Dr. Russell John "Bug" Long
Died: Friday, August 16, 2002
Dr. Russell John "Bug" Long, 92, died August 16, 2002, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas, following a brief illness. Dr. Long was born in Ada, on March 16, 1910 to Emmett E. Long and Olive Hefner Long. As a young boy, the family legend goes, he brought a bright green tomato worm to show his newly born brother, James F. "Timer" Long, and henceforth was known as "Bug" Long. Bug earned his B.A. degree in Biology from Ohio Northern University in Ada in 1932 and his M.S. in Biology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1933. After tutoring high school students for a year, Bug joined the staff of the Ada Herald and worked there as news and sports editor, reporter and bookkeeper from 1935 until 1942. Bug always credited his experience working for Barton Snyder, publisher of the Ada Herald, for his ability to collect and organize data, and for his clear and concise writing, which served him well throughout his later teaching career.
In 1942 Bug was drafted into the army. He married Viona Elwood, also from Ada, Ohio in September, 1942 while he was stationed in Louisiana. Bug was stationed in Iran during most of the war as a tuba player with the 301st Army Band. He often recalled that while he was in Iran, the band accompanied Lily Pons, the operatic soprano, during her U.S.O. tour. Strings were added to the band to make a symphony orchestra, and they were conducted by Ms. Pons' husband, Andre Kostelanetz. Bug continued his love of music throughout his life, entertaining folks while playing the piano, the harmonica or the ocarina.
Bug returned to Ohio in 1945 and taught biology for a year at Miami University in Oxford. He earned his Ph.D in Biology at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1951. He was recruited in 1951 to teach at the then Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Long taught there at what became Lamar University from 1951 until his retirement in 1979. Among other courses he taught a vertebrate field course and the pre-med courses, histology and embryology. He received numerous awards for his teaching from his students and the University, including the Phi Kappa Phi Teaching Effectiveness Award for outstanding classroom instruction and was named a Regents' Professor of Biology and a Piper Professor. Upon his retirement he was granted the distinction of "Professor Emeritus."
Dr. Long was an avid amateur archaeologist all his life, and while at Lamar he published the monograph, McFaddin Beach, which describes paleo-artifacts, including Clovis, found on that beach on the Texas Gulf Coast. Dr. Long continued to share this knowledge through a "short-course," Early Man on the Texas Gulf Coast, which he taught at Lamar-Port Arthur until the year 2000. That course continues to be taught by his long-time friend and fellow amateur archaeologist, Morris Weeks. Dr. Long also shared this interest in archaeology through programs he gave for various organizations, including Boy Scouts, service organizations, and local elementary and secondary school classes. In addition Dr. Long contributed articles throughout his life to the Ohio Archaeologist, the publication of The Archaeological Society of Ohio, about Indian artifacts he had collected in Ohio.
Dr. Long was also a noted gardener. He hybridized amaryllis, enjoyed raising bromeliads, and was famous for his snapdragons, great bouquets of which he delivered to all his friends each spring. He was active in the Beaumont Garden Club, entering flowers each year in the annual Flower Show, and had a program on growing flowers which he shared with many organizations. He gave many plants to the Beaumont Botanical Gardens and funded a fountain there at Tyrrell Park as a memorial to his wife.
Dr. Long will be remembered for his love of learning and willingness to share that learning with one and all. We will miss his snapdragons in the springtime and his peanut butter fudge at Christmas. He often autographed his McFaddin Beach monograph with "The world is a wonderful place if you only stop and look around."
He is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Viona Elwood Long, and his brothers Richard "Dick," Jesse, and James "Timer" and his sister Dorothy "Dot" Thorpe.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret "Margie" Farnlacher, of Clayton, Ohio and his sons Robert (Cindy) of Pueblo, Colorado and John (Tamara Taylor) of Fallbrook, California, and his daughter Joyce Stevenson (Ken) of Cortez, Colorado, and grandchildren Clara and Mallory Long of Pueblo, Colorado, Benjamin and Alison Taylor Long of Fallbrook, California, and Andrea Stevenson of Kansas City, Kansas, and great grandson Aiden Russell Baehr of Kansas City, Kansas.
