Obituary for Janice Loraine Sauerland

JANICE LORAINE SAUERLAND

Janice Loraine Sauerland, age 85, of Brookville, and formerly of Richmond, died early Monday, February 21, 2022, at the Knolls of Oxford in Oxford, Ohio.

Born May 3, 1936 in Metamora, she was the daughter of the late Thurman and Sara Charles. On November 5, 1955 ,she became the wife of Otto Joseph Sauerland, and he preceded her in death on October 31, 2001.

Janice was retired, having worked for many years at Belden in Richmond, as the company timekeeper.

She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Richmond, before moving to Brookville where she attended St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, baking and spending time with her grandchildren. She also took pride in having a clean home. 

Survivors include two daughters, JoAnn (Greg Fleming) Bales of Winchester, Jennifer (Lee) King of Dublin, Ohio; a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey (Karen) Sauerland of Blooming Grove, a brother-in-law, Jim Sauerland of Brookville; five grandchildren, Brandon Bales of Dundee, Michigan, Andrew (Katie) Sauerland of Blooming Grove, Matthew (MacKenzie Frasher) Sauerland of Blooming Grove, Marissa Bales of Denver, Colorado, and Emilee King of Dublin, Ohio; a great-granddaughter, Bentley Jo Sauerland of Blooming Grove, as well as many caring friends and neighbors. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Everett (Mary) Charles and Paul (Gloria) Charles, as well as two sisters-in-law, Evann Bernhart and Alberta “Bertie” Sauerland.

Family and friends may visit from 9 until 11 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.

Rev. Shaun Whittington will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 25, 2022, 11:30 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 145 East St. Michael’s Blvd., Brookville. Entombment will follow in Earlham Mausoleum in Richmond.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Sauerland family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com .

Obituary for Billy R. “Bill” Sanders

BILLY R. “BILL” SANDERS

Billy R. ‘Bill’ Sanders, age 75, of Bath, died Monday, February 21, 2022, at Reid Health in Richmond.  

Born September 24, 1946, in Kona, Kentucky he was one of four children born to the late George and Hattie (Ratliff) Sanders. On June 10, 1967, he was united in marriage to the former Sharon A. Woods, and she preceded him in death on February 17, 2014.

Bill was retired from Owens Corning and its predecessor Frye Roofing in Brookville, where he had worked for more than 49 years.

He was a member of the Scipio United Baptist Church.  In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, watching westerns on television, but most of all he was a family man, and cherished time spent with his son and grandson. 

Survivors include his son, Kevin (Jordan Baldrick) Sanders of Bath, his grandson, Konrad Sanders; two sisters, Betty (Wayne) Clevenger of Oxford, Ohio and Sarah (Ron) Combs of Manchester, Kentucky; a brother Jack (Carol) Sanders of Hamilton, Ohio; as well as three sisters-in-law, Charlotte Day, Judith Hathaway, and Patricia Woods.

Family and friends may visit from 9 until 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville. 

Steve West and David Smith will officiate the Funeral Services at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville. Burial will then follow in Springfield Cemetery in Bath. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Scipio United Baptist Church.  The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Sanders family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.

Traffic control will be added on erosion control Ind. 46 bridge

Indiana Department of Transportation press release

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Paul H. Rohe Company plans to begin tree-clearing operations on or after Monday, February 28, at the Indiana 46 bridge over Logan Creek in Dearborn County ahead of a $136,000 erosion control project.

Once clearing is complete, utility relocation work will take place. The erosion control project is estimated to begin in late summer or early fall, when the contractor will replace riprap and other materials under the bridge. The bridge is located just under three miles east of Ind. 1 near Chapplelow Hill Road. Lane closures and flagging are possible during all phases of the project.

The contract was awarded in January to Paul H. Rohe Company with completion expected by late October. Motorists should watch for truck traffic entering and exiting the work site and are also reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive without distractions. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

SR 46 Scour Protection - Dearborn Co.

