Margaret M. Ellis
MOUNT VERNON — Margaret M. Ellis, 93, of Elizabeth Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, at her home.

She was born Jan. 24, 1912, in Butler to Dick Lee and Ida (Horn) Wilson. Mrs. Ellis was a 1930 graduate of Butler High School and she retired in 1975 as clerk of Mount Vernon Municipal Court, having been on the original staff when the court was established in 1952. She was a member of the Centerburg United Methodist Church where she was a former choir member and Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Ellis was also a member of Soroptimist International of Knox County and Columbia Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

She is survived by two sons, Howard W. (Jane) Hoffman of Centerburg and Thomas L. (Janice) Hoffman of Yonkers, N.Y.; one daughter, Cynthia (William) Lingafelter of Boynton Beach, Fla.; two stepsons, George C. Ellis and John Ellis, both of Mount Vernon; two stepdaughters, Virginia (Homer) Carrington of Milford and Mary (Thomas) Sandy of Sunbury; a daughter-in-law, Linda Ellis of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Laura) Wilson; one sister, Jeannette Wilson; and good friends, Bev Miller, and Ray and Jo Anne McCann.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard C. Hoffman; her second husband, C. Floyd Ellis; three brothers, Gordon Wilson, Reginald Wilson and James Wilson; and a sister, Bette Wilson.

The family will observe a private service at a later date. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Centerburg United Methodist Church, 23 Church St., Centerburg, OH 43011. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Frederick ‘Rick’ Horne
BELLVILLE — Frederick James “Rick” Horne, 47, of Beethoven Street, Mansfield, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital following a short illness.

Rick was born Aug. 21, 1957, in Mansfield, attended Clear Fork High School, and returned to the Mansfield area three years ago. He was a construction worker who liked to live life to the fullest. A free spirited guy, Rick was a tattoo artist and enjoyed Harley-Davidson motorcycles, music, and never passed up a party.

He is survived by his father, Fred W. Horne of Mansfield; a sister, Lee Ann Conley and Dan Robinson of Bellville; a nephew, Jeremy Conley of Mansfield; many extended family members including a special aunt and uncle, Elouise and Merle Jarvis of Butler; close cousins, Sheila and Jack Stewart of Butler; and his best friend, Roger Shaw.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Mae (Lindeman) Horne; and his grandmother, Silva Tucker.

An open house for family and friends will be held Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions to the Rick Horne Memorial Fund may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Gale R. Whitacre
HOWARD — Gale R. Whitacre, 72, of Apple Valley, formerly of Clintonville, died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005.

Mr. Whitacre retired from Battelle Institute after 38 years of service as a research scientist in heat transfer. He worked closely with NASA, the Alaskan pipeline project, and the development of Pringles potato chips. A graduate Goshen High School in Belloit, he received his undergraduate at the University of Cincinnati where he was first in his engineering class. He received his master’s degree from Purdue University and was a doctoral candidate at The Ohio State University. He was a member of numerous engineering societies, the Acacia Fraternity, and was active in numerous parent organizations and support groups. He was a former member of North Broadway United Methodist Church, Columbus, and a current member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon. He was an avid bird lover; gardener; OSU football fan; and as one of the original owners, he loved Apple Valley Lake.

He was preceded in death by parents, Clyde and Gladys (Ward) Whitacre.

He is survived by wife, Dolores “Dodie” of 48 years; children, Sue (Mike) John of Ellicott City, Md., David (Mary) Whitacre of Mount Vernon and Sandra Whitacre of Grove City; grandchildren, Shane Whitacre, Kasey John, Gary John, Lara John, Caroline John and Luke Whitacre; sister, Glenda (Cliff) Nolt, San Jose, Calif.; niece, Kim (Keith) Prader of Boulder Creek, Calif.; and nephew, Kevin Nolt of San Francisco, Calif.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Schoedinger North Chapel, 5554 Karl Road, Columbus, where family will receive friends Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Graveside service and interment will be Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. Pastor Rodney Buchanan will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the McDowell Road Support Group, 4206 McDowell Road, Grove City, OH 43123, in his memory. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences.