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Surnames: Simpson, Kirkwood, Freiburger, Gilliom, Betz, Hauck, Clifton, Campbell, Lough,
Ratcliffe, Holdeman, Brickey
Classification: Obituary
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http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/3021
Message Board Post:
Obituaries courtesy of News-Banner Publications. Posted with permission.
May 29, 2004
Donna P. Simpson, 77
Donna P. Simpson, 77, of Chester Township, died at 3:00 a.m. Friday, May 28 at her home.
Born in Montgomery County, Ohio on Nov. 11, 1926 to Daniel A. and Grace E. Lightner Smith,
she was a teacher for 35 years in southern Wells County. She married Maurice F. Simpson on
June 6, 1948 in Pitsburgh, Ohio; he survives.
Mrs. Simpson received her teaching certificate from Manchester College and both her BS and
MS in Education from Ball State University. She taught for two years in Troy, Ohio before
moving to this area, where she taught second grade and junior high English at Chester
Center, Liberty Center and Southern Wells schools, retiring in 1986.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Montpelier, where she taught
Sunday School and Bible school, the Nimble Neighbors Home Economics Club for over 50
years, the P.E.O., A.W. Sisterhood in Lakeland, Fla., the Indiana Teachers Assoc.,
International Reading Assoc., and the Ladies Golf League (LPGA).
She had traveled throughout all 50 states as well as Europe, and had also lived in
Lakeland, Fla. at the Schalamar Creek Golf Community.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Beth Buie of Russiaville; and a
brother, Byron D. Smith of West Manchester, Ohio. She was preceded in death by a brother,
Marvin E. Smith.
Calling hours are Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Glancy Funeral Home, Walker Chapel in
Montpelier, with services scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor
Rob Baszner officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton.
Preferred memorials to the church.
Genivee Kirkwood, 84
Genivee C. Kirkwood, 84, Bluffton, died at 5:10 p.m. Friday, May 28 at Lutheran Hospital
in Fort Wayne.
Born in Jay County on June 6, 1919 to Joseph T. and Walkie J. Surbaugh Frantz, she married
Dale L. Kirkwood on Oct. 5, 1944 in Adams County; he died July 11, 1984.
A lifelong resident of Wells County, she graduated from Liberty Center High School and
worked at the A.S.C.S. office (which is now the F.S.A.) from 1960 to 1979. She was a
charter member of the Busy Bee Home Economics Club and attended the Petroleum United
Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Karol Scott of Berne; a son, Kent Kirkwood of Montpelier;
three brothers, Tom and Bob Frantz of Bluffton and Nyal Frantz of Ohio; four
grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Calling hours are Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral
Home in Bluffton, with services scheduled there for Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in
the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Pennville. Preferred memorials to the American Heart Association.
Jane Freiburger, 80
Services for Jane Tucker Freiburger, 80, of Fort Wayne, will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday at
the D.O.McComb & Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home in Fort Wayne. She died Thursday,
May 27 at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born in Bluffton, she was a clerk-receptionist with the Fort Wayne Board of Health for 12
years and the Fort Wayne Police Dept. for 12 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of
the Christ Church at Georgetown.
Survivors include a son, Tom Tucker of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Linda Campbell of Fort
Wayne; three grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and one step
great grandchild.
Calling hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and for one hour prior to the service. There
will also be a graveside service Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton.
Preferred memorials to the church or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Rick A. Gilliom, 46
A native of Bluffton and a brother of Mrs. Herb (Nancy) Frank of rural Bluffton, Rick A.
Gilliom, 46, of Fort Wayne, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort
Wayne.
He was a maintenance supervisor with Stonhard, a member of the Northeast Indiana
Beekeepers and Grace Point Church of the Nazarene.
Born in Bluffton, he was a son of John and Hazel Gilliom, both deceased.
Surviving, in addition to the Bluffton area sister, are his wife, Cathy Gilliom; one son,
Adam Gilliom of Seattle, Washington; one daughter, Abigail Gilliom of Scottsdale, Arizona;
a stepson, Brandon Arnold of Bloomington; one brother, Jon Gilliom of Anchorage, Alaska,
and several nieces and nephews.
Calling will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at D. O. McComb & Sons
Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, and at the church for a hour prior to
the service. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Point Church of the
Nazarene.
Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Memorials to Grace Point Church of the Nazarene
Building Fund.
