James Oldham

James V. Oldham of Yellow Springs died at home on Thursday, April 8. He was 94 years old. He was born July 2, 1909, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

James and his wife, Gerda, and family moved to Yellow Springs in 1957. He enjoyed a variety of activities both during his career as a photoengraving salesman and after his retirement.

He learned about solar energy by building solar collectors and storage units for an addition to his house, assisted with several solar energy installations in the area and taught several groups at the Kettering laboratories. He was an amateur astronomer who loved to share his knowledge with his family and with students through the Community Experience program, and was a member of the Miami Valley Astronomical Society.

Mr. Oldham was a watercolorist, photographer and skilled draftsman, and built furniture and intricate mechanical devices. He taught reading in the Laubach program, sang in the Community Chorus, organized a maple syrup festival, played bridge with the Lawson Place group and sailed with his family and friends.

James sang in the choir and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He gardened organically, maintained a bluebird trail in the South Glen and worked with the Yellow Springs Tree Committee.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gerda, in December 2002.

He is survived by his five children and their partners: Robert Oldham and Marcia Perkins, of Richmond, Va., Ned Oldham of Yellow Springs, Kathy and Dan Beverly of Yellow Springs, David and Barbara Duvall Oldham of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Susanne Oldham of Yellow Springs and her partner John Semmlow of New Brunswick, N.J.; four grandchildren, Karen Klausen of Kristiansand, Norway, Jody Lee of Washington, D.C., Andy Beverly of Paris, France, and Carol Oldham of Santa Fe, N.M.; four great-grandsons, two sisters-in-law and a number of nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service is planned for next summer. His remains have been donated to the Wright State Medical School. An exhibit for all ages on amateur astronomy is being planned for the Staten Island Children’s Museum, in his honor.

---

Ada Stockton
Ada P. Stockton of Yellow Springs passed away Thursday, April 8, in Miami Valley Hospital. She was 63.

She was born Nov. 17, 1940, in Blue Diamond, Ky., the daughter of Kelman and Mary (Godsey) Campbell. Mrs. Stockton retired as a teacher with the Huber Heights City Schools and was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kelman Campbell; a son, Kelly D. Stockton; and two brothers, Virgil Campbell and Paul Campbell.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, David A. Stockton; her mother, Mary Campbell; a son, Richard L. Stockton; three daughters, Jennifer L. Reynolds, Rhonda Guthrie and husband Brian, and Shanda Hawkes and husband Brian; seven grandchildren, Anthony Hilker, Erica Hilker, Brandon Florkey, Meghann Guthrie, Lara Guthrie, Braden Hawkes, Ethan Hawkes; two great-grandchildren, Austin Hilker, Hannah Hilker; a sister, Gail Campbell; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Services were conducted on Monday, April 12, in the Belton Funeral Home, Fairborn, with burial following in Byron Cemetery, Fairborn.

---

Leonard Barnette
Leonard Barnette of Fairborn passed away Saturday, April 10, at Miami Valley Hospital. He was 77.

He was born Nov. 11, 1926, in Scott County, Va., the son of Hansford and Martha Jane (Bloomer) Barnette.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Denny Barnette and his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Maude; daughter Joyce Barnette and her friend Larry King of Beavercreek; sons and daughters-in-law Larry and Sarah Barnette of Yellow Springs, Dennis and Marta Barnette of Fairborn and David and Patty Barnette of Yellow Springs; grandchildren David, Michelle, Derek, Melinda, Shilo and Shane; great-grandchildren Amanda, Samantha and Abigale; four sisters; two brothers; nieces; nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 13, at the Burcham Funeral Home, Fairborn, with interment following in Byron Cemetery.