Lancaster Eagle-Gazette from Lancaster, Ohio • Page A2

2A MONDAY, 03.30.15 WWW.LANCASTEREAGLEGAZETTE.COM Obituaries and photographs submitted to the Lancaster Eagle Gazette may be published, distributed, repurposed and otherwise used in print, electronic and other media platforms. CM (O CO in WWII heroes to give Congressional Gold Medal to museum 38 5 Virginia Kougher LANCASTER: Virginia M. Kougher, 85, of Lancaster, passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at Crestview. She was born in 1930 in Fairfield County to the late Russell andTressa (VanFossen) Bowers, and was a life long resident of the Amanda area. She is survived by her husband of 64 Vi years, Ivan Kougher; daughter, Pamela Sue (Rick) Arthur of Lancaster; granddaughters, Julie Romine and Janette (Chad) Walker; great grandchildren, Rachel Walker, Isabella Azbell, Ayden and Isaac Darst; brothers, Richard (Mary) Bowers, Paul Bowers, Robert (Carolyn) Bowers; sisters, Joann (Ralph) Dilley, Rosemary (Emmett) Hutchins, Geraldine (Francis) Miller, Dorothy (Floyd) Mills, Betty (Gary) Hillyard, Judy (Tim) Payne, and Debbie (Leewood) Rhymer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Glenn and James Bowers, and sister, Ruby Creiglow. Honoring Virginia's request, no calling hours will be observed, and a private service will be held at Amanda Twp. Cemetery. Arrangements by the Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda. Please visit www.mytaylorfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Virginia.

AYLOR FUNERAL HOME AP FILE Retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole attends a ceremony last year in Washington as President Barack Obama signed legislation to create a Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Doolittle Raiders. The medal will be presented to raid survivors April 15. DAN SEWELL ASSOCIATED PRESS CINCINNATI More than seven decades after a daring bombing run by the "Doolittle Tokyo Raiders" rallied their nation while stunning another, the World War II heroes are still adding to their legacy.

The group will receive the Congressional Gold Medal on April 15 in Washington, then present it to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on April 18 the 73rd anniversary of the raid. The medal will go on display at the museum near Dayton, Ohio, joining an exhibit depicting the group's launch from an aircraft carrier during their 1942 mission against Japan. The only two surviving Raiders retired Lt. Col.

Richard Cole and Staff Sgt. David Thatcher plan to attend the museum ceremony. A third Raider, Lt. Col. Robert Hite, died Sunday at a Nashville, Tennessee, nursing facility.

He was 95. Relatives of the 80 Raiders are also expected to attend the weekend of events. "The medal is for 80 people," said Cole, an Ohio native who lives in Comfort, Texas. The gold medal the highest civilian honor Congress can give is also a tribute to the mis- nounced plans for the gold medal display, promising their inspirational story "will live on" at the museum. Eight Raiders were captured, and three were executed.

One more died in captivity, and three others were killed after crash-landing or ditching at sea. In previous years, Hite, who was among the Japanese captives, had been unable for health reasons to travel to Raider events. His son said Hite had been battling Alzheimer's disease before his death Sunday. At the museum ceremony, Cole and Thatcher, of Missoula, Montana, plan to drink a toast to those who have gone before them. Agnes Kessler Cramer LANCASTER: Agnes Kessler Cramer, 95, of Lancaster passed away on Saturday March 28, 2015 at the Fairfield Medical Center.

She was born on November 4, 1919 in Lancaster to the late Thomas A. and Sarah C. (Snider) Kessler. Agnes was a life member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, served as a Eucharistic Minister, was on the Creed Committee for the restoration of St.

Mary Church. She retired from the Fairfield County District Library. Agnes was also a member of the Elks Club. Agnes is survived by her daughter, Ann Cramer, son Mark and daughter-in-law Lori Cramer; Sr. Venard Kessler, OP; sister in law Pat Kessler; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, husband, Marion A. Cramer; brothers, Marcellus, William F. and Thomas I. Kessler. Sisters Elizabeth Franklin, Ruth Kessler, Sr.

Mary Carol Kessler, OP and Sr. Vivian Kessler, OP. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church with Father Craig Eilerman, Celebrant.

Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 with a vigil service at 7:30 PM at the SHERIDAN FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Medical Center Foundation to the Palliative Care Unit, 401 N.

Ewing St. Lancaster. Online condolences can be made at www. sheridanfunerhome.net. Mildred Beryl Miller LANCASTER: Mildred Beryl Miller, 94, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015 in the Pickering House, Lancaster.

