Carl Calkins
MOUNT VERNON — Carl Calkins, 88, of Melick Street, Mount Vernon, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at the Ohio Eastern Star Home. The arrangements are under the care and direction of the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home.

Norman L. Chambers
MOUNT GILEAD — Norman Leroy Chambers, 63, of Ohio 314, Mount Gilead, died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in his home, following a short illness.

He was born April 10, 1944, in Beaver, Pa., to Donald B. and Mary Elizabeth (Brosious) Chambers, graduated from Punxsutawney Area Joint High School in 1963, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his wife, Janice (Archer) Chambers, whom he married May 10, 1969; daughters, Laurie (Daniel) Weber of Howard and Susie (David) Byler of Fredericktown; three grandchildren; siblings, Betty Heberling, Thelma Hyskell, Donald Chambers, Bonnie Jean Fisher and Robert Chambers; numerous nieces and nephews, and softball players.

On Saturday, May 5, the family will host a reception and dinner celebrating Norman’s life (casual attire requested). It will be held in the gymnasium of Highland Central Elementary School, Ohio 314 at Ohio 229 in Sparta, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the meal beginning at 5 p.m. The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, Mansfield, is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly prefers memorial contributions may be made to MedCentral Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Nancy L. Ruhl
BELLVILLE — Nancy L. Ruhl, 75, of Bellville died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in her sister’s home following a long illness.

She was born April 6, 1932, in Logan to I. Jay and Eva Irene (Paste) Worley, was graduated from Bellville High School in 1950, and attended Ashland University. On Sept. 17, 1954, she married Walter “Joe” Ruhl, with whom she celebrated 50 years of love and commitment. He preceded her in death on Sept. 20, 2004.

She is survived by her children, Martin Ruhl of Crawfordsville, Ind., Bev (Mike) Knell of Mansfield, Dona (John) Evans of Marion and Connie (Matthew) Hermann of Knoxville, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Sherry (Larry) Ramsey of Mansfield; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann and Les Dearth.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 3, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where the funeral service will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Bradley Edmondson will officiate and burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park, Lexington.

Memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church may be made at the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Merna Weaver
DESHLER — Merna Weaver, 91, of rural Deshler, Ohio, died Monday morning, April 30, 2007, at Oak Grove Healthcare Center, Deshler.

She was born Nov. 30, 1915, in Bowling Green to Evan and Effie (Dean) Herbert. On Dec. 23, 1934, she married William A. “Bill” Weaver in Michigan and he preceded her in death on April 15, 1986. Merna was a 1934 graduate of Jackson Township High School. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother; and spent most of her life on the family farm. She had also worked at the former Deshler Food Center and Cardinal Grocery Store of Deshler. She was a member of Hoytville United Methodist Church and a former member of the Church of the Brethren, Deshler.

Merna is survived by a daughter, Barbara (Kenneth) Petersen of Deshler; three sons, Jacob “Jake” (Yvonne) Weaver of Deshler, Gene (Pam) Weaver of Custar and Richard “Dick” (Kathryn Blair) Weaver of Howard; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Dorothy Hillard Opperman; a half sister and two half brothers.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler, with Dr. Hugh Bowland officiating. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler. Visitation will be held today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials be given to Hoytville United Methodist Church, the Wood County Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be made at www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

Jean E. Wilson
MOUNT VERNON — Jean Eileen Wilson, East High Street, Mount Vernon, went home to her Lord and Savior at the age of 81, Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Knox Community Hospital, Mount Vernon.

She was born in Trumble County on Nov. 19, 1925, to Alice and Elroy Underwood. She graduated from Liberty High School in Liberty Township in 1943 and Youngstown Hospital Nursing School in 1947. She worked at Martin Memorial Hospital (The Living Center) from 1968 to 1972. From 1972 to 1979, she was the Director of Nurses at Northside Manor (The Laurels); and from 1979 to 1990, she was one of Dr. Myron Thomas’ nurses. Jean greatly loved working and serving at her church, First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, for over 50 years.

She married John O. Wilson in 1948, and he preceded her in death in 1985. In addition to her husband, Jean was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bud Allen Underwood; and a sister, Isabel Sherritt.

Surviving Jean are her children, Karen Wilson of Mount Vernon, Jan Wilson of Durham, N.C., and Jeffery (Jennifer) Wilson of Novelty; grandchildren, Ian, Hannah and Emily; nieces, Barbara (Underwood) Taccino and Sandra (Sherritt) Calhane.

Jean was dearly loved by family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all.

The family will have a memorial service for Jean on Saturday, May 19, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jean Wilson Memorial Fund at the First Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. To view this obituary or to leave the family an online condolence, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.