Miracle or not a miracle, My Long Suffering Wife Ruth is back home and fine

A column by John Estridge

There is a reason people who made comments on my blog did not have them published quickly. And people who wrote columns for me last week did not have them published right away.

There were no obits. There was no information on the blog I enjoy sharing.

That is because My Long Suffering Wife Ruth had a health scare.

Wednesday evening Ruth called me at my job at the library. Getting a call like that from Ruth at work is like the old days when the landline started ringing at 2 in the morning: Something bad had happened. No good news comes at that time in the morning via phone. And there has to be a serious problem if Ruth calls me at work.

There was.

Ruth asked me to come home. I could not breathe. It took me many seconds before I could verbally ask the obvious: “What is wrong?”

Ruth has tachycardia. Thank God for Google on spelling. She has had it for many years. I have witnessed it too many times, and scares me every time, not to mention what it does to Ruth. I can never think of that term outside having Google at my beck and call. It means her heart speeds up. It has done more than 200 beats per minute.

She had one of those Wednesday evening, but there were two differences in this event: The duration ended up being three hours (the others maybe 30 minutes) and she said she felt a tightness in her chest.

Oh, those last words sent the worst thoughts imaginable through my brain. Driving the short distance home, I had the wherewithal to ask for God’s healing and that He bring us comfort.

We went to Batesville. I did not speed (too much) and I really concentrated on keeping our conversation light and keeping the dread I was feeling out of my voice. I cannot play poker due to not having a poker face so I do not really know how I did.

People manning Batesville’s ER were very nice. They were busy. It is the times.

At first it was like the other times we have gone to the hospital when Ruth has had an event. They were pretty sure it was nothing more than the tachycardia, and we would soon get to go home.

But

A nurse, the doctor, I cannot remember which said an enzyme was present in her blood sample. Upon questioning, the ER doctor explained the enzyme is shed from the heart muscle due to a heart attack.

So, there it was.

They did another blood test. And then a nurse came in with a rapid COVID test, and I knew what was coming next: we were going to a larger hospital in the City. The doctor called Christ Hospital, but the hospital was full with 19 people in its ER waiting for beds.

We – I mean Ruth — ended up in Mercy West.

I went home to get things and take a nap. Neither of us had slept well Monday or Tuesday nights and it was 2 a.m. Thursday morning when Ruth left Batesville in an ambulance.

By the time I got there later Thursday morning, they had already performed one test on Ruth. Then, a chaplain came into Ruth’s room. He asked me — as Ruth was talking with a hospital employee at the time – if he could do anything for us. I asked him to pray. He asked me what I wanted him to pray for.

To my credit I swallowed the first 20 retorts I could have given him at that moment and softly said “Healing.” And so he did, but he said it would be a silent prayer as Ruth was still having her conversation. And I was good with that.

Because of COVID just one person is allowed to be in the patient’s room and visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sometime Thursday afternoon I stopped by the nurses’ station and asked if I could spend the night. I went to the nurse sitting at the center of the long counter. She told me I would have to ask the head nurse. There were several people who looked like nurses either sitting or standing behind the counter so I let a bewildered look – it is almost permanent anymore – pass over all of them. A few moments passed before one offered to call the head nurse.

She did and sent on my request. Then the nurse making the call asked me “why do you want to spend the night?”

You know at one time in my life I really believed there was not a stupid question, but Thursday I heard two in such a short time. My bewildered look was very real that time, and I put my palms up and shrugged in the universal bewildered pantomime language.

“Is it because you just want to?” she asked me. I nodded. And I was given permission.

Ruth and I watched TV. It was pouring outside so the quality of the TV reception – I think it was satellite TV – was as bad as cable is in Brookville. But Ruth napped and the Olympics, Battling Bots and a Brad Pitt war movie played out in spurts as Ruth would wake and turn the channel. More than once she said there were sports channels, but for once in my jock life, I couldn’t have cared less about organized sports.

