Robert E. Blankenship
MOUNT VERNON — Robert E. Blankenship, 80, of Mount Vernon died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at Whispering Hills Care Center in Mount Vernon. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon.

Kathryn C. Blue
MOUNT VERNON — Kathryn C. Blue, 88, of Mount Vernon died Feb. 20, 2005, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon.

She was born Dec. 25, 1916, in Mount Vernon to John and Minnie (Schneider) Loy. She was a member of Gay Street United Methodist Church and had been a longtime employee of The Alcove Restaurant.

She is survived by two sons, Lewis A. Blue of McCormick, S.C., and Robert (Lynn) Blue of Howard; two daughters, Kathryn (Gordon) Armstrong of Little Mountain, S.C., and Nancy (Mason) Ash of Mount Vernon; one sister, Pearl Poulton of Delaware; four grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Albert A. Blue, in 2000; a son, James A. Blue; three brothers, John, William and Hershal Loy; and three sisters, Dolly (Dancey) King, Florence Christ and Marie Zeiher.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home. The family will observe private graveside services in Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Dr. David A. Baker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gay Street United Methodist Church Living Memorial Fund, 18 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary, along with an online registry page, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Dale E. Everhart Sr.
HOWARD — Dale E. Everhart Sr., 58, of Howard died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Brenda J. Hubbard
HOWARD — Brenda J. Hubbard, 55, of Howard died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at her residence. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon.

Kathleen McCracken
CENTERBURG — Kathleen McCracken, 66, of Centerburg died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at Grant Medical Center.

She was born June 2, 1938, in Licking County, the daughter of Samuel “Otis” and Evelyn (Babcock) Barrick. She graduated from Hartford High School. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who was dedicated to her family. She was a member of the Centerburg United Methodist Church, and a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 100. She enjoyed bowling, watching her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, traveling, and playing cards and bingo.

She is survived by her husband, Donald McCracken, whom she married March 7, 1957; a son, Jeffrey (Jane) McCracken of Centerburg; two daughters, Lisa (Robert) Howard of Lake Mary, Fla., and Karen McCracken of Centerburg; three grandchildren, Max McCracken, R.J. Howard and Misty Roberts; a brother, Rodney Barrick of Centerburg; and three sisters, Marlene Robbins and Connie (Steve) Fetch, both of Sunbury, and Ronda (Dennis) Seligman of Centerburg.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Barrick.

Friends may call Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 and Ohio 61, Sunbury. Pastor Bob Riggs will conduct funeral service there Friday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Centerburg Interchurch Social Services, 40 N. Clayton St., Centerburg, OH 43011. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Charles Melcher
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — Charles H. Melcher, 74, of Beaver Falls died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, in Jameson Hospital, New Castle, Pa.

He was born June 13, 1930, in Franklin, N.J., the son of Paul R. and Edith (Reynolds) Melcher. He was a retired mechanical engineer from the Cooper Energy Services in Grove City, Pa., an Army veteran having served during the Korean conflict, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a 50-year member of the American Legion.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Patricia Melcher; a son, Charles W. (Sandra) Melcher and children Shane and Bryan of Huston, Texas; stepchildren, Cecile (Chris) Cloutier of Minneapolis, Minn., John (Martha) Thompson and children Eric and Anna of Seattle, Wash., Mary Francis Thayer of Kalamazoo, Mich., Therese (Mike) Hunwick and children Elizabeth, Cason, Jacob and Ava of Saline, Mich., and Susan (Dan) Liebau of Dollar Bay, Mich.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Spratt Funeral Home, 1901 Seventh Ave., Beaver Falls, and Thursday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Grove City, Pa. Pastor James M. Seeley will officiate. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Grove City, Pa.

Dorothy L. Phillips
CENTERBURG — Dorothy L. Phillips, 87, of Centerburg, formerly of Columbus, passed away Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005.

She was a former member of Pythian Sisters and Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Mary Eileen Phillips; nieces, Gwendolyn Sager and Betty Roman; nephews, Roger Phillips and Russell Phillips; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Friends may call Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Moreland Funeral Home, 55 E. Schrock Road, Westerville. Graveside service and burial will follow at 1 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery, Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road, New Albany. Pastor John Zimmerman will officiate.

Myrtle E. Ruse
MANSFIELD — Myrtle E. (Dobbins) Ruse, 79, longtime member of the Forest City Chapter of the Eastern Star in Cleveland, entered into rest Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005, in Mansfield.

She was the beloved wife of the late Buzz. She was the loving sister of the following, who preceded her in death, Lloyd and George Dobbins and Evelyn Trout.

She was the dearest aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt of many.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Bollinger-Catavolos Funeral Home, 98l0 Denison, Cleveland, where the family will receive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. Internment will be in West Park Cemetery.

Ray W. Sapp
WESTERVILLE — Ray W. Sapp, 78, of Westerville died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at Kobacker House surrounded by his family.

