News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 6

6A OBITUARIES NEWS JOURNAL Tuesday, April 13, 2004 Leo C. Jones Rena M. Kent Clifford E. Brewer Robert W. Ewing Howard William Bletz GALION Rena M.

Kent, 88, MANSFIELD Clifford E. Brewer, 78, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at MedCentralMans-f ield Hospital after a long illness. of 639 Grove Ave. died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Galion Community Hospital after a short illness. Born Sept.

7, 1915, in Harrison County, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John Cummins and Ina Moore Cummins. She was preceded in death on March 20, 1972, by her husband, LeRoy "Pete" Kent, whom she ASHLAND Leo Jones, 82, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Samaritan Hospital He was born in Ashland, Ohio, on September 27, 1921, the son of N. Charles and Bessie Mae Barr Jones. A resident of Ashland most of his life, he was a graduate of Ashland High School and had attended Ashland JtfL. Mr.

Brewer was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Tiro, Ohio, living in the Mansfield area most of his life. He retired from PPG in 1988 after 29 years of service. Mr. Brewer BREWER married on Feb.

3, 1933. She was a graduate of Freeport High School in 1933. She was a homemaker and worked at Galion Dresser in the payroll College. Jones retired from Wooster Printing and Litho in December of 1986. An Ashland area musician, his extensive musical career included being ASHLAND Robert W.

Ewing, 72, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at Samaritan Hospital. Robert was born May 3, 1931, in Ashland, Ohio. He had been a resident of Ashland all of his life where he had been the owner and operator of Ewing TV Service and Sales. He had formerly worked at the Ashland Times-Gazette. Robert served with the U.S.

Army during the Korean Conflict. In June of 1957, Robert married Patricia Spencer, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Scott Ewing of Mon-roeville, Ohio, and Graig A. Ewing of Virginia; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Robert was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynne Ann; one brother, Bill; one sister, Carol; and his parents.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2004, at Ashland Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Bill Schaefer. Ashland Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery. Friends may visit with the family Wednesday 6 to 8 p.m.

at Heyl Funeral Home, 227 Broad Ashland. KENT JONES BUTLER Howard William Bletz, 79, formerly of College Street, died Monday, April 12, 2004, in Ohio Veteran's Home, Sandusky, after a long illness. He was born January 1, 1925, in Lexington to Edward and Clara Lehnhart Bletz. A lifelong area resident, Howard was graduated from Madison High School in 1943, and from Ohio University in 1948 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. A World War II veteran, Howard served his country with the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet from 1943 to 1945.

He married Naomi Joyce Yarger on September 1, 1946, and she preceded him in death on December 31, 2002. He had taught math and science at Union Schools before pursuing a career in electrical engineering. He had worked at Therm-O-Disc and had been one of the owners of BGW Industries. He retired from Hi-Stat Manufacturing in Lexington following ten years of service. Howard was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Butler.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda J. (Buurma) and John Stanley of Galion, Lois J. and Mark Gatton of Bellville, Louann J. and Curtis Buurma of Willard; a son and daughter-in-law, Lowell J. and Rachelle Bletz of Canal Winchester, nine grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Clara and the Rev.

Donald Martin of Mount Vernon; a brother-in-law, Walter "Bud" Bletz of Mansfield. In addition to his wife Joyce, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Evangeline Bletz, Cleva Wolf Bletz, Marjorie Davis; a brother, Emerson Bletz and a son-in-law, Gordon R. Gentry was a member of the Ontario United Methodist Church and Ontario VFW 7651. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II in the 188th Parachute Infantry. Mr.

Brewer was a great husband, father, grandfather, and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida with his wife, family and friends. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Nellie M. Rowles Brewer; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Diana Brewer of Galion and Randy Brewer of Mansfield; two daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Tom Mathis of Mansfield and Patricia and Tim Secrist of Mansfield; six grandchildren, Chad and his wife Kerry Brewer, Justin and his wife April Brewer, and Jacob Brewer, all of Galion, Bradley Brewer, Megan Mathis and Abigail Secrist, all of Mansfield; and seven great-grandchildren, Tayler, Ciarra, Julia, Maria, Cecilia, Brevyn and Xander. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Paul and Ruth Geissman Brewer, a daughter, Barbara Ann Brewer, three sisters; a brother, and one granddaughter, Lindsay Secrist.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. James F. Winkler and assisted by Dr. Clair Hess.

Military graveside services will be held at Crawford County Memory a member of Dave Reed His Rhythm Kings in 1935, Cavaliers in 1936, Larry Grayson-Frankie Reynolds Orchestra and the Tommy Van Band from 1939 through 1942. Jones was also a member of the Sultans of Swing in Cairo, Egypt, in 1945, and Speros Karas Orchestra from 1946 through 1947. Jones was also a member of The Larry Gray Band from 1947 through 1960. In 1987, Jones founded his own seven-piece dance band, Mem'ries. Now a nine-piece band, Mem'ries is still performing in the Ashland area.