May 31, 2004 - No Paper Published. Memorial Day
June 1, 2004
Harold L. Betz Jr. 61 — Rites Pending
Harold L. Betz, Jr., 61, of Bluffton, died at 2 a.m. today, June 1, at his residence.
Rites are pending at Goodwin Memorial Chapel.
Marcille Hauck, 73
A native of Bluffton, Marcille L. Hauck, 73, Orlando, Fla., died Thursday afternoon, May
27 at her home.
Born March 8, 1931 to Levi and Lillian Falber Maller, she married James A. Hauck in
Bluffton on July 25, 1953; he survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Lizabeth Crovetti of Alford, Fla. and Kimberly Reed
of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two sons, Gregory Hauck of West Reading, Conn. and Michael Hauck
of Danbury, Conn.; a sister, Agnes Henenberg of Arlington, Va.; and two grandchildren.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Welsheimer Funeral Home in South Bend.
Calling hours are Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Preferred memorials to Hospice of the
Comforter in Altamonte Springs, Fla., or the Benedictine Grange.
Elsie Clifton, 92
The mother of Robert Clifton of Bluffton, Elsie F. Clifton, 92, Portland, died Monday
morning, May 31 at Americare Nursing facilities following a brief illness.
Born on Oct. 26, 1911 in Boone County to Jesse and Fairy Booher Wright, she married
Hershel L. Clifton on June 20, 1930; he died Aug. 8, 1962. A homemaker, she lived in
Redkey for 37 years and farmed with her husband in Jay County. She was a 26- year member,
past president and secretary of the Redkey chapter of the Mothers of WWII and Korean Wars
and was the last surviving member of that organization.
In addition to the son in Bluffton, survivors include a son, Richard Clifton, of Portland;
a daughter, Carol Lovell McQueary of Marion; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and
eight great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by three daughters,
Jeanine Coats Adams, Marlene Schell and Patricia Clifton; a brother and a sister.
Calling hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Portland Chapel of the Williamson
& Spencer Funeral Home. Services will begin Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in
the Hillcrest Cemetery in Redkey.
June 2, 2004
Harold L. Betz Jr., 61
A Navy veteran and past commander of Bluffton Grover Sheets Post 111 of the American
Legion, Harold L. Betz Jr., 61, of 207 East Townley St., Bluffton, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday,
June 1, at his residence.
He had been a 19-year employee of International Harvester and worked nine years at Kitco
and three years at BRC.
Born Oct.18,1942, in Bluffton, he was the son of Harold L. and Betty Mace Betz Sr. A 1960
graduate of Bluffton High School, he served in the Navy from 1961 to1963. His marriage was
on May 28, 1966, in Bluffton to Beverly Booker, who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Donald Betz of Ossian; a daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Kathryn)
Doepker of Warren; two sisters, Mrs. Jerry (Barbara) Artrip of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Mrs.
Darol (Carol) Myers of Bluffton, and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m.at Goodwin Memorial Chapel, where services will
be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with Rev. Bud Abrams officiating. Burial will be in Fairview
Cemetery. The American Legion will be in charge of graveside services. Memorials to the
Leukemia Society.
Lilly “Mae” Campbell, 83
A native of Wells County, Lilly “Mae” Campbell, 83, of Harlan died Monday, May 31 at her
residence.
Born May 11, 1921 in Wells County to Solomon W. and Ruth Anna Williamson Brinneman, she
retired from General Electric Co. in 1980. She was a member of the G.E. Retirees Club.
Survivors include two daughters, Gloria M. Ely of Indianapolis and Jo Jean Clouse of
Grabill; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Hockemeyer Funeral Home in Harlan, where
calling will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Rev. Ken Weaver will officiate at services and a private burial will be at Fairview
Cemetery in Bluffton. Preferred memorials to Parkview Home Health and Hospice.
Rosie E. Lough, 90
Mother of Thomas E. Lough of Craigville and Mrs. Richard (Judy A.) Ehrsam of Ossian, Rosie
E. Lough, 90, of Decatur, died at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at Woodcrest Nursing
Care Center, Decatur.
A lifetime resident of Adams County and a homemaker, she was born Oct. 25, 1913, at Preble
to William and Pearl Gause Cook. Her marriage was on Aug.19, 1941, to Everett C. Lough,
who preceded her in death on Jan. 18, 1990.
