Helen Clark
SUNBURY — Helen Clark, 92, of Sunbury died March 9, 2004, at St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville.

She was born May 29, 1911, in Kingstown Township to Wayne and Alice (Carney) Carpenter. She was a 1928 graduate of Delaware High School, and had been a Sunbury resident since 1937. Helen was a homemaker and had operated the former Clark Furniture Store with her husband.

She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne (Charles) Conklin of Sunbury; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Florabel Lacher of Lewis Center; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ralph H. Clark, on July 24, 1996; sisters, Doris Kester and Mabel Stenger; and a brother, Earl Carpenter.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. in the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at 61, Sunbury, where funeral will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Larry Griffin will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 394, Sunbury 43074. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Alice V. Kinney
MOUNT VERNON — Alice V. Kinney, 72, of Mount Vernon died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at Knox Community Hospital. North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis M. Neer
HOWARD — Phyllis M. Neer, 78, of Apple Valley, Howard, died unexpectedly early Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at the Neer winter home in Englewood, Fla.

She was born Sept. 18, 1925, at Tiffin. She was retired from the Accounting Department of Kenyon College in Gambier. She was a member of the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and also attended the First Congregational Church of North Main Street.

Phyllis was an active member of the East Knox Lions Club and an Honorary Melvin Jones Fellow. She enjoyed the Apple Valley Singers, was an Honorable Kentucky Colonel and an Eastern Star member.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Neil Neer; a daughter, Carol (Rodney) Johnson of Destin, Fla.; a son, David (Linda) Neer of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and three brothers, Dale, Daniel and Allen Ziegler.

There will be no calling hours or service now, but a memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Ethel Ralston
GULF BREEZE, Fla. — Ethel Wooldridge Ralston passed away Saturday, March 6, 2004, at the Bay Breeze Nursing Home in Gulf Breeze, Fla., after a long illness.

Ethel was born on a farm outside of Howard to John and Almeda (Miller) Wooldridge. She was a graduate of Howard High School and spent her lifetime in Knox County. She was an active member of the Mount Vernon community. She was a lifetime member of the Gay Street Methodist Church, troop leader and council member for the Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scouts. Later she worked for Rudin’s Department Store and created fashion shows to display seasonal new styles being sold regionally and, her favorite, the bride’s and wedding shows.

She had been affiliated with the American Red Cross as a volunteer for many years. She became the executive director of the Knox County chapter. Ms. Ralston, during her Red Cross tenure, increased activity in the RC volunteer programs (first aid, swimming & life saving), the monthly blood program, veteran services during the Vietnam War period and added a 24-hour service for military families and the emergency blood program. She received an accommodation from the Ohio State House of Representatives for her work and was named Woman of the Hour in 1976.

Ms. Ralston is survived by her three children: Louise Ralston Thompson and John and Rick Ralston; nieces, Pauline Shorkey, Jane Holzhause and Joanne Fogle. She was especially proud of her grandchildren, Christopher Thompson, Kathy Jolley and Scott Thompson, along with her great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Rebecca Thompson, Chelsea and Amber Jolley, and Zachery, Dean and Adrienne Thompson.

Plans for a mid- to late August interment at Wesley Chapel in Greer are being made by the family.

Douglas S. Ruthig
SUNBURY — Douglas S. Ruthig, 86, of Sunbury died March 8, 2004, at Grady Memorial Hospital.

He was born Dec. 24, 1917, in Ubly, Mich., to William and Clara (Stambaugh) Ruthig. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Doug worked 45 years as the assistant plant engineer for Nestle’s in Sunbury, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Sunbury United Methodist Church, Big Walnut Conservation Club, Sparrow Lodge 400 F&AM and Benson Hough American Legion Post 457.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Frances L. (Williamson) Ruthig; sons, Steven (Susan) Ruthig of Anderson, Tenn., and Tom Ruthig of Sunbury; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and seven sisters.
Services will be held privately for the family in Sunbury Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Library, 44 Burrer Drive, Sunbury 43074; or Sunbury United Methodist Church, 100 W. Cherry St., Sunbury 43074.

Ronald N. Shumaker
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Ronald Neil Shumaker, 55, longtime resident of Homestead, Fla., died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2004, at his home of natural causes.

He was born Dec. 2, 1948, in Newark to Robert and Doris (Orsborn) Shumaker.

Surviving are his sons, Ron of Lowes, Ky., and Rene of Jacksonville, Fla.; his daughter, Cindy Ross of Jacksonville, Fla.; six grandchildren; his father, Robert Shumaker, and his sister, Sue (Ed) Sims, both of Mount Vernon.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Ron was a member of the Living Waters Full Gospel Church in Homestead, Fla. A memorial service was held at the church on March 6.