Clinton Bean

A former Hamilton Schools music leader, who taught thousands of students vocal and performing arts, passed away recently.

Clinton James Bean, age 75, of Cincinnati, died May 28 leaving behind a legacy of strengthening not only the musical arts in the city schools but also throughout Hamilton and Cincinnati, said those who worked with him.

Named Supervisor of Fine Arts for Hamilton Schools in 1979, Bean worked in that leadership position until 1996 and later was inducted into the Hamilton City Schools’ Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

“Clinton Bean was a well-respected music teacher and Fine Arts Supervisor for the Hamilton City School District for many years,” said Joni Copas, spokeswoman for the 10,000-student school system.

Mr. Clinton James  Bean, age 75, of Cincinnati, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Cincinnati,  Ohio.   He was born  February 14, 1945, in Troy, Alabama.  

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm, on  Friday, June 5, 2020, at the Zion Baptist Church, 630 Glenwood Avenue, Cincinnati  (45229).   

Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.

To share a memory of Clinton or leave a special message for the Bean family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."  

Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati (45206)  is honored to serve the  Bean family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.

Donald Gillispie

Donald Lloyd Gillespie I was born September 24, 1941, in Hamilton, Ohio, the second eldest of five children born to Isaac Nathaniel and Sylvia (Pitts) Gillespie. He was educated in the Hamilton City School system, culminating in the attainment of his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from The Central State University. On March 7, 1964, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Marcia Ann "angel" (Pridgett) Gillespie. Unto this union of 58 years, the stewardship of three children was entrusted and maintained with great care, Maria, David and Donald II. As a proponent of human potential and development, Donald dedicated himself to family and service unto others during his formative years, ultimately resolving, in this records affirmation(s), the following noteworthy achievements and distinctions that traverse the counties of Butler and Hamilton, in the great State of Ohio: Sworn Butler County Park Ranger and Probation Officer, First African-American vocational educator/Head Basketball coach at The Garfield High School Hamilton, Ohio, International Athletic Ambassador 1970 (Basketball, Poland) and businessman Accufax Paper Manufacturers/GVS Industries LLC, 2009 inductee into the Ohio Mid-West Soccer Officials Association Hall of Fame, registering 32 years as a state certified OHSAA officiating assigner and high school referee for Divisions I and II student athletes, 2022 Hamilton High school Hall of Fame inductee, and Retired Deacon and Treasurer of the solvent Pilgrim Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio. Donald's patriarchy exists in continuum, posthumously, in the form(s) of, devoted wife Marcia; three children, Maria, David, Donald II (Shannon); six grandchildren, Skye, Diahvidi, Tylah, Ahlimily, Christian, Abigail; and great-granddaughter, Saniyah. Trusts/Real Estate(s) in the county of Hamilton, Liberty Township, Ohio, Muscogee County, Georgia, and Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated. Donald leaves in death his wife Marcia; two siblings, Joyce Ann (Marion) Ford and 
Lawrence (Gwendolyn) Gillespie; in-laws Marilyn Pridgett and Joyce (Ronald) Green; and beloved extended family and friends. Uncompromising in conviction, astute in discretion and discernment, and rewarding of accomplishment, his visionary and pioneering style of leadership and service will be built upon and cherished for the betterment of generations to come. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful". Psalms 1:1. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 711 S. 4th St., Hamilton, OH. The family will receive friends from 10am until time of service 11:30am. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Professional services by Donald Jordan
 

James Edward Brown

Former Hamilton and Middletown schools Principal James Edward Brown cared deeply about students and preparing the next generation of school leaders during his decades in education.

A former Hamilton Citizen of the Year, Brown died Dec. 4 at 71 after an illness that saw Brown return to his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, to live out his last days in a hospice care center.

Per his family’s wishes, a private ceremony and burial were held earlier this month.

During their meeting this week, Hamilton Board of Education members held a minute of silence to honor Brown, who started with the city schools in 1973 and later was principal of Garfield Junior High School and Roosevelt Junior High School.

Brown, who was a track and football coach in Sandusky after excelling as a track and football star at Bowling Green State University, left Hamilton Schools in 1992 to become principal of Middletown High School and later Trotwood High School.

Hamilton Board President Steve Isgro was city police officer whose beat in the 1970s included schools that Brown led. He described the former school administrator as deeply caring and involved with the youth of the city.

