Person Page - 2767

     Emma Lavonne Wikel was buried at Galveston Cemetery, Galveston, Cass Co., Indiana.^3,2 Her married name was Reed.³ She married Harry Hasel Reed, son of Charles Daniel Reed and Keturah Addilaide "Addie" Jeffries.¹ Emma Lavonne Wikel was born on January 5, 1903 at Kokomo, Howard Co., Indiana.² She died on November 21, 2000 at Flora, Carroll Co., Indiana, at age 97.²

     Her Social Security Number was 315-16-8613.³ Thelma Scherb was buried at Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery, Kokomo, Howard Co., Indiana.^4,2 She was born on November 13, 1908 at Staunton, Vigo Co., Indiana.^3,1,2 As of April 23, 1929,her married name was Reed.¹ She married Robert Edwin Reed, son of Charles Daniel Reed and Keturah Addilaide "Addie" Jeffries, on April 23, 1929 at Wabash Co., Indiana.¹ Thelma Scherb died on July 31, 1985 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 76.^4,2

     Clayton Porter Reed With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Clayton P. Reed (Kokomo, Indiana), who passed away on December 5, 2019 at the age of 84.⁴ He was born on December 31, 1934 at Lynn, Randolph Co., Indiana.³ He died on December 5, 2019 at Kokomo, Howard Co., Indiana, at age 84.⁴

     Merlin Edwin Fager Sr. was buried at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, LaFontaine, Wabash Co., Indiana.³ His Social Security Number was 309-09-8141.⁴ He was born on April 6, 1912 at Miami Co., Indiana.^1,2,3,4 He married Geneva Louette Reed, daughter of John Grant Reed and Grace Fearnow, on October 24, 1933 at Indiana.¹ Merlin Edwin Fager Sr. died on September 4, 1977 at Marion, Grant Co., Indiana, at age 65.³

     Ethel Reed was buried at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, LaFontaine, Wabash Co., Indiana.¹ She was born on June 29, 1902 at Wabash Co., Indiana.¹ She died on January 23, 1904 at Wabash Co., Indiana, at age 1.¹

     Donald Kennedy Martin was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery (aka Crawfordsville Masonic Cemetery), 1114 South Grant Avenue, Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., Indiana.^1,3 He was born on April 26, 1907 at Montgomery Co., Indiana.^1,2 He married Helen Elizabeth Smiley, daughter of William Lewis Smiley and Ursula Ellen "Sula" Conner, on February 12, 1931 at Jamestown, Boone Co., Indiana.^5,4 Donald Kennedy Martin died on May 18, 1964 at New Market, Montgomery Co., Indiana, at age 57.^1,4 He NEW MARKET - Donald K. Martin, 57, former grocer and long-time resident of New Market, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his home here Monday. He had been in failing health since 1961. Born here, he operated a grocery from 1940 to 1960 and was married to Helen F. Smiley of Jamestown in 1930. He was a member of the Methodist Church here, Waveland Masonic Lodge and Crawfordsville Sportsmen's Club, of which he was a director for several years. He was graduated from New Market High School in 1926. Surviving with the widow are a daughter, Mrs. Jane Paligraf of Crawfordsville; his mother, Mrs. Mayme D. Martin of Frankfort; a sister, Mrs. Roberta Allee, also of Frankfort and two brothers, Robert of Detroit and Chester in Illinois. on May 19, 1964.⁴

     Her Social Security Number was 316-20-7077.⁴ Her married name was Smiley.¹ Ruth Anna Biddle married Robert Allen Smiley Sr., son of Charles Byron Smiley and Zola R. Bratton.¹ Ruth Anna Biddle was born on November 26, 1918 at Darlington, Montgomery Co., Indiana.^1,4,2,3 She died on August 6, 2007 at Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., Indiana, at age 88.^1,4,3 She Ruth Anna Smiley, 88, of Crawfordsville, passed away in her home Monday. She was born to William Glenn Biddle and Kathryn Lucille (Grey) Biddle on Nov. 26, 1918 in Darlington. She was a graduate of Darlington High School. She married Robert A. Smiley Sr. Mr. Smiley preceded her in death. Mrs. Smiley was a nurse's aide for Carman Nursing Home and Culver Hospital. She was also a member of First Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors include a son, Jon W. Peterson of Sacramento, Calif; a stepson, Robert Smiley Jr. of Crawfordsville; two daughters, Rebecca Risner of Crawfordsville, and Katherine L. Bryan of Mooresville; a sister, Jeanne Vanderkley of Kalamazoo, Mich; nine grandchildren; several greatgrandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, William and sisters, Vera Royer, Vivian Cunningham, Betty West and Lois Brand. A memorial service will First Baptist Church with the Rev. James Ranard officiating. There is no visitation planned. on August 8, 2007.¹

