We said good-bye

From business owners to educators, a beloved philanthropist who left her mark on organizations and projects throughout Sandusky to a little girl whose determination to attend school through the use of technology inspired her community.Here are some of the notable deaths in 2015 (and a few from December 2014): DECEMBER 2014Donald Clark Mowry, 73, Republic, (Dec. 28, 2014): Mowry retired from Sandusky Perkins School District after teaching art at the middle school for 30 years.George G. Fosco, 85, Sandusky (Dec. 30, 2014): One of the original builders of the Sandusky Speedway in 1950, Fosco was an avid race car driver himself, having been the 1957 Fremont Track Champion and the winner of other races. He was later inducted into the Fremont Hall of Fame.Carl M. Schmidt, 46, Vermilion (Dec. 31, 2014): Schmidt was a volunteer firefighter for the Vermilion Fire Department for 26 years. He was a sergeant in the Army and served two tours in Iraq. He died of complications from Addison's disease. View photos from his memorial service here.JANUARYBarry L. Riddle, 75, Sandusky (Jan. 2): Local environmentalists mourned the passing of Riddle, a retired auto worker who worked tirelessly on behalf of clean water as a member of Friends of Pipe Creek. As part of his advocacy, he influenced several local officials to advocate for the use of pervious pavement in parking lots, which reduces runoff. View a story about Riddle here.Donald H. Schwanger, 81, Sandusky (Jan. 5): Schwanger was an advocate for public waterfront access in the city of Sandusky, forming the Committee For Better Fishing Access in the 1960s advocating the rebuilding of the decaying breakwalls around Battery Park. He formed Sandusky's Waterfront Watchdogs in 1988, spearheading the effort to secure public access to the breakwalls at Shoreline Park and the Sandusky Yacht Club. He, along with Barry Riddle, received posthumous proclamations from Sandusky city commissioners. Story here.Charles "Art" Arduff Berger, 93, Attica, Ohio (Jan. 7): Berger owned the Attica Hotel Bar, Surf Lounge, Bay Bell Diner and Bayview Carryout in Sandusky.Benjamin Scott Miller, 32, Sandusky (Jan. 8): Miller passed away after a long battle with cancer. He played lead guitar in the northwest-Ohio based hardcore band Hence The Wolves.Jean (Dodge) Fatiga, 92, Lakeside-Marblehead (Jan. 10): Fatiga and her husband, Joseph, were the owners of Fatiga Brothers Grocery Store in Lakeside for 30-plus years.Marvin "Pete" Kuns, 87, Castalia (Jan. 14): Kuns was a master plumber for the city of Sandusky and owned and operated Kuns Plumbing and Heating for 30 years, retiring in 1989.Mary M. Provonsha, 88, Oak Harbor (Jan. 15): Provonsha taught first grade and substituted at R.C. Waters, Rocky Ridge, Carroll and Graytown elementary schools for over 30 years.Kevin Doyle, 80, Weston, Fla. (Jan. 16): A lifelong Huron County resident, In the mid-1970s Doyle purchased Fair Publishing, a business previously owned by his father, and the Rotary Printing Company, another Norwalk business owned by his family, for which he served as president and CEO. At the time of his death, he was still active in the operation of the Fair Publishing House.Thelma L. Appell, 91, Catawba Island and formerly of Sandusky (Jan. 17): Thelma, along with her husband, owned and operated Appell's Delicatessen and Carry Out in Sandusky for many years.Dolores A. Joiner, 81, Sandusky (Jan. 18): Joiner taught first grade at Perkins Elementary School, retiring in 2000 following 33 years of service. She continued to volunteer and substitute teach for many years following her retirement.Harold G. Garman, 79, Sandusky (Jan. 25): Garman co-owned and operated the Mecca Motel for several years.Joseph R. Bischoff, 88, Bellevue (Jan. 25): Bischoff served as a Huron County trustee in Sherman Township and worked on the Huron County Election Board for 10 years.Jacqueline "Jacque" L. Chapman, 79, Port Clinton (Jan. 27): Chapman worked in the Ottawa County Treasurer's Office until she became treasurer, where she continued to work until her retirement. She was also active in Playmakers Civic Theatre.FEBRUARYJoan Frances Faber, Jackson, Mich. (Feb. 1): Faber was the beloved proprietor of the Maples Motel in Sandusky, where many guests turned into lifelong friends. Maples Motel story here.Werner Kling, 92, Sandusky (Feb. 2): Kling taught at Austintown High School in Austintown, Ohio, for 15 years and later in the Perkins Local School system.Howard R. Wiedle, 98, Clyde (Feb. 8): In 1961, Wiedle turned his farm into the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, which he owned and operated through 1987. He also served as a York Township Trustee for several years.Mary "Judy" Engelman, 76, Sandusky (Feb. 9): Engelman and her husband, Mel, owned and operated the Sail In from 1969 until retiring in 2000.Marjory E. Rody, 70, Norwalk (Feb. 10): Rody choreographed for many years at Sandusky High School, and most of her life choreographed and wrote live shows at Cedar Point, retiring