Leona A. Deeds
MOUNT VERNON — Leona A. (Petry) Deeds, 97, of Mount Vernon went to her eternal rest with her Lord on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, at the Knox Community Hospital.

She was born Feb. 9, 1908, in Gambier, the daughter of Harry and Tillie (Wolfe) Petry and had spent most of her life in the Gambier and Mount Vernon areas. She graduated from Gambier High School in 1926 and in 1929 from nurse’s training school in Columbus, as a Registered Nurse. She nursed as a private duty nurse in hospitals and homes from 1929 to 1933. From 1933 to 1936 she was a night supervisor of Mercy Hospital in Columbus. She returned to the Mount Vernon area in 1942 and married Andrew F. Deeds who entered eternal rest in 1987. She retired from Cooper-Bessemer Medical Center as a relief nurse in 1976. She was a homemaker and loved her flowers and crafts. She was a lifelong member of the Grove Church of Christ in Gambier where she was a member of the Ladies Christian Circle. She was a member of the Happy Harmony Club in Gambier, the Child Conservation League in Mount Vernon and a member of the Howard Garden Club, the District Nurses Association and the Retired Senior Citizens Volunteer Program of Gambier R.S.V.P.

She is survived by a loving daughter, Shirley (John) Shotts of Mount Vernon; two grandchildren, Stacy (Joseph) Mullins of Little Rock, Ark., and John Ryan Andrew Shotts of Apple Valley; a sister, Marguerite Miller of Mount Vernon; five wonderful nieces, Lois Keyser, Bonita Williams, Sandra Wright, Sonja Debolt and Marilyn Turner; three nephews, Lynn Miller, Doyle Petry and Darrell Petry; several great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, Polly Bartholomew, Fannie Kerr, Brennan Durbin, Paul and Sue Pyors and Bonnie Newton.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Andrew, she was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Jean Weidner; a brother, Leonard Petry; a nephew, Richard Rose; and a niece, Dorothy Allen.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Grove Church of Christ in Gambier with Jerold Tear and Dan Hamilton officiating. Friends may call from Tuesday from noon until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow the service in the Union Grove Cemetery in Gambier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union Grove Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. This obituary and guest registry may be viewed online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Lou P. Elliott
MOUNT VERNON — Lou P. Elliott, 92, of Mount Vernon passed away Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, at the Knox Community Hospital.

She was born June 22, 1913, in Knox County, the daughter of Grover and Martha (Shrimplin) Stringfellow. She had attended the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Mount Vernon. Lou depended on her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for her strength and everything she would need. She was one who stood the test of time, led by example and chose to love. She left a mark on things that she touched and truly was a legacy.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Gary William (Charlotte) Elliott of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca (Steven) Mellick of Mount Vernon; two grandchildren, Sgt. Jason Elliott U.S.A.F. and Makenzie Mellick; and four great-grandchildren, Samad Elliott, Dean Elliott, Jordan Elliott and Ashton Elliott

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Elliott; two brothers, Ray Stringfellow and Bruce Stringfellow; and a sister, Faye Mowery.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Elliott officiating. Friends may call Tuesday from 6 p.m. until the time of service. The family will observe private burial in the Workman Cemetery in Danville.

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

Josephine L. Reeder
BUTLER — Josephine L. Reeder, 94, of Ohio 97 East, Butler, died Sunday morning, Sept. 11, 2005, in her home following a long illness.

She was born Sept. 12, 1910, in Butler to William and Rachel (Hammon) Worley, was graduated from Butler High School in 1928, and remained a lifelong Butler resident. On Sept. 3, 1931, she married Cyrus P. “Cy” Reeder. Josephine was a homemaker and farm wife who served her husband and family with great love and a great passion for the home arts. Her adept sewing skills kept a growing family well clothed, yet she found time for crocheting projects.

Her enthusiasm for gardening went well beyond tending her flower patches — to providing fresh vegetables for the table as well as for home canning and freezing.

In 1945, when her husband and father-in-law bought and renamed J.A. Reeder & Son Lumber Co. in Butler, it was Josephine who worked from the home, on the small company’s books, accounting and typing. Josephine found delight in music. She served for more than 30 years as pianist and organist with Mount Sinai United Methodist Church in Butler, where she was still a member. Witty, with a dry sense of humor, Josephine could communicate volumes with the twinkle in her eye. She would rarely rely on that twinkle — “If she had something to say ... she said it ... and told it like it was.”

