March 15, 2007

OBITUARIES

Richard B. Donley

Richard B. (Dick) Donley died peacefully at home on March 8. He was 76.

He was born on Oct. 9, 1930, in Yellow Springs to Norma and Thomas Donley. He went to Bryan High School where he grew up. He joined the Air Force in 1950 and became an aerial gunner on B-29s, with 65 missions over Korea during his four years of service. He returned to Yellow Springs and worked at Morris Bean for 40 years. In 1953 he married Lauretta Clerice and had three sons.

Richard will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and a hard worker who loved his family. He was a history buff and a self-taught musician who played the harmonica, guitar and piano. Richard also enjoyed working with his hands and could build just about anything. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Yellow Springs.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, -Louretta Donley; his sons, Joseph and spouse Brenda of Springfield, Rick and friend Rob of Delaware, and David of Springfield; and two grandchildren, Justin and Zach.

A mass of Christian burial was held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 12, in the St. Paul Catholic Church. Burial followed in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Yellow Springs.

Lucy L. Yeagle

Lucy L. Yeagle of Springfield died Friday, March 9, in Pathways Center, Ohio Masonic Home. She was 91.

She was born Aug. 24, 1915, in Lucasville, Ohio, the daughter of George and Anna (Fox) Benner Sr.

Mrs. Yeagle was a graduate of Lucasville High School and came to Springfield in 1937. She retired from the Edward Wren Company with over 20 years service and attended Maiden Lane Church of God, where she was a member of the Semper Fidelis Sunday School Class. Mrs. Yeagle was a member of the Charter Chapter of the American Business Women, Ivor Rebekah’s Lodge 415, AARP, and Elderly United. She was the matriarch and mentor for the whole Yeagle family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest R. Yeagle in 1972; daughter-in-law Lynette Davis; son-in-law, H. Ronald Weaver; grandson, Steven Weaver; sister, Mary Benner; two brothers, George Jr. and Jake Benner.

She is survived by her son, Donald E. Yeagle of South Vienna; daughter, Linda Sue Weaver of West Carrollton, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Eleanor Benner of Portsmouth, Ohio; two sisters, Grace Sheets and Gladys Shultz of Lucasville; four grandchildren, Lori Lynne and spouse, Tom Rudolph of Beavercreek, Timothy Law and family of the Dayton area, Amy Yeagle of Tampa, Fla., and Lucinda Yeagle of Yellow Springs; a granddaughter-in-law, Charlene Cox and family of Springboro, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Ashley and Miriah Law, Devin Yeagle and Sarah Rudolph; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 17, 1:30 p.m., in Richards, Raff & Dunbar Memorial Home. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park. Memorial contributions are requested to the Mission Fund at Maiden Lane Church of God.

Nora Marie Johnson

Nora Marie Johnson of Columbus, formerly of Xenia, died Saturday, March 10, in her residence. She was 88.

She was born Nov. 19, 1918, in Yellow Springs, the daughter of James Floyd and Nora (Williams) Newby Sr. Mrs. Johnson was a member of United AME Church, serving on the Ladies Aid and the Missionary Society 1 & 2.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert L. Johnson Jr.; one sister, Mary Louise Jones; one brother, James Newby Jr.; and one granddaughter, Shermette Young.

She is survived by four daughters, Roberta L. Johnson of Centerville, Carole A. Coffey of Cincinnati, Carolyn S. Johnson of Cleveland, and Teresa M. Roper of Chicago; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert K. and Pamela Johnson of Columbus; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 15, 1 p.m., at United AME Church, 286 East Church Street, Xenia. Burial will follow in Cherry Grove Cemetery.

In memory of Teaspoon

The celebration of Walter L. “Teaspoon” Odum’s life will be held on Saturday, March 17, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs. Bring any stories or memories to share about Teaspoon. Teaspoon, of Yellow Springs, died on Wednesday, Feb. 28. He was 46.