Rita Colbert

Rita Colbert, resident of Yellow Springs since 1950, died on May 6 at the age of 85 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Rita was born in Newark, N.J. on June 28, 1926. She was a graduate of Antioch College and a successful businesswoman. While working as an importer, she became an expert on ethnographic and pre-Colombian art. She was also a long-standing member of the Shakespeare Club and the Glen Helen Association, or GHA, spending many hours as a volunteer in the GHA Nature Shop.

Rita was the cherished wife for 64 years of the late Charles Colbert, the beloved mother of Kim Colbert, the late Shelley Colbert, Michele (José Junquera) Colbert, the late Cary Colbert, and Tod (Susie) Colbert. She is survived by her loving grandchildren Benjamin and Spencer Beggs, Max and Zachary Junquera and Lauren Colbert.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glen Helen Association

Harriet was born June 19, 1922 in Avoca, Pa., and moved to Ohio in 1948, where her husband Francis was employed at National Cash Register for 33 years.

Harriet was a founding member of Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church, Altar Rosary Society and Daughters of Isabella since 1954. She loved to entertain people at weddings and parties singing “Second Hand Rose.” She was a world traveler, and attended Oktoberfest in Germany, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, saw the Pope in Rome, and rode a gondola in Venice. In Greece, she saw the Olympic torch and the first stadium, where the bleachers were made of stone.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1980, by her parents, Patrick and Anna (Reap) Burns, by brothers Gervase and Patrick and by sisters Mary White and Kaye Zimmer. She is survived by five children, Billy of Prague, Czech Republic, Patti Moran Gorman (Chuck) of Buckeye Lake, Ohio, Kathy McAnally (Garry) of Newark, Ohio, Kevin (Rose Ann) of Yellow Springs and Mary Kaye Hertz Ittner (Dave) from Westerville, Ohio. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Meggin, Melanne, Bryan (Elizabeth), Morgan, Shannon, Caitlin, Alana, Lauren, Stephanie (Jason) and Jim, five great-grandchildren, Esperanza, Bryan, Ireland, Maeve and Valentina, four sisters-in-law, Harriet Burns, Sara McNulty, Evelyn Heiser and Mary Ellen Moran and two very special friends, Jo Middleton of Xenia and Jule Callahan of Wyoming, Pa.

The family received friends on Wednesday, May 16, at Belton-Stroup Funeral Home in Fairborn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church, located at 954 N. Maple Avenue in Fairborn, with Father Charles Lang as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Fairfield Cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family at www.beltonstroup.com.

Richard was born Nov. 2, 1924 to Faye and Mary (Rhubert) Kershner in Yellow Springs. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired from Morris Bean & Company after 39 years.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Kershner. He is survived by his wife, Betty Kershner, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 11, 6–8 p.m. at Jackson Lytle and Lewis Funeral Home in Yellow Springs. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, May 12 at 11 a.m. with Elder Lloyd Cooke officiating. Burial will be in Glen Forest Cemetary. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.jacksonlytle.com.

Jimmy was born Nov. 19, 1953. The only son of five children born to James A. and Naomi (Adams) McKee, Jimmy was raised in Yellow Springs and, as an adult, resided in Xenia. Since attending Yellow Springs schools, Jimmy has maintained lifelong friendships. He was employed by Vernay Laboratory for 28 years in manufacturing and quality control.

Jimmy was a devout Christian who took great joy in sharing his passion for the Lord and the word of Jesus Christ.

His love of music ranged from Jimmy Hendrix to Christian gospel and praise. Jimmy had a beautiful voice and taught himself to play the bass guitar, bongos and drums. Over the years he performed locally with several area groups.

Jimmy was known for his smile and for having a mischievous spirit. He enjoyed playing practical jokes and, like his father, never met a stranger.

His love of sports started with little league baseball and grew to include bowling, fishing, playing bid whist, Bengals football and watching the Cincinnati Reds with his mother.

Jimmy was devoted to his family and was a rock for his sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Naomi McKee. He is survived by sisters Barrett McKee Teamor, Karen McKee, Jean McKee and Sandra McKee Smith; nephews Toussaint, Julian and Ricardo Teamor; nieces Rhyan Smith and Rachel Gardiner; great-nephew, Triston Teamor; fiancé Kimberly Stokes and her sons, Shawn and Shane and beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves dear friends Joe Mowen and Donn Steinhilber and an entire community that loved him.

Jimmy was a strong supporter of the James A. McKee Scholarship Fund where contributions can be made in his honor at P.O. Box 263, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387-0263.

Visitation for James Mckee was held May 14 and funeral services on May 15, both at First Baptist Church in Yellow Springs, with Pastor Vurn O. Mullins officiating and Pastor William Randolph as eulogist. Interment followed at Glen Forest Cemetery in Yellow Springs.

Eleanor Zaremsky

Eleanor was born on Sept. 17, 1914 in Cleveland, the first child of Abraham and Lillian (Levine) Caplin, both immigrants from eastern Europe. Eleanor graduated from Glenville High School in 1932, and then from Flora Stone Mather College (now part of Case Western Reserve University) in 1936 with a degree in education, and certification to teach both English and French. In the years that followed, Eleanor was a school teacher, then social worker. With the onset of WWII, she joined the Red Cross and worked as an occupational therapist at army hospitals for the duration of the war. After assignments in Cleveland and Dayton at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she spent the majority of the war years at an army hospital in Staunton, Va. After the war, she considered moving to New York, but decided that returning to Cleveland and simply traveling would be more economical. The culmination of her travels was an extended trip to Europe and Israel in 1949. After a month in Paris and a month in Florence, Eleanor lived in Israel for six months and considered staying. However, the eventual draw of family, friends and familiarity brought her back to Cleveland.

