Howard W. Bletz
BUTLER — Howard William Bletz, 79, formerly of College Street, Butler, died Monday morning, April 12, 2004, in the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Sandusky following a long illness.

He was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Lexington to Edward and Clara (Lehnhart) Bletz. A lifelong area resident, Howard was graduated from Madison High School in 1943 and Ohio University in 1948, earning a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. A World War II veteran, he served his country with the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet from 1943 to 1945.

He is survived by three daughters, Linda (John) Stanley of Galion, Lois (Mark) Gatton of Bellville and Louann (Curtis) Buurma of Willard; a son, Lowell (Rachelle) Bletz of Canal Winchester; nine grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Clara (Donald) Martin of Mount Vernon; and a brother-in-law, Walter “Bud” Bletz of Mansfield.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, he was preceded in death by three sister, Evangeline Bletz, Cleva Wolf Bletz and Marjorie Davis; and his brother, Emerson Bletz.
The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is serving the family with interment services in St. Peter’s Cemetery on German Church Road.

Ellen C. Bloom
ASHLAND — Ellen Christine (Heald) Armbrust Bloom, 99, died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at the Kingston Nursing Home in Ashland.

Ellen was born Oct. 8, 1904, in Newark and graduated from Utica High School. She worked at Westinghouse in Mansfield.

She is survived by her daughter, Billie Melick of Ashland; three grandchildren, Karla Ansani of Butler, Pa., Kris (Henry) Ayers of Nova and Chuck (Rayanne) Melick of Pleasant Grove, Utah; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Ernest Jacob Armbrust; her second husband, Charles Bloom; three brothers; a great-granddaughter, Crystal Melick; and a great-great-granddaughter, Ellen Breese.

A graveside service for Ellen will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Mansfield Memorial Park, 2507 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, where she will be buried. Friends may call a half hour before the time of the service at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Online guest registry is at www.wappner.com.

Lila M. Borham
DELAWARE — Lila M. Borham, 71, of Delaware died Sunday, April 11, 2004, at her home.

She was born May 21, 1932, in Delaware to Howard and Betty (Clark) Parker.
She is survived by her children, Carol Ann Duncan of Ashley, Loretta Mae Bailey of Hobe Sound, Fla., Barbara Jean Borham of Waldo, Lynn Sparks of Marengo, John Borham of Orrville, Michael Borham of Delaware, and Brian Borham and Emma Borham, both of Delaware; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary Hobil of Ashley, Betty Ott of Mount Vernon and Wanda Parker of Mount Vernon; and brothers, Bud (Marcella) Parker of Marion, Ind., Pat Parker of Delaware, Jerry (Lori) Parker of Delaware and Bucky Parker of Mount Vernon.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Charles E. Borham; two sons, Charles Jr. and Joe Borham; and a grandson, Tony Sparks.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 75 W. Williams St., U.S. 36, Delaware. Graveside service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Fairview Memorial Park, U.S. 23 south of Delaware. The Rev. Norman E. Rice will officiate.

Donald L. Fesler
FORT WORTH, Texas — Donald Leland Fesler, 82, of Greenfield Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, and also Walhonding, died April 9, 2004, at the Harris HEB Hospital in Bedford, Texas.

He was born Sept. 6, 1921, in Tiverton Township, Coshocton County, to Charles and Otta (Norris) Fesler. He was retired from the oil fields and TV repair business. He attended the Walhonding Church of Christ and was a member of the Danville American Legion and VFW.

He is survived by a son, Jim (Kim) Fesler of Fort Worth, Texas; and three grandchildren, Tom Fesler of Houston, Texas, Doug Fesler of Arlington, Va., and Maria McIntire of Keller, Texas.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise M. (Fox) Fesler, whom he married Aug. 31, 1942. She died Sept. 9, 2002. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Everett, Howard D. “Mike,” and Robert Fesler; and a sister, Mable Beatty.

Funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw. Minister Rick Lumbatis will officiate. Burial will be in New Castle Cemetery with graveside military service conducted by the Coshocton County Joint Veterans Council. Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Joseph G. Graham
MOUNT VERNON — Joseph G. Graham, 73, of South Edgewood Road, Mount Vernon, died Monday, April 12, 2004, at the Knox Community Hospital. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

William E. Grosscup
MOUNT VERNON — William Edward Grosscup, 71, of Mount Vernon died Monday, April 12, 2004, at his residence following an extended illness.

The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is in charge of arrangements. For the full obituary and to send a condolence to the family visit online www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Edith B. Johnson
MOUNT VERNON — Edith B. Johnson, 94, of Mount Vernon passed away April 10, 2004, at the Country Club Retirement Campus in Mount Vernon where she had been a resident for more than 13 years.

She was born near Gambier on Nov. 10, 1909, to Harker C. and Mistel (Layman) Busenburg. She was a member of the Millwood Church of Christ. A dedicated mother, wife and grandmother; most of her life was focused on her family.

She began her career in fashion retail on Main Street in Mount Vernon. First at Ringwalt’s Department Store and then continuing her work at the Rudin Co., where she was a dedicated representative for 32 years. Following her retirement she did sewing alterations in her home for 10 years. She was a creative individual who enjoyed crafts, flower gardening, travel and spending time with her grandchildren.

Surviving are her three grandchildren, Philip Auskings of Somonaul, Ill., Judi Andrews of Universal City, Texas, and Wendy (Scott) Fairchild of Mount Vernon; four great-grandsons, Michael Auskings, Kevin Auskings, Justin Fairchild and Jared Fairchild; and two sisters, Romona (Paul) Cramer of Youngstown and Ann (Charles) Doup of Richmond, Va.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, William Johnson; her beloved son, Milton Auskings; two brothers, George and Harold Busenburg; and two sisters, Ida McKinley and Pauline Leighty.

Funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. The Rev. Paul Merki will officiate. Friends may call one hour before the funeral at the funeral home. Burial will be in Millwood Cemetery.

Memorial contribution can be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary and online condolences are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.