March 1, 2007

OBITUARIES

Jeannette Drake

Jeannette Drake passed away at 9:36 a.m. on Feb. 23. She died at home, beside the brick fireplace that had brought her so much joy for so many years. She died exactly as she lived — her way. She was 101.

A beloved member of our community, Jeannette was sometimes asked for the secret of her longevity. Her answer: cottage cheese. “I always have the same thing for breakfast,” she told friends. “A cup of black coffee and a piece of whole wheat toast, buttered, spread lightly with marmalade, and heaped with cottage cheese. If you want to be as old as I am, well, you just try it!”

Even in the final days of her life, -Jeannette sometimes prepared her own breakfast, then cleared the table and washed the dishes before lying down for her morning rest. She had willpower. The day after her 101st birthday, Jeannette set up her wooden ironing board and climbed onto a kitchen stool to begin pressing the clothes she had recently laundered. She napped frequently, often in front of a crackling fire. Still, life at home wasn’t easy for Jeannette — not at her age. The day after that ironing session, Jeannette turned to the man who helped with daily chores and interrupted him as he was building a fire. “Might I suggest something?” she asked. “Couldn’t we burn that old ironing board?”

Jeannette’s sense of humor remained intact to the end, and was a large part of her tremendous charm. She will also be remembered for her intelligence, her fierce independence, and her remarkable willingness to accept the consequences of her own choices. She had great peace of mind. “I never worry,” she said. “And that’s the true secret to a long life. Cottage cheese has nothing to do with it. I only tell people that because I know most people don’t like cottage cheese!”

Jeannette was born Jan. 20, 1906. Samuel and Hope (Wilhelm) had six children and Jeannette was their oldest daughter. She grew up in Meadville, Pa., then came to Yellow Springs to attend Antioch College. Later, she worked for Arthur Morgan and in the Glen Helen Outdoor Center. At one point, she ran the Antioch Tea Room. While still a student, Jeannette met and married Jack Drake, whose family has deep roots in the area. The couple settled into married life in the country, and Jeannette became an outstanding cook. Her hospitality is still talked about. In later years, Thanksgiving dinners on the farm were big events. -Jeannette could always draw a crowd.

When her husband was killed suddenly in 1954, Jeannette stayed on alone at Pinecroft Farm. She had been able to add the wood-burning fireplace to her house there, and it represented the fulfillment of a deeply held dream. “No one else understood how badly I wanted a fireplace,” Jeannette said, “But when you want something that badly, you will have it. You have to have it.” For the rest of her life, Jeannette loved sharing hearth and home with a wide array of family and friends, some of whom were acquired on Jeannette’s extensive travels around the world. “I just like to see something different,” she said, explaining her passion for travel.

Jeannette is survived by two nieces and two nephews, Elizabeth Schaab of Olalla, Wash., Jane Pinkerton of Pasco, Wash., Peter Schaab of Anchorage, Alaska, and William Schiek of Boston, Mass; three cousins: Margie (Drake) Roberds, Dorothy Drake, and Sarah (Drake) Kirby.

The friends Jeannette cherished are far too numerous to list, but one very dear friend must be acknowledged: Nancy Ronemus, someone Jeannette thought of as a cousin and said was “just about perfect.” Nancy safeguarded Jeannette’s interests for years. Nancy would like to thank three people: Andrée Bognár and Amy Crawford (both of the Yellow Springs Senior Center) did much to enrich Jeannette’s final years. Also, Daniel Hignite, a friend who came into Jeannette’s life four months ago, was holding her hand as she died.

Jeannette’s final wish was to be cremated and have her ashes scattered on her farm. A memorial service is planned for warmer weather. Donations in Jeannette Drake’s memory may be made to Yellow Springs Senior Center or Hospice of Dayton.

Sharon Sue (Frost) Brannon

Sharon Sue (Frost) Brannon passed away Saturday, Feb. 17, in Cincinnati. She was 57.

She was born Feb. 11, 1950, in Springfield, the daughter of Fred and Audrey -(Potter) Frost. Sharon lived a laid back lifestyle and enjoyed vintage things. She owned and operated “Yester Year,” a vintage clothing store in Yellow Springs, and during that time, supplied local high schools with attire for school plays. Sharon enjoyed the winter months and in her younger years, being outdoors. She also very much enjoyed gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Linda Frost and Carol Arnold.

Sharon is survived by her children, Ashley Brannon and Dina Brannon; grandchildren, Addison, Ariana, Heaven and Riley; siblings with whom she was very close and their spouses, Fred and Mary Frost Jr. George Frost Sr., Roger Frost, Tom Frost, Martha and Wayne Adams and Terry and Ladonna Frost; and two very special parrots. Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 23, in the Jones-Kenney--Zechman Funeral Home, with burial following in Fletcher Chapel Cemetery.

William Lloyd “Bill” Hawkey

William Lloyd “Bill” Hawkey, formerly of Celina, Ohio, passed away at 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Otterbein Home in St. Marys, Ohio. He was 84.

He died peacefully in the comfort of family members, under the kind and expert care of the Otterbien staff and State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice. His death was caused by respiratory failure at the end of a month of escalating symptoms.