An aside here. People put down hospital cafeteria food. One exception is Ruth and I were on vacation at Pine Mountain in Pineville, Kentucky one year and I asked a person where was the best place to eat in Pineville, and that person told me the hospital cafeteria. We did not try it during our stay, but Mercy West Hospital has a phenomenal cafeteria. The cheeseburger almost reached Nixie status, I kid you not.

Anyway, to make a long story slightly shorter, they did more tests on Ruth the rest of the day Thursday and Friday.

Oh, one other aside here. Thursday when I walked in I – of course – had a thermos of coffee. Ruth smelled the coffee before she smelled me. She was not amused. Her last meal had been noon Wednesday, and she was not allowed to eat due to the testing that was occurring, and worse, she could not have any caffeine, coffee.

I felt really bad, but I did drink all of my coffee.

The gist of the matter is Ruth did not have a heart attack, at least there was no damage whatsoever to her heart. The official reason for the enzyme to be present in her bloodstream and no damage to her heart is because the duration of her tachycardia caused the enzyme to be shed, not that she had a heart attack, and then there was no trace of a heart attack.

Ruth and my reason is MIRACLE.

Not everyone gets healed. I believe it has to be God’s will for something to be done by God such as healing. But I also believe God has to be asked, and prayer is powerful. I believe if something is His will, it will be done whether a mountain is moved or a heart is undamaged. I do not know why God’s will is for some to be healed and some not to be healed. At some point somewhere else, He might let me in on the secret, but I have always tried not to be too bitter in the times it was not His will.

Ruth and I came home, and we sat and did what we have been doing for some time: we sit side by side and binge watch TV shows. Now it is Outlander.

Saturday, we spent the whole day that way. Saturday night before we went to bed after the TV had been turned off, we talked about how easy it is to take our simple rite – sitting side by side binge watching TV and me making a bushel basket full of snarky comments that gets on her nerves to no end – for granted.

It can all end in the blink of an eye.

We knew that before. We have known it all of our lives. But something like what occurred to Ruth drives that home in unmistakable terms. We both cried Saturday night/Sunday morning, and I am crying now.

All I can say is thank God.

Aging happens: It’s the bee’s knees

Column by Donna Jobe Cronk

Aging happens; it’s ‘the bee’s knees’ 

Occasionally, I’m greeted at the mailbox with a puffy envelope from my friend Cathy. What could it be? I’m eager to see what she finds worthy of postage over simply mentioning online with internet links.

These days, snail mail gets our fast attention over links.

Why? We’re drawn to the unexpected—such as a hand-addressed piece of mail. I drop everything and rip into the package. Links? Meh. Her package includes a page from a newspaper insert about a book on clutter and two news articles she wrote. These relate nicely to ongoing conversations we’re having.

Last time, she sent a clipping about a relative of hers who is a friend to a relative of ours. Life is full of unexpected connections.

I thank her for the enclosures. Not only is the content of interest, but newspaper clippings remind me of my mother. Mom often sent choice articles from our weekly Liberty Herald, or a bounty of other area, statewide, and national publications she took, along with coupons I might use.

“There’s a cartoon about clippings, you know,” Cathy said, implying that these may be signs that people who enjoy these aren’t, well, exactly young folks. True, they would go with providing internet links.

It’s old news that I’m no longer young. I learned that from the kid at a particular fast-food counter who always grants my request for a senior discount. Even if it’s a different kid, they never raise an eyebrow nor require an ID. How do they even know I qualify for that thirty-five-cents off? Guess I look honest.

It’s as big a mystery as when I told people my plans to retire from the newspaper.

“No way, already? But you’re too young,” no one said.

So, instead of feigning some measure of youth behind our wrinkles, Brian and I have decided to embrace our years. We do such renegade things as refer to “stopping by Hook’s for our meds.” While we are fully aware that CVS is the proper name, calling it Hook’s is our nod to the past. We’re the only ones who find it funny.

The other day I used the phrase “the bee’s knees” on purpose, content with the thought that I may be the only soul on the planet who has offered that description of excellence in, I don’t know, 100 years.

In the same way that we flagrantly refer to a store by its former name, and toss around outdated phrases, Brian’s specialty is ordering oddball stuff online. His latest? Three plastic, oval change purses with slits in the middle; the kind your mom gave you to hold milk money.

Brian keeps one bulging with coins inside his car console so we always have exact change for whatever we’re buying. He asked if I wanted one. I’m mulling it over.

You have to watch the bank, though. Young tellers at mine, anyway, no longer automatically provide receipts for transactions. I told one recently that I would like one for my files, adding, “Old people like paper.” We like files too. A seasoned teller working the drive-thru overheard my comment and nodded in agreement.

“I still use checks!” she said as though I’d be surprised, “and check registries!” Of course, I do too. She could tell, and offered me three blank ones for the road.

We’ve also stopped trying to learn the names of popular movie stars. The ones we think of as up and comers are older too. Why do we freeze frame actors and rock stars, then feel shocked when we see they are aging right along with the rest of us?

I don’t know how many times a week I ask Brian if someone, say Pierce Bronson, or Charles Bronson, or Piers Morgan, is still alive. Maybe it would help if we read People magazine. Brian says what we need is Dead People magazine.

And the commercials! Where do you sign up for that course the life coach teaches on the insurance commercial about how not to become your parents? We pre-qualify. When I find a top that’s perfect, I’ve been known to buy it in two colors. Brian’s been old since he was young because before I even knew him he bought favorite shirts in different prints or colors. The man knows what he likes.

And no more paper tickets for events? What will we put in scrapbooks to show that we attended the Beach Boys concert?

Yes, it’s all changing—kind of. Mom bought her clothes from a catalog. I teased her about those catalogs, heavy on 1970s stretchy fabric, and  suggested that the styles were too old for her.

“No, they’re not,” she said sweetly. Mom said everything sweetly. “Younger women wear them.”

I now get my own women’s clothing catalogs. Young, pretty models are indeed sporting the clothes I like. Couldn’t be that it’s because they are paid to do so, could it? The type of stretchy fabric has evolved, but the result is similar. The fabric turns a size 16 into a 14. Magical. And … I’m OK with that.

While I’m older now, my goal is to become much older still before I’m done. I guess the moral of this story is to accept that aging happens and to embrace where you are, being grateful that you’ve made it this far. But also, to realize that it’s OK to joke around about where you are in life, to laugh at yourself, and to understand that of course things change. They always have, and they always will.

Brian and I have become fond of sharing our tips. Would you like one? Do you know what show still holds up over time? “Gunsmoke.” And their commercials sell stuff we think we need.

Wonder if that’s where Brian found the nifty change purses.

Union County native Donna Cronk is retired from the New Castle Courier-Times. She’s author of the new memoir, There’s a Clydesdale in the Attic: Reflections on Keeping and Letting Go. It’s available on amazon.com and from the author. Connect via email: newsgirl.1958@gmail.com. She will be speaking, selling, and signing copies of her new book at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2 in the Union County Public Library. All are invited.

Which God is the right God?

Theological column by Adrienne Greene

Q:

Dear Pastor,

I don’t believe there’s only one God. The Bible even says there are many Lords and Gods.

A:

            Yes, the religious journey may be confusing! In India alone, their god-scape includes millions of religious entities to worship. In contrast, the Christian religion and Bible poses a singular God made up of three distinct components entwined as the divine power-source, as you’ve mentioned. This Gospel simplifies the plethora of spiritual choices and boils things down to one name: Jesus. “Jesus” was an offensive name in antiquity and not much has changed. Your question and underlying sentiment illustrates that fact.

The Bible’s truth explains the hopelessness that non-Christian people must be experiencing every day: “The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you. There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:27-29, NASB95.) Thankfully, that scripture also includes a hope and a promise that somehow in the confusion and chaos of unfruitful worship, our souls will have the opportunity to cry out to the Living God…and when we seek the Christian God we will find him.

