Obituaries for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014

Published 10:11 am Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Kenneth Dillon

Oct. 6, 1929 — Oct. 17, 2014

Kenneth R. Dillon, 85, of Yellow Springs, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, at Dayspring of Miami Valley. He was born Oct. 6, 1929, in Lawrence County, at the Handley Place on Johns Creek. He was the son of the late John L. Dillon Sr. and the late E. Nellie (Malone) Dillon.

Ken graduated from Waterloo High School in 1947. After high school, he entered the Army in 1951 and was a member of the 24th Infantry Division, 19th Infantry Regiment, Company E. He served eight months in Korea, and was wounded on Oct. 14, 1951. He then served in Japan from February to June of 1952. Ken earned a Combat Infantry Badge, three battle stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Medal with a Japan Clasp, Korean Service Medal, United Nations medal and National Defense Service Ribbon. He was discharged in October 1952, having earned the rank of corporal. Ken was employed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for two years, then at Dayton Sash and Door for 16 years. He also worked at Morris Bean for 28 years. Ken married Stella Robinson, of Doe Valley, Tennessee, on Oct. 4, 1958, in Potsdam.

He was a member of the Greene County Korean Veterans Association, Chapter 125. Ken was a member of the Purple Heart Association and the Department of Ohio Korean War Veterans Association finance committee. He also attended services at Pleasant Grove Missionary Church in Yellow Springs.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Stella, on March 10, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, John L. Dillon Jr. and Harold L. Dillon.

Ken is survived by his sister, Helen Riley, of Enon; sisters-in-law, Bernice Dillon, of Yellow Springs, and Faith Waltke, of Xenia; and brother-in-law, Jim Robinson, of Doe Valley, Tennessee. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, close friends and good neighbors.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Pleasant Grove Missionary Church in Yellow Springs with the Rev. Kenneth Moore and the Rev. Matt Ransom officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday. Burial will follow the service at Byron Cemetery in Fairborn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 125, 430 Stadium Drive, Xenia, OH, 45385, in his memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.

Lavona Browning

Jan. 1, 1940 — Oct. 19, 2014

Lavona Ruth Browning, 74, of Ironton, passed away, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at her residence. The Greenup, Kentucky, native was born Jan. 1, 1940, a daughter of the late Earl H. and Edna M. Howard Diller. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth A. Browning, whom she married Aug. 19, 1958, and passed away June 1, 2014.

Mrs. Browning was a 1958 graduate of Coal Grove High School and a member of the First Tabernacle Church in Ironton. She was a former employee for Wilson’s Sporting Goods, where she worked as a glove lacer. She also was an employee for the Lawrence County General Hospital, Jo-Lin Nursing Home and Bryant Nursing Home, where she was a CNA. She enjoyed spending time with her family and her dogs.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice H. Oldham and Doleres Dean Matney; and a brother, Edwin J. Diller.

She is survived by a sister, Dorothy “Anis” Pinkerman, of Deering; a son, Ricky A. (Angela) Browning, of Ironton; two daughters, Kimberly A. (Steve) Wagoner and Kenna R. Maynard, both of Ironton; eight grandchildren, Kenny E. Browning, Candice Myers, Carrie R. Maynard, Joe Spires, Marcella Willsey, Erin N. Wilson, Ashley D. Williams and Matthew Wilson; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with brother Chad Pemberton officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery and visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Sharon Banister

June 16, 1948 — Oct. 19, 2014

Sharon Geibel Banister, 66, of Ladonia, Texas, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, of peritoneal cancer. She was born June 16, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, the only child of the late Roswell and Irene Geibel, of Ironton.

Sharon grew up in Ironton and graduated Ironton High School in 1966. She received her B.A. in mass communication from Abilene (Texas) Christian University in 1970. While there she began her journalistic journey by writing obituaries for The Abilene Reporter News and completed it by writing this (in proper third person, of course).

She edited two books, wrote and published one and wrote a weekly newspaper column with her husband for almost a decade.

Her military career began in the U.S. Army and included three state National Guards and the U.S. Army Reserves. She accompanied her U.S. Air Force husband on his tours throughout the world. In England she commanded the only U.S. Army Reserve unit in that country and traveled regularly to Germany.

She retired as a lieutenant colonel.

While living in England she was a member of a singing group that was featured in a BBC TV documentary.

