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.

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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.

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.

After battling with emphysema and finally in remission from lung cancer, but then diagnosed very recently with liver cancer, Sheryl’s mother, Billie (Willetta) Cobbledick (née Finley), passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, July 16, 2007, at Hospice of the Valley.

Our thoughts and intentions go out to Sheryl’s father/Billie’s husband David Cobbledick, and her older sister and brother, Susie and Tom Cobbledick, as well as extended family and friends.

There will be a memorial service for family.

In lieu of flowers, David Cobbledick requests instead that donations be sent to the Hospice of the Valley.

Official Obituary

Willetta “Billie” Cobbledick, 71, of Sebring, Ohio, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at Hospice Of The Valley, Poland, Ohio.

She was born December 14, 1935, in Decatur, Ill., to Glenn and Wanda (Glazebrook) Finley. She was a member of Holden Elementary School PTA (with a Distinguished Service award), volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and was a generous donor to Kent Social Services. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and homemaker. Billie was a graduate of Millikin University, Decatur, Ill., and a member of the Tri Delta Sorority.

She is survived by her husband, Dave S. Cobbledick, whom she married on April 24, 1960, in Decatur, Ill.; one son, Tom (Lori) of Marblehead, Ohio; two daughters, Susie of Lakewood, Ohio, Sheryl (Joe) Banks of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; one brother, Bob Finley; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

As per her wishes, there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 9803 Sharrott Rd, Poland, OH 44514. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

We remember Joe’s maternal grandmother.

Eulogy by Thomas Banks (Joe’s Brother)

May 3rd, 1910 – The United States census reports the countries population to be at 92 million, New Mexico and Arizona are granted the right to become the 47th and 48th State of the union, And Theodore Roosevelt will soon give his famous speech on the “New Nationalism” calling for widespread federal reforms.

During this time of national transition; in the town of Isonville — Elliott County — Kentucky, Martin and Mary Gilliam welcomes my Grandmother Anna Mae Gilliam into the world.

Her grandfather owned the Gilliam general store and she was surrounded by human interaction from the start. She grew up in this social, neighborly, and friendly world where neighbors knew each other and she could see how everyone is connected.

She became Anna Mae Skaggs when, in her late teens, she married her beloved husband Jay Skaggs. He would be the love of her life for over 65 years as they lived in the unfolding of the 20th century. Almost the entire history of the last century can be seen in her families’ progress. Their son Obera J., who has recently passed away, was born during the great dust bowl of the Depression.

Ray was born in a year that saw Amelia Earhart Vanish and the Golden Gate Bridge appear. And while the battle of Britain raged on in Europe, my mother Melinda Roberta, was born just in time to take advantage of the newly invented ladies nylons stockings.

She owned a boarding house during World War II. Again her outgoing sociable nature thrived. She enjoyed the work, the atmosphere, the busy coming and going of their guests, interacting with her family, and creating life long friendships like the Cantrails. Jay Skaggs was drafted to join the forces during World War II, but luckily, the war ended two weeks after he got his letter.

Ann Mae moved to Marysville Ohio in 1946 and purchased the farm many of us are so familiar with. They took great satisfaction as farmers whose greatest love was gardening and working their land. They had their own Farmers market in their driveway and would sell their produce to family and friends.

Friends who she happily helped when they needed, and who in turn helped her when she was in need. Everyone who met her was affected by her kindness and friendly spirit, maybe stopping to talk over a cup of coffee, sitting for a spell, and enjoying her company.

Her later years found her sitting by the ocean, watching the seagulls and birds over the waves. Still smiling, still laughing, still talking; still “engaged” in the continuous interaction of people and life around her.

Over the years, many of her friends and family have passed on before her, but never, I think, did it even occur to her to fade into the background, or let herself be overcome by grief, to become silent.

In today’s world, grief remains one of the few things that has the power to silence us. It is a whisper in the world but a clamor within our hearts. More so than faith, more so than death, grief is unspoken and publicly ignored — except for those moments at the funeral, that are over too quickly, or the conversations of those who recognize in one another a kindred chasm deep in the center of who we are.

Maybe we do not speak of it because death will have us all sooner or later. Or maybe it is unspoken because grief is only the first part of it. After a period of time passes, it becomes something “less sharp,” but larger too, a more enduring thing called loss. Perhaps that is why this is the least explored emotion, because loss has no end.

The world loves closure, loves a thing that can as they say, “be gotten through.” This is why it comes as a great surprise to most to find that loss is forever, that two decades after the event there are those occasions when something in you cries out in the continual presence of an absence.

Sorrow of this nature comes upon us as a great wave; but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it leaves us on the spot and we know that if it is strong — that we are stronger, for as it passes — we remain. Grief wears us, and uses us, but we wear it and use it in return; and it is always blind, whereas we after a manner will see.

I spent some time yesterday contemplating the fields and furrows of the gardens that my grandmother had tended for so many years. Coming to terms with my own grief; trying to see. I sought to imagine how she might feel about her own passing, and had I the opportunity to ask her, I believe she would have smiled, fixed me something to eat, and said something like this:

Do not weep for me, for I have lived. I have joined my hand with all my fellows’ hands, to leave the planet better than when I found it.

Do not weep for me, for I have loved and been loved by my family, by those I loved and who loved me back. For I never knew a stranger — only friends.

Do not weep for me. When you feel the ocean spray upon your face, I am there. When you heart beats faster at the dolphins leaping grace, I am there. When you reach out to touch another’s heart as now I touch God’s face, I am there.

Do not weep for me. I am not gone.

Say instead to all those who gather for me: “Here lies one who was doubly blessed.”

Say – “She was happy.”

Say – “And she knew it.”

Official Obituary

Anna Mae Skaggs, 95, of Marysville, and Estero, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Ft. Myers, Fla.

She was a member of Hayden Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, sitting by the bay watching the waves and birds on a sunny day, and her toy poodle “Sami.”

She was born May 3, 1910, the youngest daughter of the late Martin and Mary Gilliam. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Jay Skaggs in 1992; her eldest son, Obera J. Skaggs; three brothers; and three sisters.

She is survived by children Melinda Roberta Banks of Estero, Fla., and Ray (Lois Brown) Skaggs of Gosport, Ind.; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Skaggs of Marysville; grandchildren, Joseph (Sheryl) Banks III, Thomas (Giselle) Banks, Jonathan M. Banks, Carl (Sheila) Skaggs, Carla (Joseph) Reinhard, Christine (Jerry) McLane, Michael Skaggs, Teresa Skaggs and Mary Kay (Carl) Mickley; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nephews, nieces and wonderful friends.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ferguson Funeral Home, Plain City. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Hayden Baptist Church, 6729 Hayden Run Road, Hilliard, with Pastor Bill Webb officiating. Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery.