From the Crescent News, Defiance, Ohio, September 18, 2000
Sandra Bok
Sandra Jean Bok, 51, Defiance, died at 2:02 a.m. Sunday in University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich.
She was born April 8, 1949, in Defiance, the daughter of John and Marjorie Leonard. In 1971, she married Myron Bok, who survives. She graduated from Defiance High School in 1967 and Defiance College in 1971. She was a teacher at Defiance Junior High School and formerly taught at Ottawa and Defiance high schools. She was a 4-H adviser for 15 years, Science Olympiad adviser and a former volleyball coach at Ottawa High School. She was a member of Ohio Academy of Science, Gamma Omega Kappa, Defiance Society of Artists and St. John's Catholic Church. She was also the designer of the bicentennial logo for Defiance City Bicentennial.
Also surviving are her parents, Defiance; two daughters, Jennifer and Julie, both of Defiance; and five sisters, Susan Caperton of Cecil, and Sharon Sheets, Sylvie Ricica, Sharmaine Kondas and Sally Bernal, all of Defiance.
Preceding her in death were grandparents, John Leonard Sr. and Anna Hoover.
Services will be at noon Wednesday in the church with Rev. George Wenzinger officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m.
Mervin Meyer
Mervin M. Meyer, 73, Defiance, died Sunday at 10:35 a.m. in his residence.
He was born March 2, 1927, in Okolona, the son of Otto Sr. and Nora (Travis) Meyer. In 1951, he married Genevieve Hohenbrink, who survives. He owned and operated Merv Meyer Electronics and worked for the Ohio Department of Conservation. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Florida, where he served as a Sunday school superintendent for 25 years. He served as Richland Township clerk and was a member of Richland Township Board of Zoning Appeals, Brunersburg Water and Sewer Board and Jewell Volunteer Fire Department. He also served with the Ohio Defense Corps, retiring as a major.
Also surviving are a son, Randy, Toledo; two daughters, Mrs. William (Sharon) Brubaker of Hamler and Mrs. Philip (Kathie) Godeke, Custar; three brothers, Clarence and William, both of Defiance, and Otto Jr., Jewell; a sister, Mrs. Lester (Barbara) Warncke, Wauseon; and six grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were a brother, Kenneth; and two sisters, Lenora and Alois, both in infancy.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church with Rev. Douglas Corniels officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to the Hospice the Caring Way of Defiance, Filling Memorial Home of Mercy or the church.
Lavon Lirot
BRYAN - Lavon M. Lirot, 88, Bryan, died Saturday at Community Hospitals of Williams County-Bryan.
He was born June 2, 1912, in Melbern, the son of Isador and Theresa (Stark) Lirot. In 1935, he married Donna Wehrle, who survives. He was a foreman at ARO Corp., Bryan, until his retirement in 1977. He was a founding member of Suburban Golf Course in Bryan and a member of Brown Galaxy and St. Patrick's Catholic Church, serving as a 30-year member of the parish council.
Also surviving are a son, Larry, Bryan; a daughter, Marilyn Riggenbach, Bryan; five brothers, Earl and Roger, both of Bryan, Walt of Defiance, Alfred of Lima and John, Bryan; two sisters, Mrs. Robert (Pauline) Bloom of Stryker and Vivian Shattler, Bryan; and two grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were four sisters, Mary, Charlotte, Helen and Marie; and a brother, Donald.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the church with Rev. Charles Ritter officiating. Burial will be in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan. Visitation is from 2-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home, Bryan, with a rosary service at 8:30 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the church.
Florence Roberts
BRYAN - Florence Ruth Roberts, 89, Bryan, died Saturday in Slidell, La.
She was born Aug. 9, 1911, in Marietta, the daughter of Alfred and Margaret (Harris) Yates. In 1939, she married Arthur Roberts, who died in 1982. She was a homemaker and had formerly lived in North Canton.
Surviving are two sons, Melvin of Bryan and Lyman, Louisiana; two daughters, Mrs. Ron (Laura) Coblentz of Louisiana and Mrs. Robert (Lois) Watts, Canton; and numerous grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were a daughter, Doris Sams; and eight brothers and sisters and a grandchild.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home, Bryan, with Rev. Dean Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Evansport Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday.
Preferred memorials are to Meals on Wheels, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.
