Obituaries, April 22, 2008

Myrle L.

Holcomb

Myrle L. Holcomb, 80, died at the Elyria Wesleyan Village on Sunday evening, April 13, 2008.

Mr. Holcomb was born in LaGrange, Ohio, and lived in the LaGrange-Carlisle area until his family moved to Henrietta in 1945.

Mr. Holcomb served in the US Naval Reserve from 1945-1958. He worked as a road construction truck driver through Teamster's Local # 571, of Lorain, until he became a full-time farmer in 1985. Mr. Holcomb served as a Post Commander of South Amherst American Legion Post # 197. He was a member of Teamster's Local # 571 Retiree's Club. He served on the Henrietta Township zoning board for 10 years, and was a member of the Henrietta United Methodist Church. Mr. Holcomb was also a member of the Lorain County Farm Bureau.

His interests included woodworking, gardening, lawn care, reading, and caring for his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carolyn Holcomb (nee Schlechter); a daughter, Faith Jagger (Jerry), of Mt. Gilead, Ohio; two sons, Harland Holcomb (Margaret), of Henrietta Township, and Dean Holcomb, of Lorain; sisters, Phyllis Buchs, of Henrietta Township, Joyce Daily, of LaGrange, and Charlotte Dull, of Grafton; and grandchildren, Carri Jagger, Jacob Jagger (Kerilynn), Tiffany Rogers-Holcomb, Lauren Holcomb, and Emily Holcomb.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Holcomb, and Ollie Holcomb (nee Dean).

Friends were received Wednesday, April 16, at Busch Funeral Home, 114 Second St., Elyria. A service was held on Thursday, April 17, at Henrietta United Methodist Church, St. Rt. 113, Birmingham. Rev. Ray Acke officitated, Pastor of Henrietta United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Henrietta Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post #1079 of Elyria. Memorial contributions may be forwarded to Henrietta United Methodist Church.

Leatha Hamlin

Crosby

Leatha Hamlin Crosby of Oberlin died Tuesday, April 14, 2008, at Welcome Nursing Home, following a short illness. She was 94.

Born June 12, 1913, in Urbana, Ohio, she grew up in Oberlin and graduated from Oberlin High School.

She worked for the Works Progress Administration as a secretary in Oberlin. She later worked for the McKinney Nursing Home and retired from Oberlin College as a cook.

She enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, and playing cards with her friends. She savored every opportunity to spend time with her family and delighted in every endeavor of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Crosby is survived by her son, Ronald Hamlin Smith of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada; son-in-law, Mervin Champe of Oberlin; nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Leonard Smith; daughter, Ardella Champe; and two infant great-great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their deepest thanks to the entire staff of Welcome Nursing Home for their loving care. They also wish to acknowlege the efforts of Mervin Champe while Mrs. Crosby lived with him and Ardella, and the efforts of Elaine Smith Hill while Mrs. Crosby was at Welcome Nursing Home.

A family graveside service will be held at Westwood Cemetery at a later date. Cowling Funeral Home handled local arrangements.

Mary Ellen

Majors

Mary Ellen Majors (nee Glover) of Oberlin died Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Welcome Nursing Home, following a long illness. She was 98.

Born May 24, 1909, in Americus, Ga., she worked as a nurse's aide for Carter Nursing Home in Oberlin for many years, retiring in the 1980s.

She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She enjoyed fishing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting.

Mrs. Majors is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Pete Majors; daughter Gladys Young; grandsons Michael and Otis Young; great-grandson Willie James Young III; parents, Roscoe and Ozie Glover; brothers Willie and John Glover; and sister, Leila Mae Cannon.

Friends may visit today from 10 a.m. until the time of services at Cowling Funeral Home, 228 S. Main St. Burial will be at Westwood Cemetery.

Harriet A.

Arnold

Harriet A. (Chapman) Arnold, 70, of Oberlin died Monday, April 14, 2008 in the Cleveland Clinic following a long illness.

Mrs. Arnold was born in Linden, N.J. on July 3, 1937, and is the daughter of the late Eugene and Helen (Dobbins) Chapman. She graduated from Linden High School in Linden, N.J. and received her bachelor's degree in English from Oberlin College in 1971 with the support of a Danforth Fellowship. Her master's degree in American Studies was awarded by Case Western Reserve University in 1974. She also enrolled in further graduate courses at Bowling Green State University and Kent State University.

Mrs. Arnold taught in the Oberlin city schools for many years and the Oberlin College Upward Bound Program before retiring from Lorain city schools. Prior to coming to Oberlin, Mrs. Arnold worked for the U.S. Post Office and a major African-American-owned insurance company.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin. She also played the organ and piano for many years at Rust Methodist Church and Mt., Zion Baptist Church, both in Oberlin, and St. Matthews AME Church in Lorain.

A community activist, Mrs. Arnold was a co-founder of the Oberlin Early Childhood Center (with the support of the Nord Foundation) and served on the Oberlin city council from 1980 to 1989. She served as council chairperson and mayor from 1984-85.

A delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984, Mrs. Arnold's memberships and affiliations included the AKA Sorority, NAACP , Urban League, Leadership Lorain, Lorain Education Association, Ohio Teacher's Association and NEA. Mrs. Arnold was a charter member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs and was an early recipient of their Sojourner Truth Award. She had a strong interest in Oberlin's Asian Studies program and traveled to Japan in 1985.

Mrs. Arnold is loved and remembered by her three daughters, Mercia E. Arnold of Washington, D.C., Regina I.A. Mullen of Redmond, Wash., and Christina A. Arnold of Raleigh, N.C.; grandson William Brice; granddaughters Cottia A. and Christina Aaliyah A. Arnold; goddaughter Caroline (Jones) Hubbell; sisters Dorothy Petersen and Helen Franklin both of Linden, N.J.; brothers Tommy Chapman, James Chapman, both of Linden, N.J., and Louis Chapman of Richmond, Va.; and many nieces and nephews, dear friends and loved ones.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a sister Florene Ford, brothers Leon Chapman and Stanley Chapman.

A memorial service in celebration of Mrs. Arnold's life will be held Wednesday, April 23 at 1 p.m. in the Christ Episcopal Church, 161 S. Main St. with Father Brian K. Wilbert, rector, welcoming Mrs. Arnold home. Interment will be in the church columbarium.

The family are thankful for any contributions made on Mrs. Arnold's honor to the Christ Episcopal Church, Community Fund, 161 S. Main St., Oberlin, 44074.

Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home for Funerals, 1124 W. 5th St. in Lorain is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at Boyer & Cool www.boyer-cool.com and Harriet's Place www.harrietsplace.com.