Kenneth C. Barton

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kenneth Clay Barton died March 18, 2004, at his home in The Palms, 2674 Winkler Ave., Apt. 236, Fort Myers, Fla.

He was born March 8, 1912, to Fred and Clara Barton, and graduated from Fredericktown High School. He was a member of the Ohio State Patrol during the early days of motorcycle use. Later he became an adjuster for Nationwide Insurance retiring in 1974. He was a member of the Owl creek Church of Ankenytown.

His wife of 67 years, Betty (Long) Barton, survives. Also surviving are his son, Lowell (Jintana) Barton of Bangkok, Thailand; four grandsons, Lowell Barton Jr., Robert (Louise) Barton, Anthony (Jill) Barton and Kelvin Barton; two granddaughters, Jennifer (John) Barton Blandina and Holly Barton Denig; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; stepsister, Velma Corba of Fredericktown; and two sisters-in-law, Otta Barton of Pikeville, Ky., and Margery Stoodt of Bellville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray Barton and Howard Barton.

Memorial services in Ohio are pending.

Mary Jo Deem

MOUNT VERNON — Mary Jo Deem, 75, of Mount Vernon died March 24, 2004, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert H. Mayer

MOUNT VERNON — Dr. Robert H. Mayer, 84, of Mount Vernon died Thursday, March 18, 2004, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Dr. Mayer was born June 4, 1919, in Mount Vernon to Joseph and Margaret (Weber) Mayer Sr., and spent most of his lifetime in Mount Vernon. He graduated from St. Vincent de Paul High School and attended The Ohio State University. He served as a major in the Army Rangers attached to the 25th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater of war during World War II.

Following the war he earned his degree as a doctor of optometry from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and, following a few years practice in Mansfield, he opened his office in Mount Vernon where he practiced for over 30 years. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon and the Mount Vernon Elks Lodge, and was a former member of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club and the Mount Vernon Country Club.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Adelaide (Reed) Mayer; his son, Christopher (Barbara) Mayer of Hoover, Ala.; his daughter, Suzanne (Allen) Rowland of Centerburg; two grandsons, Reed Joseph (Melissa) Mayer of Orlando, Fla., and Ian Christopher Mayer of Hoover, Ala.; and his brother, Dr. Joseph Mayer Jr. of Mount Vernon.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Field.

The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dwight E. Ryan

MOUNT VERNON — Dwight E. Ryan, 86, of Monroe Street, Mount Vernon, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon.

Mr. Ryan was born May 28, 1917, in Martinsburg to James C. and Emma J. (Mercer) Ryan, and had lived his lifetime in Knox County. He was a former employee of Cooper Energy Services in Mount Vernon and the city of Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Mount Vernon.

Surviving are his wife, Mary (Vernon) Ryan, whom he married April 23, 1940; his daughter, Sandy (Ralph) Brooks of Fredericktown; two sons, Carl (Blanche) Ryan and Donald Ryan, both of Mount Vernon; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Caroline (White) Ryan; his sister, Neva Wilkin; and three brothers, Ora Ryan, Fred Ryan and Walter Ryan.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, where funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Duane Kramer will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. This obituary and guest register are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.