Davena Clark
MARENGO — Davena Clark, 50, of Marengo died Thursday morning, Nov. 23, 2006, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus following a long illness.

She was born on Jan. 30, 1956, in Columbus to Denzel and Wilma (Reed) Porter. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 8054, Mount Gilead. Davena’s greatest joy in life was being a mother and wife.

She is survived by her husband, John Clark, and they were married Sept. 2, 1982, in Columbus; son, Andrew “A.J.” Clark (fiancée, Tiffany Baumann) of Rochester Hills, Mich.; sisters, Pamela Walker of Logan and Terri Thompson of Shade.

She was preceded in death by sisters, Sherron Pruit and Becky Hixson.

Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 73 W. Walnut St., (Ohio 229), Marengo, where services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Beverly Hall officiating. Interment will follow in the Marengo Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Noble S. Grimm
MOUNT VERNON — Noble Scott Grimm, 86, of Ames Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

Noble was born March 17, 1920, in Mount Vernon to George Albert and Cora (Scott) Grimm. He retired from Cooper Energy Services in 1983 after 41 years of service. He was a 53-year member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ where he was a member of the choir and served on several boards. He was also a member of the former Colonial Classics Barbershop Chorus and the Moose Lodge of Mount Vernon.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Geraldine (White) Grimm; two daughters, Carol (Bill) Ulery of Howard, Jane (Dave) Shipman of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren, Dean (Karen) Underwood of Reynoldsburg, Kathy Ulery of Howard, Wendy McVay of Mount Vernon; five great-grandchildren, Jamie (Rudy) Wilkinson, Cory Underwood, Shelbie McVay, Hunter McVay and Reece Schonauer.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Beulah Kerr; four brothers, Carroll Grimm, Roy Grimm, Lester Grimm and Paul Grimm; and a nephew, Paul Joe Grimm.

Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home, 619 E. High St., Mount Vernon. A funeral service will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mount Vernon with the Rev. Keith Stuart officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ Building Fund, 200 N. Main St., Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

David J. Hickson
MARENGO — David Jay Hickson, 50, of Marengo passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon, Nov. 23, 2006, at his Stantontown residence.

He was born March 15, 1956, to Homer and Catherine (White) Hickson in Delaware. He was a self-employed certified home inspector and lifelong musician. He was a member of Stantontown Advent Christian Church and a graduate of Buckeye Valley High School Class of 1974. He was a lifelong Ashley area resident.

He is survived by a brother, Ron L. Hickson of Lexington; sisters, Marilyn (John) Cleland of Gambier and Lou Ann Hickson-Bay of Lexington; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews; best companion, Bowser.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Catherine Hickson.

Family will receive friends Monday, Nov. 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rodman Neeper Funeral Home, Ashley, where funeral service will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. Pastor Keith Daniels will officiate. Interment will follow in Stantontown Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.RodmanNeeper.com.

Robert R. Koppert
JELLOWAY — Robert R. Koppert, 83, of Jelloway died after suffering a heart attack Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at the home of family in Jelloway, in the company of his entire family and many extended family members gathered for Thanksgiving. Funeral arrangements are pending with Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville.

Merry Neiderhouser
MOUNT VERNON — Merry Catherine Neiderhouser, 86, formerly of Danville, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at the Knox Community Hospital.

She was born Aug. 21, 1920, in Washington, Pa., to Gerald and Leona (Prall) Griffin. On June 12, 1939, she was married to John Neiderhouser. She was a member of the Danville United Methodist Church and the Knox County Adult Day Care Advisory Board. She was also a former Head Start nurse, director of The Station Break Senior Center, and office nurse for Dr. Posada.

She is survived by her husband, John, son, Robert J. (Wilma) Neiderhouser, and daughter, Dorothy “Dee” (Tom) Mickley, all of Mount Vernon; a daughter-in-law, Jane Neiderhouser of Marion; her beloved grandchildren, Amy, Andy, Jennifer, Christian, Benjamin, Jordan, Erin, Katie and Laurie; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Spearman and Peggy Ridenbaugh of Mount Vernon; and a brother, Richard Griffin of San Diego.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, William D. Neiderhouser; and eight brothers.

Calling hours will be Sunday, Nov. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home, Danville. A funeral service will be Monday, Nov. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at the Danville United Methodist Church. The Rev. Doug Sweet will officiate. Burial will be in Workman Cemetery.

The family requests memorial donations be made to The Sanctuary, P.O. Box 505, Danville, OH 43014. Condolences to the family may be made at www.fischerfuneralhome.com.

Elza Short
COLUMBUS — Elza Short, 89, of Columbus passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth.

He was born Sept. 23, 1917, in Adams, Ky., to John M. and Savanah “Etta” (McKinster) Short. Elza was a member of the Mary Emily Free Will Baptist Church in Adams, Ky.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emily (Moore) Short; daughters, Betty (Robert) Quick Cummings, Karren (Sam) Griffith and Florence Norene “Nonie” (Junior) Spencer; sisters, Pauline Short and Ina Harrison; brother, John Milton “J.M.” Short; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his children, Peggy Jo Short and Charles M. Short; brothers, Ezra, Jack, Brack and Shelva Short; and sister, Elva Hayes.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Boring-Sheridan Funeral Home, 56 S. Main St., Thornville, with Steve Miller officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Fairmount Cemetery, Jacksontown. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home; and Monday, Nov. 27, one hour prior to the service.

Cecil D. Simmons
FREDERICKTOWN — Cecil D. Simmons, 81, of Ridge Road, Fredericktown, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at Morrow Manor Nursing Home in Chesterville following an extended illness.

Cecil was born Aug. 13, 1925, in Knox County to Lon and Gladys (Vernon) Simmons, graduated in 1943 from Fredericktown High School and spent his lifetime in the Fredericktown area. He retired from the Continental Can Co. in Mount Vernon and following retirement owned and operated a school bus for the Fredericktown schools, all the while maintaining a farm on Ridge Road near Fredericktown. Cecil was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church west of Fredericktown.

On May 27, 1945, he married Velma (Williams) Simmons. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Gerald (Sandy) Simmons of Coshocton and Gordon (Shirley) Simmons of Fredericktown; three daughters, Jean (Lowell) Baxter, Kim (Roger) Dixon and Roxanna Morrison, all of Fredericktown; 15 grandchildren; a stepgrandchild; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, Chester Simmons of Fredericktown.

His parents and his sister, Velma Ruhl, preceded Cecil in death.

Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown where funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Joe Overholt officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Cemetery in Fredericktown. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Robert H. Weeks
MOUNT VERNON — Robert H. Weeks, 80, of Mount Vernon died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at Ohio Eastern Star Home at Mount Vernon.

Bob was born March 22, 1926, in Ravenna to Roy and Maude (Jordan) Weeks. He worked in the bus manufacturing industry for 48 years. He loved woodworking in his basement shop while listening to Big Band and Jazz music. He also enjoyed playing cards, bike riding, boating, classic cars, race horses and scrapbooking. He was always a gentleman and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Louise (Taylor), whom he married on Oct. 6, 1962; sons, John (Pat) Doerfler of Apache Junction, Ariz., Jim (Jeannettte) Doerfler of Streetsboro and Tom Doerfler of Cary, N.C.; daughter, Kathy (Thomas) Gault of Mount Vernon; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Sam Shetler; brothers, Roy Weeks and Kenny Weeks; and sisters, Helen Callahan and Ina Blair.

Funeral service will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St., Kent, with the Rev. F. Richard Snoke officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Memorials may be made to the Ohio Eastern Star Home, 1451 Gambier Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050.