Obituaries

Joseph Nucifera

Joseph Thomas Nucifera, Columbus and formerly of Upper Sandusky, passed away peacefully and with dignity as he lived his life at 8:23 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2008 at Riverside Hospital, Columbus. He was 86.
Born Dec. 31, 1921 in Bellevue, he was a son of the late Samuel and Rosa (Micciulla) Nucifera. He married Mary A. Krupp Niederkohr on Nov. 5, 1960 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Sycamore, and she survives.
Mr. Nucifera also is survived by three sons, Dennis (Patti) Niederkohr, Bradenton, Fla.; Daniel (Sandra) Niederkohr, Marysville; and David (Linda) Niederkohr, Powell; a daughter, Diane Niederkohr-Stephens, Delaware; eight grandchildren, Ryan, Holly, Nicolas and Nathan Niederkohr, Sarah (Niederkohr) Wong, Caitlin (Niederkohr) Schmidt and Joseph and Jennifer Stephens; a brother, Anthony (Bertha), Phoenix; and three nephews in Phoenix.
His first great-grandchild is expected in May.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Sarah, and two brothers, James and Samuel.
Mr. Nucifera received a bachelor of science degree from Ohio State University in 1949 and moved to Upper Sandusky in 1951 after completing post graduate work in horticulture and landscape architecture.
He retired as a certified wildlife biologist and certified horticulturist with the state of Ohio.
Mr. Nucifera was a United States Marine veteran of World War II, a staff-sergeant attached to the Third Marine Air Wing.
Mr. Nucifera was a member of Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church.
He also was a former scoutmaster of St. Peter's Boy Scout Troop No. 125. He was a life member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 2050 and Elks Lodge No. 83, all of Upper Sandusky.
He was a member of the Upper Sandusky tree commission and at various times voluntarily drafted basic landscape plans for the Wyandot County Museum Board. As a member of the planning board, he designed landscape plans for the Bicentennial Park committee.
Mr. Nucifera was an avid conservationist and dog lover. His hobbies included fishing, golfing, recording and listening to semi-classical music and reading. He was a devoted Ohio State football fan and also enjoyed watching golf, boxing and other sporting events on TV. His loving, gentle ways and friendly smile will be missed by everyone, particularly his wife, children and grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, where military graveside rites will be conducted by a local veteran's organization. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday, where a rosary will be said at 10:15 a.m.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter's School or Worthington Christian Village in care of Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky OH 43351.
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CAREY - Daniel J. Elchert, 10306 Ohio 103, Carey, died at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Bridge Hospice Care Center, Findlay. He was 58.
Arrangements are pending at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, Carey.
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SYCAMORE - Ralph J. Kinney, Marion, died at 5:25 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 in the emergency room at Wyandot Memorial Hospital. He was 85.
Born June 5, 1922 in Wyandot County, he was a son of Ralph L. and Florence O. (Beis) Kinney. He married Hazel Pickens and they divorced. He married Lola Hall on April 28, 2000 and they divorced.
Kinney is survived by five daughters, Florence Hall, Indianapolis; Marguerite Coy Kendall, Rocky Mount, N.C.; Cheryl Roush, Delaware; Carol Kinney, Largo, Fla; and Judy Pierce, Marengo; three sons, Ralph, Bucyrus; and Arthur Gene and Phillip McCoy, both of Mount Gilead.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Bentz; and a brother, Walter Kinney.
Mr. Kinney was a retired heavy equipment operator and farmer in Morral County.
He was a member of the Protestant faith.
He was a former member of the Upper Sandusky Eagles Club, Upper Sandusky Moose Lodge and the Moose Lodge in Crystal River, Fla.
Mr. Kinney liked to go boating and fishing.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bethel Cemetery, McCutchenville. There will be no visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Wyandot County Heart Support Group or an organization of the donor's choice in care of Walton-Moore Funeral Home, 201 W. Saffel Ave., Sycamore OH 44882.
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