Michael Ray Skaggs, age 47, of Marysville died unexpectedly Thursday, October 6, 2011, at his home.

He was employed with PK Controls for the past 6 years servicing the East Liberty Honda Plant and formerly was employed with Ranco for 12 years. Michael was a 1982 graduate of Fairbanks High School and was a graduate of Columbus State Community College. He was a member of the Marysville Moose Lodge #1651 and was a social member of Marysville VFW Post #3320. An ornery practical joker, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating and was a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and the OSU Buckeyes. More than anything, he was a devoted and proud father who loved his children beyond measure.

He was born May 25, 1964, in Marysville to I. Ray and Mary Louise Bennett Skaggs. His father survives in Bradenton, Florida, with his fiancé, Lois Brown, and his mother preceded him in death on December 25, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Roger & Emma Bennett, and paternal grandparents, Jay & Anna Mae Skaggs.

Along with his father, survivors include his 12 year old twins, Ryan Michael Skaggs and Jacqueline Abigail Skaggs, Marysville; his fiancé, Helen Ballman, Marysville; his 2 sisters, Kay (Carl) Mickley, Columbus; and Teresa Skaggs, Marysville; his fiancé’s children, Linda Hamilton, Urbana; and Christina Ballman and her son, R.J. Asbury, of Georgetown, KY; his nieces and nephews, Alex Disbennett, and Nicholas, Lucinda, & Jaclyn Mickley, his former wife, Shelly Craig Skaggs, Marysville; his best friends, Rodney DeVore, West Jefferson, Dick Wallace and Joe Johnson, each of Marysville; and Donny Spurlock, Plain City; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at Mannasmith Funeral Home, Marysville, where the funeral service will take place on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Richard Smyers will officiate and burial will take place at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ryan & Abbey Skaggs Education Fund in care of the funeral home.

—

From Joe:  I’ll never forget, as kids, riding minibikes with cousin Mike in the fields past dark, camping out in the yard at night “reading” a stack of your father’s magazines, and burning the crap out of our fingers lighting fireworks behind the barn. Love you, man, and see you on the other side.

We remember Joe’s Aunt Barbara, who passed away this past Friday evening.

Official Obituary

Barbara L. Skaggs, 73, of Marysville died Friday evening, December 3rd, 2010, at the Gables surrounded by her family. She was a former custodial employee with the Watkins School.

She was a person who enjoyed being home, quilting, knitting and sewing for herself and family. She also enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens.

Barbara was a native of Hilliard and was born March 20, 1937, to the late Charles and Maxie Adams Massie. She was married July 10, 1954 in Liberty, Indiana to Obera J. Skaggs. He preceded her in death February 12, 2004. She was also preceded in death February 1, 2008 by her son, Carl J. Skaggs.

She is survived by her daughters, Christine L. (Jerry) McClain of Marysville, Carla A. (Joe) Reinhard of Milford Center; a daughter-in-law, Sheila J. Skaggs of Plain City; 5 grandchildren, Eric (Melissa) Skaggs, David (Mandy) Walter, Janell (Aaron) Riesen, Jimmy Walter, Jerren Burns; 3 great granddaughters; a brother, Roger (Sally) Massie of Hilliard; a sister, Margaret Pancake of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 6-8pm at the Ingram Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 11am Wednesday with the Rev. Dr. Gary Campbell officiating.

Burial will follow at Watkins Cemetery with her grandchildren serving as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Loving Care Hospice in care of the funeral home.

Tall Ships Festival

Tall Ships Festival – 09-Jul-2010

Aunt Susie’s been talking about the tall ships for weeks now, so we’ve been looking forward to this afternoon at the Tall Ships Festival. The event took  place at Cleveland Harbor, behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the football stadium, and the highlight of the day was the HMS Bounty,  built in 1962 for the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” by MGM Studios in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to tell the story of the famous maritime mutiny that occurred in the South Pacific in 1789.

By the time we arrived, the thunderclouds had cleared away for us stowaways to sneak aboard the Bounty, Niagara, Roald Amundsen, and Pride of Baltimore II. Yes, we’d recommend it, since the lines weren’t too bad, and if you had some way of connecting to the ships’ history beforehand, making the hands-on experience more enjoyable, or if you took the the time to talk to any of the crew and volunteers, who you could tell by their enthusiasm that they loved the ships.

