John Wise

I am so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. She was always nice, friendly and smiling. I had not seen her much since graduation but I did see her a few times when I dropped my son off when he spent time with his friend Wes. I was very happy for her and another school friend Dave Johnson when I heard they were married. My thoughts and prayers are with Dave, Wes, and the rest of the family today. 

Douglas L. Gage

Not a frequent vistor to this forum. It's news like this that makes it hard to read. I have nothing to add to what has been said to this point except hopefully, in the hereafter, we can meet again. My thoughts are with Dave and his famiy.

Diana Holmes (Brown)

Carolyn M. (Hupp) Merica 

NEWARK - A funeral service celebrating the life of Carolyn M. Merica, 71, of Newark, will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service. Burial will follow in Perryton Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held at the funeral home, 179 Granville, Newark, on Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

Carolyn was born in Newark, Ohio on October 1, 1949 to the late Zella Frances (Stowers) Reber and John Otis Hupp. She passed away at Licking Memorial Hospital on June 13, 2021. 

Prior to retirement, Carolyn was a home health care worker with the Licking County Aging Program for over 30 years. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and spending time with her loving family and friends. 

Survivors include her daughter, Carol Ann (John) Merica-Golden; brothers and sisters, Herman Walker, Wilbur (Kim) Hupp, Paul Reber, Jr., Wanda Reber and Candy (James) Bates; grandson, Johnathon Merica; grandchildren, Jaeden, Kaleaha, Kayeanna and Johnathon Jr.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnell Frank Merica; sister, Patricia Cline; and great grandson, Joshuwa. 

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Carolyn to the Licking County Aging Program or the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 

Visit www.HoskinsonFuneral.com to share a special memory about Carolyn or to sign an online guest book. 

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Carolyn and her family.
 

Larry Wilson

Thank you, Diana, for posting Carolyn's obituary.  I posted her obituary on the In Memory section.  May Carolyn rest in peace.

Deborah Gail Smith (Hall)

Hello everyone, I hope everyone is doing well. 

I was told today that Susan (Susie) (Morgan) Ables passed on June 12, 2021.  I first met Susie at Wilson and I found her to be a very kind, fun person and we became friends while there.  If I recall correctly, she and her family moved to around Perryton, Ohio, so I imagine she would have graduated from Licking Valley, not certain.

I am sad to learn of this and wanted to share her loss with those who, too, knew Susie. I found her obit listed locally. 

Take care all.

Larry Wilson

Thank you, Debbie, for posting about Susan.  It's always good to remember former classmates who have passed on, even if they did not graduate with us.  God bless everyone of our class and keep us in good health.

Larry Wilson

Jeff Danford gave me this video he shot at Maennerchor.  He said they call it a "Gym Jam", but they are all a bunch of old people (oh, that's right - that's us, isn't it?).  Anyhow, I was taken aback as I realized they were dancing to the "Hokey-Pokey".  Now as I remember, that was popular at the skating rink, wasn't it?

Gale Cady (Williams)

Oh, my. ☺️

Roger McDonald

If my idle curiosity about the origin and usage of "Gym Jams" (aka "jimjams") has led to Jeff's unearthing this video, please find it in your hearts to forgive me.

Oletta Bond (Wade)

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the video because I have been trying to teach my 13-month-old great-granddaughter how to do the Hokey Pokey.  Used to do this at the skating rink and was a lot of fun back then.  Don't know why it popped in my head to show Izzy but thought it would be fun.  Now I have video to show her and she might understand it better.  Thanks for sharing.

Larry Wilson

I found Frank Noland's obituary in Sunday's Newark Advocate.  May Frank rest in peace, and may his family and friends be comforted.

Franklin Lee "Frank" Noland

NEWARK - A graveside funeral service, celebrating the life of Franklin Lee "Frank" Noland, Jr., 72, of Newark, will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Newark Memorial Gardens, with Pastor Neal Skyles officiating. Military honors will be observed by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Frank was born in Newark, Ohio on October 28, 1948 to the late Franklin Lee Noland Sr. and Madeline (Cecil) Noland Holeman. He passed away at Licking Memorial Hospital on July 16, 2021.

Frank graduated from Newark High School, Class of 1968. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a fire-fighter during the Vietnam War. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Continental Can Company and MPW. Frank "Dawg" was an avid softball player and dog lover, and he frequented TJ"s restaurant, where he enjoyed friends and coffee.

Survivors include his sons, Benjamin (Jessi) Noland and Daniel (Anthony) Noland; daughter, Annette Kanniard-Spohn; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; special niece, Diana Ghiloni; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Kathy Lowery, Sue Ellis and Jane Galiher.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Frank to the Newark VFW.

