Person Page - 7115

     Norman Lee Heil Norman Heil, Jun 29, 1957 – Jan 5, 2012. Norman was born in Columbus Ohio on June 29, 1957 to the late Howard and Carolyn (Sanders) Heil. He died January 5, 2012 at the Selma Markowitz Center operated by Hospice of Central Ohio. He was 54. Norman grew up in Johnstown and was a member of the Johnstown HS class of ’75, served in the US Army and worked as an HVAC Technician. He loved to race cars, rebuild engines, play the guitar and rebuild computers. He is survived by his wife Dreama (Kelley), daughter Angela Heil and son Chris (Gerri) Heil, grandsons Keaton and Wiott Heil; brothers Marshall (Tina) Heil and Howard Heil, nieces Delaney Kirkpatrick and Kennedy Heil, all of Johnstown, and brother-in-law Randy (Ann) Kelley of Hilliard, and the family pet Shiatsu “Lucky”.⁴ His Social Security Number was 253-06-1379.⁵ He was born on June 29, 1957 at Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio.^4,5 He married Dreama Jean Kelley, daughter of Thurman Lee Kelley and Elvah Jean Lynch, on July 5, 1983.^1,4,3 Norman Lee Heil died on January 5, 2012 at Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, at age 54.^4,2,5

     His Social Security Number was 717-12-3366.⁴ Wilton Amos Via was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, 4900 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida.¹ He was born on May 13, 1884 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,5,4,6 He married Ella G./J. Kelley, daughter of Jefferson Lafayette Kelley and Emmazetta E. "Emma" Kelley, circa 1903.^7,8 Wilton Amos Via died on December 26, 1980 at St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida, at age 96.^1,5,3 He VIA, Wilton A., 96, of 1330 35th Ave. N, died Friday (Dec. 26, 1980). Born in Roanoke, Va., he came here in 1950 from Indianapolis and was a retired locomotive engineer for a railroad. He was a member of Mirror Lake Christian Church, Sunshine Masonic Lodge 288 F&AM, Gulfport, Eastern Star Adah Chapter No. 219 and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers No. 11. Survivors include his wife Ruby C; two sons, W. A. Via Jr., Mooresville, Ind., and F. J. Via, Indianapolis; a daughter, Ruth R. Rogers, St. Petersburg; five brothers, Walter, Indianapolis, Melvin, Greenville, Ohio, Dewey, Carl and Otis, all of Covington, Ohio; three sisters, Lala Hoblitt, Clara Love and Thelma Wise, all of Covington; 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren. on December 28, 1980.³

     Lena Emma Via was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.⁵ She was born on September 26, 1904 at Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.² She married Alton Floris Reed, son of John Fleming Reed and Lelia Ardelia "Lillie" Gardner, on April 20, 1924 at Urbana, Champaign Co., Illinois.^6,7,8 As of April 20, 1924,her married name was Reed. As of July 4, 1930,her married name was Kendall.² Lena Emma Via married Howard Lee Kendall on July 4, 1930 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio.^2,9 Lena Emma Via died on July 30, 1962 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, at age 57.¹⁰

     Richard Wilton Reed Richard W. Reed, age 94, of Sidney passed away on Sunday, July 05, 2020 in Dorothy Love Retirement Community. Born in Roanoke, VA on October 5, 1925 to the late Alton and Lena (Via) Reed, his father died when his Richard was 18 months old. He was age 4 when his mother married Howard L. Kendall of Piqua and they established a home there. He graduated in 1943 from Piqua Central High School, them from Miami Jacobs Business College in Dayton, OH majoring in Accounting. He later graduated from the Electronic Computer Programming Institute of Dayton. In 1943 he married the former Ruth Ann Kirby who preceded him in death on June 26, 2015. His sister Carolyn (Kendall) Tobias died in 2000. Richard was office manager at the former J.W. Brown Store (later the Uhlman Department Store) from 1953 to 1969, then as an accountant in the City of Piqua Finance Department, serving several years as finance director and retiring in 1990. A lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Piqua, he served for many years as its treasurer, as a council member and on many of its committees. A niece, Linda Wyan of West Milton and a nephew, Mark Tobias of Covington, six great-nieces and several great-great nieces and nephews, survive him. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Fletcher Cemetery, Fletcher, OH.¹ He was buried at Fletcher Cemetery, 8245 Casstown-Fletcher Road, Fletcher, Miami Co., Ohio.^6,1 He was born on October 5, 1925 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4,7,5,1 He married Ruth Ann Kirby in 1946; Her obituary says they married in 1946 and his obituary has 1943.¹ Richard Wilton Reed died on July 5, 2020 at Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, at age 94.¹

