January 3, 2007

OBITUARIES

Clara Stancliff

Clara Mae (Halterman) Stancliff, affectionately known as “Cammy,” died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, in her home. She was 95.

She was a daughter of Henry and Rebecca Halterman, the last surviving sibling of eleven children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Harmon, and her daughter, Joan. She is survived by her son, Harold (Virginia) Stancliff of Clifton, and son-in-law, Richard P. Anderson of Newark, Ohio; six grandchildren, Richard C. (Kate) Anderson, Rebecca (Clay) Zeller, Melissa Anderson, Amy (Blake) Neu, all of Newark; Beverly (Victor) Norberg of Orlando, Fla., and Jody Stancliff of Cincinnati; 10 great-grand children, Adam and Abigail Zeller, Nicholas and Nathan Lange, Jonathan Neu, Emily Anderson, and Sydney, Paige, Ryan and Eric Norberg. Clara is also survived by close friends Belle Bennington and Krista (Robert) Harding, both of Clifton.

Clara was a founding member of the Old Timers’ Club. She and Harmon were the founders of Old Clifton Days and Old Timers’ Days. In 2005, Clara was crowned Queen of Old Timers’ Days. She was a 50+ year member of Grange. Clara was actively involved in the Clifton Senior Citizens and Tuesday morning Bible study at the senior citizens center. She was a member of the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church.

Her family and friends will miss her spunky spirit and kind heart. The funeral service was held Thursday, Jan. 3, in the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Hill and Rev. Arby Conn officiating. Burial in Clifton Cemetery followed.

Milt Lord

Milton Samuel Lord died on Dec. 30. He was 86. Milt was a man of many hats. Two of his great loves were flying and the enjoyment of the great outdoors.

As a youth, he hung around the airfields in New York City, where he met one of his early heroes, Amelia Earhart. Later he served in the Army Air Corps/Air Force during World War II, flying weather reconnaissance. After the war ended, he was one of the early “hurricane hunters.”

His love and concern for the outdoors led him to become an outspoken environmental activist. He was an early member of Little Miami Incorporated, the Ohio Scenic Rivers Advisory Board and the Greene County Parks and Recreation Board. Through these groups he was instrumental in having the Little Miami River designated as both a federal wild river and state scenic river. The Little Miami Scenic Trail, known in Yellow Springs simply as “the bike path,” was one of his pet projects. For his many accomplishments, he was inducted into the Greene County Recreation and Parks Department Hall of Fame on April 12, 1989.

Boy Scout Troop 78 of Yellow Springs was another place Milt put a lot of his energy. He took the scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, canoeing on the Manistee River in Michigan, and led them through building and managing the Glen Helen Scout Trail.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, his daughter, Keri Lord, his son, Steve Lord, and granddaughters Jessica Lord and Emma Lord.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, at Temple Sholom, 2424 N. Limestone Street in Springfield. The family invites everyone to join them in remembering him. They welcome anyone who wishes to say a few words about their experiences with him.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Little Miami Inc. or the Greene County Park Department. Arrangements are in care of Jackson Lytle Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.jacksonlytle.com.

Rick Berry

Richard J. “Rick” Berry, formerly of Yellow Springs, died unexpectedly in his Dayton home on Dec. 29, 2007. He was 57.

Rick attended Yellow Springs High School and was most recently associated with the Little Art Theatre in the village.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma Rae Lewis (Bradley) and Joe V. Berry, both of Fairborn, and two sisters, Genette Jackson of Yellow Springs and Sharon Berry.

Rick was the proud father of Andy Berry of Fairborn, Katie Lehmann and son-in-law Dan of Dayton, and Sarah Berry, also of Dayton. In recent years his grandson Jack Lehmann was especially important to him.

He is survived by two brothers, James “Rusty” Lewis of Fairborn, Scott Lewis and his wife Linda of Gresham, Oregon, and two sisters, Meg Brackney and her husband Kevin of Yellow Springs, and Jane McCombs and her husband Tom of Lewis Center. Additionally he had many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

His family and friends will gather for a remembrance of his life at the Kay M. Glaesner Center at the Bethel Lutheran Church on US 68 at Jackson Rd., about three miles north of Yellow Springs, on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Yellow Springs Public Library.

George Turner

George Edward Turner died on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. He was 42. He was born on Dec. 1, 1965, in Cleveland, the son of Judith and George Miller.

George married his soulmate, Nisa Blackwell, on Sept. 28, 2002. Cherishing his memory are his beloved children, Casey and Sidney Turner of Trotwood, and George and Sara Turner of Springfield, who lived with the happy couple.

He is survived by his parents, Judith and George Miller; his grandmother, Cleo Ingram; brothers Lorenzo and Michael Turner of Lima, Ohio; and sisters Yvonne, Marie, Clarissa and Angelica Turner, all of Cleveland. His extended family includes Mrs. Copeland of Atlanta, Ga., and Cynthia, Cassanda and Robert Copeland of Springfield.

Services were held on Jan. 2 at St. John Missionary Baptist church in Springfield, with pastor Ernest C. Brown giving the eulogy and pastors Vurn Mullins and Darryl Grayson assisting.

Charlotte Bent

Charlotte Bent of Yellow Springs died on Dec. 28 at Friends Care Community. She was 79. She was born on November 14, 1928, daughter of Louis and Nevadas (Schinkle) Smead. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Amiel Lee Bent; her son, Michael Howard Peterson; and grandson, Alexis Sterling Peterson. She is survived by sons David Maurice (Brooke) Peterson and Larry (Joy) Hammond of Germany; grandchildren Cherrie Gieswite; Sadora, Joshua, Antonia, Audrey, Craig, and Marcus Peterson; and great-granddaughter Amanda Gieswite. Charlotte loved to spend her free time gardening and taking care of her roses. A graveside service was held on Jan. 2 at Glen Forest Cemetery, Yellow Springs. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.jacksonlytle.com.