Donald M. Drake
HOWARD — Donald M. Drake, 82, of Howard passed away Thursday, May 27, 2004, at Country Court Nursing Center.

He was born Oct. 18, 1921, in Howard, the son of Gordon and Ada (Beach) Drake and had been a lifetime resident of the Howard area. Mr. Drake retired in 1986 after 40 years of employment with the Knox County Highway Department.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ethel I. (Styers) Drake; brother and sisters-in-law, Kenneth (Ramona) Naylor and Alberta Styers; and a nephew, Lewis Styers.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Drake.

Friends may call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home. A graveside service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Dorothy Gates
MOUNT LIBERTY — Dorothy A. Gates, 64, of Mount Liberty died Thursday, May 26, 2004, at St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville.

She retired after 27 years from Mount Vernon Developmental Center. She was a member of Eastern Star, Columbia Chapter 33, and KC Cruisers Car Club.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Lyman; son, David (Elena) Gates of Columbus; daughter, Nancy A. (Chris) Adkins of Marengo; grandchildren, Christopher and Eric Gates, Ryan Adkins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Georgia Strickland.

Friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home, 49 W. Church St., Centerburg, where Eastern Star service will be at 8 p.m. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Carl Hankins will officiate. Interment will be in Eastview Cemetery.

Imo A. Lewis
MOUNT VERNON — Imo A. Lewis, 96, of Mount Vernon died May 28, 2004, at the Ohio Eastern Star Home.

She was born July 20, 1907, in Liberty Township to Frank E. and Mary Catherine (Ogg) Cotton. She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was a charter member of the Lady Eagles.

She is survived by two nieces, Marjorie Shaffer and Marthella Massaro; two nephews, Gene Lybarger and Edward Cotton; and dear friends, Andy, Mary, Tony and Amy Lonzo.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Leo L. Lewis in 1981; three brothers, Walter, Curtis and Emmett Cotton; three sisters, Irma Lybarger, Martha Lybarger and Mary Cotton.

Friends may call Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home with a Lady’s Eagle Service at 5:30 p.m. Funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Troy Northrup will officiate. Burial will be in Mound View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050.

Charles M. Short
THORNVILLE — Charles “Chuck” Milton Short went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2004, after a courageous batter with leukemia.

Chuck was born Nov. 13, 1942, in Baltimore, Md. He retired form Western Electric in Columbus and enjoyed trap shooting and was an avid gun enthusiast.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth (Thompson) Short; a daughter, Brenda (Todd) McLean; a son, Charles Michael Short; grandchildren, Sarah and Hunter McLean; parents, Elza and Emily Short; three sisters, Betty (Bob) Cummins, Karren (Sam) Griffith and Norene (J.R.) Spencer; many nieces, nephews and many others who loved this very special man.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Jo Short.

His jokes and loving sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Friends may call Monday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boring-Sheridan Funeral Home, 56 S. Main St., Thornville, where funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m.

C. Earl Stiles
FREDERICKTOWN — C. Earl Stiles, 85, of Miami Avenue, Fredericktown, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2004, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon.

He was born May 16, 1919, in St. John’s, Ohio, the son of Charles H. and Estella L. (Dudgeon) Stiles. Mr. Stiles was a self-employed farmer. He attended the Fredericktown Church of the Nazarene; and was a member of the Central Ohio Draft Horse Association, the Belgium Draft Horse Association and the Fredericktown Senior Citizens.

Surviving are his loving wife of 45 years, Dorothy (Rhoads) Stiles; a daughter, Charlotte (Dale) Covrett of Delaware; stepson, Don (Betty) Owen of Mount Vernon; two grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; 16 stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Erma (Richard) Bilikam of Delaware; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Stiles of Port Clinton.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd Styles and Ferris Stiles; and a stepdaughter, Florence George.

Friends may call Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown, where funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. The Rev. Kenneth Miller will officiate. Interment will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery at Delaware.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society or Hospice of Knox County. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.