Botkins

John G. Schnippel, 85, died at 4:30 a.m. Dec. 20, 2009, at Dorothy Love Nursing Home, Sidney.

He was born Feb. 27, 1924, in Wapakoneta to Albert J. and Marie Kelley Schnippel, who preceded him in death. On Feb. 12, 1947, he married Catherine Metz, who died Dec. 31, 2004.

Mr. Schnippel retired from Botkins Grain & Feed as a salesman and truck driver. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins, and the Botkins Community Club. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wapakoneta. He enjoyed all sports, especially bowling and golf.

Marcellus Clemens Holthaus, 86, Basinburg Road, Fort Loramie, died at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 24, 2003, at his residence.
 He was born Sept. 20, 1916, in Fort Loramie, to Bernard and Caroline (Prenger) Holthaus.
 Surviving are four brothers, a sister,  and a sister-in-law.  Deceased is a brother, Alfred; a sister, Rita; and a sister-in-law, Ruth.  He retired in 1979 as group leader at Copeland Corp., Sidney, after 34 years of service. He also retired from farming. He served 4 1/2 years as a tank battalion sergeant with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre during World War II. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Joseph Men’s Sodality and the Apostleship of Prayer, Fort Loramie.
 Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
 Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.
 Contributions can be made to Fort Loramie Rescue Squad or the church.

Daily Standard
Jan 4, 2003

Howard W. Grodey, 83, 314 E. State St., Botkins, died at 4:05 p.m. Jan. 3, 2003, at Sidney Care Center.
 He was born March 8, 1919, to Benjamin Franklin and Sophia Christina (Katterhinrich) Grodey in Botkins.
 On Nov. 8, 1945, he married Evelyn C. Kies and she died Aug. 3, 1973. On July 6, 1979, he married Esther M. Gallihugh and she died Oct. 25, 2002.
 Survivors are two step-daughters, a sister,  seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a step-son.
 He was a truck driver with Provico Feed and Grain, retiring in 1980 after 40 years of service. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and a member of Christ the King Church in Jackson Center.
 Services are at 10 a.m. Monday at Cromes Funeral Home in Sidney, the Rev. James Maxwell officiating. Burial will follow at Loramie Valley Cemetery in Botkins. Full military services will be held.
 Calling is 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  Contributions can be made to the Botkins Rescue Squad.

Plain Dealer
May 2, 1916

Sidney, May 1- Will McCullough, 86, pioneer resident of Shelby county, and Civil War veteran, died at Anna, eight miles north of here today. 

Lima News

Thomas B. Hoying, 80, of 102 Cheyenne Dr., Wapakoneta, passed away at 2:30 AM Friday, April 29, 2011 at his home. He was born on July 25, 1930 in St. Patricks, Ohio, the son of the late Julius and Johanna (Wuebker) Hoying.

On November 25, 1953 he was first married to Martha Rose Schaub, who passed away on August 6, 1989. On January 20, 1990 he was married to Lucille M. Schaub-Braun, who survives, along with his four sons; Larry (Sandy) Hoying, Thomas H. Hoying, John A. Hoying, all three of Minster, and Rodney L. Hoying of Maplewood, OH, two daughters; Jane (Steve) Parke of Port Jefferson and Beverly (Steve) Brown of Sidney, fourteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, four step-sons; Jake (Patti) Braun, Garry (Lisa) Braun, Barry (Pam) Braun and Jeff (Alice) Braun, all of Wapakoneta, eight step-daughters; Deb East of St. Helens, OR, Becky (Rich) Nuesmeyer, Cindy Hengstler, Judy (Randy) Heinl, Janine Steinke, Brenda (Jerry) Randall, Monica Place, and Amy (Ed) McCune, all of Wapakoneta, thirty-four step-grandchildren and thirty-one step-great-grandchildren. Three brothers, Robert (Mary Ann) Hoying of Ft.Loramie, OH, Clifford (Lois) Hoying of Sidney, Lud (Tek) Hoying of Jackson Center and brother-in-law, Norris Monnier of Russia. Thomas was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Johanna, two sisters, Alma Kerber McCellan, Ruth Monnier and two brothers, Paul Hoying and Carl Hoying. 
Mr. Hoying was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp., his last rank being Lance Corporal, and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was a member of the Minster VFW and Minster American Legion. Early on he was employed at Minster Lumber, and later worked as owner and operator of Hoying Drive-Thru in Sidney. Most of his working life, Tom was a self-employed contractor. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney, with Rev. Jason Bedel officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney with full military honors by the Minster American Legion. The family will receive friends on Monday, from 4 to 8 PM at the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S. Main Ave, Sidney. Memorial contributions may be made to Tri-County Community Health Professionals (Hospice), 803 Brewfield Dr., Wapakoneta, OH 45895, in memory of Thomas Hoying. 

Lima News

Ledford Foster, 80, of 324 S. Miami Ave., Sidney passed away at 3:37 PM Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He was born on January 17, 1931 in Smithtown, Kentucky, the son of the late Hubert and Ada (Hickman) Foster.

