USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
EDGAR E. “SMITTY” SMITH,
83, died at 5:05 p.m. January 2, 2001, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
He was born May 29, 1917, in Athens County to Clyde and Jennie Covert Smith. On May 29, 1949, he married
Thelma Egerton, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Smith retired as a machinist from General Motors Cadillac Division. He attended Temple Baptist Church, Detroit. He was a member of the United Auto Workers.
Survivors include two daughters, Marquita (Gene) Kaufman of Lima and Delilah (Arnold) Crawford of Vanceburg, KY.; three sisters, Juanita Ball and Betty Hamilton, both of Louisburg, N.C., and Shelby Powell of Portsmouth; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Two infant sisters preceded him in death.
Services will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Larry Hopkins will officiate. Graveside services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday in West Reading cemetery, Reading MI. Rev. Hopkins will officiate.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.
RUTH ELLA REED,
90, died at 2:45 a.m. January 3, 2001, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
She was born April 19, 1910, in Ohio to Avery E. and Carrie B. Cheney Hastings. On June 5, 1932, she married
James L. Reed, who died August 4, 1998.
Mrs. Reed was a homemaker and had taught piano and organ lessons at Groman’s Music Store. She was a member of Central Christian Church. She was a member of Hammond Organ Society, the Dillentante Club and Groman’s Music Club. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Survivors include a son, James E. Reed of Richmond, VA.; three daughters, Joan “Joann” (John) Adams of Edina, Minn., Judith (Al) Breton of Austin, Texas, and Beverly (Bill) Coats of Okemos, MI.; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Dawna Boyes will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery.
Friends may call from noon until time of services Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lima Convalescent Home Foundation.
DONALD G. “RED” ALSPACH,
61, died at 4:07 p.m. January 5, 2001 at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
He was born February 2, 1939 in Bluffton to Dan and Margaret Hutchinson Alspach. On June 11, 1983, he married
Kathy Farmer, who survives.
He started his career at Steiner’s Stock Yard in Bluffton. He was a cattle buyer for the Sandusky Dressed Beef Corp. for more than 20 years and a cattle buyer for the United Producers Livestock Association. He was a 1957 graduate and active athlete at Bluffton High School. He was a member of Elks Lodge 54, Eagles Aerie 370, both of Lima, the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, the Browns Backers Association and the Bluffton Merchants Softball team. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan.
Survivors also include a stepson, Wayne Dooley of Delphos; two daughters, Leigh Ann Alspach and Barbara Alspach, both of Bluffton, a stepdaughter, Teresa (Keith) Mefferd of Dayton; a sister, Jane Benroth of Bluffton; and three grandchildren.
Services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. William A. Herr will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove cemetery, Bluffton.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today and Tuesday at the funeral home, where an Elks Lodge of Sorrow service will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
VIVIAN EILENE DAHLKE,
84, died at 2:02 a.m. January 6, 2001 at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born February 17, 1917 to Lewis A. and Mabel C Stoner Hitchner. On July 24, 1940 she married
Everett T. Dahlke, who survives in Lima.
Mrs. Dahlke was a secretary and accountant at Westinghouse Corp. for many years. She retired from Siferd Hosselman in 1972. She was a former member of South Side Church of Christ, a member of First Church of Christ Scientist in Lima, a 50- year member of Trinity Chapter 16 of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Star Point of Electra since 1953, a member and former State Secretary of the Ohio Genealogical Society, a member of the Daughter of the American Revolution and First Families of Ashland County of Ohio,
Survivors also include a daughter, Janice L. (Leroy W.) Reed of Columbus Grove; a brother, Lewis Hitchner of Lima; and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Dallas Hitchner and Elden Hitchner; and one sister, Alice Hitchner.
Services will begin at 7:30 p.m. today at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Richard Black will officiate. Interment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 – 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of Christ Scientist or the charity of the donor’s choice.
MARION SPENCER,
65, died at 12:41 a.m. January 8, 2001, at Shawnee Manor Nursing Home.
He was born October 12, 1935, in Lima to C. Robert and Agnes Walter Spencer.
Mr. Spencer was self-employed.
Survivors include two sons, Marion (Janet) Spencer Jr. of Nashville, Tenn., and the Rev. William “Bill” (Lynette) Spencer of Lima; two brothers, Robert Spencer of Columbus Grove and James Spencer of Lima; four sisters, Eunice Rosemeier and Elizabeth “Betty” Borges, both of Lima, Shirley Grant of St. Mary’s and Tiny Newland of Bryan; and five grandchildren.
A son, David Spencer; and two brothers, Virgil and Charles Spencer preceded him in death.
Services will begin at 2p.m. Friday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Bill Spencer will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Friends may call from 11a.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
FLETCHER E. “MEL” MELVIN,
63, died at 5:49 A.M. January 8, 2001, at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
He was born July 14, 1937, in Robinson, Ill., to William C. and Mary E. Estes Melvin. On February 19, 1963, he married
Dorothy A. Nungester, who survives.
Mr. Melvin retired from Ford Motor Co. Lima Engine Plant. He was a member of American Legion Post 96, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 370 and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275. He was a Navy veteran. He enjoyed riding Harley-Davidsons.
Survivors also include three sons, Mark D. “Danny” May and Michael C. (Bonnie) Melvin, both of Lima, and Timothy A. May of Clearwater, FL.; two daughters Cheryl R. Melvin and Rhonda L. (Kenneth) Jarman, both of Lima; a half sister, Mary Jo Siefker of Delphos; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Two brothers, Larry and Dale Melvin; and a sister, Nina E. Stone, preceded him in death.
Services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral home. The Rev. Lesle Wireman will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery, with military rites by VFW Post 1275.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
ETHEL E. KETTEMAN DOWNHOUR,
96 died at 8:25 a.m. January 8, 2001, at Lima Memorial Hospital.
She was born November 6, 1904, in Allen City To William E. and Micha Connor Cochensparger. In 1921 she married
D. Carl Ketteman, who died in June 1965. In April 1977 she married
Wilbur G. Downhour, who died April 5, 1987.
Mrs. Downhour retired in 1980 as a switchboard operaator from Lima Memorial Hospital. She was a charter member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Dale C. (Betty) Ketteman of Lima; five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Norman D. Downhour; two brothers, Dell and Harold C. Cochensparger; and a sister, Vera Mckibben.
Services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Steigleder will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church.