Visit www.HoskinsonFuneral.com to share a special memory about Frank or to sign an online guest book.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Frank and his family.

Larry Wilson

Diana Brown sent me a note that Richard Schmitt has passed away.  May Rick rest in peace and may his family and friends be comforted.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Richard W. “Rick” Schmitt, 71 of Newark will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2021 in the Newark Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home with Jeff Smith officiating. Burial will be at Newark Memorial Gardens. The Licking County Veterans Alliance will provide Military Funeral Honors.

Mr. Schmitt passed away September 13, 2021 at Licking Memorial Hospital. He was born February 24, 1950 in Newark, OH to the late Otto J. and Ola P. (Holman) Schmitt. A graduate of Newark High School, Rick honorably served our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He worked for Owens-Corning Fiberglas for 38 years. Rick was an avid softball enthusiast; for many years much of his free time revolved around softball. He also enjoyed bowling and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include his wife, Tamara (Springston) Schmitt; children, Heather (Bradley) Thomas, Jennifer (Dennis) Carnevale and Brandon (Michelle) Schmitt; grandchildren, Matthew, Nicholas, Olivia, Madison and Savannah; and a brother, Gene Schmitt.

Friends and family may call 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Vensil & Chute Funeral Home – Newark Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Drive, Heath, OH  43056 or the American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org).

Larry Wilson

I found Barb Compton Maier's obituary in today's Advocate.  Please pray for her family.  May Barb rest in peace.

Barbara Anne Maier

( June 30, 1950 - November 16, 2021 )

Barbara Anne Maier, age 71, of Newark, passed away on November 16, 2021.  Barbara was born on June 30, 1950, to the late Clayton and Dorthy (Anspach) Compton.  

She was a successful dental technician for 35 years in Newark and worked 10 years in a factory before retiring. Barbara was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She enjoyed going to her children’s sports activities and John’s games when he coached.  

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, John Maier; children, Lesley (Chris Beale) Maier, Corey Maier; granddaughter, Harper Anne Maier; 11 nieces and nephews; brothers and sisters-in-law, Connie (Tom) Ellis, Rita (Bill) Revercomb, Joann (George) Henry, Jeff (Sue) Maier, Jimmy (Kristine) Maier and Dave Swan.  

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, David “Rod” Compton and Norman Gallatin; sister-in-law, Patsy Swan and a niece, Amy Ellis.  

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, from 11AM - 12PM, at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home. Where her funeral service will immediately follow with Pastor Barbara Saylers officiating. Burial in Lutheran Reformed Cemetery at 3:15 PM.  

In lieu of flowers you can donate in Barbara’s name to http://melanomaknowmore.com/  

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com 

Larry Wilson

We have lost another classmate, Terry Cochran.  May Terry rest in peace.  Please pray for his wife, Linda, and their family.

Terry L. Cochran, 72, of Newark, Ohio, passed away Tuesday evening, January 4, 2022 after his courageous six-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. 

Born November 6, 1949 in Newark he was a son of the late Fred and Ruth Cochran and was a 1968 graduate of Newark High School.  Following high school, he immediately enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served our country at home and abroad for more than a decade.  He then worked as a logistics specialist with Defense Supply Center of Columbus for nearly 40 years.  Terry was incredibly proud of the role he played in making sure America’s warfighters had the supplies needed to complete their missions. 

Surviving is his loving wife of nearly 48 years, Linda (Fairall) Cochran whom he married February 27, 1974.  Together they went on to have two children, Molly (James ) Kurtz of Hanover and Patty (Matt) Keiler of Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Also surviving are his grandchildren, Zachary and Page Fowler and Ava and Brooke Keiler; his brothers, David, Kevin and Jeff and several nieces and nephews.

Terry and Linda traveled to all 50 states and he loved to spend time with his grandchildren (and grandpets).  He was rarely spotted not wearing either patriotic or Ohio State Buckeyes’ gear.

Calling hours will be 4pm to 7pm Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the funeral home with Chaplain Corey Campbell officiating.  Burial will be in Frazeysburg Cemetery.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, an organization that walked alongside Terry and his family in his final days.

Gary Berry

Happy Birthday Marty Lange

Gary Babcock

I just read in the Henderson Funeral home obits that Steve Collier just passed away.

Gale Cady (Williams)

Oh, no. That is really sad. More and more of us are passing; very sad and also, very terrifying. Precious days; savor every one of them. 

Larry Wilson

Mike Kelley let me know that Stephen Collier died on April 12th.  Please pray for his family.  May Steve rest in peace.

