April 21, 2009
UPPER SANDUSKY - Max A. Kennedy, age 70, of St. Hwy 67, Marseilles Twp., Upper Sandusky, died at Marion General Hospital, Marion, OH at 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

He was born on February 10, 1939 in Marseilles Twp. to Keith E. Kennedy who preceded him in death and Ruth E. (Thomas) Kennedy who survives in Marseilles. He first married Dorothy M. Hirsch they divorced. He then married Janice E. Osborn, on February 27, 1967 and she survives.
A son, Tim M. Kennedy, and daughter, Rebecca P. Seabert both of Marseilles and a daughter, Julia L. Kennedy, LaRue, OH; four grandchildren, Denise (Baker) Wells, Dennis F. Seabert Jr., Tareshah L.J. Ladson, Anngelicas L.M. Seabert; and six great grandchildren, Nakayla Shoemaker, Emma Wells, Miranda Wells, Dennis F. Seabert III, Siaki L. Aperilla Sr., Siashah T.M. Aperilla; two brothers, Tom H. (Delores) Kennedy, John L. (Carol) Kennedy both of Marseilles; and many nieces and nephews.

Max was a member of the Marseilles Presbyterian Church and attends the Marseilles United Methodist Church.

He graduated from Marseilles High School in 1957. Max retired in 1997 after 34 years as a correctional officer at MCI, Marion, OH. Prior to that he had worked at the Swan Rubber Co. Bucyrus, State Highway Department and the Tri County Stone Quarry. Max served several terms as Marseilles Twp. trustee, and had also worked as the Twp. maintenance man. He has been on the Marseilles Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. for the past 52 years and has served as the Fire Chief for the past 34 years.

Max was a member of the Northwest Ohio Firemen Assoc. He was a member of the former Marseilles Masonic Lodge #515, now a member of Warpole Masonic Lodge #176 Upper Sandusky, OH, Marion Chapter & Council #22, and the Latham Chapter Order Eastern Star, Kenton, OH, as well as, a member of the Eagles Lodge of Upper Sandusky.

Max enjoyed going to gun shows in Lima and New Riegel with his good friend, Ron Berry, also flea markets and auctions. Mr. Kennedy other hobbies included fishing, hunting, and traveling, especially to Hocking Hills, grilling and eating out. He took pride in being a good steward to Marseilles Twp. residents also sharing and caring for his family.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the Marseilles United Methodist Church, with Rev. Tim Benjamin officiating, burial will be in the Chandler Cemetery, Marseilles Twp. Family and friends may visit at the Bringman Clark Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday with a Masonic memorial service at 8:00 p.m. and from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the church on Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to Marseilles Vol. Fire Dept., Marseilles Presbyterian Church or Marseilles United Methodist Church in care of the Bringman Clark Funeral Home, 226 E. Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351. MCI Honor Guard will post at the funeral home and Marseilles Vol. Fire Dept. will provide burial honors.

April 16, 2009

MARION - Edward D. Gompf, age 84, of Marion went to be with his Lord, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. He passed away at the Extended Care Facility, Morrow County Hospital after one year, following a stroke.

He was born March 29, 1925 to David and Emma (Miley) Gompf, was the loving husband of Anna Gertrude (Wilds) Gompf, who survives in Marion. They were married 63 years ago in St. Cloud, MN while he was in the service.

He is also survived by a devoted son, Ronald Allen (Laura) Gompf of Marion, a son, Daniel Edward (Leah) Gompf of Yellow Springs and a daughter, Donna Jean Fridley of Marysville.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Ann (Gompf) Tevis (just 7 months earlier); a son, William Edward; and an infant daughter, Jean Ann.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Barbara Mercer and Tammy Bott both of Indianapolis, Janice Blackledge, Marion, Amy Blackledge, North Carolina, Ultra Duval, Wisconsin, Coral Kerley, Chicago, Rhonda Nemeth and Chad Gompf of Marion and Justin Tevis of West Liberty; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ivah McClenathan, Woodside Village Mount Gilead.

He graduated from Claridon School in 1942 where he played basketball. He served in the Army in World War II for 13 months. He was a lifetime member of St. John's (Windfall) Lutheran Church. He loved to read his Bible and so many magazines and attended church whenever possible.

He loved doing all kinds of wood crafting. He designed and made antique tractor clocks, especially John Deere. He was a lifetime member of the National Library of Poetry, International Poetry Hall of Fame; some poems were set to music, and published in London and other countries overseas. He started writing poetry when his two year old son was killed in an auto accident. He won many awards and trophies and even wrote two Volumes of "Soul Food From The Farm: poetry, and a short book "Positive Side of 75", a book of his life. He also belonged to the American Legion and N.R.A.

He was a farmer all his life. He started working away from home at Houghton Sulky Company in Marion from 1942-44, Marion Engineering Depot 11 years and then 21 years at Marion Correctional Institution as a farm guard. He retired in 1983.

He will be sadly missed by all his friends and neighbors.

Friends may call Friday, April 17, 2009 at Gompf Funeral Home in Cardington from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St John Lutheran (Windfall) Church. Pastor Donald Pletcher will officiate and burial will follow in Windfall Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St John's Lutheran Church, Morrow County Hospice, American Cancer Society or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gompffh.com.