     His Social Security Number was 446-34-5190.⁴ Jo Gary Brooks was buried at Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche Co., Oklahoma.² He married Unknown Singleton.¹ Jo Gary Brooks was born on February 16, 1936 at Lawton, Comanche Co., Oklahoma.^1,4,2 He died on October 13, 1987 at Lawton, Comanche Co., Oklahoma, at age 51.^1,2

     Benjamin Stanfield "Ben" Byers was buried at Aten Cemetery, Hildago, Crooked Creek Township, Jasper Co., Illinois.¹ He was born on November 4, 1875 at Jasper Co., Illinois.^2,4 He married Ella V. Brooks, daughter of Newton Jasper Brooks and Alice Martha Conner, circa 1902.¹ Benjamin Stanfield "Ben" Byers died on August 17, 1944 at Greenup, Cumberland Co., Illinois, at age 68.⁴

     Ray Dell Byers was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Alton, Madison Co., Illinois.⁴ He was born on March 14, 1903 at Hildago, Jasper Co., Illinois.^3,4 He married Edna Mitchell in 1925.² Ray Dell Byers died on February 12, 1944 at Alton, Madison Co., Illinois, at age 40.⁴

     Edna Chloe Byers was buried at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona.³ She was born on March 31, 1906 at Illinois.² As of circa 1925,her married name was Brewer.⁴ She married James Harrison Brewer circa 1925.^2,4 Edna Chloe Byers died on November 5, 1994 at Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, at age 88.⁵ She BREWER, Edna C., 88 of Tucson died Friday, November 25, 1994. Survived by three sons, James C. (Barbara) Brewer of Tucson, William E. (Phyllis) Brewer of Ohio and Ted A. Brewer of Tucson; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. on November 28, 1994.⁵

     Her Social Security Number was 327-07-0776.² Edna Mitchell was born on March 7, 1899 at Auburn, Sangamon Co., Illinois.^3,2 As of 1925,her married name was Byers.³ She married Ray Dell Byers, son of Benjamin Stanfield "Ben" Byers and Ella V. Brooks, in 1925.³ Edna Mitchell died on April 25, 1997 at Alton, Madison Co., Illinois, at age 98.^3,2

     His Social Security Number was 278-01-1833.³ James Harrison Brewer was buried at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona.² He was born on February 24, 1902 at Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth Co., Kansas.^3,1 He married Edna Chloe Byers, daughter of Benjamin Stanfield "Ben" Byers and Ella V. Brooks, circa 1925.^4,5 James Harrison Brewer died on July 1, 1986 at Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, at age 84.⁴

