Margaret B. Franks
FREDERICKTOWN — Margaret B. Franks, 90, of Fredericktown died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at the Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon following a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 31, 1913, in Fredericktown to Josiah and Barbara Margaret (Breckenridge) Ruggles and had spent her lifetime in the Fredericktown area. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fredericktown and Ann Hill Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in Fredericktown.

Surviving are her son, P. Gordon (Shirley) Franks of Mansfield; her daughter-in-law, Deanna Franks of Scottsdale, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Pam (Rob) Webb, Shelley Franks, Deb (Louis) Lombardi, Gerald “Gerry” (Lucille) Franks and Paul Franks; four great-grandchildren, Samantha Webb, Louis Lombardi, Nicole Lombardi and Jeri Lombardi; a great-great-grandson, Cole Lombardi; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul S. Franks, in 1983; son, Gerald Lee Franks, in 1976; grandson, Richard Franks; sisters, Laura Snyder and Mary Brocklesby; and brothers, Ralph Ruggles, William Ruggles, Raymond Ruggles, Cliff Ruggles and Robert Ruggles.

Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Snyder Funeral Home, Fredericktown, followed by Eastern Star memorial service by the Ann Hill Chapter. Graveside service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Forest Cemetery, Fredericktown. The Rev. Bruce Henderson will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 17 S. Main St., Fredericktown 43019. Send a condolence to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Herman L. Moran
WARSAW — Herman Lee Moran, 76, of 206 E. Main St., Warsaw, died April 20, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville.

He was born Aug. 13, 1927, in Knox County to Virgil and Mart (Scanlin) Moran. He was a retired dozer operator for the McFoy Coal Co. and a member of the New Beginnings Church of God in Warsaw.

He is survived by his wife, Ostella (Warner) Moran, whom he married Oct. 3, 1951. Also surviving are four sons, Kenny Moran, Ed (Charolett) Moran, Howard (Deb) Moran and Boone (Penny) Moran, all of Warsaw; six daughters, Angie (Mike) Rhoades, Norma (Tim) Pence, Juanita (Robert) Leach and Teresa (Rich) Brosius, all of Coshocton, and Annette (Todd) Corder and Donna (Gary) Davis, both of Warsaw; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nine sisters, Mildred Flowers and Lenora Wheeler, both of Newark, Alice VanWinkle, Lena Richards, Twila Eagleston and Annabelle Moran, all of Utica, Doris Lashley of Frazeysburg, Norma Mencer of Coshocton and Pat Moran of Oklahoma; and four brothers, Virgil Moran of Cleveland, William Moran of Oklahoma, Donald Moran of Fallsburg and Ralph Moran of Utica.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carey, Edward and Ronnie Moran; and a great-granddaughter.

The funeral will be Friday at 1 p.m. in the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw, where visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday until service time. Pastor Bill Dunfee will officiate. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery at Warsaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Ohio Diabetes Association, 1803 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus 43212.

Brian M. Spetka
COLUMBUS — Brian McKinnon Spetka, 51, finally found eternal peace on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2004, in Columbus.

He was born in Newark on July 17, 1952, to parents Richard L. and Hazel M. Spetka. Brian was preceded in death by grandparents, Roy and Margaret Spetka and Elroy “Mac” and Mary Emma McKinnon; brother, Richard Roy Spetka; and mother, Hazel M. Spetka.

Brian is survived by his father, Richard L. Spetka of Mount Vernon; his brother, Dr. Lawrence M. (Christine) Spetka of Toledo; his sister, Marilyn Gaye Spetka of Columbus; his brother, Charles Robert Spetka of Boston; his brother, Jason Grant Spetka of Phoenix, Ariz.; niece, Emily Christine Spetka, and nephew, Matthew McKinnon Spetka, of Toledo; and many cousins and friends.

Brian was graduated from Mount Vernon Senior High School in 1971. Brian had a love of photography and his photos are treasured by his family. He earned an associate degree in social work from Muskingum Area Technical College and worked at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center. He is also a former employee of the State of Ohio where he worked for the Columbus Developmental Center.

Brian recently returned to Ohio after living in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Before returning to Ohio, he lived in Cleveland, Tenn., at Hilltop House where he was much loved and found a respite from his battle with mental illness. He fought his own personal battles, sometimes outrageously, often fiercely. Despite those battles, Brian had a friendly smile and a kind word for strangers. And when cancer took him to the front lines again, he met it with grace and acceptance.

His last place of residence was Regency Manor in Columbus, where he quickly and easily won the hearts of the staff and other residents. He died peacefully at the Kobacker House Hospice in Columbus with family at his side. His battles are over, his peace won. He will be missed here, but his family and friends have no doubt that he will make his eternal residence an even more interesting place to be.

Memorial service will be Saturday, April 24, 2004, a 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon. The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon assisted the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society or to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Send a condolence to the family at ww.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Amy L. Walters
FREDERICKTOWN — Amy L. (Magill) Walters, 61, of Mount Vernon Avenue, Fredericktown, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at her residence. The Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown is assisting family with arrangements.

John F. Wise
SUNBURY — John F. Wise, 76, of Sunbury died Wednesday evening, April 21, 2004, at St. Ann’s Hospital.

He was born Feb. 2, 1928, in Akron to Bert and Lily (Friend) Wise. A graduate of Westerville High School Class of 1946, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict and moved to the Sunbury area in 1949. He was a retired stucco and plaster person for the George F. Neff Co. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sunbury, Young at Heart Group from church and Sunbury Evening Lions.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Patricia (Crowl) Wise; a half brother, Richard (Carolyn) Friend; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, where funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Larry A. Griffin will officiate. Interment will be in Sunbury Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 394, Sunbury 43074. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.