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OBITUARIES
Ninabelle Upchurch
Ninabelle (Artis) Upchurch died on Friday, June 6, at Community Hospital
in Springfield. She was 81.
She was born on Oct. 14, 1926, in West Liberty, the third child born to
Alvie C. and Hazel Louise (Clark) Artis. She attended school in Logan
County, Ohio, and graduated valedictorian of the Monroe Township School
in 1944.
Ninabelle married Karl Crosby Upchurch on July 12, 1958, and the two remained
married until his death in October 1984. Their marriage was blessed by
the births of three children, Marc A. (Sunita) Upchurch, of San Diego,
Calif.; Sherri Upchurch Blackwell of Yellow Springs; and Brian L. Upchurch,
of Portland, Ore.
Ninabelle was deeply religious and her faith remained vital throughout
her life’s journey, despite the heartbreak of illness and debilitation
in her later years. She was dealt a crushing blow when her physical condition
made it impossible for her to drive, but she continued to fight to get
her driver’s license back, right up to the point where her condition
worsened and driving became undeniably impossible.
In what proved to be her last days on earth, she continued to speak of
God and her faith, and to pray for others and their circumstances, despite
her own excruciating pain. A woman of quiet but intense determination,
she fought against many odds throughout the course of her life.
Ninabelle was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother,
Alva C. Artis Jr.; her grandparents, and many devoted aunts, uncles, cousins
and friends.
She is survived by her sister, Frances Louise (Artis) Hill of Yellow Springs;
her three children, and two grandsons, Brian Douglas and Justin Levi Upchurch,
both of San Diego; many loving and supportive cousins in Springfield,
Yellow Springs and Bellefontaine, and in Bakersfield, Calif.; and in a
whole host of other places throughout the state and country.
Ninabelle has earned her rest from the pain and struggles of this life,
and her friends and family shall miss her terribly.
A memorial service in honor of her faith and in celebration of her life
will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church
in Yellow Springs with the Rev. Vurn O. Mullins will be officiating.
Mary Jane Van Eaton
Mary Jane Van Eaton, formerly of Xenia, died June 4, at Friends Care Center,
in Yellow Springs. She was 85.
She born in Sylvania, Ohio, on May 16, 1923, to John “Jack”
and Isabel (Dean) Velzy. She was a graduate of Bath High School in Fairborn
and attended college at Ohio State University in Columbus.
Mary Jane was a homemaker, mother and dedicated army officer’s wife;
she hosted various functions at many army posts, and held multiple positions
within the Officers Wives’ Club. She was active in the Girl Scouts
of America, the Psychotronics Association, an avid gardener, exceptional
seamstress, and extraordinary cook; and a member of the Memorial United
Presbyterian Church, Xenia.
Known as Grandma Jane by her grandchildren, she had a large and lasting
impact in their lives, helping to raise several of them.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Colonel (Ret.) John Van Eaton;
her father and mother, Jack and Isabel Velzy of Sarasota, Fla.; and sister,
Elaine Gardner.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Van Eaton of Yellow Springs,
Jeanie Charfen and husband, Gustavo, of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Melanie
Taylor of Yellow Springs, and Michele Bauer and her husband, Ron, of Centerville;
nine grand children, Mysara Wujnovich, Zo Van Eaton, Alex Charfen, Dr.
Michelle Charfen-Horvath, Melissa Charfen, Vanessa Charfen, Forest Taylor,
L. Thomas Wynn and Eric Bauer; and seven great-grand children.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m, Saturday, July 5, at Memorial
United Presbyterian Church, 343 West Ankeney Mill Road, Xenia, (937) 376-9461,
with Pastor Wayne McLaughlin officiating. Friends may gather with family
after the service at the church. Flowers are accepted or memorials may
be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1041 South Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH
45402 or Crossroads Hospice, 8087 Washington Village Drive, Dayton, OH
45458.
Bea Robinow memorial
A memorial service for Bea Robinow will be held at 1 p.m., on Sunday,
June 15, at Friends Care Assisted Living Center.
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