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In Memoriam

The Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® staff, directors, and officers extend their deepest sympathies to the families of the following individuals who recently passed away. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® Foundation, P.O. Box 111, Dayton, OH 45401. 

Sharon Elaine Wells

Sharon Elaine Wells, age 59 of Dayton, passed away December 16, 2010 in Cleveland. Sharon was born in Middletown, OH to Willard and Hattie Wells. She enjoyed a horse farm and loved all animals. She was an accomplished REALTOR® through Century 21 and later started her own real estate brokerage. She was a very involved member of the Church of God and helped many of Dayton's homeless. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ellison of Middletown, OH and her grand daughter Angela Lawson of Middletown, OH. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Shirley Ann Endres

Shirley Ann Endres, age 53 of Centerville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 15, 2010 at her home. Shirley graduated from Wright State University with a BS in Business Administration and worked as a REALTOR® for Coldwell Banker Heritage. She was a member of Church of the Incarnation and served as president of the Warren County REALTORS® Association. Shirley loved her relationships more than any material things. She enjoyed traveling to places like New York City, London and Jamaica and she attended the Kentucky Derby every year. Shirley was compassionate and understanding and loved her computer game "Second Life". She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Shirley is survived by her husband of 25 years, Michael; mother, Carmen Sicard; and children, Pauline and Jonathan Endres.

Richard "Dick" Campbell

Richard "Dick" Campbell was a lifelong resident of Dayton, OH, born on April 27, 1932. He was a former employee of Liberal Market, a REALTOR® since 1969 and a retired Broker/Owner of Mark IV Realty. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War and was a member of AMVETS. Dick was an avid fisherman, pilot and former member of the Flying Angels of New Carlisle. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart Mary Lou, whom he married on Dec. 8, 1951, two sons John, Dan, and daughter Janet.

Jack Fitzgerald

Jack was born August 7, 1933 and passed away at his home on September 21, 2010. He was one of three children born and raised in Dayton by Harold and Ruth Fitzgerald. Jack was a real estate broker in Dayton for over 50 years and co-founded Heritage REALTORS®. Jack was an avid golfer, great father, and will always be remembered for his optimism and enjoyment of life. He is survived by his loving daughters, Kelley Lefferdink of San Diego, CA, and Stacey Smialowicz of Laguna Beach, CA, and nine grandchildren. He will be missed by his family and many friends.

James P. "Hobby" Hobstetter, Sr.

Hobby was born in 1919 and lived a wonderful life, raising a family of six children. He was preceded in death by his spouse of sixty-six years, Dorothy (Graves) Hobstetter in 2006, and son Jeffrey Hobstetter in 1972. He lived a full and interesting life starting with participation in the first nationally organized soap box derby held in Dayton in 1933. In 1937 he enrolled in Colgate University. While there President Roosevelt established the Civilian Pilot Training Program which lead Hobby to enlist in the US Army Aviation Program in 1941. He served bravely in the South Pacific theater until his release from active duty in 1945. Among his notable accomplishments, Captain Hobstetter earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading a group of B-24 Bombers on a daring raid against the Pandansari Oil complex in Japanese-held Borneo. Upon his return to the USA he resumed the process of growing a family (one down five to go). He also pursued a life-long dream as co-founder of the Dayton Polo Club with the late Nelson Mead. The club restored and supported this great sport through the 1990s. Up until the 1960's Hobby worked in the defense industry at which time he left to establish the J.P. Hobstetter Sr. Real Estate Company. It thrives to this day, in no small measure as a testament to his character as an honest and hard working realtor. In the 1980s, well into his 70s and accompanied by two good Dayton area friends David Hulme and Norman Mayne, he pursued a dream of driving cattle on the Chisolm Trail in Wyoming and Montana. This two-week saga was documented by the National Geographic Society. He leaves behind a caring family. Children: James, Peter, Mollie, John and Anne. Grand Children: Jonathan Wentworth, Jennifer Pagic, Jonathan Hobstetter, Geoffery Hobstetter, Mollie Hobstetter, Jaimie Hobstetter, Peter Hobstetter, Annie Hobstetter, Jeffery Scheer, Carey Scheer, twins Sara and Erin Hobstetter, Kevin Trout and Ashley Tucker. Great Grand Children: Scott Pagic, Jonathan Pagic, Jackson Wentworth, Hannah Tucker, Addison Wentworth and Grace Pagic.

