Obituaries

He held an honorary doctorate from ONU, will be buried in Ada

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Dr. Wesley Clarke, 92, died on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at 9:54 a.m. at the Green Hills Community, West Liberty.

He was born on April 30, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Frank and Sarah Ellen (Thawley) Clarke.  On Sept. 8, 1950 Wesley married Reva L. (Marling) Clarke and she preceded him in death on July 3, 2005.

Wesley retired from the United Methodist Church, where he was served as a minister. 

Wesley graduated from Amanda High School in 1945 and then Ohio Northern University in 1950.  He was called into the ministry and then attended Garrett Biblical Institute graduating in 1953. 

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Ralph Wayland Keller, 94, died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at Springview Manor, Lima.

He was born on Dec. 21, 1925, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Wilson George and Helen D. (Chestley) Keller, Sr.  On Nov. 22, 1947, Ralph married his beloved wife Twylah Marie (Heil) Keller and they were married for 27 years.  Ralph and Twylah had five children, three surviving and two still born. Twylah preceded him in death on July 1, 1974. 

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Anasue Spradlin, 78, died on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at 4:06 a.m. at her residence in McGuffey, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Dec. 15, 1941 in Minnie, Kentucky, to the late Russell and Daisy (Moore) Spencer.  On Nov. 11, 1988, Ann married Robert J. Spradlin and he survives in McGuffey.

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Mary E. “Betty” “Grandma B” Dodds, 101, died on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 at 6:59 a.m. at Vancrest of Ada.

She was born on Dec. 7, 1918, in McGuffey  to the late A.C. and Marie (Shrider) Stuber. Betty was an accountant and bookkeeper for the Ohio Department of Transportation.  She was a member of the County Line Church of the Brethren, Harrod and attended the Abundant Life Church of Kenton.

Held a doctorate in nuclear physics, was president of ONU and University of Findlay

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Click here to read "Remembering Dr. Freed," by Monty Siekerman. 
Former Ohio Northern University President Dr. DeBow Freed died in his home in Ada on Feb. 8, 2020.

Born Aug. 26, 1925, DeBow Freed grew up on his family’s farm near Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was elected president of his high school class, graduated from Gallatin Tennessee High School at age 17, and was appointed, attended, and graduated from West Point in 1946 when he was 20 years old.

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 Joan I. Fleming, 65, died on Sunday, Feb, 9, 2020, at 11:33 a.m. at her residence in Lima.

She was born on July 31, 1954, in Lima, to the late Lester and Evelyn (Wright) Fleming. 

She worked in Sales and was a member of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Lima. 

Joan is survived by her sister, Martha (Kenneth) Fitzpatrick of Springfield, Va.; three brothers: Thomas (Sharon) Fleming of LaFayette, Daniel (Linda) Fleming of Bluffton and John (Debra) Fleming of Harrod; and a sister-in-law, Jane (Ken) Madden of Sidney.

She was preceded in death by her brother, David Fleming.

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