Elizabeth L. Morse
FORT WAYNE, Colo. — Elizabeth Leah Coates Morse, 87, died May 5, 2006, in Fort Collins, Colo.

Elizabeth moved to Fort Collins in 2003 and previously lived in Gambier; Monroe Lake, Pa.; and Plainfield, N.J.

Elizabeth was born Aug. 3, 1918, in New York City and was the daughter of John Ora Beverly Coates and Emily Pearce Coates. She lived in New York City and later moved to Plainfield, N.J., where she resided for almost 60 years.

Her early education was conducted at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Plainfield from which she graduated in 1936. She later received her undergraduate degree from Wilson College in 1940 and earned master’s degrees in education and in library science from Rutgers University in 1962 and 1965. She was a librarian for the Plainfield Public School system for over 25 years and also served in 1968 as president of the New Jersey School Library Association.

On June 23, 1943, she married Harold Grant Morse in Plainfield. He died in 1996.

Elizabeth was passionate about art, music and creative writing; and truly appreciated how art bridged people and cultures together. She was a gifted poet and wrote throughout her life. Elizabeth was a member of the New Jersey Choral Society for many years. Her students over the years, plus her children, nieces and nephew saw her as a loving counselor. Elizabeth avidly pursued genealogy, tracing her ancestry to the Blair Clan of Perth, Scotland, and her husband Harold’s lineage to Ulysses S. Grant and Samuel F.B. Morse.

Elizabeth enjoyed reading and always had a book or two with her at all times. She never turned down a chance to play a hand of bridge. She had a lively spirit. For many years Elizabeth was a member of the First Park Baptist Church in Plainfield.

Elizabeth is survived by her son, David Morse and wife, Pat, of Tolono, Ill.; daughter Beverly Morse and husband, Brian Miller, of Gambier; son, John Morse and wife, Darlene, of Fort Collins, Colo.; son, Robert Morse and wife, Susan, of Anchorage, Alaska; her seven grandchildren, Kathryn Stricker and husband Peter, of Dallas, Texas; Jennifer Morse, of Denver; Michael Miller of Hanover, N.H.; Sean Miller of Gambier; Marian Morse of Anchorage, Alaska; Meghan Morse and Benjamin Morse of Fort Collins. Also nieces, Nancy Chenoweth, of N. Eastham, Mass.; Mari Coates of San Francisco; and nephew, John Wright of New York City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her brother, Robert Coates; her sister, Margaret (Bay) Coates; and brother, Andrew Coates.

Services for Elizabeth will be held on June 1 at 5 p.m. at the Harcourt Parish in Gambier. On June 3, interment will be at 10 a.m. in Hillside Cemetery at Plainfield, N.J., followed by a service at 11 a.m. at the Crescent Avenue Church. Cremation has taken place.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harcourt Parish Elizabeth Morse Music Fund (OH) or the Quiet Valley Historical Farm (PA) in care of Allnutt Funeral Home, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Visit www.allnutt.com to view the online obituary, sign the family guest book, and add stories of remembrance.

Kenneth Showalter
BELLVILLE — Kenneth Grant Showalter, 81, of Poorman Road, Bellville, died Friday morning, May 19, 2006, in his home following a long illness.

He was born Aug. 14, 1924, in Canton to Jacob Roy and Ethel (Caskey) Showalter, and was a Bellville resident since 1950.

Kenneth dearly loved his family, which includes his loving wife, Erma Belle (Beal) Showalter; two sons, Arthur Lee (Joyce) Showalter of Westerville and Gary Lee (Janet) Showalter of Strongsville; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Maxine Martin.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roland Showalter.

The family will receive friends Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Owl Creek Church of the Brethren, Ankenytown, with Pastor MacAbbott and the Rev. James Lifer officiating. Burial will follow in Ankenytown Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation or Hospice of North Central Ohio may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.