Donna J. Betcher
MOUNT VERNON — Donna Jeanette (Draper) Betcher, 72, third generation Mount Vernon native and preeminent local realtor, died on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon after living with ovarian cancer for two years. She chose a beautiful spring afternoon to embrace new adventures, and made a peaceful passage with her two children at her side.

Donna Betcher was known as one of the most hardworking and capable realtors in the area, working in the industry for thirty years, over half of them at Real Estate Showcase with a group of professionals she thought of as extended family. She was one of the earliest women to break the gender barrier in the profession, and throughout her career earned awards and accolades among the region’s top salespeople.

Ms. Betcher was a lifetime member of Gay Street United Methodist Church, the core of her community, where as a young woman she joined her extraordinary voice with the chancel choir and celebrated the spirit through music until cancer treatments made it impossible. While her religious practice was rooted in the Christian community of the church, including participation in the contemporary studies class there, she undertook a broad spiritual quest and spent much of her life studying the world’s religions and philosophies with an open mind and heart.

Ms. Betcher was actively involved in the civic and business life of her community. She took leadership positions with the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Knox County Symphony Association, and was a longtime member of the National and Ohio Associations of Realtors.

She graduated in 1950 from MVHS and in 1954 earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Case Western Reserve University where she played piano and violin and sang with a dance band. She went on to teach music in the Fredericktown public school system, bringing a love of song to generations of young people. She sang and performed in productions at Kenyon including many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

Ms. Betcher was born Aug. 8, 1932, to Robert Walter Draper, a local manufacturing engineer, and Jessie Evangeline (Bassett) Draper, a career nurse. Her sister, Juanita Draper Burkhouse, lives in Arlington, Texas, amongst her many children and grandchildren. Ms. Betcher is survived by her sons, George Mark Betcher of Kentucky and Jeffrey Lee Betcher of California.

A memorial service will be held at Gay Street United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be made to Gay Street Church “Church Organ Fund.”

James Peugh
MOUNT VERNON — James Peugh, 64, of Mount Vernon died Friday, May 27, 2005, at MedCentral in Mansfield.

Friends may call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A funeral Mass will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, with the Rev. Ted Thomas as celebrant. A full obituary will appear in the Monday edition of the Mount Vernon News. The obituary and online guest registry are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

J. Raylene Reed Memorial notice
FREDERICKTOWN — Graveside service for J. Raylene Reed, 72, of Fredericktown, who died Feb. 3, 2005, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, will be Wednesday, June 1, at 1 p.m. in the North Fork Cemetery near Waterford. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown.

Noel W. Reed Memorial notice
FREDERICKTOWN — Graveside service for Noel W. Reed, 73, of Fredericktown, who died March 18, 2005, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon, will be Wednesday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m. in the Forest Cemetery at Fredericktown. Following Noel’s service, the family will receive friends at the home of Noel and Raylene Reed, 134 Columbus Road, Fredericktown. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown.

Etta M. Rine
BLADENSBURG — Etta M. Rine, 81, of Bladensburg died May 26, 2005, at Knox Community Hospital. She was born March 30, 1924, in Mount Vernon to George W. and Marie (Melick) Rine.

She was a member of the Bladensburg Church of Christ. She had been a cook at the East Knox Elementary School in Bladensburg for 27 years, retiring in 1995.

She is survived by two grandchildren, Bart (Amy) Rine of Bladensburg and Dannielle (Aaron) Berger of Bladensburg; seven great-grandchildren, Rowan and Hallie Rine, Brandon, Blake, Bailey, Brice and Bobbi Berger; two sisters, Gladys Johnson of Mount Vernon and Betty Shoults of New Lexington.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Encil Rine, in 1986; one son, Daniel Rine, in 2002; two brothers, Lester and Arthur Rine; and a sister, Helen Rine.

The funeral will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Bladensburg Church of Christ, with Mr. Ben McKinstry officiating. Burial will be in Dennis Cemetery. Friends may call at the church Sunday from 1 p.m. until time of the service. The Harris-Dilley Funeral Home of Bladensburg is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bladensburg Fire Department, Bladensburg, OH 43005. This obituary, along with an online registry, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Christopher Waddell
MOUNT VERNON — Christopher M. Waddell, 41, of Crystal Avenue, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2005, at his residence.

He was born Sept. 26, 1963, in Mount Vernon to James and Eunice (O’Brien) Waddell. Chris had attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a member of the National Rifleman Association.

He is survived by his father; a son, Joshua Waddell; a daughter, Jessica Waddell; a granddaughter, Jennifer McKean; two brothers, James (Chong) Waddell of Fayetville, N.C., and Thomas (Susan) Waddell of Mount Vernon; two sisters, Brenda (Jan) Pembrook of Gambier and E. Lynn (David) Stryker of Gambier; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother; a sister, Debbie Waddell; and an infant brother, Joseph Waddell.

A prayer service will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 303 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050.

This is a paid obituary from Eugene Waddell.

Chris M. Waddell
MOUNT VERNON — Chris M. Waddell, 41, of Crystal Avenue, Mount Vernon, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 26, 2005.

He was born Sept. 26, 1963, in Mount Vernon to James and Eunice (O’Brien) Waddell. A lifelong resident of Knox County, Chris was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the National Rifle Association and the American Fur Trappers. He was employed as a construction worker and attended St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Chris is survived by his wife, Jody Waddell; a daughter, Jessica Waddell; a son, Joshua Waddell; and a granddaughter, Jennifer McKean.

He was preceded in death by his mother; a sister, Debbie Waddell; and an infant brother.

Friends may call Tuesday, May 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home. The family will observe a private burial at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry can be viewed online at: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

This is a paid obituary from Jessica Waddell.

Thomas G. Weir
MOUNT VERNON — Thomas Gregory Weir, 64, of Mount Vernon passed away Friday, May 27, 2005, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon.

He was born Feb. 14, 1941, in New Britain, Conn., to Francis and Mary (Ahearn) Weir. Mr. Weir was retired from the U.S. Navy. He had received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree from Temple University. Mr. Weir was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his loving wife of nine years, Colleen (Miller) Weir; a son, Clinton Weir of Massachusetts; two daughters, Bridget Weir of Kentucky and Lisa Weir of Virginia; several grandchildren; two brothers, Michael Weir and Robert Weir; and a sister, Margaret Weir.

The family will observe services at a later date. These arrangements are under the care and direction of Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.