Sara M. Beatty
MOUNT VERNON — Sara Mae “Sally” Beatty, 72, died Monday, April 9, 2007, at the Knox Community Hospital ER.

She was born May 6, 1934, in Pennsylvania to the late John Henry and Henrietta (Adrian) Wiley. On May 25, 1957, she was married to Lewis W. Beatty. She was a member of the Union Grove Church of Christ, where she was a former Sunday school teacher and singer. She was a very devoted mother and wife and was very active as a homemaker on the farm and with area 4-H. She also worked as a registered nurse for over 20 years at the Eastern Star Home.

She is survived by two sons, Budd W. (Joanne) Beatty of Bend, Ore., and Bob (Becki) Beatty of Gambier; a daughter, Kathy Johnson of Gambier; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Jack (Sue) Wiley of Buckeye Lake and Steve (Christine) Wiley of Newark; and a sister, Ann Howe of Austin, Texas.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis, who died on May 7, 1998.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville, where a funeral service will be held Friday, April 13, at 11 a.m. The Evangelist Jerold Tear will officiate. Burial will follow in Union Grove Cemetery near Gambier.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grove Church of Christ, 7740 Grove Church Road, Gambier, OH 43022. Information is available at www.fischerfuneralhome.com.

Frank L. Burson
MOUNT VERNON — Frank L. Burson, 88, of McGibney Road, Mount Vernon, died Monday, April 9, 2007, at Whispering Hills Care Center in Mount Vernon.

He was born Nov. 29, 1918, in Fredericktown to the late Edward and Grace (Ruhl) Burson. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Frank had worked as a public health representative for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He was an avid golfer with Neil Overly and friends.

He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 53 years, Beverly (Spears) Burson; a son, Leslie Burson of Mount Vernon; two daughters, Carole Todd of Oberlin and Dawn Burson of Mifflinburg, Pa.; a brother, Neil (Phyllis) Burson of Mount Vernon; three sisters, Wanza Smith of Mount Vernon, Lois Welch of Fredericktown and Marjorie Frey of Bellevue, Wash.; a sister-in-law, Thelma Burson; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Burson and Vaughn Burson; a sister-in-law, Rea Burson; and two brothers-in-law, Charles Welch and Paul Smith.

The family will observe private services at a later date. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Dora J. Payne
MOUNT VERNON — Dora J. Payne, 86, of Mount Vernon died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Country Court Nursing Center in Mount Vernon.

Arrangements are pending at the Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Vernon.

Herbert Schunke
FREDERICKTOWN — Herbert Schunke, 80, of Fredericktown died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus.

Arrangements are pending at the Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown.

Michaela A. Silliman
MOUNT VERNON — Michaela Amber Silliman, 31, of Plaza Drive, Mount Vernon, died Sunday, April 8, 2007, at her home surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Mount Vernon on Jan. 8, 1976, a daughter of Jim Silliman and Teresa (Doup), both of Mount Vernon. Michaela had been working on her master’s degree and had worked for the city of Jupiter, Fla., as an office manager. She had great love for music, dancing, classic cars, and the great outdoors, especially the ocean.

In addition to her parents, Michaela is survived by a brother, Chris Parks of Danville; her fiancé, Derek Zemen of Jupiter, Fla.; maternal grandparents, Richard and Shirley Doup of Howard; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Michaela was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Stewart and Vera Silliman.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 12, at 4 p.m. in the Bird Cemetery near Mount Vernon. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is caring for the family with these arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Michaela’s niece, McKenzie L. Park Education Fund, c/o First-Knox National Bank in Danville. To view this obituary or to leave the family an online condolence visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.