Dean Warren Higgins, age 81, of 5701 St. Route 42 N, Mount Gilead, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 26, 2006, at the home of his birth doing what he loved, working with his tractors on his farm. Dean was born on March 13, 1925, the son of the late Clark and Josie (Fogle) Higgins. He graduated from Mount Gilead High School on May 28, 1943.

On July 28, 1945, Dean was drafted into the U.S. Army serving during World War II overseas as a 5th grade technician, a military policeman, and telephone switchboard operator. A lifelong farmer and “hard worker,” Dean began working on the farm as soon as he became able to do his chores. He milked cows, chopped wood, raised cattle and seven children, and then grain farmed until he semi retired to care for his wife Frieda. Being so in tune with nature, on a humid sultry August night he could “hear the corn grow at night.” Every spring he looked forward to the new beginning and the planting of seeds.

On January 14, 1962, Dean married his loving wife of over 42 years, Frieda Mae (Field) Higgins, who preceded him in death on November 4, 2004. Together, Frieda and Dean, enjoyed traveling and doing mission work together, making several trips to Alaska and others to Michigan. They also enjoyed traveling and playing dominos with their dear friends.

Dean has been an active member of the Bryn Zion Baptist Church all of his life, holding several positions in the church and was currently serving as the Head Deacon, and the Assistant Superintendent. He truly lived his Christian beliefs, and was an “angel on earth” to his wife, family, and friends. Dean was a member of Gideon’s, the Farm Bureau Council a.k.a. “Halves and Better Halves,” the Antique Tractor Association, and the Silver King Tractor Club. He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and became the infamous “live raccoon trapper” for Hospice of Morrow County.

As a father, Dean will be remembered for having the “patience of Job,” and for having a deep understanding and love for his children. As a “grandpa,” his “strong farm hands” became soft to hold each new grandchild, and he embodied exactly what a father and grandfather “should” be. Dean was deeply loved and will be truly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving children, which include four sons Robert C. Trainer, Michael L. Trainer, and James H. (Joanne) Trainer all of Mount Gilead, and Thomas D. (Julie) Trainer of New Carlisle, Ohio; two daughters Laura E. (Danny) Young and Susan A. (Lonnie) Prater both of Mount Gilead; a daughter-in-law, Rita Trainer of Redding, California; 21

Naomi R. Campbell, 71, of Edison, Ohio died Thursday September 21, 2006 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Greenup County, Kentucky on July 2, 1935 the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Miller) Wright.

On September 25, 1953 she married John C.C. “Mayo” Campbell in Louisa, Kentucky. In 1959 they moved from Lawrence, Kentucky to Edison. Once both their children were through grade school she assumed the position of kitchen manager at the Freeway Inn, currently, the Duke station at U.S. Route 42 and Interstate 71 until her retirement in 1999. She attended Gilead Friends Church and was active in the Monday Night Bible Study. She was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxillary. A kind hearted and caring person she enjoyed all types of cooking and cherished the times spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her great granddaughter “Nessa” wondered “who would take her to Pizza Hut now”? Her son and daughter described her as an “easy going woman with a strong will”.

She is survived by her two children; Brenda Campbell of Mount Gilead, Ohio and Johnnie L. Campbell of Edison, Ohio, and his special friend Becky Kilgour of Mount Gilead, Ohio, two grandchildren; Erica and Aaron Clark, two great grandchildren; Kylee and Denassa Clark, and two brothers Merle (Dori) and Berle Wright of Jamboree, Kentucky. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband on March 29, 1998 and her three sisters; Berthie Adams, Alme Thornsberry, and Wilma Flinker.

Graveside services will be held on Monday September 25, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Rivercliff Cemetery in Mount Gilead with Pastor Joe Graham officiating. At Mrs. Campbell’s request calling hours will not be observed. Memorial contributions if desired may be made to Hospice of Morrow County, P.O. Box 86, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338 or Children With Hairloss, 22215 Avion River Drive, Rockwood, Michigan, 48173.

Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. Annoucement courtesy of Snyder Funeral Homes.