Also, in the Bible’s book of Isaiah, chapters forty-three and forty-five, we are told that God knows us by our names. Even if we don’t acknowledge him, he apparently knows us. For many lonely people, these scriptures provide the encouragement they need to live. “Somebody knows I exist” they say. “I am not insignificant. I have value to God!” Yes you do.

The lords-and-gods verses are often taken out of context by groups of people who are building a case against who the Bible names as the “one true God” (Mark 12:32.) These anti-Christian groups have decided that they don’t like the idea of coming under the helm of one benevolent force. Instead, they prefer to add their own ideas to the Holy Scriptures—add their own rules and throw in a few more gods to satisfy what they feel is lacking in the simple message of the Christian Gospel: Christ died, rose again and will return. In Jesus and through Jesus alone are the workings of the Holy Spirit and The Father (Jehovah.) Thus, we have a triune power-source built into one sovereign being whose core identity is love. But the cults and various other religions like the idea of additional lords-and-gods since they get to cherry-pick the divine landscape. When a human being chooses the god most convenient or the one who most easily fits into their chosen lifestyle, they are not humbly submitting to any God at all. They sit on their own thrones; ruling and reigning as the center of their universe.

Isaiah 43:10 declares, “You are My witnesses, and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.” Then in chapter forty-four, verse six he says it another way, “I am the first and I am the last and there is no God besides Me.” And yet, well-meaning sects teach the doctrine of many Gods, including the possibility that humans may even become the God of their own world.

The Apostle Paul (who wrote the statement about gods and lords in his letter to the Corinthian church) was not affirming the leadership of other entities. He was simply stating a fact that there are many religions out there who have so-called lords and gods attached. He’s explaining that these spiritual beings are not lords or gods at all, they are demonic imposters. (1 Corinthians 8:5, 6)

I’m thankful you’re searching for spiritual answers to tough questions. My prayers are with you as you continue to ask God for the truth about these important matters. Remember: you will find the one true God when you humbly seek him with all of your heart. He will find you.

Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Send your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com or write to P.O. Box 214, Harrison, OH 45030. For more information, tune into the “Ask Pastor Adrienne” YouTube channel for sermons and insights.

FC arrests from January 25 through February 13

Provided by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department

January 25

Stephanie E. Baum Dickens, 47, Cincinnati, was arrested at 11 a.m., on Interstate 74 westbound at the 159-mile marker, by Indiana State Police Trooper Daniel Elmore on an Arrest Warrant.

January 26

Derek R. Gaddis, 31, West 6th Street, Connersville was arrested at 11:50 a.m., at the Franklin County Security Center by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy R. Gordon for SUMC.

January 28

Sean M. Bannon, 25, East Neff Street, Laurel, was arrested at 8:32 p.m., in Laurel by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill for Possession of Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish/Salvia.

Allen D. Isaacs, 53, Laurel Road, Laurel, was arrested at 11:50 a.m., at the Franklin County Circuit Court II courtroom by Franklin Circuit Court II Judge Clay Kellerman for Sex Offender Registration Violation.

January 29

April D. Meckley, 42, West 5th Street, Brookville was arrested at 1:45 p.m., at Blue Creek, by Brookville Police Department Officer Ryan Geiser for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Legend Drug or Precursor.

January 30

Garrett P. Pierce, 24, High Street, Brookville, was arrested at 9 a.m., on High Street, by Brookville Police Department Officer Ryan Geiser for Possession of Marijuana/Hash and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Joseph K. Steele, Steele Drive, Laurel, was arrested at 1:15 p.m., in Laurel, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill for Driving while Suspended with Prior Suspension within 10 Years.

Trevin W. Thalheimer, 31, High Street Brookville, at 9 a.m., was arrested on High Street by Brookville Police Department Officer Ryan Geiser for Possession of Marijuana/Hash and Possession of Paraphernalia.

February 4

Sharon M. Hinds, 49, Springfield Road, Brookville was arrested at 1:22 a.m., in Mt. Carmel at Springfield Road by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tyler Ford for Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct.

