Stephen H. Doenges
MOUNT VERNON – Stephen H. Doenges, 70, of Mount Vernon, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was born to William and Frances Doenges on May 25, 1950, in Hamilton. He graduated from Hamilton Taft High School and received degrees in math education and music from Olivet Nazarene College. He married his college sweetheart, Karen Grace Kreider, in 1972. The family moved to Mount Vernon in 1978, where Steve joined the staff of Mount Vernon Nazarene College as the director of administrative computing. He served at what became Mount Vernon Nazarene University for 33 years, retiring in 2011.
The most important things for Steve were being a good husband, father and grandfather. He deeply loved his wife and especially enjoyed their trike rides and travels together after retirement. He guided his children into adulthood, supporting them on their various paths of life. He loved being “Papa,” having tea parties and playing in the stick house with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, kayaking and playing the trombone.
Throughout his life, Steve quietly and faithfully ministered the love of Jesus Christ by investing in the lives of others. He was not just a boss, but also a mentor to his employees. He went on mission trips to Nicaragua, Trinidad and China. As a member of Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene, he served as teen Bible quizzing coach and Sunday School teacher for preschool children. He was instrumental in growing the Escape Zone, an outreach to the youth of Mount Vernon. We may never know how many lives Steve influenced.
Steve is survived by his wife Karen (Kreider) Doenges; children, Stephanie (Andrew) Diehlmann of Sunray, Texas, Ami (Darren) Workman of Mount Vernon and Aaron (Bryan Currie) Doenges of Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Grayson and Emmilyn Workman; siblings, John (Mariellen) Doenges, James (Carol) Doenges and Ruth (Louis) Qussar; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call on Monday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Schnormeier Event Center at Foundation Park. The family requests that visitors wear face masks and social distance. There will be a private service for family and burial in Mound View Cemetery.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Stephen H. Doenges.
Vera Kuhn
HOWARD – Vera Kuhn, 89, of Howard, died on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at her home in Apple Valley.
Vera was born on Feb. 17, 1931, in Columbus, to Enos and Oma (Miller) Holley.
She married Roger Kuhn in the late 1940s. They were married for almost thirty years, until Roger passed away on May 18, 1977.
Vera worked for over thirty-two years at Big Bear Grocery Store in Columbus, retiring in 1993. She loved watching golf, dancing and being outside, but she always put her family first.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Roger Kuhn; and many siblings.
Vera will be deeply missed by her daughter, Marcia (Rick) Griffith; granddaughter Michaela (Trey) Tedrick; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be private. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com.
Sara K. Lovell
CENTERBURG – Sara Kathleen Lovell, 48, of Centerburg, died on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at Knox Community Hospital Cancer Center in Mount Vernon, after a bravely fought battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Mrs. Lovell was born on Feb. 16, 1972, in Marietta, to James Charles and Margaret Eileen (Roddy) Schoen. She was a granddaughter of Harry F. and Freda I. (Needs) Schoen and Benedict A. and Mary Eileen (Hayes) Roddy, all of Marietta. She was a 1990 graduate of Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala. On March 18, 1995, she married Randy Scott Lovell at St. Charles Preparatory School Chapel in Columbus.
Mrs. Lovell was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. From 2011 to 2016, she worked at the St. Vincent de Paul School Age Child Care Program. From August 2016 until recently, she was the cafeteria manager at St. Vincent de Paul School.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Andrea Kathleen, and son, Alexander David, both of the home; her father, James Charles Schoen of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; five siblings: James Benedict Schoen of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Frederick Douglas (Marianne) Schoen of Gahanna; Richard Michael Schoen (Charles Gard) of Chesterton, Indiana; Mary Irene (Eric) Hartshorn of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Angela Clare Schoen of Benson, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Tammy Lovell of Westerville; 16 nieces and nephews; one grand-nephew; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Mrs. Lovell was preceded in death by her mother.
Visitation will be on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 East High St., Mount Vernon. A prayer service will follow the afternoon visitation at 3 p.m.
Funeral liturgy with Mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. For the Funeral Mass, social distancing and masks are required. The funeral liturgy will be livestreamed on the Saint Vincent de Paul Church Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/UCaKkSBPmEcow49IPM4g74hg).
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Knox Community Hospital for their care and support during Mrs. Lovell’s final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sara’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul School (www.saintvdpschool.org) or Knox Community Hospital Center for Cancer Care (interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=45&name=E347241).
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sara Kathleen Lovell.
Jonas A. Nisley
BUTLER – Jonas A. Nisley, 93, of 3892 Brokaw Road in Butler, passed away on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at his home following a period of declining health. He was under the care of Kindred Hospice and was blessed to be surrounded by his family.
Jonas was born in Millersburg on Jan. 28, 1927, the son of Abner and Barbara (Beachy) Nisley. On Nov. 25, 1948, he married Amanda Hershberger, and in the 1970s they moved the family to the farm in Butler. He was a member of the Old Order Amish Church and worked as a farmer, school teacher and plant nursery manager.
In addition to his wife Amanda, he is survived by his five sons and seven daughters, Melvin (Ella Troyer) Nisley of Fresno, Edna (Paul) Wengerd of Butler, John (Clara Erb) Nisley of Millersburg, Barbara (Danny) Hostetler of Butler, Fannie (Joseph) Hostetler of Lobelville, Tennessee, Dena (Melvin) Yoder of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, Crist (Susie Hostetler) Nisley of Danville, Mary (Tobie) Hostetler of Butler, Lovina (Clarence) Miller of Brinkhaven, Amos (Fannie Hostetler) Nisley of Butler, Gertie Nisley of the home and Eli (Emma Miller) Nisley of the home; 96 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 201 great-grandchildren; 57 step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
Jonas was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Betty Nisley (wife of Melvin); one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.
