April 24, 2008

OBITUARIES

Harold Blackwell

Harold Benson-Jerry (Pikey) Blackwell Sr., Yellow Springs, died on Thursday, April 17, in Community Hospital, Springfield, Ohio. He was 81.

He was born in Springfield on Oct. 3, 1926, the son of Fairess and Hattie (Lay) Blackwell. Harold graduated from Springfield High School in 1946 and took some courses at Wittenberg College.

Harold retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1985 as a computer systems analyst after 36 years of service. While employed there he received many outstanding performance awards. He was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he served dutifully on the senior usher board.

Harold married the love of his life, Anna Clara Gee, on June 19, 1949. Harold entered into his marriage with love, honor, devotion and support in his heart for his bride. For 59 years, Harold and Anna Clara lived in harmony.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Edwin Blackwell; his brothers, Fairess Blackwell Jr, Edwin Blackwell and Ernest Blackwell; and his sister Evelyn Cordell.

Harold is survived by his loving wife, Anna Clara Gee; his devoted children, Harold B. and Cynthia Blackwell Jr. of South Pasadena, Calif.; Barrett E. and Hazel Blackwell, Atlanta; Nisa Blackwell-Turner of Springfield, Valerie A. and Buck Blackwell-Truitt of Yellow Springs, Cynthia L. Blackwell of Framingham, Mass.; nine grandsons and four granddaughters, a sister, Barbara A. Neal of Los Angeles, Calif.; brothers-in-law, Barrett Gee (and special friend Maxine Henry) and Robert Gee; sisters-in-law, Joanne Blackwell and Jacqueline and James Brewster; an uncle, William Cowens and family, Newton, Mass.; dear friends Diana and Mark Partee, John and Julia Davis, Lawrence and Josella Abrams, Shelbert and Frances Smith; and many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation for Harold Blackwell Sr. will be held Friday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the family present at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1171 South Yellow Springs Street, Springfield. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m., at the church, with Reverend Darryl L. Grayson officiating. Internment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield.

Gwyneth Ishihara

Gwyneth B. (Jones) Ishihara of Yellow Springs died Tuesday, April 8. She was 80.

She was born Nov. 16, 1927, a daughter of Tudor and Lily Jones in Kobe, Japan. She was a missionary in Japan for 16 years, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs for many years, worked for Hospitality East in Xenia and retired from Friends Care Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Tudor Jones.

Gwyneth is survived by her husband of 38 years, Matt Ishihara; brothers and a sister-in-law, Rev. David T. and Della Jones of Dalton, Wis., Rev. G. Bevan Jones of Olds Alberta, Canada; sisters and a brother-in-law, Glenys Jones of British Columbia, Canada, Edith and Walter Aikenhead of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; a stepmother, Evelyn Jones Richmond of British Columbia, Canada; and a stepsister, Lily May Taylor of Ervin, Calif.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday April 27, in the First Presbyterian Church, Yellow Springs.