September 7, 2006

OBITUARIES

Joseph E. Maloney

Joseph E. Maloney passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning, Sept. 3, at his home in Charlotte, N.C. He was 87.

Born Jan. 25, 1919, in Boston, and Irish to the core, Joe served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific in World War II. He attended and graduated from Antioch College, and in 1950 he married Ellen Quigley, a fellow Antioch student. They took up residence here, first in an Antioch Quonset hut, then in the Twin Apples Apartments, and then in the home they built on Fairfield Pike, where their two daughters Alice and Katherine were born.

Joe became vice-president of personnel at the Rike-Kumler Department Store in Dayton, and in time felt it was incumbent on him to live there. The Maloneys did so for the next 10 years, after which he took up the same position with Brooks Brothers in New York City.

On his retirement, he and Nell (Ellen Q.) returned to Yellow Springs, occupying a house big enough and gracious enough to house Alice and Katie along with their expanding families for long visits. The house was always open and welcoming to unexpected callers, and famous for the parties the Maloneys gave on their screened porch in summers.

Joe served his community for many years with enthusiasm and devotion, and he made a difference. He and Nell both volunteered as lay readers with the school. He was also active with the Community Council, Antioch College, Glen Helen (as was Nell), and most especially Joe offered his good judgment and dedication to Friends Care Center.

After Nell died, Joe moved to North Carolina to be closer to his girls, from where he kept in touch by phone with his many old friends back here. All will miss his phone calls, his bright blue eyes and his marvelous warm smile. He will be especially missed by one who considered Joe to be his best friend, Charles Colbert.

Joe loved to dance, loved the New York Times and loved classical music. The Saturday afternoon broadcast of grand opera was his steady date. Joe always retained his wonderful ability to be thrilled by moments of good discovery. And his backyard in summer never failed to show Joe’s glorious dahlias.

He is survived by two daughters, Alice Allen and Katherine Vassallo, and their husbands, Robert H. Allen and John C. Vassallo; four grandchildren, Harrison and Katherine Allen, and Conrad and John Angelo Vassallo; Mayako (Koko) Yamashita; and five nieces and nephews.

Interment will take place in Glen Forest Cemetery later this fall. Contributions may be made to the Glen Helen Ecology Institute, 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387. Please note on the gift that it is in memory of Joe Maloney.

Ruth Esther Delph

Ruth Esther (Bates) Delph of Xenia passed away Monday, Sept. 4, at Hospitality Home East. She was 86.

She was born Jan. 28, 1920, in Yellow Springs, the daughter of Leroy and Ruby (Stormont) Bates.

Mrs. Delph had been employed with TransWorld Airlines and Marks Travel Service, where she worked as a travel agent. She was a member of Com- munity United Methodist Church; the United Methodist Women; Lydia Circle; Xenia A.M. Club; and the Greene County Homemakers Clubs, formerly serving as secretary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years, James W. Delph Sr.; a sister, Mildred L. Myers; and a brother, Charles Bates.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Stephen Clawson; and a son, James W. Delph, all of Enon; a granddaughter, Arianna Scanlon; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services were held Thursday, Sept. 7, at Faith Community United Methodist Church, 100 Country Club Drive, Xenia, with interment following in Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Faith Community Church or the charity of your choice.

Mary Ann Bebko

Mary Ann T. Bebko of Yellow Springs passed away Tuesday, Aug. 29, in Xenia. She was 69.

A funeral mass was held on Saturday, Sept. 2, in St. Paul Catholic Church, Yellow Springs. An extended obituary will be published in next week’s News.