Edith M. Belcher
SPARTA — Edith M. Belcher, 84, of Sparta passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, at Heartland of Centerburg.

She was born May 31, 1921, in Fulton to the late William and Alta (Coleman) Burson. A lifelong area resident, first and foremost she was a wife, mother and grandmother. Family Sunday dinners, were a must, as well as keeping her family in order. She enjoyed bowling in her younger years, red birds, working puzzles and collecting crystals.

She is survived by children, Jeannette (Howard) Saunders of Marengo, Patrick (Lillie) Belcher of Sparta, Deloris (John) White of Marion and Kay (Richard) Nichols of Centerburg; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Grace Stinehelfer; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Clarence “Ikey” Belcher, on Dec. 31, 1983; and a son, James Belcher.

Friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 229, Marengo, where services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m., with Pastor Rob Musick officiating. Interment will be in Bloomfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 634445, Cincinnati, OH 45263-4445. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

John Lightle Sr.
MOUNT VERNON — A funeral service for John David Lightle Sr., 63, of Mount Vernon will be held Thursday, Dec. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at the Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta Funeral & Cremation Service with the Rev. Robert L. Knox officiating. Burial will follow in Jacksontown Cemetery where military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Mr. Lightle died Dec. 24, 2005, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon. He was born Oct. 19, 1942, in Newark to the late Marion Lightle and the late Anna Mae (Adams) Lightle Brunner. Mr. Lightle was disabled. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of AMVETS Post 95 in Mount Vernon, where he had been past commander.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn J. (Wright) Lightle; six children and their spouses, Cathy (Alan) Tangey of Zanesville, Cynthia (Mel) Lowery of Buckeye Lake, Candy (Pat) Conklin of Frazeysburg, Tim Lightle, Terry (Helen) Lightle of Beaver Falls, Pa., and Marilyn (Brad) Olsen of Virginia Beach, Va.; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special daughter-in-law, Barb Lightle of Newark.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John D. Lightle Jr.; and by four brothers; and two sisters.

Friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, 59 N. Fifth St., Newark. An online guestbook and memorial is available at www.hendersonvanatta.com.

Gary S. Mayer
MOUNT VERNON — Gary S. Mayer, 68, of North Jefferson Street, Mount Vernon, passed away, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.

He was born March 13, 1937, in Marion to the late Orville and Wilma (Nedds) Mayer. Gary was a member of the local Moose, AMVETS, American Legion and Eagles. He had retired after 20 years of employment with the Columbus Water Department. Gary loved spending his free time golfing, woodworking or watching cooking shows learning how to make a new favorite dish.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Shirley (Paugh) Mayer; four daughters, Barbara (John) Evans of Barrington, Ill., Bobbi Jo (Glenn) Colflesh of Columbus, Brenda (Rob) DeHart of Eielson AFB, Alaska, and Jeri (Perry) Scott of Mount Vernon; six stepchildren, Mark (Danielle) Mann of Columbus, Lisa (Don) Wolfe of Lancaster, Barry (Anne) Mann of Dayton, Erich Mann of Clearwater Beach, Fla., Holly (Gary) Snyder of Fredericktown and Jenny (Brad) Rife of Edgewood, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; 17 stepgrandchildren; a brother, Curtis (Doris) Mayer of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and two sisters, Carol Vasbinder of Mount Vernon and Lori (Ed) Daniels of Las Vegas, Nev.

The family will observe a private graveside service at a later date. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery. These arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mooseheart or Mooseheaven in care of the Moose Lodge, 417 W. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Robert C. McKee
BELLVILLE — Robert C. McKee, 74, of Bellville died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at his residence.

Bob was born Dec. 13, 1931, in Mount Vernon to Stephen C. and Grace (Barnhardt) McKee and was a 1950 graduate of Fredericktown High School. He attended Huntington College and Kent State University. Bob retired in 1991 from Westinghouse Corp. in Mansfield where he had been employed for over 25 years in the shipping department. He had spent most of his lifetime in Knox and Richland counties, except for 13 years spent at Jensen Beach, Fla.

Bob was a member of Irvin Hiskey Post of the American Legion in Bellville and was an avid sports fan with his favorite being basketball.

Surviving are his loving companion of 21 years, Lois Ritter; his two sons, Jon Michael McKee and Mark Stephen (Anita) McKee, both of Mansfield; his stepsons, Rick (Robin) Ritter and John (Heather) Mills, both of Mansfield; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brother, John (Nancy) McKee of Westfield Center; and his sister, Carol (Dave) Ogg of Palm Coast, Fla.

His parents preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Cook Road Baptist Church in Mansfield with the Rev. Jack Hackworth officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be in Bellville Cemetery at a later date. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.

