Wendell E. Miller
CENTERBURG — Wendell E. Miller, 77, of Centerburg died Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at his home.

A lifetime farmer, real estate agent and auctioneer, Mr. Miller attended Covenant Christian Church of God. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, Mount Zion Lodge and three time past master of Bloomfield Lodge. He was also a member of the Centerburg School Board for 12 years and a member of AMVETS 59. He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict.

He is survived by his children, Kim (Dave) Thompson of Harrisburg, Pa., Jeff (Lori) Miller and Marcia (Mark) Lawless, all of Centerburg; grandchildren, Nick, Tyler, Katie and Luke Miller, and Rachel and Aaron Lawless; and a sister, Norma (John) Hubbell of Lima.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Audrey; and a twin sister, Joanne Lambert.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson-Melick-Moreland Funeral Home, 49 W. Church St., Centerburg, where Masonic service will follow at 8 p.m. Funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. with Pastor Tim Overly officiating. Interment will be in Eastview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 182039, Columbus 43218; or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038.

Harold J. Smith
MOUNT VERNON — Harold J. “Smitty” Smith, 84, of East Gambier Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 31, 1920, in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada, to Charles and Jane (Boyle) Smith. Mr. Smith was a career employee of the Continental Can Co. He served as master sergeant in the U.S. Army, Ranger division during World War II. Mr. Smith was a member and manager of the Elks Club of Mount Vernon.

He is survived by two sons, Donald Smith of Mount Vernon and Charles Smith of Michigan; three stepsons, Kevin Rummel of Mount Vernon, Denton Rummel of Pennsylvania and Bill (Cynthia) Rummel of North Carolina; five grandchildren, Kim (Brian) Weiser, Brian Gardner, Susan Gardner, Chris Rummel and Desirae Rummel; and four great-grandchildren, Logan Gardner, Drake Brown, and Jordan and Ashliegh Rummel.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou Smith; and two daughters, Nancy Smith and Barbara Smith.

The family will hold private services at a later date. These services are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, 400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Charles D. Speaks
FORT MORGAN, Colo. — Charles D. Speaks of Fort Morgan, Colo., died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at his home.

Mr. Speaks was born Aug. 2, 1919, in Newark to Charles and Beatrice (Scott) Speaks. He married Florence Schultz on June 8, 1946, in Greenup, Ky. He moved to Fort Morgan three years ago from Olney Springs, Colo. He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific from 1942 until 1945 and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts and Combat Medic’s Badge. He was an active member of the Olney Springs Methodist Church. He was a member of the Silver Star Masonic Lodge 95 AF&AM of Pueblo, Colo., past master of the Ashlar Lodge in Fowler, Colo., member of the Scottish Rite Southern Colorado Consistory, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Mr. Speaks was a life member of the VFW in Olney Springs and was on its funeral rifle squad. He was a member of the American Legion, 37th Division of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and a member of the Lions Club for over 20 years.

He is survived by two sons, Dana of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Craig Speaks of Albany, Ore.; two sisters, Margie Cosner of Utica and Arline Spellman of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Florence; three brothers and two sisters.

Services were Nov. 20 at Olney Springs Methodist Church. Burial will be at Liberty Chapel Cemetery in Danville.

Sue B. Tarbis
CUYAHOGA FALLS — Sue B. Tarbis, 34, of Cuyahoga Falls passed away unexpectedly Nov. 24, 2004.

She was a 1989 graduate of Copley High School in Fairlawn, and received her degree in medical social work from the University of Akron in May 2004.

She is survived by her mother, Essie (Erlanger) Tarbis of Fairlawn; two sisters; nieces; and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her father, Myron Tarbis; and grandparents, Lothar and Minna Erlanger and Joseph and Lilian Tarbis.

Funeral services were Nov. 29, 2004, in Akron.

Billy Joe ‘B.J.’ Wilson
HENRYETTA, Okla. — Billy Joe “B.J.” Wilson, 73, of Henryetta, Okla., died Nov. 22, 2004, in Henryetta.

He was born Aug. 6, 1931, in Oklahoma to Joe Ed and Irene (Hendrix) Wilson. He worked as a glass cutter for Anchor Glass, before moving to Mount Vernon to work for Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. He moved to Edmond, Okla., to work for TempSafe Glass Co., retiring in 1994. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He is survived by his mother, Irene Balestra of Henryetta, Okla.; daughters, Lucille (Ed) Nienkark of Mount Vernon and Peggy Peoples; sons, Willis (Connie Jo) Pritchett of Mount Vernon, Tommy Joe Wilson, Gerald Wayne Wilson and Joe Ed Wilson; five grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Ed Wilson; his wife, Maxine (Pritchett) Wilson, in 1992; and three grandchildren.

The funeral was Nov. 26 at the Rogers Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Westlawn Cemetery where the VFW and American Legion conducted military graveside rites.