• Alumna, education professor remembered for service

’24
Alfred F. Axe ’31MA, Hilliard, OH, died Aug. 10, 2000. A World War I U.S. Army veteran, he was a school administrator, teacher and coach throughout Ohio for 35 years. He was former “Man of the Year” in Ashville, OH, and a member of Masonic Lodge #212 F&AM for more than 50 years and of First English Lutheran Church. Survivors include a daughter, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His father, Louis S. Axe ’18S, preceded him in death.

’26
John G. Schofer, Farmington Hills, MI, died May 12, 2000. A high school principal and teacher in Ohio in the 1920s, he worked 21 years for S. S. Kresge, now K-mart, and 17 years as an accountant for Ben Franklin stores until his retirement in 1971. His wife, two sons, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three sisters-in-law, M. Margarette Hawk Schofer ’35, Laura Parker Schofer ’38 and Betty Weisner Schofer ’42 survive. Preceding him in death were a sister, Anna Schofer Bright ’28, and four brothers, Karl F. Schofer ’31, Paul J. Schofer ’36, Henry K. Schofer ’39 and Martin L. Schofer ’42.

’30
William J. Butt ’33S, Columbia, PA, died Aug. 9, 2000. An ELCA pastor, he served six Indiana parishes during his ministry. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Allen H. ’62 and Alice Danford Butte ’61, and Gordon W. Butte ’69, a daughter, Mary Butt Klimesh ’65, and a niece, Kathleen Butt Ramos ’65. A brother, Wilford C. Butt ’30, ’33S, and a niece, Geraldine Butt Lane ’63, preceded him in death.

’31
Kermit A. Long, Newark, OH, died May 2, 1998. A member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he served with the U.S. Army in the invasion of Normandy with the 709th Tank Battalion during World War II. He was an internal auditor with the American Electric Power Service Corp. before retiring in 1971. An active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, he is survived by several nieces and nephews. A brother, Luther L. Long ’35, and sister, Muriel P. Long ’28, predeceased him.

Bonadine Wineland Sweet, Findlay, OH, died Aug. 30, 2000. A member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and First Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was a retired teacher, having taught in Findlay and Darke Counties. She was a member of numerous professional and community organizations. Survivors include two sons, a stepson, a grandchild, a great-grandchild, a sister, Marylynn Wineland Klopfer ’33, and a niece, Mary Klopfer Bower ’61.

’32
Myrle Corwin Duffey, Springfield, OH, died Aug. 28, 2000. A member of Delta Zeta sorority, she was a teacher for the city of Springfield and the Northeastern Local School District. Surviving are two sons, two grandchildren and a nephew, Robert E. Rogers ’64. Her husband, Kenneth E. Duffey ’33 and a sister and brother-in-law, Claire Corwin ’30 and Ralph E. Rogers ’32 preceded her in death.

’33
Alice L. Bolton, Lima, OH, died July 13, 2000. In 1976, she retired as a buyer for department stores. A member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and a former member of Amil Tellers, she is survived by two nieces.

’34
R. Keith Dolbeer, Springfield, OH, died July 28, 2000. A member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, he was former general manager of Springfield Laundry and a well-known pianist. He was a member of First Lutheran Church. He leaves a daughter, Marcia Dolbeer Kringle ’60, two sons and their wives, including Donald K. ’62 and Cynthia Abbe Dolbeer ’63, eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a sister-in-law, Sue Fultz Dolbeer Sullivan ’30, several nieces and nephews, including Richard D. Dolbeer ’56 and Julia A. Dolbeer ’95, and several cousins, including Martin L. Dolbeer Jr. ’45S, Robert C. Dolbeer ’46 and his wife, Marjorie Krayer Dolbeer ’46, and Euxine Dolbeer Faix ’58. Two brothers, John H. Dolbeer ’29, and H. Donald Dolbeer ’25 predeceased him.

Isabel Durfey Webb, Ravenna, OH, died Aug. 9, 2000. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the women’s circle at First Congregational Church. An accompanist for the Chicago Opera Company, she taught piano from her home for many years. Surviving are two sons and four grandchildren.

