William “Bill” Brown
JOHNSTOWN — William E. “Bill” Brown, 78, of Johnstown, formerly of Lock, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at St. Ann’s Hospital, Westerville. Graveside service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at East View Cemetery, Centerburg, with the Rev. Robert Law officiating.

William was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Centerburg and Mount Vernon, Lock Federated Church, Land of Legend Antique Tractor Club, past 4-H advisor, former volunteer firefighter with Centerburg, a veteran from the Army. He was retired from Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Mount Vernon after 32 years, and he was also a retired farmer.

Mr. Brown was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Columbus to the late Glenn and Doris (Hawkins) Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Edman) Brown; son, James W. (Vicki) Brown of Croton; daughter, Carol (Scott) Dawson of New Albany; grandchildren, Robert (Heather) and Bradley Brown, Kim, Chris and Nikki Dawson; sister, Glenna Pealer of Mount Vernon; many nieces and nephews; and one great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Brown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio or to the Hartford Volunteer Fire Department.

Blanche C. DeBolt
MOUNT VERNON — Blanche Coral DeBolt, 92, of Montpelier, Ohio, formerly of Haines City, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at Country Court Nursing Center in Mount Vernon.

She was born Oct. 29, 1913, in West Virginia to the late John Wesley Anderson and Ella Losie Isenhart. She was a member of the Church of God. She retired as a restaurant manger after 30 years from Rose City Cafeteria in Charleston, W.Va.

She is survived by a daughter, Ava May Wilson of Fredericktown; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Roscoe Anderson, and three sisters, Alice Maroon, Mary Jane Nichols and Verda Faye Cantbury, all of West Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sons, Robert, Edward and Harold Thompson; six brothers; and one sister.

Funeral service will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Wilson-Geesey Funeral Home, 335 Empire St., Montpelier, with the Rev. Sandy G. Kempen officiating. Family will receive friends just prior to service time at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside, Montpelier.

Betty Gardner
MANSFIELD — Betty (McNabb) Gardner, 80, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at Mifflin Care Center following a long illness.

Betty was born May 8, 1925, in Mount Vernon to the late Ensil and Eulalie (Lawrence) McNabb and lived in the Mansfield area much of her life. She was graduated from Nashville High School in Nashville, Ohio, where she was valedictorian, and The Ohio State University with a degree in hospital dietetics and institutional management. Betty was a dietitian at Mansfield General, Richland, and People’s Hospitals; instrumental in introducing Safety Town to Madison Schools; was a den mother for Cub Pack 212; was a board member of Lincoln Terrace Community Water Association; was past president of Lincoln Heights PTA; raised dogs such as Bouvier de Flandres, standard Schnauzer, boxer and Basenji. Her many friends at Mifflin Care Center enjoyed when she played piano and banjo.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bud D. Gardner, and is survived by a son, Mark Roger Gardner (Kristin Kindinger) of Mansfield; cousins, Patricia LeFever of Mount Vernon, Jim and Kathy Chrisman of Alexandria, Va., Bob and Terrie Chrisman of Green Springs, Richard LeFever of Eldersburg, Md., and Nancy LeFever of Johnstown; and special friend, Annalee Chamberlain of Ashland.

Committal services will be Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in Mansfield Memorial Park. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Finefrock-Williams Funeral Home, 350 Marion Ave., Mansfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gorilla Foundation, P.O. Box 620530, Woodside, CA 94062-0530.

Betty was very proud of her family’s history. It is an honor to share it with you. Bland Stradley (her mother’s first cousin) was vice president of The Ohio State University for many years; Charles Nichols (her mother’s great-uncle) founded Denver, Colo.; Charles Eugene Lawrence (her mother’s father) debated William Jennings Bryant and won two out of four debates; Charles Lawrence (her mother’s brother) was sheriff of Knox County for two terms. All of these individuals were descendants of Rachel Lloyd Nichols (daughter of one of the two founders of Lloyds of London) who was married to Eli Nichols of Wolf Pen Springs, Ohio.

William H. Herndon (her father’s mother’s cousin) was Lincoln’s law partner; John McNabb (her father’s grand uncle) pitched for Detroit; Clem McNabb (her father’s father) was Knox County Dog Warden for 17 years; Novice Fawcett (her father’s first cousin) was president of The Ohio State University right after Bland Stradley retired; Paul Brown and his family were family friends for many years.

Funeral home Web site is www.finefrockwilliamsfuneralhome.com.

