All Obituaries

ROLLINS, James T. “Rollo”, departed this life February 27, 2019 at the V. A. Hospital. Memorial service will be held 1 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. Calling hour 12 noon at which time family will receive friends.

SLEDGE, Sr., Kenneth Joseph, 66, fell asleep in death March 13, 2019. He was born November 9, 1952 in Birmingham, AL, Jefferson County. He retired from the plant engineering department at Kettering Medical Center after 45 years of service. Preceded in death by his son, Dion Maurice Sledge; father, Arthur Sledge; brothers, Oliver, Willie and Eddie Sledge; mother- and father-in-law, James Thomas and Nellie Mae Bryant. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jeanette Sledge; son,...

HOWARD, Michael, born September 27, 1955, passed away Monday, March 11, 2019. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1977 serving eleven years, and distinguishing himself by earning three marksmanship awards. Michael started his Air Force career in 1988 and supported several programs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Wilberforce University in 2003 and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Michael honorably served his country for over 40 years with combined service in...

SUMERLIN, Judith Lynn, age 59, a native of Dayton, passed away March 12, 2019. She leaves to cherish her memory, lifetime companion, Kenneth Mitchell; son, Ryan Abernathy; daughter, Danielle Long; brothers, Kevin (Mary) Sumerlin, Kim Sumerlin, Mark (Shelia) Sumerlin, Earl Craig Sumerlin; grandchildren, Makhi, My’Kale, Ryleigh, Ryan Jr. Service will be held 11 am Wednesday, March 20, at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc., 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. Visitation 9 am Wednesday at the...

SANFORD, Clifford, a native of Dayton, died March 9, 2019. He was a 1952 graduate of Dunbar High School. He is survived by spouse, Patricia Sanford; sons, Michael Sanford, Morris, Dewayne and James Smith; sister, Shirley Thomas, Texas; 14 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends. Service will be held 1 pm Monday, March 18, 2019 at Summit Christian Church, 4021 Denlinger Rd. Visitation 10 am Monday at the church until time of service. Family will receive...

CRAFT, Lucy P., born November 15, 1925, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 9, 2019. Preceded in death by parents, Waymon and Cora Craft; sister, Clarice Darden; brothers, Luther and Paul Craft; grandson, Dwane A. Stone; great-great granddaughter, Andr'ela Curry. She is survived by daughters, Beverly Stone, Dever (Anderson) Underwood, Gwendolyn Dejoie, Irma Sanks, Jennifer (Hall) Ware, Fern Wortham; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren,...

PASCHAL, Elsie M. Danley, transitioned from Earth to Heaven March 8, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family. Elsie Mae Danley Paschal was born January 19, 1938 in Carrollton, Georgia to Raymond Sr. and Dovie Mae Daniel Danley. The family relocated to Dayton, Ohio in 1948. Elsie was a 1956 graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She attended Sinclair Community College.  She was employed by McCall’s Publishing Company and Huffy Corporation where she served as Customer...

HOPSON, Mary C., age 73, of Dayton, transitioned from life Sunday, March 10, 2019. She is preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Bryant Hopson. Mary leaves to cherish her precious memories loving children, Tasha and Dwayne Hopson, and daughter-in-law, LaRita Hopson; brothers, Ronald Dixon and Charles Burton; sisters, Mildred McDonald and Frances Preston; grandchildren, Shontel, Bryant, Brionna, Imani, Devon, Alex, Christian, and Malia; great grandchild, Nevaeh; a host of nieces, nephews,...

MILLER, Sr., Paul A., age 79, departed this life March 7, 2019 at Hospice of Dayton. Paul was born in Dayton, Ohio to the late Alice Miller (Neal) and Robert Miller. He was a graduate of Dunbar High School, Class of 1959. He retired from GM/Inland Division with 30 years of service. Paul is survived by his wife of 35 years, Peggy (Goode) Miller; sons, Paul A. Miller Jr. (Stephanie) and Mark Martin; daughter, Pamela Evans; blended family children, Kevin Goode, Kimberly Grandison, and Todd...

FINKLEA, III, Willie, of Trotwood, Ohio, born January 24, 2000, went to eternal peace March 9, 2019.  Willie graduated from Ponitz High School, Class of 2018. Willie was full of life and loved his family and friends dearly. He will remain in the hearts of many! Willie is preceded in death by his sister, Lanelle Byrd; grandmother, Barbara Chandler; great grandmothers, Mary Overton, Clara Alexander; uncle, Byron Finklea; great grandfather, Charles; special cousins, Jamahl L. Moore,...