December 30, 2004

OBITUARIES

Joseph L. West Sr.

Rev. Joseph L. West Sr. of Xenia died Sunday, Dec. 26, in his home. He was 80.

He was born on March 29, 1924, in Springfield, to Dr. Motty S. and Hattie (Ellis) West. He was married to the late Virginia (Austin) West on Oct. 16, 1947, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage before her passing on May 6, 2004.

Rev. West became a dedicated and faithful member of Zion Baptist Church, being saved and baptized at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Richmondale, Ohio, where he was ordained as a deacon. Throughout his years at Zion he continued to serve as deacon and accepted the calling to the ministry in 1963. He served as pastor of the Auburn Avenue Baptist Church, Bellefontaine; associate pastor of Zion Baptist Church, supply pastor for Third Baptist Church and the United Christian Church of Xenia. He also had a church in Yellow Springs at one time.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three sisters, Dorothy Hall, Martha Melton and Daisy Austin; and three brothers, Raymond, Vernon and Thomas West.

He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Gwendolyn and Rickie Canada; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Joseph West Jr., and Daniel and Chrystal West; one grandson, Ryan L. West, all of Xenia; three brother-in-laws and their wives, Theodore and Traci Austin, Larry and Wilmetta Austin of Chillicothe and Paul Austin of Columbus; and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church, 565 East Main Street, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m., at Zion Baptist Church with burial to follow in Valley View Memorial Gardens.

Margetta Benning

Margetta “Bonnie” Benning of Yellow Springs died Friday, Dec. 24, in Friends Care Center. She was 75.

She was born March 13, 1929, in Yellow Springs to Chester W. and Helen L. (Cassell) Benning Sr. Bonnie was a member of Central Chapel AME Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Marqurite “Simmy” Ragland; and three brothers, Reginald, Chester and Gary Benning.

She is survived by three brothers and a sister-in-law, Charles and Ernestine Benning of Springfield, Andrew Benning and Donald Benning of Yellow Springs; special nephew, Yon David Benning of Yellow Springs; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Central Chapel AME Church, 411 South High Street, with the family present. A funeral service will follow visitation at noon with the Rev. Dr. John E. Freeman officiating. Upon Margetta’s wishes she will be cremated. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Central Chapel AME Church.

Faye A. Fisher

Faye A. Fisher of Stuart, Fla., passed away at her home on Hutchinson Island on Oct. 11, 2004. She was 91.

She was born in 1913 and attended classes at Antioch College. She lived in Yellow Springs for over 40 years with her husband, Francis H. Fisher.

Faye loved to travel the world, but her favorite place was Hawaii. She took many cruises, enjoyed playing bridge, reading, working in stained glass, painting, and she loved her dogs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who passed away in 1983.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Bolin of Enon; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ronald and Nancy Fisher of Springfield, and Richard V. Fisher of Okeechobee, Fla.; a daughter, Linda Printz of Yellow Springs; seven grandchildren, Leigh Carol Calvez, Douglas Fisher, Robert F. Fisher, Margaret (DeDe) Fisher, Cyndi Hane, Warren R. Printz and Kathleen Printz; 14 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Upon her wishes, Faye was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea.

Correspondence can be made through M.D. Fisher, 8531 Millgate Lane, Centerville, Ohio 45458.