He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps from 1942 through 1946, as an aircraft radio mechanic in World War II. While stationed in Cairo, Egypt, he was jazz trumpeter and arranger for the dance band known as the Sultans of Swing. He was vocal music director at Park Street Brethren Church for 13 years, and served as Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church from June 1967 until 1983. He was Director of Music at Mansfield's First United Methodist Church from 1986 until 1988. A member of Christ United Methodist Church and a charter member of Big Bands and All That Jazz Society of Ashland.

In 1947, he married Barbara Taylor Jones who died in 1972. Their children and spouses include N. Christine (Jones) and Blake Rafeld of Columbus, Jeffrey Taylor and Pamela Jones of Franklin, Tennessee, Janice Jones of Columbus and Kevin Jones and Joseph Bellissimo of Mount Vernon, New York. In 1977, Jones married Dana J. Gault.

They have one son, Nathan of Columbus. Also surviving are four grandchildren; one sister, Helen Long of Glen-dale, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 10 a.m. from Christ United Methodist Church with the Rev. Thomas Snyder officiating.

Burial will be in Ashland County Memorial Park, where Ashland Veterans Honor Guard will participate in military graveside services. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church or to Big Bands and All That Jazz Society of Ashland, in memory of Leo C. Jones.

Helen Greene GARRETTSVILLE Helen Greene, 82, died Saturday, April 10, 2004. Now home with her Lord, she was born April 15, 1921, in Rug-gles, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence and Maude Ray Pryor. She was an active member of Windham Bible Church. Helen enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren or any children. She was a life-long avid reader and longtime fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Browns.

Helen was a beautician in Gar-rettsville for 10 years and worked as a machine operator at General Electric for 11 years before retiring in 1984. Surviving are sons, Calvin "Hank" (Judy) of Howland and William "Bill" of Garrettsville; daughter, Judy of Garrettsville; eight grandchildren; 17 greatgrandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Greene, whom she married May 4, 1941, as well as two brothers and three sisters. Calling hours will be held Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home, 8382 Center Garrettsville.

Funeral services will be held on her birthday, Thursday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at The Windham Bible Church, with the Rev. Fred Youngen officiating. Burial will be in Windham Township Cemetery. June Irene Zeller FREMONT, Mich.

June Irene Zeller, 73, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, in Rockford, Mich. She was born on April 21, 1930, in Columbus, Ohio, to Alfred Emil and Georgia Belle (Lamb) Noldan and married Robert Zeller on June 4, 1949, in Chicago. She was a member of the Order Of The Eastern Star Unity Chapter 61 and of Fremont United Methodist Church. She is survived by her children, April Irene Ruth of Fremont, Robert Lee (Paula) Zeller Jr. of Naperville, Illinois, May I.

(David) Lyngklip of Rockford, Michigan, and Dwight Lee Zeller of Mansfield, Ohio; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Robert (Carol) Noldan of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Zeller; brothers, George and Leonard; sisters, Elizabeth, Norma, and Bonnie; and stepparents, Harry and Esther Stingley. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, with funeral services immediately following at noon from Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont with interment in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Kent County, do Crandell Funeral Home, PO Box 148, Fremont, MI 49412.

(1-888-464-7837 or www.crandellfh.com) Leona J. Butler ASHLAND Leona J. Butler, 85, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at Samaritan Hospital. On November 22, 1918, in Funk, Ohio, Leona was born to the late Samual and Elizabeth Shearer Chance. She had been a resident of Ashland County most of her life.

Leona was a homemaker and very devoted to her family and those that she loved. On July 25, 1942, Leona married Lloyd M. Butler, who preceded her in death August of 1971. Surviving Leona are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Melvin and Linda Butler, Garold and Beth Butler and Roger Butler; two daughters, Susan Butler and Deloris Butler, all of Ashland; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Leona was also preceded by one daughter, Barbara Gerwig, and a grandson, Scottie Butler.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at Heyl Funeral Home, 227 Broad Ashland. Interment will be at Ashland Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Gerry Buurma.

Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is serving the family with interment services in St Peter's Cemetery on German Church Snyder Funeral Homes Memorial contributions may be made to VWFNER MANSFIELD Gordon R. Gentry, 87, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at MedCentralMansfield Hospital after a short illness. Gordon was born in Shelburn, Indiana, March 27, 1917, to Ollie and Flora Logan Gentry and came to Mansfield in 1938. He served with the 12th Quartermaster Training Regiment in the U.S. Army during World War IL He later retired after 45 years doing plumbing, heating and electrical work.

