Margarete Blum
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Margarete Blum, 98, a former Mount Vernon resident, died Wednesday, April 1, 2004, in Phoenix, Ariz., where she had made her home since 1987.

She was born Sept. 7, 1905, in Leipzig, Germany, daughter of Richard and Hedwig (Engler) Reich. She had been a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon.

Mrs. Blum is survived by her daughter, Christa (Richard) Johnston of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Carl Johnston, Christine Norman, Constance Maris, Richelle Deitenbeck and Richard Blum Johnston; and great-grandchildren, Alec Norman and Carla Blum Johnston. Mrs. Blum is also survived by family that are residents of Germany including a daughter, Ursula (Martin) Habeinek; grandchildren, Baerber, Anita and Edith; great-grandchildren, Ushi, Yvonne, Martin, Marco and Nadja; and several great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home. Her grandson, Pastor Carl S. Johnston, a minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Cleabourn, Texas, will officiate and entombment will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Judes Children’s Hospital. This obituary and a guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Timothy B. Davis
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Timothy B. Davis, 49, a resident of Fort Myers, Fla., died April 1, 2004, at the home of his brother in Mount Vernon.

He was born May 27, 1954, in Mount Vernon to Gene Marshall and Mary Ann (Carpenter) Davis. Mr. Davis served with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army in Vietnam, and had been employed by Munters Inc. in Florida.

He is survived by his brother, Steve (Kathy) Davis of Mount Vernon; and nieces and nephews, Shane Davis, Dusty Davis, Mandi Davis, Bobbie Davis and Mindi Curran.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Dwight Davis.

A graveside service will be Monday at 10 a.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Wade Wolf will officiate, and military honors will be observed by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. This obituary and a guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhome.com.

Ruth M. Dice
MOUNT VERNON — Ruth M. Dice, 88, a lifelong resident of Mount Vernon/Knox County, walked into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on April 1, 2004 at her residence after a long illness.

She was born Feb. 24, 1916 in Mount Vernon to Charles Burnley and Viola May Simmons. She had worked in prior years for her father at his small grocery store on Columbus Road. She was a member of Brandon United Methodist Church, Ladies Aid Society, a volunteer for The Station Break and the Knox County Cancer Society. She was the best wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that one could ask for. She was a friend to all who came in contact with her.

She is survived by three sons, James E. (Betty Wagstaff) Dice, Richard L. (Janet Mellott) Dice, Thomas E. (Ann Stegman) Dice and a daughter, Nancy E. (Daniel Sr.) Baker, all of Mount Vernon; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; an aunt, Dorothy Willits of Mount Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Jesse Thomas Dice; a sister, Betty May (Simmons) Arnold; and a brother, Stanley W. Simmons.

Friends may call Sunday, April 4, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home, where funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jack Clouston and Pastor Philip McMurrin officiating. Burial will be in Mound View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s name to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050.