     Ruth Ann Kirby Ruth Ann Kirby Reed, 88, died June 26, 2015, at 8:56 a.m. in the Dorothy Love Retirement Community, Sidney. She was born Feb. 5, 1927, in the farm home of her grandparents, Ina and John Long, who resided near Conover. Shortly after her birth she joined her parents, Florence and Webster Kirby, whose home was in Conover, and lived there 18 years until she married Richard Reed in 1946. He survives. She is also survived by a niece, Linda Wyan, of West Milton, a nephew, Mark (Candace) Tobias of Covington, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Mrs. Reed was employed for 42 years at the Piqua Daily Call, retiring in 1989. Hired as a proofreader, she then became an assistant society editor, whose title changed to lifestyle editor until she retired. She added to her education by taking courses at the universities of Dayton and Missouri and won several wards for her writing from the Associated Press and as a member of Ohio Press Women. Mrs. Reed was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Piqua, the Piqua YWCA, The Piqua Altrusa Club and former member of the Piqua Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She and her husband resided in Piqua 41 years before moving to Sidney to live in the Dorothy Love Retirement Community. Burial will follow in Fletcher Cemetery.³ She was buried at Fletcher Cemetery, 8245 Casstown-Fletcher Road, Fletcher, Miami Co., Ohio.^4,3 She was born on February 5, 1927 at Miami Co., Ohio.^1,3 As of 1946,her married name was Reed.² She married Richard Wilton Reed, son of Alton Floris Reed and Lena Emma Via, in 1946; Her obituary says they married in 1946 and his obituary has 1943.² Ruth Ann Kirby died on June 26, 2015 at Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, at age 88.^2,3

     Howard Lee Kendall was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.² His Social Security Number was 281-01-5573.⁶ He was born on June 8, 1902 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,4,6 He married Lena Emma Via, daughter of Wilton Amos Via and Ella G./J. Kelley, on July 4, 1930 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,3 Howard Lee Kendall died on September 29, 1970 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, at age 68.⁵

     Milford Edward Via was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,6 His Social Security Number was 310-07-7300.⁸ He was born on November 22, 1907 at Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^6,3,4,8 He married Geraldine Blanche Berkenmeier on July 29, 1930 at Miami Co., Ohio.^6,3 Milford Edward Via died on July 10, 1975 at Troy, Miami Co., Ohio, at age 67.^6,9 He Funeral services for Milford E. Via of 6736 W. U.S. 36, Covington, will be Saturday. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. Via, 67, died Thursday at 8:15 a.m. in Dettmer Hospital. He was born in Miami County, Nov. 22, 1907, the son of William and Ella M. Kelley Via. His father survives and is living in St. Petersburg, Fla. He married the former Geraldine Berkmire July 29, 1930. She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Neil Clark (Shirley), Covington, and Mrs. Thomas Ogle (Jeanne), Ann Arbor, Mich; a son, Larry of California; eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Fred of Indianapolis, Ind., and Albert of Mooresvile, Ind. A sister and brother and four children preceded him in death. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Urbana and Stillwater Grange, 2670. He served in the Ohio National Guard and was a member of the 25-year Club at Hobart Manufacturing. on July 11, 1975.⁶