’36
Evelyn Steere Beach, Lima, OH, died May 15, 2000. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Christ Episcopal Church. The first female physician in Lima, she practiced medicine for 50 years before her retirement in 1991. A charter member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the AMA and the OSMA, she is survived by a stepson, two stepgrandchildren, two stepgreat-grandchildren and a nephew and his wife, Lindley E. ’76 and Patricia Messick Burns ’76.

Lois J. Loehrke, Toledo, OH, died April 28, 2000. She taught at various schools in Ohio and volunteered in the Literacy Program and at Sunshine Home. A lifelong, active member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church, she leaves a sister-in-law, a niece, Christine C. Loehrke ’73, two nephews, three great-nephews, and two great-nieces. Preceding her in death were her brother, Eugene M. Loehrke ’46, and a sister, Leah M. Loehrke ’39.

Charles L. Sturgeon, Frankfort, OH, died Aug. 9, 2000. He served in India with the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant during World War II. After 35 years of service, he retired from teaching science and chemistry at Chillicothe (OH) High School in 1973 to return to farming. A member of Frankfort Presbyterian Church, the Free and Accepted Masons and various civic organizations, he is survived by several nieces and nephews.

’37
Edith Glocker Kirkpatrick, Albuquerque, NM, died Aug. 24, 1999. A member of First Presbyterian Church, she worked at the Dayton and Germantown (OH) Public Libraries and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Her husband and two sisters survive.

’38
Catherine Mitchell Daugherty, Troy, OH, died Sept. 6, 2000. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. An owner of Daugherty’s Hardware for 38 years before her retirement in 1983, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

’41
John Robert Johnson, Aurora, CO, died Jan. 26, 1999. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, he served as a captain in the U. S. Army Air Force during World War II. A member of Faith Presbyterian Church, he retired as president of the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver (CO) after 42 years with the organization. Surviving are his wife, two daughters, a son, two grandchildren and a brother, William S. Johnson ’48.

Gordon T. Slusser, Thiensville, WI, died March 30, 2000. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He worked in the tree nursery business all of his life and was a member and past president of the American Nurserymen Association. Survivors include his wife, two daughters, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a brother.

’42
Winnie Knowlton Garber Hand, Port Charlotte, FL, died Aug. 9, 2000. She was a school teacher and principal in Butler, OH for 20 years before moving to Pennsylvania in 1965 where she taught elementary school. She was also a principal in Eldred, PA and Olean, NY for a total of 22 years. A member of Kappa Delta sorority and the First United Methodist Churches of Bellefontaine and Eldred, OH, she leaves a daughter, Mary Garber Ray ’64, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her first husband, Clark M. Garber Jr. ’42, and brother, Wendell E. Knowlton ’39, predeceased her.

’44
Dorothy Vogel Alcorn, Fairfield, OH, died Dec. 4, 1999. A member of Fairfield Missionary Church, she was active as the Sunday school superintendent for 25 years and sang in the church quartet. She taught for 50 years, 46 of which were spent with the Fairfield school system. Following her retirement, she served as a volunteer with the school system. Survivors include a daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a sister.

Mae Putnam Strantz, Springfield, OH, died July 24, 2000. She taught for 38 years at various Ohio schools before her retirement in 1975. She was an active member of Greenview United Church of Christ of Sydney and her community. Surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, a niece and two nephews.

’46
Donald R. Fauble ’49S, Arden, NC, died Sept. 14, 2000. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, he retired from the Lutheran ministry in 1988 after 51 years of service. He was the first director of development and promotion with Lutheridge Conference Center and Camp in Arden. An active member of his community and Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, he is survived by his wife and two sons.

’48
James B. Dunkel Jr., Pinehurst, NC, died Aug. 7, 2000. A member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he served in Okinawa with the U.S. Army Air Force as an armament officer with the 41st Bomb Group during World War II. An attorney, he was an executive with Ford Motor Co. for 22 years. Following his retirement in 1974, he was personnel director and then deputy executive of Oakland County, MI. Surviving are his wife, a son, two daughters, two stepsons, a stepdaughter, 12 grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters.

