Ruth Bemis
MOUNT VERNON — Ruth Thomas Bemis, 100, of Gambier Road, Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home.

Mary Jane DeLisle
MOUNT VERNON — Mary Jane DeLisle, 90, of Mount Vernon and formerly of Flint, Mich., died on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2006, at the Country Club Retirement Campus in Mount Vernon following a brief illness.

Arrangements are pending with the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home in Marion. A full obituary can be viewed and online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Janice M. Elswick
BLADENSBURG — Janice M. Elswick, 63, of Jug Run Road, Bladensburg, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in the comfort of her home.

She was born on July 9, 1943, in Oakfield to George and Bela (Cavinee) Ferguson Sr. Janice had a creative mind which was exhibited in her many endeavors, all of which were in service to her family and to her Lord; both of which she dearly loved and served well. She was deeply devoted to her husband, Wayne, to whom she had been married for nearly 45 years, and they had been childhood sweethearts all through high school.

Janice was a member of the Community Christian Fellowship Church and participated in many activities that allowed her to communicate the word of the Lord to all that she touched. She was an ambassador of the Lord in many ways including, Sunday school teacher, Bible league coach and was often found working the church camp where she had served as dean, assistant dean, counselor and even a cabin mom. Janice was also very active in the vacation bible school where she had served as director, assistant director, craft leader, craft teacher and lesson teacher on numerous occasions.

Janice opened her home to Bible study classes, home craft classes, acted in church dramas, sang in church choirs and was always in the forefront of heading up many of the church functions and ladies groups. She has been a friend, helper and mentor to all even while being burdened with the ill health her entire life. “We will miss you greatly, but we are all grateful to have known you, and we are happy to know that you are in Heaven, and out of pain and suffering and we will strive to join you in Heaven when we leave this old world behind.” Praise God the Father and Holy Spirit, and Jesus the son and our Savior!

She is survived by her mother; her loving husband, Wayne Elswick; four sons, Bryan (Cathy) Elswick, Paul (Shahreena) Elswick, Jonathan Elswick and Matthew Elswick; a daughter, Annette (Vincent) Crum; four grandchildren, Elijah, Nick, Thad and Shanna; two brothers, George (Rose) Ferguson and Bruce Ferguson; four sisters, Dixie (Lee) Kaido, Sandy (Johnny) Smith, Patricia (Blasé) Banik and Trudy Ferguson; good friend, Barb Elswick; and many lovely nieces and nephews, to whom she was known as “Aunt Jayne.”

Besides her father she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles “Chucky” Ferguson.

Janice wants everyone to celebrate her arrival in Heaven and not mourn her departure from earth.

Friends may celebrate on Wednesday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home where a funeral will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Bob Pelfrey officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers donations are strongly advised to the Community Christian Fellowship youth department in care of Ed Morris, 16763 Sycamore Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Francis Schirtzinger
MOUNT VERNON — Francis “Bud” Schirtzinger, 78, of Mount Vernon passed away on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at Morning View Care Center in Centerburg.

He was born Aug. 14, 1928, in Franklin County to the late Jacob and Doris (Rogers) Schirtzinger. Bud retired from the Mount Vernon City School System and had been a 54-year member of the Blendon Grange in Westerville, lifelong member of the American Dairy Goat Association and was a charter member of the Heart of Ohio Dairy Goat Association. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Arleen (Feight) Schirtzinger; three sons, Glenn E. Schirtzinger of Mount Vernon, Wayne A. (Rebecca) Schirtzinger of Martinsburg and Gary Schirtzinger of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren, Michael Schirtzinger, Brenda Crowl, Danielle Schirtzinger and Brittany Schirtzinger; two great-grandchildren, Faith Blackburn and Lee Alan Schirtzinger; a brother, Paul (Margie) Schirtzinger of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Weaver.

Friends may call today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home and on Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and can be left at the funeral home. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Janet Van Dellen
FREDERICKTOWN — Janet R. Van Dellen, 72, of Shipley Road, Fredericktown, passed away on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

She was born on Aug. 13, 1934, in Lycippus, Pa., to the late Otto and Helen (Gerhardt) Hoover. Janet was one of the founding members of the Compassionate Friends of Columbus. She will be remembered by all for her love, compassion and sense of humor.

She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Ted Van Dellen; a son, Rob (Shelley) Van Dellen of Lindenhurst, Ill.; a daughter, Jamie Rae (Tom) DiCarlo of Hoffman Estates, Ill.; four loving grandchildren, Danielle, Andrew, Christina and Garrett; two great-grandchildren, Benitta and Kristopher; a brother, Herbert (Sandy) Hoover of Morongo Valley, Calif.; two sisters, Carol (Don) Waldron of Gaston, Ore., and Betty Ann (David) Barkley of Uniontown, Pa.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her devoted son, Mark James Van Dellen; and a brother, Edmond Hoover.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Snyder Funeral Home of Fredericktown, 33 E. College St., Fredericktown. A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, where friends may call one hour prior. Burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Ill.

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