Memorial contributions can be made to Cook Road Baptist Church, 54 E. Cook Road, Mansfield, OH; or Jefferson Township-Bellville Volunteer Fire Department. This obituary and to send a condolence to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

David Amil Mentges
NEWARK — A funeral service for David Amil Mentges, 50, of Newark, formerly of Canfield, will be Thursday, Dec. 29, at 11:30 a.m. at Utica Church of Christ, with Alan Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in Newark Memorial Gardens. David died Dec. 25, 2005, at his home.

He was born June 23, 1955, in Youngstown to Amil J. and Lois J. (Farmer) Mentges. David has been employed in the Newark and Columbus areas as a respiratory therapist and registered nurse for 20 years. He was a member of the Utica Presbyterian Church and served as an elder.

He served four years in the U.S. Navy, returned to Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University. He was an avid Buckeye football and basketball fan. He coached baseball, soccer and basketball; and he loved to bicycle.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sharon (Stockdale) Mentges; son, Eric, a student at Ohio University, Athens; mother, Lois Mentges, and sister, Carol Mentges, both of Canfield; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Barbara Mentges of Poland, OH; and six nieces, two nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Amil Mentges.

Friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Utica Church of Christ, 115 N. Central Ave., Utica.

Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, OH 43055.

Leona M. Myers
WALHONDING — Leona Marie Myers, 53, of Walhonding died Dec. 24, 2005, at her residence.

She was born June 9, 1952, in Mount Vernon to Kenneth Joseph and Rosalie (Ferenbaugh) Horn. She was a member of the Bladensburg Church of Christ and the Quarter Horse Congress.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Danny H. Myers; a son, Gary (Kim) Burwell of Newark; two daughters, Alicia (Darren) Phillis of Walhonding and Jessica (Shannon) Stewart of Gambier; a sister, Iva Gruver of Chandlersville, Ohio; and eight grandchildren, Gary III, Lindsay, Austin, Markus, Dalton, Nathan, Ethan and Austin.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth G. Horn.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bladensburg Church of Christ, where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Mr. Ben McKinstry officiating. Burial will be in Martinsburg Methodist Cemetery. The Harris-Dilley Funeral Home in Bladensburg is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Leona’s name to Hospice of Central Ohio, 1984-A Coffman Road, Newark, OH 43055. This obituary along with an online registry page may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.

Carlos ‘Curt’ Pittenger
LEXINGTON — Carlos W. “Curt” Pittenger, 88, of Graham Road, Lexington, died Dec. 24, 2005, in Mansfield MedCentral Hospital following a short illness.

He was born Feb. 9, 1917, to Curtis William and H. Marie (Wolford) Pittenger.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Alice M. (Crunkilton) Gaddis Pittenger, whom he married June 25, 1977; his three children, Sheri Bricker, Leslie Balliett and Chet Pittenger; five stepchildren; nine grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 22 stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters; a sister-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to his parents, Curt was preceded in death by a brother; and two brothers-in-law.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 48 Church St., Bellville, the Rev. Douglas J. Pretorious will officiate. Burial with military honors performed by Irvin Hisky Post 535 American Legion, Bellville, will follow in Lexington Cemetery.

Evelyn Trickett
UTICA — A funeral service for Evelyn Trickett, 88, of Utica will be Thursday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ric Harvel officiating. Burial will follow in South Lawn Cemetery.

Evelyn died Dec. 25, 2005, at Northview Senior Living Center, Johnstown.

She was born July 17, 1917, in Morgantown, W.Va., to the late Robert and Bessie (Adams) Fizer. She was a member of Utica United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and former owner of the Homer Market.

She is survived by three grandchildren, Jim Richmond of Jackson, Mich., Nancy (Lynn) Thayer of Fredericktown and Terri (John) Stream of Johnstown; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Barbara Fizer of Morgantown, W.Va., four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth M. Trickett, who died April 8, 2003; daughter, Jean Richmond England, who died in 1990; and sister, Agnes Martin.

Friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N Main St., Utica. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, OH 43055.

G. Leon Williams
UTICA — A funeral service for G. Leon Williams, 90, of Utica will be Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Utica United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ric Harvel officiating. Burial will follow in South Lawn Cemetery. Leon died Dec. 24, 2005, at Arlington Nursing Home, Newark.

He was born Sept. 6, 1915, in Utica to Leon and Hattie (Gildow) Williams. He was a lifetime member of the Utica United Methodist Church, founding member of the Johnstown Community Sportsman Club, and was a retired electrician from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Larry Rine of Newark; stepsons and stepdaughter-in-law, John Stone of Huron, and Corky Stone and Howard and Carolyn Stone, all of Utica.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jennie (McKibben) Williams; second wife, Thelma (Sayre) Stone Williams; sons, Kenneth and Keith Williams; sister, Virginia Hancock; half brothers, Raymond Hayes, Ollie “Dutch” Hayes and Charles Hayes Jr.; twin half sisters, Josephine and Catherine; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N Main St., Utica.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, OH 43055.