Summer 2007

In Memoriam: Alumni

x’84 James D. Madick, Jr., Akron, Ohio, Aug. 26, 2003, unexpectedly. Honored by the American Legion as a top citizen in Northeast Ohio while in high school, he worked for SBD Ameritech. Jim belonged to Northampton Baptist Church. He loved to fish and hunt and was an accomplished trumpet player. His mother, Shirley, and father, Jim Sr., survive.

’82 Roberta “Bobbie” Ackerman Walmer, Wooster, Jan. 8, 2007. She majored in psychology and worked as a career counselor at the College, the U of the South, Ohio Northern U, and Terra Community College. Bobbie was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ, volunteered with the American Cancer Society, and tutored at Gault Learning Center. Four children, eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and a sister survive. A brother died previously.

M.A.T. ’73 Gerald L. Eley, Wooster, Jan. 2, 2007. With a B.S. from the U of Idaho (1956), he taught for 38 years in the Southeast Local Schools and was a supervisor for Nick Amster Workshop. He belonged to First Church of Christ Scientist and Parent to Parent and volunteered for People to People. His wife, Dee Ann Campbell Eley, and two children survive. A son and a sister died previously.

’64 Mary Coffman Tilton, Bloomington, Ind., Dec. 20, 2006. A music major, she accompanied the Concert Choir and Men’s Glee Club at Wooster. Mary earned an M.Mus. from Yale U (1966). After moving to Indiana in 1970, she studied harpsichord with Anthony Newman and Elisabeth Wright. In 1987 she won the audience prize in a Michigan harpsichord competition. Mary earned a D.Mus. in early music from Indiana U (1995). She taught harpsichord in the pre-college program of the Early Music Institute at IU and gave private piano lessons.

Mary promoted the growth and prestige of the Early Music Festival, presiding over the board of Early Music Associates and encouraging young musicians in the field. She was executive director of the Patten Foundation at IU, bringing distinguished speakers to campus. A member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Mary sang in the choir, served on the vestry, and organized recitals. Other community service included volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Bloomington Community Foundation. Two children and a sister survive.

’63, ’94 Jeanne Robinson Noble, Jeromesville, Ohio, Dec. 31, 2006. Jeanne had a passion for the arts. She completed a degree in theater in 1963. One of her fondest college memories was playing the leading role in The Glass Menagerie. She also prided herself as a founding member of the Arena Fair summer performances held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Jeanne later returned to the College, earning a degree in studio art and winning honors on I.S. She enjoyed writing poetry and short stories, many of which expressed her wonderfully unique sense of humor. In 2006 she completed a book manuscript, “Gloria Host’s Book of Wisdom with Other Writings.” Jeanne studied as a disciple of the Temple of Kriya Yoga (Chicago) and enjoyed traveling to sacred locales such as Serpent Mound, Crater Lake, and The Grand Canyon. Her husband, Clyde R. Jones, survives, in addition to two sons, including Robinson Noble ’71, two grandchildren, and a sister.

x’60 Kenneth R. Magnell, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Feb. 4, 2006. He graduated from Wayne State U (1966) and earned a Ph.D. from the U of Minnesota (1970). Kenneth was a retired professor of chemistry at Central Michigan U. He belonged to Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Watershed Conservancy and enthusiastically supported Meals on Wheels. Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Ruth Folkert Magnell, five children and their families, and a sister.

x’60 Ronald H. Marks, Orlando, Fla., May 31, 2006. He graduated from Northwestern U and worked in advertising. Ron belonged to the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation. Surviving are his wife, Marilyn, several children and grandchildren, and a brother.

’60 Margaret Mason Strub, Ashland, Ohio, Nov. 23, 2006, unexpectedly. She majored in art and taught elementary school in Lakewood, Ohio, and Ashland. After her father’s death in 1969, Margaret became the owner of the Mason-Strub Insurance Agency, a long-time family business. In the 1990s, she established a gift shop in Ashland. Margaret belonged to First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, where she was a deacon. She also served several other organizations. Her husband of 42 years, David, survives, in addition to a brother, Josiah Mason ’57, and nieces and nephews.

’58 Stuart W. May, Traverse City, Mich., Sept. 28, 2006. He belonged to Fifth Section and majored in physical education. Stu earned an M.A. from the U of Michigan (1960). For 26 of his 30 years in education, he taught history and was head football coach at Ludington High School. He enjoyed traveling in his RV and teaching and ministering to nursing home residents. His wife, Peg Bell May, mother, Ethel, two sons, two stepsons, and six grandchildren survive.

