Carl Calkins
MOUNT VERNON — Carl E. Calkins, 88, of Melick Street, Mount Vernon, died on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at the Ohio Eastern Star Home in Mount Vernon.

He was born Nov. 21, 1918, in Mount Vernon to the late Edgar and Ethel Calkins. Carl retired in 1982 after 42 years of employment as a design engineer in reciprocating for Cooper Energy Services. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he had served as a trustee and elder. Carl was also a member of the Mount Zion Lodge 9 Free and Accepted Masons. He was an avid wood worker, golfer and musician. Carl enjoyed playing music, whether he was playing the organ in the Masonic Lodge or his saxophone with the Leon Mondron’s Band.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Dorothy (Ackerman) Calkins; three daughters, Marilyn (Bruce) Hite of Mount Vernon, Marcia (John) Ashcraft of Fredericktown and Barbara (David) Taylor of Bellville; five grandchildren, Andrew (Sandy) Hite, Michael and Richard Ashcraft, Kevin (Kristen) Maxwell and Jennifer Maxwell; two stepgrandchildren, Mandy and Eric Taylor; five great-grandchildren; Brian, Matthew, Alisha, Abby and Katie; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson, Alan Hite; a brother, Harold Calkins; and four sisters, Pearl Farmer, Ruth Reese, Grace Wallace and Irene Lumm.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home where a Masonic service will follow at 8 p.m. A celebration of Carl’s life will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Gay St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050. The family will observe a private burial in St. John Cemetery in Mount Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio Eastern Star Home, 1451 Gambier Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050; or to Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary and guest registry are online at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Gerald ‘Jerry’ Olson
LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — Gerald Olson, 83, of Little River, S.C., formerly of Mansfield, died Wednesday, May 2, 2007, in Samaritan Regional Health System in Ashland.

He was born in Athens County to Lawrence W. Sr. and Grace (Rankin) Olson.

He is survived by his wife, Jane L. (Boley) Golden Olson; five stepchildren, Paula Taber, Dennis Golden, Chuck Golden, Randy Golden and Tim Golden; 13 grandchildren; a great-grandson, Mason; a brother, Lawrence W. “Larry” Olson Jr.; a sister, Eileen (Kenny) Bebee; a treasured nephew, Lawrence W. (Gloria) Olson III; a niece and nephew, Marcie Johnston and Gary Bebee.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby Reeder Olson; and a nephew, Ronald L. Bebee.

The family will receive friends Saturday, May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, where the memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. Pastor Steve Kistler will officiate. Irvin Hiskey Post 535 American Legion, Bellville, will hold military honors on the grounds of the funeral home, immediately following the memorial service. Interment will be in Mansfield Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

Robert R. VanLoon
MARION — Robert R. “Bob” VanLoon, 72, of Marion died May 2, 2007, at his home.

He was born Jan. 3, 1935, in Columbus to Edward Allan and Hazel (Hessler) VanLoon. A U.S. Army veteran, he served stateside during the Korean conflict. He had worked for the Galena Brick Co., but spent the majority of his working years as a contract timber cutter for the VanLoon Timber Co. and Alexander Walnut Co.

Surviving are his wife, Gloria “Jean” (Durst) VanLoon; children, Jefferson Derwin VanLoon of Cheshire, Sandra Lee VanLoon of Delaware, Roberta Lynn Garcia of Columbus, Donna Tubaugh of Marion, Brian Tubaugh of Sunbury, Tina Christine Tubaugh of Fort Myers, Fla.; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a son, Auddie VanLoon; four other infant children; brother, Donald VanLoon; and sisters, Mildred Marcum, Betty Hart and Evanna “Bonnie” Smith.

Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, Ohio 3 at Ohio 61, Sunbury, where service will be Saturday at 11 a.m., with Pastor Bill Middleton officiating. Interment will follow in Galena Cemetery with military honors provided by the Delaware County Veterans Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.