Person Page - 7232

     John Willis Gray was buried at Rochester I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana.^10,2,3 He was born on December 2, 1918 at Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana.^2,8,3,4,9 He married Donna Fern Rhoda on October 1, 1944 at Fulton Co., Indiana.^8,11 John Willis Gray and Donna Fern Rhoda were divorced circa 1954.¹¹ John Willis Gray married Ruth E. Bunch on April 17, 1955 at Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana.^2,12 John Willis Gray died on June 4, 1976 at Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana, at age 57.^2,3 He John Willis Gray, 57, 1225 Lakeshore drive, died about 9:15 a.m. Friday of a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. The body was discovered about 10:15 a.m. by Arnold Snipes, the postman, who summoned authorities. He was born Dec. 2, 1918 in Denver, Ind., to Richard M. and Gertrude E. Sunday Gray, who preceded in death. He had resided most of his life in Fulton county. He was married April 17, 1955 in Rochester to Ruth E. Bunch, who died Jan. 24, 1974. He owned and operated Gray's 66 service station at 918 Main street. He held a life membership in the Manitou Moose lodge. Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Cora K. Benner, Warsaw; Mrs. Arthur (Mary E.) Wise, Burket; Mrs. Wayne (Lois) Woolley, both of Akron; three brothers, Ed, Bob and Bud, all of Akron, and nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Richard and Clifford, preceded in death. Burial will be in the Rochester I.O.O.F. cemetery. on June 5, 1976.²

     Cora Katherine/Kathryn Gray was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^8,5 Her Social Security Number was 317-05-3900.⁶ She was born on February 12, 1920 at Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana.^4,5,6,7,9 As of June 1, 1944,her married name was Benner.⁴ She married Jack Arden Benner on June 1, 1944 at Guthrie Co., Iowa.⁴ Cora Katherine/Kathryn Gray died on July 21, 2000 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 80.^5,6,10,9 She Cora K. Benner, Feb 12, 1920 - Jul 21, 2000. Cora Kathryn "Kate" Benner, 80, of 504 S. Detroit St., died at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Survivors include two daughters, Jackie Leiter and Sandra Moore, both of Etna Green; three sisters, Lois Wooley and Vivian Spence, both of Akron, and Mary Wise of Burket; and two brothers, Edward and Bud Gray, both of Akron. on July 23, 2000.⁹

     Herbert Clifford Gray was buried at Westlawn Cemetery, Denver, Miami Co., Indiana.^8,9 He was born on June 21, 1921 at Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana; His gravestone has a birth year of 1920.^8,3,4,5 He married Wilma L. Holloway on July 25, 1941 at Indiana.^2,3 Herbert Clifford Gray died on September 16, 1944 at France at age 23.^8,9 He Mrs. Gertrude Gray, of Akron, received a message late Friday from the War department stating that her son, Pfc. Clifford Gray, 24, has been killed in action in France some time during the month of September. Pfc. Gray had been in the Army for nearly two years and had been overseas since last Easter. He had attended the Akron High school. His wife, the former Miss Wilma Holloway, and son Dennis Dean reside in Rochester. Pfc. Gray has five brothers, John of Rochester, Robert of Akron, Orville of Plymouth, S/Sgt Edward stationed in Washington and Bud at home. He also has four sisters, Mrs. Jack Banter of Akron, Mrs. Mary Eileen Wise of South Bend and Lois and Vivian at home. on October 7, 1944.²

     Mary Ellen Gray was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^8,7,5 She was born on July 25, 1922 at Peru, Miami Co., Indiana.^8,7,5,6 As of May 29, 1942,her married name was Wise.⁷ She married Arthur C. Wise on May 29, 1942 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^9,8,7,4 Mary Ellen Gray died on February 5, 2013 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 90.^8,7,5 She Mary Ellen Wise, 90, of Mason Healthcare and Rehab Center, Warsaw, and formerly of Burket, passed away at 3:26 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 at Mason Healthcare and Rehab Center, Warsaw. She was born July 25, 1922, in Miami County to parents Richard M. and Gertrude (Sunday) Gray. On May 29, 1942, she married Arthur C. Wise in Warsaw. He preceded her in death Nov. 6, 1981. Mary was a homemaker. She graduated from Akron High School. She attended the Burket United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Burket Fireman Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary of Mentone. Survivors include one daughter, Colleen Wise, Warsaw; one son, Garry and wife Sandy Wise, Mentone; one sister, Lois and husband Allen Woolley, Akron; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by two sons, Jarry and Larry Wise; one granddaughter; two sisters, Cora Katherine Benner and Vivian Spence; six brothers, Richard O., Clifford, John W., Robert, Wm. Edward and Garland "Bud" Gray. Graveside services will be at Akron Cemetery, Akron. on February 6, 2013.⁷

     Her Social Security Number was 312-26-5522.⁸ Vivian Louise Gray was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^9,2,6 She was born on August 13, 1924 at North Manchester, Wabash Co., Indiana.^2,3,6,4,8 As of July 20, 1950,her married name was Spence.³ She married Wayne Edward Spence on July 20, 1950 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^2,10,3 Vivian Louise Gray died on February 28, 2011 at Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana, at age 86.^2,6,8 She Vivian L. Spence, 86, Life Care Center of Rochester and formerly of Akron, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Monday at her residence. She was born Aug. 13, 1924, in Miami County, the daughter of Richard M. and Gertrude (Sunday) Gray. On July 22, 1950, she married Wayne E. Spence in Akron. Wayne preceded her in death on March 29, 2002. She had worked at Controls Inc., North Manchester, and also at the Rochester Walmart. Vivian attended Olive Branch Church of God, loved to bake and was best known for her pies and pumpkin logs. Survivors include her brother, Bud and wife Shirley Gray, Akron; two sisters, Mary Ellen Wise, Warsaw, and Lois and husband Allen Woolley, Akron; and several nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Katherine Benner; and five brothers, Clifford, John, Orville, Robert and Ed Gray. Burial is at Akron Cemetery, Akron. on March 2, 2011.²

     Lois Collen Gray Lois C. Woolley, 92, of Akron, Indiana passed at 12:35 am, Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Millers Merry Manor of Warsaw, Indiana. She was born on March 25, 1926 to the late Richard M. and Gertrude (Sunday) Gray. She married on Feb. 14, 1946 in Akron, Indiana to Allen A. Woolley, he survives. She worked in earlier years at the Akron Newspaper and Chamberlain Products of Akron as well as being a homemaker. She attended the Akron Church of God. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and all kinds of needlework. She made many Halloween costumes for her daughters. Also in earlier years she liked to bowl. Her and husband enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years. Survivors : Husband – Allen Woolley – Akron, IN, Daughters – Peggy Sellers – Warsaw, IN, Bonita Daine – Akron, IN, Grandchildren – Eric Daine and Bridget Fox , Layla (Tim) Kingston, Great Grandchildren – Jack, Anna, and Owen Kingston. Preceded in Death By: Parents, Sisters – Cora K. Benner, Vivian Spence, and Mary Ellen Wise. Brothers - Richard O., Clifford, John W., Robert, Wm. Edward, and Garland “Bud” Gray.² She was born on March 25, 1926 at Silver Lake, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^2,3 As of February 13, 1946,her married name was Woolley.³ She married Allen Anderson Woolley on February 13, 1946 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^4,6,2,7,3 Lois Collen Gray died on July 29, 2018 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 92.^2,7

     Garland Eugene Wayne Gray was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^5,9 He was born on December 4, 1927 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^1,10,2,3,9 He married Shirley Mae Hibschman on June 6, 1948 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^7,4,5,9 Garland Eugene Wayne Gray died on September 7, 2011 at Plymouth, Marshall Co., Indiana, at age 83.^3,5,9 He Garland W. “Bud” Gray Dec 4, 1927 – Sep 7, 2011. Garland W. “Bud” Gray, 83, passed away Wednesday, September 7 at 11:05 a.m. He was born in Akron, Indiana to Richard M. Gray and Gertrude (Sunday) Gray. On June 6, 1948, in Akron, IN, he married Shirley Hibschman who survives. In his earlier years, Bud drove a milk route for John Zimmerman, hauling milk into the Dean Foods Plant in Rochester. He was also part of many construction projects while working for John Pugh. Bud retired in May 1996 from Pike Lumber Company in Akron after working there for 16 years. For many years, Bud helped as a funeral home assistant, most recently working at Hartzler Funeral Home. Bud attended the Akron United Methodist Church. He graduated from Akron High School in 1947. He was a U.S. Veteran serving during WWII. For many years Bud and Shirley were part of the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club that met in Rochester. Bud was a former member of the Henry Township Fire Department, devoting many hours to helping people in need, a trait that has carried over to his son, John. Bud was an avid fisherman and mushroom hunter, always taking any opportunity he could to get out on the water or go to the woods. Bud was known for many things; two of the most noteworthy were his outstanding woodworking skills and (during the Christmas season) his famous chocolate turtles. He loved a good cup of coffee and would make his daily rounds to the Mini Mart and the Kountry Kitchen to get a fresh cup. During fair and sports seasons, Bud would have a busy schedule traveling to the various areas to support his grandchildren and great grandchildren in the various activities in which they were involved. On weekend evenings Bud and Shirley could often be found at some of their friends’ houses playing Bid Euchre. Bud and Shirley also had pizza with “The Dance Club” for many years. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Gray, Akron, IN; son, John (Debbie) Gray, Akron, IN; grandchildren, Lori (Troy) Busenburg, Mentone, IN, Mindy (K.P.) Bernicky, Claypool, IN and Jeff (Aimee) Gray, Rochester, IN; 7 great-grandchildren, Ashley, Taylor, Garrett, Kasey, Braxton, Austin and Markus; a great-great-grandson, Michael; sisters, Mary Ellen Wise, Warsaw, IN and and Lois (Allen) Woolley, Akron, IN. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Gray; sisters, Cora Katherine Benner and Vivian Spence; brothers, Richard O., Clifford, John W., Robert and Wm. Edward. Burial will be in Akron Cemetery where graveside military rites will be conducted by the LeRoy Shelton American Legion Post 36 and the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1343, both of Rochester, IN. on September 10, 2011.⁵

     Geneva Blanche Dillard was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^5,2,3 Her Social Security Number was 313-16-7744.⁴ She was born on November 9, 1917 at Howard Co., Indiana.^2,3,6 As of September 19, 1938,her married name was Gray.¹ She married Robert Leroy Gray, son of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on September 19, 1938 at Indiana.^1,2 Geneva Blanche Dillard died on August 14, 1997 at South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana, at age 79.^2,3,4 She Geneva B. "Babe" Gray, Nov 9, 1917 - Aug 14, 1997. Geneva B. "Babe" Gray, 79, 202 E. Rochester St.. Akron, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Born to Fred and Ethel Merrel Dillard in Howard County, she married Robert L. Gray on Sep 19, 1938. He died July 1, 1996. She was retired from the former Control's, North Manchester, and was a member of the Denver Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Lawrence (Bonnie) Overlander, Akron, Mrs. Dan (Barbara) Gaby, Akron; two granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; two stepgrandaughters; two step-grandchildren; one sister, Elnora Krieg, Akron; one brother, William Dillard and his wife Marjorie, Muncie. Preceding her in death with her husband and parents, was one sister, Irene Ogle; one brother, Donald Dillard. Burial is at the Akron Cemetery. on August 16, 1997.²

     Alice Louise Ross was buried at Horton Cemetery, Macy, Miami Co., Indiana.^2,4 Her Social Security Number was 306-14-1301.⁵ She was born on May 9, 1919 at Macy, Miami Co., Indiana.^1,2,3,4,5 As of October 31, 1937,her married name was Gray.¹ She married Richard Orville Gray, son of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on October 31, 1937 at Miami Co., Indiana.^1,4,6 Alice Louise Ross died on August 30, 1988 at Plymouth, Marshall Co., Indiana, at age 69.^2,4,5 She Alice L. Gray, 69, of 609 Beerenbrook St., died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Holy Cross Parkview Hospital after an illness. Mrs. Gray retired in 1981 as a bailiff of Marshall County Superior Court. She was born May 9, 1919, in Peru, Ind. She had lived in the Plymouth area for 35 years, coming from Peru. On Oct. 31, 1937, in Peru, she married Richard O. Gray. He died June 9, 1973. Surviving are three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis K. England of Warsaw; and three brothers, Gerald Ross and Robert Ross, both of Tippecanoe, and Dale Ross of Warsaw. A son, Richard Lee, died Sept. 30, 1980. She was a member of the Church of Christ and Plymouth Order of Eastern Star. Burial will be in Horton Cemetery, near Macy. on August 31, 1988.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 317-34-3532.² Richard Lee Gray was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^3,7,4 He married Janice Marie Weigle.³ Richard Lee Gray was born on January 25, 1938 at Fulton Co., Indiana.^2,4,5,8 He died on September 30, 1980 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 42.^1,3,4 He Services for Richard Lee Gray, 42, of 832 E. Main St., who died at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday at Kosciusko Community Hospital, will be held Friday. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. He was born Jan. 25, 1938 in Fulton County. On May 14, 1961 he married Janice Weigle, who survives. Other survivors are a daughter, Kristine at home and two sons, James and Adam, also at home; his mother, Mrs. Alice Gray of Plymouth; a grandmother, Mrs. Martha Ross of Rochester. on October 1, 1980.³

     Jack Arden Benner was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^1,3,7 He was born on April 15, 1922 at North Manchester, Wabash Co., Indiana.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7} He married Cora Katherine/Kathryn Gray, daughter of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on June 1, 1944 at Guthrie Co., Iowa.² Jack Arden Benner died on March 15, 1971 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana, at age 48.^1,3,7

     Wayne Edward Spence was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^6,2,4 He Wayne E. Spence, 79, Akron, died at 9:15 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2002, at his residence. He was born July 2, 1922, in Plymouth, to Howard and Ethel (Anderson) Spence. On July 22, 1950, in Akron, he married Vivian Gray. She survives. Mr. Spence worked at Eaton Controls, North Manchester, for 27 years. He was the lead setup man in the punch press department. He was a member of the Olive Branch Church of God in Roann. Other survivors include three half-sisters, all of Bremen — Josephine Maier, Lela Morris, and Mary Jane Wagner, and a half-brother, Allen (Lois) Woolley of Akron.² He was born on July 2, 1922 at Plymouth, Marshall Co., Indiana.^2,3,4,5 He married Vivian Louise Gray, daughter of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on July 20, 1950 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^1,2,3 Wayne Edward Spence died on March 29, 2002 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana, at age 79.^1,2,4

     Allen Anderson Woolley Allen A. Woolley, 93, of Akron, Indiana passed at 11:30 am, Friday, October 11, 2019 at Millers Senior Living of Warsaw, Indiana. He was born on Dec. 27, 1925 in Marshall County, Indiana to Robert and Ethel (Anderson) Woolley. He married on Feb. 14, 1946 in Akron, Indiana to Lois C. Gray, she preceded on July 29, 2018. Al had been a truck driver. He worked for Lewis Slaybaugh Livestock Trucking and for Sonoco Products Company for 24 years, retiring in Dec. of 1985. While at Sonoco he received the Million Mile Club plaque from the National Safety Council. He served his country in the U.S. Army serving during WWII. He attended the Akron Church of God for many years. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his wife. He wintered for many years with his wife in Sebring, Florida. Survivors and place of residence: Daughters – Bonita Daine – Akron, Ind; Peggy Sellers – Warsaw, Ind; Grandchildren – Eric Daine and wife Bridget Fox, Layla and husband Tim Kingston; Great Grandchildren – Jack, Anna, and Owen Kingston. Preceded in Death By: Parents –Robert and Ethel Woolley; Wife – Lois Woolley; Sisters –Lela Morris and Mary Jane Wagner; Brother – Wayne Spence. The burial will be in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, Indiana with graveside military rites performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard.⁵ He was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^5,6 He was born on December 27, 1925 at Plymouth, Marshall Co., Indiana.^5,4 He married Lois Collen Gray, daughter of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on February 13, 1946 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^1,2,3,5,4 Allen Anderson Woolley died on October 11, 2019 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, at age 93.⁵

     Arthur C. Wise was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^2,3 He was born on March 18, 1917 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^2,3 He married Mary Ellen Gray, daughter of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on May 29, 1942 at Warsaw, Kosciusko Co., Indiana.^1,2,4,3 Arthur C. Wise died on November 6, 1981 at South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana, at age 64.^2,4,3 He Services were to be today for Arthur C. Wise, 64, Burket, who died at 3:10 a.m. Friday, November 6, 1981 in South Bend Memorial Hospital following a short illness. Burial was to be in the Akron Cemetery. Mr. Wise was born March 18, 1917 in Warsaw to Clyde and Mary Anna Batz Wise. He had lived in Burket 35 years, coming from South Bend. He married Mary Ellen Gray May 29, 1942 in Warsaw; she survives. He was employed by Zimmer USA of Warsaw for 19 years. He was a member of the Burket United Methodist Church; Burket Volunteer Fire Department, of which he was secretary-treasurer; Indiana Volunteer Fireman's Association, serving as District 5 chairman for two years; and the Kosciusko County Fireman's Association, of which he had been treasurer for the past 14 years. Surviving are a daughter, Colleen Wise, Warsaw; three sons, Larry Wise, Gary Wise and Jarry Wise, all of Mentone; two brothers, Lonus Wise, Akron, and Elden Wise, Warsaw; a sister, Leola Emboden, South Bend; and five grandchildren. on November 9, 1981.³

     Elizabeth Ann Arter Elizabeth Ann Gray, 94, of Fort Wayne, formerly of Akron, Ind., passed away Thursday, July 8, 2010. Born May 14, 1916, in Akron, she was the daughter Harvey Arter and Helen (Studebaker) Arter. She was a homemaker; worked for General Telephone, Akron; graduated from Akron High School; a lifelong member of Akron United Methodist Church; and former member of Akron O.E.S. Chapter, and Akron Womens Club. Surviving are her son, Philip E. (Ivy); granddaughter, Holly (Ted) Raney; grandson, Brian (April) Graye; three great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wm. Edward Gray. Burial in Akron Cemetery.² She was buried at Akron I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^5,2,4 She was born on May 14, 1916 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^2,4 As of January 14, 1942,her married name was Gray.³ She married William Edward Gray, son of Richard Moyer Gray and Gertrude Ethel May Sunday, on January 14, 1942 at Akron, Fulton Co., Indiana.^1,2,3 Elizabeth Ann Arter died on July 8, 2010 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana, at age 94.^2,4