Gordon was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ. Gordon is survived by his wife, Eva Kurfis Gentry; a son and daughter-in-law, Rex and Lori Gentry of Dayton; a daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Richard Profit of Mansfield; a grandson and his wife, Shane and Jennie Hunt of Florida; and two granddaughters, Amy and her husband Jon Armstrong, and Al-isha Profit of Mansfield. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Myles and Max Gentry, and a sister, Lilla Belle Kurfis. Friends may call at Herlihy-Tinsman-Moleno Funeral Home, 173 Park Avenue West, on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Lon McSherley officiating. Interment will be in Mansfield Cemetery. Dorothy A.

Hall MANSFIELD Dorothy A. Hall, 94, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at MedCentralMansfield Hospital. The family has requested that there be no calling hours or memorial service observed. All funeral arrangements are being department and at Perfection-Cobey Co. in Galion.

She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she played the organ for many years. She was an excellent seamstress and good at crafts such as crocheting, knitting and quilting. She made many afghans and enjoyed cooking and baking. She was known for her angel food cakes at family gatherings. The last few years she has been listening to her Bose stereo and was especially fond of Christian music.

Surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Nancy Kent, of Galion, Wayne "Bud" and Carol Kent, of Mansfield, Larry and Nancy Kent, of Dearborn Heights, 10 grandchildren, Rick, Robert and Russell Kent, Cindy Voss, Jenny Eachus, Judy Housel, Jeff and Dan Kent, Debbie Lohn and Kathy Pastoria; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, John Cummins, of Rochester, N.Y.; and a sister, Mary E. Robison, of Sher-rodsville. She was preceded in death by a brother, Meredith Cummins. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at Richardson-Davis Funeral Home where services will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 14, with the Rev. Timothy Wingert officiating. Interment will be in Crawford County Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 445 N. Market Galion 44833.

A guest registry is available at www.richardsondavis.com. Ronnie Dean Taylor SHELBY Ronnie Dean Taylor, 44, of 107 Weller Road died Sunday, April 11, 2004. He died in Tiro at the home of fianc6, Pam Sheriff, after a long illness. Mr. Taylor was born in Willard on January 15, 1960, to the late Wallace "Junior" and Eunice Terry Taylor.

He lived here five years, coming from Mansfield. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and Crawford Coon Hunters and Sportsmen. Surviving are a son, John Taylor of Crestline; daughter, Tuesday Marie Taylor of Washington; two brothers, two sisters and a brother-in-law, Wallace Taylor of Pikeville, Tyrone Taylor of Shelby, Shirley and Sam Roberts of Tiro, Fonda Petrik of Crestline; nieces and nephews, Doug Collins, Dennis Collins, Steve Gibbons, Don Collins, Cathy Ward, Danny Collins, Shawn Petrik, Phil Petrik, Sherry Scheurer; and his fiance Pam Sheriff, and her children, Nathan Wade and Makayla Dawn Sheriff. He was preceded in death by a brother, Don Collins. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the Mark A. Schneider Funeral Home, Crestline, where funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Crestline. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. Road.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. uiuano unueu Methodist Church. Online guest registry at www.wappner.com. James R. Clark Thelma E.

Arons MOUNT GILEAD Thelma E. Arons, 82, died Monday, April 12, 2004, at home. She was a lifelong Morrow County resident, where she was born near Wa- terford on November 14, 1921, the daughter of the late Clint and Nannie Whitney Cover. She was a dedicated and ARONS loving mother and grandmother who had hairdresser for worked as a the former handled by Werner Funeral Home, 175 W. Third Mansfield 44902.

Mfcrm NEW LONDON James R. Clark, 76, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at home after a long illness. He was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Hannibal, Missouri, son of the late Leslie and Leo Waterfield Clark. He moved to North Fairfield when he was one year old and had lived in Willard.

Mr. Clark had lived in New London since 1971. He was a 1945 graduate of Willard High School and a graduate of Ohio Northern University as a pharmacist. He served in the armed forces of the United States Army Air Corps from 1945 until 1948 where he was a pilot and flew B-17's and B-24's. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and rode as a young man.

He was a pilot and had owned his own plane for many years. He owned and operated Clark's Pharmacy in New London from 1973 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Clark also loved to fish. Surviving are his wife, Ann Packard Clark; four daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Dan Buurma and Jamie and Raymond Secor, all of Willard, Debbie and Dale Holiday of Bellville and Linda and Richard VanSpronsen of Cincinnati; a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Linda Robson of Ft.

Myers, 12 grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathleen Crum; a grandson, Brett R. Buurma; a sister and two brothers; and two sons-in-law, Glen Crum and Tim Postema. Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 W.

Main New London where funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, conducted by Pastor Cathy Ake of New London United Methodist Church. Burial with military rites will follow at Steuben Cemetery. Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society, Northeast Ohio Region-Western Area, Lorain Area Office, 43099 N. Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035.

