Betty P. Ashburn
UTICA — Betty P. Ashburn, 86, of Utica died Jan. 16, 2005, at Utica Care Center.

She was born May 10, 1918, in Knox County to French and Lettie (White) Veatch. A homemaker, Mrs. Ashburn was a life member of the Utica American Legion Auxiliary. She was named Auxiliarian of the Year in 1986 and received the Lewis Glover Award in 1992. She was baptized at the Owl Creek Baptist Church in 1934.

She is survived by a son, David (Connie) Ashburn of Commerce Township, Mich.; three daughters, JoAnne (Horace) Shipman, Sarah Pargeon and Edith (Kenneth) Woodruff, all of Utica; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Bertha Walters and Ruth Stienmetz, both of Mount Vernon.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Hallie Ashburn, who died in 1958; three sons, Lee “Sonny,” James and Larry Ashburn; and a daughter, Nancy Thorn.

Friends may call Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, where funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. Bruce Hissong will officiate. Burial will follow in South Lawn Cemetery.

L. Lorraine Leach
NEWARK — L. Lorraine Leach, 78, formerly of Mount Vernon, passed away Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at the Arlington Nursing Home in Newark, where she was surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 25, 1926, in Mount Vernon to Berlin and Marie (Zimmerman) McDonald. Mrs. Leach worked for Ashcraft Janitorial in Mount Vernon. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.

She is survived by her three daughters, Julie Mathis of Mount Vernon, Linda (Michael) Ledbetter of Newark and Debbie (Les) Little of Mount Vernon; a stepson, Richard Leach of Texas; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Laurel McDonald of Mount Vernon; special friend, Amy Googins of Newark; sister-in-law, Dorothy Arquilla; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Albert Arquilla; second husband, Lavern “Lewis” Leach; two grandchildren, Jimmy Rector and David Rector; and two brothers.

Friends may call Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Road, Mount Vernon, where a funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Robert Pelfrey will officiate. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 1984-A Coffman Road, Newark 43055-1012, and can be left at the funeral home. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Ray Wheeler
GAMBIER — Ray Wheeler, 97, of Gambier died Jan. 17, 2005, at the Chapel Grove Inn in Heath.

He was born July 27, 1907, in Wayne Township, Belmont County, to Dairl and Blanche (Simeral) Wheeler. He was a member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ. He had been employed by the Everet Bucy Lumber Co., the Shuff and Bucy Oil Co., and was a self-employed water well driller when he retired.

He is survived by one son, Merle “Bud” (Pat) Wheeler of Martinsburg; 10 grandchildren, Gary (Crickett) Wheeler, Larry Wheeler, Randy (Diane) Wheeler, Beverly (Ron) Foote, Brenda (Steve) Dush, Kenny (Sue Ann) Ramsey, David (Lori) Ramsey, Susan (Scott) Taylor, Mike (Jodi) Wheeler and Greg (Gina) Wheeler; 24 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Mindy (Perkins) Wheeler, in 1981; one daughter, Evelyn Ramsey; one son, Tom Wheeler; sister, Flora Hagan; and his twin sister, Mae King.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Harris-Dilley Funeral Home in Bladensburg, where the funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. Mr. Trevor Bailey and Mr. Tom Myers will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillcrest Church of Christ, Utica 43080; or Hospice of Central Ohio, 1984A Coffman Road, Newark 43055. This obituary may be viewed online along with a guest registry at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.