She and her husband created the Wild Rose Ranch in Northeast Texas upon his retirement and raised beef cattle and native pecans for more than 20 years.

Sharon was a bassoonist with the Fannin County (Texas) Community Band for many years and also played in the Paris (Texas) Municipal Band. She was a member of Pecan Grove Church of Christ in Greenville, Texas, and was a life member in the Lawrence County Historical Society.

Survivors include her husband, John; their daughter, Dr. Bethany Rose Rainsberg; son-in-law, Clayton; their two young children, James and Catherine Irene, of Columbus; and daughter, Hannah Kate, at home.

“When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him.” (Psalm 116)

A country burial beside her beloved horse and other pets will be at the Wild Rose Ranch in Ladonia, with military honors at 1 p.m. on Wednesday with John Shasteen officiating.

No flowers, please.

Memorials may be sent to Texas Best Choices Animal Rescue, 2502 Red Bud Trail, Quinlan, TX 75474; or Bat World, 217 North Oak Ave., Mineral Wells, TX 76067.

Jones-Walker and Son Funeral Home in Commerce, Texas, is in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Plaster

Patricia Ann Plaster, 61, of South Point, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel in Barboursville. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Wallace Funeral Home in Barboursville.

Edna Edwards

Edna Mae Edwards, 75, of Proctorville, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville by pastor Tracy Tooley. Burial will follow in Miller Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Sharon Hager

Sharon Lynn Hager, 65, of Huntington, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville.

Patricia Plaster

Patricia Ann Plaster, 61, of South Point, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel in Barboursville. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Wallace Funeral Home in Barboursville.

Fred Craft

May 9, 1937 — Oct. 18, 2014

Fred Craft, Jr., 77, of South Point, passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at his residence. The Lawrence County, Kentucky, native was born May 9, 1937, a son to the late Fred Craft and Pearlie Adkins Craft Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Moore Craft, whom he married April 9, 1973.

Mr. Craft was a laborer for the Local 1445.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lanetta Porter; and a son, Samuel Lewis Smith.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons; Larry Dale (Heather) Smith, of Flatwoods; Victor Craft, of Catlettsburg; four daughters, Victoria (Duane) Taylor, of South Point, Margaret (Danny) Thacker, of Texas, Rebecca (Gary) Craft-Patton, of Coal Grove; daughter-in-law, Cheri Smith, of Flatwoods; sister, Arnollee Wellman, of Ashland; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews

At his request, there will be no services. Cards and condolences may be sent to the family, 105 Lou Street, South Point, OH 45680. Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences visit www.tracybrammerfh.com.

Jack Stowers

Jan. 3, 1938 — Oct. 19, 2014

Jack L. Stowers, 76, of Hillsboro, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at the Laurels of Hillsboro.

He was born in East Liverpool on Jan. 3, 1938, the son of the late Allard and Edith (Vickers) Stowers.

Jack graduated from Ironton High School in 1956, attended University of Cincinnati where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and administration; was on the football team from 1956-1960, served in several educational positions for 35 years and seven years as a program coordinator with the Highland County MRDD Adult Program.

Jack was a teacher and administrator with Cincinnati Public Schools, administrator with the Scioto, Pike and Highland County schools, instructor for Ohio University and educational consultant for the Ohio Department of Education for seven years. During this time he received numerous awards and served on a wide variety of educational committees and leadership positions. He was also a member, deacon and elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro.

He is survived by his wife, Jane (Humphreys) Stowers, of Hillsboro; daughter, Katy Ruffner, of Worthington; sons Mark (Susan Shewalter) and Eric (Marilyn), of Delaware, daughter Glenda Helterbrand Puckett (David), of Hillsboro; sister Jeanette Norris, of Hollywood, Florida; brother Keith (Marcia) Stowers, of Dothan, Alabama; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Funeral Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Thompson Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Burial will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Friends may call 10 a.m. until time of service on Friday.

Donations can be made to the Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Main St. Hillsboro, OH 45133 or to Hospice of Hope, 215 Hughes Blvd. Mt Orab, OH 45154.

Sign the online guest book at www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.

Marlene Ettinger

Marlene Hignite Wheeler Ettinger, 81, of Ashland, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. The funeral is 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods with pastor Tim French officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation is 11 a.m. until the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.