David did wonder why the ships weren’t sailing. We promised him next time, we’d go aboard a moving ship.

More Photos

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Tall Ships Festival – 09-Jul-2010

Promotional copy: “In honor of it’s 100th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Cleveland, with the support of the Port of Cleveland and other partners, brings the Tall Ships to our city. Close to a dozen Tall Ships will sail into Cleveland’s harbor to participate in this 4-day festival. Visitors can board the vessels, meet the crew, and experience the heritage these ships symbolize.”

Site: clevelandtallships.com

Today, we remember Colleen Roberts (mother of Lori Roberts-Cobbledick*)

Colleen Carey Roberts, 78, died May 21, 2010. Born in Kent in 1931, the only child of Edward and Hazel Carey, she was a life resident of Kent. She attended Kent schools from kindergarten through the 12th grade graduating from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1949. While in high school, she was active in numerous music organizations, was a member of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of her Junior class, and was chosen as the representative to Buckeye Girls State.

After graduation, she attended Kent State University, graduating in 1953 with a B.S. in Music Education. In her Senior, year she married her high school sweetheart, Richard D. Roberts. In 1953, she accepted a position with the Cuyahoga Falls City School, teaching vocal music, where she taught for two years, leaving to start her family. Beginning in high school, she taught private piano lessons for 48 years, during which she taught hundreds of students. A member of the Kent United Church of Christ for over 50 years, she sang in the young peoples choir while in high school and then for many years in the adult choir.

For 10 years, she directed the youth choir and produced an annual musical. For many years she served as a leader of the Brownie Troop at Franklin School. Colleen volunteered for 7 years at the County Clothing Center and served as accompanist for many elementary school Christmas programs. Her proudest achievement was raising her 3 daughters, Rebecca Roberts and Carolyn Roberts both of Kent and Lori Roberts (Tom) Cobbledick of Marblehead. Dick and Colleen were married 58 years.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Leslie (Tim) Oberholtzer, Steven Harbert II, and Dylan Cobbledick. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kathryn Cobbledick. A memorial service will be held June 5 at 11 AM at the Kent United Church of Christ, where a reception and light lunch will be served in Van Meter Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kathryn Cobbledick Art Scholarship Fund, c/o Marblehead Bank, 709 West Main Street, Marblehead, Ohio 43440. Bissler and Sons Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.

* Lori is David’s aunt, a.k.a Joe & Sheryl’s sister-in-law, a.k.a. Sheryl’s brother Tom Cobbledick’s wife.

We miss you, Jon, every day.

Uncle Jon and Nephew David say cheese! (Christmas 2009)

• View a collection of photos of Jon collected by friends and family.
• Watch a video of Uncle Jon playing with a new birthday toy with nephew David.
  • See all videos and photos from that day.

Banks, Jonathan Martin, 35. Died Monday, March 15, 2010 in Beachwood, Ohio. Born October 1, 1974, Columbus, Ohio. Jonathan had a twenty-year career in the culinary arts, beginning with Sumenos restaurant, which led to studying Culinary Arts at Columbus State. Respected and loved by all he came into contact with, he moved up the ranks with the 55 Group (Columbus), Cheesecake Factory (Columbus, St. Louis, Boston) and most recently as Executive Chef at Brio Tuscan Grille (Beachwood, OH).

Jon loved his work, but regularly found time to spend with friends and family, and to share his reassuring presence. A kid at heart, he made a point to introduce his love of Transformers and Hot Wheels toys to his nephew, with whom he had a special bond. This relationship, close friends say, helped direct him toward having a family of his own. He was also a talented painter and photographer. An admirer of Ansel Adams, Jon loved nature and visiting Yosemite National Park, CA, where many of his black & white photographs originated.

He attended schools at St. Michael, Worthington, Worthington Kilbourne, Ohio State (Psychology), and Columbus State (Hotel/Hospitality Mgmt). Jon was a member of the first graduating class at Worthington Kilbourne High School in 1993.

Preceded in death by grandparents Joseph and Sara Banks; grandparents Jay and Anna Mae Skaggs; cousin Benjamin Englehart; uncle Obera Jay Skaggs; uncle David Englehart; cousin Carl Skaggs, and aunt Linda Udvari.

