Obituaries for January 18, 2008

KETTERING

C. Ray Kettering, 93, Rockford, died Friday, January 18, 2008, at Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.

He was born September 5, 1914, to the late John and Dora (Sapp) Kettering. On February 14, 1937, he married Echo Stallter, and she survives

Ray was from the Rockford area all his life and was a farmer. He was a life long member of Mercer County Farm Bureau, 59 year member of Shanes Lodge 377 F. & A.M., Rockford, a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church which he was a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Board Member and Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years.

Also surviving with his wife is one son; Keith (Kris) Kettering, Bloomfield, MI, and three daughters; Kay (John) Thomas, Rockford; Karen (Wayne) Roell, Dale, IN; and Kathy (Stew) McHie, Oakton, VA; seven grandchildren, Mark (Samantha) Thomas, Alpharetta, GA; Diane Thomas, Atlanta, GA; Michele (Mark) Steggeman, Hilliard, OH; Michael Kettering, Los Angeles, CA.; Lissa Kettering, Bloomfield, MI; and Jessica and Megan McHie, Oakton, VA; and three great grandchildren; Hunter Steggeman, Owen and Caroline Thomas.

Deceased is one granddaughter, Amy Osborn and three sisters; Marie Samples, Eva Bayles, and Betty Miller.

Funeral services will be at the Rockford United Methodist Church, Monday, January 21, 2008, at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor Mike Berne officiating. Masonic services will be held Sunday evening A 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Friends may call on Sunday, January 20, 2008, from 2-8 P.M. and 1 hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Rockford United Methodist Church general fund.

Condolences can be sent to ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.

BERLANGA

Richard (Bummer; Jose) Berlanga, 51 of Ohio City, died on Friday, January 18 in Ohio City. He was found dead on Sunday, January 20 at the scene of a single vehicle accident near Ball and Skinner Roads near that village.

He was born August 26, 1956 in Celina to the late Francisco S. and the late Cristofora (Garcia) Berlanga.

He is survived by four brothers: Frank, Jr. of Shepherdsville, KY, Santos, Rockford, Joe (Janet), Pontiac, Michigan, and Lupe, Ohio City, with whom he made his home; six sisters: Rosa (Juan) Palomina, Defiance, Josephine (Robert) Gonzales, Ft. Pierce, Florida, Adelina Berlanga, Janie Rose and Florie Bollenbacher all of Rockford, and Olivia (Richard) Ortiz of Decatur, Indiana.

Two brothers, Juan and Roy are deceased.

He was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in St. Marys. He was a 1975 graduate of Ohio City-Liberty High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Rockford, and the Isaac Van Wert Post of the American Legion.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Friday January 25 at Cowan and Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, Ohio with Reverend Randy Bevington officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 2-8 PM on Thursday, January 24.