February 7

Christian B. Fugate, 20, Vanatta Road, Laurel, was arrested at 2:30 p.m., at the Ripley County Jail by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy R. Gordon on an Arrest Warrant.

Phillip L. Graf, 42, Old Brookville Pike, Cedar Grove, was arrested at 3:46 p.m., at the Branchville Correctional Facility by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy R. Gordon on four Arrest Warrants.

February 8

Carri R. Dinsmore, 52, Arlington Drive, Batesville, was arrested at 2:02 a.m., at her residence by Batesville Police Officer Travis Cook for Invasion of Privacy.

Jay W. Elliott, 66, North Bend, Ohio, was arrested at 1:55 p.m., at the Franklin County Security Center by Franklin County Sherriff’s Department Deputy G. Hodge on an Arrest Warrant.

February 9

Marshall B. Robinson, 33, Thompson Road, Laurel, was arrested at 10 a.m., at the Rush County Jail by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy T. Shutters on two Arrest Warrants.

Matthew S. Worthington, 39, Peppertown Road, West Harrison, was arrested at 10:05 p.m., at the intersection of US 52 and Goose Creek Road by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tyler Ford for two counts of Domestic Battery with Adult Knowing the Presence of Child Less than 16 Years Old and Disorderly Conduct.

February 12

Nicole E. Gawle, 21, Vicki Anda Court, Oxford, Ohio, was arrested at 11:51 a.m., on Drewersburg Road, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tyler Ford for Possession of Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish/Salvia.

Justin R. Stindt, 29, Weisburg Road, Sunman, was arrested at 2:19 a.m., on Interstate 74 at the 149-mile marker by Indiana State Police Trooper Vincent Scott for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Endangerment.

February 13

Jesse J. Coleman, 31, Cincinnati, was arrested at 3:30 p.m., in Cedar Grove, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brad Lecher for Possession of Marijuana/Hashish.

Douglas M. Fulk, 42, Brazil, was arrested at 1:12 p.m. in Brookville, by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dusty Hill for Resisting Law Enforcement.

Shane A. Vonderstrasse, 48, Franklin, Ohio, was arrested at 9:50 a.m., at the intersection of Springfield Pike and Merrell Road by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jeremy Noah for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia

Obituary for Gary Lane Strait Sr.

GARY LANE STRAIT SR.

Gary Lane Strait, Sr. of Liberty, passed away on February 14, 2022, due to a lengthy illness. Gary was born in Connersville, on November 26, 1950, to Delbert and Betty Sullivan Strait Schisler. He was preceded in death by his Father, Delbert Burdett Strait, a Step-Father, Tom Schisler, a sister, Debbie Ward and a Great Granddaughter, Laurie Bishop.

Gary was a well-known and an accomplished Autobody Technician and extremely talented custom Painter. He started in his early childhood with drawings and painted his first car alone at the age of 15. Gary’s work is known nationally and internationally. He was featured in and on many magazines and appeared on the television network, “Speed Channel.” Gary was an Artist, from building Motorcycles, Hot Rods, to extraordinary custom paint jobs. Gary owned and operated several of his own Body Shops throughout his life in Liberty, Richmond, and Oxford where he taught and passed on his skills and talent to his children. Gary also worked at Wagner Village Cadillac in Richmond and Red Neck Ingenuity in Liberty, South Carolina. Gary loved to hunt and spend time with his friends and loved ones laughing and joking.

Gary is survived by his mother, Betty Schisler of Richmond. Four sisters, Sharon Pennington (Richmond), Brenda (Barry) Edwards (Liberty), Cynthia Sheets (Richmond) and Cecilia Crow (Richmond).

Four sons; Gary Jr. (Dawn) of Liberty, Tony (Jenny) of Liberty, Mike (Vernie) of W. College Corner and Todd of Lynn. One daughter, Dawn Renee Loper (Ray) of W. Manchester.

