, age 78, of Dayton, OH, passed away April 10, 2009 at Oak Creek Terrace Nursing Home. Sam was born June 15, 1930 in Gloucester, MA, and graduated from Gloucester High School in June 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1950 and married Clara “Molly” Adams in 1951. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University in 1959 and immediately accepted a position with General Electric in New York. In 1965 he moved his family to Dayton and began work as a civilian employee at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. While there Sam contributed to avionics developments for a variety of missile projects, including the ALCM (Air Launch Cruise Missile) and Stealth fighter. Sam truly was a rocket scientist and was twice nominated as engineer of the year for his work in the Advanced Systems Division at WPAFB. In June 1972 he earned his Master’s in engineering management from University of Dayton. He retired in 1990, but continued working as a volunteer docent for the Cox Arboretum and as a substitute teacher. In his free time, Sam enjoyed golfing with his friends, skiing and held a private pilot’s license. He traveled back to his hometown of Gloucester often and especially enjoyed attending the St. Peter’s Fiesta. He was an avid RF boat enthusiast and enjoyed traveling, sketching, bicycling and square dancing with his good friend Elaine. He was also a proud member of American Legion Post #598. He was preceded in death by his parents, Captain Joseph and Jennie (Ciarametaro) Auditore of Gloucester; his loving wife of 43 years, Clara “Molly” Adams; daughter, Pamela; and two brothers, John and Joseph; He is survived by three sons Stephen (Vicki) of Dayton, Philip of Dallas, and Thomas (Kelly) of Dayton; daughter, Marie Boughen (Brian) currently living in Bermuda; seven grandchildren, Alexis, Sara, Stephanie, David, Kelsey, Samantha and Sienna; three brothers, Peter, Frank and Vincent; four sisters, Sandra Gray (Claude), Rosemary Ristino (Arthur), Pamela Auditore and Rita Kleiner (Eric); and his long-time companion Elaine Rosenstein as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service was held on Monday, April 13 at Tobias Funeral Home, Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Rd. at Rahn Rd. The family also received visitors on April 13. Sam will be buried in the Auditore family plot in Seaside Cemetery in Gloucester, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cox Arboretum in Sam’s honor. Sam lived a long and “molto bene” life and will be missed by many. Salute d’Amour!
, age 100, formerly of Oakwood, passed away in Baton Rouge, LA, on March 28, 2009. Ralph was born in Dayton, OH, on March 16, 1909, to the late John and Minnie Tapper. He graduated from Stivers High School and The Ohio State University. In 1935 he received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. After medical school Ralph served as a captain in the Army Air Corps. He was a flight surgeon during the occupation of Japan after World War II. Ralph married Marjorie Johnson (Oakwood class of 1932) in 1937. They lived on Greenmount Boulevard in Oakwood for 27 years. Dr. Tapper practiced medicine in the Dayton area and in 1950 was the youngest member on the Ohio State Medical Board. He was Chief of Staff of Miami Valley Hospital in 1965. Ralph and Marge retired to Cape Coral, FL, and later to Baton Rouge, LA. He played golf until he was 96 years old. Dr. Tapper was preceded in death by his 3 sisters and by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie. He is survived by daughters Dr. Judie Patrick (Dr. Kirk Patrick) of Baton Rouge, LA, Debbie Novy (Dennis Novy) of Chesterland, OH, and Kris Tapper of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. A tribute to Dr. Tapper will be made at the Miami Valley Hospital annual medical staff meeting on May 5, 2009.
