Person Page 5,377

Obituary – The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana; Wednesday, 12 APR 2000, page D5 (Newspapers.com):

Gary L. Hoke

Oct. 7, 1948 – April 10, 2000

SOUTH BEND – Gary L. Hoke, 51, of South Michigan Street, died Monday in Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Survivors include his wife, Eileen C. (Norgren); a daughter, Shauna J. Dorman of Indianapolis; a son, Matthew C. N. of Davidson (sic), Mich.; his mother, Phyllis J. Robinson of South Bend; and a brother, Larry M. of Vista, Calif.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Redeemer Missionary Church. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola.

HOSPICE TAKES FAMILY OUT TO THE BALL GAME

(The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana; Monday, 23 JUN 2015, page A1)(Newspapers.com):

…… (excerpt)

The stretch limousine that brought Shauna, daughter Taylor, and sons Thomas and Spencer to the ball park, the seats in the owner’s box, a trek down to the field before the game, plus food and beverages, all courtesy of a joint effort between South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart and the Center For Hospice Care’s Amy Tribbett to give the Dormans one lasting Father’s Day memory with their dad.

…...

Scott Dorman grew up in Maryland playing several sports – football, baseball, track, wrestling, lacrosse and rugby – and following his favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. He served three years in the U.S. Army from 1982 to ‘85, then worked in the restaurant industry, first as a cook before moving into management positions with several large restaurant chains including Applebee’s and Cracker Barrel.

Hospice has been caring for Scott Dorman since he was diagnosed with liver disease last year. “He’s got a doctor, a nurse, an aide, a spiritual care counselor, a social worker and a volunteer,” says Amy Tribbett, director of marketing and access for Center for Hospice Care.

......

Obituary -- Tampa Bay Times, Tampa, Florida; Thursday, 13 JAN 2000, CT Times page 7 (Newspapers.com):

HOKE, STEPHEN CRAIG, 49, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 10, 2000) at a local nursing home.

He was born in Troy, Ohio, and came here in 1970. He was a police officer with the Clearwater Police Department and later owned and operated Steve Hoke's Affordable Locksmith Co. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10.

Survivors include his wife, Madona; a daughter, Samantha Larissa Martin, Corpus Christi, Texas; a stepdaughter, Tabatha Ann Spence, Clearwater; his mother, Phyllis Robinson, South Bend, Ind.; and two brothers, Gary, South Bend, and Larry, Vista, Calif. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Obituary – Springfield News-Sun, Springfield, Ohio; Friday, 1 MAY 2020, page B1 (Newspapers.com):

JAY EBEN, 77

Shawnee teacher, history buff dies

By Brett Turner

Contributing Writer

A local retired teacher known for his hobby of historical horsemanship and enthusiasm for historical reenactments has died.

Jay Eben, who passed away last Friday at age 77, was a physics teacher at Shawnee High School for 46 ½ years.

Eben is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathy. Both were part of a group that founded the Fair at New Boston that takes place each Labor Day weekend at George Rogers Clark Park.

According to Kathy Eben, he will be cremated and no funeral service will be held due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said there may be a celebration of life later. “In a way, we’re having a celebration remembering him like this; so many of his students and friends have contacted me,” she said.

Former Clark County Commissioner John Detrick thought of Eben as a younger brother, having gone to school with him starting in seventh grade, graduating from Tecumseh High School in 1960 and studying education and becoming fraternity brothers at Wittenberg University.

Both remained in Clark County and went on to become teachers, Detrick was pleased his son had Eben as a teacher at Shawnee. “He enjoyed life and had a very soft heart for horses and was sensitive for the environment,” Detrick said.

Kathy Eben said her husband tried to reach 50 years as a teacher, but health limitations prevented the goal. He retired in 2014 and was inducted into the Shawnee High School Hall of Fame in 2016. “Jay was dedicated to the kids and he was loved by them,” she said.

Eben was especially interested in horse dragoons, researching their history, costuming and tack that led to his authoring a reference book “Dragoon Sketchbook 1776-1798.” Eben also recreated Revolutionary War uniforms and hats.

He took his enthusiasm for the era in a new direction when he went before the cameras for several historical films and documentaries, including the 2000 Hollywood production “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson, playing a member of a dragoon unit.

Gary Foreman directed, wrote and produced several historical documentaries and fondly recalled Eben’s passion for his projects. “He was an outstanding individual who devoted himself to his craft both as an educator, equestrian and performer,” said Foreman. “Jay couldn’t wait to perform for us. We stayed great friends.”

Foreman recalled Eben playing a courier on a horse for the opening of his 2004 movie “First Invasion: The War of 1812,” which was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction. Eben also portrayed Gen. John Gibbs.

Eben later performed in a Foreman-directed documentary about frontier heroes Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, in which local hero Simon Kenton was also portrayed.

Foreman visited the Fair at New Boston and rode horses during the event with Eben, going away impressed with its authenticity. “We’re missing these types of people like Jay, who take you back to the authenticity of that time period,” said Foreman.

Eben would go on to portray Crockett, in a sense, for a mural in Texas depicting the race to the Alamo, and modeled for another large wall mural of the Battle of Fallen Timbers at Maumee, Ohio’s Fort Meigs Visitors Center.

Closer to home, Eben is in a movie about the Battle of Peckuwe shown at the Heritage Center of Clark County.

The Ebens had a stable for horses at their home, Oak Hill Farm.

; ceremony by Rev. Robert S. Sherfy. Date and location per 15 JAN 1951 article in the Springfield News-Sun, page 6 (Newspapers.com). The Ohio marriage index (Ancestry.com) shows 10 FEB 1951, in Miami County.

Obituary -- Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio; Friday, 28 MAR 2003, page B7 (Newspapers.com):

DEMMITT, Betty L.

Age 74, of Miami County, died Thursday, March 27, 2003 at Community Hospital of Springfield. She was born November 18, 1928 a daughter of the late Clarence John & Eve Elizabeth (Barton) Hopper. She was in civil service at WPAFB for over 35 years, having retired in 1986.

She is survived by two sons, & daughter-in-law Don B. & Edith C. Demmit of Troy, Ohio and Charles E. Demmitt of Longview, Texas; two grandsons, Barton D. Demmitt of Conover, Ohio and Charles E. Demmitt, Jr. of Waco, Texas; three great grandchildren, Dustin Demmitt, Madison Demmitt, and Sarah Demmitt; special friend, Diana Yantis.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2003 at TROSTEL, CHAPMAN & CHRISTMAS Funeral Home of New Carlisle. Burial will follow at Medway Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

NOTE: The Dustin Demmitt mentioned in this obituary was Dustin Kaveney, son of Barton Demmitt's first wife, Audrey Kaveney. I cannot place the Madison or Sarah Demmitt great-grandchildren. DLB 2025.

Findagrave #11438576.