     No services will be held for Stephen Phillip Collier, age 72, of Newark.

     Stephen died Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

The Heath Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta Stickle Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen, please visit our floral store.

Larry Wilson

I just received word that Phil Mick passed away.  If anyone has an obituary, please let me know.  I haven't been able to locate one.  Our prayers are with his wife, Lisa, and his family.  Rest in peace, Phil.

A little memory of Phil with the Sticks and Stones

Larry Wilson

We have lost another classmate.  Diane Burger Hickman passed away July 6.  May she rest in peace and her family and friends be comforted.

Diane Sue Hickman

GRANVILLE - A Memorial Service for Diane Sue Hickman, age 72, of Granville, will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022 at the Granville Centenary United Methodist Church. A light reception will follow. Diane passed away on July 6, 2022. She was born on February 10, 1950 in Newark, Ohio to the late Albert and Dorothy Burger. She was a graduate of Newark H.S. and had worked as an electronics tester for Boeing and the Defense Department. She retired to Venice, Florida where she loved to swim, read, and go to the beach. She is survived by her husband, Bill, son, Kurt, brother, Gary (Burger), and sister, Sandra (Meacham). In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sylvia (Meyers). She will be remembered as a loving, generous mother and wife, who greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Karen Snelling (Hysell)

Patti Ridenour (Adams)

Gary Babcock

I just read on the McPeek Hoestra Funeral Home website that our friend and my cardiologist, Bryce Morrice has passed away

Larry Wilson

Thank you, Gary, for the message about Bryce.  Here is his obituary.  May Bryce rest in peace and may his family be comforted.

Obituary

Bryce Ian Morrice, M.D. died the morning of August 16th, 2022 at Otterbein at Granville at the age of 72. Born in 1950 in Detroit, Michigan to George and Vernette Morrice, he spent much of his childhood in Upper Arlington, OH and Worthington, OH. After two years at Thomas Worthington High School, his family moved to Newark, OH where his father became Licking Memorial Hospital’s first Head of Cardiology. Bryce graduated from Newark High School in 1968, but wasn’t allowed to walk because his hair went past his ears.

Bryce attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH and met his future wife, Ellen Morrice nee Stalego. Ellen, a graduate of Newark Catholic (’70), heard there was a student from Newark that studied physics. Skeptical, she tracked him down and made him show her his ID to prove it. Their first date was stargazing atop the college’s science building, which was equipped with a telescope.

After graduating, and waiting for Ellen to graduate, he backpacked across Europe for three months before taking a position as night janitor at the Heath, OH Burger King. Upon Ellen’s graduation, they married on August 17th, 1974 at St. Edwards in Granville, OH. They moved to Cincinnati where Bryce received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from UC in 1978, while Ellen received her master’s degree in Anthropology.

Moving to Los Angeles, settling in the Venice Beach neighborhood, Bryce completed his residency at Cedar Sinai Hospital. While in California, their first child and only daughter Megan Ellen Morrice was born in Santa Monica in 1982.

After moving back to Ohio and buying a home in Granville in 1983, Dr. Morrice became a Cardiologist at Licking Memorial Hospital. He’d continue in that role until his retirement in 2018. He served as President of the Ohio and West Virginia Heart Association in 1995 and 1996. In Ohio they welcomed 2 more children, sons Brendan Ian Morrice (b. 1984) and Brian George Joseph Morrice (b. 1987).

Coming of age in the 1960s, Bryce loved the music of the time, becoming an avid drummer (his college band “No Rags” could have been great). He developed a passion for jazz and classical, as well. He loved cycling and particularly enjoyed the TOSRV race, where his wife and kids would cheer him at the finish line in Portsmouth, OH. Despite at one point only having two days a month off before finding a partner for his medical practice, he would spend them riding bikes with his children. He was passionate about art and architecture, and his children absolutely delighted in going to art museums with him while he read every word on every plaque. And he was a classic wine snob, maintaining a cellar with an index card system in which he'd write out his thoughts on every wine after dinner. But above all, he enjoyed good company, his family and friends, paired with a gourmet meal (usually by his wife, an excellent chef).

Dr. Morrice is preceded in death by his wife Ellen (d. 2011), his parents George and Vernette Morrice, and sisters Elena Morrice Mack and Ann Gallagher. He is survived by his children, his brother, Erik Morrice (Michelle Morrice), brother-in-law James Gallagher, and brother-in law Oscar Mack, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058. 

The family will receive friends this Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect St. in Granville from noon to 1:00 P.M. followed by a time of sharing beginning at 1 P.M.  A private graveside will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Newark.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

Bill Orsborn