Survived by beloved girlfriend Jaime Turner, Mayfield Hts., OH; mother Melinda Roberta Banks, Estero, FL; father Joseph (Diane) Banks Jr., M.D., Columbus, OH; brothers Joseph (Sheryl) Banks, Cleveland, OH, and Thomas (Giselle) Banks, Alameda, CA; nephew David Banks; aunts Barbara Skaggs, Marysville, OH, and Anne Englehart, Wadsworth, OH; uncle Ray (Lois) Skaggs, Martinsville, IN; and cousins Christopher (Lisa) Englehart, Jennifer (Tim) Tavanello, Chris (Jerry) McClain, Carla (Joe) Reinhard, Kay (Carl) Mickley, Michael Skaggs, and Teresa Skaggs.

Family and friends may call 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 26 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221-2841 where funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010. Interment Wesley Chapel Cemetery, 3225 Dublin Rd., Hilliard, OH 43026-2304.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to a dear friend’s cause that Jon strongly supported: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, (203) 229-0464, www.themmrf.org, in Jon’s memory.

We remember Joe’s Aunt Linda.

UDVARI, LINDA B. 59, of Palm Coast, passed away on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 and joined her personal savior in Heaven, Jesus Christ. Her family will receive friends on Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Rd. S., Flagler Beach. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Palm Coast Bible Church, 94 Whiteview Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32164. Burial will follow the service at Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, 511 Old Kings Rd. S., Flagler Beach.

Linda was born on Apr. 7, 1950 in Mansfield, Ohio to the late Joseph A. Banks Sr. and Sara E. (Snyder) Banks. A loving wife and mother, Linda radiated the love of Jesus. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Bayer Law Firm in Flagler Beach.

Linda was a member of the Palm Coast Bible Church, and was on the Board of Directors of Clearer Vision Ministries, Inc. She enjoyed studying God’s word, vacationing in the mountains, going to the ocean, and spending time with her family. Linda is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, George R. Udvari of Palm Coast.

Additional survivors include her son Michael J. Udvari and his wife Natasha of Winter Springs, FL; her daughter Sarah J. Glines and her husband Marc of Casselberry, FL; her sister Anne Englehart of Wadsworth, Ohio; her brother Dr. Joseph H. Banks Jr. and his wife Diane of Upper Arlington, Ohio; and her grandson, Noah Udvari.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Linda to the Christ’s Hope International (for Jos & Sylvia), PO Box 2238, Traverse City, MI 49685-2238 or to the Clearer Vision Ministries, Inc., PO Box 297, St. Augustine, FL 32085-0295. Arrangements are in the care and trust of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.

Kathryn Cobbledick at Our Wedding in 2004.

Today, we begin mourning the passing of our niece Kathryn Cobbledick, daughter of Tom (Sheryls’ brother) and Lori, and brother to Dylan. She died in her sleep early this morning, after battling valiantly with cancer for many years, ever since a brain tumor was discovered when she was five years old.

After being in remission for quite some time, inoperable tumors returned this past year. She was at home with her family when she died.

More Information

• Kathryn’s Guestbook at the funeral home website

From Kathryn’s mother Lori:

Kathryn passed away this morning in her sleep. We feel very blessed that we were given eight more years with her. Nearly 14 years of joy. The last time we were in the hammock together, Kathryn said that fluffy clouds are messages from heaven. This made her smile, and I hope it does you too.

As per Kathryn’s wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes will be buried in Kent, Ohio, next to her grandmother. We request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Flashes of Hope, an organization that provides free photographic portraits of children who are going through treatment and their families (3365 Richmond Rd., Suite 238B, Beachwood, OH, 44122) or to the Marblehead Peninsula Library Committee.

