David C. Allen
MOUNT VERNON — David C. Allen, 73, of Mount Vernon died May 22, 2007, at The Ohio State University Hospital.

He was born April 1, 1934, in Mount Vernon to Edgar and Maxine (Alsdorf) Allen. He was a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, Mount Zion Lodge 9 F&AM and Clinton Chapter 26. He was a former CES employee, retiring in 1995. He was a Navy veteran and had been an avid golfer for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Edgar) Allen, to whom he had been married 53 years; two sons, Richard E. (Kim) Allen of Mount Vernon and Douglas C. Allen of Colorado; one granddaughter, Jennifer Allen of Mount Vernon; and one sister, Barbara K. Allen of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Andrew D. Allen in 1971; and a brother, Ned Allen.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home, where there will be a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Graveside service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. in Mound View Cemetery, with the Rev. Rodney Buchanan officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

John ‘Jay’ Altizer
CENTERBURG — John P. “Jay” Altizer, 76, of Centerburg died Sunday, May 20, 2007, at Knox Community Hospital.

He was a retired Knox County sheriff’s deputy, formerly employed by PPG, a farmer and U.S. Air Force veteran after 10 years of service. He was a member of Milford Church of Christ and Centerburg Conservation Club.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol (Morey); children, Bonnie (Jim) Casner of Centerburg, Barbara (Mark) Berry of Bellville and Dr. Fred (Sherry) Altizer of Centerburg; grandchildren, Joshua (Niki) and Jennifer Casner, Rich, Ben and Markie Berry, and Zane, Graham and Abby Altizer; great-granddaughter, Lilly Casner; brothers, Warren (Peg) Altizer of Reynoldsburg, Dewey Altizer, Rex (Judy) Altizer, Norman (Susie) Altizer, all of Centerburg; sisters, Mary (Jim) Stiffler of Marengo and Betty (Jim) Mossholder of Mount Vernon; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, Louie and Carrie Altizer; stepmother, Zella Altizer; brother, Louie Altizer Jr.; sister, Lucille Kaufman; and sons, Luke and Adam Altizer.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home, 49 W. Church St., Centerburg. Service will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Milford Church of Christ, 3648 Johnstown Road, Centerburg. Gary Thomas, Russell Waddell and Fred Albrecht will officiate. Interment will be in Moreland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Milford Church of Christ or Centerburg Fire Department.

James L. Bywaters
MOUNT VERNON — James L. Bywaters, 79, of Mount Vernon died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon.

Jim was born Jan. 19, 1928, in York, Pa., graduated from Milton S. Hershey High School in Hershey, Pa., and moved to the Mount Vernon area in 1947. He had worked for 42 years at the Continental Can Co./American National Can Co. in Mount Vernon and following retirement worked as a greeter at the Mount Vernon Wal-Mart Store for several years.

He had been a member of the Mount Vernon Knights of Pythias Lodge for many years.

Surviving are his sons and daughter-in-law, Eric Bywaters, Robert and Linda Bywaters and Joe Bywaters, all of Mount Vernon; his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Ron Peck of Mount Vernon; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wives, Helen Bywaters and Cynthia Bywaters; three brothers; and three sisters.

Friends may call Friday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, where funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. with Mr. Carl Hankins officiating. Burial will follow at Bloomfield Cemetery near Sparta in Morrow County.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To view this obituary or send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Devon Higgins
MOUNT VERNON — Devon Phoenix Higgins, infant son of James and Bobbi (Durbin) Higgins, died on Saturday, May 19, 2007, in the evening at the Ohio State University Medical Center. He was born on Saturday morning.

Besides his parents he is survived by two sisters, Dayna Silver Durbin and Star Atlantica Higgins, both of the home; a brother, Alexzander Jed Higgins of the home; maternal grandparents, Bill (Rita) Hammons and Betty Mullin; and paternal grandparents, Tonya Hoar and Jed Higgins.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Jazmine Marie Higgins.

A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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

Virginia Kinney
SPARTA — Virginia Ruth Kinney, 94, of Sparta died Thursday, May 24, 2007, at the Ohio Eastern Star Home in Mount Vernon. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur S. Lamb
MOUNT VERNON — Arthur S. Lamb, 83, of Old Mansfield Road, Mount Vernon, passed away Wednesday morning, May 23, 2007, at the Knox Community Hospital.

He was born May 19, 1924, in Batemantown, a son of the late Robert and Opal Etta (Strong) Lamb. Arthur was a 1944 graduate of the Fredericktown High School and then went on to attend a trade school in Chicago. He worked for the former American National Can in Mount Vernon as a press operator. Arthur and his late wife, Mildred, volunteered for many years for the Interchurch and were grandparent volunteers at Dan Emmett Elementary School. He enjoyed going to auctions and was a hobby farmer on his 25-acre farm. Arthur attended the Berlin United Methodist Church.

Surviving Arthur are his sons and their wives, Dennis M. (Jennifer) Lamb of Fredericktown and Lee L. (Sue) Lamb of Russellville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Nannesia Lamb of Bowling Green, Ky., Clara Lamb of Russellville, Tenn., Kyle Lamb of Fredericktown and Tara Garrett of Mount Vernon; great-grandchildren, Halie and Wesley Lamb of Fredericktown; brothers, Harold Lamb of Newark, Chet Lamb of Sacramento, Calif., John and Russell Lamb, both of Fredericktown, Charles Lamb of Columbus and Floyd Lamb of Lexington; sisters, Mary Danals of Kennersville, N.C., and Edna MacMorris of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred (McIntire) Lamb on Dec. 7, 1995; brothers, Lloyd and Hugh Lamb; and sisters, Bertha, Lela and Lena Lamb, and Ruth Heslep.

Friends will be received Friday, May 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., and from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. Burial will follow in the Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Interchurch Social Services, P.O. Box 1052, Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or to the Berlin United Methodist Church. To view this obituary or to share memories with the family and leave an online condolence, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Sarah J. Laughrey
FREDERICKTOWN — Sarah Jean Laughrey, 69, died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at Knox Community Hospital.

Sarah was born Dec. 8, 1937, in Coshocton County to Clarence and Leona (Dile) Shrimplin. On Dec. 8, 1962, she was married to Donald “Sid” Laughrey. She was a member of the Danville Church of Christ.

She is survived by a daughter, Tammy (Jim) Williams of Mount Vernon; two sons, Tim Laughrey of Mount Vernon and Richard Laughrey of Columbus; a granddaughter, Kaity Weckesser; a grandson, Tyler Savage; several nieces and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sid, who died Oct. 11, 1991; and a sister, Shirley Ford.

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville. Minister Stan Ratliff will officiate. Burial will be in Workman Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday evening from 6 to 9 and until service time on Friday.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Knox Community Hospital Palliative Care Unit, 1330 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Information is available at www.fischerfuneralhome.com.

Betty Lou Ott
MOUNT VERNON — Betty Lou “Snookie” Ott, 77, of Mount Vernon died Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus.

Betty was born March 5, 1930, in Delaware to Howard and Elizabeth (Clark) Parker.

Surviving are her sons, Dwaine G. Parker of Mount Vernon and Deem E. (Lani) Ott of Florida; her daughters, Roberta J. (Randy) Chafin of Mount Gilead and Hope (Mike) Butcher of Mount Vernon; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and 11 brothers and sisters.

Her husband, William C. Ott Sr., preceded her in death.

A service celebrating the life of Betty Ott will be held today at 8 p.m. at the New Life Church of the Nazarene, 998 Newark Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio. The family will receive friends at the church today from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To view this obituary or send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.