Surviving, in addition to the Craigville son and Ossian daughter, are four brothers,
Virgil, Richard and Herbert Cook, all of Decatur, and Willie Cook of Kendallville; one
sister, Isabel King of Decatur; 5 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceding her
in death, in addition to her husband, were five brothers, Albert, Roy, Lester, Dale and
Wilbur Cook, and four sisters, Josephine Hirschy, Betty Kipfer, Hazel Johnson and Opal
Hess.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.Thursday and for an hour prior to the services Friday
at Haggard & Sefton Funeral Home in Decatur. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday
with Rev. Sylvester Martin officiating. Burial will be in Decatur Cemetery. Memorials to
the ACCF Cancer Angel Fund.
June 3, 2004
James E. Ratcliffe, 89
A former resident of Zanesville and father of Frank W. Ratcliffe of Zanesville, James E.
Ratcliffe, 89, died Wednesday, June 2, in Bellview, Ky.
Born Nov. 24, 1914 in Eggleston, Va., to James C. and Lena T. Cumbie Ratcliffe, his
marriage to the former Doris M. Skinnel took place Feb. 10, 1937 in Bluefield, W. Va. She
preceded him in death May 18, 1991.
A resident of Flatwoods, Ky., Mr. Ratcliffe was a 1933 graduate of Beaver High School in
Bluefield, W. Va. He was a past member of the Zanesville United Methodist Church and
belonged to the Painters Local 469 Union in Fort Wayne, retiring in 1979. He was also a
past member of the Zanesville Lions Club.
In addition to the son in Zanesville, he is survived by another son, James E. Jr., of
Dayton, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Paul (Jerry Ann) Bailey of Russell, Ky.; 12 grandchildren,
18 great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four sisters, Virginia Ratcliffe, Wanda Merchant, Essie May
Haggy and Melissa Neal; two brothers, Herbert and Johnny, and a son, Robert.
Services Sunday at 2 p.m. will be at Myers Funeral Home, Markle Chapel with Pastor Mike
Merrell officiating. Entombment will be at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne.
Calling at the funeral home will begin at 12 p.m. until time of services Sunday.
Preferred memorials are to the Zanesville United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Joycey Ada Holdeman, 79
A former Bluffton resident and mother of Priscilla Butcher of Bluffton, Joycey Ada
Holdeman, 79, died Tuesday, June 1, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Dunkirk following an
extended illness.
Born June 27, 1924 in Winchester, Ky., to Joseph and Geneva Johnson Hackworth, she married
Willis L. Holdeman Sept. 8, 1962. He died Dec. 3, 1995.
She was a member of the Portland American Legion Auxiliary and the Portland Eagles Lodge
Auxiliary.
In addition to the Bluffton daughter, she is survived by two other daughters, Mamie
Calvert of Elk Grove, Calif., Joyce Lemaster of Syracuse; a son, Dova Butler, of Portland;
a step son, Tim Holdeman of Medford, Ore.; a sister, Frances Pullen of Georgetown, Ky.; 20
grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
A son, Russell Butler, preceded her in death Nov. 23, 2003.
Funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday will be held at the Portland Chapel of Williamson
& Spencer Funeral Homes. Rev. Furnew Revels will officiate and burial will follow at
Antioch Cemetery, southeast of Portland.
Calling at the funeral home is from 4-8 p.m. Friday.
June 4, 2004
Randy A. Brickey, 37
A volunteer firefighter with the Bluffton Fire Department since 1988, Randy A. Brickey,
37, of Bluffton, died at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, June 3 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Mr. Brickey, a native of Bluffton, became the 84th recipient of a heart transplant at
Lutheran Hospital in 1991 at the age of 24. He had been with the Bluffton Fire Department
since 1988. He was a former trustee, secretary-treasurer and member of the Bluffton
Fraternal Order of Firefighters and a First Responder.
Born April 5, 1967 in Bluffton to Wiley O. and Alice Zurcher Brickey, he was a 1985
Bluffton High School graduate and a member of the Wells County Hot Rod Association. He was
employed for four years at Skiles Co.
Surviving is his father and his step mother, Mary E. Andrews Brickey; two sisters, Mrs.
Steve (Sherry) Austin of Winona Lake and Joann Brickey of Bluffton; two brothers, William
Brickey of Tampa, Fla., and Mark Brickey of Bluffton; five nephews and one niece. He was
preceded in death by his mother.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Goodwin Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Stephen Austin
officiating and burial in Elm Grove Cemetery. Calling at the funeral home will be Sunday
from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the Bluffton Fraternal Order of Firefighters or the Lutheran
Hospital Heart Transplant Patient Assistance Fund in care of the funeral home.