Obituaries Oct. 14, 2008

Leo

McManus

Leo "Big Daddy" McManus, 77, of Wellington, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, surrounded by family at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.

Born in Watertown, Mass., on Oct. 6, 1930, he was the son of the late Frank and Margaret McManus. Following high school, Mr. McManus enlisted in the United States Army and during his 22 years he served two tours during the Korean War and a tour in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He also worked for the Lorain County MetroParks for 18 years, first as a ranger and then as the purchasing agent.

Mr. McManus was a member of the Elyria VFW, the Wellington Eagles, and the Wellington American Legion. He enjoyed mowing his lawn and watching his grandchildren's activities.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bobbie McManus, his daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Jim Cook and grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle and Rachel Cook, all of Wellington. Mr. McManus was preceded in death by three sisters, Catherine, Ruth and Marjorie, and six brothers, Charles, Paul, Frank, Warren, Robert and John.

Friends and family were received on Oct. 6 at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main St., where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 7 with Rev. James Reymann officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery with military rites. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wellington Endowment Fund, c/o Doris Cook, 210 S. Main St., Wellington, Ohio 44090.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Evelyn D.

Fanning

Evelyn D. Fanning, 84, of Litchfield, died Oct. 11, 2008 at Allen Medical Center in Oberlin following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Fanning was employed by the Allen County Recorders office in Allen County, In.

In Wellington, Mrs. Fanning was a member of the Golden Agers and was active in the quilters group at the Penfield Community Church. She was an avid reader; she enjoyed flowers, gardening, crafting, and sewing.

Mrs. Fanning is survived by her daughter Pat Wakefield of Litchfield; grandchildren Tammy Singletary, and Robin (Brian) Nelson, both of LaGrange, Ben Wakefield of Finlay, and Tyler Wakefield of Litchfield. Mrs. Fanning is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Tony, Zac, Micaela, and Maeve; and by two siblings, John and Chris. She was preceded in death by her husband John L. Fanning, a sister, Janey Monttinger, and her parents, Russell and Doris Schroeder.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Norton Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main St., where services will be held Thursday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. In memory of Mrs. Fanning, flowers and contributions to the American Lung Association will be accepted. Online condolences may be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Claude W.

Driver

Claude W. Driver, 83, of Wellington, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 at his home following a long illness.

He was born Jan. 11, 1925 in Crossville, Tenn. and was a Lorain County resident for most of his life.

Mr. Driver worked as a carpenter at National Engineering and Contracting Co. in Strongsville for 30 years, retiring in 1986. He served with the Army-Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of the Carpenters Local 212 of Cleveland for more than 50 years, and enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, playing dominos, and flower and tomato gardening.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Docie Louise (Tollett); daughter, Carolyn (Frank) Abbey of Wellington; sons, Riley Daniel (Sharon) Driver of Dayton, Roger Driver of Penfield, William Paul (Debbie Orr) Driver of Avon and Steven Driver of Amherst; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Flora Webb of Cookeville, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Driver in 1983; parents, Allen and Laura Driver; sisters, Geneva Davis and Nellie Thomas; brother Edger Driver; and in-laws, Beecher and Della Tollett.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 13 at Bauer-Laubenthal-Mercado in Elyria. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington.

Memorial contributions can be made to the CHP Regional Foundation/New Life Hospice, 3700 Kolbe Rd., Lorain, Ohio 44053.