Warren A. Trimble, Chagrin Falls, OH, died May 12, 2000. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. During World War II, he served with a medical unit attached to the 8th Air Force in Ireland and England and to the 9th Air Force in France and Germany. He was awarded two Bronze Stars. A management consultant with the former Trundle Consultants, Inc., he specialized in corporate budgeting. He was a member of The Federated Church (UCC), where he served on the Board of Deacons. Survivors include his wife, Joanne Feichter Trimble ’47, a son, Warren A. Trimble, Jr. ’73, a daughter, three grandchildren and a brother.

’49
Charles P. Gribler, Indianapolis, IN, died March 15, 2000. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, he served in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was a lieutenant colonel in the U. S. Air Force until his retirement in 1990. There are no known survivors.

Charles F. Rechel, Columbus, OH, died Aug. 6, 2000. A member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. A CPA, he served with Haskins and Sells, as treasurer of Columbus Coated Fabrics, and as a sole practitioner in Upper Arlington, OH from 1972 to 1991 when his practice merged with Rea & Associates. He was a member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and past president of numerous organizations, including the Wittenberg Alumni and Parents Associations. An Upper Arlington city councilman, he was a lifelong member of the Columbus Chapter of the Ohio Society of CPAs and received a 50-year award from Amity Lodge Free and Accepted Masons in Zanesville (OH). He was honored with the Class of 1914 Meritorious Service Award from Wittenberg for lifelong service to the university and community. He leaves his wife, Evelyn Neideck Rechel ’52, two sons, Brad K. Rechel ’78 and Scott F. Rechel ’81, two daughters-in-law, including Lizabeth Gast Rechel ’81, a daughter, Tracy Rechel Loesing ’86, eight grandchildren, two sisters, and several nieces and nephews.

’50
Lloyd W. Hill, Union, OH, died Aug. 22, 2000. A member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dayton, OH, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was an elementary school principal with the Dayton City Schools for 38 years. After his retirement, he worked for the Horance Mann Insurance Co. for five years. Surviving are his wife, three daughters, a son, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a brother, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

’51
Dorothy Custer Copeland, Columbus, OH, died Aug. 18, 2000. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. An avid golfer, she was a former member of Riverview Country Club. She was a homemaker and a collection manager with Woolco Department Stores. Her husband, three sons, six grandchildren, a brother, a sister and several nieces and nephews survive. Preceding her in death was her mother, Dorothy Mary Custer ’26.

’52
Kenneth R. Callahan Sr., Detroit, MI, died Aug. 10, 2000. A World War II veteran, he received numerous medals for his service with the U.S. Army. Before his retirement in 1992, he was a law professor for 28 years at Wayne State University, where he launched the Minority Law Student program in 1969. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, a son, Kenneth R. Callahan Jr. ’81, four grandchildren, two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews, including Lisa Callahan Cosey ’76, Gary L. Callahan ’72 and Walter F. Callahan ’75.

James E. Cheatham, Rushville, IN, died June 1, 2000. A U.S. Army paratrooper during WWII, he played semi-professional football for the Dayton Triangles Football organization. He retired from Iron Workers Local 290 after 40 years of service. A member of Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, he is survived by his wife, two sons, six daughters, two brothers and seven sisters.

William J. Kennedy, Mt. Kisco, NY, died Aug. 2, 2000. During World War II, he served with the U. S. Navy. After 37 years of service, he retired as an executive manager with F.W. Woolworth. His wife, a daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, a sister, and several nieces and nephews survive.

’54
Milo M. Billman ’58S, Winona, MN, died April 12, 2000. A member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he was a community pastor for churches in Cincinnati and Columbus until 1968, when he became a community organizer with a joint coalition of churches and the Housing and Rehabilitation Authority in a low-income housing project in Winona. He retired in 1983. Survivors include his wife, B. Jean Brown Billman ’59, a daughter, a son, a brother, George M. Billman ’50, ’53S, and a nephew, Paul F. Billman ’82.