as vice president of live entertainment in 2006.Frances J. Seger, 75, North Olmsted, formerly of Norwalk (Feb. 11): Seger and her husband, Tom, were co-owners of the Press Box Tavern in Norwalk.Solon J. Kousma, 81, Willard (Feb. 13): Kousma had a long and varied career serving the city of Willard. For decades, he was a volunteer firefighter and EMT, earning Firefighter of the Year in 1997. He also served eight years on Willard City Council, including four years as vice mayor.Ruth Frost Parker, 92, Sandusky (Feb. 14): Sandusky lost one of its great philanthropists with the passing of Ruth Frost Parker, who advocated for and supported a number of causes throughout the city. She is credited with saving the Sandusky State Theatre, which at one point was rumored to be facing demolition. She donated $250,000 to purchase the land that later became Shoreline Park and supported the Residential Lock Box program for seniors. Recently, she was instrumental in establishing the Genesis residential program for women recovering from addiction. View a story about her passing here.Sharon A. Benninger, 71, Sandusky (Feb. 15): Benninger was employed by Sandusky City Schools. At Sandusky High School she was a biology teacher and later became a guidance counselor, retiring in 2000 after 30 years of service.Thomas C. Gallagher, 91, Sandusky (Feb. 13): Gallagher was employed by the Sandusky City School District, where he taught in Sandusky schools from 1956-58. He then was the principal of Osborne School until retiring in 1986.Richard "Dick" Lorenz, 87, Sandusky (Feb. 20): Lorenz was the owner and operator of Dick's Carry Out, where he remained active until his passing.Theordor "Ted" David White Sr., 77, Sandusky (Feb. 24): White, along with his wife, Dorothy, owned The Front End Shop in Sandusky from 1983-99. He was also a Sprint Car driver at the Sandusky and Fremont speedways.James A. Bertsch, 83, Sandusky (Feb. 26): Bertsch was active in the jewelry business since 1952 and was the founder and president of James A. Bertsch Jewelers in Sandusky. He also owned several pieces of real estate in downtown Sandusky, including a building he later donated to the Sandusky State Theatre and which now houses the theater's gathering room. View a story about him here.MARCHCharles J. Westerhold, 95, Huron (March 1): Westerhold and his family owned the former Smith Hardware in downtown Sandusky. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. He and his wife, Norma (Giltnane), were married 50 years. Charles was past president of the Sandusky Lions Club and the Sandusky Chamber of Commerce in the 1950s. Charles is survived by two daughters and five sons, including Register managing editor Matt WesterholdJohn A. "Jack" Elden Jr., 82, Vermilion (March 7): Elden was an attorney and served the City of Vermilion as municipal judge. He also served on the Civil Service Commission, as well as being involved with real estate, owning and operating Elden Properties and Firelands Security Management.Jesse James Hagy, Huron (March 10): Hagy taught and coached basketball at Huron High School for more than 40 years, leading his teams to several conference championships and back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. He also coached football and golf, and worked summers at his businesses, The J & B Clothestree and The Gull Harbor Marina.Pamela R. Verhoff, 72, Sandusky (March 10): Verhoff was the food service director for Edgewood Nursing Home for 18 years and owned and operated PJ's Restaurant in Huron with her cousin, Judy Klaholz, for 10 years, retiring in 1997.Regis "Reg" Geary Stadtmiller, 90, Sandusky (March 11): Stadtmiller was one of the founding fathers of the Firelands Multiple Listing Service. He was owner of Stadtmiller Realty, where he was one of the first in the area to offer open houses. In 2014, he was awarded Realtor Emeritus by the Erie County Board of Realtors.Cecil F. Trent, 78, Sandusky (March 12): Cecil was employed by Sandusky City Schools in maintenance, taking care of Strobel Field for more than 31 years.Charles L. "Sonny" Dewey, 78, Cape Coral, Fla., and Huron (March 14): Dewey started Rural Furniture after graduating from Oberlin High School. He was a co-owner of Rural Furniture and then the owner of Dewey Furniture in Vermilion.Thomas William Clements, 80, Bellevue (March 15): For many years, Clements designed houses in Bellevue as the owner of Clements Construction.Patricia Jane (Wolfe) Hinton, 80, Huron (March 22): Hinton taught elementary school for 26 years at Huron Schools.James R. Grachek, 66, Sandusky (March 27): Grachek was known as "Mr. Crappie" because of his fishing column in the Sandusky Register.The Rev. Lee C. Kent, 82, Sandusky (March 30): The Rev. Kent served in various capacities at a number of churches throughout the area. Most notable are his 21 years as senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in New London.Michael Anderton, Sandusky (March 31): Anderton was a teacher in the Perkins Schools for 24 years and was an