Obituaries

VIA, Mary Elizabeth Age 91 of Bradford, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Piqua Manor. She was born May 28, 1918, to her parents Charles & Susie (West) Senseman. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Carl Lincoln Via in 2007; son Dale Via; brother Harold Senseman; sisters Ruth Greer and Kathryn Mohler-Callihan. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Mark & Jeanne of Warsaw, IN, Dean & Janice of Graham, NC, Paul & Jeanne of Covington; Karolyn of Pleasant Hill; 11 grandchildren Nicole Hall of Randleman, NC, Daniel Via of Snowcamp, NC, Sam Via of Painter Creek, Jackson Via of Covington, Mamie Garber of Tawalame, CA, Bonnie Fox of Claypool, IN, Brian Via of Chicago, IL., Beck Via of Chicago, IL, Jason Via of Pleasant Hill, Joel Via of Troy, Jenelle Via of Pleasant Hill; 12 great grandchildren and two due soon. Mary was a graduate of Newton Schools and later married her husband, Carl Via, on March 17, 1948, in Kansas City, MO. She retired from farming on her family's farm and was an active member of the Stillwater Community Church throughout the years of her life. The family would like to thank staff of D Hall at Piqua Manor for the special care given to Mary during her three year stay with them. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, March 13, at Jackson-Sarver Funeral Home, 1 S. Main St., Pleasant Hill. Pastor Ralph Schaafsma will officiate with interment following at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00- 1:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Stillwater Community Church or Hospice of Miami County.

Betty Jean O'Connor, 86 of Troy passed away Monday, March 8, 2010, at her home. She was born February 16, 1924 in Miami County to the late Ferby Cecil and Charlotte Ely ( Campbell ) Martin. She was a 1942 graduate of Staunton School , Troy . Betty married William H. O'Connor January 7, 1950 in Piqua and he preceded her in death November 26, 1999. In earlier years Betty was employed by the Observer Dispatch in Utica , NY . and later by Hobart Brothers, Troy . Betty retired from the Troy Daily News as Business Manager in 1993 after many years of service and many years of wonderful enduring relationships that were made there. She was a member of the St. Patrick Church, Troy and attended St. Boniface in Piqua . Betty enjoyed traveling with Bill and her family, liked to bowl in earlier years and was on a league at Sherwood Lanes. She will be missed and remembered by her daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte Jean and Michael Witwer of Tipp City; Mary Ellen and Michael Ruffin of Troy; son and partner, William Ferby O'Connor of Covington and Mary Anne Zimorski of Troy; grandchildren, Todd and Jennifer Young of Columbus, IN.; Craig and Jessica Young of Kettering; Amy O'Connor and Jerry Tamplin of Piqua; William and Jenny O'Connor of Troy; Sean Ruffin, Benjamin Ruffin, Patrick Ruffin and Alex Ruffin all of Troy; great-grandchildren, Taylor Young, Dylan Young, Janah Young, Joshua Young, Caleb Young, Larissa O'Connor, Kayleigh O'Connor, Cassidy Tamplin, Elijah Tamplin, Billy O'Connor, Cole O'Connor, Andy O'Connor; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Joe Dunn of New Carlisle; brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Ruth Martin of Pleasant Hill; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clara O'Connor of Whitesboro, NY.; Edward and Irene O'Connor of Oriskany, NY.; Mary Lou O'Connor of Oriskany, NY.; Thomas and Patricia O'Connor of Marcy, NY.; Raymond and Rosemarie O'Connor of Yorksville, NY.; Janice O'Connor of Remsen, NY.; Dorothy O'Connor of Oriskany, NY.; extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ferby and Charlotte Martin, husband, William H. O'Connor, brother, Allen Martin, brothers-in-law, Robert, Clifford, Myles, Donald and Albert O'Connor. The family would like to thank Betty's caregiver Nikki Dillon and her Hospice nurses Bud, Joyce, & Mary for their special care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30AM Friday, March 12, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 409 East Main St., Troy, with Fr. Angelo Caserta officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery , Troy . Calling hours will be 4-7 PM Thursday, at Jackson-Sarver Funeral Home, 1 S. Main St. , Pleasant Hill . Contributions if so desired can be made to the Hospice of Miami County or the Alzheimers Association.

APPLE, Ina Pearl Age 90, of Covington, passed away Friday, March 5, 2010, at Versailles Care Center. She was born Feb 4, 1920 to LeRoy and Sarah Ivah (Myers) Kingrey, in Bradford. She married Henry William Apple on Dec. 28, 1940, who preceded her in death on Dec. 6, 1996.She is survived by her daughter-in-law Wanda Apple and children Michael (Connie) and Robert (Missy, finance) Apple of Covington and Julie Apple of Troy; daughter Virginia (Marion) Leapley of Sidney, and children Michelle DiLullo of Sidney, Brian of Madison, AL, and Deb (Tony) Bensman of Anna; daughter Barbara (Ned) Hines of Payson, AZ, and children Tiffany (Andy) Stephens, Flagstaff, AZ, and Justin Hines of New York City, NY; daughter Joan (Jerry) Clingerman of Bellefontaine and children Ryan (Bonnie) Clingerman of Tallahassee, FL, Denise (Chad) Black of Pace, FL; Jon (Michelle) Clingerman of Greenville, MI, and Bethany Clingerman of Milton, FL; and son William (Linda) Apple of Covington and children Natalie (Todd) Robinson of Livermore, CA, Matt Apple of Findlay, and Laurie (Antonio) Romano of New York City, NY. She is also survived by her only brother, Virgil Kingrey of Kansas City, MO, and many nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends. Henry & Ina leave behind 15 Grandchildren, 31 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.Preceeding her in death are two sons, John and Nelson, and a Great Granddaughter.Ina graduated from Bradford High School in 1939. Along with her husband, they owned and operated Apple Farm Service, Inc., Covington and Botkins, and she was engaged in the business until 2007. Ina served her community as 4-H leader, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Group Leader, and pianist, and also enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, and traveling. Funeral services will be held at Jackson-Sarver Funeral Home, 1 South High St., Covington at 7pm on Wednesday, March 10, with Pastor Phillip Dell officiating; the family will receive friends from 3-7 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Internment will be held privately at Friedens Lutheran Church Cemetery, Bloomer.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Miami County, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or Harris Creek Church of the Brethren, Bradford.