’57
Robert N. Henderson, Hendersonville, NC, died July 23, 2000. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served in the U.S. Army. He had a 35-year career in journalism with the St. Petersburg (FL) Times, serving most recently as Clearwater editor and as a supervisor of local news coverage. A member of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church and an active volunteer, he is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, a brother and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joel D. Meyers ’57S, Lake Wales, FL, died July 17, 2000. He was a retired Presbyterian minister and had also retired from his teaching career with the North Union Schools in 1986. Surviving are his wife, a daughter, three sons, five grandchildren, eight brothers and four sisters.

’60
Mary Gill Arthur, Springfield, OH, died July 14, 2000. A member of Sigma Kappa sorority and Central Methodist Church, she taught elementary school in New Moorefield and Donnellsville in Clark County (OH). She leaves a son, John P. Arthur ’64, a step-daughter, Mary Arthur Moser ’48, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren and numerous step-great-grandchildren.

John F. Holcomb, Hamilton, OH, died July 22, 2000. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and The Presbyterian Church. For the last 27 years, he was the prosecuting attorney of Butler County (OH). A member of the Washington Lodge #17 F&AM and the Scottish Rite of Cincinnati (OH), he is survived by his wife, three sons, including John M. Holcomb ’88, a daughter, four grandchildren, a brother, James T. Holcomb ’67, and three sisters.

Betty Courter Longstreth, Galion, OH, died June 23, 2000. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. An active member of First Lutheran Church and officer in numerous community organizations, she was an office manager with both Longstreth Memorials and Alexander-Wilbert Vault Co. Her husband, C. Phillip Longstreth ’58, a daughter, a son, five grandchildren, a sister, a brother, five nieces and a nephew survive.

’61
Paul R. McCutcheon, Springfield, OH, died Aug. 25, 2000. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in the Asiatic/Pacific area. A lifetime member of Grace United Methodist Church, he retired from Robbins & Myers, Inc. in 1977 after 41 years of service as a divisional manufacturing superintendent. An active member of numerous community and fraternal organizations, he is survived by his wife, a son, two sisters, a brother, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a step-great-grandson, and several cousins, including Howard A. Milligan ’41 and Robert F. Turner ’51.

’62
Joann M. Laub, Springfield, OH, died Sept. 18, 2000. In 1989, she retired as nursing director of the OB-GYN department with Community Hospital after 38 years of service. A member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, she is survived by a brother and several nieces and nephews.

’63
William R. Steckler, Indianapolis, IN, died March 19, 2000. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was a retired attorney, having practiced law in Indianapolis for 31 years. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and former director of the Marion County Library Board. A member of several professional and civil organizations, he is survived by a son, a daughter, a grandson, and a brother, David A. Steckler ’66. His father, William E. Steckler ’58H predeceased him.

’64
Elizabeth Bikle Nolan, Ypsilanti, MI, died April 18, 2000. A member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, she was a retired high school French teacher. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Surviving are her husband, seven sons, three daughters, 10 grandchildren and two sisters, including Susan Bikle Richter ’59. Preceding her in death was an aunt, Margaret Bikle Anderson ’23.

’68
Peter A. Antonoplos, Englewood, OH, died Sept. 15, 2000. A middle school social studies teacher with the Northmont (OH) City Schools for the past 24 years, he had previously taught at The Ohio State University and Kent (OH) State University. He leaves his wife, two sons, including William A. Antonoplos ’01, his parents and a brother.

’80
Roger D. Freeland, Springfield, OH, died July 20, 2000. He owned and operated a Christian Education Center. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he played piano for the Salvation Army. Surviving are his wife, a daughter, a sister and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Thomas G. Watson, Dover, OH, died Sept. 17, 2000. A member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he was a practicing attorney and the law director for the City of Dover. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and numerous civic and fraternal organization. Survivors include his wife, a son, a daughter, his parents, three sisters and a brother.

’98
Autumn Burnett Derham, Taylor Mill, KY, died Sept. 9, 2000. A member of Kappa Delta sorority, she was a 401K representative and retirement specialist with Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY. She is survived by her husband, a son, her parents, a sister, her grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.