OBITUARIES

Geraldine Gaines

Geraldine E. Gaines of Xenia, died Friday, Dec. 4, at Greene Memorial Hospital. She was 64 years old. Born June 13, 1945 in Xenia, Gerrie was the daughter of William E. and Esther M. (Johnson) Bruce, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, LaVonne Gaines, a son, Edward K. Saunders V; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, William “Butchie,” Murl “Danny,” Robert “Bobby” Bruce and a sister, Edith Burns.

 Gerrie loved life and in her youth was very passionate about dancing and skating. She attended Xenia schools. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church, serving on the Usher Board and was a member of the Senior choir. Gerrie was a member of the John Roan Post 519 Ladies Auxiliary. She had been employed at DESC, Kettering Labs and Mills Lawn School.

Gerrie is survived by one daughter, Deborah Gaines-Thomas; six stepchildren, Denita (Reuben) Arnold-Murphy, Christa White, Ronita Gaines (Mark), Ronald Gaines Jr. (Shana), Paul Michael Gaines and NCO Joseph Ashford (Lia); three grandchildren, Teaonno-Lee Gaines (Ashley), Edward and Zakaylo Thomas; seven step-grandchildren, Marsha and Marshall Grundy, Christopher and Chanelle Arnold, Lashawn, Jawaun and Brandon Diggs-White; and eleven step-great-grandchildren, Dewayne Holloway Jr., Karie-Alex Gracy, Mercedes, Alexis and Kia Grundy, Jordyn White, Jordon Gaines, Matthew and Mark Bricker Jr., Miranda Pennewit-Gaines and Chase Gaines. She is also survived by four brothers, James “Jimmy,” Charles “Buddy” (Koren), Gail (Bonnie) and Theodore “Ted” (Kristi) Bruce; four sisters, Alice “Jean” Kelly, Lindell “Linda” Goins, Judy and Barbara Bruce (Kay McElroy); an uncle, William Reed; nieces Tracy Harris and Naitija Harris; and friends, Charles and Mae Feaster, as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family of Geraldine Gaines would like to thank the staff of Greene Memorial Hospital and Kindred Life Care for their care during Gerrie’s prolonged illness.

Memorial services were held Thursday, Dec. 10, at McColaugh Funeral Home in Xenia with Brother Paul Turner officiating.

Gretchen Walker

Gretchen Walker died with her family by her side at Friends Care Center on Sunday, Dec. 13. She was 78.

Born Gretchen Ann Baumgardner on March 14, 1931 to Luther and Myrtle Baumgardner in Cleveland, she was the older of two children. After graduating from Cleveland Heights High School, she received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a masters degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University.

Gretchen was introduced to John Benjamin Walker Jr. by their respective parents. They decided that their parents had the right idea and eloped. After living in Dayton and attending shows at the Antioch amphitheater, they decided to move to Yellow Springs in 1960 to raise a family. Later, they joined the First Presbyterian Church and remained lifelong members.

While Gretchen worked as a social worker and substitute teacher in Dayton and Springfield, her primary role was as a caretaker for her family.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John. She is survived by her sons Brian and Todd, both of Yellow Springs, grandson David of Yellow Springs, sister Jane (Baumgardner) Savoy of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and various nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends Care Center or Hospice of Dayton.

Mary Davis

Mary Pauline Davis, age 87, of Springfield, died Wednesday, Dec. 9. Mary was born April 13, 1922 in Clark County, the daughter of the late Albert Scott and Bessie Marie (McHenry) Smith. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Springfield, and their Philathea Sunday school class. Mary worked for several years at the IGA grocery store in Yellow Springs. She was preceded in death by her husband Moses “Red” Davis in 1991. Survivors include her son, Michael R. Davis of Yuba City, Ca., her daughters, Patti J. (Neal) Mutter and Cheri A. Lemaster, both of Springfield, her brother Leo Dewitt of Florida, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Springfield First Christian Church Building Fund.