John O. Klinger
MOUNT VERNON — John O. Klinger, 85, of Mount Vernon died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon. This obituary and to leave online condolences to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Norma Jean Mapes
PICKENS, S.C. — Norma Jean Mapes, 56, passed away Jan. 5, 2006, in Pickens, S.C.

She was born in Paintsville, Ky., the daughter of the late Francis Eugene “Gene” Horne and Betty J. Ulrey Horne. She was a graduate of Marion Harding, Marion, and attended Kirkland Bible Institute in Decatur, Ind., Hope Sound Bible College and The Easley Bible Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Geoffrey L. Mapes; son, Joshua of South Carolina; brother, Francis Horne Jr. of Marion; sisters, Karen (Ralph) Alexander of New Bloomington, Ohio, Audrey (James) Jarrell of Marion, Ohio, and Bonita Horne of Alma, Ark.; mother-in-law, Esther Mapes of Centerburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister and brother.

Funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home, 49 W. Church St., Centerburg. Pastor Carl Carpenter will officiate. Interment will be in Eastview Cemetery at Centerburg.

Friends, if they wish, may contribute to the charity of one’s choice.

Betty L. McClain
HOWARD — A funeral service for Betty Louise McClain, 63, of Howard will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Tom Myers officiating. Burial will follow in Newark Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. McClain rested in peace Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at her home after a long, heroic battle with breast cancer. She was born June 25, 1942, in Blythe, Calif., to the late George and Nellie Yount. She was the youngest of 10 children.

Mrs. McClain was a homemaker, Brownie leader and room mother. She enjoyed children and had patience, kindness and compassion for everyone. She worked for Kroger in Heath, Newark and Mount Vernon, and enjoyed being around people.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.

Mrs. McClain is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Fred McClain of Howard; two daughters, Debbie (Jack) Goodin and Renee (David) Copper, both of Newark; seven grandchildren, Jessica and Rebecca Gienger, Alex and Anthony Anderson, Joshua and Jacob Brun and Lain Copper, all of Newark; two great-grandchildren, Kordell Wiley and Chloe Lackey, both of Newark; a brother, Bill Yount of California; three sisters, Ruby Anderson and Juanita Badger, both of California, and Mary Pierson of Colorado; many nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Ida McClain of Utica, and Joe and June Taylor of Michigan.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jay and Louis Yount; and a sister, Lilly Adkins.

Friends may call Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, 59 N. Fifth St., Newark.

An online guest book and memorial is available at www.hendersonvanatta.com.

William ‘Bill’ Parker
OAKLAND PARK, Fla. — William “Bill” Parker, 90, of Oakland Park, Fla., a loving father and grandfather, passed away Dec. 31, 2005.

He was born Oct. 26, 1915. Bill moved to Wilton Manors from Gambier, Ohio, in 1950. A longtime mechanic and antique automobile enthusiast, he worked for Oldsmobile, Firestone and Goodyear.

He is survived by two brothers, Edwin of Howard and Charles of Gambier; and two daughters, Ann Lunsford and Jo Moncrief.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve, in 1999; a grandson, Brad Moncrief, in 2000; and a brother, Fred Parker, in 1993.

Services were held Jan. 4 in Florida at Fred Hunter’s Services, 718 S. Federal Highway, (954) 527-1550, with burial following in Evergreen Cemetery.

Gerald D. Pealer
DANVILLE — Gerald D. Pealer, 78, of Wooster Road, Danville, died early Monday morning, Jan. 9, 2006, in The Laurels of Mount Vernon following a monthlong illness.

Mr. Pealer was born Aug. 23, 1927, in Jelloway, the son of the late Harry and Fern (Doup) Pealer. He was a 1945 graduate of Loudonville High School and then served one year in the U.S. Navy. He was an employee of Sunshine Biscuit Co., Loudonville, for more than 30 years, while also farming. He had lived in the Jelloway area all of his life. He was a member of Jelloway United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of Danville Lodge 546 F&AM and presently Mount Vernon Lodge 9 F&AM, and he also belonged to NRA. He enjoyed hunting and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Marcella (Greer) Pealer, whom he married April 23, 1976; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Earl Dalton of Mansfield; a stepson and daughter-in-law, David and Tamara Bross of Mansfield; a stepgranddaughter, Carrie Howe of South Wales, N.Y.; one great-grandson; two sisters, Margaret (Leo) Butler of Mount Vernon and Alice (Gilbert) Cook of Hayesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Harry William Pealer.

Funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Jelloway United Methodist Church with Pastor Audria Thomason officiating. Burial with military honors provided by American Legion and VFW will be in Jelloway Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, with Masonic services being held at 7:45 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jelloway United Methodist Church, 21248 Wooster Road, Danville, OH 43014. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.byerly-lindsey.com.

Dorothy E. Sechrist
SUNBURY — Dorothy E. Sechrist, 67, of Sunbury died Monday afternoon, Jan. 9, 2006, at St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville. Arrangements will be announced by the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Kenneth Paul Snoor
UTICA — A celebration of the life of Kenneth Paul Snoor, 83, of Utica, will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Larry Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery where military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Mr. Snoor died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at Licking Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 24, 1922, in Newark to the late Lars and Etha (Redman) Snoor.

Mr. Snoor was a 1942 graduate of Newark High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having held the rank of Technician Fifth Grade and faithfully served his country during World War II in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe with Troop C, 106th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron.

Mr. Snoor was retired from the Rockwell Corp. where he had been a supervisor. He was a member of the Lakeholm Nazarene Church in Mount Vernon and the VFW.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth M. (Monaghan) Snoor; a daughter, Bonnie (Pastor David) Moody of Buckeye Lake; eight grandchildren, Richard (Lori) Miller, Carrie Miller, Ruth (Matthew) Holmes, Robin Bettger, David Paul (Brandy) Moody, Leah Miller, Jonathan (Kristy) Moody and Aaron Moody; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Violet Hulsort of Bowling Green, Ky.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Melody Kay Miller; and by a sister, Eileen McCoy.

Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, 59 N. Fifth St., Newark.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. An online guest book and memorial is available at www.hendersonvanatta.com.

Robert C. Weller
MOUNT VERNON — Robert C. Weller, 91, of Mount Vernon went to be with his Lord on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, in Mount Vernon.

He was born July 8, 1914, at Warsaw, a son of the late Samuel A. and Rachel E. (Birkhimer) Weller. Robert was a retired sergeant for the U.S. Army serving during World War II, Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Mount Vernon Corps of The Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.

Robert is survived by two daughters, Maude (Charles) Proper of Mount Vernon and Mae (Ronald) Reed of Belair, Ohio; four stepchildren, Edward (Sharon) Russell of Carroll, Ohio, June (John) Renault of Indianapolis, Ind., Robert (Nancy) Russell of Stoutsville, Ohio, and James (Mary) Russell of Greenwood, Ind.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Julia E. (Marvin) Rodgers of Naples, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie Elnora Weller; a daughter, Patricia Lynn Weller; a son, Robert E. Weller; four brothers; and three sisters.

Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, where funeral service will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. with Majs. Robert Bender and James Sayer officiating. Burial with military honors by the Coshocton County Joint Veterans Council will follow in the Valley View Cemetery at Warsaw.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Mount Vernon Corps of The Salvation Army, 206 E. Ohio Ave., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To view this obituary and leave an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Jerry L. Williams Sr.
MOUNT VERNON — Jerry L. “PaPaw” Williams Sr., 61, of Mount Vernon went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ and precious wife, suddenly Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Born in Columbus on May 19, 1944, he was a U.S. Navy veteran. A dedicated family man, he was a Cleveland Browns Fan, who enjoyed mowing his yard and landscaping. He worked as an independent sales associate with various area cemeteries.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Patricia (Boswell), parents, Charles Williams, Mable and Ray Lowder; brothers, Charles, twin Larry; sister, Ramona Cordray; three infant sisters.

He is survived by children, Jerry (Jennifer) Williams Jr. of Sunbury, Terry Williams of Columbus, Antonieo (Gigi) Crum of Marysville, Theodora (Anders) Blake of Westerville, Vincent Crum of Mount Vernon; PaPaw to 16 grandchildren, Calen, Kylee, Trey Williams, Dylan, Luke McCarrell, DeAngelo, Giovanni Crum, Austin, Victoria, Marcus Blake, Ross, Curtis, Jessie Meeker, Thaddeus, Nicholas Crum, Elijah Elswick; sister, Carolyn (George) Weaver of New Straitsville; brothers, John (Linda) Williams of Reynoldsburg, Bennie (Melanie) Lowder, Howard (Chris) Lowder of Pataskala; sister-in-law, Bonita (John) Paul.

Friends may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service which will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury. Entombment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens on Friday at 1 p.m.

Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.