assistant coach in football and swimming. His swimmers fondly called him "Pink."APRILJudge Donald Sherman Wargowsky, 90, Oak Harbor (April 6): Two bouts with polio — according to his doctors, he was only the fourth person in history to survive polio twice — left Wargowsky paralyzed and without the use of his left arm from the elbow down, but that didn't stop him from having a long and accomplished career. In 1954 Wargowsky became the first judge of the Ottawa County Municipal Court, making him Ohio's youngest judge at 28. He set nationwide precedent when he filed a class-action suit against the courthouse for installation of an elevator. In addition to his legal accomplishments, he also originated Toussaint Founder's Day and penned five books.Linda A. Fontana, 67, Marblehead (April 17): In addition to being an LPN at Edgewood Manor Nursing Center in Port Clinton, among other facilities, Fontana was a co-owner and operator of the Marblehead Galley Restaurant from 1986-89 and from 1994-2004. She continued working there even after she and her son sold the business in 2004.Alice E. Scherer, 88, Sandusky (April 21): A recipient of the "Woman of Excellence" award, Scherer worked at Providence Hospital as an LPN for several years and later went on to work at St. Mary Catholic School in the cafeteria for over 30 years, where she was known to the students as "The Lunch Lady."MAYMary Jo Stephenson, 64, Sandusky (May 8): Stephenson spent 25 years teaching students at Perkins, teaching Sunday School and Prims at Calvary Temple, and recently assisting with the children's program at Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, Fla., during the winter months.The Rev. Lonnie R. Walters, Sandusky (May 24): The Rev. Walters was pastor and founder of Victory Temple, Inc., Sandusky, and the founder of Victory Temple Soup Kitchen, Sandusky. He was honored with the JC Penney's Golden Award, the Distinguished Men of Sandusky Award, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award, the Sandusky Register Award, the American Red Cross Firelands Hero Award, and many more for the works he accomplished in Sandusky and the surrounding area. Read about Walters and his legacy here, here and here.Timothy P. Snyder, 57, Bay View (May 27): Snyder owned and operated Snyder's Automotive in Bay View, retired as fire chief of the Bay View Fire Department and served in the U.S. Army.JUNECarol S. Birch, 76, Bellevue (June 10): Birch taught elementary school under the Cadet Teaching Program, then for 35 years was employed by Woodard Photographic as a customer service specialist in the School Service Division. In 1999, the Birch Customer Service Award was established in her honor to recognize other Woodard employees who showed exemplary customer service, dedication and leadership.Helen Ann Keck, 83, Marblehead (June 10): Keck taught various levels of education at Danbury High School, where she was also a librarian, for over 30 years until her retirement in 1995.Suzanne "Suzy" Ruth (Bell) Dietrich, 88, Huron (June 13): Dietrich was an amateur sports racer, racing in most venues east of the Mississippi river, including Daytona, Sebring, Nassau and Puerto Rico. She was a member of MacMillan Oil's "Ring Free Girls" all girl race team, which included racing greats Janet Guthrie and Donna Mae Mims. Dietrich was also the librarian for Meadowlawn School for many years. She wrote a racing column for the Sandusky Register and a monthly publication for the Northern Ohio Region of the Sports Car Club of America, for which she served in the capacity of secretary. She is featured in the books "Fast Women: The Legendary Ladies of Racing" and "They Started in MG's." View a story about Dietrich here.Marilyn J. "Torchy" Fresch, 87, Huron (June 17): Fresch spent her summers on Kelleys Island with her family, where she was known as "The Hostess" for the family-run restaurant, "Fresch's Island House," for 20 years.The Rev. Edmund A. Jadwisiak, 89, Port Clinton, (June 18): Jadwisiak served the country during World War II. He then attended Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh. At the age of 53, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Parma.Donald E. Troike Sr., 89, Sandusky (June 20): Troike was a Sandusky firefighter for 27 years until he retired in 1980 as a captain for the department.Frank "Joel" Bickley, Huron (June 21): Bickley was a 1962 graduate of Huron High School, where he was a standout athlete, playing both football and basketball. He joined the Huron Police Department and was a member of the FOP for over 30 years.Patricia Jane (Mielke) Williams, 66, Huron (June 21): Williams was a teacher and a Title 1 Reading Coordinator in the Margaretta school district until her retirement in 2003.Sister Mary Andrenita, SND (Kathleen Lane Grimesey), Toledo (June 25): Kathleen joined the community of the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1952. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Mary Manse College in Toledo and joined the ranks of Notre Dame Sisters in the schools of the Toledo Diocese. For 48 years she worked with the children in the following schools: St. Mary, Leipsic; St. Joseph, Fremont; St. Mary, Sandusky; Sacred Heart, Bethlehem; St. John, Delphos; St. Ann, St. James, Christ the King and Mary Immaculate in Toledo. In 2008 she retired to the Provincial Center, where she was active in community service.Lena Mae Sanders, 88, Huron, formerly of Sandusky (June 25): In 1978 Sanders became an inaugural member of The Emmanuel Temple Church, where she served faithfully as one of the founding church mothers. She was the first president of the women's department and served on the ministerial staff. She was honored by the Sandusky Register as a mother of the year in a 1991 article, in which she shared, as the article indicated, a "wealth of motherly experience."Gary K. Schimmel Sr., 80, Huron (June 28): Schimmel was past president of the Plum Brook Country Club, Sandusky Rotary, the Erie County Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees. He served on the board of the Memorial Hospital, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Stein Hospice, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, Greater Erie Marketing Group, the Merry Go Round Museum, Third National Bank and St. Mary Central Catholic Education Foundation.JULYMary J. (Ernst) Busam, 88, Huron (July 1): Busam, a graduate of Sandusky High School, was a teacher in the Sandusky Public Schools for 30 years.Earl R. Hammond, 89, Sandusky (July 3): Starting in 1953, Hammond was a teacher at Ontario School and principal at Sycamore and Madison schools. He was with the Sandusky Schools system for 30 years, retiring in 1987.Emilie (Dutczak) Fialka, 93, Sandusky (July 7): Fialka graduated from Illinois State University in Bloomington, Ill., and taught for 28 years in the Sandusky City Schools system, retiring in 1984.Mary Ann Zimmerman, 90, Sandusky, (July 7): Zimmerman was a graduate of the Fremont Beauty School in June of 1951. She owned and operated Mary Ann Beauty Shop for 40 years, retiring in 1991.David Lloyd Kniffin, 67, Norwalk (July 9): Kniffin was the face of the Huron County Republican Party for nearly a quarter of a century as the county chairman, and a longstanding member of the board of elections. He was also a trustee of the Association of the Election Officials.William J. Ball III, 44, Norwalk (July 9): Ball owned several Domino's Pizza stores, owned and operated a landscaping business, and finished his career as a district sales coordinator with AFLAC.Steven M. Plottner, 57, Marblehead (July 13): Plottner was the executive director for the Lutheran Homes Society Family & Youth Services, based in Oregon, Ohio. He was the mayor of Marblehead from 2000-02 and served as president pro tem of council for four years. Plottner was a member of many professional, nonprofit child and youth-care organizations and also served as president of the Ohio Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals in Ohio, where he was a board member for 18 years.John Edward Pribanic, 82, Sandusky (July 14): Pribanic was an air traffic controller for over 15 years at the Cleveland Hopkins and the Allegheny airports. He was mayor of McKeesport, Pa., and retired as a business owner of Trader Jack's in Pennsylvania.Eugene A. Koby, 76, Sandusky (July 19): Koby was the founding treasurer of the Erie County Foundation and remained so up to his death. He was very active in the community, serving as past commodore of the Sandusky Sailing Club, past commodore of the Sandusky Yacht Club, past president of the Sandusky Rotary Club, treasurer of the Huron Investment Club, past secretary of Rotary District 6600 MESA, past president of the Firelands Chapter of C.P.A's, current Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Sandusky Knights of Columbus.Mary Ann Creamer, 54, Sandusky (July 20): Creamer was the founder and executive director of Teen Leadership Corps, an academic service leadership program for high schools. Teen Leadership Corps is the only 501(c)3 nonprofit in the country established to provide schools with the educational training, instructional resources and financial means necessary to implement a successful academic student leadership course for high school students. Prior to founding TLC, Mary Ann spent 13 years teaching service learning at the secondary level in Huron. The service leadership program she taught was the largest in the state of Ohio, and her students were recognized as Ohio's outstanding peer team. In addition, Mary Ann was voted Outstanding Educator of the Year, was chosen by her students to be published in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers," and was a member of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. Just prior to her passing, Creamer was inducted into the St. Paul High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of her work with Teen Leadership Corps.William C. Meese, 71, Norwalk (July 25): Meese worked as a police officer for 14 years with the