Paul W. Gibson
BUTLER — Paul Walter Gibson, 60, of Butler died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at Knox Community Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Gibson Jr.; father, John Gibson; and brother, John Delbert Gibson.

He is survived by his wife, Maryann Gibson; children, Robin Williams and Samuel Gibson; seven grandchildren; mother, Evelyn (Bob) Alvey; sister, Frances Crumpler; and many nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

He loved living in the Amish community.

Funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. at Rutherford-Shroyer Funeral Home, 1278 W. Broad St., Columbus, where friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Louis E. Gillespie
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Louis E. Gillespie, 66, San Diego, Calif., passed away Jan. 23, 2007, of cancer at his residence.

He was born Dec. 23, 1940, to the late Frances (Smith) Simmons and the late Wade W. Gillespie II. He was a member of the Danville United Methodist Church and a Naval veteran. He was also a 1958 graduate of Danville High School. Those who knew him best say he was a quiet man, brilliant and a gentle heart. He loved to read and watch baseball.

He is survived by brothers, Wade (Jill) Gillespie III and Gary Simmons of Newark; and beloved sister, Barbara (Simmons) Spring-Houck of Mount Vernon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Quentin Simmons; beloved sister, Tina (Simmons) Burchard; and nephew, Jason Spring.

There were no calling hours. He was buried at Newark Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Gary Lee Harris
WESTERVILLE — Gary Lee Harris, 50, of Westerville died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, in Columbus.

He was a D.A.S. systems engineer for the state of Ohio and member of Northside Fellowship Church. He attended Mount Vernon High School and the Knox County Joint Vocational Center, and graduated from North Central Technical College.

He was preceded in death by parents, Lester E. and Donna M. Harris; uncles, Glenn Paige and Dwight Haire; and mother-in-law, Laveda Lingenfelter.

He is survived by loving wife of 20 years, Bonnie R. Harris; sons, Logan D. and Jarod P. Harris; aunt, Edna Paige; and father-in-law, Harold Lingenfelter.

Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, where funeral service will be held Monday, Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Jeff Dybdahl will officiate. Interment will be in Kingwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions be made to VistaCare Foundation, 2760 Airport Drive, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43219, in Gary’s memory. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences.

Percy G. Hawkins
UTICA — A private family service will be held Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Utica for Percy “Pinky” Hawkins, 87, of Utica, formerly of Fredericktown, with Pastor Nelson Smith officiating.

Percy “Pinky” died Feb. 20, 2007, at Utica Care Center. He was born Oct. 4, 1919, in Mount Vernon to the late John C. and Anna (Kaufman) Hawkins. He worked 55 years with Greggs Lamp Co., Fredericktown.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Helen D. (Ruthsatz) Hawkins of Utica; son, Richard (Kathy) Hawkins of Chapel Hill, N.C.; daughter, Ann (Thomas) Evans of Utica; nine grandchildren, Kris (Matthew) McManaway, Brian (Kari) Ansel, Nichole Bowers, Troy (Whitney) Ansel, Eric Hawkins, Ryan Hawkins, Lindsey (Carl) Everett, Cassity (Damon) Baker and Brandi Evans; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna (Kaufman) and John Hawkins; brothers, Clyde and Hobart Hawkins; and sisters, Viola Thompson, Marie Cooke and Blonda McCreary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Utica, 13117 Cooksey Road, NE, Utica, OH 43080. The Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., P.O. Box 456, Utica, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank E. Jackson
MOUNT VERNON — Frank Earl Jackson, 84, of East Hamtramck Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at the Knox Community Hospital. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Bennett H. Lockman
MOUNT VERNON — Bennett H. Lockman, 47, of Mount Vernon passed away Feb. 18, 2007, at the Hospice of Central Ohio inpatient care center in Newark.

He was born Sept. 7, 1959, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Gordon and Jean (Chapman) Lockman. Bennett was a lover of nature and a conservationist. Those who knew him called him “Pappy.” He was an easygoing and fun-loving guy who made the best out of any situation with no complaints. He will truly be missed by those whose lives were touched by him. He was also a member of the NRA.

He is survived by his wife of five years, Michelle (Yocum) Lockman; mother-in-law, Marie Yocum of Mount Vernon; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Robert G. Yocum.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at the First Church of God, 10 Pine St., Mount Vernon. The North-Dilley Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the church. This obituary, along with an online registry page, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Theus M. Merckling
MARENGO — Theus M. Merckling, 89, of Marengo went home to our Lord, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at Bennington Glen Care Center, Marengo.

She was born on June 10, 1917, in Columbus to the late George and Elizabeth (Wilson) Puttick.

She is survived by daughters, Patricia (John) Thompson and Jean Merckling; son, George (Patricia) Merckling; sisters, Mollie Tinapple and Betty Pounds; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice L.; daughter, Melody Ann (Thomas) Gibbs; granddaughter, Tammie Danielson; brother, George (Mary Ann) Puttick; brothers-in-law, William Tinapple and Roy Pounds; and sister-in-law and best friend, Bertha (James) Merckling.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Puttick officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Central Ohio Breathing Association, 1520 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, OH 43220.