     Geraldine Blanche Berkenmeier was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^3,2 Her Social Security Number was 308-24-0710.⁴ She was born on March 25, 1911 at Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,4,2 As of July 29, 1930,her married name was Via.¹ She married Milford Edward Via, son of Wilton Amos Via and Ella G./J. Kelley, on July 29, 1930 at Miami Co., Ohio.^5,1 Geraldine Blanche Berkenmeier died on October 20, 1985 at Covington, Miami Co., Ohio, at age 74.^6,2 She Geraldine B. Via, 74, died Sunday at her residence, 6736 W. U.S. 36, Covington. Mrs. Via was born March 25, 1911, in Miami County, daughter of the late George and Cleo (Rue) Berkenmeier. graduate of Covington High School, she was a member of the Covington Presbyterian Church, Newberry Grandmothers Club, Stillwater Grange and the Newberry Handy Housemakers Club. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Neil (Shirley) Clark of Covington and Mrs. Thomas (Jeanne) Ogle of Ann Arbor, Mich; a son, Larry of Covington; eight grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband, Milford; a daughter; and one son. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. on October 21, 1985.²

     Junior Via was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.¹ He died on November 21, 1931 at Miami Co., Ohio.¹ He was born on November 21, 1931 at Miami Co., Ohio.¹

     Betty Lou Via was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,4 She was born on October 23, 1933 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^3,4 She died on May 8, 1942 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 8.^4,5 She VIA - Betty Lou, 8 years, beloved darling daughter of Milford and Geraldine Via, sister of Jean Evelyn, Shirley Mae, and Larry Edward Via, granddaughter of W. A. Via and George Berkenmeier, passed away Friday. on May 9, 1942.⁵

     Wilton Joe “Billy Joe” Via was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^1,2 He was born on April 30, 1953 at Miami Co., Ohio.¹ He died on April 4, 1956 at Miami Co., Ohio, at age 2.² He Services for Billy Via, 3, of near Covington, who drowned in Greenville Creek Wednesday, will be held tomorrow. Burial will be in Highland cemetery. Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Via; two sisters, a brother and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Via of St. Petersburg, Fla., and formerly of Sugar Grove, and George Berkemeier of Richmond, Ind. on April 6, 1956.²

     Everett K. Via was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9350 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.⁴ He was born on September 24, 1909 at Covington, Miami Co., Ohio; His death certificate has a birth date of Sep 22, 1909.^2,3 He SEYMOUR, Ind., July 8. - Everett Via, 22-year-old balloonist of Indianapolis, fell 300 feet to his death here this evening when the third parachute in his triple leap from a balloon failed to open. Via fell headfirst in an open field. The body was buried two feet in the ground. Via, who was employed by Oscar Ruth of Indianapolis, struggled to cut the last cord to open the float. The parachute opened after he struck the ground. In his jump on Friday and ad yesterday Via had the same difficulty with the third float, but managed to cut the cord successfully. Inquest has been set for 9 o'clock tomorrow morning by Coroner William A. Dickmeyer. C. R. Thurman, another employe of Ruth, who is said to have filled the balloon, has been subpoenaed as a witness. The body was taken to a local undertaking establishment. Via was hired to make parachute leaps for the week at Shields amusement park, which is managed by John VanDe Walle. He had been engaged in this work since he was 16 years old. On Friday Via landed on the roof of the First Methodist Church here and successfully maneuvered his parachute to land safely. Everett Via was the son of W. A. Via, 448 North State avenue. He lived, however, with O. E. Ruth, 1222 Sheffield avenue, who employed him as a balloonist. He was a graduate of Bradford (O.) high school. Besides his father surviving are a stepmother, Mrs. Via; three brothers, Milford Via of Troy, O., and Fred and Albert Via, both of Indianapolis; a sister, Mrs. Lela Bent Mountain, Va., and a stepsister, Miss Miller of Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Via and Ruth went to Seymour last night. They will return to the Via home with the balloonist's body this evening. Funeral arrangements have not been made. on July 9, 1928.⁵ He died on July 9, 1928 at Seymour, Jackson Co., Indiana, at age 18.^2,5