’57 Lois Hoffman Claspy, Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 18, 2006. Lois’s best Wooster memories included choir, Echoes, and Robert Shaw directing Brahms’ Requiem. The English major graduated Phi Beta Kappa and married childhood friend Paul Claspy in Sept. 1957. Lois earned an M.L.S. at Western Reserve U (1958). She worked at the Worthington Public Library and the Riemenschneider Bach Institute at Baldwin-Wallace College. Lois retired after 20 years at the Middleburg Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library system. She served as a deacon and played in the hand bell choir at Middleburg Heights Community Church. Surviving are three children, including Jane Claspy Nesmith ’84, and five grandchildren. Paul died a month after his wife.

x’54 M. Jane Van Fleet Dungan, Perrysburg, Ohio, Oct. 26, 2006. She majored in art. Jane worked in library and secretarial positions. She sang in Sweet Adelines and in the choir of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a long-time member. Jane also played the piano and violin and enjoyed gardening and needlework. Her husband of 52 years, John, two children, a grandson, and a sister, Alice Van Fleet Falls ’52, survive. A granddaughter died previously.

x’54 Joan Read Imel, Aurora, Ohio, Nov. 27, 2006. In 1952 she married David C. Imel x’54. He died in 1996. Joan presided over the women’s board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, a board that she served for about 20 years. Friends remember Joan’s warm sense of humor. Surviving are three sons and their families, and a sister.

x’54 Glen Richard Leyda, Overland Park, Kans., formerly of Wooster, Oct. 27, 2006. He belonged to Eighth Section and sang in the choir. An Army veteran, he worked in data processing, retiring from Commerce Bank. Survivors include his wife, Donna Erbland Leyda x’54, two daughters, and their families. A son died previously.

’50 Harry A. Mangold, Alexandria, Va., July 2, 2006. A member of Fourth Section, he graduated as a history major. He earned a B.D. from McCormick Theological Seminary (1953) and served the U.S. Navy for seven years. Harry earned an M.D. from the U of Cincinnati (1960) and returned to the Navy (1964) as a pediatrician and allergist at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Harry later practiced in allergy and immunopathology in Alexandria until 2003. His wife, Katharine Warren Mangold, died in 2001. A son survives.

x’50 J. Ward Reid Jr., Marco Island, Fla., Nov. 28, 2006. He served in the medical corps during WWII and graduated from the U of Buffalo. Ward started his entrepreneurial career by founding Reid’s Custard, predecessor of Reid’s Drive-In. He later joined his father in the family businesses, J. Ward Reid & Sons and Reid Petroleum Corp., serving as president until his retirement. Ward was treasurer and an elder at Second Presbyterian Church when he lived in Lockport, N.Y. In retirement he taught boating safety in the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. Survivors include two sons, two stepdaughters, and their families, and a brother. Ward’s wife, Suzette Smeltz Reid, and a grandson died previously.

x’49 Elizabeth Van Duzer Berg, Auburn, N.Y., Nov. 11, 2006. She belonged to Peanuts at Wooster before entering the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan. Elizabeth graduated first in her class. She married Stanley Berg in 1949; he died in 1997. Elizabeth taught elementary art in Auburn (1962-85) and earned a degree in art education from Syracuse U. Surviving are two children and their families, and four sisters, including Phyllis Van Duzer Burger ’44. Another sister died soon after Elizabeth.

’49 Marilyn Parrott Frackelton, Westlake, Ohio, Jan. 4, 2007. Marilyn died after suffering a stroke while visiting the Caribbean island of St. Martin. She majored in English and worked in radio with WJW. Marilyn began teaching fourth through sixth grades and the children’s honors program in 1959 in Parma, Ohio. She designed and implemented a sex education curriculum, often fighting to maintain the program. In the 1970s Marilyn was the TV science teacher at Normandy High School before she retired. Divorced from Robert Wenger, Marilyn married James Frackelton in 1978; they traveled to all seven continents. James, a son, three stepsons, and two grandchildren survive.

x’49 Donald Charles Weber, Lancaster, Pa., Sept. 23, 2005. He belonged to Third Section at Wooster. Don earned a B.S. at Upsala U, a B.D. at Bloomfield Theological Seminary, and attended Union Seminary and Harvard U. He married Helen Duguid x’49 in 1950. Don taught at Lafayette College and served Presbyterian churches in eastern Pennsylvania. Surviving are Helen, three daughters, and five grandchildren.