Bill was born on June 15, 1922, in St. Marys to the late Roy and Julia (Wagner) Hawkey. On Feb. 14, 1946, he married -Margaret Robbins, who lives in St. Marys.

Bill graduated from St. Marys High School.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was severely wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.  He received a Purple Heart for his services to his country.  He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina and was a lifetime member of the V. F. W. Post #5713 of Celina. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Club, a fan of bebop and big-band jazz, and an avid golfer. He retired in 1977 from Goodyear in St. Marys. 

Bill was loved and admired by many for his warm, easy-going manner. Having experienced the horrors of war and many other of life’s all-too-common tragedies, he strived to get as much enjoyment as possible from everyday life for himself and those around him. Those who knew him will, no doubt, smile when remembering this man in this time of his passing. Others are welcomed to share a smile with us.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Phil and Susan Hawkey of Yellow Springs; a daughter and son-in-law, -Barbara and David LaRoche of Celina; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, one step grandchild, two step great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, James Mumaugh of Elida.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Mumaugh; and a half sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Eugene “Bud” Boyce. 

Phil and Sue Hawkey would like to thank their many friends, co-workers and acquaintances in Yellow Springs who have helped them through the last few weeks with kind words and assistance.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, March 3, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, with Fr. Richard Riedel C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Celina, with military honors by the V.F.W. of Celina.  Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina and on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The V.F.W. Post #5713 will conduct services at 7 p.m. on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice.

Mildred Jeanette Jones Henderson

Mildred Jeanette Jones Henderson died on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Friends Care Center in Yellow Springs. She was 94.

Mildred was born Sept. 18, 1912, to Eliza and James Jones of Cleveland. Millie, as many called her, attended Woodland Hills Elementary School and John Adams High School in Cleveland, the one of seven children to graduate from college.

Young and gifted, she sang with the backup choir for the first Black opera “Tom Tom,” and performed at the Cleveland Stadium along with the famous Karamu Players.

In 1932, Millie made her first entrance into college by enrolling in Wilberforce University, where she immediately exhibited her love for humankind by joining the -university choir, and serving as a cheerleader. After leaving school, she continued her love for her alma mater and became involved with the activities of the Wilberforce University Cleveland Alumni Chapter.

In 1944, Millie and her family moved to Wilberforce where she sought employment at Wilberforce University. For nine years she served as secretary to the renowned Charles H. Wesley, president of Wilberforce University and later to the state-assisted institution presently known as Central State University. In 1987, Mildred had a memorable retirement celebration after 32 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 47 years, Ormonde J. Henderson; and a daughter, Shirley A. Pilgrim-Redd of Cleveland.

She is survived by her children, Eileen O. Boccara and Ormondo J. Henderson, both of Wilberforce; eight grandchildren, Tyrone Pilgrim of Cincinnati, and Guye -Pilgrim of Ohio, David Guido Boccara, Marco and Gerardo Boccara, all of San Francisco, and Kino, Mita and Yamina -Henderson of Ohio; many, many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Florence Chapman of Chicago, Ill.; her brother, Vernon Jones of Cleveland; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Holy Trinity AME Church in Wilberforce.

Jane Cartwright Baker

Jane Cartwright Baker, born Jan. 24, 1919, in Lenawee County, Mich., passed away on Jan. 15, in Portland, Ore.

A 1941 graduate of the University of Toledo, Jane taught home economics in Genoa, Ohio, before marrying Harry, an energetic young Methodist minister whom she met while cooking for a summer church camp he led at Lakeside, Ohio. Their talents and passions complemented each other as they provided leadership in the churches Harry served (Gibsonburg, Yellow Springs, Chillicothe Trinity), as well as during his appointment as district superintendent of the Zanesville district, and later as administrator of the United Methodist Children’s Home in Worthington, Ohio.

Jane had been raised in the Reform Church, where her mother was an active member of the women’s missionary aid society As a young woman, she decided to dedicate her life to the service of others. Jane’s lifelong passion was United Methodist Women and especially its mission work in sending women physicians to provide medical care to women in third world countries. With her background in home economics, Jane took the lead in planning and preparing numerous church dinners and wedding receptions, feeding 50 to 500, in order to help UMW raise funds for its mission work. She held most UMW offices at the local, district and conference levels in the West Ohio Conference and mentored its younger leaders.

Jane and Harry traveled the world, serving as tour hosts for educational opportunities on more than 25 trips. Favorite trips were to the Holy Land, Australia and Russia.

Jane will be remembered for her generous spirit, good humor, and intelligence. She took great delight in things of beauty, from spectacular sunsets, flowers and birds, to sparkling jewelry and elegant clothing.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Harry Fitzwater Baker; and her sister, Sallie E. Cartwright.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, George David and Julie Mayne Baker of Columbia, Md., and Charles Fitzwater and Therese Gately Baker of Philomath, Ore.; daughter, Sarah Louise of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren, Katie, Matthew and Meredith; sister, Louise Cartwright -Gormley of Metamora, Ohio; and brothers, Abel Cartwright of Jasper, Mich., and Charles B. Cartwright, of Petoskey, Mich.

A memorial service will be held at the Worthington United Methodist Church on June 9, at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to UMW, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 14700 S.E. Rupert Drive, Milwaukie, OR 97222.