William Roberts
CONTINENTAL - William Darhl Roberts, 47, Continental, died at 5:55 p.m. Saturday in Holgate Quality Care Center.
He was born Sept. 23, 1952, in Defiance, the son of Darhl and Faye (Carpenter) Roberts. In 1994, he married Tonia Doan, who survives. He was a machinist for Tool and Die.
Also surviving are a son, Cody, Charloe; two daughters, Stacy Groll and Heather, both of North Carolina; a stepdaughter, Tona Davis, Continental; a sister, Sue Robinson, Oakwood; and four grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother, Bobby.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Oakwood, with Rev. Raymond Matson officiating. Burial will be in Sherman Cemetery, Oakwood. Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and after noon Wednesday.
Preferred memorials are to the family.
Thelma Drohan
PAULDING - Former Montpelier and Alvordton resident Thelma G. Drohan, 82, Paulding, died at 3 p.m. Sunday in her home.
She was born July 27, 1918, in Freedom, Ind., the daughter of Ivan and Beulah (Weakley) Ooley. She married Andrew Drohan, who died in 1966. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are two sons, Kenneth of Fayette and Paul, Montpelier; a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Marie) Moore, Hicksville; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were two sisters, Wilma, in infancy, and Leila Young.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Thompson Funeral Home, Montpelier, with Rev. Dorothy Ritchey Moore officiating. Burial will be in Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday.
Preferred memorials are to the Williams County Heart Association.
From the Crescent News, Defiance, Ohio, September 19, 2000
Raymond Sanford
Raymond Winfield Sanford, 82, Defiance, died at 2:20 a.m. Monday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born March 25, 1918, in Paulding County, the son of Samuel and Ruth (Link) Sanford. In 1940, he married Edna Hopkins, who survives. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army Motorcycle Corps and Airborne units in Italy and North Africa from 1942-1945. He received a bachelor's degree from Tri-State College, Angola, and was an engineer and supervisor at Frigidaire and National Cash Register in Dayton, Copeland Refrigeration in Sidney, Hobart Manufacturing's Kitchen-Aid division in Troy and Dayton, and retired in 1989 from Whirlpool. He was a member of United Church of Christ in Piqua, Tuendawie Lodge 195 of Free and Accepted Masons, Ensawocsa Chapter 89 of Royal Arch Masons, Occonoxee Council 44 of Royal and Select Masons and Defiance Commandry 30 Knights Templar. He also served as past president of West Carrollton High School PTA, band boosters and Tri-State College Alumni Association.
Also surviving are a son, Norman, Cockeysville, Md.; two brothers, Kenneth of Ligonier, Ind., and Cecil, Defiance; three sisters, Ethel Stuckey of Defiance, Elizabeth Wells of South Bend, Ind., and Gladys Baker, Holgate; and a grandchild.
Preceding him in death was a sister, Beatrice Kleinhen.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home with Rev. Alfred Schroeder officiating. Burial will be in Farmer Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to St. John United Church of Christ.
JoAnn Grant
CONTINENTAL - JoAnn Grant, 61, Continental, died at 10:50 a.m. Monday in Defiance Hospital.
She was born May 10, 1939, in Paulding County, the daughter of John and Verda (Taylor) Leatherman. In 1959, she married Gary Grant, who survives. She attended Defiance College and was a licensed insurance agent with Grant Insurance Agency, Continental. She was a member of North Mt. Zion Church, a Sunday school teacher, director of Putnam County Historical Society and a former Continental Local school board member. She was also a member of Paulding County Genealogy Society, Continental OCCL Club, Eastern Star, P. Buckley Moss Society, Trees of Life, Continental Education Club and Petoniquet of Tawa Daughters of the American Revolution.
Also surviving are her mother, Oakwood; a son, David, Defiance; two daughters, Mrs. Todd (Lori) Allen of Continental and Mrs. Gregory (Diana) Lowe, Westerville; two brothers, Ronald Leatherman of Defiance and John Leatherman Jr., Oakwood; and seven grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her father.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the church with Rev. Michael Dyck officiating. Burial will be in Monroe Cemetery, Continental. Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Continental, and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
Robert Slocum
FORT WAYNE - Former Defiance resident Robert R. Slocum, 71, Fort Wayne, died Monday at St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
He was born Feb. 8, 1929, in Chicago, the son of Robert and Florence (Riffling) Slocum. He married Rosella Herr, who survives. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a manager at Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., Fort Wayne, for 30 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, American Legion Post 296, VFW Post 10006 and Christian Businessman Association and a past president of National Purchasing Agents Association, all of Fort Wayne.