Dr. Long donated his body for use in education to the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. There was a memorial service Monday, August 19, 2002 at St. Paul's United Methodist church in Beaumont, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Russell J. Long Scholarship Fund, Lamar University, Department of Biology, P. O. Box 10037, Beaumont, TX 77710 or to the Beaumont Botanical 6 Gardens, 6088 Babe Zaharias Drive, Beaumont, TX 77705.
Natasha Marie Hale
Died: Thursday, August 15, 2002
Natasha Marie Hale, age 6 months, of Alger, died Thursday, August 15, 2002 at Children's Medical Center, Dayton.
She was born January 23, 2002 in Lima, to Christopher S. and Rita M. (Fee) Hale, both of whom survive in Alger.
Other survivors include a brother, Sean Allen Hale at home; and paternal grandparents: Doyal and Mary Hale of Alger, and Paul and Elizabeth Topping of Bellefontaine.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Tara Lynn Hale.
Services were held Monday, August 19 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger, with Rev. Calvin Waugh officiating.
Burial was in Preston Cemetery, Alger.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Gene E. Creps
Died: Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Gene E. Creps, 71, of Ada, died Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at Hardin Hills Health Center, Kenton.
He was born October 4, 1930 in Westminster, to Robert Lewis and Ida Mae (Brentlinger) Creps.
On September 4, 1954, he married Marilyn A. Gallant, who survives in Ada.
Other survivors include a son, David Gene Creps of Ada; a daughter, Tami (Ron) Freshcorn of Kenton; a brother, Donald (Margie) Creps of Lima; and three grandsons: Nathan, Derrick, and Andrew Freshcorn.
Mr. Creps retired in 1992 after 28 year of working for Ohio Power Company in the Lima and Findlay area.
He was a member of the Riley Creek Baptist Church of Bluffton, where he was formerly a Deacon and a Trustee. He was in the Church Jail Ministry program. He drove the Bluffton Senior Citizens van for several years, and he was an avid bowler.
Services were held Saturday, August 17 at Riley Creek Baptist Church, Bluffton, with Pastor Daivd Cass and Pastor David Lanquist officiating.
Burial was in Hasson Cemetery, Jenera.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Funeral home in charge of arrangements was Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada.
Leroy M. Dearing, PH.D
Died: Monday, August 12, 2002
Leroy M. Dearing, Ph.D., an inventor and a longtime activist for the preservation of Fryman Canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains, died August 12, 2002 at his Studio City home of natural causes after he suffered a stroke three years ago. He was 94.
Roy was born in 1908 in Sandstone, Mich., and raised at his family's farm nearby in Parma, Mich. He attended Antioch College in Ohio where he earned his B.S. in chemistry in 1930 and his M.S. in biochemistry in 1933. He earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Ohio State University in 1935.
Among Dr. Dearing's myriad inventions was the Solar Pool Blanket - the blue, bubble-wrap pool cover seen on many swimming pools worldwide.
He was Director of Research at Technicolor and Technical Director at Eastman Kodak, where he helped invent Kodacolor and Kodachrome film.
A Studio City resident for more than 50 years, Dearing was active in the community, serving on boards of directors of the Briarcliff Improvement Association and the Hillside Federation. Dearing worked diligently in helping the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy acquire land to keep it from being developed. The property is now Fryman Canyon Park, wherein lies the Betty B. Dearing Trail, named in honor of his late wife, herself an activist for preservation of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Dearing was a member of Studio City Residents Association, Studio City Rotary Club, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and a longtime member of Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church.
A gracious man who was devoted to his family and friends, Roy was cherished and respected by all who knew him. He enjoyed gardening, travel, golf, photography, concerts and movies.