She was born on April 17, 1920 in Frazeysburg, OH, the only daughter of the late William and Leatha (Ashcraft) Frost. Mildred was a graduate of the Frazeysburg High School and also of the Newark School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse and was employed by B.I.S., the Fairfield County Health Department, Homestead Nursing and Rehabilitation and Diamond Power over her professional career. Mildred was also a 50 year member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Newark Chapter 305. She is survived by her sons, Donald Miller and Kent (Judy) Miller; like a son, Terry (Gina, Burke and Hudson) Schultz; a brother, WK (Mildred) Frost; many nieces and nephews and a special friend Kim Peters.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William E. Miller in 2010. Special thanks to the caregivers and friends at Primrose Retirement Community, Landfair and Fairfield Medical Center for all their loving care and friendship to Mildred over the past several years. Friends may call Tuesday from 4-7 pm in the Halteman-Fett Dyer Funeral Home, Lancaster. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 pm in the Vencil Chute Funeral Home, Frazeysburg with 1 hour of calling prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to FairHoPe Hospice in Mildred's memory. John G. Kennard Muslim CD OH-0001 030408 LOCAL WEATHER vTHIGH: 54 1 LOW: 38 Partly sunny and breezy TUESDAY 1 LOW: 30 Partly sunny and breezy WEDNESDAY HIGH: 60 Vl LOW: 43 Plenty of sun -rY THURSDAY HIGH: 74 LOW: 50 Warmer with thunderstorms 4A FRIDAY 4f HIGH: 60 LOW: 35 Cooler with rain ALMANAC Through 4 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURES High 48 Low 15 PRECIPITATION 24 hrs 0.00" SUN MOON Today's sunrisesunset: 7:19 a.m.7:52 p.m. Today's moonrisemoonset: 3:42 p.m.4:42 a.m.

Full Last New First Apr 4 Apr 1 1 Apr 1 8 Apr 25 NATIONAL EXTREMES Thermal, CA 98 Saranac Lake, NY -9 AccuWeather.com Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. 2015 LOTTERIES Pick 3 (D): 5-4-0 Pick 4(D): 0-5-8-1 Pick 5 (D): 0-4-8-5-7 Rolling Cash 5: 15-16-18-20-30 Pick 3: 5-7-9 Pick 4: 3-8-2-3 Pick 5: 7-8-2-2-6 Lancaster EAGLE-GAZETTE Welcomed into your lives since 1809. 2015 The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette 138 W. Chestnut Lancaster, OH 43130 Phone: 740-654-1321 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

weekdays Newspaper delivery and billing: 877-424-0213, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 7 to 11:30 a.m. weekends Advertising: 740-681-4455 News: 740-681-4348 Jim Sabin Managing Editor 740-681-4344, jsabin lancastereaglegazette.com Heather Bright Delivery Manager 740-681-4516 hbrightnncogannett.com Mark Rager Advertising Manager 740-681-4333 mragernncogannett.com USPS: 303-980 Postmaster, send address changes to Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, 138 W. Chestnut Lancaster, OH 43130.

Second class postage paid at Lancaster, Ohio. Published daily at 138 W. Chestnut Lancaster, OH 43130. EagleGazette lancastereaglegazette PORTSMOUTH: John G. Kennard, 0, of Portsmouth, Ohio passed away Friday morning, March 27, 2015 at Ohio Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

He WIS "was born on May 16, 1934 in Cleve Chloe Snoke, left, Keeley Murphy, center, and Willis Litton take Thursday at General Sherman Junior High School in Lancaster. Ti- land to the late S. Francis and Pauline (Groves) Kennard. Mr. Kennard attended Linsly Mili sion's leader, the late Gen.

James "Jimmy" Doolittle, Cole said. Doolittle died in 1993. While the 16 B-25 bombers launched at sea inflicted only scattered damage on Japan, the attack was credited with boosting American morale after a series of defeats, while shaking Japan's confidence and prompting strategy shifts. "We did everything that the mission was planned to do," said Cole, who was Doolittle's co-pilot. The museum's director, retired Lt.

Gen. Jack Hudson, praised the Raiders' "supreme example of courage, professionalism, creativity, leadership and patriotism" as he an certified as therapy animals in 2010. "I'm a certified trainer that had run a large dog therapy operation in Pennsylvania before moving here and we all thought that we could establish one right here in Fairfield County," Levicoff said. Cassandra found out about the organization after her own son attended a reading program at the Fairfield County District Library with the dogs. "It was great and you could see the benefits," Cassandra said.

