Hays W. Davis
MOUNT GILEAD — Hays W. Davis, 83, of County Road 98, Mount Gilead, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, at the Newark Healthcare Centre in Newark.

He was born Oct. 14, 1921, in Stacy, Va., the son of Rob and Mae Davis. He served in the 407th Infantry of the U.S. Army in Central Europe during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart. He has resided here since 1953. He worked for 36 years as a tool and die maker for General Motors in Ontario until he retired in 1988. He was a member of the VFW Post 8054, the AMVETS Post 87, the U.A.W. Local 549, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by four sons, Roger Davis of Mount Gilead, Tyrone (Claudia) Davis of Lacygen, Kan., Gary (Vickie) Davis of Gambier and Verlee (Pam) Davis of Heath; two daughters, Rita (Illui) Enriquez of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Diana (Allen) Dunzing of Wonder Lake, Ill.; 22 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two brothers, Linden Davis of Enon and Bernard Davis of Grundy, Va.; and four sisters, Georgia Roberts of Grundy, Va., Gertrude Turner of Hampstead, Md., Jetty Casey of Cedar Bluff, Va., and Laura Williams of Baltimore, Md.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Inez Davis, whom he married Dec. 2, 1943. She died Feb. 25, 1988. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Clyde; and sisters, Ruth and Bonnie.

Friends may call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Gilead, where Pastor Rob Musick will conduct services Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery at Centerburg.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Louise Henry
MILAN — Mary Louise (Ayers) Henry, 84, of Milan died Saturday morning, Dec. 11, 2004, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, following a brief illness.

She was born Jan. 26, 1920, in Mount Vernon. She was raised in Gambier and graduated from Gambier High School in 1938. Following graduation, she attended Mount Vernon Business School. After college, she worked in the admissions office at Kenyon College. She then moved to Cleveland and was employed as a secretary at McDonald & Co. Investment Bankers. On July 24, 1948, she married Harold H. Henry Jr., and they moved to Mansfield, where she became a homemaker. In 1982, the family moved to Milan. Mary also obtained a student’s pilot’s license and co-piloted many small aircraft with her husband.

In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her son, Harold “Hal” (Kelly) Henry III of Huron; two granddaughters, Madeline and Katherine; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen (Biggs) Ayers; two sisters, Delores Wolfe and Margaret Anderson; and two brothers, Paul and George Ayers.

Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Groff Funeral Home, 1 S. Main St., Milan. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Dr. J. Roger Skelley-Watts of Huron United Methodist Church. Private family graveside services will be held on Thursday in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.grofffuneralhomes.com.

Charles Jackson Sr.
CENTERBURG — Charles Robert Jackson Sr., 83, of Centerburg passed away peacefully at home, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004.

He was born Dec. 21, 1920, in Pleasantville, Ind., to Charles T. and Estella (Nash) Jackson. He graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1938 and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Fifth Army under Gen. George Patton for three years in North Africa and the European Theater. He was awarded a Purple Heart, and Bronze and Silver Stars for meritorious service. Following his active duty in the Army, he moved to Centerburg, where he met and married his wife, Bettie Jean Satterfield, in 1948.

He was a 31-year employee of Pittsburgh Plate Glass from which he retired in 1975. He was employed by Centerburg schools as a bus driver for 11 years. He was a member of Pleasantville United Methodist Church; AMVETS Post 59, Centerburg; former member of Centerburg Conservation Club; former commissioner of the Centerburg Little League and coach. He was known locally for his service to gardeners, homeowners and government agencies for his agri-business services.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bettie; his daughter, Judy Plowman; sons, Charles R. Jr. (Laura) and Gene (Debra); special nephew, Jerry Stewart; grandchildren, Chad and Ryan (fiancé, Stefanie) Plowman, Sarah, Emily and Mallory Jackson, and Kyle and Katie Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Marion; and sister, Esther Smith.

