In Memorium – Page 2 – Tree of Life Church

Betty Swango

Betty Mae Swango, age 91, passed away in Bowling Green, Kentucky on January 27, 2024. She was born to the late Joseph Roe and Elva Meece Wilson in Cincinnati on November 13, 1932. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers Edgar Wilson and Beecher Wilson, and sister Marilyn Wilson.

The family moved to Kentucky where they worked an 80-acre farm. After graduation from Russell County High School, Betty returned to Cincinnati, living with her sister Shirley and working as a secretary. Friends arranged a blind date for Betty with a young soldier from church named Harold Chester Swango. They married in 1953, celebrating their 70th anniversary this past August. Once Harold’s military service ended, they purchased a home and lived in Cincinnati. For many years they were members of Calvary Pentecostal Church where Betty taught Sunday School and was active in the Ladies Auxiliary. They moved to Bowling Green in 2006 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. She was also devoted to her large extended family of siblings, cousins, and many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember ‘Aunt Betty’ portraying Santa Claus at the family reunions in Frankfort every Thanksgiving. She was always quick to laugh, ready to embrace, and eager to share. Betty will be remembered by friends and family for her warmth, kindness, generosity, and tomato gravy.

Survivors include her husband, Harold and their daughter Tamara Snyder and her husband, Larry. Grandchildren: Jeremy Snyder and his wife Mary Meghan, Kaitlyn Greer and her husband Dylan. Three great grandchildren: Lena Snyder, Joseph Harold Snyder, and Everett Greer. Siblings: Shirley Wilson, Mary Smither, J.R. Wilson, and Doug Wilson. Several nieces and nephews and a host of extended family also survive.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, with funeral service conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024. All will be held at the J. C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel, 820 Lovers Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42103. Expressions of Sympathy may be made to Crosspoint Church (5737 Cemetery Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103).

Karen Sempsrott

Karen Sue Sempsrott, age 62 of Middletown, Ohio passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Hospice of Middletown.

Karen was born in Lebanon, Ohio on November 18, 1960, in the office of Dr. Ralph Young (she, not wanting to wait on the trip to the hospital). She is the daughter of James and Geraldine (Davis) Sempsrott.

Karen graduated from Lebanon High School in 1979. She was an artist, photographer, and a kind hearted person, always giving of herself to meet the needs of others. She was a member of the art club in Mason, and the Cincinnati Art Club. Her artwork was featured in the Western Star newspaper, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, juried art shows in Cincinnati, private galleries and graced the walls of many friends and family members.

Karen had a very tender heart towards animals of all kinds. She loved and cared for many during her life. These included all the farm animals that shared the farm she grew up on, to the many dogs and cats she had over the years. But more than anything or anyone else, she had a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ. She devoted her life to sharing his story to anyone who would listen.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, mother and older brother, Larry Sempsrott. Karen leaves behind her sisters, Beverly (Steve) Taylor and Cathy (Tracy) Stephens and her brother Jeffrey (Jamie) Sempsrott. She also leaves her nieces and nephews, Kelli (Rafael) Gonzalez, Kerri (Matthew) Schmitz, Ian (Kara) Sempsrott, Alex (Chelsi) Sempsrott and great nieces and nephews Jodi Taylor, JR Taylor, Colton Fordyce, Lincoln Sempsrott.

A memorial service will be held at Karen’s Church, Tree of Life Church, 6477 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 5:00 PM.

Luther R. Cummins

Luther R. Cummins, age 85 of Richmond, IN, went to be with the Lord on Sunday October 15, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky on November 30, 1937, to Cecil and Effie Creech Cummins. He married Pauline Holt on July 26, 1957. Luther worked for UPS early in his working career, then he installed carpet for many years until retirement. He was a member of the mounted patrol for several years with the Wayne County Sheriff’s office and a member of Oak Park Pentecostals Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Pauline Cummins; Children Lynnette (Terry) Shepard and Curtis Cummins; siblings Robert Cummins, Larry Cummins, Janet Coffey, Gary Cummins and Richard Cummins; grandchildren Aaron (Brady) Shepard, and Lisa (Chris) Henderson; great grandchildren Gavin, Nolan and Colbie Shepard, Logan, Taylor and Avery Henderson. Luther is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Effie Cummins; sister Joyce Brockman and grandson Alex Shepard.

Services for Luther will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday October 19, 2023, at Oak Park Pentecostals Church, 1920 Chester Blvd, Richmond, IN 47374. Burial will immediately follow in Earlham Cemetery, 1101 National Rd W, Richmond, IN 47374. Visitation will be held prior to the service on Thursday from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the church.

Janie Mae Parnell Nelson

Janie Mae Parnell Nelson was born on October 27, 1946, and passed away on September 8, 2023 at the age of 76 years.

She is the loving mother of Preston Parnell, Jr (Dwanda), Kenneth Lamar Parnell, and Darren Parnell (Natosha).

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Tree of Life Church Finneytown Campus, located at 7630 View Place Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45224. A traditional service will immediately follow the visitation. Burial will be at Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH.

To leave the family a message of condolence, please go to the J. C. Battle & Sons Funeral Home website.

Leslie Marie Christophel

It is with sadness we announce the transition of Leslie Marie Christophel, age 66, of Colerain Township, Ohio, who entered eternal rest on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. She was born on February 24, 1957, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Leslie was preceded in death by her parents: Mary Agnes and Stanley John Thien; siblings: Patty Thien and Joe Thien; as well as granddaughter, Mary Humphries.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children: Sara Oehler, Rhonda Humphries, Paul F. Christophel, and Kevin Christophel; grandchildren: Ann Oehler, Billy Oehler, James, Oehler, Stacie Oehler, Katlynn Oehler, David Humphries, Peyton Christophel, and Jayden Oehler; great-grandsons: Christopher Hubbard and Tony Hubbard; siblings: Anthony and Tom Thien; other relatives and friends.

Visitation is from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm, on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2145 Compton Road, Mt. Healthy, OH 45231. The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 1:30 pm, and interment will follow.