George Alven
MOUNT VERNON — George Alven, 57, of Vernonview Drive, Mount Vernon, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center.

He was born Nov. 8, 1946, in Akron, son to Robert and Winifred (Cryer) Welch.

He is survived by a brother, Wesley Alven of Loraine.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be Friday, Aug. 13, a 1:30 p.m. in Ebenezer Cemetery, with the Rev. Dennis Hill officiating.

The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home assisted with funeral arrangements. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Ronald L. Bell
CARDINGTON — Ronald L. Bell, 52, of Cardington, formerly of Johnstown, passed away Aug. 9, 2004.

Ronald was born Jan. 6, 1952, in Mount Vernon to Harold Owen and Betty Rose (Dowell) Bell Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma “Candy” (Warren) Bell; his three girls, Bobbi (fiancé, Craig Bartholomew) Bell of Columbus, Esther Sheffer of Perrysville and Roni (Buddy) Cunningham of Marengo; his three brothers, Tom (Noni) Bell, Raymond (Diane) Bell and Larry Bell, all of Johnstown.

A memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Crouse-Kauber-Sammons Funeral Home, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown.

Memorial contributions can be made in Ronald’s name to the American Cancer Society. An online memorial can be located at crousekaubersammons.plan4ever.com.

John B. Donofrio
HOWARD — John B. Donofrio, 64, of Howard died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.

He was born July 26, 1940, in Cambridge, Mass., and was employed as a driver for DTF Trucking with Dana Corp. He was retired from Teamsters Local 25 in Cambridge, Mass. He was a member and past-exhaled Ruler of the Elks Lodge and was a member of the Moose Lodge in Cambridge.

Surviving are his wife, Evva (Sickler) Donofrio; his mother, Alma (Crivello) Donofrio Alexander of Marlboro, Mass.; three sons, John B. (Vicki Korovillas) Donofrio Jr. of Medford, Mass., Joseph A. (Romie) Donofrio of North Andover, Mass., Kevin A. (Christine) Donofrio of Reading, Mass.; five daughters, Francine (Joey) Piwinski of Malden, Mass., Doreen R. (Patrick) O’Shea of Fall River, Mass., Kathleen (Joseph) Barboza of Ayer, Mass., Christine (Joel) Burke of Cambridge, Mass., and Charlene (Patrick) Skelly of Rocky Hill, Conn.; five stepsons, Greg Ricketson of Casselberry, Fla., Shawn (Kathleen) Ricketson of Hemet, Calif., Jamie (Deb) Swartz of St. Joe, Mo., Jyson Swartz of Hiawatha, Kan., and Curt Swartz of San Diego, Calif.; four stepdaughters, Evva (Randy) Mayfield and Hope (David) Law, both of Hiawatha, Kan., Amanda (Travis) Thomas and Ashley (Phil) Hicks, both of Mount Vernon; 39 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a brother, Edmund Donofrio of Cambridge, Mass.; and two sisters, Virginia Kapp of Falmouth, Mass., and Nancy Greenberg of Boston, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his father, John A. Donofrio; and his stepfather, Alex Alexander.

Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon where a Christian Wake Service will follow at 7 p.m. A Mass of resurrection and burial will be in Cambridge, Mass., on Monday.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Make A Wish Foundation. This obituary and online condolences at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Richard LaFever Sr.
MOUNT VERNON — Richard Neal LaFever Sr., 79, of Mount Vernon passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon after a brief illness.

Richard was born Aug. 6, 1925, in Mount Vernon to Calvin Ray and Edith (Neal) LaFever. Richard graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended Kenyon College in Gambier. Richard served with the U.S. Navy for 3 1/2 years in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired from Cooper Energy in 1983 and was a member of the American Legion and attended the Faith Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia (Lawrence) LaFever; his daughter, Nancy LaFever; a son-in-law, Steve Trout of Johnstown; a son, Richard Neal LaFever Jr.; a daughter-in-law, Sharon LaFever; and two grandchildren, Cara and Jaclyn LaFever of Eldersburg, Md.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Barbara Fant and Miriam Wise Hall.

The family will have a private celebration of Richard’s life at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society Cat Shelter, 400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon 43050. Funeral arrangements are through the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.