Joyce Etta Clemens

Joyce Etta Clemens, 58, of Dayton, passed away on May 4, 2010 at Miami Valley Hospital after a long battle with breast cancer. Joyce was born on May 10, 1951 to Charles A. & Etta Trappe. She used her creative talents as the owner of Petals Cut Flowers for over 12 years. Her outgoing personality assisted her with a successful career in real estate and had a positive impact on those with whom she came in contact. Her love of the arts played an important part in her life and was where she dedicated many hours of service. Survived by her loving husband and caregiver, Nicholas P. Clemens; step children Christine Schaller (Scott) & Jeffrey Clemens (Stacy); grandchildren: Zachary, Madison & Alexa Schaller; Mackenzie & Kendal Clemens; sister Gail Carone (Max) and nephews Luigi, Vincenzo & Max, Jr; sister-in-law Marilyn Trappe and nieces Celeste Farmer (Tim) & baby Claire and Brianne Trappe; nephew Michael Trappe and son Mikey and extended family including countless cousins, nieces and nephews.

William Strong

William B. Strong, former Executive Vice President of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS®, passed away May 25, 2010 at the age of 88. From 1958 to 1988, he led the organization through thirty years of “Strong Leadership”, and in that time DABR came to be recognized as one of the most outstanding, progressive and forward-looking boards in the country.

When Bill came from the Middletown Board to become EVP of DABR it was a quasi-social organization featuring annual parties, dances and a picnic. Under Strong’s leadership, DABR developed into a hard hitting, bread and butter trade association providing members professional services to enable them to render to the public efficient and professional service. The following are a few of the accomplishments achieved during Bill Strong’s tenure:

Bill, in his customary modest manner, would deny any credit for DABR’s outstanding record of accomplishments. However, those Board leaders “in the know” will tell you that William B. Strong was in large measure responsible for DABR’s singular track record.

Following his retirement in 1988 he accepted a position with the Ohio Association of REALTORS® as Field Executive Officer. For five years Bill was a consultant to local boards throughout the State of Ohio. In 1992, because of his association management skills, Bill was awarded the William R. Magel Award from the National Association of REALTORS® for exceptionally meritorious contributions to real estate association management.

William B. Strong will be missed. However, his legacy and many contributions to the REALTOR® organization will live on.

Jerry Hummel

Jerry Hummel of Coldwell Banker Heritage passed away Tuesday, May 25th. Jerry will be truly missed.

Jeanne Epperson

Jeanne Epperson of Dayton, passed away Friday, May, 21, 2010. Jeanne is survived by her mother, Jean Bowers; sons, Duane and Danny Epperson; sister, Jackie Fast; nieces, Robin and Diana Fast; and extended family and friends. She was a long time REALTOR® in the Dayton area. Jeanne will be missed dearly.

Harry Bonbright

Harry Bonbright, Jr., the 1978 president of the Board, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, April 12, 2010.

For forty-six years, Harry remained active in the REALTOR® organization, having served or chaired numerous committees. When reflecting on his time as DABR president, Harry said, "It was very rewarding personally to be affiliated with so many Board members who dedicated their time and efforts to committee meetings and Board functions...striving to better the operations here and the profession in general." His many contributions will be missed.

Harry was the owner and operator of Harry Bonbright Realty for 51 years, was very active with Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, spent four years as a naval aviator, graduated from Chaminade High School in 1948 and went on to the University of Dayton, where he graduated in 1958. Harry is survived by his son Chris; granddaughter Elizabeth; and brother Russ Willoughby.