On May 29, 1954 he was married to Ethel Marlow, who survives him along with their four daughters; Mrs. Paul (Colleen) Wulber of Versailles, Mrs. John (Teresa) Doseck of Botkins, Sandy Sprague and fiancé Russ Barhorst of Fort Loramie, and Mrs. Steve (Diane) Spaulding of Tampa, FL, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his two brothers; Virgil of Sidney and Lawrence of Tiffin, OH, and two sisters; Faye and Nellie, both of Oldtown, FL. Ledford is preceded in death by one brother, Johnny and one sister, Imogene. 
Mr. Foster was retired from the former Con/Met Co. where he worked as a Molder. He was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served his country in the Korean War, during which he was a member of the 101st Screaming Eagles Airborne Division and the 536th Fire Fighting Platoon stationed in Panama. Ledford was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sidney. He was also a member of the Sidney Amvets Post #1986 and the Sidney American Legion Post #217. He was an avid fisherman and he loved gardening as well. He will be dearly missed by his family and his friends. 
A Private Graveside Service will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Graceland Cemetery, with Rev. Tonia Shroyer officiating. 

Henry Jenkins, 85, of 224 Ironwood Dr., Sidney went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 9:30 AM. He gave up the struggle in this present life and is now resting peacefully. What a blessing to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday! He was born to the late Ham and Virgie (Blanton) Jenkins, Sr. on April 19, 1926 in Magoffin County, Kentucky. On June 20, 1959 he married the former Mildred Fletcher (Preston), who survives him along with two sons and their wives; Gary and Cathy Fletcher and Jack and Sandy Fletcher, both of Sidney. Also four daughters; Sandra Gosnell, Janet and Charlie Robbins, Brenda and Hurstle Davis, all of Sidney, and Patty and Roger Bowersock of St. Marys. He also leaves behind twenty grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Henry was preceded in death by two sons; Johnie Fletcher and Joseph Jenkins, and six brothers; Ernest, Melvin, Townsel, Harlan, Noah and Ham Jr. Mr. Jenkins was retired from the Copeland Corporation after a career of 32 years. He was a WWII veteran, and after receiving a medical discharge from the Navy, he proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of the Sidney American Legion Post #217. Most importantly, Henry loved serving the Lord. He was a member of the Shiloh United Baptist Church in Yellow Springs, OH. He loved singing songs of praise to his loving savior and wherever he went, everyone loved to hear him sing. He will be sadly missed by his many family and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 10:30 AM at the Shiloh United Baptist Church, 660 W. Hyde Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387, with Elder Denver Caudill officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Cedar Point Cemetery in Pasco. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM at the Cromes Funeral Home, 302. S. Main Ave., Sidney, and at the church from 9:30 AM until the hour of service. 

Bobby P. Gross, 84, of 11517 Luthman Rd. Ft. Loramie, OH. passed away Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 9:42 A.M. at Wilson Memorial Hospital.
He was born on August 12, 1926 in St. Marys, Ohio, the son of the late Alton and Hazel (Schamp) Gross.
He is survived by four children, Bobby P. Gross Jr. and wife Cindy of Springfield, OH, Mrs. Ken (Onna) Wright of Troy, OH, Mrs. Thomas (Debbie) Wyer of Sidney, and Terri Gross of Anna, OH. Special friend, Norma Barhorst of Minster, OH and her children, Mrs. Jack (Jackie) Green of Anna, OH, Bob Barhorst, Ronnie Barhorst, Mrs. Jeff (Krista) Barhorst all of Ft. Loramie, OH, Mrs Dana (Belinda) Steinbrunner of Minster, OH and Brenda Barhorst of Ft. Loramie. Twenty three grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. One daughter, Jeannie Keihl, one sister, Janice Cook and two grandchildren preceded him in death. Bobby retired from the Ferguson Construction Company. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman. He was a W.W. II U.S. Army Veteran and a member of the Sidney American Legion Post # 217, Sidney Amvets, and the Sidney V.F.W. He also was a volunteer at the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum in Fairborn, OH. 
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. from the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S.Main Ave. with Rev. Harold McKnight and Rev. Daniel Schmitmeyer officiating. Burial will be at Pearl Cemetery in Swanders, Ohio. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M and on Wednesday from 12:30 P.M. until the hour of service at the funeral home. The Sidney American Legion Post #217 and the Sidney V.F.W. will have a memorial service Tuesday at 7 :45 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial with Full Military services will be conducted.