Also surviving are three sons, Robin and Todd, both of Fort Wayne, and Shawn, Columbia City; two daughters, Dawn Wilkening and Nanette Anderson, both of Fort Wayne; two brothers, Ralph of Bradenton, Fla., and David, Defiance; and 16 grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. (Ind. time) Thursday in the church. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Wayne, with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 296. Visitation is from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. (Ind. time) Wednesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Covington Knolls Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.
Preferred memorials are to St. Mary's Soup Kitchen, Matthew 25 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Dale Gilliland
VAN WERT - Dale S. Gilliland, 88, Van Wert, died at 10:42 a.m. Monday in VanCrest Health Care Center, Van Wert.
He was born July 15, 1912, in Van Wert County, the son of Alonzo and Lois (Swick) Gilliland. In 1935, he married Golda Wundel (Kanney), who survives. He was a retired farmer, a member of Calvary Evangelical Church, its Gleaners Sunday school class and Van Wert County Farm Bureau, a committee member of the Van Wert plowing contest and a former member of Pleasant Township School Board.
Also surviving are two sons, James of Van Wert and Paul, Battle Creek, Mich.; a daughter, Jean Taylor, Defiance; four sisters, Mary Kline and Margaret Harmon, both of Van Wert, Louise Tingley of Rockford and Mrs. Burdette (Martha) Curtis, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and seven grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-stepgrandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a twin brother, Gale.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, with Rev. W. Clark Williman officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday.
Preferred memorials are to the church's capital improvement fund.
Alan Bell
PLAINFIELD, Ind. - Word was received of the Sept. 11 death of former Paulding County resident Alan C. Bell, 78, Plainfield, in Plainfield Christian Church.
He was born Aug. 16, 1922, in Paulding County, the son of A.C. and Helen (Fogel) Bell. In 1943, he married Lillian Myers, who survives. He attended Defiance College and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a pilot. From 1981-1983, he was an air traffic control trainer for Bendix Corp., Saudi Arabia, and worked at the Federal Aviation Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation, for 25 years, retiring in 1981. He was also a member of Plainfield Christian Church, Plainfield Optimist Club, Plainfield Elks and American Legion Post 497 and a Guilford Township precinct committeeman.
Also surviving are two sons, Edward of Eaton and Andrew, Kendallville, Ind.; three daughters, Barbara Stewart of Thorton, Ind., Dee Ellen Bell-Becker of Mill Valley, Calif., and Susan Nickols, Columbus; a brother, Dennis, Jackson Springs, N.C.; a sister, Carolyn Spicer, Ludlow Falls; and 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services were held Friday at the church with Rev. Steven White officiating. Burial was in Maple Hill Mausoleum. Handling arrangements was Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield.
Mary Kenner
HICKSVILLE - Mary F. Kenner, 79, Hicksville, died at 4:50 p.m. Sunday in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born Nov. 12, 1920, in Kalida, the daughter of John and Helen (Brinkman) Fortman. In 1955, she married Francis Kenner, who survives. She worked at Putnam County Courthouse and Continental Bank and lived at St. Anne Home, Fort Wayne. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hicksville and Catholic Ladies of Columbus.
Also surviving is a son, Larry, Fort Wayne.
Preceding her in death was a son, Gregory.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the church with Rev. Thomas Oedy officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville. Visitation is after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brown Funeral Home, Hicksville.
Preferred memorials are to St. Anne Home.
Roger Lourash
MARION - Defiance County native Roger E. Lourash, 67, Marion, died at 10:30 p.m. Monday in Hillside Care Center, Marion.
He was born Oct. 2, 1932, in Defiance County, the son of Jesse and Helen (Bolley) Lourash. He worked for the B&O Railroad and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Defiance and Defiance County Historical Society.
Surviving is a sister, Mrs. William (Joann) Busteed, Defiance.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother, Willard Hanker.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Riverside Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Handling arrangements is Mast-Mock-Hoffman Funeral Home.