Norwalk City Police Department, 10 years for Ohio Edison, as well as both owning a business and being a sales representative in the HVAC industry. Bill served as a board member for Northern Ohio Rural Water, Family Initiative of Huron County and previously for the Huron County Airport.Raymond Glen Roth, 93, Marblehead (July 25): Roth was the founder, owner and operator of Castaway Harbor, Marblehead. Atty. Edward W. Rhode Jr., Naples, Fla. (July 26): Rhode began practicing law in Sandusky in 1941, at which time he was believed to be the youngest practicing attorney in Ohio. After serving in the Army during World War II, he restarted his law career in February of 1946, forming the law firm Rhode, Egger, Kirwan & Reno, which was dissolved upon his retirement in 1998 to Naples, Fla. He continued to work with his son, Edward W. Rhode III, on a part-time basis until 1997.Donald Leslie Caldwell, 83, Lakeside (July 30): Caldwell owned and operated Perry Pharmacy in Port Clinton and also worked as a pharmacist at H. B. Magruder Hospital, retiring in 2005. He was the longest-serving member of Lakeside United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department for 67 years, serving as treasurer for 30 years and retired as senior chief; he was an Eagle Scout and Cub Master; member and past president of Ottawa County Board of Health; member of Danbury Township Board of Zoning Appeals; member and past president of Lakeside Association Board of Trustees; member and past secretary of Ottawa County E.M.S. Council; and he represented Lakeside United Methodist Church on four overseas work mission projects, two in Haiti, one in Jamaica and one in Nevis.AUGUSTElsie C. Calamese, 98, Sandusky, (Aug. 1): Calamese was the oldest living member of Second Baptist Church and was the first person from Erie County to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame (1997) for her volunteer work in the Sandusky Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she put in over 5,000 hours of volunteer work. Elsie received several other awards for her volunteerism and served on numerous boards and committees, co-founding the Care and Share Second Harvest Program and founding the Food Shopping Club at Porter's Memorial Nutrition Site.Alan Dale Carroll, 63, Clyde, (Aug. 1): Carroll had been the head of the Sandusky County Softball Commission, but his true passion was wrestling. He was the Clyde wrestling coach for many years, receiving the Coach of the Year in 2006.Doris "Pauline" (Hall) Mackey, 85, Sandusky (Aug. 9): Mackey had a long career in the Sandusky City Schools, which included elementary education, a business teacher, dean of the junior and senior girls, and a counselor at Sandusky High School. Pauline was the first vocational business teacher at Sandusky High School (COE - Cooperative Office Education) which placed senior students in office jobs within the community. She retired as Director of Guidance for the city schools in 1987.Don Earl Behm, 89, Republic (Aug. 14): As a member of General George Patton's Third Army, 11th Armored Division, 41st Cavalry Mechanized, "B" Troop, Behm saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and across Europe. He knocked down the gates at Mauthausen Concentration Camp near Linz, Austria, and later attended the war crimes trials at Nuremburg. He taught at Thompson Local, and later Bellevue City Schools, where he retired in 1991. Known as the Voice of the Redmen, he will be best remembered for his stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, completing a promise he made in a foxhole in Europe. Bellevue honored him with induction into the Bellevue Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.Dr. W. Robert Spettel Jr., 81, Naples, Fla., formerly of Norwalk (Aug. 16): In addition to being one of the first board certified periodontists, Spettel founded, and equipped, a dental clinic for Polish refugee children during his time in the Air Force.Rita J. (Zeller) Schrader, 85, Sandusky (Aug. 20): Schrader retired from Sandusky City Schools in 1990 as a kindergarten teacher after 23 years of service.Sharon Rose Harkelroad, Huron (Aug. 31): Harkelroad attended St. Peter School and was a member of one of the first graduating classes. She is fondly remembered as a longtime kindergarten teacher at St. Peter School.Dorothy I. (Lewis) Zemke, 97, Sandusky (Aug. 31): Zemke owned and operated the Zemke Retirement Home, located at 525 Wayne St. in Sandusky, for 14 years. Her retirement home was the first of its kind in the Sandusky area. After the sale of her nursing home, she went on to work at the Erie County Care Facility as the director of the first adult day care in this vicinity; she retired in 1983.SEPTEMBERDavid A. Douglas, 65, Norwalk (Sept. 1): Douglas graduated from the Sandusky Police Academy and began working for the Erie County Sheriff's Office. He retired in 2002 from the Perkins Police Department after 25 years of service.The Rev. Theodore T. Stellhorn, 82, Marblehead (Sept. 1): Stellhorn was a