October 28, 2004

OBITUARIES

John Walis Cantrell of Fairborn died Monday, Oct. 18, in Greene Memorial Hospital. He was 96.

He was born Jan., 31, 1908, in Morgan County, Ky., the son of the late Lonzie and Lydia Cantrell. He was a machinist for Price Brothers Co. in Dayton, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the First Church of God Tabernacle in Fairborn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Ruth Lemaster Cantrell; and a daughter, Janice Marie Cantrell.

He is survived by his children, Deletha (Dee) and Glenn Blevins of Huber Heights, Jenny and Bernie Hamilton of Yellow Springs, Charlotte and Jim Eyler of Waynesville, Donna and Donald Null of Fairborn, Dolphia and Nancy Cantrell of Oneida, Tenn., Ollis James and Wanda Cantrell of Somerset, Ky., John Tollie and Cheryl Cantrell of Seaman and Wallace Lee and Theresa Cantrell of Augusta, Ga.; a half-brother, Morris Cantrell of Huber Heights; two half-sisters, Ursula Hill of Jefforsonville, Ky., and Wanda Ilich of Las Vegas, Nev.; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, Oct. 22, at the First Church of God Tabernacle. Burial was in Byron Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God Tabernacle.

Betsy Ann Williams

Betsy Ann Williams died on her 50th birthday, Monday, Oct. 25.

Anyone who knew Betsy knew she lived by a different creed. A devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, she was a testament to how one should live in Christ. Known for putting others’ needs before her own, she unselfishly gave of herself, mind, body and spirit, making sure to the best of her ability that nobody went without the most crucial element needed to survive in this life, love. She will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Hall, and her aunt Ann Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Dale; children, Orrick Jr., Charles and Danielle; her daughter-in-law, Tyna Williams; her mother, Alice Hall, sister, Stephanie Bryant; aunt Margaret Spearman; four grandchildren; her God sister, Georgina Leavel; special friend, Rehema Wa-tenza; and a host of brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m., at Central Chapel AME Church.

John F. Yontz

John F. “Jack” Yontz of Springfield died Tuesday, Oct. 19, in Mercy Medical Center. He was 81.

He was born Dec. 20, 1922, in Springfield, the son of Kenneth C. and Blanche (Sirdevant) Yontz. He was a tool and dye maker at Vernay Laboratories for 25 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, K of C 624, a sportsman, was an Ohio State fan, former basketball coach at St. Joseph School and U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffery, and two brothers, Gene and Bob.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances Jean “B.J.” (Burke); children, John and Carol Yontz of Los Gatos, Calif., James Yontz of Chillicothe, Joseph F. and Carol Lee Yontz of Springfield, Connie M. Little of Urbana and Christopher B. and Marianne Yontz of Brentwood, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Jerry and Pat Yontz of Florida; and sisters-in-law, Edie Yontz and Helen Yontz.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Oct. 23, in St. Joseph Church. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Church or the American Cancer Society.

Memorial service for Joanne Katon Hart

A memorial service for Joanne Katon Hart of Yellow Springs will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Angela Schenck will preside.

Joanne died on Sept. 21. The family invites all of her friends to come and remember her life. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, the Presbyterian Woman’s Association or Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton 45420.