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.
Peter Wenk
Peter "Pete" Wenk, age 85, of Centerville, Ohio passed away Saturday, October 17, 2009. He was a 1942 graduate of Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1954 from New York University. As a boy Pete enjoyed being part of his the family business "Peter Wenk and Sons Florists" in Ozone Park, New York. After graduating from high school he joined the Army Air Corps and piloted B-17s during WWII. After WWII he studied Engineering at New York University and also earned a living as a professional photographer. Pete enjoyed a 30-year career in engineering with General Electric and the Continental Can Corporation. He was also passionate about photographing family and friends. His hobbies included photography, astronomy, and giving. In the mid 1980s Pete's second career in real estate blossomed at Irongate REALTORS® in Centerville. He enjoyed the challenge and rewards of being of service to his clients. Pete was also very active in the Centerville Optimists Club. He especially enjoyed providing gifts to less fortunate children through the Optimists Christmas Angel Tree Program. From photography to organizing and constructing parade floats, Pete was always an active member and supporter of his church and community. He attended the Church of the Incarnation and the Chapel at St. Leonards. Pete is survived by his close friend and companion Jean Randall; children Peter, Susan, Thomas and Doug; grandchildren Maura, Molly, John, Zoe, Kyle, Ryan, Andrew, Thomas and Kathleen E.; brothers John McCann and Esper Wenk Jr. and many nieces and nephews.
Paul Poeppelmeier
Paul S. Poeppelmeier, Jr. age 66, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Paul was born on January 30, 1943 to Paul Sr., and the late Lillian Poeppelmeier. He was a graduate of Chaminade High School class of 1961 and Park College with a Bachelor Degree in Business. Paul was the ultimate patriot serving in the United States Air Force. Paul had a zest for life, always enjoyed a good joke, his classic car, a poker game and 12 year old scotch. He loved his family and friends and his grandchildren were the light of his life. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kay (Kushman) Poeppelmeier, daughter: Michelle, and son Mike, as well as grandchildren Ellen, Sam, and Michaela.
Norman Harlan
Norman Harlan, age 94 of Dayton, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2009 at Bethany Lutheran Village. Norman was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and served in the Civilian Intelligence during WWII. He was a successful home builder, real estate developer and REALTOR®. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna and Joseph, sisters Pearl, Dorothy and Sara, brothers Ben and Roy. He is survived by his wife Thelma; daughter Leslie and son Todd and his wife Lisa; grandsons Grant, Chase, Andrew and Alex.
Betty Akers
Betty Lou Akers, age 80 of Miamisburg, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Hospice of Dayton. She was born July 16, 1928 in Miamisburg, the daughter of the late Wilbur & Susie (Hayslett) Zechar. Mrs. Akers was a REALTOR® with Mall Realty, a member of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS®, Miamisburg Senior Citizens and W. Carrollton Senior Citizens. Preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Akers, a brother Ernest Zechar, and a sister Deloris Wilcher. She is survived by 4 sons Terry Akers and wife Patty of FL, David Akers and wife Janet of Gratis, Keith Akers and wife Sue of New Paris, Robin Akers of NV, her brother Kenneth Zechar and wife Marge of Miami Twp., her sister Barbara Nestor of Miamisburg, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren and her sister- in-law Katherine Zechar of MI.
Modelle Schuller
Modelle Lucas Schuller, age 84, of Dayton, died suddenly and peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, having run with her beloved dog Katie and talked with her many friends on the day she was struck with a brain aneurysm. Mo was a realtor for 30 years in the Dayton area in a career characterized by her loyalty, generosity and formidable ethical principles. Despite her husband's offer early in her career to pay her a nickel an hour to stay home, she ended up being a top earner in her company, Roth Realty, later Big Hill. She is survived by her three children, Deborah Schuller (Hew Elcock) of Toronto; Constance of Dayton; and Christopher (Bettina) of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and four grandchildren, Simon and Laura Elcock, and Maya and Sophia Schuller; and her brothers Don and Ron. Mo was born on Christmas Day, 1924, in Macon, Missouri, the third of the eight children of Dewey and Ellen Lucas. Dewey was a gifted musician, and their house was filled with music, but little else. The family often went hungry, especially during the Depression. At a very young age, Mo decided that when she had children, they would have the things she did not: shoes, dental care, university educations. By dint of her intelligence and drive, at age 18 she became the executive assistant to William Head, president of General American Insurance in St. Louis. She married David Schuller, a young seminary professor, in 1950, and they lived in Webster Groves for the next 17 years. Mo was a woman ahead of her time. After she had kids, she got a job working in a doctor's office on Saturdays, which she referred to as her "day off." She believed in helping those who needed a hand, as she also believed in working hard. The original Energizer Bunny, Mo never slowed down, and she certainly never looked, acted or sounded her age. She walked her dog three times a day, and every December climbed up to her third floor roof to hang Christmas lights. This year, she had to be dissuaded from buying her own lawn mower to cut her lawn "the way she likes it." She was every inch a lady, and still wore high heels to the symphony. If she was late, she could run in them. At the ER, she was chagrined to have been caught without lipstick - "I don't even walk my dog without lipstick." She leaves to her children her great gifts of strength, courage, love and loyalty and, of course, shoes, orthodontics and university educations.