graduate of Sandusky High School, Capital University, Columbus, and the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of Capital University. He was ordained into the Christian Ministry in 1959. He was the founding pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Dayton, and also served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, St. Marys, Ohio.Dr. John Wasylik, 88, Sandusky (Sept. 2): As a practicing optometrist in Sandusky until he retired at the age of 80, Wasylik was deeply involved in youth, civic, professional and veterans affairs. He was a life member of V.F.W. Post No. 2529 in Sandusky and was elected Commander-in-Chief of the V.F.W. at the national convention in 1977, holding the office during 1977-78. He was instrumental in allowing membership to women into the V.F.W. beginning in 1978. Wasylik was a member of the National Council of Administration; Big Ten Conference chairman and as a member of several national committees, including National Security and Foreign Affairs; five-year board member and past president of the V.F.W. National Home for Children; and a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 1994.Kyra L. Conrad, 7, Marblehead (Sept. 9): Kyra was born with combined immunodeficiency syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that made her particularly susceptible to illnesses, and was expected to live only a few months — although in actuality she will go on record as one of the oldest patients with her disorder. Because of her disorder, she couldn't leave home except to go to the hospital for treatment. But with the help of technology and the support of her family and community, Kyra was able to achieve the impossible: She was able to attend school — and all that came with it, including making friends, scheduling playdates and participating in pep rallies — through the use of an iPad carried around by an aide and later mounted on a robot. Kyra and her inspiring story were the subject of several Register articles, which can be found here.Helen T. Danchisen, 94, Marblehead (Sept. 7): Danchisen's noteworthy career at The Biro Manufacturing Co. began in 1939, where through the years her professional contributions spanned sales, executive administration and legal support. She officially retired after 66 years of service in 2005. Danchisen was also the proprietor of Danchisen's Marathon of Marblehead, established by her late husband as Danchisen's Sohio in 1960.William H. Werner Sr., 64, Sandusky (Sept. 12): Werner devoted his life to educating Sandusky's youth for over 32 years in the Sandusky City School system. Werner served as an elementary teacher at Monroe School, Mills School and Ontario School before becoming a principal at Monroe School in 1989. He also served as the director of Safety Town for over 20 years. He received the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International for his service as director of Safety Town. He was a four-year member of The Ohio State University Marching Band. His son, Billy, followed in his footsteps and was a member of the OSUMB. Werner looked forward to alumni band day at Ohio State every year. The alumni game became more special when his son joined him, and the two marched side by side.Orlan B. Kuns, 83, Castalia (Sept. 14): Kuns was a 1949 graduate of Margaretta High School, where he played on the last six-man football team, and received the class of 1949 Athletic Award. Orlan was employed by Elmer Borchardt for 28 years, and was Erie County Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for 15 years, retiring in 1995. He served as a Castalia Village councilman for nine years, served on the Zoning Appeals Board, and served as mayor of Castalia for 10 years. He was a Korean War veteran, serving with the 13th Helicopter Transportation Co.Leroy August Wenger, 92, Flowery Branch, Ga. (Sept. 26): Wenger was the executive vice president of the former Lake Erie Canning Company of Sandusky. He was the past president of the Sandusky Kiwanis Club and the Ohio Food Processors Association. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Kraut Packers Association, the National Red Cherry Institute, the Erie County Visitors Bureau and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. Wenger was the past president of the Sandusky Charter Boat Association, which he helped start. "Captain Lee" used to give the fishing report on WLEC radio years ago.James A. Getty, 83, Gettysburg, Pa. (Sept. 26): Getty taught high school choral music in several cities throughout the country, including Sandusky, and directed the choir at Zion Lutheran Church in Sandusky. But perhaps what he was most well-known for was his work portraying Abraham Lincoln both in Gettysburg, where he moved in 1977, and throughout the U.S. His voice is that of President Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and he delivered the Gettysburg Address at the National Cemetery in Gettysburg each year on Nov. 19 for several decades. View Register stories about Getty here