March 17, 2005

OBITUARIES

Irwin Inman

Irwin Inman of Yellow Springs died of natural causes on Saturday, March 12, following a brief illness. He was 87.

Irwin, who was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on Nov. 11, 1917, came to Yellow Springs as part of Antioch College’s Class of 1941. After graduation and service in the armed forces in World War II, Irwin returned to Yellow Springs, where he raised his family, with the late Jean Shields Inman, and began a long career as the editor for Antioch University, from which he retired.

After retirement, Irwin began a fruitful new career as a photographer, being entirely self taught. His love of children and his astute eye quickly began producing portraits of many of the children and landmarks of Yellow Springs. He produced two books of photographs of Yellow Springs, Yellow Springs and Beyond, published in 1998, and More Yellow Springs, released in 2003. Earlier this year, he and Jimmy Chesire published a book on Perry League, the village’s t-ball program, A Thousand Strikes: T-Ball Yellow Springs Style, featuring Irwin’s photos and Jimmy’s columns from the News.

Irwin is survived by his children, Lee I. Feinstein, Richard Inman, Kate Inman, and Robert and Margaret Dickey and their children and grandchildren.

A memorial service for Irwin’s many friends will be held in the near future.

Stephen A. Papania

Stephen A. Papania died on Sunday, March 13, at Friends Care Community, where he had been a resident for seven years. He was 99.

Born Sept. 27, 1905, in Springfield, he was the second of four children of Anna and Joseph Papania, who emigrated from Italy prior to the turn of the century. He remained a resident of Springfield for 92 years before moving to Friends Care with his wife, Rose, in 1997. A music lover, Steve had a fine tenor voice and took little urging to serve up a song from an impressive repertoire. Among his favorites were Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a host of Irish ballads and “I’ll Be Loving You Always,” with which he delighted in serenading his wife over their 61 years of marriage.

He was a lifelong member of St. Raphael Parish in Springfield, where he sang in the choir for over three decades. He enjoyed a long career with the fine leather goods manufacturer Hugo Bosca Company before retiring after nearly 50 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1998; a son, Joe, in 1966; and two sisters, Frances Amato and Verna Papania.

He is survived by his son, Jerry Papania, and daughter-in-law, Moira Laughlin; grandsons, Eamon and Rory Papania of Yellow Springs and Perry Hartmann of Pennsylvania; and a sister, Concetta Wood of Columbus.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, March 17, at 10 a.m., in St. Raphael Church, with burial in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends Care Community. Conroy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Luke Smith

Joseph Luke Smith of Springfield died Thursday morning, March 10, in Mercy St. John’s Center. He was 78.

He was born in Yellow Springs on March 13, 1926, and was one of Robert and Myrtle (Adams) Smith’s 13 children. Joe was born with cerebral palsy and lived under the care of others. For the past 23 years, he lived at Mercy St. John’s Center, where he was loved by many of the residents and staff.

He is survived by a sister, Phyllis Leatherman of Springfield; a niece, Helen Lookabaugh of South Charleston, and many other nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Saturday, March 12, in Ferncliff Cemetery. Littleton & Rue Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Eugene Goble

Eugene Goble of Jamestown died on Friday, March 11, in Xenia. He was 73.

Born Feb. 7, 1932, in Dewey, Ky., he was the son of Obelie and Elsie (Wells) Goble. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired as a machinist with Morris Bean and Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rosalea, and a brother, William.

He is survived by his children, Rich and Karen Goble of Jamestown and Lisa Goble of Washington Court House; two grandchildren, Adam and Kaci Goble; and sister, Eileen Adams of Xenia.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 15, at Powers Funeral Home in Jamestown, with burial to follow in Silvercreek II Cemetery in Jamestown.