Martha J. Evans
CHESTERVILLE — Martha J. Evans, 69, of Chesterville died Friday evening, March 17, 2006, at the Morrow Manor Nursing Center in Chesterville, following a courageous battle with cancer.

The family will greet friends today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Craven Funeral Home, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead, where funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. John “Chuck” Wythe officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville.

A full obituary can be viewed, and condolences can be expressed to the family, at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Frances K. Griffith
SPARTA — Frances Katherine Griffith, 89, of State Route 229, Sparta, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2006, at her residence.

She was born Feb. 18, 1917, in Russell County, Va., to the late Harry and Dora (Slaughter) Snyder. Mrs. Griffith worked for the U.S. Post Office in Russell County, Va., before moving to Sparta and driving a school bus for the Highland school district. She was a member of the Election Board in Morrow County.

She is survived by her loving husband, William Griffith; five sons, Harry (Phyllis) Griffith of Chesterville, Jim (Nancy) Griffith of Centerburg, John (Loretta) Griffith of Fredericktown, Steve (Kathy) Griffith of Mount Vernon and Jeff (Julie) Griffith of Chesterville; four daughters, Nancy (James) Stanley of Marion, Libby (Arthur) Brown of Haslet, Texas, Jean (Jerry) Craig of Mount Vernon and Mary (Kevin) Lloyd of Marengo; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Frank Snyder of Smithfield, Va.; and three sisters, Betty (Glenn) Blackburn, Margaret Taylor and Harriet (James) Holland, all of Newport News, Va.

She was preceded in death by her son, Rondol “Ron” Griffith; and a grandson, Shawn Griffith.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dan Whisner will officiate. Burial will follow in South Bloomfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Angel Home Care, 6210 County Road 76, Mount Gilead, OH 43338; or to Morrow County Hospice, 851 W. Marion Road, Mount Gilead, OH 43338. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Peggy J. Hicks
MARENGO — Peggy J. Hicks, 69, of Marengo, formerly of Mansfield, died Friday afternoon, March 17, 2006, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Columbus.

She was born Dec. 14, 1936, in Newcomb, Tenn., to the late Earl and Jesse (Shelby) Brown. Peggy lived in the Mansfield area for 33 years before moving to Marengo in 2000 to live with her daughter.

Peggy dearly loved her children and grandchildren, vividly recalling the special times of their lives. Not afraid to speak her mind, she enjoyed gardening, crafts and panning for gold in her younger years.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Mark) Colegrove of Marengo; sons, Phil (Pam), Terry and Chris (Sheri) Hicks, all of Mansfield; two grandchildren, Cooper Colegrove, who called her “Grammy” and Alicia Rush; great-granddaughter, Shelby; and sister, Mildred Bean of Greenbrier, Tenn.

Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral services Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 229, Marengo, with Pastor Larry Carnes officiating. Interment will follow in the Marengo Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Josephine McBride
HOWARD — Josephine Paula McBride, 92, passed away peacefully at her son’s home in Apple Valley on Saturday, March 18, 2006.

She was born Oct. 30, 1913, in Shamokin, Pa., to the late Joseph and Julia (Valynch) Dublinski. Josephine served in the U.S. Army for well over 20 years and was an Army nurse in England, Korea, Japan and France. She served in World War II, the Korean conflict, and managed five wards in Valley Forge Army Hospital, where the war wounded were brought home from the Vietnam War.

She is survived by her son, Robert J. (Deborah) McBride Sr.; granddaughter, Leslie Ann McBride; grandson, Robert (Corissa) McBride Jr.; granddaughters, Kaylee Anne McBride, Savanah Lee French and Francesica Florez; stepgrandchildren, Deborah Michell Zimmerman and David Allen Yocum; and a stepson Emil McBride.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas McBride.

There will be no calling hours. The family will observe a private service in Shamokin, Pa., at a later date. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home.

This obituary and online condolences can be made to: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Fred McLaughlin
LEXINGTON — Fred L. McLaughlin, 72, of Lexington died Saturday night, March 18, 2006, in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital following a long illness.

He was born Feb. 21, 1934, to Arthur and Mildred (Grey) McLaughlin in Huron. At a young age, his family moved to Richland County. Fred was graduated from Lexington High School, and remained a lifelong area resident.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Helen McLaughlin of Bellville; daughter, Janet (James) Piecynski of Carrollton; three sons, Fred Jr. (Jody) McLaughlin of Bellville, Bryan (Toni) McLaughlin of Mansfield and Terry (Piper) McLaughlin of Shelby; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gloria Stewart and Kathleen Gregersen; and two brothers, Arthur and Jim McLaughlin.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley McLaughlin.

Friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where the funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Dean Risser will officiate and burial will follow in Shauck Cemetery.

Online condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Donald R. Middlemus
COLUMBUS — Word has been received that Donald R. Middlemus of Columbus has passed away following a lengthy illness of Alzheimer’s disease.

He was a graduate of Union High School in Coshocton County and had resided in the Warsaw and Nellie vicinity early in life. He was a retired officer with the Army reserve, a member of the Masonic, Shrine and OES bodies and retired from his own business.

He is survived by a son, Craig; daughter, Betsy; sister, Bonnie; niece, Cindy Bevington; and sister-in-law, Jo Richardson.

Graveside will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Warsaw by Fischer Funeral Home. A memorial service by Evans Funeral Home on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Columbus.

Reno J. Mohn
MOUNT VERNON — Reno J. Mohn, 90, of South Park Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Monday, March 20, 2006, at the Country Court Nursing Center. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home.

Ruth Rizor
MOUNT VERNON — Ruth Rizor, 80, of Mount Vernon passed away Sunday, March 19, 2006, at the Rose Garden Nursing Home. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home.

Alexandria Wright-Arnold
DAVENPORT — Alexandria Lee Wright-Arnold of Davenport passed away March 14, 2006, at Barnes Jewish Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alexandria Wright Fund, c/o Family Credit Union, 1530 W. 53rd St., Davenport, IA 52806, Attn. Kelli Corbin.

She was born Jan. 15, 2006, in Davenport the daughter of Heidi Arnold and Edward Lee Wright III.

Alexandria was such a strong, beautiful little angel. She fought to the very end. She touched so many people’s hearts throughout her struggle. She will remain forever in our hearts.

In addition to her parents she is survived by her sister, Shannon Michelle Arnold; brother, Tyson Richard Arnold; grandmothers, Kathy Hall, Jodi Pursel and Judy Arnold; great-grandmothers, Ladonna Dufur, Margo Hall and Patricia Wright; grandfathers, Jeff Hall and Edward Lee Wright II; and great-grandfathers, Verne Hull, Gerald Hall and Jim LeGros.