     Rev. James Culps Brewer The Reverend James C. Brewer died on April 28, 2009 at the age of 82. Rev. Brewer was born on November 6, 1926 in Morgan County, Illinois to James Harrison and Edna C. Brewer. After service in the US Navy Air Corp, he graduated from the University of Toledo in 1948 with a BA in History. In 1951, he graduated from Harvard Divinity School and was ordained by the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church in Melrose, Massachusetts. His professional life consisted of both parish ministry and public service. In 1951, he served as intern minister with Dr. Howard Thurman at the Church of the Fellowship of All People. The Church was founded in 1944 by Dr. Thurman and Dr. Alfred Fisk as the nation's first interracial interfaith congregation. From 1952 to 1956, Rev. Brewer served the Unitarian Church in Natick, Massachusetts. While serving in Natick, he initiated the first Fair Housing group in Massachusetts. From 1956 to 1961, he served the Unitarian Church in Norfolk, Virginia. In Norfolk, Rev. Brewer helped found the Norfolk Committee for Public Schools to reopen the schools after Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr. ordered them closed rather than desegregate. Rev. Brewer served as president of the group and with members of his congregation worked for integration in the public schools. In 1959, Rev. Brewer received the Holmes-Weatherly Award at that year’s General Assembly for his social justice work in Norfolk. As a Fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs from 1961 to 1965, Rev. Brewer studied and reported on inter-cultural relations in southern and central Africa and Brazil, traveling extensively in those regions. During that time, he represented the Unitarian Service Committee in the development of a program at Phoenix Settlement, Gandhi’s home in South Africa and served as Interim Minister to the Unitarian Church in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1966, he became the Executive Director of the Foundation for Voluntary Service in New York, focusing on racial, poverty, and urban problems in the United States. From 1969 to 1979, he served as General Secretary and Treasurer of the U.S. – South Africa Leader Exchange Program, an organization concerned with justice, equality, and leadership development. Rev. Brewer returned to parish ministry in 1979, serving as Interim minister to First Unitarian Church, Chicago, Illinois; First Unitarian Congregation, Toronto, Canada; Unitarian Universalist Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Unitarian Church in Westport, Connecticut. He was called in 1983 to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, North Carolina and served there until his retirement in 1990 when he was named their Minister Emeritus. Rev. Brewer leaves his wife, Betty Brewer, of Tucson, Arizona; his son, Montie Brewer, Montie’s wife, Jamie Brewer, and their children Jimmy and Abby Brewer of Hudson, Canada; and his daughter, Amy Brewer and husband, David Sacco, of Wallingford, Connecticut. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara; his son, Jimmy; and his daughter, Betsy.² His Social Security Number was 270-20-5513.⁷ He married Betty Ann Vellinga.⁸ Rev. James Culps Brewer was born on November 6, 1926 at Morgan Co., Illinois.^1,7,9,2 He married Barbara Ann Witt on September 6, 1947 at Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.⁶ Rev. James Culps Brewer died on April 28, 2009 at Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, at age 82.^9,7,2