and here.Richard "Dick" S. Wennes, 75, Huron (Sept. 27): Wennes was a dedicated teacher and a successful coach in the Huron City School district for 35 years. He coached football and basketball for more than 35 years at Huron and Edison High Schools. He was the head coach of the 1983 AA State Champion girls basketball team at Huron and once held a record for 72 consecutive wins at Huron High School. Wennes was inducted into the Huron Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.Vickie Scott Rogers, 73, Castalia (Sept. 29): Rogers worked at The Rail and also owned Vickie's Restaurant & Pub.Michael J. "Mike" Adelman, 65, Monroeville (Sept. 30): Adelman had a varied career as a public servant, serving several years on Monroeville council, as mayor of Monroeville and spending 10 years as a Huron County commissioner. He was also active with the Huron County Fair.OCTOBERGasper Charles Lococo, Huron (Oct. 2): Lococo began his amusement career working at Cedar Point, which led to him purchasing and operating Geauga Lake, Darien Lake and Wyandot Lake amusement parks in 1969. Recognized as an innovator in the amusement park industry, Lococo retired in 1995 after selling Funtime Inc.Earmia Jean (Moore) Philon, 77, Sandusky (Oct. 11): In 1980, after working at the former Memorial Hospital, New Departure and Catherine's Beauty Salon, Philon built a small salon onto her home and trained her two daughters. In 1994 she bought land and built a large salon, Neighborhood Hair Care — which still operates today — before retiring in 2013.Dorothy "Dottie" S. Bredbeck, 94, Port Clinton (Oct. 17): In addition to helping her husband run his civil engineering/surveying business, as well as running the family farm, Bredbeck worked as a librarian for Danbury Schools.Naomi L. Federkiel, 83, Norwalk (Oct. 19): Federkiel started her teaching career in the Norwalk Public School system, teaching at Maplehurst and Benedict schools. She was the elementary principal at Berlin Heights Elementary School for 23 years and was an educator for 33 years, retiring in 1986.Rita M. (Smith) Englert McMahon, 96, Norwalk (Oct. 19): McMahon was the past owner and worked at the Heritage House, located in the Huron County fairgrounds.Richard Emery Lowe, 76, Port Clinton (Oct. 19): In addition to owning and operating Shell gas stations in Port Clinton as well as the Lowe Oil Company out of Port Clinton, Sandusky and Fremont, Lowe served his community on the reserve police force, as the assistant fire chief, and was the first rescue squad captain and EMT of the Port Clinton EMS.Wallace Wynn Williams Jr., 80, Sandusky (Oct. 20): For the 15 years prior to his death, Williams owned and operated the "W.W. Williams Tailor Shop" on Tiffin Avenue in Sandusky.Evelyn G. Lieske, 95, Port Clinton (Oct. 21): In 1956 Lieske began working for Ralph J. Bauer & Associates and eventually purchased the business, retiring in 2009.M. Earline Linder, 98, Norwalk (Oct. 23): Linder taught at Lyme School, Norwalk City Schools and Perkins Local Schools, retiring in 1977, and was an advisor of the Busy Needles 4-H Club for more than 50 years.Keith Alan Porter, 50, Sandusky (Oct. 23): Porter owned Porter's Cash Register Service.Clara Denos Upton, 86, Norwalk (Oct. 23): Upton co-owned Denos' Restaurant for many years. After retirement, she volunteered at Norwalk Middle School and was recognized several times throughout the years for her service to the Norwalk City Schools.Jeffrey Warnicke, 73, Port Clinton (Oct. 24): Warnicke was a teacher and football and golf coach. He began his career at Port Clinton High School for four years, then taught and coached at Danbury High School. He returned to Port Clinton High School to finish his career, retiring in 1996.LaVaughn Elaine Jennings, 76, Clyde (Oct. 29): Over the years Jennings and her husband, Ray, owned Jennings Pharmacy and The Gift Box, both in Clyde, and The Patio Dairy Bar in Green Springs.Robert Starnes, 80, Port Clinton (Oct. 30): Starnes was the owner/operator of Bob's Gulf Service Center from 1977-87.Phyllis J. (Marion) Spencer, 83, Norwalk (Oct. 30): Spencer was involved in the initial years of Norwalk's Head Start Program, worked with the Community Action Committee and, retired as a captain in the Huron County Sheriff's Department. In her retirement years, she worked at the Norwalk Public Library and the Norwalk Recreation Center.Charles J. "Red" Carman, 92, Sandusky (Oct. 30): During his younger years, Carman traveled the country and the world playing his saxophone, performing with jazz greats such as the Ink Spots, Dizzie Gillespie, Miles Davis, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Upon returning to Sandusky to be with his mother during her later years, he formed his own jazz band that played locally.Rosemary M. "Rosie" Mason, 87, Clyde (Oct. 31): For more than 42 years, Mason worked in the cafeteria at Clyde High School, retiring in 2002.Betty Lou Rollison Gowdy, 69, Sandusky (Oct. 31): Gowdy owned Topline Barbershop for over 50 years.NOVEMBEREdith