Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Cox
BELLVILLE — Kenneth L. “Kenny” Cox, 73, of Ohio 13 South, Bellville, died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005, in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born Jan. 1, 1932, in Berea to Earl H. and Mary (Sisson) Cox.

He is survived by his wife, Lois (Layfield) Cox, whom he married Aug. 31, 1957; their children, Kevin (Kelly) Cox of Ringgold, Ga., Cheryl (Bill) Frazier of Tempe, Ariz., Brian (Karen) Cox of Paragould, Ark., and Curtis Cox of Bellville; 10 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; an uncle; and loving and caring cousins.

He was preceded in death by an uncle.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home. The worship service, celebrating the life of Kenny Cox, will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in New Life Church of Christ, 195 W. Durbin Ave., Bellville, officiated by Pastor Dan Noe. Burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery, where Irvin Hiskey Post 535 will provide graveside military honors.

Memorial contributions to the building fund of New Life Church of Christ may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Melba T. Long
WALTON HILLS — Melba T. Long, 88, of Walton Hills, Ohio, formerly of Apple Valley, Ohio, passed away Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, at her residence.

She was born July 26, 1917, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the daughter of Edgar and Hulda (Dirks) Scherer. Melba was retired from the Shawnee Schools where she worked as a secretary. She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon and enjoyed playing cards and doing crossword puzzles.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce (Richard) Begg of Walton Hills, Ohio; and seven grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Ray Long; and two sisters, Luella Franke and Willodean Buck.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon with Pastor Mark Wildermuth officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St. Cleveland, OH 44119; or to Faith Lutheran Church, 170 Mansfield Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Opal Messer Rings
CENTERBURG — Opal D. Messer Rings, 85, of Centerburg, died at her home Thursday evening, Sept. 8, 2005.

She was born Oct. 20, 1919, in Ripley, W.Va., to Jesse and Ruby (Dudgeon) Hamilton.

She is survived by sons, Allen (Carolyn) Messer of Gardnerville, Nev., Richard (Jean) Messer of LaCrosse, Va., and Michael (Mary) Messer of Centerburg; daughter, Pamela (John) Weitzel of Columbia, S.C.; sister, Helen (Harry) Myers of Pickerington; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law; as well as numerous nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband of 24 years, Samuel “Ray” Messer; second husband of 26 years, Harold Rings; two sisters; a brother; and a granddaughter.

Friends may call Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. with Pastor Wayne Booth officiating. Interment will follow in the Glen Rest Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Knox County, 302 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.