     William Everett Brewer was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Maumee, Lucas Co., Ohio.⁴ He was born on March 30, 1929 at Alton, Madison Co., Illinois.^6,4 He married Phyllis Jean Dale on June 27, 1951 at Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio.^6,7 William Everett Brewer married Ann Cushnie on September 17, 2011.⁶ William Everett Brewer died on January 6, 2019 at Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, at age 89.^3,4 He William E. Brewer passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Sunday, January 6 at Ohio Living Swan Creek. Bill was born in Alton, Illinois and raised in Toledo, OH attending Longfellow Elementary where he met his future wife Phyllis Dale. After graduation from Devilbiss High School, he received a Bachelor and Master's degree from the University of Toledo in civil engineering. He began his career with Bentley and Sons Construction, followed by positions at Portland Cement, Kuhlman Building and Supply and finally at Bowling Green State University where he served as chair of the construction/design department from 1979 to 1984. He was a registered professional engineer in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana and has written numerous articles and textbooks. He also taught classes at The University of Toledo as well as Ohio Northern University. He was married to Phyllis Dale on June 27, 1951 and she preceded him in death in 2010. He married Anne Cushnie on Sept. 17, 2011 and she was his devoted wife until his passing. After his retirement Bill and Phyllis enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada many times with their beloved grandchildren. In 1994, Bill founded the Coffee House Chess League in one coffee house with five members. It grew to over 1500 registered members with 12 chess playing locations. He also created and managed a number of chess programs for elementary schools, shut-ins and others. He developed and manufactured a variation of chess called Mountain Pass Chess and as well Compensation Chess. Bill led an active life of service serving as president of the former Adams Township Local School Board, leadership roles in Westminster Presbyterian Church as well as remaining active in First Presbyterian Church of Maumee. In addition to Anne, he is survived by his children, Bill, Jr., Jenny (Darrell) Alt, and was predeceased by his youngest son Tim (Lori.) as well as grandson Timothy J. Brewer. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Nick(Lindsey) Alt, Lindsey (Rob) Reel, Ashley (John) Scholtz, Matt Alt, Evan Brewer, Arianna Brewer as well as six great grandchildren. on January 10, 2019.³ He William E. Brewer, a civil engineer who taught university students after a career with construction and concrete firms and who promoted chess in schools and coffee houses, died Sunday at Ohio Living Swan Creek. He was 89. He had congestive heart failure, his son, Bill Brewer, Jr., said. From 1978-84, Mr. Brewer was affiliated with Bowling Green State University, where he became an associate professor of construction technology and chairman of the construction and design technology department. He was named a fellow of the American Concrete Institute in 1983, for his contribution to the industry through education. That year, he was made a member of the BGSU chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society. "He really liked the students, and some of the students talk about him still," his son said. He wrote articles in his field and a book on pavement management. Whatever the challenge, as a nonacademic leading a university department, "the upside was always the students," his son said. "At BGSU, he was very proud of chairing that program." Mr. Brewer also taught at the University of Toledo and Ohio Northern University. He was a consultant for Toledo Testing Laboratory Inc. and the city of Lima, Ohio. He was a tireless ambassador for chess, "which he thought was the world's greatest game," his son said. He touted such qualities as the need for players to think logically, plan, and be patient. "Once you learn how to play chess, you'll never get away from it," Mr. Brewer told The Blade in 2013. "It cleanses your mind, it keeps it young." He developed extracurricular chess programs at area elementary schools. His Coffee House Chess League grew into a network across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. He developed a variation on the game, Mountain Pass Chess. He was born March 30, 1929, in Alton, Ill, to Edna and James Brewer, but grew up in Toledo. His father was an accountant for what became Owens-Illinois Inc., which had a glass plant in Alton. He was a graduate of DeVilbiss High School. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Toledo. Working for A. Bentley & Sons Co., the legacy construction firm, Mr. Brewer surveyed land on the Anthony Wayne Trail for a Toledo Zoo parking lot. Later, he was a field engineer for Portland Cement Association. He was hired in 1969 by Kuhlman Builders Supply and Brick Co. as a vice president of engineering and technical sales. The next year, a local trade association named him its "Toledo Area Concrete Man of the Year." "He was good at selling and working with clients to help them come up with a good solution," his son said. "He was energetic and joyful. He loved to joke and pull someone's leg and was really interested in other people. He didn't see it as sales. He saw it as building relationships." He became a vice president of K-Krete Inc, initially a collaboration between Kuhlman and Detroit Edison Co., to sell K-Krete, a fill material. He was listed as co-inventor on K-Krete patents. He and his young family settled on Cass Road in what was then Adams Township in a kit house, which he built - except for plumbing and electrical work. His wife, Phyllis, taught math at Rogers High School. He was a former president of the Adams Township Board of Education. The last occupied acreage in the township was annexed in 1966 to Toledo, and Toledo Public Schools absorbed the school district. He taught himself to sail and plied the Maumee River in a Rebel, the fiber-glass craft by pioneering Toledo boat builder Ray Greene. Mr. Brewer was a former commodore of the Perrysburg Boat Club. He also wrote the family history and worked on chess-themed children's stories. He created Amish-style lanterns and candlesticks in his wood shop. He'd been a leader in Westminster Presbyterian Church. "There was the engineering side, the precise side, and the creative side," his son said. He and the former Phyllis Dale, his grade school sweetheart, married June 27, 1951. She died April 14, 2010. A son, Timothy A. Brewer, died Aug. 30, 2017. Surviving are his wife, the former Anne Cushnie, whom he married Sept. 17, 2011; son, William, Jr; daughter, Jenny Alt; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. on January 12, 2019.

     Her Social Security Number was 340-26-1759.² Her married name was Brewer.¹ Betty Ann Vellinga married Rev. James Culps Brewer, son of James Harrison Brewer and Edna Chloe Byers.¹ Betty Ann Vellinga was born on March 1, 1935 at Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois.^2,1 She died on December 4, 2009 at Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, at age 74.^3,2 She BREWER, Betty Tschappat, born March 1, 1935 in Chicago to John and Dorothy Vellinga. Died at home in Tucson, December 4, 2009. Preceded in death by her husband, Henry Tschappat in 2001 and her second husband, James Brewer in 2009. Survived by her daughters, Melanie Coleman and Kathryn Tschappat; and brother, Raymond Vellinga. Betty graduated from Elgin HS in 1952, earned a BA in Business Administration from Lake Forest College in 1956, and an RN from Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL. A devoted career nurse in Elgin and Big Rapids, MI, she moved to Tucson, AZ after retirement. Betty was an avid traveler and nature lover and a volunteer at Tohono Chul Park. "A spirit lives as long as someome remembers." on December 20, 2009.¹