, age 59, of Oakwood, OH passed away Sunday, April 5, 2009. Larry was the owner of Broadway Sand & Gravel, Cornett Trucking, LC Trucking, and Aces & Eights Harley-Davidson/Buell in Mason, OH. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Hoover & Edna Mae (Johnson) Cornett. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; two sons, Matthew & Benjamin; sister, Diana Cornett; nephew, Kelly Metcalf; niece, Kerri Metcalf; Cousin, Bobby Johnson; mother-in-law, Sharon Rutan; five great nieces; dearest family friend, Marty Graham; and business partner, Doug Jones. Larry was the type of person that never knew a stranger. He had many lifelong friends and acquaintances that were very fond of him. Always on the go, Larry stopped very seldom to smell the roses or enjoy the fruits of his labor, instead working relentlessly to grow his business. He always tried to help friends in need and be a role model for his two sons and loving husband to his wife Michelle of over 16 years. After years of various busi ness pursuits he finally found his calling in the Harley-Davidson dealership Aces & Eights. His favorite saying was “Find a job that you love and you’ll never work another day in your life”. Harley-Davidson was his passion, he loved to ride, he loved the lifestyle, and he loved the many people that were fortunate to have crossed his path in life. Always the life of the party and the consummate storyteller, Curtis Larry Cornett will live forever in our hearts. Funeral service was held Friday, April 10 at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Road, Rev. David E. Broyles officiating. Interment, David’s Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home Thursday, April 9. If desired. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Southern Hills Church, 2287 S. Dixie Hwy. Dayton, OH 45409. Condolences may be sent to tobiasfuneralhome.com.
, age 76, a resident of Bethany Lutheran Village, and formerly of Miamisburg and Oakwood, OH, and Martha’s Vineyard, MA, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Diane was born in Chattanooga, TN September 4, 1932, to the late William “Archie” and Mary “Louise” Altman. She was the librarian at Oakwood Junior/Senior High School for 19 years; retiring in 1987. She was a Past President of the Ohio Assoc. School Librarians; Co-founder of the Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials for the Ohio Dept. of Education, Inc. In 1983 she received the Award of Merit, presented by the Ohio Educational Library Media Assoc.; and was a Who’s Who in the Midwest and American Women. She and her husband moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1994 and spent 14 years enjoying their retirement; returning to Centerville in 2007. Diane loved to knit, paint watercolor; was an avid bridge player, was active in her church knitting group; and was a lover of books. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Richard Ball; her son, David Ball of Dayton, OH; and her daughter, Anne Alford of Alexandria, VA; 4 grandchildren, Diane (Andrew) Croce, Eli Alford, Jr., Lindsay (Jason) Ramspott and Jordan Ball; her great-grandson, Walker Ramspott; her sister, Kay (Jim) Clawson of Caryville, TN; her brother, Bill Altman of Hendersonville, NC; her sister-in-law, Shirley Brockman of Miamisburg, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Family received friends Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 901 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH, where a Memorial Service will follow with Rev. Thomas D. Prochaska, officiating. Burial will be Private for the Family at David’s Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or to the American Lung Association, 4050 Executive Dr., Suite 402, Cinti, OH 45281. Dalton Funeral Home, Germantown, OH, serving the Family.
, age 84, of Oakwood and formerly of Washington Twp. passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2009. She was a graduate of Fairview High School and received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Education and English from Denison University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. After graduation she taught near Oxford, Ohio for four years while her husband finished his education. Maralyn leaves the loves of her life, her family; husband of 61 years, Thomas Howells Parker; daughters, Leslie and Geordie Mackenzie of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Jill and Mark Shepherd of Danville, CA and Jennie and Brad Gingrich of Oakwood, OH; grandchildren, Geordie Mackenzie, Maggie Mackenzie, Alex Shepherd, Abby Shepherd, Tommy Gingrich and Katie Gingrich; as well as her dear friends from high school, college, golf, bridge and those she made through the pleasure of volunteering. The family will receive friends at Jennie and Brad Gingrich’s home on Friday, April 10th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your charity of choice. Arrangements by Routsong Funeral Home.