Obituary

Kathryn Carey Cobbledick, 13, of Marblehead, Ohio died Wednesday, August 12, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Kathryn Carey Cobbledick was born September 28, 1995 in Sandusky, OH to Lori Roberts-Cobbledick and Tom Cobbledick. Kathryn was an honor student at Danbury. She aspired to become an artist, winning many awards for her artwork and photography. She was a member of the Port Clinton Photography Club, and a newly confirmed member of The First United Church of Christ, Marblehead. Kathryn, along with her brother Dylan, were Co-Captain’s of “Kathryn’s Team”, a Relay For Life team to raise money for The American Cancer Society. Through many fund-raising activities, “Kathryn’s Team” was a silver team every year, raising over $26,000.00 for the ACS. Kathryn trained every year for the event, going from wheelchair, to walker, to walking the survivors lap. In doing so, she has inspired many, and will continue to inspire all those who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Kathryn is survived by her brother Dylan Cobbledick of Marblehead, Ohio; grandfather David Cobbledick, Sebring, Ohio; grandparents Richard and Colleen Roberts, Kent, Ohio; aunts Sheryl (Joseph) Banks, Cleveland Hts., Ohio, Susie Cobbledick, Lakewood, Ohio, Becky Roberts and Carolyn Roberts, both of Kent, Ohio; cousins Leslie Harbert, Ravenna, Ohio; Steven Harbert, Kent, Ohio, and David Banks, Cleveland Hts., Ohio. She was preceded in death by her sisters Kelly Jane and Erin Elizabeth Cobbledick, and grandmother Willetta “Billie” Cobbledick.

A celebration of Kathryn’s life will take place on Friday, August 21, 2009 with visitation from 10:00-11:30 am and a memorial service at 11:30 am at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Road, Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. Reverend Janine Dress, close friend of the family will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Flashes of Hope (A non-profit that provides free professional photography to young cancer patients and their families), 3365 Richmond Road, suite 238B, Beachwood, OH, 44122 or The (Marblehead) Peninsula Library, P.O. Box 74, Marblehead, OH 43440.

– 07-Jun-2008

Lakewood Park holds an annual event where various city vehicles are parked in the lot and children can climb aboard and talk to the people who drive them. As soon as Aunt Susie told us about it, we knew we had Saturday morning plans. The lines were longest for David’s favorite, “A DIGGER!” But fortunately, Susie and family friend Laurie held our place in line — to be able to sit in the front seat — while David dashed around, climbed on the tires, sat in the shovel, inspecting it with quiet amazement.

We also visited a fire truck (seen above), Cushman scooter, garbage truck, ambulance, dump truck, and saw many more.

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– 07-Jun-2008	– 07-Jun-2008	– 07-Jun-2008

But Wait, There’s More!

With the help of new Cleveland resident Uncle Jon, Daddy put the final touches on David’s new and improved sandbox during the last of May. But the story gets better when the three of us drove off in search of new sand. We stopped briefly at a local rental and repair place that Joe frequents, and when Jon stepped back out of the store indicating they didn’t have any sand, we thought we were off to the next possible stop.

But David spied the back lot, filled with Bobcat-sized diggers, mini-loaders and other rentals, and insisted we get out of the car. Absolutely! David’s smile went from ear to ear, as he gazed upon and touched the various equipment. However, the owner of the store saw the look on David’s face, and insisted he get on the digger. I’m not sure who was more gleeful, David sitting in the seat, or Jon and Daddy watching him.

But then, the owner went one step further and said, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to turn the key on!” Holy moley! “Just move this lever here, which will move the arm up and down, and make sure you don’t touch the other one, which will move it from side to side. And don’t worry, he can’t hurt it any more than any of my customers.”

View the movie below, captured on Daddy’s cell phone, for actual footage of the event. Don’t worry, that’s Uncle Jon, partially hidden by the digger, standing next to David and watching carefully.

With a wink in his eye, Jon asked how much a daily rental would cost, say, for a birthday party. Upon hearing the reply, Jon remarked, “That has to be better than a clown!”

– 31-May-2008

From Cleveland Plain Dealer, Staff and wire reports

As drug makers rushed to pull cold medicines for babies off the market across the nation Thursday, Dr. Haitham Haddad at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland echoed a rising chorus of concerns about the safety of such medicines.

“Cold medicine doesn’t work on children under the age of 2,” Haddad said. “By giving cold medicine you’re asking for side effects.”

One serious side effect: The children could stop breathing, Haddad said.

“We don’t know what’s the right doses for the first years of life, and the concern is that if it doesn’t work, the parent will tend to give more of it and more frequently.”

