil. Mrs. Walters was a member of the Yankee Road First Church of God. She is survived by a daughter, Reniva Stokley of Middletown; a son, Vernon (wife Barbara) Walters of Bradenton, Fla.; two grandsons, Gary (wife Sharon) Stokley and Michael (fiancee Deborah Dexter) Stokley, both of Middletown; a granddaughter, Melissa Williams of Bradenton, Fla.; five great-grandchildren, Sabrina (husband Brian) Turner of Monroe, Valerie (fiancé Jeff Ruebush) Stokley, of Eaton, Ohio, Amanda Stokley and Gary Stokley, both of Middletown, and Jennifer Reed of Bradenton; and three great-great-grandchildren, Autumn, Brian and Haley Turner of Monroe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed O. Walters in 1989; her parents; a brother, Fred Sponcil; and three sisters, Pearl Highley, Adah Wingate and Ethel Carter.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Breitenbach-McCoy-Leffler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rodney Williams officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be at Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum.

Toni Rae Wells
Toni Rae Wells, 29, of New Castle, Ind., died Sunday afternoon, Aug. 5, 2001, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born on April 1, 1972, in New Castle, Ind., a daughter of Kenneth W. and Shirley (Tinch) Wells. She was a 1990 graduate of New Castle Chrysler High School and a 1999 graduate of Ivy Tech in Richmond, Ind. She was employed at New Castle State Developmental Center for six years. She was a member of Foursquare Gospel Church and enjoyed motorcycle riding, attending concerts and working with flowers. Survivors include her parents; a daughter, Sara Leigh Ann McLaughlin of New Castle; fiancé, John Paul McLaughlin of New Castle; two sisters, Sherry Thompson of Indianapolis and Kenna (husband Vernon) Roberts of Modoc, Ind.; a brother, David Wells of New Castle; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and mother and father-in-law, John and Jean McLaughlin of New Castle. She was preceded in death by a niece, Kasie Ann Roberts.
ARRANGEMENTS: Services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service of New Castle, Ind., with the Rev. Charles McDonald officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery, West Lawn. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today, Aug. 7, at the funeral home.