’48 M. Joan Summers Crahen, Mansfield, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2006. She majored in psychology and biology, belonged to Sphinx, and worked on the stage crew. Joan married James Crahen in 1950. They lived in Ashland for three years before settling in Mansfield. Joan volunteered with Scouts and the public library, belonged to AAUW, and taught Sunday school at First United Methodist Church. She collected kerosene lamps and enjoyed summer trips to Lakeside with her family. James, three children, and four grandchildren survive. Another grandchild died previously.

’48 Janet Johnson Murphey, Boiling Springs, Pa., Jan. 7, 2007. She sang with the Women’s Chorus, performed in dramatic productions, and belonged to Imps at the College, where she majored in speech. Jan taught high school in Burbank, Ohio, sixth grade in Greenwich, Conn., and nursery school at the Camp Hill Presbyterian Church. She loved music and sang tenor in church and community choral groups. Jan belonged to P.E.O., the Susquehanna Sewing Guild, and the Scottish Society. Her husband, William ’50, and daughter, Christine Murphey Poloni ’74, died in 2006; a brother also died previously. Daughter Diane Murphey Land ’76 and three grandchildren survive.

x’47 Esther Purdy Divney, Oskaloosa, Kans., Dec. 19, 2005. She earned a B.S. in education and an M.A. in psychology at Kent State U (1948) and an Ed.D. from the U of Northern Colorado (1976). Esther was a professor of education at Peru State College in Nebraska between 1975 and 1990, when she retired. A son survives.

’46 Annabel Lee Onthank, Highland, Calif., Feb. 25, 2006. She majored in English. Two sons, a daughter, and a grandson survive.

’45 Constance Pixler Slettebak, Worthington, Ohio, Dec. 2, 2006. Connie participated in Spuds, the French Club, choir and Girl’s Chorus. She enjoyed playing different organs while on tour with the chorus, making friends at Korner Klub, and turning pages for R. T. Gore (music). After spending an extra year to earn a B.Mus. (1946), Connie taught piano, organ, and music theory at the Ohio Soldier and Sailor Orphans Home and in her home and worked as secretary to Prof. Gore. She married Arne Slettebak in 1949. Connie was a founding member of the Worthington Democratic Club, participated in the local Human Rights Council and League of Women Voters, and volunteered at the Open Door Clinic. She earned an M.S.W. from Ohio State U (1978) and was the first oncology social worker at Grant Hospital. Arne died in 1999. Two children, four grandchildren, and a sister survive.

’44 Margaret V. Finefrock, Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 13, 2006. Margaret majored in English and served as a nurse cadet during WWII. In 1946 she earned an R.N. and an M.N. from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Western Reserve U. Margaret worked as a head nurse at The Cleveland Clinic until her retirement in 1988. Surviving are two brothers, John ’39 and Paul ’46, and several nephews and nieces, including Peter ’70, Patricia Sherwood ’66, Susan Jacobs ’67, Katherine ’06, and Corrine ’09. Brothers Howard and Robert, ’36s, died previously.

’44 Ralph “Moose” A. Miller, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2006. He belonged to First Section, the Congressional Club, and the Men’s Glee Club. Ralph served in the U.S. Army during WWII, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the College and graduated with a political science major (1946). Two years later, he completed a law degree at Western Reserve U. A partner at Gurney, Miller, and Mamone, Ralph was honored by the Cleveland Bar Association in 1999 for 50 years in the law. He was still practicing at the time of his death. He belonged to First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, presided over the Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers, and was an officer in the Republican Club. Friends recall his sense of humor and love of history. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Wilmer Miller ’46; three daughters, including Patricia Miller Herklotz ’82; and two grandchildren, including Jennifer Hogue ’99.

’44 David M. Talbot, Manlius, N.Y., Feb. 18, 2005. Dave enjoyed participating in theatre at Wooster. In 1947 he earned a B.D. from Kenyon College, married Elizabeth Axtell, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Dave later attended St. Augustine’s College in Kent, England. He served in the Diocese of Ohio until 1954, earning a Pastor of the Year award before moving to central New York, where he served the diocese and several churches. Dave enjoyed theatre, music, and “breaking the clerical stereotype.” He began a soup kitchen and a shelter for “street kids” and volunteered with an AIDS organization, among other service activities. Three children, including Katherine Talbot Wakefield ’73, and a number of other alumni relatives survive. Betty died previously.