The drug maker’s move Thursday represented a pre-emptive strike by the over-the-counter drug industry – a week before government advisers were to debate the medicines’ fate. But it doesn’t end concern about the safety of these remedies for youngsters.

Thursday’s withdrawal includes medicines aimed at children under age 2, after the Food and Drug Administration and other health groups reported deaths linked to the remedies in recent years, primarily from unintentional overdoses.

Haddad, a pediatrician and attending physician at Rainbow’s emergency room, said it is routine for the hospital to see young children who have overdosed on the medicine. The kids, more often than not, are very sleepy. Sometimes the child must be kept at the hospital and watched, he said.

“The huge concern is giving it during the first six months of age,” Haddad said. “That’s when it could be really lethal.”

Nationally, there are also questions about whether children under 6 should ever take these nonprescription drugs.
Baltimore city officials filed a petition with the FDA – joined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and prominent pediatricians – arguing that oral cough and cold medicines don’t work in children so young.

The challenge, said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore’s health commissioner and a pediatrician, will be to persuade parents to try old-fashioned methods, like suctioning out infants’ noses or using salt-water nose drops.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced Thursday that manufacturers were voluntarily ending sales of over-the-counter oral cough and cold products aimed at infants. The list includes infant drops sold under the leading brand names Dimetapp, Pediacare, Robitussin, Triaminic, Little Colds, and versions of Tylenol that contain cough and cold ingredients.

CVS Caremark Corp. added that it would also end sales of CVS-brand equivalents.
The FDA is bringing its scientific advisers together next Thursday and Friday to debate the issues, but its own preliminary review concluded that very young children shouldn’t take some of these commonly used medicines. And while the FDA’s main focus is on children under 6, it also will ask if there’s evidence that these drugs work in children up to age 12.

FDA praised the drug makers’ withdrawals Thursday as important for protecting babies.
For other youngsters, parents should understand that cold remedies treat only symptoms, they don’t make viruses go away any faster, stressed FDA pediatrician Dr. Dianne Murphy.

Plain Dealer Sarah Jane Tribble and the Associated Press contributed to this story.

Relatives and other holiday shoppers have been asking about David’s size. To help clear up the confusion, here’s a sizing guide for clothes and shoes, originally from the Baby Alexandra website.

As of this writing, David weighs 23 pounds, 9 ounces, and is 33 3/4″ tall. So for the winter, his sizes are the following:

• Pants: 18 to 24 months (not 2T)
• Shirts: 24 months
• Overalls:  24 months

What is a toddler size anyway? Just when you thought you understood European shoe sizing, you are introduced to the baby world of infant sizing and toddler sizing. Here is a guide to understanding how to shop for your future protégé!

Infant sizing is month sizes and can alter somewhat by manufacturer. For the most part you will find:
1M (meaning 1 month or up to 8 pounds)
3M
6M
12M
18M
24M

Occasionally, you will find manufacturers who produce 9 month clothing or those that make a range of sizing meaning 0-3 months. When there is a range of sizing, the highest size is the ‘maximum’ size. However, you will always find that your baby may not exactly fit into these pre-determined sizes. Just like adults, babies come in all shapes and sizes. You will also see a variation between manufacturers. While daunting, purchasing clothing will become easier over time once you understand how your little one is growing. When in doubt, please call or email our boutique for advice, or go one size larger than normal.

Toddler Sizes
2T (2 toddler; meaning age 2)
3T
4T

So, what is the difference between 24 months and 2T? Well, the 2T will be slightly wider and longer. The 2T size refers to when the child is older than 24 months and can last longer in the closet. It is not unusual for smaller children to run a size behind or larger children to run a size ahead of their age.

Girl/Boy Sizes
4
5
6
6X (girl only)
7

This size refer to age. A 4 will be slightly wider and longer than a 4 toddler. A 6x is made for girls only and is also slightly wider and longer. It is also common for European manufacturers to place an A or Y after the size (to represent Anos or Year).

Shoe Sizing
This is what we find the most difficult since some babies feet are wider than others and babies feet grow so quickly. As a general rule of thumb, you can use the following guide. Also, it is wise to check for 1-3 year olds every other month to see if they need a larger size.

European sizing varies by manufacturing, so please use this grid as a reference point.