HARRISBURG, Pa. — John B. Bird, 77, of Harrisburg, formerly of Cambridge, Ohio, died Saturday (April 14, 2001) at Harrisburg Hospital, following complications from open heart surgery.

He was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Cambridge, son of the late Arthur A. and Dena G. (Wills) Bird.

Mr. Bird was retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, where he served as a purchasing agent.

He was a member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, where he also belonged to the St. Mark Chancel choir, Gleaner’s Sunday school class, Partners for Prayer and Men’s Fellowship group.

He was a graduate of Brown High School and Cambridge Business College.

He was a member of Robert Burns Masonic Lodge 464 of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Consistory.
He was a 32nd degree Master Mason in the Scottish Rite.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a medic in Europe during World War II.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Dorothy E. Bird of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Michael (Kathleen) McGranaghan of Colonial Park; a son, George (Laurie) Bird of Eatontown, N.J.; two brothers, Clarence Bird of Bradenton, Fla., and Robert Bird of Cambridge, Ohio; and eight grandchildren.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. today at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, with services to follow at 11 a.m. at the church.

Burial will be in Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Hetrick Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling the arrangements.

Local information provided by Bundy-Law Funeral Home, Cambridge, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Organ Fund, St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4200 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109.

NEWCOMERSTOWN — Florence H. Denham, 89, of Newcomerstown, died Sunday (April 15, 2001) at Riverside Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Newcomerstown.

She was born Nov. 3, 1911, in Guernsey County, daughter of the late George W. and Dollie (Fletcher) Folkert.

Mrs. Denham was a 1929 graduate of Newcomerstown High School.

She had worked at Heller Tool Co. in Newcomerstown for many years. She also worked at Moore Enameling in West Lafayette.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Newcomerstown, Home Makers Club, Rebecca’s Club, Friendly Welcome Club, and member and past president of Business Women’s Club. She was also a Grange member.

She was past worthy matron of Oriental Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Denham, on March 31, 1997; a grandson, Matthew D. Denham; and a sister, Lucille McCullough.

She leaves a son, G. Robert (Dorcas) Denham; a grandson, Robert A. (Kathy) Denham; two great-granddaughters, Christina Denham and Heather Denham, all of Bucyrus.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Addy Funeral Home, Newcomerstown, where services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Donald Silverthorne officiating. Eastern Star services will be 6:45 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery, Newcomerstown.

WOODSFIELD — Hazel R. Edington, 85, of Woodsfield, formerly of Wooster, died Sunday (April 15, 2001) at Monroe County Care Center, Woodsfield.

She was born Oct. 22, 1915, in Monroe County, daughter of the late James Abraham and Mary (Henthorn) Eikleberry.

Mrs. Edington was a member of West Union Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Forrest Edington; her second husband, George Edington; three brothers, Homer, George and Clark Eikleberry; and a sister, Grace Jackson.

She leaves several step-children; two sisters, Nellie Howell of Sardis, and Clara Mozena of Woodsfield; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Burial will be in West Union Cemetery, near Sardi

NEW CONCORD — Helen L. Martin, 58, of 1237 Scandia Terrace, Oviedo, Fla., 32765, died Monday (April 9, 2001) at Memorial Hospital, Winter Park, Fla., following complications due to surgery.

She was born Oct. 3, 1942, in Zanesville, daughter of the late Nathan Freemont and Helen Elizabeth (Denner) Woodhull.

Mrs. Martin was a registered nurse. She was a volunteer with Hospice of the Comforter. She was a member of American Nursing Association and College Drive Presbyterian Church, New Concord.

She leaves her husband, Paul Martin; a daughter, Beth Bailey of Longwood, Fla.; a son, Michael Metz of Orlando, Fla.; a brother, Nathan Woodhull of Lima; and two grandchildren.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today at Mock-Miller Funeral Home, New Concord.

Services will be 1 p.m. today at College Drive Presbyterian Church, New Concord, with the Rev. Douglas Blaikie officiating.

Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Zanesville.

NEWCOMERSTOWN — Jaunita K. Preston, 88, of Newcomerstown, died Sunday (April 15, 2001) at Riverside Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Newcomerstown.

She was born June 24, 1912, in Cambridge, daughter of the late Jesse W. and Yetta M. (Pontius) Farra.

Mrs. Preston was a graduate of Cambridge High School and Cambridge Business College.

She retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation, where she served as secretary in the New Philadelphia office.

She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Newcomerstown, and was past worthy matron of Oriental Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

She was a YWCA member and received the Leo Pope Award for her volunteer hours, having taught more than 2,000 hours of swimming lessons.

She participated in the Senior Olympics in St. Louis, Mo., in 1985, placing 13th in the nation in the breast stroke event in the 70-74 age bracket.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl Clouse, on Sept. 9, 1966. They were married in May 1944. Also deceased are a daughter, Rita Ripley, and two brothers.

She leaves her husband, Charles “Art” Preston, whom she married Nov. 11, 1979; a daughter, Mrs. E. Barry (Mary Kathryn) Pickett of Newcomerstown; three step-children, Richard (Donna) Preston of Huron, Mrs. John (Marie) Peine of Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Margaret E. Beyer of Anaheim, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Mrs. Ed (Kariann) Gott and Jennifer Pickett, all of Lexington, S.C., Melissa Moore of Newcomerstown, Sue Ellen Hegg of New Hampshire, Raeann Becker, Craig Ripley and Scott Riley, all of New Philadelphia, and Lynn Winemiller of Leesburg, Va.; 12 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Addy Funeral Home, Newcomerstown, where services will be 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. William C. Haggis II officiating.

Burial will be in Coshocton County Memory Gardens, Coshocton.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund, 121 S. College St., Newcomerstown, OH 43832.

Word has been received of the death of Rex. F. Stokley, 91, of Norfolk, Va., formerly of Cambridge, who died Thursday (April 12, 2001).

Mr. Stokley had lived in the Cambridge area from 1910 until 1947, when he relocated to Norfolk, Va., to work with his brother, John.

Mr. Stokley’s uncle, Stan Moorehead, was a former owner of The Jeffersonian.

He had nine brothers and sisters, some of whom were raised and died in Cambridge.

Services will be today in Virginia.

BARNESVILLE — Rev. Donald Richard VanPelt, 55, of Beallsville, died Thursday (April 12, 2001) at Barnesville Hospital.

He was born April 7, 1946, in Elkins, W.Va., son of Donald J. VanPelt of Hopewell, Pa., and the late Marjorie (Watson) VanPelt.

Rev. VanPelt was a member of Trinity Temple Church and was an employee of Sifco Industries, both of Cleveland.

He was preceded in death by a son, Donald VanPelt Jr.

He leaves his wife, Jean (Zickuhr) VanPelt; a son, William VanPelt of Cleveland; a daughter, Bobbie Jo Williams of Bedford, Pa.; two brothers, Gary (Charolette) of Hopewell, Pa., and Charles (Mary Ann) of Elyria; two sisters, Jeannie Smith of Smithville, and Pam VanPelt of Cape May, N.J.; and two grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. today at Craciun Funeral Home, Cleveland.

Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Cleveland.

Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, Barnesville, is handling local arrangements.