Joyce S. Lashmit
MOUNT LIBERTY — Joyce Alene Stemple Lashmit, 65, went to be with her Savior and Lord on Sept. 10, 2005, after finally winning her 37-year battle with cancer. The transfer from this earthly life to her heavenly home occurred peacefully at her home near Mount Liberty, Ohio. She was born to Augusta Matilda Grieser and William Edward Stemple on Aug. 23, 1940, in Mangum, Okla. Joyce married Leonard William Lashmit on Sept. 2, 1960.

Joyce was a graduate of San Fernando High School, San Fernando, Calif., and Mount Vernon Bible College, Mount Vernon, Ohio. She was an ordained minister and co-pastored with her husband in Maine and Ohio. Joyce, however, considered her primary ministry to be guidance and inspiration to her family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years and three loving children, Barbara (Curtis) Greek of Latrobe, Pa., William (Edith) Lashmit of LaVenta, Oaxaca, Mexico; and Dianne (Matthew Gerdeman) Lashmit of Maryville, Tenn. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Adam, Amy, Ethan and Kallie Greek of Pennsylvania, Amada Joyce Lashmit-Peña of Mexico, and Julian and Gwendolyn Gerdeman of Tennessee; stepparents, John and Helen Prunchak of Stockton, Calif.; and her foster brother, Don Godfrey of Lone Wolf, Okla. She also leaves behind her loving mother-in-law, Venetta Lashmit of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Preceding her in death were both of her parents and loving foster parents, Walter and Babe Godfrey of Lone Wolf, Okla.

Joyce was an avid souvenir spoon collector as well as the librarian for the spoon collectors research library. She was active in her church choir and a faithful greeter on Sunday mornings. She has been an example and inspiration to many all around the world.

A celebration of her life will be conducted by Dr. Mikel Norris at First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Coshocton Ave., Mount Vernon, Ohio, 43050, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church starting at 9:30 a.m. before the service.

In lieu of flowers, Joyce and the family have requested that memorial contributions be made to the Lashmit Memorial Church Fund established at the First Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The memorial fund will help fulfill her expressed wish to see a church built in Arriaga, Chiapas, Mexico.

Constance McCartney
NEW ALBANY — Constance S. “Connie” McCartney, 52, of New Albany passed away Sept. 12, 2005, at Mount Carmel Medical Center. She shared the gift of life through organ donation.

She was born June 20, 1953, in Bucyrus to Robert G. and Geneva J. (Conley) McChesney. Connie was a closing officer with the Worthington Regional Office of Lawyers Title Agency. She was a choir and board member of the All Saints Episcopal Church in New Albany, and a member of the U.S. Army Reserves 412th Civil Affairs Special Operations Family Readiness Group.

In addition to her mother of Lexington, she is survived by her husband, Lance McCartney; daughter, Carrie E.A. McCartney; son, Corey McChesney; brothers, Kenneth B. McChesney of Jacksonville, Fla., and Donald R. McChesney of Oakland Hills, Calif.

Memorial service will be Friday at 10 a.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 and Ohio 61, Sunbury, with the Revs. Rick McCraken-Bennett and Terry Brown officiating. Inurnment will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Lexington Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Helen G. Retherford
NEWARK — A graveside service for Helen G. Retherford, 92, of Newark will be Thursday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m. in South Lawn Cemetery. The Rev. Ric Harvel will officiate.

Helen, a Utica High School graduate, died Sept. 13, 2005, at LPN Health Care Facility, Newark.

She was born Sept. 24, 1912, in Utica to Howard and Cora (Larimore) Mahurd.

She is survived by nieces, Peggy (Dudley) Orr of Williamsburg, Va., and Barbara (Richard) Kwiatkowski of Maple Heights.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Manson Retherford, who died in 1979; brothers, Paul and George Mahurd; and sisters, Florence McKibben, Clara Finch and Mary Oakleaf.

The Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, is assisting the family with arrangements.