Clay Feltner

Clayton (Clay) Feltner, age 68, of Kettering passed away Friday, March 19, 2010 at MVH , surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents Earl Feltner and Linda Jones. Clay is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce; sons Tony (Kim) , Scott (Jenny), and Rick (Chrissy) Feltner; grandchildren Chante, Madison, Justin, Jared, Jacob, and Brayden Feltner, Katy LaVanchy, Joe Denney, Jessica and Greg Sampson; 8 great grandchildren; sister Anita Cummings; and many other family and friends. He retired from Chemineer Inc. after 37 years of service and was also a REALTOR® in the Dayton area for 40 years.

Frank Fusco

Frank R. Fusco, age 76, of Huber Heights, passed way at his home on Monday, February 22, 2010 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born October 26, 1933 in Cleveland. Frank graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1955 where he met his wife, Doris. He was a highly decorated pilot for the U.S. Air Force receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bronze Star for service in Southeast Asia. Upon retiring as Lt. Col. in 1975 after 20 years of service, Frank joined Midwest Brokers and Associates and was a member of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS®. He was a Lector for St. Peter Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. As a 35 year member of the Huber Heights Optimist Club, he recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Frank added many other organizations to his life's contributions which included The Dandelions Flight Group, Dayton Area Chapter-Military Officers Association of America, VFW Post 2800, Foreign Legion, & Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Frank is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Doris J. (Phillips); daughters & sons-in-law, Karen A. Fusco & Greg Memovich of Seattle, WA, Kathryn L. Fusco of Huber Heights, Debbie & John L. Herman of Huber Heights; grandchildren, Luke Memovich, Madi Memovich & Matt Griffin; step-grandchildren, Steve & Kelly Herman; aunt, Helen Iammarino of Cleveland; brothers-in-law & sister-in-law, Richard & Angeles Phillips of San Antonio, TX, Al Phillips of Ft. Myers, FL; and numerous other relatives and friends. "Frank's generosity and big heartedness was his greatest tribute, attested by his family and friends who shared his love and laughter".

Frank Hawes

Frank Hawes, age 80 of Dayton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at Kettering Medical Center. He was born on September 15, 1929 in Eclectic, AL. Mr. Hawes retired from Frigidaire after 30 years of service and was a REALTOR® for over 50 years. Frank was a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Usher Board and as a Deacon. He was a former Lt. Governor & President of the Dayton Breakfast Kiwanis Club and a member of the Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 77. Survivors include a dear wife, Rosa L. Jones Hawes; two children, Ro Nita (Don) Hawes-Saunders and Frederic L. Hawes of Dayton, OH; one sister, Mattie Ruth Belle; one brother, Charles Hawes, both of Dayton, OH; three grandchildren, Devin Hawes and Donnica Hawes-Saunders of Dayton, OH and Taylor Hawes of Columbus, OH; great grandson, Djourdin Hawes of Dayton, OH, and many other relatives and friends.

Fred Kinstle

Frederick Kinstle, age 70, of Huber Heights, passed away Monday January 4, 2010 at Kettering Medical Center. Frederick was a REALTOR® with I.J. Bernstein Realty and Century 21, an Army Veteran, and a member of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® for 30 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick B. & Charlotte L.; sister, Peggy Knapper; and brother, Melvin. Frederick is survived by his wife, Sharon G.; son, Jeffery & fiancée Lori Murphy of Huber Heights; sons & daughters-in-law, Scott & Machelle of NC, Mark & Tammy of Dayton; sisters & brother-in-law, Janet & Alan Stout of Beavercreek, Joan Trame of Kettering, Judy Stahl of TX; grandchildren, Logan, Braeden, Kacie, Hailey, Grace & Rusty; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 

Robert Behnken

Robert Behnken , one of the original founders of BEI Real Estate, passed away after a long illness on December 26, 2009. Bob founded the company along with his brother Dennis Behnken in 1971. As a successful entrepreneur he started and built several well known businesses over the years. He was also a major land owner in the BrookvIlle area who was involved in single family residential, multi-family, and commercial real estate development in Brookville and surrounding area.

Robert Behnken remained active with BEI Real Estate until the time of his death. He was always enthusiastic about the company and its business. He was always willing to encourage his fellow REALTORS® and pass along his enthusiasm. His advice to his associates was the same as what he passed on to his children - to be enthusiastic, work hard, and don't fear opportunities. The company will greatly miss his presence.