>From The Oak Ridger 2 Oct 2007 Eleanor Ruth Isaacs Helton, age 67, Thomas Robert Noonan, 95, of Oak Ridge, David Robert Pritz, age 60, an Oak Ridge Greta Louise Tharp, age 79, of Clinton, James R. Watson, 92, of Oak Ridge, Eleanor Ruth Isaacs Helton, age 67, passed away at her home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, following a courageous four-year battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 3, 1939, at Oak Hill in Somerset, Ky., in the place she would always love best - at home on the farm of her maternal grandparents, C. E. and Annie Laura Avera. She was the youngest of four children born to Ruth and Hugh Isaacs. The farm, with its bounty of space and security, was essential in shaping Eleanor's life and character. It provided her with the space to roam, explore, read and ponder that would remain her style for the rest of her days. In 1944, her father's job with the Southern Railroad brought her family to Oakdale, Tenn., where she spent her elementary school years. In 1953, Eleanor's family moved to Somerset, Ky., in order for her to attend Somerset High School in preparation for college. She was a gifted student with a love of learning and she received many academic awards during high school. She entered Berea College in the fall of 1957 and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1961. Eleanor taught third grade in Glen Bernie, Md., before marrying her high school sweetheart, Jim Helton, on Dec. 23, 1962. They briefly lived in Lexington, Ky., and then in Arizona where they both taught on the Navajo Indian Reservation. In 1963, they moved to Rome, Ga., where Eleanor taught until starting her family. She gave birth to the couple's three daughters over the next four years. In 1969, Jim's new job brought them to Oak Ridge, a place she dearly loved. Eleanor's chosen profession was that of devoted mother, loving wife, and later, doting Nana to her seven grandchildren. She was active in the Oak Ridge community, volunteering for many organizations including: the Oak Ridge schools; Tri-County Literacy; Recording for the Blind; ADFAC; and the Oak Ridge Boys Group Home. She served as a Stephen Minister through Kern Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 25 years, and served as secretary of the administrative board for six years. A self-described individualist and non-conformist, Eleanor was a lifelong Democrat with a passion for reading, music in its infinite variety, and listening to other people's stories. She enjoyed words, her water exercise class, playing games, antiquing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Ruth Isaacs, formerly of Somerset, Ky.; and a brother, David Isaacs, also of Somerset. Eleanor is survived by her husband, Jim, of Oak Ridge; daughters, Sinden Cotter, and husband, Tim, of Tullahoma, Tenn.; Tasha Endsley and husband, Dan, of Oak Ridge; and Amy Bzorgi, and husband, Fariborz, of Knoxville; brother, Joe Isaacs, and wife, Roberta, of Somerset, Ky.; sister, Barbara Meece and husband, Leo, of Dayton, Ohio; sister-in-law, Phyllis Isaacs of Somerset, Ky.; brother-in-law, Dr. Walter "Pete" Helton of Cookeville, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Judy Gholson of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister-in-law, Jean Helton of Danville, Ky.; and seven dearly beloved grandchildren: Carson and Emma Cotter of Tullahoma, Tenn.; Granger and Meg Endsley of Oak Ridge; and Devon, McKenna and Bronson Bzorgi of Knoxville. She is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews. Eleanor leaves behind a host of special friends who meant the world to her. A service of remembrance is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at 2 p.m., at Kern Memorial United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, 451 East Tennessee Ave. The receiving of friends and a celebration of Eleanor's life will immediately follow in Kern's Family Life Center. In keeping with Eleanor's wishes, at a later date, the family will gather to scatter her ashes over the family farm in Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to ADFAC, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830; or to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104; or to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Cremation Options Inc., Knoxville. Thomas Robert Noonan, 95, of Oak Ridge, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at the Oak Ridge Retirement Center. He was born May 2, 1912, in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of Thomas Hazard Noonan and Eleanor L'Hommedieu Noonan. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, N.Y., in June 1930 and graduated from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt., in June 1934. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa and editor of his class yearbook. Mr. Noonan attended the University of Buffalo Medical School and graduated into the Army Medical Corps, serving in Africa during World War II. After the war, he taught physiology at the University of Buffalo, N.Y. He then spent time working with a pharmaceutical house and then returned to teaching at the University of Rochester Medical School in Rochester, N.Y. Here, he became associated with the Atomic Energy Commission and eventually went to the University of Tennessee, with the Comparative Animal Research Laboratory in Oak Ridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Ruth Hill Noonan, on Oct. 29, 2006; and brother, Donald James Noonan, in April 2006. He is survived by nieces: Judith Was and husband, Richard, of Colden, N.Y., Patricia Cumming and husband, Ronald, of Roxbury, N.Y., Barbara Riley and husband, Terry, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Donna Allen and husband, Robert, of Brookhaven, Pa.; five great nieces, four great nephews, and three great-great nephews and five great-great nieces; and special friends, Paul and Sandy Rohwer of Oak Ridge. The family would like to express their gratitude to his caregivers and the staff of the Oak Ridge Retirement Center, for the care and compassion given to Mr. Noonan the past few years. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. in the activities room of the Oak Ridge Retirement Center with the Rev. Kerra Becker-English officiating. Mr. Noonan's ashes will be buried alongside his wife and parents in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, N.Y. Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. David Robert Pritz, age 60, an Oak Ridge businessman, passed away Saturday, Sept. 29, 2006, at his home in Clinton. He was born in Wyandotte, Mich., on July 23, 1947, the first of three children to Robert E. and Charlotte M. Hase Pritz. Dave grew up in Munster, Ind., where he was raised in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Purdue University, where he was a member of the same fraternity as his father, Phi Kappa Sigma. Dave enjoyed the company of people. He became a deacon of his church and helped organize community and civic activities, often-times participating in each event. He was a Boy Scout, a ham radio operator, a musician, a pilot, an accomplished horseback rider, a Little League baseball umpire, a member of the Indiana Sheriff's Posse, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and several other groups and organizations. He enjoyed the music of the Big Band Era, was a fan of 8-track tapes, convertibles, and sports cars. He was a loving husband and father, a beloved son and brother, and will be greatly missed. Dave began selling insurance while in Indiana and continued his career after moving to Tennessee. He subsequently opened his own agency, The Ridge Agency, LLC, in Oak Ridge in April of 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dave is survived by his wife, Sue Fraker Pritz; children, Maj. Laura Elliott and husband, Merlin, of San Antonio, Texas, Melissa Pritz, Robert Pritz, and Amanda Pritz, all of Florida; sisters, Paula Pritz of Oak Ridge, and Karla Pritz Roberts and husband, Jim, of Lakeview, Ark. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home. His graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at Grandview Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, or the Kidney Foundation. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Greta Louise Tharp, age 79, of Clinton, passed away Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. She was a member of Freeway Church of God. Throughout her life she enjoyed going to church, spending time with her family, singing, and writing. She was preceded in death by an infant son, James Lee Tharp; her parents, Joseph Phillips and Ruby Marie Currier; a brother, James Perry Phillips; and sisters, Alene Heck and Jean Currier Mullins. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, the Rev. James Tharp of Clinton; sons, Ron Tharp and wife, Rebecca, of Clinton, and David Tharp and wife, Kathy, of Solway; daughters, Sandra Holland and husband, Larry, of Oak Ridge, Claudia Sue Hall of Oliver Springs, Kathy Swiney and husband, Tom, of Oak Ridge; grandchildren, Travis Tharp, Rhonda Moore, Melene Doney, Christine Tharp, Wesley Tharp, Leona Holland, Matthew Holland, Brianna Holland, Dynisha Holland, James Mayo, Curtis Simpson, Tammy London, Anna Warren and Tim Roehler; brother, Steve Currier and wife, Faye, of Clinton; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, in the chapel with Brother David Hickson officiating. Her burial will follow her funeral service at Anderson Memorial Gardens. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. James R. Watson, 92, of Oak Ridge, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at NHC HealthCare of Oak Ridge. Arrangements were incomplete at press time. =========================================== SUPPORT OUR TROOPS---FLY THE FLAG "Genealogy is like playing hide and seek. They hide I seek!!! Searching: BYRGE/BUNCH/DAUGHERTY/DUNCAN/KENNEDY/ PATTERSON/PHILLIPS/SEIBER/TACKETT/WARD ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com