Gerald Joseph
Gerald Edwin Joseph, age 72, of Kettering, Ohio, died Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Hospice of Dayton with his family at his side. Born March 6, 1937 in Dover, Ohio, the youngest son of Leo and Louise (Bringardner) Joseph, Jerry was a graduate of Greenbrier High School in Ronceverte, West Virginia and of the University of Dayton. He was owner emeritus of Irongate Realty, having practiced real estate in the Dayton area for over 43 years, and was one of the owners of Irongate Realty for 31 years. He was well-known for his honesty and integrity in the field of real estate and was a member of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® (DABR), NCR Country Club, and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Jerry received many sales honors while working in real estate, including being voted Sales Associate of the Year by the DABR in 1973. He was a member of the Million Dollar Club and was one of the top 10 sales leaders in the Dayton area for many years. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Deanne (Weigle), whom he met at the University of Dayton and married in 1959. He was a proud father to sons Stephen (Lynda), Christopher, Michael (Stacey), all of Dayton, and to daughters Jennifer Roach (Daniel) and Jill Skladany (Michael), both of Loveland, Ohio; grandchildren Katherine, Matthew, and Robert Joseph; Michael, Kellie, Benjamin, and Andrew Joseph; Zachary, David, and Stephanie Joseph; Brenna, Daniel, and Connor Roach; Brooke and Tatum Skladany. He is also survived by his older brother Eugene, of Hawaii. Jerrys life was filled with the love of his family and of his many, many friends, who will sorely miss his silver hair, sense of humor, and friendship.
Thomas William Officer III
Thomas William Officer III, age 41, of Fairborn, passed away Friday, March 20, 2009. He was born December, 12, 1967 in Dayton, Ohio. He owned and operated Phoenix Building and Development in Fairborn, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Della (Pearson) Officer; mother, Barbara (Carey) Schlagetter; father, Thomas William Officer, Jr.; one brother, Heath (Jacqueline) Schlagetter; and Snowy, Jiggy, Cooter, and Mixey.
Mary Jane "Janie" Gray
Mary Jane "Janie" Gray, age 71 of New Carlisle, passed away Sunday March 8, 2009 at Hospice of Dayton. Janie retired as a secretary from the Huber Heights City Schools in 1994, was a 1956 graduate of Fairmont High School, member of the Professional Secretaries Association, the Dayton Area Board of Realtors, and Team Captain for Volunteers of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. in 1998 and sister, Nancy Johnson in 2007. Janie is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Cathy & David Blue of New Carlisle; grandchildren, Christopher & Caitlyn Blue; numerous other relatives and friends.
Orville J. "Mickey" Gerling
Orville J. "Mickey" Gerling, 83, Englewood, formerly of Dayton, Ohio, died March 4, 2009.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Lylabel (Cookie); a daughter, Peggy Stoff of Dayton; sons Michael of Prosperity, S.C., Patrick of Dayton and John of Indianapolis; a sister, Viola Hodge of Venice, FL; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Marvin "Corky" Phillips
Marvin L. "Corky" Phillips, age 80, a life long resident of Trotwood, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, March 3, 2009. Marvin was a 1946 graduate of Madison High School (Trotwood) and a well known and respected REALTOR® in the area for over 40 years. He was very active with the Trotwood Optimist Club, a charter member of the Trotwood Rotary, a longtime Board member of the Northwest Y.M.C.A. and a member of the Trotwood Madison Historical Society. He had been the owner and operator of Jenny Service and Spring Mill Realty for many years. Preceded in death by his parents Lanell and Opal (Gayman) Phillips and two brothers Kenney and Carl Phillips. Corky is survived by his devoted family, which includes his wife of 59 years Phyllis Jean (Denlinger); daughters and their husbands Ann and Rob Line, Lynne and Kevin Moran and Beth and Mark Denlinger; very special grandchildren Sarah, Katie, Jamie, Adam, Brian, Eric and Sean. Brother Norman (Ruby) Phillips, sisters Shirrell (Jim) Profitt, Janet (Jim) Broyhill and many more relatives and very dear friends.
