OBITUARIES

Orville Tobias
Orville Dewey Tobias of Xenia died on Friday, April 4, at Greene Memorial Hospital. He was 78.
He was born June 13, 1924, in Beavercreek Township, the son of Elmer F. and Anna Catherine Zimmer Tobias.
He served in the 38th Division, 341st Infantry Battalion of the U.S. Army, in the South Pacific, during World War II. He received the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, three bronze battle stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Overseas Service Bars and good conduct medal.
He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church of Yellow Springs, Xenia Masonic Lodge No. 49 and Xenia Chapter No. 36, R.A.M. He was also an active member of the Old Timer’s Club.
He retired from the Frigidaire-Division of General Motors, later Harrison Radiator, after 42 years of service. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elwood “Pete” Tobias and Samuel Tobias; and three sisters, Elsie Ankeney, Alberta Lakes and Joanna Stahley.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rita M. (Corrigan) Tobias, whom he married June 27, 1953; two sons and a daughter-in-law, John P. Tobias and Michael A. and Karen Tobias, all of Xenia; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca M. and Ted Bahns of Xenia; one grandson, Nicholas Bahns; four sisters, Gladys Brannon of Columbus, Laverna Nichols of Dayton, Ruby Everding of Vandalia and Evelyn Hiser of Dayton; and several nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial was held Monday, April 7, at St. Paul Catholic Church, with burial following in St. Brigid Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the “Love Cupboard” Old Timers Club or to a favorite charity.

Cecil E. Stevens
Cecil E. Stevens of Cedarville died Tuesday, April 8, at his home. He was 84.
He was born in Elliott County, Ky., May 5, 1918, the son of Ben and Nanny (Griffith) Stevens.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. A farmer, he owned and operated Stevens Market for many years.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grocie Donn Stevens; his second wife, Betty Young; son Keith Stevens; and brothers, Bert, Dewey and Ralph Stevens.
He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and James Wheeler of Jamestown; two daughters and a son-in-law, Frances and Clarence Starling of Chillicothe and Rhonda Thiel of Jamestown; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Barb Stevens of Yellow Springs, and Randy and Mary Stevens of Cedarville; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews.
Services will be held Friday, April 11, 10:30 a.m., at the Powers Funeral Home in Jamestown, where friends may call Thursday, April 10, 6–8 p.m. He will be buried in Silvercreek Cemetery.

Raymond ‘Buster’ Shoemaker
Raymond Elias “Buster” Shoemaker died unexpectedly on Monday, March 31. He was 49.
He was born July 13, 1953, in Xenia. He worked at Detroit Tire for many years. Mr. Shoemaker enjoyed fishing and being with family and friends, especially with his grandchildren and his pal, Maggie-Mae.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias Raymond Shoemaker of Springfield and Betty Jane (Cope) Payton of Yellow Springs; brother Roger Cope of Xenia; and sister Diana Puckett of Jamestown.
He is survived by two daughters, Brandy Shoemaker of Springfield and Robin Shoemaker of Kentucky; sister Joanna Edwards and brother Tom Gossard, both of Florida; four grandchildren, Raymond and Michael Kettlehake of Springfield and Dustin and Jared Freeman of Kentucky; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jackson Lytle & Ingling Williams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.