He is survived by his son, Matthew Dearing; daughter, Mary Ellen Dearing; grandson, River Owen D. Blough; granddaughter, Meadow Jean D. Blough; sister, Alberta Atkinson; brother-in-law, Clarence Brown; nephew, Clancy Brown; nephew, David Atkinson; niece, Ann Pellegrino, and many other loving relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Brown Dearing in 1977; his second wife, Jane Lockridge Dearing in 1991; his dear friend Nancy Hoover Pohl in 2001; his sisters Aba Holtgren, and Mildred Farrell, and a brother, Van Dearing.
A memorial service was held Sunday, August 18 at Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church, Sherman Oaks.
A memorial fund has been established at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Donations may be made to the Mountains and Recreation Conservancy Authority in Roy's name to MRCA, 570 West Avenue 26, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90066.
Lela G. Roberts
Died: Sunday, August 11, 2002
Lela G. Roberts, 74, of Ada, died Sunday, August 11, 2002 at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born August 23, 1927 in Ada, to Charles F. and Goldie (Black) Wolfe, both of whom are deceased.
She married Kenneth Roberts, who died in November of 1987.
Survivors include two brothers: Harry Thomas (Mary) Wolfe of Rockford, Ohio and Neal C. (Ellen) Wolfe of Albion, Indiana; two sisters: Imogene Perkins of Chillicothe and Vivian Richards of Ada; a sister-in-law, Betty Wolfe of Albion, Indiana; several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant sister, Elizabeth Alice Wolfe; two brothers: Ned Wolfe and Charles Wolfe; a sister-in-law, Audrey Wolfe; and two brothers-in-law: Boone Perkins and Paul Richards.
Mrs. Roberts was a homemaker.
Services were held on Wednesday, August 14 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada, with Rev. Jon Thomas officiating.
Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Passport Agency on Aging of Lima, Ohio.
Ernest Gale "Ernie" Daily
Died: Saturday, August 10, 2002
Ernest Gale "Ernie" Daily, 42, of Holiday, Florida, and formerly of Ada, died Saturday, August 10, 2002 in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
He was born on January 22, 1960 in Columbus, to Daniel and Jepsy (French) Daily, both of whom are deceased.
Survivors include his wife, Tamara S. (Parshall) Daily of Holiday, FL; two daughters: Lindsay S. Daily of Kissimmee, FL, and Heidi J. Daily of Columbus Grove; six brothers: Dick Daily of London, Ohio, Jeff Daily of London, Ohio, Tom Daily of Columbus, Harry Pickens of West Virginia, Bob Pickens of London, Ohio, and Jim Pickens of Minnesota; his mother and father-in-law, Ron and Mary Parshall of Holiday, FL; and a cousin, Bruce Daily of London, Ohio.
Following Ernie's wishes, cremation took place in Florida. The family invites friends to visit with them and remember Ernie on Thursday, August 15, 2002 from 4-8 p.m. at the Rader-Lynch and Dodds Funeral Home, 124 East High Street, London, Ohio.
Robert D. England
Died: Saturday, August 10, 2002
Robert D. England, 58, of Ada, died Saturday, August 10, 2002 at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Kenton.
He was born on February 29, 1944 in Ada, to William and Kathryn (Ison) England. His father is deceased. His mother, Kathryn Purnell, survives in Kenton.
On March 17, 1962 he married Shirley J. Fraley, and she survives in Ada.
Other survivors include two sons: Anthony Todd (Belinda) England of Waynesfield and William Daniel (Brandy) England of Ada; a daughter, Lisa Rager of
Dunkirk; two sisters: Ruby Nickell of Dunkirk and Jeannie Deyton of Jacksonville, North Carolina; a brother, John (Gloria) England of Lima; and eight
grandchildren: Christopher Robert Lee Rager, Nicholas Brian Rager, Courtney Elizabeth England, Ty Anthony England, Justin Daniel England, Lucas Gregory Rae England, Levi Wiatt England and Raina Devon England.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory England and a brother, Sam England.
Mr. England was a retired farm laborer of Stambaugh Farms.
He was a member of the McGuffey Conservation Club and the Liberty Conservation Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Services were held on Tuesday, August 13 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger, with Rev. Ray Hadley officiating.
Burial was in Preston Cemetery, Alger.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbus Children's Hospital, Leukemia Unit.