’44 Rachel Shobert Taylor, Wooster, Jan. 8, 2007. Rachel majored in music and belonged to the Fortnightly Club and Dominoes. She composed the music for the 1943 Gum Shoe Hop. Rachel married Ernest Taylor in 1947. She taught piano at Maryville College and Wooster and gave private lessons. She belonged to the United Methodist Church, taught Sunday school and played the organ. Rachel also belonged to P.E.O. and Wooster Noon Lions and volunteered for the Salvation Army. She enjoyed tennis and horseback riding. Ernest died previously, as did a grandchild and two brothers. Surviving are four children, including Martie Taylor Starr ’71; 12 grandchildren, including Austin Taylor ’06, Mindy Maxwell ’95, and Mary Maxwell Reynolds ’01; and two great-grandchildren.

’43 Gertrude Allen, Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2006. She majored in French and studied business at Dyke College after graduation. Gertrude worked for a construction company until 1965 and then joined Cowles Chemical Co. In 1972 she moved to Connecticut, where she worked at Stauffer Chemical until retiring. Gertrude then returned to Cleveland. She belonged to Fairmount Presbyterian Church and volunteered at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Nieces and nephews survive. A sister, Katherine “Kay” Allen Fleming x’46, died in June 2006.

x’43 Jean “Scotty” Coleman Gero Bender, Hamilton, Mont., Dec. 3, 2006. Jean married Doane “Bud” Gero ’41 in 1941. They lived in Ohio and California. Jean volunteered at the Akron Children’s Home, taught at nursery schools and at MacLaren Hall in Los Angeles, and worked for Goodwill. An active member of the Nazarene church, she helped in the office and taught Sunday school. Jim died in 1968. In 1985 Jean married her brother-in-law, James L. Bender ’41. (His first wife, Jean’s sister, Mary Louise “Merle” Coleman Bender x’41, died in 1981.) They lived in Westlake, Ohio, from 1985 until 2002, when they moved west. Jim survives, in addition to seven children, two stepsons, including Lee A. ’66, and their families. In addition to Merle, another sister, Dorothy Coleman Timanus ’44, died previously.

’43 Phoebe Houser Robertson Hunt, Wooster, Nov. 23, 2006. An English major, she participated in the Student Senate, Women’s Athletic Association, YWCA, and Education Club and presided over the Women’s Self-government Association. She taught school before joining Cleveland College of Western Reserve University in the registrar’s office. Phoebe married David Robertson and moved to Springfield, then to Terrace Park, Ohio. There she led the Girl Scouts, belonged to the League of Women Voters, and was the first woman on the vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Divorced in 1966, she married Hubert Hunt ’39 three years later and returned to her native Wooster. Phoebe was active in Wooster United Methodist Church, P.E.O., and Monday Club. She served as vice-president of the College’s Alumni Board, chaired the Wooster Fund committee for the Cincinnati area, and presided over the Cincinnati Wooster Club. Hu and a sister died previously. Surviving are three children, six grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and four stepchildren and their families.

x’43 Mary Turner Ralston, Fountain Hills, Ariz., Oct. 29, 2006. A Mansfield, Ohio, resident until 1995, she worked for the Mansfield Board of Education and as a sales clerk. Mary also volunteered at church, enjoyed various hobbies, and was an avid correspondent. Her husband, Donald T. Ralston ’40, died in 2003. Two children and their families survive.

x’43 Haines “Rike” V. Reichel, Naples, Fla., Oct. 13, 2006. He graduated from Ohio State U after serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Haines married Elinor Harvey in 1947 and worked with General Electric for 35 years. The couple lived in Grafton, Ohio, before moving to Naples. Survivors include Elinor and four children and their families.

’43 Jack D. Strang, Canton, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2006. He belonged to the Fortnightly Music and German Clubs, sang in the choir, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. With an M.S. from the U of Akron (1956), Jack worked with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. as a research scientist. He belonged to the American Chemical Society, Akron, for over 50 years and held several offices at the Franklin Club of Akron. Jack pursued music and astronomy as hobbies, performing with the Tuesday Music Club and building telescopes.

