Stephen E. Callis
GALENA — Stephen E. Callis, 47, of Galena died at his residence Wednesday evening, March 21, 2007. Arrangements will be announced by the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Sunbury. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Donald J. Gravely
MOUNT GILEAD — Donald J. Gravely, 68, of Township Road 114, Mount Gilead, died on Wednesday evening, March 21, 2007, at this residence.

Arrangements are pending with Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Gilead. A full obituary may be viewed and online condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Hall
MOUNT VERNON — Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Hall, 49, of Pine Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 21, 2007, at the home her fiancé in Howard surrounded by her loving family.

Beth was born on Aug. 1, 1957, in Zanesville, a daughter of Royal C. Hall of Mount Vernon and the late LaDonna B. Cox Hall. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1975 and then went to Ohio University in Athens for three years. Beth was a caregiver to numerous individuals and was a Kitchen Assistant at The Station Break in Mount Vernon. She had great love in life for her cats, gardening and anything that was living, even spiders.

In addition to her father, she is survived by a brother, David (Maureen) Hall of Mount Vernon; a sister, Kathy Neil (Ralph) Miller of Danville, Ind.; her fiancé, Jim Smith of Howard; two nephews, Russell and Brock Miller; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Following Beth’s wishes, there will not be any services.

The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is caring for the family with these arrangements.

Memorial contributions may to be made to the Knox County Humane Society, 390 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 in Beth’s memory. To view this obituary or leave an online condolence to the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Charles ‘Andy’ Israel
CENTERBURG — Charles A. “Andy” Israel, 71, of Centerburg died Tuesday evening, March 20, 2007, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

He was born in Westerville on April 5, 1935, to Charles Andrew and Beulah E. (Larimore) Israel. He was a 1954 graduate of Linden McKinley High School and a U.S. Naval veteran. Andy loved gardening, cooking.

He is survived by his wife of almost 49 years, Nancy (Harsha), whom he married May 30, 1958; sons, Tim (Kathy), Terry (Clara), Dave (Jill) Israel; daughters, Laura (Mike) Julian, Lisa (Doug) Brown, Lynne (Scott) Teale, Amy (Chris) Titler, Rachel (Chad) Long; 24 grandchildren, Holly, Dan, Chris, Katy, Drew, Stephanie, Derrick Israel, Andy Schnack, Hayden, Savanna, Rachel Brown, Joey, Jacob, Josh Teale, Sienna, Caleb, Josh, Matthew Titler, Tyler, Hayley Long, Aaron, Lindsey, Leah Wortman, Zachary Julian; sister, Iris Long of Knoxville, Tenn.

Friends may call Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, with service at 6 p.m. The Rev. David Titler will officiate. Interment with military services will be held at a later date in the Eastview Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Helen A. Kitzky
COLUMBUS — Helen A. Kitzky, 60, of Columbus passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

She was born Aug. 28, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Felix and Helen (Vestovich) Socci. A hostess with Bob Evans Restaurant, Tuller/Sawmill Road location, she took great pride in harassing her customers, considered friends. She was a serious Pittsburgh Steelers fan and leader of their fan club at Crowne Sports Lounge.

She is survived by daughter, Carol (Randy) Amos of Sunbury; son, Michael F. (Michelle) Collins of Worthington; grandchildren, Dayna, Danielle, Megan, Skylar, Dakota; brother, Frank (Annette) Socci of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and JB her cat.

Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by several aunts and uncles.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. Pastor Brian Smith will officiate; interment in Sunbury Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Neuroscience Unit of Riverside Hospital, 3535 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43214-3998. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Jerry L. Slane
WEST JEFFERSON — Jerry L. Slane, 65, of West Jefferson passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born March 3, 1942, in Blacklick, Ohio. He retired as a tool and die maker for General Motors of Columbus; after retirement he worked for Jim’s Trucking of West Jefferson. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a member of the West Jefferson American Legion Post 201, a member of Madison Lodge 221 F&AM and West Jefferson OES 492, the Aladdin Shrine Motorcycle Corps, the Tri-B Wings and enjoyed his street rod, spending time in his garage, traveling and camping.

Survivors include wife, Gerre; mother, Mary Slane of Columbus; sons, Christopher Slane of Grove City, Stephen (Kathy) Slane of Wisconsin; daughter, Lynette (Ryan) Conrad of Milford Center; five grandchildren, Kevin, Christopher, Danielle Slane, Alison and Kennedy Dunn; five sisters, Linda (Andy) Anderson of Columbus, Mary Dennis of Galloway, Susie (Tom) Atnip of Arizona, Sharon (John) Fair of Mount Vernon, Bonnie Slane of California; brother, Charlie (Michelle) Slane of Arizona.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Sylvester Slane; a sister, Sandra Bright; and an infant sister, Peggy Lou Slane.

Family and friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Rader-McDonald Funeral Home, West Jefferson. Funeral Mass will be Friday at 1 p.m. in Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, West Jefferson, with the Rev. Fr. Dan Millisor as celebrant. Burial and military graveside service will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Galloway. Military honors by the West Jefferson American Legion and VFW.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Health Home Reach Hospice, 3595 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43214.

D. Leon Van Fossen
MOUNT VERNON — Dale Leon Van Fossen, 85, of Mount Vernon died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at his residence. Leon was born Aug. 14, 1921, at Johnstown to Donald D. and Vada (Saxton) Van Fossen and had spent his lifetime in Licking and Knox counties. He served with the U.S. Army 69th Infantry Division in Germany during World War II. In 1983, Leon retired from Sears and Roebuck Co., where he had been employed for over 32 years as manager of the Automobile Department. He was a member of the Gay Street United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon; was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mount Vernon; and a member of the Dan Stone Post of the American Legion, the Colonial City Moose Lodge and the Lions Club, all of Mount Vernon. Leon was an avid fisherman and hunter and was a member of the National Rifle Association.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Marietta (Adams) Van Fossen, whom he married July 12, 1946; his son, Roger L. Van Fossen of Worthington; two daughters, Beth (David) Sheffer of Mount Vernon and Kay (Tom) Moreland of Centerburg; four grandchildren, Melissa (William) Ho, D. Curtis (Brandie) Sheffer, Katelyn Moreland and Kara Moreland; and a great-grandchild, Whitney Ho.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Dennis J. Van Fossen; and a brother, Donald Keith Van Fossen.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be Friday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. David Baker will officiate. Burial, with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, will follow in Southlawn Cemetery, Utica.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or to the Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To view this obituary or leave an online condolence to the family visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.