July 28, 2005

OBITUARIES

Charles Ned Franck

Charles Ned Franck died unexpectedly on July 20, in Traverse City, Mich., while on vacation. He was 72.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1933, in Portsmouth, to Charles Newton and Alberta Guilkey Franck and moved to Dayton in 1942.

He was a graduate of Dayton Stivers High School, Class of 1950. Ned retired as an air traffic controller at Dayton International Airport with 35 years of federal government service. He retired a second time after 15 years of service at Fifth Third Bank in Fairborn.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force during the early 1950s. Ned was an avid Boy Scout supporter and presently served on the Scout Committee for Troop 17 in Enon. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity at Yellow Springs, Lodge #421; a member of Antioch Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Patron several times and the secretary for several years (now Aldora Chapter in Xenia); member of Enon Knob Prairie United Church of Christ and proud to serve as a choir member for many years and the keeper of the outdoor sign.

He was a member of the Enon Community Historical Society and enjoyed displaying his collections of trains, planes, cars, and civil war soldiers whenever asked. Ned’s favorite pastime was watching sports on television with his best friend Ping the cat. He had a special gift for telling jokes and always had one on hand for anyone who would listen.

Ned was an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, seldom missed a football game and always wore scarlet and gray to provoke conversation wherever he traveled. He analyzed the games vociferously and the coaches were never spared his criticism. To die in Michigan was definitely not his choice.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marilyn Arthur Franck; two sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher and Heidi of Springfield, and Timothy and Kathy of Centerville; a daughter, Gretchen Franck of Highland Heights, Ky.; six grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Nancy of Lyndhurst and a sister, Renee Reed of Dayton.

A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, July 24, at Enon Knob Prairie United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Enon Knob Prairie United Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 101, Enon.

Miho Orimo

Miho Orimo passed away on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m., surrounded by family at her home in Yellow Springs. Born Aug. 25, 1929, in Kagoshima, Japan, Miho was for many years a hat designer in Tokyo. She moved to Yellow Springs following her stroke in 2000.

She is survived by her daughter, Migiwa Orimo; her son in-law, Tony Dallas; and her extended family both in Japan and Yellow Springs, including Kimio and Toyoko Oshima, Kaeko Sawai, the Origuchi family, Paloma Dallas, Juan-Sí Gonzalez, Chiai Okuda and the many others who loved and were loved by her.

An artist by craft and a muse to so many in spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the YS Kids Playhouse in Miho’s name.

Dorothy Gilbert

Dorothy Gilbert died on Friday, July 22. She was born in Mitchell, Ind., in 1924, the daughter of Albert and Beatrice Veatch Gilbert.

She moved to Fairfield, Ohio, in 1926. She attended school in Medway and Enon and graduated from Bath High School in 1942.

She worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for 38 years. She was a member of the Aero Chapter OES and Yellow Springs Friendship Rebecca Lodge. She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Fairborn.

Miss Gilbert was preceded in death by her brother, Roger Gilbert; and her parents.

She is survived by her brother and his wife, Albert and Joan Gilbert of Enon; her nephews and their wives, Roger and Carolle Gilbert, Glenn and Theresa Gilbert; a niece, Alison Gilbert; great nephews, Zachary Gilbert, Cooper Gilbert and Grant Gilbert; great nieces, Rachel Gilbert, Laura Gilbert, Amber Henderson and Lauren Henderson; cousins, Larry Blazer Sr., Larry Blazer Jr., Harlen Blazer, Tina Gilbert, Robert Veatch, Craig Veatch, Sharon Summers and Sherri Wright; and many long- time friends.

A memorial will be held at a later date at Trinity United Church of Christ.

John E. Collins

John E. Collins of Fairborn passed away Friday, July 15, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Hospital. He was 52.

He was born Aug. 15, 1952, in Xenia to Richard and Marjorie Collins. He was a member of the Teamsters and was employed by Bulk Transit.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard E. Collins, in 1965.

He is survived by his mother; his wife, Lisa; three daughters, Michelle Norman of Yellow Springs, Jonnie Collins of Huber Heights and Sairrah Collins of Fairborn; two sons, John Dillon Collins and Chris Collins, both of Fairborn; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Richard of Fairborn, Mike and Charlotte of Yellow Springs, and Ed Collins of Fairborn; and one grandson, Gavin Lilly.

A viewing was held on Saturday, July 23, at the Burcham Funeral Home, 119 E. Main Street, Fairborn. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Chris Collins Fund in care of Fifth/Third Bank.