Friends may call Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Evangelist Fred Albrecht will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Eastview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mount Carmel Hospice, 793 W. State St., Columbus 43222; or National Kidney Foundation, 1372 Grandview Ave., Suite 200, Columbus 43213. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Robert E. Kline
MOUNT VERNON — The Rev. Robert Earl Kline, 78, of Mount Vernon died Dec. 11, 2004, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Columbus.

He was born July 4, 1926, in Putnam County to William Ray and Ethel Alma (Hummon) Kline. He was a member of the East Ohio Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Conference Retirees Board. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and was a member of American Legion Post 136. He was a graduate of Ohio Northern University and the Iliff School of Theology.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Zuspin) Kline, to whom he had been married 50 years; four sons, Wesley (Linda) Kline of Mount Vernon, William (Marcia) Kline of Columbus, Walter (Karen) Kline of Charlotte, N.C., and Wilbur (Lesley) Kline of Huntington, Ind.; two daughters, Roberta Wilson of Gallipolis and Rebecca (John) Innerst of Beloit; 14 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one brother, Warren (Shirley) Kline of Mount Cory.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ida Mae (Bach) Kline, in 1953; and one brother, Gerald Kline.

Friends may call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North-Dilley Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Gay Street United Methodist Church with Dr. David A. Baker and Dr. Jack Dearth officiating. Graveside service will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Harmon Cemetery at Gilboa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ZB &C Trust Account for the benefit of Kaitlyn Kline and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 121 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary, along with an online registry page, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Arthur Lake
HOWARD — Arthur Lake, 74, of Apple Valley, formerly of Avon Lake, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at Knox County Community Hospital, Mount Vernon, following a sudden illness.

Mr. Lake was born Dec. 25, 1929, in Cleveland and moved to Apple Valley 10 years ago coming from Avon Lake where he resided for 30 years. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was employed as a tree warden for the city of Cleveland. He retired as a supervisor of the West Side Shade Tree Division in 1984. While a resident of Avon Lake, he served on the zoning board and was a member of the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, Avon Lake; and the Lorain Golden Crescent Chorus, Barbershop Quartet; and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 211, Avon Lake. He was also a member of the East Knox Lions Club and the Apple Valley Lake Committee and fishing club. Arthur enjoyed boating, traveling and outdoor activities.

Mr. Lake is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lillian (Bossell); a son, Arthur A. (JoAnne) of New London; a granddaughter, Mary Jo; a great-grandson, Easton; and a niece and nephew, Karl and Karen Reinbolt.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Olga Holm; father, Oscar Lake; step-father, Lawrence Holm; and a sister, Bertha Reinbolt.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake. The Rev. Kelly Boyte Peters will officiate. Cremation is by Busch Crematory.

Memorial may be forwarded to the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake 44012. Arrangements handled by the Busch Funeral Home, 163 Avon-Belden Road, Avon Lake.

For more information, to view an online memorial or to send a condolence, go to www.buschfuneral.com.

Jerry C. Lawrence
MOUNT VERNON — Jerry C. Lawrence, 69, of Mount Vernon died Dec. 10, 2004, at his residence.

He was born Sept. 27, 1935, in Mount Vernon to Eugene V. and Helen (Miller) Lawrence. He was a member of the Faith Baptist Church and a Korean War Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Shirley (Cline) Lawrence; a daughter, Tammy (Mike) Bowers of Mount Vernon; two sons, Jeff (Trish) Lawrence of Mount Vernon and Tim Ware of Alabama; five grandchildren, Jeffery, Stephanie, Garrett, James and Jacob; two brothers, Dennis (Brenda) Lawrence and Manley (Marie) Lawrence, both of Mount Vernon; and a sister, Adrienne (Charles) Hulse of Reynoldsburg.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack and Gene Lawrence; and a sister, Carolyn Perrine.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 8764 Martinsburg Road, with the Rev. Merlyn E. Jones officiating. The North-Dilley Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s name to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary along with an online registry page may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Jacob Miller
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Jacob Miller, 80, of Sunlight Drive, Hendersonville, N.C., and formerly of Mount Vernon, passed away Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C.

