Lydia R. Arthur
WELLSTON — Lydia Ruth Arthur, 82, of Wellston died Aug. 26, 2005, at the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis.

She was born in Loudonville to Herschel R. and Dora M. (Jones) Jones.

She is survived by her husband, William Arthur, to whom she has been married 30 years; two step-daughters, Susan K. (Mark) Robbins of Virginia Beach, Va., and Kathleen M. Coon of Chillicothe; two sisters, Evelyn M. Willis of Mount Vernon and Esther Strong of Williard; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul McMann; a son, Louis Charlie Jones; a brother, Oscar Jones Sr.; and two sisters, Stella Weiss and Dora Jean Bouberry.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Oddfellows Cemetery at Lucas with the Rev. Dr. David A. Baker officiating. The North-Dilley Funeral Home, 212 N. Main St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050, is in charge of the arrangements.

This obituary along with an online guest registry can be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Harold Bishop Jr.
MOUNT VERNON — Harold A. “Hal” Bishop Jr., 81, of Mount Vernon died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon following an extended illness.

Harold was born April 15, 1924, in Mansfield to Harold A. and Neva B. (Garton) Bishop and had spent most of his lifetime in the Mount Vernon area. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, when he was stationed in Italy for two years. Hal retired from the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. in Mount Vernon in 1978 after 35 years employment. Hal had worked part time for the Mills Funeral Home, Flowers Funeral Home and Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home on East High Street in Mount Vernon. He attended the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, on Vine Street in Mount Vernon and was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose 824 in Mount Vernon.

Surviving are his daughters, Lorraine Kae “Lonnie” (Wesley) Humbert of Montgomery, Ala., and Barbara Lee Rine of Panama City, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Sandra Humbert and Tony Rine.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne (Cline) Bishop; a daughter, Constance Sue Bishop; a brother, Russell D. Bishop; and a sister, Marjorie L. Eggelston.

Friends may call Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, where services will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Lucian Baker officiating. Burial with military honors by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 96268, Washington D.C. 20090-6268; or to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and online condolences to the family are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Louise Ewing
MOUNT VERNON — Mary Louise Ewing, 87, of Mount Vernon died Aug. 27, 2005, at the Knox Community Hospital.

She was born Aug. 19, 1918, in Mount Vernon to George and Mildred (Bergin) Ewing. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Resurrection Choir of the church. She was a 1936 graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School. She retired in 1983, after serving 46 years with Mercy Hospital and Knox Community Hospital. She was a 35-year member of the Medical Record Association, the Ohio Medical Record Association and the Central Ohio Medical Record Association. She was a member of the Knox County Humane Society and the Knox County Organ Club.

She is survived by her special friends, Ron and Margaret Fraser and family, and Tom McFarlane, all of Mount Vernon.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Ted Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Humane Society, 400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary along with an online guest registry may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

David W. Ferguson
HOWARD — David W. Ferguson, 44, of Beaver Road, Howard, passed away at his residence on Friday, Aug. 26, 2005.

David was born March 13, 1961, in Jersey City, N.J., and moved to Mount Vernon when he was 6 months old. He was a graduate of Mount Vernon High School. David was employed at TRW in Mount Vernon for 19 years.

He is survived by his parents, William and Annabelle (Cranmer) Ferguson of Mount Vernon; his sister, Sue Ann Ferguson, Ph.D., of Columbus; and special friends, Evvy Schaffer and Emeily Fantin.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service celebrating the life of David Ferguson will be held at a later date.

These arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. This obit and online condolences to the family are at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Dexter C. Griffith
UTICA — A funeral for Dexter C. Griffith, 91, of Utica will be conducted Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home. The Rev. Crate Sparks will officiate. Burial will be in Homer Cemetery.

