March 20, 2008

OBITUARIES

Helen Eschliman

Helen Elizabeth Eschliman, beloved wife and mother, handwork artisan and philanthropist, died peacefully at Ruleme Center on Saturday, March 8. She was 84.

Helen was born in Dover, Ohio, on New Year’s Day 1925. She was introduced to her husband, John, by his sister, Carolyn, Helen’s nursing school classmate. They married, moved to Yellow Springs, and stayed there for many years. While John studied at Antioch College, Helen worked as a nurse at McClellan Hospital. Helen left nursing to raise their three children.

She was a gracious hostess renowned for the handmade chocolates she gave as Christmas gifts, and an accomplished knitter and seamstress. Helen reveled in the antics and accomplishments of her children, and later her grandchildren.

In 1978, Helen and John retired to Mt. Plymouth, Fla., where her handwork skills made her a respected philanthropist. The handknit gifts Helen gave are cherished by friends and family. Her extensive portfolio includes sweaters, toys, blankets, afghans, wall hangings and rugs, some of which were displayed in central Florida institutions. And many who never knew Helen benefited from the substantial funds she raised handcrafting items which were sold to benefit Waterman Hospital, Anthony House, Elks Childrens’ Hospital and other organizations. In particular, Helen designed a collection of Christmas ornaments, crocheting hundreds each year for an annual fundraiser. Devoted collectors across the country sought each year’s new ornament.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Hannah Blankenhorn; sisters, Marcia Andrejeski and Hope Maus; and brothers Bob, Joe and Fred Blankenhorn.

She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, John Eschliman; her daughter, Becky Eschliman of Yellow Springs, Ohio; and sons, David Eschliman of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Tim Eschliman of Santa Rosa, Calif.; her daughters-in-law, Candice Hall and Maria Shauinger Eschliman; her grandchildren Thea, Tore, Brede, and Teale Eschliman and several nieces and nephews.

All who knew her will remember Helen for her shy smile, nimble fingers, impeccably hand-tailored wardrobe, and tireless generosity. If one woman could knit the world into community and cooperation, it would have been Helen. We are comforted in our grief by the handmade treasures she left to us and the memory of her good deeds unnumbered. We will miss Helen, an artist, artisan and angel on earth.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, all who wish to recognize Helen’s passing are requested to make a donation to Anthony House, 6215 Holly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757, 352-383-5577.

Marianne Marshall

Marianne (Hoerner) Marshall, of Lewisburg, died on Valentine’s Day in Friends Care Community in Yellow Springs. She was age 94. She was surrounded by family, friends and caretakers.

She was born Jan. 28, 1914, in Lewisburg, Ohio, but moved to Dayton as a teenager, graduating from Steele High School in 1932. She went to Ohio State University and graduated with a bachelors degree in floriculture. She worked at a florist shop in Toledo where she met and married Clifford Marshall, and later they moved to Sharon, Pa. They returned to Lewisburg when her husband became ill. Marianne then worked at Sinclair College in the payroll department. Later she worked as payroll clerk for the Village of Lewisburg. She, along with her sister, Martha Andrew, and many residents of Lewisburg, worked very hard to promote and support the Brown Memorial Library, where she worked late in life until the age of 89.

Marianne was also a great supporter of her church, First United Church of Christ in Lewisburg and the Preble County Historical Society. She was instrumental in starting Lewisburg’s curbside recycling.

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford M. Marshall of Sharon, Pa.; and her sister, Martha Andrew of Lewisburg, and her dear dog, Bear.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Clifford and Rosie Marshall of Benson, Ariz.; granddaughters, Angie Nation of West Alexandria and Beth and Kevin Phillips; great grandchildren, Dakota Phillips, Cheyenne Phillips and Dustin Marshall of Eaton, Ohio; a nephew and his spouse, Tom and Donna Andrew of Beavercreek; and two more nephews, Will Marshall of Denver, Colo., and Cliff Hunter of California; nieces, Sue Andrew Jackson, of Yellow Springs and Alexandra Marshall of Boston, Mass.; and close friend, Seth Schlotterbeck of Lewisburg.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at First United Church of Christ, 400 North Main Street Lewisburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Church of Christ, 400 North Main Street, Lewisburg, OH 45338 or Preble County Historical Society, 7693 Swartzel Rd., Eaton, OH 45320.

Richard Ward

Richard “Rick” Ward, of Xenia, a former Yellow Springs resident, died Monday, March 10, at Hospice of Dayton, where he had been a patient since March 4. He was 47. He was born Oct. 28, 1960, in Xenia, the son of Johnathan and Sandra (Maxwell) Ward.

He trained field trial dogs and will be sadly missed by his dogs, Maggie, Russo, Kolby and Jack. He attended AHOP and was employed with Lowe’s as an outside commercial salesman. He had been a former member of the Moose Lodge.

Rick is survived by his parents, Johnathan and Sandra Ward of Jeffersonville, Ohio; his loving wife, Karen (Merritt) Ward, whom he married Feb. 15, 2002; a brother, Thomas Ward of Jeffersonville, Ohio; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Floyd and Joyce Merritt of Xenia; sister-in-law, Kay (Stephen) Wilson; niece, Tiffany Wilson; nephew, Kenneth (Angela) Wilson of Xenia; several aunts, uncles and cousins, including a close cousin, Gary Wallace.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 14, at AHOP, in Xenia, with interment following in Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs. Contributions may be made to AHOP or to Hospice of Dayton in Rick’s memory.