Reed's Beauty Shop in Edison. Thelma enjoyed crocheting, cooking and gardening. She is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Sue (Fulton) Roberts of Wisner, Louisiana, Bonnie (Charlie) Ferrington and Sharon (Kenneth) Smith, all of Mount Gilead, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Angie, Shane, Jodee, Amy, Kevin, Chad and Michael; and seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Whitney, Joce-lyn, Kara, Chase, Conner and Kevin Jr. She was preceded in death on Feb. 26, 1995, by her husband, Wilbert F.

Arons, whom she married June 9, 1943. Brothers, Glenn and Earl Cover, and a sister, Ruth Olson, also preceded her in death. Friends may call at Craven Funeral Home in Mount Gilead Wednesday from 24 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held there Thursday at 10 a.m. by Pastors Joe Gra Online condolences may be made by visiting www.wernerfu-neral.com.

Clear Fork treasurer gets new role News Journal staff report MANSFIELD Lorraine Earnest will be appointed treasurer of Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center today by the MOESC Board of Governors. Earnest is treasurer of Clear Fork Valley Local School District. She will intern under MOESC treasurer Ilene LeMaster starting July 1, and will assume her new position as MOESC treasurer Jan. 1. Earnest brings 14 years of experience in education to MOESC.

She has been treasurer for the Richland County Board of Education and the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center. Earnest has a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting from Bowling Green State University, and a treasurer's license from the Ohio Department of Ruth Alice Kieffer GALION Ruth Alice Kieffer, 74, of 5560 Ohio 19 died Saturday, April 10, 2004. She died at the home of her son after a long illness. Born Jan. 23, 1930, in Muncie, she was the daughter of the late Charles Clevenger and Edith Hogue Clevenger.

She was preceded in death on June 23, 1987, by her husband, Clifford J. Kieffer, whom she married on Feb. 5, 1949. She belonged to the Rural Mothers Club and volunteered at Rosewood Manor Nursing Center. She enjoyed her home and taking care of her property.

A homemaker, she made horse blankets and shipped them all over the country. She also made trophy covers for the Crawford County Fair. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Alice Kieffer of Merced, and James and Beth Kieffer of Galion; four grandchildren, Dennis, Robert, Paul and Michael Kieffer; three greatgrandchildren; and two sisters, Frances Middleton of Muncie, and Mary Oxley of Fort Worth, Texas. She was preceded in death by a sister, Hilda Bird, and a brother, Fred Clevenger. Friends may call 5-9 p.m.

Wednesday, April 14, at Richardson-Davis Funeral Home where services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 15, conducted by the Rev. Timothy Keeler and the Rev. Andy Grimes. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 15, at Lindenwood Cemetery, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to HomeCare Matters Hospice, P.O. Box 327, Galion 44833. A guest registry is available at www.richardsondavis.com.

ham and Doug Bryan. Burial will be in Fulton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County or Snyder Funeral Homes Lifeline. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. Edith B.

Johnson MOUNT VERNON Edith B. Johnson, 94, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Country Club Retirement Campus. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, conducted by the Rev. Paul Merki.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour before Jack R. Zeides PERRYSBURG Former Bellville resident Jack R. Zeides, 53, of Perrysburg died Tuesday, April 6, 2004, of a sudden illness. He was born May 28, 1950, in Mansfield, Ohio, to George A. Zeides and Helen Bechtel Zeides Frontz, who preceded him in death.

Jack was also preceded in death by a stepfather, Raymond Frontz, and stepbrother, Ray Frontz Jr. Surviving are his wife, Nancy Poniatowski Zeides; sons, Jason E. and Matthew C. Zeides; sisters, Cheyrl Kaufman of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Joyce (Roger) Norris of Bellville, Ohio; stepsisters, Wilma (Ralph) Weik-le of W.Va., Virginia (Joe) But-terbaugh of Bellville, Ohio, and Lenore Frontz of Mansfield. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Services were held April 9, 2004, in Perrysburg, Ohio, Memorials may be made to Nancy Zeides for Jack's sons' college fund at Box 206, Butler, OH 44822. I ii I W3W CD Infobits Your FREE consultation will Include answers to wmm 'uaai'l your questions, a hearing evaluation (If you wish) a discussion ot styles prices to determine what Is best for YOUI the funeral. Burial will be in Millwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High Mount Ver (You not purchmt at this time) Snyder Funeral Homes In 1955, in the NCAA basketball championship, San Francisco defeated La Salle (77-63).

In 1 954, the Robert Joffrey Ballet debuted. In 1954, Lionel Barrymore and Henri Matisse died. In 1955, the Kentucky Derby champion was Swaps. "1 UXfWJU9 CJJU.lt non 43050. Condolences may be ex- Mansfield Marion Wopster: pressed at 330.264.8344 419.756.4283 787 Lexington Ave.

740.383.5703 1125 Ellen Kov Dr. 137 Bed! Ave. II.