Obits Part Deux - Sat. June 26, Cols. Dispatch

Leonard Alexander, 35, died this past week. He was a senior network administrator with Net Jets. Darrick Angle, age 27, died on the same day, Wed., "riding the bike that he loved." "...many internet friends who know him as derklee" will miss him.

Elmer J. Carpenter, age 86, also died. He was preceded in death by 6 brothers and 4 sisters. He leaves behind one brother and two sisters. That was a big family.

Vicki Mentel also died this week. She worked for 21 years "in surgery offering compassion and care to her patients. ... She enjoyed Irish culture and was known for her knowledge of all things Irish." I have always wanted to go to Ireland...I wonder if she ever traveled there.

Ralston Steele, age 41, died in a nursing home. He is survived by his wife, three children and mother. His children's names are Tijuha, Talia, and Jacque. Neat names.

Thirty folks are listed in today's obituaries. Three "passed away peacefully."

"Loving father and grandpa" Danny Wayne Howard, age 53, passed away at home on Wednesday. Viet Nam Vet Robert Leroy Rhyan, age 57, also died on Wed.

Thomas Bernard Englehart died on Thursday. He was "preceded in death by his wife of 71 years." (That's seven-one. No typo.)

Donna L. Darst died on Thursday. She was retired from the State of Ohio Columbus Developmental Center. Developmental Centers care for the mentally and physically disabled; two of them are closing due to budget cuts. (This was not mentioned, however, in Ms. Dart's obituary, but it is important in the lives of many disabled here in Ohio. As they are moved from the only homes with which they are familiar.)

Finally, consider the life of Ronald Mauller, age 69, who was in the Columbus Public School System for 30 years. He was a Veteran of Foreign Wars and was preceded in death by his son Bradley. (I am preceded in death by my brother, Bradley.) I find it sad that at 69 Mr. Mauller was also preceded in death by two of his sons-in-law. His wife and two daughters are still living.

This month marks the fourteenth anniversary of my father's death. I hope the families of the people who died this week feel the ongoing presence of their loved one every day. And find strength in the family surrounding them.