USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
LAUX
John Lamont Laux, 87, of Rockford, died at 657 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at his home.
He was born in St. Anthony on April 15, 1916, the son of the late Ferd J. Laux and Laura C. Wagner Laux. On July 29, 1944, he married Gertrude Suing, who survives.
Mr. Laux had worked at the Willshire Grain & Supply in Willshire and Wren. He was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Rockford and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Celina Council 1800.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters,: Arillia Ann Gilbreath of Port Hueneme, Calif., and Anna Marie (Don) McClain of Fort Wayne, Ind.; five sons, Ferdinand (Linda) Laux of Anchorage, Alaska Duane V. (Lindy) Laux of McComb, Richard J. Laux of Mendon, Daniel Lee (Marsha) Laux of Rockford and Charles A. (Becky) Laux of Elizabethtown, Ky.; 24 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Victor, Hugo and Paul Laux.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Rockford, with the Rev. Thomas Brenberger officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Sunday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, where a rosary service will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to Celina Visiting Nurses and Hospice.
ELSTON
Lewis R. "Dick" Elston, 68, of Middle Point, died Wednesday morning, August 13, 2003, at his residence.
He was born December 8, 1934, in Paulding County, the son of the late Louis and Helen (Longstreth) Elston. He married his wife of 49 years, Marcia (Waymire) Elston, in Van Wert on November 27, 1954, and she survives at home.
Mr. Elston was the retired owner-operator of Elston Land Improvement in Middle Point, a position he had held for 40 years. He was a member of Delphos Country Club and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians major league baseball organization. He was an avid golfer and card player.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Mike (Rose) Elston of Middle Point, Steve (Robin) Elston of Celina and Jeff (Kelly) Elston of Van Wert; four daughters, Sue (Mike) Simpson and Beth (Bob) Gordon, both of Middle Point, Patti (Larry) Stechschulte of Fort Jennings and Judy (Sam) Brubaker of Bryan; three sisters, Bonnie (Pete) Clemens and Maxine (Ray) Treece, both of Paulding, and Carolyn (Roger) Roth of Auburndale, Fla.; 20 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Stoller and Ann Balser.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Van Wert, with Pastor Thomas Cover officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township.
Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Thursday and 2-8 p.m. Friday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
BOROFF
Ethel P. Hittle Boroff, 85, of Delphos, died Thursday, August 14, 2003, at Van Wert County Hospital.
She was born May 13, 1918, in Marble Town, the daughter of the late Barney and Lauretta (Briggs) Ralston. In 1938 she married Otho V. Hittle, who died in October 1953. She married Glen Boroff in November 1969 and he died August 5, 1999.
Mrs. Boroff retired from the DWG Cigar Factory in Lima and also worked at the Bending Company. She was a good mother and grandmother, and enjoyed fishing when she was younger.
Survivors include a son, Gary (Pat) Hittle of Celina; three daughters, Karen (Dick) Stant and Kathy (Bill) Guthrie, both of Delphos, and Sandy (Terry) Hupp of Spencerville; two stepdaughters, Rhea (Paul) Swander and Mary Louise Ries, both of Ohio City; a stepson, William "Bill" (Dee) Boroff of Convoy, and 11 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two stepsons, Edwin and Donald Boroff; three brothers, Walter, Saul and Carl Ralston, and six sisters, Millie Coon, Helen Swick, Edith Buschor, Fern Moreo, Gladys Boerger and Kathryn Cross.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos. Burial will be in Hartford Cemetery.
Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Boroff to the National Alzheimer's Foundation.
SHARKEY
Matthew R. "Bob" Sharkey, 79, of Van Wert, died at 4:38 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2003, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.
He was born October 21, 1923, in Bayonne, N.J., the son of the late Mae (Sharkey) Tarbette. On November 1, 1952, he married Ruth Mae Hartman, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Sharkey had been an over-the-road truck driver for many years and retired from Conrad's Truck Stop after many years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a stepdaughter, Joyce Cross of Delphos; two sisters, Mary Jane (Tarbette) Davies of Texarkana, Ark., and Madeline (Tarbette) Bolenski of Miami, Fla.; two stepgranddaughters, Beverly (Cross) McNeal and Tammy Cross, both of Delphos; a stepgrandson, Luke Cross of Delphos; two stepgreat-grandsons, Sean McNeal and A.J. Cross, both of Delphos; nieces Tressa Bissonette and Kimberly Bissonette, both of Van Wert; a nephew, Josh Bissonette of Van Wert; a great-nephew, Austin Thatcher of Van Wert, and many other nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his best friend, his dog Wolfee.
He was preceded in death by a stepfather, Albert Tarbette; a brother, James Tarbette; one grandson, James Cross; a great-grandson, Tyler Cross, and a son-in-law, Art Cross.
Private family services will be held. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
There will be no calling hours.
BOWERSOCK
Lloyd M. Bowersock, 76, of Van Wert, died at 11:26 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2003, at his residence.
He was born July 9, 1927, in Van Wert County, the son of the late John and Lula (Martin) Bowersock. On April 3, 1948, in Delphos, he married Helen Harvey, who survives.
Mr. Bowersock was a farmer for more than 40 years. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Sharon (David) Osting and Cheryl (Greg) Mendenhall, both of Van Wert; a sister, Roberta Hitchcock of Middle Point; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and five stepgreat-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, L. Burdette, Virgil and Burnell Bolenbaugh.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Timothy Burden officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Bowersock to the Scott EMS Squad.
CARROLL
Goldie Lorraine Carroll, 78, of Van Wert, died at 1:40 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2003, at Celina Manor nursing home.
She was born September 9, 1924, in Pardee, Va., the daughter of the late Samuel and Virginia Morefield Carroll.
Miss Carroll was a devoted animal lover and is survived by her precious cat, "Baby."
Other survivors include three stepbrothers, Joseph Morefield of Michigan and Luther Morefield and Glen Morefield, both of Fairborn; three stepsisters, Kathlene Blanton, Belle Carrier and Doris Schaffer, all of Mendota, Va., and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a stepfather, Charles Morefield; three brothers, Elmo Carroll, Claude Carroll and Woodrow Carroll, and a sister, Juanita Carroll.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Scott E. Fleming officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Miss Carroll to Community Health Professionals-Hospice.
LEY
Mittie Jean Ley, 78, of 1004 Westchester Court, Van Wert, died at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, August 17, 2003, at her residence.
She was born May 20, 1925, in Winters, Texas, the daughter of the late Bill and Stella (Bridwell) Moore. On October 22, 1944, she married Sidney Alford Ley, who died March 20, 2002.
Mrs. Ley worked at Eaton-Aeroquip Corp. for 32 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed line dancing and golf.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald A. (Melody) Ley of Columbus and Steven C. Ley of Wapakoneta; a daughter, Kimberly Y. Ayers of Van Wert; one sister, Cynthia Autrey of Temple, Texas; give grandchildren, Jamee, Zach and Nicole Ayers and Derrick and Allison Ley, plus several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ellis and Billy Moore.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Ley to Community Health Professionals-Hospice in Van Wert or the American Cancer Society.
