Joan Beery
COLUMBUS — Joan Beery, 51, of Columbus died Monday morning, June 26, 2006, at her residence. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

LaDonna B. Hall
MOUNT VERNON — LaDonna B. Hall, 73, of Pine Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Friday June 23, 2006, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.

She was born on June 11, 1933, in Coshocton County to William Cox and Galena Henderson. Mrs. Hall worked as a cook for the Ohio Eastern Star Home and Tiffany’s in Mount Vernon. She was a wonderful homemaker and always enjoyed spending time in her garden. Mrs. Hall was a member of the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Royal Hall; a son, David (Maureen) Hall of Mount Vernon; two daughters, Mary “Beth” Hall of Mount Vernon, Kathy Neil (Ralph) Miller of Danville, Ind.; two grandchildren, Russell Miller and Brock Miller; a sister, Rita Smith of Millersburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, William Cox, Neil Cox and an infant brother.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Barbara A. Haynes
UTICA — A funeral service for Barbara A. Haynes, 69, of Utica will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, at Law-Baker Funeral Home, with Pastor Ben McKinstry officiating. Burial will follow in Wilson Cemetery. Barbara died June 24, 2006, at Ohio State University Hospital East, Columbus.

She was born April 23, 1937, in Newark to Raymond and Clara (Gray) Staugh. She was a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and was retired from Kroger.

Barbara is survived by her son, Kenny Shirley of Vandalia; daughters and sons-in-law, Diane (Randy) Wheeler of Utica and Linda (J. D.) Turner of Louisville, Ky.; brothers and sister-in-law, John Staugh of Chatham, Ernie (Gay) Staugh of Utica; sister, Pat Alexander of Newark; sisters-in-law, Pauline Staugh and Renie Staugh, both of Newark; 10 granddaughters; and five great-grandsons.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Dick Staugh; brother-in-law, Asa Alexander; and sister-in-law, Juanita Staugh.

Friends may call today from 6 to 9 p.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica.

Timothy E. Lawson
MOUNT VERNON — Timothy Edwin Lawson, 46, of Mount Vernon passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, June 24, 2006.

He was born May 19, 1960, in Mount Vernon, son to the late James Moreland and Dorothy (Mathews) Park. Tim was employed as a correctional officer at the Mansfield Correctional Facility, attended the Journey Church in Howard and was a veteran serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1980-84 where he served time in Beirut. Tim dearly loved to spend his time with his children, nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his daughter, Brandy Lawson of Newark; two sons, Garrett Lawson of Utica and Morgan Lawson of Perrysville; a sister, Jana Wirick of Mount Vernon; three brothers, Gregory (Jody) Lawson of Howard, Jason Lawson of Mount Vernon and James Moreland of Arizona; many nieces and nephews; and adoptive parents, Tony (Gwen) Lawson.

Friends may call Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, where a service will immediately follow at 6 p.m. with Minister Matt Blakely and Dustin Lawson officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family in care of the children and left at the funeral home. This obituary and online condolences can be accessed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Benjamin J. Laymon
MOUNT VERNON — Sgt. Benjamin J. Laymon, 22, of Mount Vernon died Saturday, June 24, 2006, as a result of an IED explosion while serving his country in South Baghdad, Iraq.

Benjamin was born on Nov. 15, 1983, in Mount Vernon. He was a 2002 graduate of Mount Vernon High School where he played varsity football. He enlisted into the Army in September 2002 and received his basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following basic training, he received advanced infantry training in Fort Sill, Okla., and paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Ga. In January 2003 he reported to Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to the 3-16th attached to Task Force Ironhorse 4th Infantry Division and received his deployment orders to Iraq for his first tour of duty in March 2003. Following his tour of duty he returned to Fort Hood in March 2004. Ben was promoted to sergeant that spring and also received training on the Bradley fighting vehicle before returning for his second tour of duty in Iraq in November 2005.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Gale (David) Harstine, and father, James (Kathy) Laymon, both of Mount Vernon; three brothers, Trevor (Jennifer) Purdy of Mount Vernon, Curt Purdy (Laura) of Columbus and Andrew Laymon of Mount Vernon; maternal grandmother, Loretta Wiseman and paternal grandmother, Irene Fowler, both of Mount Vernon; aunts, Beverly (James) Sivits of Gambier, Pat (John) Scott and Judy Fowler, both of Mount Vernon, and Judy (Bob) Tubbs of Williamsburg, Va.; uncles, Ronald (Candy) Laymon of Mount Vernon, Richard (Shirley) Laymon of Newark and George (Jeane) Fowler of Gambier; special friend, Jessica Frazee of Columbus; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, Roy Wiseman; paternal grandfather, Howard Laymon; and uncle, Bob Fowler.

Ben will be sadly missed by family and friends, but long remembered for his fun-loving spirit and his love for children.

Funeral services will be announced in a later edition of the Mount Vernon News. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

Memorial contributions may be made in Ben’s name to Mount Vernon Schools Athletic Dept., 300 Newark Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary, along with an online registry page, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Raymond ‘Pete’ Reed
UTICA — A funeral service for Raymond “Pete” Reed, 77, of Utica will be held Wednesday, June 28, at 10 a.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home with Pastor Ben McKinstry officiating. Burial will follow in Homer Cemetery.

Pete died June 24, 2006, at the Utica Care Center. He was born Feb. 9, 1929, in Homer to the late Charles W. and Ethel M. (Dixon) Reed. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 92, Utica; and retired from Columbia Gas after 32 years of service.

He is survived by his sister, Patsy M. Reed of Newark; and brother, Gary A. Reed of Heath.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy E. Reed, who died March 3, 1996.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road SE, Newark, OH 43055.

Friends may call Tuesday, June 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica.