Billie ‘Eddie’ DeLong
CENTERBURG — Billy R. “Eddie” DeLong, 70, of Centerburg died Dec. 8, 2006, at Woodside Village Care Center in Mount Gilead.

He was born March 27, 1936, in Bannor, Ky., to John and Hester Mae (Meade) DeLong.

Surviving are his wife, Polly (Gilliam); sons, Dave DeLong of Centerburg, Ernest Ray (Anna Marie) DeLong of Germany, Johnny DeLong of Marengo, Teddie DeLong of Mount Vernon; daughter, Louella Mae (Scott) Pettiett of Cleveland; seven grandchildren; brothers, Fred (Kathy) DeLong of Delaware, Jimmy (Lucie) DeLong of Sunbury, Ernest DeLong of Hinesville, Ga.

He was preceded in death by a sister and five brothers.

Friends may call today from 3 to 7 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Pastors Robert Matney, James Wyatt and Rick Lane will officiate. Interment will follow in Bloomfield Cemetery near Sparta.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mount Tabor Freewill Baptist Church, 6603 Ohio 19, Mount Gilead, OH 43338. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Linda D. Hershberger
MILLERSBURG — A funeral service for Linda Diane Hershberger, 48, of Millersburg will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at Melita Christian Fellowship with Alan Byler and Dave Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Melita Cemetery.

Diane died Dec. 11, 2006, at Majora Lane Care Center, Millersburg. She was born Dec. 11, 1958, in Goshen, Ind., to Melvin E. and Orpha (Yoder) Hershberger. She was a resident at Majora Lane Care Center for 13 years.

She is survived by her parents, Melvin and Orpha (Yoder) Hershberger of Gambier; brothers, Marion (Verna) Hershberger of Holmesville, Marvin (Erma) Hershberger of Baltic, Wayne (Ruth) Hershberger of Gambier and Steve (Arletta) Hershberger of Linn, Mo.; and 18 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three nephews and her grandparents.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Holmes County, 931 Wooster Road, Millersburg, OH 44654.

Friends may call Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Melita Christian Fellowship, 9956 Camp Ohio Road NE, Utica.

The Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., P.O. Box 456, Utica, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ronald W. Johnson
WALHONDING — A funeral service for Ronald Wayne Johnson, 77, of Walhonding will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark, with Pastor Harry Miller presiding. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery with Licking County Veteran Alliance rendering military honors.

Mr. Johnson, a disabled American veteran who served in Korea with the U.S. Army, passed away Dec. 11, 2006, at his home. He was born March 3, 1929, in Newark to his late parents, David R. and Edith E. (Wisehart) Johnson. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge F& AM.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 30-plus years, Carol Loftus-Johnson; daughters, Rebecca Stickels of Newark and Candice Johnson of Bladensburg; grandsons, Mathew and Christopher Stickels; and a sister, Betty Hitchcock of Chicago, Ill.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughter, Melissa; brothers, Jerry and Raymond Johnson; and son-in-law, Ronnie Stickels.

The family will receive friends and relatives Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home. The family suggests contributions, in Ronald’s name to Disable Veterans of America. To sign an online guest book, visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome and click guest book/obituary.

Martha J. LeMasters
BRADENTON, Fla. — Martha J. LeMasters, 83, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Mount Vernon, passed away on Monday evening, Dec. 11, 2006, at her residence. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Warren E. Tharp
UTICA — A funeral service for Warren E. Tharp, 77, of Utica will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home with Ben McKinstry, Mr. Tharp’s nephew, officiating. Burial will follow in South Lawn Cemetery.

Warren died Dec. 11, 2006, at Licking Memorial Hospital, Newark. He was born July 6, 1929, in Knox County to the late Henry and Dora (Hunter) Tharp. He was a retired Union Carpenter and donated over 30 years to the North Fork Athletic Boosters, working the concession stand.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Julia (Earlewine) Tharp of Utica; daughters, Donna Kreager and Mary Ann (John) Morris, both of Newark; sons, Jeffrey (Belinda) Tharp and Joseph (Vicki) Tharp, both of Utica; five grandchildren, Konnie Nelson, Stacy (Jodi) Kreager, Eugene (Michelle) Kreager, Scott Tharp and Laura Tharp; three great-grandchildren, Quinten Nelson, Kamden Kreager and Kellia Kreager; sister, Phyllis (L.D.) Kohl of Mount Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Carl, Ken, Guy, John and Wilbur Tharp; five sisters, Gladys Wilson, Frances Coffing, Hazel McKinstry, Elsie Debolt and Elouise Kershner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made at any Park National Bank in Warren’s name.

Friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., P.O. Box 456, Utica, OH.