A graveside service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens. These services are under the care and direction of the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home.

This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Sheila A. Rotert
NEWARK — A funeral service for Sheila A. Rotert, 51, of Newark, will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Newark Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home with Pastor Donald D. Harris officiating.

Mrs. Rotert died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004, at her residence. She was born Oct. 9, 1953, in Mount Vernon to Donald G. and Ethel M. (Mick) Spearman. She was a homemaker, a 1973 graduate of Utica High School and attended St. Louisville Christian Church.

She is survived by daughters, Billie Rotert and Donita Rotert, both of Newark, and Catherine (Jack) Woolverton of Mount Vernon; a brother, John Spearman of Gallipolis; sisters, Anita (Howard) Davis of Newark and Dawn (Glen) Stevens of Virginia Beach, Va.; granddaughter, Abbygayle Hicks of Newark; nieces, Gwendolyn Davis and Felicia Stevens; nephews, Donald Davis and Allen Stevens; and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, 1850 W. Main St., Newark.

For additional information or to sign the online memorial guest book, visit www.vocfh.com and click Obituaries.

Shannon L. Schnell
NEWARK — A graveside service for Shannon Lynne Schnell, 28, of Newark, will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with Pastor Hubert Cisneros officiating.

Shannon, a production worker at the Anomatic Corp. in Newark, died Dec. 5, 2004, at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. She was born June 2, 1976, in Newark to Steven Scott Schnell and Wendy (Black) Riebel, both of Newark.

Shannon was a 1994 Newark High School graduate where she enjoyed being a member of the Concert Choir. She loved music and was an active member of the Newark Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In addition to her parents she is survived by her two children, Zachory and Kaitlyn Stirk, both of Newark; a sister, Suzanne (McQuinn) Fritz, maternal grandmother, Catheryne J. (Gentry) Black, and paternal grandmother, Martha Eileen (Ecelberry) Schnell, all of Newark; former mother-in-law, Venus (Stirk) Shaner of Thornville; aunts, Bonnie Scott of Newark and Jerri (Scott) Knapp of Colorado; and nephews, Austin Grumm and Jordan McQuinn, both of Newark.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, William Grant Black; and paternal grandfather, Ralph Schnell.

Friends may call Tuesday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home, Newark.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark 43055, in memory of Shannon Lynne Schnell.

There will be a memorial service/potluck dinner held Jan. 8, 2005, at 6 p.m. at the Newark Seventh-day Adventist Church, 701 Linnville Road, Heath.

To sign an online guest book, visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com and click guest book/obituary.

James Smith
SPARTA — James Smith, 72, of Sparta passed away Friday, Dec. 10, 2004, at MedCentral Health System, Mansfield.

He was born July 31, 1932, in Pike County, Ky., to James R. and Ocie (Powell) Smith. James was employed as a paint technician for the Gruman-Flxible Co. and was a veteran serving in the Army as a corporal during the Korean conflict from Aug. 10, 1948, to June 25, 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Smith; two sons, Dennis (Patty) Smith of Mount Vernon and James Smith Jr. of Columbus; a daughter, Debra (Mark) Ball of Wellington; five grandchildren, Christian Ball, Benjamin (Kelly) Smith, Brian Smith, Erica (Dwight) Newton and Melody Smith; two great-grandchildren, Nathan Thomas Ball and Nadia Jolee Smith; and a brother, Landon Bingham of Kentucky.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Paul Smith; two brothers, Ed and Bill Smith; and a sister, Shelby Jean Smith.

Friends may call today from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, where services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Don Matolyak officiating. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon 43050. This obituary and guest registry can be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Glenn M. Wolfe
GAMBIER — Glenn M. Wolfe, 82, of Gambier died Dec. 12, 2004, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.