, born May 25, 1968 passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. Daughter of Jennifer Ramsey of Oakwood, Rachel lived in Oakwood in her formative years and graduated from Smith Elementary School and Oakwood High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy graduating Summa Cum Laude from Miami University. Rachel furthered her education and received a Juris Doctorate degree graduating Cum Laude from the University of Michigan. Rachel practiced law in Tampa, Florida for ten years and was currently residing in Dayton, Ohio. Rachel is survived by her mother, Jennifer Ramsey, by her best friend Laura Elizabeth & daughter Sparrow Elizabeth to whom Rachel was a devoted “big sister,” by her companion cats, especially Stanley, by Michael Fluke, by her aunt Rebecca Bonner and her uncle Allen Burns, by cousins Kristina Dreslinski and Robert Alexander, and by her husband, Gregory Houser. Rachel will be remembered for her love of nature and her kindness to ani mals. Rachel will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Family received friends on Friday, March 27, 2009 at Woodland Mausoleum followed by a memorial service, Rabbi Judy Chessin and Rev. C.C. Coltrain officiating. In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Rachel, please make donations to the Pet Advocate League (PAL), P.O. Box 10742, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family via the Internet on www.routsong.com.
, A fixture of the Dayton and Oakwood business community for more than 50 years passed away suddenly in Hilton Head, SC on March 26. Max was known by his friends and acquaintances as a fierce competitor with a big heart. He was Chairman and CEO of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. in Dayton, OH for 38 years (retired 1991), building that company from a local department store to a major national department store chain. As evidence of his devotion to the company and the community, he came out of retirement in 1996 to lead a successful restructuring of Elder-Beerman, after it had fallen into financial difficulties. Philanthropy was very important to Max Gutmann. He established the Max and Darlene Gutmann Family Foundation to fund worthwhile local charitable activities. He established The Max and Darlene Gutmann Lectureship in Judaic Studies at the University of Dayton, was active in the Jewish Federation of Dayton and was a member of the Beth Abraham and Temple Beth Or Synagogue in Dayton and Beth Yam Synagogue in Hilton Head. Max was an active supporter and promoter of the Dayton business community. He was a director for Dayco Corporation, Frederick Atkins Corporation, Bank One Corporation and chairman for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. He was founder of the The Downtown Dayton Partnership, co-founder of the Dayton Development Council, and worked with the Urban League of Dayton, Dayton Philharmonic Board and University of Dayton Business Advisory Council. He also served as Trustee for the University of Dayton. Max was recognized as “1997 Marketer of the Year” by the American Marketing Association. He also received many awards, including the Ohio Merchants Award, the National Conference of Christian and Jews Annual Award, “The Spirit of American Free Enterprise Award,” and the “Humanitarian Award by the National Conference of Christian and Jews.” On July 12, 1991, Dayton Mayor Richard Clay Dixon presented Max Gutmann with “The Key to the City of Dayton” and proclaimed the day “Max Gutmann Day.” Max was born in Niederwerren, Germany on July 12, 1922. His family was persecuted by the Nazis in the 1930s and eventually escaped to France and then Shanghai, China in the early part of World War II. The family eventually made its way to Cincinnati, OH and Max enlisted in the United States Army, serving in U.S. Army Intelligence from 1943 to 1946. Those childhood and early adult experiences had a profound influence on his life and work for the next 50 years. Mr. Gutmann is survived by his wife Darlene; daughters Sharon Wing of Cincinnati, Suzanne Blackburn of Portland, ME; sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Beverly Gutmann of Dayton, Todd and Holly Meyer of Powell, OH; sister, Ils Schwarz of Pittsburgh, PA; brother, Bernie and wife Mary Gutmann of Dayton; grandchildren, Brent, Derek and Mandy Gutmann, Lisa Groesenek, Jessica Young and Hayley and Carson Meyer; two great-grandchildren, Davis and Eden Young; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral service was at 1pm Sunday, March 29, 2009, at Beth Abraham Synagogue. Rabbi Judy Chesham and Rabbi Bernard Barsky officiating. Interment was at the Temple of Beth Or Section at David’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, 33 West First Street, Suite 100, Dayton, OH 45402. Arrangements entrusted to Market and Heller Funeral Home, N. Main Street Chapel.