Juanita Edmonds
Mrs. Juanita B. Edmonds, real estate broker and proprietor of Edmonds Realty Inc., passed away at her Trotwood home Wednesday, February 11, 2009. A driven businesswoman, Juanita served the Dayton community for 35 years. Mrs. Edmonds was well known and recognized for her sales and business acumen. Born Juanita Beatrice Newell on her parents farm January 8, 1943, the last of 5 children, to Harvey and Mable Newell in Halifax County, North Carolina. After graduating from East Side High School in Columbus, Juanita moved to New York City and married her hometown sweetheart, Floyd Edmonds. The pair soon relocated to Dayton. With several years of banking experience, both in the New York and Dayton markets, she turned that experience to real estate. Her career began as a sales woman and soon she became a broker and opened Edmonds Realty Inc. Her dedication to client satisfaction endeared her to the clients that she served. More importantly, she found her greatest success in the repeat customers and referrals she collected over the years of her career, mostly in Dayton's black community. Survivors include her husband, Floyd Edmonds; sons, Matthew, Michael & Alonzo; sisters, Clara Velt, Columbus, OH & Marrian Newell.
James Hussmann
James C. Hussmann, age 87, passed away on Jan. 26, 2009 in Venice, Florida.
He was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Dayton, Ohio, and retired to Venice in 1983. James was president and owner of Hussmann Realty Inc. of Dayton. He was an Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, serving as a B-29 navigator, captain on the Island of Tinian in the South Pacific theater. James graduated from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, having earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He served as the 1971 president of the Dayton Area Board of Realtors, president of the Miami County Board of Realtors, and was president of the Madison Township School Board. James served as president of the Shiloh Church Counsel of Dayton and governor of the Optimists Clubs of Ohio.
In Venice, he was president of the Hibiscus Society and started the Venice Christmas Lighted Boat Parade in 1988 and served as chairmen for the following 3 years. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Edna; his son James M.; daughter-in-law Darlene; granddaughters Camille and Jillian Hussmann of Germany; sster Mary M. Fife of Trotwood, Ohio; and stepsons Jack and Jean Turpen of Versailles, Ohio, Robert and Dorothy, David Turpen and Michael Castellana of Atlanta.
Joseph G. Martin
Joseph Martin, age 78, a longtime resident of Fairborn and Beavercreek, passed away on January 29. Joe served as an officer in the United States Air Force, stationed in New Mexico, Korea, Florida, Nevada and finally at Wright Patterson AFB. In 1971, Joe chose Fairborn in which to begin a second career as a real estate agent. Joe opened Hearth Realty with partner Palmer Bolling in 1976. Hearth eventually became the largest real estate agency in Greene County before merging with Coldwell Banker in 2003. Joe's professional achievements and associations in those forty-plus years include several Greene County Board of REALTORS® Broker of the Year awards, lifetime membership in the Ohio Association of REALTORS® Million Dollar Club, several Ohio Association of REALTORS® Presidential Achievement awards, and 13 consecutive Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® Sales Leader Club awards. In 1980, Joe served as the president of the Greene County Board of REALTORS®.. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sonia Martin, two children, Melissa Hamilton of GA and Ross Martin of MD, 3 grandchildren, Christopher Hamilton, Andrea Hamilton, and Taylor Martin, as well as countless friends and associates.
Ray Roudebush
Ray Roudebush, age 89, passed away Thursday, January 15, during his stay at the Dayton Veterans Hospital. Ray was a life long resident of Montgomery County. During World War II, he served oversees as a Corporal from 1943 to 1946. Ray was a second-generation REALTOR® with 69 years of membership in the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS®. Additionally, he was awarded the REALTOR® Emeritus designation by the National Association of REALTORS® for his years of membership in the REALTOR® organization. Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gladys; three children; 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.