Clark F. Kempfer 89, of 2500 N.Kuther Rd. passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 5 A.M. in the Wilson Memorial Hospital emergency room.
He was born on July 2, 1921 in Anna, Ohio, the son of the late Edward and Amanda (Helmlinger) Kempfer. On July 11, 1946 he married the former Mildred E. Stryker who preceded him in death on March 30, 2000. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Linda) Gephart of Ft.Loramie, one granddaughter, Mrs. Aaron (Jenny) Frilling , two great grandchildren, Lane and Ellen and a special friend, Bernice Ahrendt. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Presser and two half- sisters, Gladys Henkener and Ruth Jones. 
Mr.Kempfer retired after 35 years of service as a Rural Postal Carrier for the US Post Office in Sidney. Following his retirement from the postal system, he worked part time for various Sidney florist shops as a delivery person. Clark was a WWII Air Force veteran, a member of St.John's Lutheran Church, the Sidney American Legion Post #217, Sidney Senior Citizens, the Retired Rural Letter Carriers Assoc. and graduated from Anna High School with the Class of 1939. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday April 20, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. from the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S.Main Ave. with Chaplain Keith Matthews officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Point Cemetery in Pasco. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Virgil W. Baker, 92, of St. Augustine, FL, formerly of Sidney, passed away at 1:20 AM April 11, 2011 at Brooks San Marco Terrace. He was born in Perry Township, OH, son of the late Emory and Jenny Lovina (Young) Baker. Since 1980 he had resided in St. Augustine. On August 8, 1943 he was married to Mary Esther Hageman, who preceded him in death on January 2, 1992. 
Virgil is survived by three daughters; Mrs. Jim (Sue) Durand of St. Augustine, FL, Mrs. Gary (Virginia) Elliott of Sequim, WA and Mrs. Chuck (Christy) Wamsley of Emmett, ID, one son, John Baker and wife Linda of St. Augustine, FL, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. 
Mr. Baker was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during World War II. He was a member of Eastern Star Lodge #12 of St. Augustine, FL. and Stokes Lodge F&AM #305, of Pt. Jefferson, Ohio. Mr. Baker was a retired farmer, and retired from the the US Postal Service as Post Master in Port Jefferson, Ohio. Funeral Services will be held on Monday at 10:30 AM at the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S. Main Ave., Sidney, with Pastor Nathan Breinich officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1 to 3 PM at the funeral home. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 2:45 PM. Burial, with military honors, will be at Cedar Point Cemetery, Pasco.

Robert F. "Bob" Dunham, 85, 706 Bennet Circle, Sidney, passed away Friday, April 8, 2011 at 12:32 P.M. at Dorothy Love Retirement Community. He was born on November 4, 1925 in Covington, Ohio, the son of the late L. A. and Carrie (Seng) Dunham. On July 8, 1951, he married Sondra R. (Ruese) Dunham who survives.
He is also survived by three sons, Mark and wife Lynne Dunham of Sidney, Ted Dunham of Piqua, OH, and Andy and wife Mary Dunham of Medina, OH. Eight Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. One Brother, William and wife Elva Dunham of Lodi, OH. Preceding him in death was one brother, Richard Dunham. Bob was a W.W. II Army veteran, serving in the South Pacific while in the service. He was a member of the Sidney American Legion Post #217, and also the Sidney Rotary Club. He was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with the class of 1950.
Mr. Dunham was the owner and President of Ruese Insurance Agency in Sidney, working there from 1953 until his retirement in 1987. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church in Sidney. Memorial Services will be held Saturday April 16, 2011 at 11 A.M. at the Amos Chapel, Dorothy Love Retirement Community in Sidney with Chaplain Keith Matthews officiating. The Dunham family will receive friends from 10 A.M. until the hour of the service, and also one hour after the service. Memorials may be made to Dorothy Love Life Care Fund in Robert F. Dunham's memory. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Cromes Funeral Home & Crematory 302 S. Main Ave. Sidney.

Herbert  B. "Toe" Elson 93, of 226 New St. passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 4:20 A.M.
He was born on February 23, 1918 in Sidney, Ohio, the son of the late David and Bess (Smith) Elson. On May 17, 1947 he married Ruth Schaffner who preceded him in death on May 17, 2008. He is survived by one son, Doug Elson and his wife Cheryl of Chillicothe, OH, daugther, Sandy Elson of Sidney and one granddaughter, Hilary. He was preceded by two brothers, Chester and Forest "Liz" Elson. 
Mr. Elson was a WW II Army veteran , a member of the Valley City Rifle Club and the Sidney First United Methodist Church. Herbert loved attending Sidney High School football and basketball games and fishing whenever he could. Mr. Elson retired from Monarch Machine Tool Co. after 45 years of service. He then worked for several years on a part-time basis for the former Sidney Design Co. 
A Public Graveside Service will be held Friday, April 1, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. at Cedar Point Cemetery with Rev. Barbara Staley officiating. There will be no public calling hours prior to the graveside services. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully ask that memorials be made to a charity of the donor's choice in memory of Herbert Elson. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by the Cromes Funeral Home, 302 S.Main Ave.

Lima News
Jan 7, 1950

Services for Warren E. Venerable, 28, near Anna, formerly an employe of the Lima Ordance Depot, were to be at 2 p. m. Saturday in Rumley church, near Ann. Burial was to be in Pearl cemetery. Mr. Venerable died Wednesday in the home of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Venerable, near Anna. He was a veteran of World War II. Surviving are two brothers, Harold, 1219 1/2 W. Spring-st and Raymond, near Anna; five sisters, Mrs. Gladys Mox;ey, 515 S. Nye-st; Mrs. Miriam Reeves, Cleveland; Mrs. Donna King, Mrs. Loretta Chapman and Mrs. Doria Childs, all of Columbus.