13 Grandchildren; Ryan Pitcher of Oxford, Miranda (Matt) Finch of Liberty, Myra Strait of Elizabeth Town, Ky., Mercedes Silar of Richmond, Maggie Strait of Kentucky, Angel Strait of Kentucky, James of Liberty, Andrew (Anna) Strait of Brownsville, Samantha Strait of Liberty, Michael Strait of Liberty, Devon Strait of Liberty, Krystin Heath of New Paris, and Dalton Loper of New Paris.

11 Great Grandchildren and one arriving in June. Many nieces and nephews.

Special mention to Gary’s Ex-Wife, Margie Strait Ray, the mother of his children and special Care Giver, and to his Ex-Wife Kim Carr to whom he was married to for more than 28 years and who actively loves and cares for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Visitation for Gary will be on Saturday February 19, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm at Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home, 310 N. Main, Liberty.  Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm with Pastor Ed Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Brownsville. 

Obituary for Zola Pearl Bunzendahl

ZOLA PEARL BUNZENDAHL

Zola Pearl Bunzendahl, 84, of Connersville, went home to her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, February 11, 2022.

A native of Jackson County, Kentucky, Zola was born May 20, 1937, the oldest of seven children of Emery and Maggie Hunter Cavins, and moved to Connersville when she was a teenager.

Zola was married to David Baldwin, and they had four children, Donnie, Ronnie, Carolyn, and Doug.

On July 6, 1979, she was married to James E. “Jimmy” Bunzendahl, who survives. For more than 44 years, they owned and operated the Fantasy Inn in Connersville where she befriended generations of customers that became family to her.

Zola was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and she enjoyed many family activities and making sure that her family was cared for. In her leisure, she loved going shopping and taking long rides. She was also known for being a wonderful cook.

Zola had an enormously generous heart. Along with her family, she attended various churches and loved to praise the Lord.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Jimmy Bunzendahl; six children, Donnie (Tammy) Baldwin of Richmond, Ronnie (Karren Firsich) Baldwin of Buffalo, New York, Carolyn Steele, Doug (Betsy) Baldwin, and Stacey Bunzendahl, all of Connersville, and Aaron (Cindy) Bunzendahl of Cincinnati; five grandchildren, Nicci (Jamie) Ervin, Kelly Miller, and Jeg Douglas Baldwin, all of Connersville, Tyler Bunzendahl and Samantha Bunzendahl, both of Cincinnati; seven great-grandchildren, Tanner (Cody) Ervin, Dakota (Ashley) Ervin, Carly (Luke) Leach, Jerod (Katie) Ervin, Baylee Miller, KayLynn Steele, and Felix Steele, all of Connersville; eight great-great grandchildren, Asher Ervin, Novalee Ervin, Maizey Leach, Carson Ervin, Isabella Sizemore, and three on the way; bonus grandchildren, Kristen (Pat) Moland of Painesville, Ohio, Clayton Clark of Kentucky, Brandi (Eddie) Seeley of Connersville, Josh Clark of Richmond, Walker Rogers of Rushville, Raychel (Justin) Davis of Everton, Martha House of Everton, and Dakota Firsich of Connersville; siblings, Bob (Sharon) Cavins and Shirley Isaacs, both of Connersville, Coy (Doris) Cavins of Everton, and Ann Tankersley of Annville, Kentucky; brother-in-law, Dan (Carolyn) Bunzendahl of Connersville; sisters-in-law, Beth (David) Porter of Lexington, Kentucky and Kris Wells of Connersville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by grandchildren, Todd Steele, Jeremy Clark, and Carrie Tucker; a step-son, Darin Bunzendahl; her daughter Carolyn’s fiancé, Greg Crutchfield; a brother, Billy Cavins; and a sister, Sue Cavins.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2022, at Crosspointe Biker Church with Pastor Chris Lovett officiating. Friends may visit from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the church. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery. Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Zola to the Fayette County Animal Shelter or Crosspointe Biker Church Samaritans Saddlebag. Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.