     Wilton Albert Via was buried at Mooresville Cemetery, Mooresville, Morgan Co., Indiana.^3,9 His Social Security Number was 712-18-6067.¹⁰ He married Louise Naomi Nation.¹¹ Wilton Albert Via was born on August 16, 1912 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.^2,3,9,4,10 He married Florence Elsie DeGroot on February 6, 1954 at Mooresville, Morgan Co., Indiana.^12,13 Wilton Albert Via died on September 24, 1987 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 75.^3,13,9 He Services for Wilton "Al" Via, 75, will be Saturday. Via died Thursday in Westview Hospital, Indianapolis. He had been an electrician 18 years for Stark & Wetzel Co. and Rath Packing Co., retiring In 1975. He was a member of Mooresville Masonic Lodge. Survivors wife Florence DeGroot Via; son Daniel Via; daughters Georgia Bottorf, Rosemary Walter, Judith Minger, Nancy Beachkofsky; sister Ruth Rogers; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. on September 25, 1987.¹³

     Fred Jefferson Via Sr. was buried at Calvary Cemetery, 435 West Troy Avenue, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.² His Social Security Number was 305-07-0171.⁹ He was born on April 27, 1916 at Bradford, Miami Co., Ohio.^{10,11,9,2,3,4} He married Margaret Bernice Keller on December 4, 1937 at Indiana.^4,12 Fred Jefferson Via Sr. married Clara Josepha Mangin on January 17, 1942 at Marion Co., Indiana.^13,14 Fred Jefferson Via Sr. died on November 29, 1981 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 65.^11,2,15 He Services for Fred J. Via Sr., 65, Indianapolis, an Army veteran of World War II, will be held Wednesday. He died Sunday in St. Vincent Hospital. He was an engineer for Penn Central Railroad 34 years, retiring in 1976. A native of Bradford, Ohio, he lived here most of his life and was a member of Sahara Grotto, American Legion Post 264, Disabled American Veterans and Eastside Exchange Club. Survivors include his wife, Clara Via; four sons, Wilton C., Joseph E., James A. and Fred J. Via Jr., and three daughters, Susan Nalley, Mary Loftus and Alice Benjamin. on December 1, 1981.¹⁵

     Neil Richard Clark was buried at Highland Cemetery, 796 North High Street, Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^4,5 He Neil R. Clark, 84, of Covington, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 13, 2022, at Ohio's Hospice Care Center, Troy. He was born October 31, 1938, in Covington, to the late Eugene & Lois (Houser) Clark. He married Shirley (Via) Clark on June 14, 1958, a marriage that spanned 64½ years; she survives. He will also be missed and remembered by four sons and their wives, Robert (Vanessa) Clark of Covington, Russell (Kathy) Clark of Covington, Dennis (Cheryl) Clark of Troy and Scott (Shannon) Clark of Covington; eight grandchildren and spouses, Jason (Brandy) Clark, Chad (Jody) Clark, Brent (Jenna) Clark, Rick (Emily) Clark, Stacy (Randy) Hollowell, Jill Clark, Mike (Lindsey) Clark, Madison (Matt) Gainer and Tyler Clark; 16 great-grandchildren, Hunter & Wyatt Clark, Gavin Clark, Keir Malone, Dylan & Carly Hollowell, Baine, Beckett & Baylor Clark, Molly, Leah & Kayla Clark, Bristol, Oakley & Myles Clark and Miller Gainer; sister Beverly Zimmer of Arcanum; brother Roger (Kathy) Clark of Covington; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his in laws, Gerri & Milford Via; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jeanne & Tom Ogle; and brother-in-law, Dale Zimmer. Neil was a 1956 graduate of Covington High School and served his country in the U.S. Army and Reserves. He was a lifelong farmer and a past Newberry Township Trustee. He was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association (USTA), the Ohio Harness Horseman Association, and the Covington Eagles #3998. He enjoyed harness racing, raising livestock, and watching his grandchildren in all their activities. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad.⁵ He was born on October 31, 1938 at Covington, Miami Co., Ohio.^3,4,5 He married Shirley Mae Via, daughter of Milford Edward Via and Geraldine Blanche Berkenmeier, on June 14, 1958 at Miami Co., Ohio.^1,2,3,4,5 Neil Richard Clark died on December 13, 2022 at Troy, Miami Co., Ohio, at age 84.^4,5