His career included City Loan in Mount Vernon, Newark City Loan, manager of Circleville City Loan, manager of Columbus City Loan, branch manager of Commercial Credit, vice president of Consumer Credit at Huntington Bank, manager of Credit Bureau of Columbus and he retired as president of Citizen’s State Bank in Cincinnati in 1988. Ray entered the U.S. Navy in 1944, the day after his high school graduation, and served in the South Pacific as a crew member of LST 1140 until 1946.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth; sons, Michael (Kim) Sapp of Nashville, Tenn., and Thomas (Leslie) Sapp of Powell; grandchildren, Ryan, Emily and Evan Sapp of Nashville and Taylor Sapp of Powell; a brother, Charles (Mary) Sapp; sister-in-law, Helen (Gene) Dennehy; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Florence Sapp; and sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Bill Little.

Friends may call Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Moreland Funeral Home, 55 E. Schrock Road, Westerville. Memorial celebration will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Central College Presbyterian Church, 975 S. Sunbury Road, Westerville. The Rev. David Redding will officiate. Interment will be in Moundview Cemetery, Mount Vernon.

Contributions may be made to Kobacker House, 3724 Olentangy River Road, Suite G, Columbus, OH 43214.

Marie Sellers
LOUDONVILLE — Marie (Brunner) Sellers of Stone Meadow Circle, Loudonville, and formerly of Josephine Street, Staten Island, N.Y., passed away Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at Colonial Manor in Loudonville.

She was born April 18, 1916, in Staten Island, N.Y., to John and Christianna (Maier) Brunner. Marie was one of the first members of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps when it was formed and organized. They trained in what had been stables in the Des Moines, Iowa, Army Base. They were the first women’s enlisted company to be sent overseas in 1942 during World War II. Marie served at AFHQ in Algiers, Africa, while only the American English and French combined forces were fighting Brummel. Marie was reassigned to the Air Force when she was sent to Naples, Italy, from Algiers.

She was awarded the Bronze Star with palms and mentioned in dispatches by the RAF through the British government. At the end of the war, she returned to her job at the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C., where she was employed since 1936. Marie was promoted to supervisor of disability claims and moved to Baltimore, Md., where she married Orel T. Sellers in April 1957.

Marie retired in 1984 and returned to Staten Island following her husband’s death in 1986. She cared for her brother, Alfred Brunner, and sister-in-law, Anne, in the family home on Staten Island until their passing then moved to Loudonville in 2001 to live with her cousin, Frances C. Webster, and to be near her remaining family. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and Golden Center.

Besides her parents, her husband, Orel T. Sellers, brother and sister-in-law, Alfred and Anne Brunner, and special friend, George Booth, preceded Marie in death.

She is survived by her remaining family, Frances C. Webster of Loudonville; Russ and Mary Webster of Honolulu, Hawaii; David and Judy and goddaughter, Megan Webster, of Loudonville; Michael, Salli, Joshua, Matthew and Morgan Webster of Lexington; Doug Gordon and family of Mechanicsville, Md.

Marie was a gracious and caring person, loved by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be Sunday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church. Marie will be interred in the Maier family plot in Fairview Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y., as she wished. These services are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Road, Mount Vernon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 222 E. Main St., Loudonville, OH 44842; or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1605 County Road 1095, Ashland, OH 44805.

Virginia M. Tier
MOUNT VERNON — Virginia Marie (Kelly) Tier, 83, of Mount Vernon passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2005, in Miami, Fla.

She was born July 25, 1921, in Morrow County to Arthur and Grace (Cowdery) Kelly. Virginia spent most of her life in the Morrow County area. She had attended Mount Gilead schools and had worked in the school cafeteria for many years.

She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, William Tier of Mount Vernon; a daughter, Grace (Robert) Morgan of Miami, Fla.; a son, Samuel (Diana) Hindman of Lexington, Ky.; a stepson, William (Dixie) Tier Jr. of London, Ohio; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Earl (Thelma) Kelly of Cuyahoga Falls.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Hindman; and a brother, Donald Kelly.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home with Samuel Hindman officiating. Burial will follow in Mound View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Levi A. Wells
MOUNT VERNON — Levi A. Wells, 69, of Harcourt Road, Mount Vernon, passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at Knox Community Hospital.

He was born Dec. 23, 1935, in Parkersburg, W.Va., son to Alonzo and Minnie (Lawson) Wells. Mr. Wells was employed as a truck driver and most recently at L.B. Manufacturing. He was a member of the AMVETS Post 95.

He is survived by his wife of over 45 years, Ann F. (Boyce) Wells; a son, Howard Wells of Mount Vernon; two daughters, Melody (Ken) Hall and Lisa (James) Perrine, both of Mount Vernon; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy (Howard) Dalton of Parkersburg, W.Va.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wells was preceded in death by a granddaughter, McKenzie Wells; a brother, James Wells; and an infant great-granddaughter.

Friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, where a service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Helen Germani will officiate. Burial will follow in Liberty Chapel Cemetery.

This obituary and online condolences can be accessed at: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.