May 24, 2007

OBITUARIES

Warren Dell

Warren Dell, a life-long resident of Yellow Springs, died Saturday, May 19, from complications after a broken hip. He was 86.

Warren grew up in the village, swam in Bryan Park and when asked if he played in the Glen as a child, he replied “I lived there.” He had the last of the “Tom Sawyer” boyhoods, hiking, biking and knowing the area intimately.

Warren graduated from Bryan High School in 1938 with a class which became famous for their reunions, with good attendance from members all over the country. They celebrated their 68th reunion at The Winds Cafe in 2006. He was captain of the basketball team, played softball and remained athletic for the rest of his life. After his daughter joined the ski club in high school, he (at age70) learned, too, and skied many slopes from here to Santa Fe.

He loved to play golf and enjoyed many tournaments in person and on TV. When he was in his 70s, he scored a hole-in-one at Locust Hills golf course. Warren loved all things Yellow Springs, especially The Winds and the farmers’ market.

In 1952 he married his long-time love, Pat Martin, an Antiochian, and built their first house himself. He worked at Morris Bean and Company for many years in the pattern shop, but always considered himself a farmer first. He and Pat bought 45 acres on the road to Bryan Park where he had hiked as a boy, and set about rebuilding the primitive house — an old log cabin. Friends and family thought the house was beyond repair, but over the years he worked on it, and it became the favorite gathering place for the family at holidays.

In 1962 their long-awaited daughter was born and Warren had her on his lap driving the tractor at 18 months. They continued to share a love of old tractors and cars to the present. His grandson, Danny Grote, who was born in 1997, shared both of their interests, much to his doting grandfather’s delight. Warren continued to love travel and was able to accompany Danny on many wonderful trips throughout this country and Europe. Warren loved to “show him off.”

Another interest the whole family shared was music. Warren was a terrific dancer and loved to attend any big band concerts in the area. He could always identify all the instruments by ear. He came to love classical music, too, and was in awe of his daughter’s musical talent.

Warren was a much-loved family member, loved by his wife’s nieces Christy, Kim and Wendy, as much as by his blood relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Dell; his mother, Clara Semler Dell; his brother, Ralph Dell; his sisters Blanche Black and Martha Cadow; and his nephews Steve Cadow and Ralph Dell Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Camden Dell Grote; son-in-law, James Grote; and grandson, Daniel Grote; nieces Eleanor Kohlman, Betty Greger, Shirley Carnes; and a host of grand nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 24, 3 p.m., at the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church followed by a celebration of his life at his daughter’s home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Antioch School’s development fund, the Martha Dell Cadow Memorial Athletic Endowment, Glen Helen, Hospice of Dayton or Friends Care Community.

William Pitstick

William A. Pitstick of Xenia died Tuesday, May 15, at Hospice of Dayton. He was 79.

He was born July 3, 1927, in Jamestown, the son of Raymond and Gertrude Bittner Pitstick. He was a graduate of Bryan High School Class of 1946.

William was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II. He was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church, Xenia, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hillsboro. He retired from Ohio Bell.

He belonged to many community organizations, including Highland County Masonic Lodge #38 and Lions Club. He was a member of the Democratic Party and election board, Boy Scouts of America and many more. He received various awards for his community service.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by a brother, Bob Pitstick.

He is survived by his wife, C. Virginia (Marsh) Pitstick; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Mark Pitstick of Chillicothe, Tony and Debbi Pitstick of Xenia; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Jack Patton of Xenia; three brothers, Max Pitstick of Xenia, Jim Pitstick of Cedarville and Don Pitstick of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren and their spouses; and one great-grandson.

A memorial mass was held Thursday, May 17, at St. Brigid Church, Xenia. Contributions may be made to the Xenia Fish Pantry, 541 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, or to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45420.

Mary Simmons

Mary Frances Simmons died on May 16. She was 84.

She was born on May 31, 1922, in Erwin, Tenn., to Oscar and Cora Bergendahl. She grew up in a lively household of five sisters and one brother. The Bergendahl girls were known around Erwin for their athletic prowess, good looks and lively personalities.

Mary married her high school sweetheart, Theo “Bus” Simmons. While Bus was away for four years during World War II, she worked as a nursing assistant in several locations including Asheville, N.C. After the war ended, the couple moved to Dayton and started their family. They had three children, Patricia, Barbara and Tedd. Mary was a devoted mother and wife as well as a master seamstress and avid bowler. The first woman to have her own car in her neighborhood, she provided her neighbors with transportation for shopping, doctor visits, school trips, etc.

Mary and Bus moved to Mississippi when his job changed and enjoyed their time there bowling and spending time with other transplants from Ohio. After Mississippi, they moved back to Erwin where they were close to family. She and Bus had four grandchildren and came north often to visit and participate in their lives and achievements. In 2004, they made the move back to Dayton and spent their final days telling stories and enjoying their grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Bus, on Dec. 31, 2006.

Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and David Robinow of Yellow Springs; son and daughter-in-law, Tedd and Susan Simmons of Cincinnati; daughter, and Barbara Simmons of Tucson; grandchildren, Jacob and Dayna Kline, Emma Robinow, Adam Simmons and Todd Simmons; sisters, Kathreen Jones, Thelma Lundy, Elleen Carey; and brother, Mick and Jean Bergendahl.

Bus and Mary were taken care of with tremendous love and tenderness by Friends Care Center and Hospice of Dayton. A memorial service will be held in Erwin, Tenn., for both.