’42 Clarence W. “Bill” Bailey, Tempe, Ariz., Sep. 28, 2006. Bill worked for NBC, the United Press Office, and the International News Service.

x’42 Richard J. Hull, Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 16, 2006. A son survives.

’42 Barbara Hogg Matteson, Wilmington, Del., Dec. 29, 2006. A music major, Barb was active in Pyramids, Fortnightly Music Club, Women’s Chorus, and choir. She married Bob Matteson in 1943. Barb taught piano lessons and served on the board of the Delaware Association for Retarded Citizens. A member of Hanover St. Presbyterian Church, Barb was an elder and held other positions. She enjoyed music, gardening, and swimming. Bob survives, in addition to two daughters, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. An infant son died previously.

’42 Robert E. Montague, Atlanta, Ga., May 1, 2003. His wife, Jane, survives.

x’42 Kenneth L. Smith, Granbury, Tex., Dec. 23, 2005. Ken majored in geology and played Scot football before transferring to the U of Pittsburgh. He earned a B.S. in petroleum engineering and geology. Ken married Margaret Greene in 1940 and served in the Air Force during WWII. The couple had three sons. Ken worked as a geologist and petroleum engineer for the Champlin Oil Co. in Oklahoma and Ambassador Oil Corp., a company he helped create in Ft. Worth, Tex. In 1963 he was elected vice-president and director of the Crown Central Corp. in Houston. Six years later, the Smiths left to sail in the Gulf of Mexico, settling in Pompano Beach, Fla. They later moved to Granbury, where Ken owned O & G Services.

’42 James R. Vitelli, Bowdoinham, Maine, Dec. 3, 2006. At Wooster Jim enjoyed swimming and writing for The Voice. He majored in chemistry. Jim and Alice “Tink” Carter ’43 especially enjoyed participating in Gum Shoe Hop events on campus. They married in 1943, and Jim served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He earned an M.A. (1948) and a Ph.D. (1955) from the U of Pennsylvania. Jim taught American civilization and English at Lafayette College for 36 years, initiating and chairing an interdisciplinary program. Under his leadership, Lafayette became one of the first private colleges to offer African American and women’s studies courses. Jim wrote several books, one on literary critic and historian Van Wyck Brooks. Jim and Tink were regulars in Lafayette dramatic productions. From 1956-58 Jim taught on a Fulbright fellowship in Italy, and in 1964, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, was a lecturer at the University of Bombay, India. Surviving are five children, including Karen ’66, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Tink died in 2002.

’41 Robert E. Yeakley, Hudson, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2006. Bob belonged to Section Three, played in the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and Scot band, and majored in chemistry. He earned an M.D. from Western Reserve U. Bob served in the U.S. Army medical corps (1954-56) and was Director of the Department of Surgery at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio (1967-69) and chairman of the Department of Surgery (1976-82). Bob planned and developed the cancer program at St. Thomas and served as team doctor at Hudson High School for over 25 years. He retired in 1991. The Summa Board of Trustees honored him with the Physician Recognition Award in 1991.

Bob taught at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, among other professional positions. He served as a deacon at First Congregational Church of Hudson. Bob’s wife, Lois Boop Yeakley ’42, died in 2005. Surviving are daughter Jean Yeakley Hejazi ’70, son William R. ’72, and five grandchildren, including Shereen Hejazi ’96.

x’39 Carolyn Fretz Dean, Columbus, Ind., Aug. 14, 2006. Carolyn graduated from Kent State U (1940) and married Prentice Dean the next year. They moved to the D.C. area and retired to Indiana in 1978. A deacon and elder, Carolyn was active in several Presbyterian churches, the last being Fairlawn Presbyterian. Prentice and a son died previously. Two children and their families survive. Carolyn willed her body to Indiana U Medical Center.

’39 Latimer Baker Neale, Reedley, Calif., Oct. 7, 2006. Hailing from New jersey, Latimer and his identical twin, Herbert ’39, lived in Warburton Hall, sang in the choir and Morris Glee Club (Latimer was a tenor soloist), belonged to Eighth Section, and played intramural sports. An economics major, Latimer felt called to Christian ministry and graduated from Yale Divinity School (B.D. 1943). He later did further graduate work at Union Theological Seminary and the Child Study Association of America, both in New York City. Latimer served several United Methodist churches in the New York area and worked for 12 years as the executive secretary of the New York Conference Board of Education. Latimer also spent six years as a district superintendent, supervising the work of 75 United Methodist churches. He always maintained a clear appreciation of the important role that Wooster played in his life.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Cornelia Ford Neale, three sons, Philip ’67, L. Ford ’69, and Gordon ’76, and five grandchildren, including Georgia Ford Neale ’02.