, passed away March 25, 2009. She was the beloved wife of John C. Ferneding, and mother of eight children. Preceded in death by her husband John C. Ferneding and daughter Kathleen. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ada (Ryan) and Timothy Alphonsus Ryan and step-Mother Catherine Ryan. She is survived by her seven children and their spouses: Nancy (Ferneding) and Colin Campbell, William and Sue Ferneding, Kathleen (Ferneding) and Michael Tenenbaum of Cincinnati, Joanie (Ferneding) and Mike Smith, John and Julie Ferneding, Daniel and Mary Ferneding , Anita (Ferneding) and Dan Mangin. Grandmother to Colin, Lauren, Leigh (Campbell) and Alex Heltzel, John and Margot Campbell, Elizabeth, Samantha and Caroline Ferneding, Katie, Danny, Joey and Patrick Tenenbaum, Steven and Andy Smith, Claire, Peter and Joe Ferneding, Marie Ferneding, Jacqueline Ada, Tommy, Ryan and Danny Mangin. Great-Grandmother to Margot, Samantha and Madeleine Heltzel. Sister of Dan Ryan of Cleveland, Tim and Mary Ryan of Cleveland, Ann (Ryan) and John Drain (both deceased) of Cleveland. Sister-in-laws Anne M. Ferneding and Jane B. Ferneding (deceased). Brother-in-law Thomas C. and Arlene Ferneding (both deceased) of Tacoma, Washington. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio a graduate of Notre Dame Academy and Ursuline College. Former buyer for the Elder Johnson Company and Bookkeeper for John C. Ferneding Insurance for 50 years. She served on the boards of the Christ Child Society, The Junior League of Dayton, Womanline Auxiliary, The Hamlets Drama Club and the World’s Greatest Bridge Club. Volunteered at the Dakota Center and Docent at the Dayton Art Institute. She was a member of the Resurrection Choir and Eucharistic Minister at St. Albert the Great Church. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 3033 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, Ohio. Visitation with friends was held Friday, March 27 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the charity of your choice. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.
, of Beavercreek, formerly of Oakwood, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 at Heartland of Beavercreek following a long battle with diabetes. He was 67. Bill was born on June 9, 1941, in Elyria, Ohio. He attended Oakwood High School and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1959. Bill was a 1965 graduate of The Ohio State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and played football his freshman year for Coach Woody Hayes. Following graduation, he joined the Navy and attended the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia, where he met his future wife Betsy, a student at the University of Georgia. After serving as a Lieutenant with the Navy in Vietnam, Bill returned to the Dayton area and worked for years as a manufacturers’ representative for industrial equipment. He was a dedicated supporter of educational and cultural opportunities for students around the world. Through a variety of student exchange programs, he and his family hosted over 25 students from more than 20 different countries. He served as the Youth Exchange Director for Oakwood Sister Cities Association and the Youth Service Director for international student exchange for the Rotary Club of Oakwood, of which he was a charter member. Bill was also active in youth programs at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he was a youth group leader and Sunday School teacher. Along with his wife Betsy, he was a member of Country Club of the North in Beavercreek. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Myrtle Clymer. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Elizabeth (Betsy) Clymer, who donated her kidney to Bill in 2000. He is also survived by his two daughters, Ashley Clymer Bashore and her husband Todd Bashore (Plainsboro, NJ), and Elizabeth Clymer Jones and her husband Dominic Jones (London, England); and three grandchildren, Catherine Bashore, William Bashore, and Avelyn Jones. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakwood. The family received friends on Monday, March 30 at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 33 W. Dixon Ave., Oakwood, OH 45419, Rotary International Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 or to a charity of your choice. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.
