Verla L. Gray, 76, 1008 W. Market St., Celina, died at 7:29 p.m. Feb. 4, 2009, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

She was born Sept. 30, 1932, in Spencerville, to George F. and Ruth Baker Miller. Her husband of 51 years, Richard L. Gray Sr., died May 31, 2002.

Surviving are three sons, Richard L. Jr. (Cindy) and Garry Allen, all of Celina, and Douglas Eugene (Connie), Dayton; a brother, Zane Miller, St. Marys; two sisters, Ruth Lavere Alexander and Faye Jenkins, both of St. Marys; a grandson and a granddaughter.

Deceased are two brothers, Doyt and Wayne Miller; and three sisters, Ila Slemmons, Nadine Dickerson and Wilma Savage.

She was a homemaker, a childcare provider in her home and worked at Beckman & Gast Canning Factory, St. Henry. She attended the former Bunker Hill School, St. Marys.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina. Burial is at Swamp College Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 2-5 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences can be sent to dick.hellwarth@verizonmail.com.

Contributed by Becky Bollenbacher Shope (Betty Shope Collection)