She applied for a grant that would help pay the organization's expenses to come into the school last year. "This year the Lancaster Public Education Foundation provided us with a second, larger grant that allows the dogs to come in twice a month," Cassandra said. "The students really infants died in 2012, according to state health department records. Better access to maternal health care could reduce the number of deaths. Babies born to mothers who received no prenatal care were three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than babies whose mothers received care, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies, and no mother-to-be should go tary Grade School and graduated from Barnesville High School. He also attended Miami University, three years of night school in Can ton to be an Electrical Engineer, Graduate School of Business at The University of Michigan (AEP Management Course), and Business Courses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and State University (AEP Management Course). John was an Army Veteran where he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He started his career with AEP as a Meter Helper and retired as a Manager with 385 employees under his supervision. He managed employees for Ohio Power, Kentucky Power, Columbus Power and Southern Power.

He held positions in the Meter Department, CommercialIndustrial Department, Marketing and Customer Services Department, Economic Development Director for Ohio Power Co. and AreaDistrict Division Management. He was also on the president of AEP's staff. He retired on July 1, 2000 after 43 years with AEP. He owned a third share in a company building WACO Aircraft for 5 years and closed JG Kennard LLC (Economic Development Consultant) after 5 years.

He enjoyed golfing and flying his airplane where he received his pilot's license in 1953. He was a member of the Portsmouth Masonic Lodge Portsmouth Rotary Club, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of Portsmouth Airport, Portsmouth American Legion In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis J. (Kozick) Kennard; children, Jeffrey and Kimberly Kennard; brother, Robert A. Kennard; and sister, Sally Carter. John is survived by his sons, J.

Bryan Kennard of Los Angeles and James Bryan Reid of Columbus; daughters, Kelly (Darren) Mynes of Hopewell, Ohio and Heather (Don) Estis of Columbus; and grandchildren; Dane Estis, Delaney Mynes, and Wyatt Mynes. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 from 6 9 PM at Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, 319 North Chestnut Street, Barnesville, Ohio where services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 2 PM. Burial will follow at 2:45 PM at Northern Cemetery in Barnesville, Ohio. Masonic Lodge service will be held on Tuesday. Military service will be conducted on Wednesday at 3 PM at Northern Cemetery by Belmont County Veterans Association.

MATTHEW BERRYEAGLE-GAZETTE turns reading poetry to Jackson enjoy their time with the dogs. I think all the teachers would like the dogs to come into their classrooms." Price said in addition to helping people with the therapy dogs, one of the goals of The Connection was to "increase awareness that therapy dogs really do positively affect us emotionally, physically and mentally." Price said since they formed The Connection in 2010, they were "adopted" by the Harcum House in 2013. Harcum House is the child advocacy center in Fairfield County. For more information on The Connection, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com TheConnectionBPANT or call 740-277-7605. cburnettlancastereagle gazette.com 740-681-4346 Twitter: CarlBurnettJr without the care she needs," Brown said in the release.

"That's why it's so alarming that more than one million babies are born to mothers who did not receive adequate prenatal care each year." jbalmertgannett.com 740-328-8548 Twitter: jbalmert Dogs Continued from Page 1A the program and go out to different libraries in Fairfield County and to schools as well as settings with elderly people," Price said. Friday's visitors were Sara Disalvo, with Prime Time; Juli Barker, with Mika; Emily Brown-Buck, with Backer; Lev-icoff, with Savey; and Price, with Jackson. Price said all the volunteers have their backgrounds checked and the dogs are certified as registered therapy dogs. Levicoff said all the dogs have undergone behavioral and temperament testing. The dogs are also certified as healthy before they can enter the program.

Levicoff said the three founders met when they were getting their dogs Doctors Continued from Page 1A infant mortality and last in African-American infant mortality. In 2012, 1,047 infants died statewide a rate of 7.57 per 1,000 births. The rate was 6.37 deaths per 1,000 births among white infants and 13.93 deaths per 1,000 births among black infants, according to the most recent Ohio Department of Health records. In Fairfield County, 11 Donna Woodgeard SUGAR GROVE: Donna Woodgeard, age 72, of Sugar Grove, died March 28th, 2015 at the Forum at Knights Bridge. Arrangements are being handled through the FRANK E.

SMITH FUNERAL HOME..