Ann Giesler, 84, Huron (Nov. 1): Giesler was the owner of Ann S. Giesler Law Firm and taught English at Sandusky High School, as well as being the former assistant prosecutor of Erie County.Robert C. Clem, 85, Port Clinton (Nov. 3): Clem was a self-employed landscaper who did all the landscaping for Didion Builders and Loui Builders. He was also founder of Clem's Auto Wrecking and Rich's Auto Parts in Port Clinton.Thomas L. Corogin, 88, Catawba Island (Nov. 3): An attorney in Columbus and Port Clinton, Corogin also owned and operated Harbor Park Marina on Catawba Island.Donna G. Ott, 72, Monroeville (Nov. 4): Ott was a phys. ed teacher at Berlin Milan Public Schools, Monroeville Public Schools and St. Joseph Elementary Schools and was the athletic director of Monroeville Public Schools, where she retired in 1995.Michael "Mike" Slivka, 93, Huron (Nov. 8): Slivka retired from NASA after 25 years of service. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, shooting four holes-in-one, and was the 1988 Ohio Senior Golf Champion.Kenneth L. "Little Thunder" Tuttle, 52, Sandusky (Nov. 10): Tuttle was known in the area as a talented drummer, playing in pro bands ("The Godz") and for his many music connections as a studio musician. Being of Native American Cherokee Indian ancestry, Tuttle was deeply involved with native teachings, customs and burial protection; his own burial services were warrior ceremonies on Lake Erie and on the reservation in Cumberland Gap Falls, Ky.Maelynn Grace Keller, 3 months, Perkins Township (Nov. 11): Maelynn Keller, a 3-month-old with a "contagious smile," passed away after being found unresponsive after a nap. She was the subject of a Register story after a family friend started The Maelynn Grace Fund at gofundme.com to help her parents with the unexpected medical bills.Rita J. Hay, 74, Bellevue (Nov. 16): Hay retired from the Bellevue School System after 35 years of touching the lives of hundreds of first-graders.Rita (Lizzi) Tintinalli, 100, Sandusky (Nov. 17): Tintinalli retired at the age of 95 from Star Lanes Bowling Alley, which she co-owned with her son.Robert C. "Bob" Koch Sr., 95, Sandusky (Nov. 22): In addition to his military career and 33 years as a senior engineer with New Departure-Hyatt, Koch was active in the Perkins Township community. He was the last surviving Perkins School Board member of those who served from Jan. 1, 1951 to Jan. 1, 1964. He served as treasurer of Perkins Local School District from 1951-73, and later in the 1970s he served as a board member and president during the rapid area growth and the expansion of the facilities during the '50s and '60s. He also served on the committee to form the Perkins Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Planning and Zoning Commission and had been a member and past president of the Perkins Area Chamber of Commerce.John R. Ehrhardt, 87, Huron (Nov. 27): Ehrhardt had a long career as an engineer, which included assisting in the startup of a new defense facility at Santa Barbara, Calif. Ehrhardt received many patents and academic awards for his work, and that of his team, on the development of pods that are still used by the U.S. defense forces on fighter jets and battleships to warn and deflect incoming rocketry.Karen A. Renwand, 72, Norwalk (Nov. 28): Renwand worked at the Erie County Humane Society for several years, ultimately becoming director of the organization before retiring in 2001.DECEMBER Nancy Kristensen Gentles, 71, Lakeside-Marblehead (Dec. 1): Gentles was the owner/operator of Sun City Tanning and Harbor Point Gift Shop in Marblehead, and also helped her daughter, Sonja, at AJ's Pizza in Marblehead.Alba Maritza (Figueroa) Weber, 68, Sandusky (Dec. 3): Weber was employed by the Erie County Sheriff's Office for 25 years. She was the first woman to be hired to work in the corrections facility, and is still known as the only woman to attain the ranking officer status as a corporal. In one of her numerous volunteer projects, she chaired a committee to develop and build the Sacred Heart Manor in Lorain, Ohio, and in 1992, the mayor of Lorain commemorated her work by declaring Alba Straw Day.Henry E. Young, 92, Ohio Veterans Home (Dec. 4): One of a long line of attorneys, Young practiced law in Norwalk until 1992. Young was the youngest mayor in Ohio when he was elected in 1954 as mayor of Norwalk, serving two terms, and from 1983-89, he served as magistrate of the Huron County Common Pleas Court.Gary M. "Mike" Balch, 73, Sandusky (Dec. 4): Balch was the operator of the Sandusky Jo Do Kwain from 1988 to 2003, where he held a 10th degree black belt with a masters. He was also a foster parent to over 150 children.David R. Williams, 68, Norwalk (Dec. 7): Williams was a patrolman for the Monroeville Police Department from 1971-73, and chief of the Monroeville Police Department from 1973-78.Ruth ParkerDon SchwangerA photograph taken by the volunteer photography group, Flashes of Hope, of Kyra Conrad at the Cleveland Clinic.Charles Westerhold