James E. Bowers
CENTERBURG — James E. Bowers, 66, of Centerburg died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Heartland of Centerburg.

He was a retired truck driver for Davis Express.

He is survived by his children, Yvonne Garman, James W. (Jill) Bowers and Patricia Grant; eight grandchildren; a brother, Norman (Lucille) Bowers; a sister, Betty (Paul) Carlisle; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Melinda Bowers.

Graveside service will be Saturday, April 9, at 2:30 p.m. in Bloomfield Cemetery at Centerburg. The Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home at Centerburg is in charge of arrangements.

Harold ‘Hal’ Gates
MANSFIELD — Harold E. “Hal” Gates, 72, of Mansfield died Friday, April 8, 2005, in Nashville, Tenn. The North-Dilley Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is in charge of arrangements.

Gayle C. Geiger
GAMBIER — Gayle C. Geiger, 59, of Gambier died Friday, April 8, 2005, at her residence. The North-Dilley Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is in charge of arrangements.

John Krempel Jr.
MOUNT VERNON — John J. Krempel Jr., 85 of Beech Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Whispering Hills Care Center.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1920, in Mount Vernon to John and Helena (Berg) Krempel Sr. John retired in 1976 after 30 years of employment with Continental Can Co. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater and Solomon Islands during World War II. John was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knox County Joint Veterans Council, American Legion, 40 and 8, and had served as past commander of the American Legion. He was also very active in the Color Guard at Mount Vernon High School football games. John loved his country, family and friends and never met a stranger.

He is survived by a son, William (Patricia) Krempel of Mount Vernon; two grandchildren, Tricia (Alan) Zeiner, David (Dorothy) Krempel; a great-granddaughter, Alexandria Krempel; two brothers, Lawrence (Theresa) Krempel of Homer, James (Roberta) Krempel of Wooster; four sisters, Frances Umphryes of Fredericktown, Margaret Chester of Arizona, Agnes Hawkins of Centerburg and Veronica Dezse of Indianapolis, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rowena (Mossholder) Krempel; three infant children, Patricia Krempel, David Krempel, Joseph Krempel; an infant great-grandchild, Hope Zeiner; a brother, Leo Krempel; and two sisters, Helen Mills and Mary Shaffer.

Friends may call Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home where a rosary will be read at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Burial, with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or to the American Lung Association can be left at the funeral home. This obituary and guest registry can be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Patricia A. Robbins
GROVE CITY — Patricia Ann (Cox) Robbins, 75, formerly of Marion, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at the Monterey Care Center in Grove City, from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Patty was born March 18, 1930, in Schenectady, N.Y., to Charles and Leondina Cox. Patty graduated summa cum laude in 1952 from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. She arrived in Marion shortly thereafter to begin work as a “Betty Newton” for the Ohio Fuel Gas Co., later known as Columbia Gas. While at the gas company, she met John E. Robbins and they were married in 1954.

While in Marion, Patty was active in many civic associations, including the League of Women Voters, the Marion County Board of Visitors and the Democratic Women’s Club. She was also a Brownie leader, room mother, and an avid Little League fan and scorekeeper. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Patty also worked for several years as a home economics teacher at Marion Catholic High School and as a substitute teacher in the Marion City Schools. Patty’s children and friends will always remember her patriotism, intellect, pleasant disposition and beautiful smile.

Patty is survived by her loving children, Tom (Terry) Robbins of Marion, Jim Robbins (Kelly Welker) of Mount Vernon, Nancy (Jack) Smith of Grove City and Frances Robbins (John Seiler) of Columbus. She also leaves behind a stepson, Mike Robbins of Nashville; and six grandchildren, Matthew Robbins, Molly Robbins, Adam Robbins, Keri Robbins, Jordan Welker and Mark Louks. In addition, she will be greatly missed by her sister, Charlotte (Tony) Vellake of Red Hook, N.Y.; and brother, Vincent Cox of Treasure Island, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Robbins, in 1990; her parents; and sister, Kathleen Shanklin.

Calling hours will be Sunday, April 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Gunder, Hall & Folk Funeral Home, 347 W. Center St., Marion. A Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 251 N. Main St. Burial will immediately follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or a favorite charity. Patty’s children wish to gratefully acknowledge the care, love and kindness extended to their mother by the staff and residents of the Monterey Care Center. Her stay at Monterey was pleasant because of you. Condolences may be expressed to the family at GunderHallFolk@aol.com.

Clyde Schroeder
MOUNT VERNON — Clyde L. Schroeder, 93, of Mount Vernon died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Whispering Hills Care Center in Mount Vernon.

Clyde was born July 5, 1911, in Perrysville to Lewis and Artye (Carter) Schroeder. Clyde had worked at the Mansfield Sanitary Pottery in Perrysville and had been a farm hand near Ashland for several years.

Surviving are his two sons, Howard Schroeder Hagner of Utica and Lawrence Clyde Schroeder Hagner of Mansfield; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Virgil Schroeder; and a sister Ethel Schroeder.

Friends may call Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, followed by graveside service at 2:30 p.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with Rick Tincher officiating.

This obituary and online condolences to the family are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Thomas Swinderman
MOUNT VERNON — The Rev. Thomas A. Swinderman, 50, of Mount Vernon died Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at the Country Court Nursing Center in Mount Vernon following an extended battle with MS.

Tom was born May 16, 1954, in Dover, was a 1972 graduate of Indian Valley North High School in Midvale, and graduated in 1978 from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, with degrees in Christian education and physical education. Tom served several Nazarene churches including High Point Church of the Nazarene in Delaware, Ohio; Henryetta Church of the Nazarene in Henryetta, Okla.; Kilgore Church of the Nazarene in Kilgore, Texas; Broadway Church of the Nazarene in Parkersburg, W.Va.; and Masontown Church of the Nazarene in Masontown, W.Va.

Surviving are his wife, Linda (Speece) Swinderman, whom he married Aug. 7, 1976; Tom’s son, Cory Swinderman, a seminary student in Kansas City, Mo., and Cory’s fiancée, Rachel Thompson, of Mount Vernon; Tom’s parents, Lloyd and Ann (Lahmers) Swinderman of New Philadelphia; Tom’s brother, Richard “Dick” (Cheryl) Swinderman of Dover; four nephews; a niece; a great-nephew; and a great-niece.

Funeral service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon with the Rev. Larry Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon and at the church on Saturday, one hour before the funeral service.

This obituary and online condolences to the family are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.