“Jim knew every one of his students, and he knew everything about their families,” said Isgro. “He was a great guy to work with.”

Board member Tom Alf, who filled Brown’s job when he departed for the Middletown school system, described the long-time educator as having lasting influence on future school leaders.

“For that generation in Hamilton when he worked, the staff members from that time say he was the most influential person in their lives,” said Alf.

“Mr. Brown was a tremendous person and he mentored and groomed so many of us,” said Alf. “He was a tireless worker and he was at the Garfield school day and night. He had such a tremendous impact on our community.”

Brown also worked as an assistant track coach for Miami University and received a Master of Education Degree in Secondary Administration from the school.

Later while working at Sinclair College in Dayton, he was director at the college’s Fast Forward Program, which enabled out-of-school youth to receive a high school diploma with certification in computers, the medical industry, or the military.

Brown retired in 2005 after 35 years in education.

After retirement, Brown took the position of administrator at a life skills center in Dayton, where he helped at-risk high school students receive their high school diplomas. In 2015, after 10 years at this center, he had his second retirement.

He was named Hamilton’s Citizen of the Year in 1989, received the Southwestern Ohio Administrator Award, was honored with a “Jim Brown Day” in Hamilton. He was chosen for the Sandusky High School Hall of Fame in 1997 and was the recipient of an Image of Hope Award in 2015 in Dayton.

Surviving family members include his wife, Gloria Jean Brown of Mason; daughter, Kimberly Dawn (Thurston) Bailey, and grandson, Bryce Edward Bailey of Chicago; mother, Essie Belle Brown of Sandusky; and sister, Betty Jean Brown of Sandusky.

Memorial contributions are suggested in Brown’s name to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870.

Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky is handling arrangements. Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.

 

Kathryn A. Litzelfelner   News Death Notice LITZELFELNER, Kathryn A. Age 86, of Hamilton, Ohio died Friday, July 8, 2011 in Hospice of Hamilton. Kathryn was born on March 15, 1925 in Bethlehem, PA to Claud and Sarah Fegley. She resided in Hamilton, Ohio for 50 years. She graduated from Miami University with a BS in Business Education and received a Masters degree in Personal Counseling in 1973. She worked in the Hamilton City School System for 18 years. She started the Distributive Education program in 1967 at Garfield High School, in 1974 took a position as counselor of students, and was then promoted to Dean of Students. In 1980, she transferred as Dean of Students to Hamilton High School. She retired in 1985. During her career, she was an active member of the Hamilton Association of Trade and Industry, American Business Women's Association, Junior Achievement Board of Directors, and Phi Delta Kappa Educational Honorary. She also sponsored the National Honor Society at both Garfield and Hamilton High schools. In her retirement years, Kathryn was devoted to the scholarship committee at The Hamilton Community Foundation. She served as a committee member from 1986 - 2006. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Convention and Visitors Bureau, in addition to volunteering at the City of Hamilton Government Service information desk. She stayed connected to the school system by tutoring at Hayes Elementary School. She was an active member throughout her life of Queen of Peace and St. Julie Billiart Catholic Churches. As a resident of Berkeley Square Retirement Community she had many friends. Kathryn liked to travel and always found enjoyment in visiting historic sights and museums. She loved going to operas and other formal occasions and having a glass of champagne. Kathryn was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Litzelfelner, and her sisters Nancy Lysinger and Jane Frappier. She is survived by her five children, Charlotte Litzelfelner Root (John) of Tallahassee, FL, Frank Hunold, Jr. (Rachel), of Midland, TX, Betsy Hunold Anderson (Kevin), of Tampa, FL, Joseph Hunold(Peggy), of Ypsilanti, MI, Kathryn Hunold Horton(Pete),of Birmingham, AL; a sister, Margaret Droz of Tallahassee, FL; twelve grandchildren; two great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and also her dear friend, Fred Eichler of Hamilton. Kathryn was a loving wife and mother, devoted educator, and responsible community member. She will be greatly missed. The family will receive visitors at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N. W. Washington Blvd. on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 224 Dayton Street, at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. Memorials may be directed to The Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011 or The Colonial Foundation for Berkeley Square, 520 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. A reception to celebrate Kathryn's life will be held at Berkeley Square Town Hall Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com   Published in the Hamilton Journal-News on 7/09/2011

 

Andrew Allen Ennis Jr.

Helen Snyder