Search Archived Marriage Records
Date of these obituaries: 09-10-97
Mike Gier, inspired parents to create special school
Mike Gier was only 40 when he died Monday and his name may not be well-known.
But because of Mr. Gier, new organizations to help special-needs children and adults were founded in Northern Kentucky.
Mike Gier was autistic and his mother, Dorothy "Miss Dot" Gier, had to learn to help him herself because there were few agencies that could help her at the time.
In the 1960s, Mrs. Gier and her husband, Charles H. Gier, of Covington, joined other couples in beginning a voluntary school for multiple-handicapped infants and children.
The Riverside Good Council, which the Giers helped start, eventually was absorbed into New Perceptions Inc. in Edgewood.
Mike Gier, of Covington, suffered from a lung ailment.
But he worked as an assembler at New Perceptions, often packing boxes for large companies.
He followed his mother's wish and became as independent as he could, said his older brother, Thomas Gier of Ft. Wright.
"My brother was my mother's inspiration. My parents looked at what could they do for him and in return helped so many people, " Thomas Gier said.
Mike Gier died Monday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood.
His parents spent most of their lives helping children and Mrs. Gier became a gifted physical therapist, Thomas Gier said.
In fact, Mrs. Gier, who died in January, trained many physical therapists who work in Northern Kentucky today, her son said.
"Mike was the reason my mom touched so many people. Mike was the seed that everything sprouted from, " Thomas Gier said.
Mike Gier enjoyed watching sports and had a good sense of humor, his brother said.
"Mike was autistic, but he was smart in the things he knew, " Thomas Gier said.
In addition to his brother and father, survivors include a sister, Mary Ann Spare of Ft. Wright.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Church, Ft. Wright. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Covington.
Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell.
Memorials are suggested to New Perceptions Adult Workshop, 1 Sperti Drive, Edgewood 41017.
Ruby J. Butts, 73, of Alexandria, died at 4:23 p.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North, Covington.
Arrangements are pending at Alexandria Funeral Home.
Pauline Cummings, 72, of Crescent Springs, died at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke Hospital East, Ft. Thomas.
Arrangements are pending at Don Catchen and Son Funeral Home, Elsmere.
Peggy Ann Eversole, 49, of Port Royal, died at 1 a.m. Monday at her home after a lengthy illness.
She was a retired laborer with Grote Manufacturing.
Survivors include a son, Adam J. Coghill of Carrollton; daughters, Julie Ann Coghill of Evans, Ga., and Mary Ellen Eversole of Carrollton; her father, Wilmer Henry of Ohio; sisters, Betty Wilson of Worthville, Patricia Dial of Milton and Jane Gullion of Warsaw; and two grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at New Liberty Cemetery. Graham-Dunn Funeral Home, Carrollton, is handling arrangements.
Delbert Garland, 75, of Covington, died at 10:05 a.m. Monday at St. Luke Hospital West, Florence.
He was a retired steel worker.
His wife, Mamie Garland, died in 1987. Sons, Roger Garland and Michael Garland, died in 1996 and 1994, respectively.
Survivors include daughters, LaDonna Sue Thomas of Ft. Thomas and Debbie Abramis of Southgate; a sister, Bertie Creekmore of Whitley City; and six grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Newport. Visitation will begin there at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association, 1885 Dixie Highway, Suite 250, Ft. Wright 41011, or American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., West Chester, Ohio 45103.
Betty Rose Fitzgerald Kessel, 92, of Highland Heights, died at 5:25 a.m. Tuesday at Lakeside Place Nursing Home in Highland Heights.
She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Highland Heights.
Survivors include a son, Donald Fitzgerald, and two grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Dobbling Funeral Home, Ft. Thomas. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. Memorials are suggested to the church, 2315 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights 41076.
Audrey Martin, 76, of Taylor Mill, died at 2:30 a.m. today at St. Elizabeth Medical Center Hospice, Covington.
Arrangements are pending at Connley Brothers Funeral Home, Latonia.
Fred McDaniels, 87, of Southgate, died Tuesday at his home.
Arrangements are pending at Alexandria Funeral Home.
Arletta M. Nagle, 90, of Dayton, died at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke Hospital East, Ft. Thomas.
She was a homemaker. Her husband, Joseph O. Nagle, died in 1978.
Survivors include sons, Paul Nagle of Dayton, Dan Nagle of Covington and David Nagle of Villa Hills; a daughter, Ella Kiefer of Ft. Thomas; a sister, Evelyn Tackett of Navoto, Calif.; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Dayton. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 524 Fourth Ave., Dayton 41074.
Willie J. Parr, 80, of Corinth, died Tuesday at Owen County Memorial Hospital, Owenton.
He was a farmer and mail carrier, and a member of Richland Baptist Church.
His wife, Marie Gaines Parr, died in 1994.
Survivors include a brother, Millard H. Parr of New Columbus.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home, Seminary Street, Owenton.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, Owenton.
Oma French Schell, 82, of Taylor Mill, died at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday at her grandson's home in Ft. Thomas.
She was a homemaker and a member of Taylor Mill Pentecostal Church.
Her husband, Herbert H. Schell, died in 1981.
Survivors include sons, Darrel G. Schell of Ft. Wright and Jerry C. Schell of Lexington; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill.
Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 7730 U.S. 42, Suite C6, Florence 41042.
Allison and Rose Funeral Home, Taylor Mill, is handling arrangements.