Dexter died Aug. 28, 2005, at The Laurels of Mount Vernon. He was born Oct. 17, 1913, in Drill, Va., to Thomas M. and Livana G. (Compton) Griffith. He was retired from Tech Rubber at Johnstown.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mary E. (May) Griffith of Utica, whom he married in October 1933; a son, James (Sharon) Griffith of Homer; six grandchildren, Johnny Griffith of Powell, Paule (John) Sheets and Gary Griffith, both of Newark; Patty Griffith of St. Louisville, Lisa Caruso of Mount Vernon and Mary (Alvin) Tupas of Broken Arrow, Okla.; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth (Walter) Anderson of Newark.

He was preceded in death by sons, Elmer C., Paul and Ramon Griffith; daughter, Gay Griffith; brothers, John, Clyde and Harry Griffith; and sister, Beatrice Nell Humphrey.

Friends may call Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica.

James V. Kinney
CENTERBURG — James V. Kinney, 53, of Centerburg passed suddenly at Knox Community Hospital on Aug. 25, 2005.

He was born Oct. 1, 1951, to Marjorie (Clark) and the late Vernon D. Kinney.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Taylor) Kinney; mother, Marjorie Kinney; children, Melissa and Rob Kinney of Montana, Stephanie and Pat Fultz of Idaho and James “Aaron and Jennifer Kinney of Centerburg; brothers, Charles (Mary Lou) Kinney of London, Robert (Carol) Kinney of Columbus and Donald (Rosalee) Kinney of Powell; one grandchild, Lily Anne Fultz of Idaho; father and mother-in-law, Guy (Georgia) Taylor of Texas; and sister-in-law, Rebecca (Rick) Blayney.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Dale Kinney; and grandmother, Hazel M. Kinney.

He was employed by Swift Transportation. On Aug. 18, he was married 32 years. He was a member of Chapter 777 “Spirit of the Son” Christian Motorcycle Association in Pataskala. A lifetime member of H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group), local chapters of Centennial Park Harley-Davidson in Pataskala and A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson in Columbus.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Crouse-Kauber-Sammons Funeral Home, 225 N. Main St., Johnstown, with service to follow Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. John Donn will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

An online obituary will be located at NationalObituaryArchive.com.

James W. Reffitt
MOUNT VERNON — James W. Reffitt, 82, of Old Mansfield Road, Mount Vernon, passed away Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

He was born May 27, 1923, in Greenup County, Ky., the son of Turner G. and Ora (Danner) Reffitt. James was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II. He participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy in an artillery division. He had retired from Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Creighton, Pa., after 33 years of employment. James was a member of the Dan Stone Post American Legion, and a life member of the AMVETS and the Colonial City Moose Lodge 824.

He is survived by his loving wife, Laura Jeannine (Hughes) Reffitt, whom he married Sept. 5, 1954. Also surviving are two brothers, George (Betty) Reffitt of Mount Vernon and Oakley (Marcella) Reffitt of Mount Vernon; a sister, Mable (Frank) Basham of Mount Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John R. Reffitt, Charles E. Reffitt and Russell Reffitt.

Friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. Pastor Carl Hankins will conduct a graveside service with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Mound View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Knox County Humane Society Cat Shelter, 400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Helen M. VanAtta
ST. LOUISVILLE — Helen Mary VanAtta, 91, of St. Louisville died Aug. 27, 2005, after a long stay at LPN Health Care Facility, Newark.

She was born May 13, 1914, in Perryton to Ora W. and Gertrude A. (Hancock) Jewell. She was a homemaker.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Alice Braddock, and daughter-in-law, Virginia Ann VanAtta, both of St. Louisville; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by he parents; husband, Jesse A. VanAtta Jr., in 1987; sons, Rodney Lee, in 1991, Jesse L., in 2003, and Richard A. “Dick,” in 2004; one grandson, Dean A. Braddock, 1993; brothers, James and Russell Jewell; and sisters, Evelyn Jewell and Printhia Sue VanWinkle.

The funeral will be Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. in Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, where friends may call Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mr. Bruce Hissong will officiate. Burial will follow in Evans Cemetery.