, age 87, of Oakwood. Devoted husband of Marilyn Braham Vance of 52 years; father of Wendy Sue Carmichael ( Evanston, IL), Constance Lucille Dewitt (Gainesville, FL), Joan Irene Johnson (Arlington, VA), David Owen Vance (San Diego, CA), and Sally Jo Vance Kronauge (Dayton, OH). He was father-in-law to Ray Carmichael, Ross DeWitt, and David Kronauge. Owen had two sisters, Doris Schickling (deceased) and Patricia Jean Koenig (brother-in-law Robert Koenig). He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was especially important to his grandsons Rudy Kronauge and Joe Kronauge (Miamisburg, OH), as he was a daily role model in their lives and are better boys having known him. His parents were Lucille Steger Vance and Jefferson Davis Vance. He was born in Dayton, OH on Randolph Street August 26, 1921, and resided in Oakwood. He graduated from Steele High School 1939 and the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He enlisted at WPAFB for WWII and served with the 8th Air Force (England), 492nd Bomb Squadron (Carpet Baggers) as a nose gunner on the B-24 Liberator and was recently awarded the French Jubile de la Liberte medal for having participated in the battle and liberation of Normandy. Owen was a member of Millennium Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Antioch Shrine, Dayton Amateur Radio Association (W8PHW), the Oakwood Accordion Band, and Chairman of the Board of The Listening Post. He was a manufacturer’s representative and in recent years was employed by the Lenz Company, Dayton, OH, where he worked til deceased. Owen was an organ donor and donated his body to the Wright State Medical School and requested there be no memorial service. He will truly be missed.
. age 75, of Evanston IL, formerly of Oakwood OH, passed away Feb. 17, 2009 in Evanston. She was the fifth daughter of six children of Elmer J. Focke and Marie Berno Focke. Her father was treasurer of the William Focke and Sons Co., a Dayton meat packing firm. Her mother had been a well-known Broadway opera singer and danced with Fred Astaire. Gretchen graduated from Oakwood High School in 1950 and moved to Chicago while in her early 20s. She worked at Lerner Newspapers, Inc. for many years. She was a talented artist and avid tennis player as well as a good skier. Gretchen was preceded in death by her longtime companion, Richard Netzorg in 1984 and by her sister, Mary Cochran. She is survived by sisters Connie Breen of Kettering OH, Ann Stemple of Sea Girt, NJ, Helen Brown of Winnetka, IL, and her brother, William Focke of Mt. Desert Island, ME, as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial mass and Christian burial officiated by Fr. Joseph Goetz will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the church on the grounds of Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Dr., off Patterson Blvd. Contributions to the Seedling Foundation for Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 E. Fifth St., Dayton OH 45402 appreciated.
, age 81, of Oakwood passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at Hospice of Dayton. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge #61 in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, PA. Kenneth retired from NCR after 44 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mabel Everett, a brother and two sisters. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marilyn I. Everett; daughter, Joan (Michael) Laiman, grandchildren, John and Kathryn Laiman all of Fontana, CA; sister, Rose Steele of Morrow, OH and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420 or The Christ United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 3440 Shroyer Rd., Kettering, OH 45429. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to www.routsong.com.
, age 44, of Canyon Lake, Texas, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009. John David was born April 1, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio. He was a graduate of Oakwood High School and Ohio State University. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jana Lowe Matthews. He is survived by his father, John K. Matthews, Jr. (Emma) and his sister Minda Matthews Smith (Barry). A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 33 West Dixon Ave., Dayton, Ohio on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to SICSA.
, age 21, of Oakwood, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at her home. She is survived by her parents Dave and Angie Seltzer; sister Carrie Seltzer; numerous relatives and friends. Laura graduated from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL and attended Curve Metric School of Cosmetology in Elmwood Park, IL. She was employed at SuperCuts in Bellbrook. She was a member of Living Water Worship Center and was active in Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Funeral services were held Monday, February 9, 2009 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kettering, with Rev. Thomas Prochaska and Rev. Jeff Burke officiating. Family received friends prior to services at the church. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.NewcomerDayton.com.
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