She is survived by three children and their spouses, Donald E. and Patricia Reeder of Butler, Dean E. and Molly Reeder of Butler and Dorothy J. and Tom Jewett of Medina; five grandchildren and their spouses, Sherre and Rick Weiler of Fredericktown, Melanie Kelly of Butler, Laureen and John Oswalt of Butler, Brenda and Chris Sheets of Carlinville, Ill., and Jeffrey and Jamie Reeder of Loudonville; 18 great-grandchildren; devoted caregivers and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Cy Reeder, on Sept. 30, 2001; and two brothers, Glenn Worley and Harry Worley.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, where the funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Kenneth Kinley will officiate. Burial will follow in Bunkerhill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to the Worthington Township-Butler Rescue Squad, or Mount Sinai United Methodist Church may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Destiny J. Ross
WOOSTER — Destiny Joann Ross, 7-week-old infant, of Wooster died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at Akron Children’s Hospital.

She was born July 20, 2005, the daughter of Catherine Heckman Byall.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are brothers, Michael, Andrew and Christopher Byall of Smithville; maternal grandparents, Harold and Catherine Asburay of Wooster; and three uncles.

She was preceded in death by two maternal great-grandfathers; one maternal great-grandmother; and one aunt.

Private family services will be held. Arrangements are by the McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.

Gilbert W. Shaw
MANSFIELD — Gilbert W. Shaw, 78, of Mansfield died early Saturday morning, Sept. 10, 2005, at OSU Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born April 24, 1927, in Mannington, W.Va., he was the son of Ralph D. and Audie (Neely) Shaw. He retired in 1989 from General Motors after 33 years of service. Mr. Shaw attended Dean Road Freewill Baptist Church. He was a member of the Mansfield Liederkranz, Venus Lodge 152, F&AM, 32nd Degree Mason, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Baku Grotto, Sons of Herman, VFW Post 9943, American Legion Post 16, lifetime member of AMVETS Post 31, Order of the Owls and BPO Elks 56. He served three years with the U.S. Navy and four years with the U.S. Army, earning two Purple Hearts and the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars.

He is survived by a son, Roger Shaw of Mansfield; daughter, Donna (Steve) Holbrook of Mansfield; two grandchildren, Crystal and David Spillman; one great-grandson, Jayden Adair Hess; a brother, Byron Shaw of Columbus; and two sisters, Betty Jo Craig of Maryland and Barbara Kibler of Plano, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary G. Shaw; son, Allen Ray Shaw; and three brothers, Edgar, Jack Lee and William H. Shaw.

Friends may call Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Masonic service will be held during the evening calling hours. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by the Revs. Clifford E. Tackett and Virgil Masters. Military graveside service, conducted by Richland County Joint Veterans Council, will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Online guest registry@www.wappner.com.

Agnes H. Swetlic
MANSFIELD — Agnes H. (Yirga) Swetlic, 90, of Mansfield died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, at Country Court Nursing Center in Mount Vernon. She went to be with the Lord after complications related to diabetes.

Born April 18, 1915, in Mansfield, she was the daughter of Andrew John and Mary (Smylnyak) Yirga. She was employed as a cashier at T&A Saveway for 25 years. A loving grandmother, she was a positive, encouraging woman. She was a collector of eclectic music and dolls.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Swetlic of Mansfield and James A. (Linda Pipes-Swetlic) Swetlic of Howard; two daughters, Jeanine (Knute) Larson of Akron and Linda (Robert) Steffey of Bellville; nine grandchildren, Cindy (Shawn) Zurat of Brunswick Hills, Connie Streible of Mount Vernon, Brian (Julie) Swetlic of St. Clair Shores, Mich., James (Becky) Swetlic of Mount Vernon, Elise (Keith) Bishop of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Alison (Christopher) Ivey of Chicago, John (Kim) Steffey of Honolulu, Hawaii, Theodora Walker of S.C., and Christopher (Jennifer) Steffey of Centerburg; six great-grandchildren, Robert Brian, Summer and Dylan Swetlic, Jamie, Annie and Blaise Bishop; sister, Anna Miller of Mount Vernon; several nieces and nephews; and her faithful dog, Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Andrew and Lewis Yirga; sister, Rosemary Titchinger; and daughter-in-law, Carol Swetlic.

Friends may call Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, where service will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., officiated by her son-in-law, Pastor Knute Larson of The Chapel in Akron. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. Online guest registry www.wappner.com.