His family will receive friends anytime at the residence, 3892 Brokaw Road in Butler, where a funeral service was held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Bishop Ray Hochstetler will officiate and Jonas will be buried on his land in Nisley Cemetery.
Snyder Funeral Homes in Bellville is honored to serve the Nisley family. A permanent record of this obituary can be found at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
Laura Jeannine Reffitt
MOUNT VERNON – Laura Jeannine Reffitt, 91, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Thursday, Oct, 1, 2020, at the Knox Community Hospital.
She was born on Feb. 17, 1929, in Crossville, Illinois, to the late William and Bessie (Graves) Hughes. Laura was employed as a secretary at PPG Industries for over 37 years and retired in 1987.
She is survived by her niece, Melanie (Michael Drapp) Poole; her great-niece, Danielle (Jim McDonald) Elliott; her great-nephew, Jay (Sarah) Poole; her great-great-niece, Madison Elliott; her great-great-nephew, Chase Elliott; her cousin, Wayne (Julia) Graves; and a friend of the family, Kevin Anderson.
In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her husband, James Reffitt.
Friends may call on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home from 10-11 a.m. A service will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Mound View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society.
To send the family a condolence online, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Laura Jeannine Reffitt.
Leah Marie Staton
FREDERICKTOWN – Leah Marie Staton, 17, of Fredericktown, died suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, the result of a car accident.
Leah was a senior at Fredericktown High School and attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Leah was a beautiful, kind, confident, funny and amazing child of God. She loved her family and friends fiercely. Her love for God and the church shined brightly to the world. She used her amazing voice to sing for the Lord and touched so many. She was so smart and carried a 4.0 all through high school.
Leah had aspirations to be a zoologist, but most of all she wanted to be a wife and mother. Leah babysat her niece and nephews who adored her. She tried different sports throughout her childhood but fell in love with bowling and her bowling team. She had such an unbreakable bond with her sisters and cousins. We could write pages and still not express how wonderful she was. Her words about losing someone she loved is to "focus on the blessing, not the sadness." We will try, sweet Leah.
Leah is survived by her loving parents, Heather (Steve) Poppe and Pastor Paul D. Staton; sisters she adored, Deva (Austin) Geiger and Sarah Staton; nephews, Weston and Brock; niece, Clara; and other beloved relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her “Nanny,” Beulah Staton; and aunt, Betty Henson.
Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Honey Creek Baptist Church, 294 Honey Creek Road East, Bellville, OH 44813, where Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Pastors Lucien Baker and Aaron Boggs will officiate. Interment will follow in Marengo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions be made to Freedom Fellowship Church Camp in Leah’s memory.
To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home of Sunbury is honored to serve the Staton family.
Carolyn A. Strait5+6
MOUNT VERNON – Carolyn A. Strait, 82, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at the Laurels of Mount Vernon. She was born on Dec. 13, 1937, in Union Furnace, the daughter of Aubrey Burdette and Mary Faye (Trowbridge) Higgins.
Carolyn worked many years helping her late husband Ralph Strait take care of Strait’s Farm Equipment. She was a member of the Brandon Baptist Church and enjoyed bowling, playing cards and bingo.
She is survived by her son, Keith (Patty) Strait of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Courtney (Greg) Deckling, Shane (Desirae) Strait and Alex Strait; great-grandchildren, Emmett Deckling and Aria Strait; a brother, Thomas (Judy) Higgins of Mount Vernon; good friends, Leda (Bart) Walker, Ken (Julia) Longshore, Mary Spearman; and many more.
Besides her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Strait; and a sister, Judith Ebling.
A graveside service was held on Friday, Oct. 2, in Brandon Cemetery, with the Rev. Marvin Haught officiating.
The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to the Laurels and Kindred Hospice.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Carolyn A. Strait.
Terrence John 'Terry' Tighe
MOUNT VERNON – Terence John “Terry” Tighe, 67, of Mount Vernon passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 29, 2020, at his home. He was born on Aug. 10, 1953, in Mount Vernon to the late James Kelley and Helen Catherine (Kaler) Tighe.
Terry was a member of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He attended Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School and the Clelian Heights School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He worked for the former Wee’s Cardinal Market and retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation after 19 years.
Terry loved spending time in the Pleasant Hill Lake area where he had many friends. He enjoyed volunteering and serving meals to the less fortunate. He also enjoyed and was an active member of the Elks, the Moose Lodge, the VFW and the American Legion. Terry will be remembered for his whit, his big heart and his willingness to always help others any way he could. He was a friend to many.
Terry is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Deborah Tighe of Bexley; a sister-in-law, Leslie Tighe of Lakewood; nephews, Timothy C. and Michael J. Tighe; family friend, Shirley Shotts of Mount Vernon; and several cousins.
In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by his younger brother, James W. Tighe II.
The family will receive friends from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 East High St., Mount Vernon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Mark J. Hammond as the Celebrant. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Social distancing and masks are required for the funeral Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Calvary Cemetery, c/o Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 303 East High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or Clelian Heights School, 135 Clelian Heights Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Terence John “Terry” Tighe.
