USA High School Yearbooks by State and County
BLACK
Erma C. Black, 73, of Montgomery, Mich., and formerly of Van Wert, died at 11:10 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2003, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich.
She was born February 8, 1930, in Hoaglin Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Glenn and Bertha (Maxwell) Jackson. She married Richard Black, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Black was a homemaker.
Survivors include a sister, Mildred Keith of Coldwater, Mich., and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harvey G. and Alford L. Jackson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Township.
Calling hours are 2-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
DUNN
Peggy Jean Dunn, 66, of 324 W. Maple Ave., died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2003, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert.
She was born February 2, 1937, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Roger Simon and Edythe (Agler) Butler. On December 18, 1957, she married Richard G. Dunn, who survives in Van Wert.
Mrs. Dunn was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. She was a 1955 graduate of Van Wert High School, an avid Cougar fan and support of Van Wert City Schools. She was active in Van Wert County Hospital's Twig III group and was assistant buyer for the hospital gift shop for over 20 years.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Brian (Valori) Dunn and Troy A. (Pamela) Dunn, both of Van Wert; a daughter, Lisa Dunn of Van Wert; one brother, John D. (Karen S.) Butler of Van Wert; a sister, Patricia Crowe of Van Wert, and three grandchildren, Lydia Rose Dunn, Tanner Dunn and Rylee Dunn.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Diane Dunn.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert.
Preferred memorials can be made on behalf of Mrs. Dunn to the First United Methodist Church in Van Wert or Van Wert County Hospital.
SHELLABARGER
Mary Lou Shellabarger, 74, of Middle Point, died at 8:25 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2003, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.
She was born March 24, 1929, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Elmer and Verna Irene (Miller) Bigham. On November 14, 1948, she married John J. Shellabarger, who died August 16, 1994.
Mrs. Shellabarger was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert. She was a 1947 graduate of Van Wert High School and was the current president of the Middle Point Jolly Timers.
Survivors include two sons, Terry J. (Malinda L.) Shellabarger of Van Wert and Dennis L. Shellabarger of Middle Point; two daughters, Linda L. (Jon) Lewis of Grover Hill and Marcia (Justin) Diltz; one sister, Alice Goschka of Jonesville, Mich.; nine grandchildren, Amber (Fred) Rodriguez, Anthony (Vicky) Shellabarger, Amy Delgado, Sabrina Delgado, Cami Delgado, Chad Diltz, John Diltz, April Diltz and Kristina Diltz, and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Raymond E. Feeck officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Shellabarger to the Middle Point Fire Department.
HARMON
Doris M. Harmon, 91, of Colonial Nursing Home in Rockford, and formerly of Glenmore, died at 8:15 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2003, at Van Wert County Hospital.
She was born August 19, 1912, in Liberty Township, Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Enos Nelson and Nettie Mae (Overholt) Prichard. On February 15, 1935, she married Bertis William "Bert" Harmon, who died December 12, 1976.
Mrs. Harmon was a homemaker and a member of Wren United Brethren in Christ Church.
Survivors include two sons, Larry D. (Jean) Harmon of Wren and Terry L. (Brenda) Harmon of Convoy; two daughters, Sue (Gene) Barna of Rockford and Janet Harmon of Van Wert; eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Lynn Harmon; four brothers, Hugh Bynon Prichard, Ada Doyt Prichard, Charles Ray Prichard and Alta Ralph Prichard, and six sisters, Cora Bell Ralston, Mildred Roberts, Mary Thatcher, Ethel Phillipy, Vera Prichard and Lucy Evelyn Clouse.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, with Pastor Lee Cook officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City.
Calling hours are from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Harmon to Colonial Nursing Home or the Rockford EMS Squad.
LAUSE
Esther B. Lause, 85, of Delphos, died in the early afternoon on Monday, October 6, 2003, at her residence.
She was born October 11, 1917, in Van Wert County, the daughter of the late Lewis G. and Mary B. (Vogt) Lause. On January 2, 1937, she married Ralph C. Lause, who died January 1, 1986.
Mrs. Lause was a homemaker and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Delphos and its Ruth Circle.
Survivors include three sons, James (Darlene) Lause of Ottoville, Lewis (Susan) Lause of Marion and Alan (Debbora) Lause of Belmont, Calif.; a sister, Isabell Cattell of Canton; eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather, William Henry Vogt, and two brothers, Eugene E. and W. Lewis Vogt.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Delphos, with the Rev. Harry Tolhurst officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Harter & Son Funeral Home in Delphos.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mrs. Lause to First Presbyterian Church in Delphos or to a charity of donor's choice.
DOWLER
Maurice E. "Red" Dowler, 71, of 10893 Van Wert-Decatur Road, Van Wert, died at 5:55 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2003, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born October 29, 1931, in Tully Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Stephen and Freda (Kreischer) Dowler. He married Virginia L. Wortman, who survives at home.
Mr. Dowler was a retired farmer who farmed in Union Township for 40 years. He had also been employed at the Van Wert County Engineer's Office. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, where he had served on the Church Council and as an usher and elder. He was a 1949 graduate of Union High School. He was an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Police, a member of the Old Fashioned Farmers Association, Van Wert Elks Lodge and Van Wert County Crime Stoppers. He was a former member of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Farmers Mutual Board of Directors, Van Wert County Trustees Association, the Two-Cylinder Club, Antique Tractor and Toy Collectors, Van Wert Moose Lodge and the Scott Lions Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, William (Kathy) Dowler of rural Convoy; two daughters, Sharon (Kevin) Gehres of rural Ohio City and Joyce (Doug) Runyon of Van Wert; a brother, Robert (Lois) Dowler of New Haven, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Dugan Runyon, Heather Mohr, Adam Runyon, John Dowler, Stephen Dowler, Kyle Gehres and Alisha Gehres, and three great-grandchildren, Christopher Mohr, Katrina Runyon and Morgan Dowler.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Derek Runyon; one brother, Paul Henry Dowler, and a sister, Lois Ann Dowler.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Van Wert, with Pastors Lance O'Donnell and William Barlow officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery in Convoy.
Calling hours are 4-9 p.m. Friday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert and from noon until the time of services Saturday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Mr. Dowler to the Lutheran Hour of Worship.
BECKNER
H. Richard "Rick" Beckner, 35, of Van Wert, died Monday, October 6, 2003, at his residence.
He was born June 20, 1968, in Van Wert, the son of Harold Beckner and Pam (Rupert) Beckner, both of Delphos. On September 28, 1991, he married Kristina Arn, who survives in Van Wert.
Mr. Beckner worked at Federal-Mogul Corp. in Van Wert as a press operator. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert and belonged to Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 886, also in Van Wert. He was a 1987 graduate of Van Wert High School, a 1989 graduate of Northwest Business College and was a student at Rhodes State College seeking a nursing degree at the time of his death.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by a son, Bryce Beckner, at home, and one sister, Holly Schrader of Delphos.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. Timothy Burden officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Delphos.
Calling hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the family.
