Richard S. Bates
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COLUMBUS GROVE, Ohio – Richard S. Bates, 57, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, near Columbus Grove. He was born July 4, 1963, in Bluffton, to Leon and Mary (Hall) Bates.
Richard attended and was a graduate of Bluffton High School. He also attended Apollo as part of his high school education. He next attended Terra Tech, near Fremont. Richard was a skilled electrician but soon found his specialty as a welder. He made forms for contractors to pour concrete bridge forms, some of which spanned over 200 feet in length.
He enjoyed playing golf and watching major golf tournaments on TV, along with NASCAR racing. His favorite driver was Rusty Wallace.
On March 22, 1997, he married Betsy Warren, who died on Feb. 16, 2018.
Richard is survived by two step-daughters; Stephanie (Ryan) Ricker and Jessica Smith; and four grandchildren, Logan Snyder, Wyatt Hoar, and Mckayla and Morgan Ricker.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and step-father, James Grant.
Services will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sugar Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Lima.
Friends may call from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home in Columbus Grove.
Ruth Ann Bunnell
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FREDERICKTOWN – Ruth Ann (Litt) Bunnell, 79, of Fredericktown, passed away at Brookdale Senior Living in Mount Vernon. She was born on Oct. 25, 1940, in Bellville, to the late William H. and Mabel (Myers) Litt.
Ruth worked for over 35 years at Gorman-Rupp Industries in Bellville, in the assembly department. One of her great joys in life was tending to her lawn and making sure it looked immaculate. Above all, she loved being around her loving family.
She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Les) Aurand; step-children, David Bunnell and Jenny Baber; a brother, LeRoy Litt; numerous grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Bunnell; her brothers, Wendell, George, Ralph and Raymond Litt; and sisters, Eleanor Burwell and Viola Lamb.
A graveside service will take place in Owl Creek Cemetery in Ankenytown on Friday at 1 p.m.
To view this obituary or leave the family a condolence, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ruth Ann (Litt) Bunnell.
Russell Edward Pickering
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FREDERICKTOWN – Russell Edward Pickering, 80, of Fredericktown, died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at a family residence in Blacklick. He was born April 4, 1940, in Stockport, to Russell George and Gladys Lucille (Johnson) Pickering.
Russell completed his education while serving in the U.S. Air Force.
He married Carol Morgan on March 17, 1962. They moved to Fredericktown in 1979.
Russell worked for American Electric Power for over thirty years, retiring in 2000. He practiced Baptist beliefs and studied the Bible daily. His hobbies were fishing, gardening, carpentry and art.
Russell will be deeply missed by his wife Carol of Fredericktown; his children Starla (Dan) Rhodes of Blacklick, and Russell P. (Karen) Pickering of Fredericktown; grandchildren, Daren, Heather, Sharanay and Aaron; and great-grandchildren, Quinn, Malcolm, Malachi and Mallory.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Charlotte, Don, Nancy, Jerry and Bob.
Friends may call on Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Mount Vernon Chapel. Funeral services will follow at Roberts, where military rites will be held. A private burial will take place in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.
Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice; 655 Metro Place S.; Ste. 770; Dublin, OH 43017.
Marilyn Roberts
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FREDERICKTOWN – Marilyn Roberts, 67, passed away at her residence on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. She was born to Rodney and Mary Faith (Colopy) Ridgway.
Marilyn was a member of the American Legion Post 650, the “unofficial, official photographer” for Knox County football for more than 20 years, and an LPN for many years who was still currently caring for people. She was a mom to everyone and never met a stranger.
Marilyn is survived by her children, Dennis Joseph (Mandi) Breckler Jr., Bridget (Alan) Adam, Amanda Watson and Buck Roberts; the love of her life… her grandkids, Cole and Austin Hoeflich; Derek, Kylie and Jordan Elliott; Kamden Breckler, and Dillon and Autumn Watson; great-granddaughters, Raelynn, Adalynn and Oaklynn Hoeflich; her sisters and brothers, Rebecca (Ron) Lock of Kentucky, Tom (Diane) Ridgway of Danville, Marcia (Lon) Lepley of Howard, Steven (Sandy) Ridgway of Minnesota, Marie Blubaugh of Howard and Lisa Blaisdell of Howard; and her ex-husband, Shane Roberts.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Cynthia Ridgway and Mary Lee Kirk; brothers, Joseph and William Ridgway; sister-in-law, Mary Ridgway; brothers-in-law, Tim Blubaugh and Jim Blaisdell; and former husband, Dennis Breckler Sr.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, in the Workman Cemetery. Pastor Ruth Douglas will be officiating. Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville.
