The
Obituaries for March 7, 2008
Frank Blackburn
FOREST — Frank M. Blackburn, formerly of Forest and more recently of West Liberty, died at 3 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Green Hills Care Center, West Liberty. He was 90.
Born Aug. 16, 1917 in Byesville, he was a son of Thomas S. and M. Mildred (Spaid) Blackburn. He married Vera E. Tallman on March 29, 1941 and she survives in West Liberty.
Mr. Blackburn also is survived by a daughter, Karen Roettger, West Liberty; a son, Al, Southport, N.C.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Corinne Ruby, Sebring; and Marsena Miller, Richwood.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael J. Blackburn.
A graduate of Byesville High School and Ohio University, Mr. Blackburn received a master's degree from Ohio State University. He began his teaching career at Broadway Schools in Union County in 1939. He was Hardin County Superintendent of Schools from 1956 to 1976. He also had been a superintendent for a year at Bellpoint; for seven years at Byhalia-York; and for two years at Forest. He spent 37 years in education, including 30 years as an administrator.
Mr. Blackburn was an income tax preparer for 25 years.
He was a veteran of the United States Army during World War II after serving four and a half years, and was discharged as a chief warrant officer.
He was a member of Forest United Methodist Church, where he was the former treasurer for 26 years, a former member of the board of trustees and was on the pastoral relations committee.
Mr. Blackburn also was a member of Senate Lodge No. 378 F & AM and was a charter member of the park board. He was an election board member for 15 years in Forest.
He was on the Riverdale Board of Education for eight years and was a member of the Ohio and Hardin County Retired Teachers Association. He was a member of the Buckeye Association of School Administration.
The funeral is at 2 p.m. Sunday at Clark-Shields Funeral Home, Forest, with the Revs. Steve Umphress and Dennis Livingston officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at York Center Cemetery, York Center, with full military graveside services conducted by McVitty VFW Post No. 1182 and American Legion Post No. 259, both of Forest. Visitation is from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Forest United Methodist Church or Home Health and Hospice, Sydney, in care of Clark-Shields Funeral Home, 301 S. Patterson St., Forest OH 45843.
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Helen Louise Gier, Upper Sandusky, died at 7:28 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Wyandot Memorial Hospital. She was 89.
Born Sept. 5, 1918 in Mifflin Township, Wyandot County, she was a daughter of Karl and Charlotte (Pfeifer) Koehler. She married Gerald Gier on Oct. 2, 1939 at Bethany Lutheran Parsonage, Upper Sandusky, and he died June 4, 2001.
Mrs. Gier is survived by a son, R. Jerry (Sara), Upper Sandusky; a daughter, Barbara S. Gier, Glouster; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Gier, DeLeon Springs, Fla.; and Scott and Jamie Gier, both of Upper Sandusky; and seven great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Ashley, Sara, Samuel, Hannah, Jacob and Olivia Gier.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ivan Koehler.
Mrs. Gier was a co-owner and operator, along with her husband, of Gier TV, retiring in 1978 after 40 years.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Upper Sandusky, for more than 50 years.
She also was a volunteer for Wyandot Memorial Hospital Guild for many years.
She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska and Europe and spending time in Florida. She also enjoyed boating and fishing at Lake Erie, playing cards with various card groups and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, Upper Sandusky, with the Rev. Henry Seibert officiating. Burial will be in Old Mission Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Wyandot Memorial Hospital in care of Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
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