USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
AYRES
R. W. Ayres, M.D., 84, of Van Wert, died at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003, at Van Wert County Hospital.
He was born August 11, 1918, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the son of the late E.J. and Florence (Hill) Ayres. On November 8, 1975, he married Phyllis Hoblet, who survives.
Dr. Ayres graduated from Ohio Northern University and Northwestern's School of Medicine and served his internship at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. He served as a captain in the Medical Attachment of the 38th Division of the 2nd Army, known as the Indian Head Division. The division served in Germany at the time of the Battle of the Bulge. For his service he received the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantry Badge given to doctors who served in the front lines with the infantry, and a Purple Heart. After the war, he started his internship at Akron College, but before completing it he moved to Arkansas, where he was appointed clinical instructor in medicine at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. While there, he also received his degree in internal medicine. In 1952, he moved to Van Wert and began a practice in internal medicine and continued that practice until his retirement in 1984. In 1969, he donated a month of his time to a Quaker hospital in Kenya, Africa, and, in 1971, he was instrumental in organizing the first EMS squad of its kind in Ohio in Van Wert. The squad was able to transmit an EKG via mobile equipment to the hospital in Van Wert after weeks of training given to members of the Van Wert Fire Department. He was also a life member of Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Ann Ayres of Van Wert; a stepson, Ted (Sandee) Bollenbacher of Rockford; one stepdaughter, Karen (John) Casey of Columbus; a brother, W.B. (Dottie) Ayres, M.D., of Centerville; two stepgrandchildren, Adam and Aaron Bollenbacher, and two nieces, Lynn Ayres and Eileen Sarb.
He was preceded in death by a nephew.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford, the Rev. Dr. Edward W. Jillson officiating. Military graveside rites will be performed by the combined Honors Units of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803 and American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Dr. Ayres to The Brumback Library in Van Wert.
Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
LUCAS
Rev. George Edward Lucas, 44, of Delphos, died at 2:05 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2003, at his parents' residence.
He was born March 11, 1959, in Van Wert County, the son of Marvin Sr. and Shirley (Ditto) Lucas, who both survive in Delphos.
Mr. Lucas drove a truck and was owner of George Lucas Trucking for 25 years. He was a member of St. John the Evangelistic Catholic Church in Delphos, and also attended Delphos Wesleyan Church. He loved to fish and hunt and loved to spend time with his kids. He loved Harley-Davidsons and loved his semi.
Survivors include a son, Andrew Marshal Lucas of Delphos; one daughter, Tricia Nichol Lucas of Delphos; a sister, Sheryl (Bob) Beck of Middlebury, Ind.; two brothers, Marvin (Jill) Lucas Jr. of Delphos and Robert (Jackie) Lucas of Elida, and his great-grandparents, Roger and Norma Wells and Robert Ditto, all of Delphos.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Barb Lucas.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos, the Rev. Wayne Prater officiating. Private burial will be held at a later date.
Calling hours are 2-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials can be made to the children.
BRUBAKER
Robert D. Brubaker, 79, of 210 S. Cherry St., went to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:59 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2003, at Van Wert County Hospital.
He was born July 1, 1924, in Ohio City, the son of the late Vernon Franklin and Bernice (Foor) Brubaker. In 1946, he married Hazel Marie Beck, and she died August 1, 1958. On October 22, 1961, he married Linda Spitler, and she survives at home.
Mr. Brubaker had worked at Continental Can Company, was a retired mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, operated his own carpet cleaning service and was a custodian. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Van Wert and attended Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Van Wert. He was a 1944 graduate of Van Wert High School and was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army as a tank driver in Company A, 10th Armored Division of the 3rd Army in Europe and North Africa. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of Isaac Van Wert Post 178, American Legion in Van Wert and the Van Wert County Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. He also held a private pilot's license.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Pamela Sue (Brad) Hasis of Port St. Lucy, Fla.; three sons, Robert D. "Bob" (Susan) Brubaker II and David (Yvonne ) Brubaker, both of Van Wert, and Chad (Christa L.) Brubaker of Mansfield; two brothers, Raymond K. (Jeanne) Brubaker of Sun City, Ariz., and Richard (Phyllis) Brubaker of Lima; one sister, Geraldine D. (George) Weck of Convoy, and eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah) Hasis, Justin Hasis, Duaine Healy, Luke Brubaker, Leah Brubaker, Noah Brubaker, Cara Brubaker and Caden Brubaker.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Marvin P. Brubaker.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Van Wert, the Rev. Michael Berne officiating. Military services will follow at the church performed by American Legion Post 178.
Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Friday, December 5, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Brubaker to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
SPRINGER
C. Mason Springer, 76, a longtime resident of the Wren area, passed away at 5:04 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
He was born December 8, 1926, in Van Wert County, the son of the late Cloyce A. and Orah L. (Hawk) Springer. On August 2, 1947, he married Bette M. Moore, who died July 11, 1973.
Mr. Springer was owner of Wrenco Trophy and retired after 35 years. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He was a member of Moose Lodge 1311 in Decatur, Ind., American Legion Post 178 in Van Wert, Veterans of Foreign Wars 5803 in Van Wert, Eagles Aerie 3164 in New Haven, Ind., Van Wert Elks Lodge and Ohio City Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include a son, David A. (Sherri) Springer of Van Wert; one daughter, Cathy L. (Charles) Etzler of Fort Recovery; a brother, David E. Springer of Green Valley, Ariz.; five grandchildren; 12 stepchildren, and a great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 6, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Pastor Greg Finke and Pastor Mike Saylor officiating. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 178 following the funeral service. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Calling hours are 6-9 p.m. Thursday, December 4, and from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Friday, December 5, at the funeral home, where a Masonic service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Springer to the Wren Ball Park Association or the Mason Springer Memorial Crestview Baseball Scholarship.
MARBAUGH
Allen Franklin Marbaugh, 65, of Willshire, died at 6:20 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2003, at Woodcrest Nursing Home in Decatur, Ind.
He was born July 18, 1938, in Rockford, the son of the late Clifford LeRoy and Mildred Lucille (Lehman) Marbaugh.
Mr. Marbaugh worked as a fork-lift truck operator. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1958 and had lived in the Willshire area all his life.
Survivors include four brothers, Bill (Barbara) Marbaugh of Xenia, Larry (Nancy) Marbaugh and Tom (Elodee) Marbaugh, both of Willshire, and Richard (Carolyn) Marbaugh of Decatur, and two sisters, Mary (Leo) Bennett of Preble, Ind., and Donna Peterson of Decatur.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 6, at Swamp College Cemetery in Celina, with Pastor Jody Harr officiating.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 5, at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford.
WEISMAN
Doris I. Weisman, 86, of Van Wert, died at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind.
She was born October 26, 1917, in Ridge Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Lee and Florence (Ringwald) Moore. On September 17, 1947, she married Harry J. Weisman, who died October 1, 1997.
Mrs. Weisman was a homemaker and a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Van Wert. She also belonged to the Pleasant Grange and Van Wert County Farm Bureau.
Survivors include a daughter, Carol (Jack) Kozminski of North Olmstead, and three grandchildren, Julie, John and Michael Kozminski, all of North Olmstead.
Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, December 12, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, with the Rev. Joe Wilck officiating. A public graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 13, at Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 12, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Weisman to Van Wert County Hospital.
RIDENOUR
Viola May Ridenour, 88, of Delphos, died at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos.
She was born April 14, 1915, in Paulding County, the daughter of the late William Andrew and Ora E. (Roseboon) Rhees. In 1937, she married Boyd Ridenour, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Ridenour worked in the kitchen at Delphos Jefferson High School and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Delphos and its Izella Circle.
No survivors are listed.
Funeral services are to be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 13, at Harter & Son Memorial Chapel in Delphos, the Rev. David Howell officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 12, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Ridenour to a charity of donor's choice.
