February 14, 2008

OBITUARIES

Patti C. Fisher

Patti C. Fisher of Yellow Springs died on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Friends Care Center. She was 78.

She was born Oct. 26, 1929, in Nashville, Tenn., the daughter of George C. and Mollie H. (Dixson) Fisher. She had attended the University of Cincinnati and was an avid painter and drawer. She also loved Egyptian art and history. She was known for giving her art and wit to her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Donna D. (Fisher) King.

She is survived by four nieces, Diana Scott and Sandra King, both of Yellow Springs, Jane King of Springfield, and Cynthia Garrett of Fairborn; two nephews, Byron King of North Carolina, and David King of New Mexico; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a cousin, William G. Sesslar of Pennsylvania.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. McColaugh Funeral Home, Xenia, is in charge of arrangements.

Kay Hand

Sharon Kathaleen Hand, known by her family and friends as Kay, died on Sunday, Feb. 3, at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, after enduring a 9-year battle as a stroke victim. She was 68.

Born on Jan. 22, 1940, in Centerville, S.D., she was the daughter of Kathaleen Holmberg and the late Harold Holmberg. Kay was an elementary school teacher but dedicated her life to her children and to her husband as a stay-at-home mom. She was a supportive and active member of Mary Help of Christians Church in the Altar Rosary Society and bazaar committee until she had her stroke.

Kay had a passion for cooking and always had a tray of Rice Krispies treats waiting for her grandchildren when they came to visit. Even after her stroke, she directed the activities in the kitchen. She had enjoyed crafting, gardening and bird watching. Kay will be remembered by her wonderful sense of humor in spite of what life had dealt her. Her last two years of life were spent at Friends Care Community in Yellow Springs, where she was surrounded by a caring staff who taught her how to karaoke and helped make her last two years of life memorable.

Kay is survived by her mother; her husband of 35 years, retired Lt. Colonel Douglas Hand; her daughter and son-in-law Heather (Hand) and Paul Keller; her three loving grandchildren, Ben, Thomas and Molly of Fallsington, Penn., and by her son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Margaret; and her loving granddaughters, Emily and Grace of Fairborn.

A celebration of Kay’s life was held Friday, Feb. 8, at Mary Help of Christians Church, followed by a mass of Christian burial and interment in the Byron Cemetery. Contributions can be made in Kay’s name in lieu of flowers to Friends Community Care.

Evelyn F. Mitchell

Evelyn F. Mitchell died Saturday, Feb. 2, in Community Hospital, Springfield. She was 73.

She was born June 23, 1934 in Chillicothe, the daughter of Lloyd and Regina Gothard. Evelyn retired from Yellow Springs Instrument Company. She was a devoted member of Restored Life Ministries.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George T. Mitchell; one brother, George Gothard; and granddaughter, Sherron Young.

She is survived by her daughters, Denise Viney of Springfield, Kim Salah of Carson, Miss., and Linda Caldwell of Marietta, Ga.; her sons and daughters-in-law, Charles H. Viney Jr., Marvin J. and Doris Viney of Spotsylvania, Va., Arron J. and Alisha Viney of Columbus, Ohio, Vince L. Mitchell of Springfield, Louis L. and Rita Mitchell of Austin, Texas; a special niece, Bridgette Gothard of Nashville, Tenn.; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Marge Gothard of Chillicothe, and David Gothard of Springfield; one sister, Vivian Elders of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Services were held on Feb. 7 at Restored Life Ministries and interment Friday, Feb. 8 at Rose Hill Cemetery.