January 29, 2009

OBITUARIES

Ben Waterman

Benjamin F. Waterman died at his home in Xenia on Jan. 19. He was 87.

He was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Lynn, Mass., to the late Frank L. and Pauline E. Waterman. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School and soon after served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. Following his military service, Ben enrolled at Wilberforce College.

In 1947 he attended Central State College where he earned a bachelors in health, physical education and recreation in 1949. While attending both colleges, he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball. After graduation he continued to play on many of the top amateur teams in the area. He was also assistant basketball and baseball coach under Erwin “Gabby” Gibbs and “Uncle Sapp” Lane. Coach Waterman was the first African-American inducted into the Miami Valley Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

Anyone who knows basketball around Ohio knew Ben Waterman. Coach Waterman was one of the most successful coaches in this area and a man of many firsts. He added much more than just experience to any staff on any level of coaching. During his tenure as assistant basketball coach for the men’s basketball team at Central State University, he was chosen to start a men and women’s golf program at CSU. Along with his added responsibilities, Coach Waterman continued to work with the men’s basketball program. In recognition of his athletic excellence, Coach Waterman was inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame with its inaugural class. For the past eight years, CSU has honored him by naming the annual basketball tournament after him. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. One of Ben Waterman’s favorite quotes was, “Don’t give up the baseline.”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy W. Waterman; his sisters, Nancy Clemons and Carol Bowie; and his brothers, Frank L. and Russell E. Waterman.

He is survived by his children and their partners, Mitchell A. and Julie Waterman, Jill C. Waterman-McKinney and Marvin McKinney, and Andrea Cobbs-Waterman, formerly of Yellow Springs; five grandchildren, Taylor M. Davis, Devon M. Waterman, Meghan A. Waterman, Makayla A. Waterman, Marvin B. McKinney; one great-granddaughter, Rayven N. Glass; two cousins, Althea Flamer and Celeste Flamer-Jayes; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Services for Benjamin were held on Monday, Jan. 26.

Zerlean Upshaw

Zerlean “Zee” Upshaw of Springfield died on Sunday, Jan. 25, in Springfield Regional Medical Center, High Street Campus. She was 71.

She was born March 5, 1937, in Aiken, S.C., to the late Lafayette and Thelma (Smith) Andrews.

Zerlean provided very loving baby-sitting services for many children in the city of Springfield. She retired from Heartland of Springfield after 21 years of service as a very caring nurse assistant.

Zee was preceded in death by two children, Felice Sapp and Joseph Andrews; her parents; three sisters, Pearl Harper, Betty Woods and Diane Andrew; and one brother, Lafayette Andrews.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Glen and Daisy Andrews of Cincinnati; Roberta (Kingsley III) Upshaw-Perry of Yellow Springs; Terri Upshaw-Darby; Benneta Upshaw-Davis and Kathleen “Kathy” Upshaw all of Springfield; two loving stepchildren, William Michael Upshaw of Dayton and Nina Clark of Toledo; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Thelma and Willie Mack of Jamaica, N. Y., Denise and Johnny Jones of Springfield Gardens, N.Y., and Edith Townsend of Waco, Texas; one brother and sister-in-law, Abraham and Ruth Andrews; one uncle, John Williams; one aunt, Bertha Smith; two sisters-in-law, Mary V. Upshaw and Roberta R. Upshaw of Springfield; 27 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; a host of adopted children and grandchildren; friend, Robert (Bob) Williams; special friends, Sharon Medors, Debbie Johnson, Marie Allen and Auybu Moyo.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Mulberry side. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m. with the family present from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Pastor Ernest Brown Sr. will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery.