The Courier Electronic Edition

Obituaries for
Thursday, April 17th, 2008

LeRoy Lowery

Richard E. McCance

Peg Petrak

Mary A. Robinson

Ruth Sayre

Carolyn J. Weaver

Helen Westenbarger

Melva Wilcox

LeRoy Lowery

LeRoy Lowery, 89, of Findlay, OH, died at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at Fox Run Manor.
LeRoy was born on October 13, 1918 in Meyersdale, PA to Frank and Eva (Pyle) Lowery. On August 16, 1944 he married Jean Marsh in the Army Chapel in Great Bend, KS and she survives.
Other survivors include children, Dr. Allen Lowery (Patricia), Marietta, GA; Rodney Lowery, Findlay; Beverly Bucher (Brad), Findlay; and Marcia Hacker (Lyndon), Findlay; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Edith Kramer, Findlay; and Dr. Samuel Lowery, Erie, PA.
Preceding him in death are two brothers, Kenneth Lowery and Frank Lowery, Jr.
LeRoy attended Meyersdale High School and grew up working in the coal mines and steel mills. In 1954 the family moved to Findlay. LeRoy retired in 1983 at age 65 from Morgan Linen Co., Toledo, OH, where he was a maintenance engineer. He proudly served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corp and again during the Korean conflict in the Army.
Leroy attended St. Andrew's United Methodist Church where he was a Boy Scout leader for Troop #312. He formerly served as the captain of the Findlay Auxiliary Police Department.
LeRoy enjoyed his grandchildren, fishing and target shooting. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and the ability to tell a great story.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2008 at the Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, with the Rev. Todd Frail officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad.
Visitation hours are from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County, 4550 Fostoria Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840.

Richard E. McCance

March 14, 1921-April 16, 2008
DESHLER — Richard Earl McCance, 87, of Deshler, Ohio, died Wednesday morning, April 16, 2008 at the Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay, Ohio.
He was born March 14, 1921 in Napoleon, Ohio to the late Clenzo and Ruth (Rehl) McCance. On May 28, 1945 he married Virginia Doda and she preceded him in death in October 1965. On September 19, 1970 he married Helen (Boyer) Pendleton in Findlay and she also preceded him in death on March 7, 2003.
Richard served with the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. North Carolina as a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class from 1941-1945. He worked as a car inspector for over 30 years with the CSX Railroad Corp. on the B&O Railroad, retiring in 1981.
He was a member of the Deshler United Methodist Church, Deshler; a life member of Deshler American Legion Post #316; life member of the VFW, Leipsic, Ohio; life member of the North Carolina Battleship Association; member of the Leipsic Eagles #2793; and a 57 year member of the Telegraph Communications Union.
Richard is survived by a daughter, Brenda (Henry) Prowant, Deshler; four sons, William (Pat) McCance, Deshler; James McCance, Leipsic; Dan (Joyce) McCance, Holgate, Ohio; Scott Bryant, Circleville, Ohio; two stepdaughters, Sandra (Howard) Powell, Deshler; Carol (Joe) Bergstedt, Findlay; stepson, Ralph (Rose) Pendleton, Deshler; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren; two half sisters, Betty Gause, Holgate and Marilyn Engle, Holgate.
He was also preceded in death by two half sisters, Patty Taylor and Audrey McCabe; a half brother, George Bernious and two infant half brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler, with Pastor Chip Steffy officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and the Deshler American Legion Post #316. A luncheon will follow the burial at the Deshler United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials be given to the Deshler EMS, Deshler United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences can be made at:www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.

Peg Petrak

Peg Petrak, 89, died at 1:25 a.m. on April 14, 2008 at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, OH. She was born September 14, 1918, in St. Marys, Ohio to the late William and Minnie (Anderson) Welshimer. She married Kenneth Petrak on October 2, 1945, and he died on April 20, 1994.
Peg is survived by a sister, Evelyn Reiser of Milton, FL; and nieces and nephews, Linda (Welshimer) Wagner-Martin, Chapel Hill, NC; John and Sharon Reiser, Pace, FL; Jim and Pauletta Welshimer, Findlay, OH; and Paul and Sandra (Welshimer) Spencer, Washington, NC.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel Welshimer and a sister, Elizabeth Welshimer.
Peg was a graduate of Memorial High School in St. Marys and nearly completed her degree in English at Findlay College. She served three years in the Navy at Navy Pier in Chicago, where she met her husband during World War II. She formerly worked for the Hancock County Extension Office and as a legal secretary for the law offices of Fuller, Morgan, and Dillon. After retiring, she was a volunteer for the Findlay Hancock County Public Library's Book Cellar and the Blanchard Valley Hospital Auxiliary at the Sherman House.
She was a member of Howard United Methodist Church, Findlay, OH, where she enjoyed being in the choir for 50 years. Peg loved singing, reading, working on genealogy, and camping.
A memorial service will be held at Howard United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 20, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be given to Howard United Methodist Church, 220 Cherry Street, Findlay, Ohio.

Mary A. Robinson

BLOOMDALE — Mary A. Robinson, 50, of Monclova, and formerly of Bloomdale, lost her courageous battle with cancer at 5:31 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at her daughter's residence in McComb. She was born on May 10, 1957 in Findlay to Connie Alge and she survives in Detroit, MI. She married Charles Chuck Robinson, Sr. and he survives. Also surviving is her companion, Jake Jones; daughter, LeeAnn (Brantt) Ewing of McComb; sons: Charles Chuck (Melanie Wells) Robinson, Jr. of Vanlue; Ben Robinson of Bloomdale; and Luke (Brad Slough) Robinson of Findlay; 3 brothers and 3 sisters; grandchildren: Mica, Molly, Gavin, Cameron and Patience.
She was preceded in death by a brother.
Mary was employed with Continental Structural Plastics for 32 years. She was a member of the F.O.E. #2633 in North Baltimore. She was active in Girl Scouts Troop 988 and enjoyed quilting with her quilting group, bowling, playing darts and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and children.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008 at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, North Baltimore. Burial will be private.
Visitation will be held 3 hours prior (11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) to the service at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, North Baltimore.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary A. Robinson Fund at any Huntington Bank, in her memory.
Online condolences may be made at: www.coldrencrates.com.

Ruth Sayre

FOSTORIA — Visitation for Ruth Sayre, 90, of Fostoria, will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hoening Funeral Home, Fostoria. Mrs. Sayre's complete obituary appeared in Wednesday's edition of The Courier.

Carolyn J. Weaver

Carolyn J. Weaver, age 75, of Findlay, died at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the Bridge Hospice Care Center. She was born in Lima, Ohio on Feb. 14, 1933 to the late Donald D. and Betty C. (Lyle) LeVeck. On March 31, 1951, she married Robert E. Weaver and he survives. Also surviving are two children, Jerri Weaver of Findlay; Brent Weaver of Columbus; three grandchildren, Kevin Coppler; Jennifer Coppler; and Kristina Purdy; and two great-grandchildren, Kaylene and Levi Purdy. She was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Hunter Coppler; and two sisters, Phyllis Keith and Shirley Adams. Mrs. Weaver retired from the Harris Corporation (formerly RCA) following 30 years of service. Funeral services will be private and are being handled by COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in her memory. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.coldrencrates.com.

Helen Westenbarger

FOSTORIA — Helen Mae Westenbarger, 89, of Fostoria, died Wednesday, at Birchaven Retirement Village, Findlay. Arrangements are pending at Hoening Funeral Home, Fostoria.

Melva Wilcox

CASEY, Ill. — A funeral for Melva O. Wilcox, 82, of Casey, Ill., and formerly of Findlay, will be held at 1 p.m. today at Markwell Funeral Home, Casey, Ill., the Rev. Penelope Barber officiating. Burial will be in Washington Street Cemetery, Casey, Ill.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service today at the funeral home.
Mrs. Wilcox died at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Heartland Manor, Casey, Ill.
Surviving are her husband, Robert of Casey, Ill.; and a daughter, Mrs. Gilbert (Amy) Mullen, Casey, Ill.
Memorials may be made to Heartland Manor Hospice Room, P.O. Box 10, Casey, Ill 62420.
Online condolences may be made to: www.markwellfuneralhome.com.