’38 G. Geneva Steiner Liebesny, Concord, Mass., Dec. 27, 2005. She majored in sociology and attended Wooster Business College. Geneva then taught business at Wooster Business College and at the College and was a research assistant for the Southeast Asia division of the O.S.S. during WWII. She married Herbert J. Liebesny in 1941; they lived in Arlington, Va., and had a son. Geneva belonged to the Asia-American Forum for many years. After Herbert died in 1985, she moved to Massachusetts to be close to her son and his family. A sister, Mary Steiner Mulder ’44, died previously.

x’38 Almeda Bicksler Mease, Pickford, Mich., Oct. 6, 2006. She married the Rev. Frank Mease in 1938 and served with him in Midwest churches. Retirement took them to other locations, including Ireland and Alaska, as Frank filled interim posts. Almeda was active in the Pickford Presbyterian Church and chaplin of the Pickford Grange. Four children and their families survive. Frank and three siblings died previously.

x’37 John McCune Lawrence, Corvallis, Ore., Sept. 18, 2006. He completed a B.S. and M.S. in engineering at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. John married Iva Purvis in 1938 and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the U of Pittsburgh (1943). He taught at Washington State U for over 30 years. Surviving are two sons and their families. Iva and a son died previously.

x’37 M. Clifford Lantz, Goshen, Ind., July 16, 2006. Cliff married Mary Jane Lough in 1939. He earned a B.S. from Butler U’s College of Pharmacy (1941) and was a pharmacist until he retired at age 70. Cliff gardened and spent winters in Arizona. Mary Jane survives, along with five children and their families.

’36 M. Isabelle Sproul Bear, Uhrichsville, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2007. Isabelle belonged to Classical Club and majored in Latin and English. She earned an M.A. at Ohio State U in 1943 and married Howard Bear in 1946. Isabelle taught English, Latin, French, and history and directed class plays for more than 30 years at area high schools and at the Tuscarawas branch of Kent State U. She retired in 1974. At one point Isabelle served 10 different organizations as well as the Uhrichsville Methodist Church. She lived in England for a time and traveled widely. Isabelle was a lifetime member of the Dover and the Tuscarawas County Historical Societies and recently pursued genealogy. Howard, a brother, and two sisters, including Helen Sproul Halbeck ’42, died previously. A brother, John B. Sproul x’44, survives.

’35 William J. Burger Jr., Weslaco, Tex., Dec. 18, 2006. Bill majored in philosophy and played Scot baseball. He married Alice Starkweather in 1935. Bill earned an M.Div. (1938) at Yale Divinity School and pastored Presbyterian churches in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. He was featured in The Rotarian, Time, and Presbyterian Life for his service to some 30,000 area lumberjacks. Bill founded MATE (Mission at the Eastward) to minister to rural residents of Maine’s woods and was stated clerk of the presbytery and synod. He served Wooster as class secretary and was a long-time Mason and Rotarian. Recently, the Burgers spent the winters in Weslaco and summered in Maine. Bill spent his retirement traveling the world with Alice. She survives, as do three sons, including Douglas x’60 and William III x’63, and their families.

’35 Vida Hurst Kerr, Portland, Ore., Nov. 11, 2006. Vida attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pa., before coming to Wooster to major in English. She enjoyed playing tennis and volleyball. Vida also earned a B.S. from Carnegie Institute of Technology (1936). She married Donald Kerr in 1942 and helped run their business, Turtle Creek Cement Products. A resident of Murrysville, Pa., Vida was active in Meals on Wheels and Third Presbyterian Church for many years. Donald died in 1977. Two sons and four grandchildren survive.

x’35 M. Maurice Mills Oxley, Robinson, Ill., June 21, 2005. In 1934 she married Cecil Oxley; they had two sons. Maurice loved music and sang in her church choir. Cecil died in 1985.

x’35 Nancy Simeral, Steubenville, Ohio, Sept. 27, 2004. She graduated from Ohio U in 1951 and taught elementary students for many years in the Indian Creek School District. Nancy served the Bloomingdale Presbyterian Church as an ordained elder.