Eleanor’s adventures shifted in 1952 to raising a family in the years ahead after marrying Morris Zaremsky, a best friend’s brother and a downstairs neighbor in her parent’s apartment. Eleanor approached motherhood with the goal of instilling her values of the importance of family and community, and her interests in art, travel and education, in her sons Gary and Mark. Then, Eleanor did the same as a loving grandmother to her six grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family, and in particular visiting Yellow Springs to watch her grandchildren perform in YS Kids Playhouse and high school plays for nearly 20 years.

Eleanor was preceded in death by husband Morris Zaremsky, brother Sanford Karon and sister Florence Kastner. She is survived by sons Gary Zaremsky (Mary Beth Burkholder) of Yellow Springs and Mark Zaremsky (Connie Zaremsky) of Pittsburg, Pa. and grandchildren Matthew (Samantha Ley), Aaron, Adam, Rachel, Hannah and David Zaremsky. She is also survived by her sister Dolores Packer of Cleveland and many nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts in Eleanor’s name may be made to Na’amat Women, Na’amat USA, Cleveland Council, 14055 Cedar Rd, #300, Cleveland, OH, 44118 or www.naamat.org, a woman’s rights organization in Israel in which she was a very active life member for over 60 years. Gifts may also be made locally to YS Kids Playhouse, PO Box 478, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 or www.yskp.org.

Judith Schauer

Judith Ann Schauer died Sunday, April 29. She was 59.

Judy was born in a small town in Pennsylvania, and resided in Yellow Springs for the past 12 years. As a young child, she enjoyed playing with her brother and going to get ice cream as a special treat. At 17, she gave birth to Christie and was blessed with a second daughter, Denyelle, at the age of 21. After a divorce, she moved to Ohio with her girls.

Judy was a hard-working single mom until she met Chris Erazo, who lovingly accepted the role of husband and father in 1979. Unfortunately, Judy soon started her battle with a rare autoimmune illness, Wegener’s granulomatosis. Against all odds and with the blessings of God, she regained her strength and went into remission. Eventually, Judy and Chris parted ways, but remained best friends.

A true animal lover, Judy would go above and beyond to help any animal in distress, and was often found with doggie bones in her pockets. She met Greg Schauer, who also had a passion for nature and animals, and this wonderful relationship led to marriage.

Judy loved to help others and enjoyed making peanut butter eggs and other baked goods for friends, including those at the dollar store and her bank. Judy’s health began to decline at the beginning of the year, and she was recently very ill. She died with her family at her side in the comforts of hospice. She was an awesome mom, wonderful daughter, great friend, loving sister and devoted wife. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Judy leaves behind her daughter, Christie Wethington, son-in-law Mike and their four boys, Nicholas, Trevor, Tyler and Kyle of West Chester, Ohio and her daughter, Denyelle Willis, son-in-law Derek and their children Kane, Kayleb and Brielle of Yellow Springs. Other family members are Greg Schauer, brother Bobby and Pat Himes and parents, Robert and Evelyn Himes.

Robin was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a gifted educator, interpreter and volunteer. Her energy, passion and integrity touched many lives. Her honesty, openness and generosity were truly inspirational.

Friends and loved ones are invited to express their condolences by contributing to a memorial scholarship fund to be established in her name. Contributions may be sent to the Robin Melnick Senior Scholarship Fund, c/o Dunbar High School, 1400 Albritton Drive, Dayton, OH 45417. A memorial Web site will be created soon at www.robinmelnick.org.

Eleanor was born on Sept. 17, 1914 in Cleveland, the first child of Abraham and Lillian (Levine) Caplin, both immigrants from eastern Europe. Eleanor graduated from Glenville High School in 1932, and then from Flora Stone Mather College (now part of Case Western Reserve University) in 1936 with a degree in education, and certification to teach both English and French. In the years that followed, Eleanor was a school teacher, then social worker. With the onset of WWII, she joined the Red Cross and worked as an occupational therapist at army hospitals for the duration of the war. After assignments in Cleveland and Dayton at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she spent the majority of the war years at an army hospital in Staunton, Va. After the war, she considered moving to New York, but decided that returning to Cleveland and simply traveling would be more economical. The culmination of her travels was an extended trip to Europe and Israel in 1949. After a month in Paris and a month in Florence, Eleanor lived in Israel for six months and considered staying. However, the eventual draw of family, friends and familiarity brought her back to Cleveland.

Eleanor’s adventures shifted in 1952 to raising a family in the years ahead after marrying Morris Zaremsky, a best friend’s brother and a downstairs neighbor in her parent’s apartment. Eleanor approached motherhood with the goal of instilling her values of the importance of family and community, and her interests in art, travel and education, in her sons Gary and Mark. Then, Eleanor did the same as a loving grandmother to her six grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family, and in particular visiting Yellow Springs to watch her grandchildren perform in YS Kids Playhouse and high school plays for nearly 20 years.

Eleanor was preceded in death by husband Morris Zaremsky, brother Sanford Karon and sister Florence Kastner. She is survived by sons Gary Zaremsky (Mary Beth Burkholder) of Yellow Springs and Mark Zaremsky (Connie Zaremsky) of Pittsburg, Pa. and grandchildren Matthew (Samantha Ley), Aaron, Adam, Rachel, Hannah and David Zaremsky. She is also survived by her sister Dolores Packer of Cleveland and many nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts in Eleanor’s name may be made to Na’amat Women, Na’amat USA, Cleveland Council, 14055 Cedar Rd, #300, Cleveland, OH, 44118 or www.naamat.org , a woman’s rights organization in Israel in which she was a very active life member for over 60 years. Gifts may also be made locally to YS Kids Playhouse, PO Box 478, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 or www.yskp.org .