Donald G. Mahaffey
Died: Saturday, August 3, 2002
Donald G. Mahaffey, 78, of Upper Sandusky, died Saturday, August 3, 2002 at Fairhaven Retirement & Health Care Community in Upper Sandusky.
He was born September 24, 1923 in Morral, Ohio, to Dwight and Iscah (Brown) Mahaffey.
On October 7, 1950 he married Sally Sears, and she died May 8, 1996. On March 22, 1997 he married Ann Wiley, and she survives in Upper Sandusky.
Other survivors include a daughter, Kay (Steven) Cochrell of Galion; a daughter-in-law, Mary Mahaffey of Hilliard; three step-daughters: Jackie (Bill) Wells of Westerville, Jeannie (Andy) Wolf of Findlay, and Lisa (Jeff) Meeker of Harken Heights, TX; two grandsons: Jordan Mahaffey and Matthew Cochrell; and four step-grandchildren: Nicholas Wolf, Nathan and Eryn Meeker, and Patrick Baker.
He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Mahaffey and a sister, Helen Louise Collier.
Mr. Mahaffey was the former Manager of Morral Supply Co. in Morral, Ohio. He had been a partner in the Mobil Service Station in Upper Sandusky and has driven truck for Craycraft Trucking for five years before his retirement.
He graduated from Morral High School in 1941 and attended Ohio University.
He attended 1st Presbyterian Church of Upper Sandusky. He was a 50 year member of Warpole Lodge #176 F&AM; a member of McCutchen Chapter #96 RAM; a member of the Upper Sandusky Council #98 RSM; the Marion Commandery #36; a life member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus; a member of the Aladdin Temple of the Nobles of the Mistic Shrine, Columbus; a member of the Wyandot County Shrine Club; and a member of the American Legion Post #225 in Upper Sandusky.
Mr. Mahaffey was a veteran of the U.S. Army in WWII having served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe.
Services were held on Wednesday, August 7 at Lucas Funeral Home, Upper Sandusky, with Rev. Kenneth Wessler officiating.
Burial was in Grand Prairie Cemetery, Brush Rides.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rehab Center at Wyandot Memorial Hospital c/o Lucas Funeral Home, P.O. Box 207, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Victor Sadler, Jr.
Died: Saturday, August 3, 2002
Victor Sadler Jr., 82, of Lima, died Saturday, August 3, 2002 at his residence in Lima.
He was born September 18, 1919 in Paintsville, Kentucky, to Victor and Virginia (Daniel) Sadler, Sr.
On August 19, 2001, he married Ollie Gibson Howard, and she survives in Lima.
Other survivors include two sons: Jerry Lee Sadler (and Toni Bailey) of St. Johns, and Gary (Jean Ann) Sadler of Lima; a brother, Joseph (Faye) Sadler of Jackson Center; a sister, Pauline Blevins of Oil Springs, KY; three grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Madlene Saunders.
Mr. Sadler was self-employed as a mechanic on trucks at Sadler Auto Repair.
Services were held on Tuesday, August 6 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada, with Rev. Russell Manns and Rev. Willie Collins officiating.
Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Lima.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita's Hospice of Lima.
Carolyn Ann Conley
Died: Wednesday, July 31, 2002
Carolyn Ann Conley, 55, of Ada, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.
She was born May 30, 1947 in Lima, to Tandy and Maudie (Bolen) Conley, both of whom are deceased.
Survivors include her best friend, Carl Bosse; a son, Gary (Misty) Conley of McGuffey; a brother, Bert (Reva) Conley of Ada; three sisters: Audrey Shields of McGuffey, Halie (Hillard) Nickles of Harrod, and Mary (Charlie) Howard of McGuffey; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Conley; three brothers: Dave Conley, Bill Conley, and Edward Conley; and by a sister, Luna Jennings.
Ms. Conley was a sewer at Wilson's Sporting Goods Manufacturing Company.
Services were held Saturday, August 3 at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Alger, with Pastor Scott Caley officiating.
Burial was in Dola Cemetery, Dola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
