July 30, 2009

OBITUARIES

Petronella Benton

Petronella Cornelia Maria Benton, a former resident of Yellow Springs, died after a short illness at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on July 19. She was 68.

She was born on June 23, 1941, in Grasines, Anna Paulowna, Netherlands. She immigrated to Canada in 1948, and became a United States citizen in 1965 in Ohio. She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in education, and started her teaching career in North Olmstead, Ohio. She moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1968 where she met her husband, Robert Benton, and they married in 1969. She taught elementary education in Broward County schools, eventually becoming a librarian for the school system. She retired in 1992.

She devoted much of her life to wildlife and nature conservation, with a special emphasis on butterfly species native to Florida and to preserving their natural environment. She was a gifted amateur botanist and a dedicated member of the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, and helped start and promote the club’s butterfly education program for the Broward County schools. She was also a member of the Key West and Wakulla County Garden Clubs.

She was an enthusiastic traveler, and for many years spent her summers in Steamboat Springs, Colo. She and her husband, Bob, spent many years together hiking and camping all across the United States, and a full year and summer sailing the Bahamas by themselves. From her home in the Florida Keys, she began to study ceramic art at Key West Community College. She also studied in Yellow Springs, eventually becoming an accomplished potter and artist.

She was a rare woman, generous and giving, who embraced life and people with a unique warmth and gentleness.

Petronella is survived by her loving husband, Robert T. Benton; her mother, Pauline Vandenberg; her three sisters, Pauline Hollmann, Johann Reckers and Jayne Rembielak; her three brothers, John Vandenberg, Jack Vandenberg and Tony Vandenberg; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Petronella’s life will be held for family and friends in Yellow Springs later this summer.

Dianne Harris

Dianne M. Harris of Yellow Springs, died Wednesday morning, July 22, at Community Hospital in Springfield. She was 61.

She was born Nov. 29, 1947, in Glendive, Mont., the daughter of Kermit “Gus” and Anna (Hajek) Augustus.

Dianne had been a STNA with Friends Care Center for 20 years. She was an avid reader and loved pets. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father and brother, Dennis Augustus.

She is survived by her husband, James E. Harris II, whom she married Aug. 14, 1966; her children and their spouses, Tane Harris of Yellow Springs; James E. III “Trip” and Patricia Ann Harris of Waynesville and Tamara Day and James Wade of Huber Heights; three grandchildren, Tyson K. Day, Jimmy E. Harris IV and Tora K. Day; sisters and brother-in-law, Vickie and Irv Roberts of Arizona and Delores Rinehart of Columbus, Ohio; and brothers, Roger Augustus of Las Vegas and Ronald Augustus of Indianapolis, Ind.

The funeral service was held on Friday, July 24, at McColaugh Funeral Home, 826 North Detroit Street, Xenia, with interment following in Valley View Memorial Gardens.

Douglas Huff

Douglas Huff died Tuesday, July 21, at Greene Memorial Hospital, after an six-month illness. He was 57.

Doug worked at several places in Yellow Springs, including the Variety Store until it closed, Weaver’s/Tom’s Market and the Antioch School.

Doug will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor and his willingness to help others.

He is survived by his longtime partner, Rebecca Reed; two sons, William (Billy) and Daniel Huff; daughters, Heather Huff and Jennifer Reed; two grandchildren, Stefany Lewis and Tommy Moore; his mother, Gerry Huff; and brothers and sister, Kevin Huff, Mike Huff and Carol Villescaz, and their families.

Anyone wishing to remember Doug may make a donation to the Yellow Springs Police coat fund in his honor.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their kindness, support and sympathy through this difficult time, especially Reverend Jimmy.

Hammon Dameron

Hammon Dameron Jr. of Yellow Springs, and formerly a resident of Salt Lick, Ky., died Sunday, July 19 at Friends Care Center in Yellow Springs after an extended illness. He was 75.

He was born April 2, 1934 in Dayton, the son of the late Hammon Sr. and Della Grow Dameron. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired employee of Reynolds and Reynolds Corp.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie Williams, two stepdaughters, Nancy Lewis of Yellow Springs, and Gina Baum and her husband, George, of San Antonio, Texas; a step-grandson, Tony Lewis and his wife, Beverly, and three step great-grandchildren, Tony, Jalen and Trennan Lewis.

There were no funeral services for Mr. Dameron. A memorial visitation was held Tuesday evening, July 21, at Powell Funeral Home in Salt Lick, Ky. On-line memorial guest books are available at www.powellfhsaltlick.com.