’34 Margaret “Ricky” Ricksecker Baxter, Venice, Fla., Nov. 14, 2006. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa as a math major. Rickey married Preston “Pete” Baxter in 1937; they moved to Florida in 1978. She enjoyed golf, gardening, and fishing in Canada in the summers. Her husband died previously. Surviving are three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

’34 Mary Rossiter Daume, Monroe, Mich., Oct. 28, 2006. She majored in English and earned a B.L.S. from Western Reserve U in 1935. Mary married Karl Duame in 1936. She was appointed county librarian in Monroe County, Mich., in 1947. Mary worked to get bookmobiles in the area, lobbied state officials for library funding, and led the effort to merge the county and city libraries. She retired as director of the county system in 1976. Mary chaired the county bicentennial committee and helped found the Community Foundation of Monroe County. Her husband died in 1996. Two sons, two grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter survive.

’34 Elizabeth Hunt Kleiner, Delaware, Ohio, Aug. 23, 2006. An English major, she earned certification as an R.N. from the U of Michigan (1941). Elizabeth married Stanley Kleiner in 1943 and worked with him at their store, Kleiner’s, in Lancaster, Calif. Elizabeth belonged to Lancaster Presbyterian Church. After Stanley’s death in 2002, she moved to Ohio.

’34 Marie Cummings Walklet, Naples, Fla., Dec. 5, 2006. Marie grew up in Wooster and enjoyed going to Scot football games and Color Day as a child. She belonged to Peanuts and filled in as a teacher of beginning Italian as a senior. Marie married M. Don Walklet ’33 two weeks after graduating with a major in Spanish and minor in Italian. They lived in Akron for almost 40 years. After Don retired in 1974, they relocated to Belleair Beach, Fla., where Don became the mayor. After the death of their daughter, Gerrie ’63, in 1982, the Walklets moved to Naples. Don died in 1990, and Marie moved to a retirement community. She enjoyed shelling on the beach, writing poetry, and swimming. A son survives.

’30 Donald A. Eberly, Canton, Ohio, Sep. 14, 2006. Don majored in political science, belonged to Fifth Section, and played in the Scot band and Wooster Symphony Orchestra. He earned an L.L.B. from Cleveland Law School (1937). Don married Thelma Bowman in 1941 before joining the U.S. Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps. He served as a special agent during WWII, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and earning the Bronze Star and French Jubilee Liberty Medal.

After the war, Don joined the Canton law firm of Lesh, Casner, and Miller and worked there until his retirement. He was a lifetime member of First Christian Church of Canton, where he served as a deacon and chair of the board of trustees. Don was an honorary life member of the Ohio State Bar Association, past president of the Canton Gyro Club and Edgefield Kiwanis Club, and a life member of the Canton Student Loan Association, among other activities. He traveled extensively. Thelma and a sister died previously. Nieces and nephews survive.

x’30 H. Merle Ritter, Wooster, Mar. 12, 2006, after a fall. A Wayne County native, he married Viola Pinnick in 1928. Merle worked at Baker’s Hatchery, the OARDC, and Borg Warner, and retired from Wil-Burt of Orrville. Viola died in 2001. Two children and their families survive.

’29 Cecelia Beery Davies, Sebring, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2006. She majored in Latin and minored in French, participated in the Big Sister program, and sang in the choir. In 1941 Cecelia earned an M.A. in French from Western Reserve U. She taught high school French and Latin for 10 years in northeast Ohio before marrying Denis Davies. The couple lived in the Cleveland area before moving to Jeromesville, Ohio, in retirement. They enjoyed world travel and presented travelogues in their later years.

Cecelia held offices in local and regional United Methodist Church women’s groups and participated in several community activities. Denis died in 1990. Cecelia soon moved to Copeland Oaks in Sebring, where she was president of the Residents’ Association. Four children survive, in addition to eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Cecelia arranged to donate her body to the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

’29 Louise Palmer Worobrow, Wellsburg, W.Va., Oct. 14, 2006, at age 99. At the College Louise enjoyed spending time with a small group of women who became lifelong friends. She earned an M.A. from Ohio State U and taught high school on the Ohio/West Virginia border for many years, retiring in
1969. Louise married Martin Worobrow in 1942; he was killed in 1944 when his plane was shot down over Belgium. Louise was the oldest member of First Presbyterian Church of Wellsburg and a long-time member of the Shakespeare Club, D.A.R., and Civic League. She also read for the talking books program. Twin sons survive.