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The family of Sgt. Brian Dulle, from left: son, Jackson, wife, Abbie, and daughters Maddie, 12, and Emma, 11, prays during a memorial dedication for Sgt. Dulle, the first Warren County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty. The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran

Posted in: News, Warren County |

Tags: Tags: abbie dulle, Brian Dulle, death, deputy, died, marcus isreal, memorial, Sgt. Brian Dulle, warren county, warren county sheriffs

John Kiesewetter reports:

This time Bill Cunningham wasn’t joking: The “Truckin’ Bozo” was dead.

Cunningham explained to hundreds at a memorial service Saturday that his on-air feud with former WLW-AM overnight host Dale “Truckin’ Bozo” Sommers was all radio theatrics, just one of many crazy stunts recalled by Sommers’ co-workers and loyal listeners at Christ’s Church at Mason.

“He called me a shyster lawyer. I called him a toothless, illiterate hillbilly. The first time I saw him, I said, ‘You look like an armpit with eyeballs,’ ” he said about the bearded Sommers, who died Aug. 24 at age 68.

Cunningham often told listeners Sommers had died when he went on vacation from his show for truckers, which was heard in 38 states on 50,000-watt WLW and later nationally via syndication and satellite.

• Read more stories of “Truckin’ Bozo”
• See photos from the memorial service

The running gag started when Sommers and his wife, Sharon, took a two-week cruise in the 1980s, before cellular phones were common. Cunningham had a friend pose as a hospital nurse reporting that Bozo suffered a fatal heart attack.

“I was in the middle of getting a haircut, and (the stylist) was crying because the Bozo was dead,” said radio executive Randy Michaels, who hired Sommers in 1984 at WLW-AM to host the overnight show for truckers. He did it for 20 years, then did a daytime satellite show until July.

Truck drivers made up about half of the audience Saturday. They came to celebrate the man who provided companionship and a voice for their issues.

(more…)

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: bill cunningham, bill dennison, christ's church at mason, dale sommers, died, funeral, gary burbank, randy michaels, sean compton, service, trucker, truckin bozo, wlw-am

John Kiesewetter reports:

I’m sure there will be more laughs than tears when former WLW-AM coworkers tell their favorite stories about  the late Dale “Truckin’ Bozo” Sommers at a memorial service noon Saturday at Christ’s Church in Mason.

Gary Burbank, Bill Cunnningham, Bill “Seg” Dennison, Randy Michaels and Bozo’s son, Tribune broadcasting executive Sean Compton, are scheduled to speak about Sommers, who died Aug. 24 in Florida. He was 68.  Compton says the family plans “a special tribute (service), just the way he would have liked it, entertaining and not sad.”

Cunningham told listeners Thursday that the passing of Bozo is the first among the “original six” at WLW-AM after Michaels bought the station in 1983 — Bozo, Burbank, Bob Trumpy, Bill Gable, Cunningham and Mike McConnell. But technically, Michaels and Alan Gardner hosted the  “Midday” show until 1985, when freequent fill-in Mike McConnell took over the show.

Visitation begins 10 a.m. at the church, 5165 Western Row Road, Mason.

Born Glenn Council in Humboldt, Tenn. in 1943, he moved with his family to Cincinnati in 1958. A year later, at age 16, he made his radio debut, and eventually changed his name to Bruce Dale Sommers for radio. He worked for WUBE-AM, and stations in Evansville, Indianapolis, Seattle, San Diego, Kansas City and Miami, Fla., before returning here in 1984 to work for Michaels at WLW-AM.

Michaels gave Sommers his radio name when he was Dale’s boss at a Kansas City country station. During remodeling at the station, Michael saw Sommers kick a wall that crashed across a desk.

“God, you’re a bozo,” Michaels said. The name stuck.

His son, Steve Sommers, took over the radio show in 2004 when Bozo retired for health reason. He had insulin-dependent diabetes and Addison’s disease. But he didn’t stay retired long. He resumed a weekday show from home studios in Mason and Hernando, Fla., on XM radio. He did his last satellite show in early July, before he fell in the shower and broke his back.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Eastgate Community Church Building Fund, 3235 Omni Drive, Cincinnati 45245.

Here are links to his retirement story in 2004, my blog and my obituary about Sommers.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: bill cunningham, bill dennison, christ's church at mason, dale sommers, died, funeral, gary burbank, randy michaels, sean compton, service, trucker, truckin bozo, wlw-am

Raymond Henry

A Mason woman was shot Friday afternoon just north of the new casino site in Cincinnati.

Police say Raymond Henry, director of operations of Memorial Hall, shot an acquaintance, Marianna Potee, 43, in a car, then turned the gun on himself.

Potee’s medical condition is unclear.  She has a listed Mason address.

Henry, 45, died Friday at University Hospital, according to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

Carrie Whitaker reports:

His family did not wish to speak to an Enquirer reporter Monday morning, said his aunt, Joan Henry.

Police were called to 324 E. 14th St. about 1:20 p.m. to the report of a shooting. They found Henry and Potee in a car. Both had been shot and police say Henry shot Potee and then himself. They were rushed to University Hospital.

Henry had worked at Memorial Hall for about five years. The concert hall, listed on the National Historic Register, is located next to Music Hall on Elm Street. The facility hosts a variety of events including concerts and weddings. It also houses the Classical Music Hall of Fame.

According to court documents Henry has been accused before of threatening women. In 2008 he was charged with domestic violence after allegedly pushing a woman’s face into a wooden door. The charge was dropped after the woman decided not to pursue the charge, but not before filing a protection order against him.

Henry was convicted in 2002 of attempting to stalk another woman.

But some have have shared disbelief that Henry could be capable of this sort of violence.

Marge Hammelrath, president of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, said she spoke to Henry Friday morning before the shooting and he offered no hint of trouble.

She asked him to turn on the air conditioning at the hall, she said, in case some people at the Washington Park opening celebration needed a break from the heat.

“When I look back now, over the last couple, three months, I think he was trying to tell me he was depressed but couldn’t,” Hammelrath said.

 

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: casino, cincinnati, died, downtown, marianna potee, mason, memorial hall, murder suicide, pendleton, raymond henry, shooting

Jessica Brown reports:

Albert W. Schroeder, of Price Hill and Mason, was a second generation firefighter who battled hundreds of fires during his 34 year career with the Cincinnati Fire Department.

He fought fires on riverboats, gasoline barges and industrial buildings. He was promoted to driver, engineer, lieutenant, captain, fire marshal and Battalion Chief.

Although Mr. Schroeder, or “Chief” as his friends would come to call him, retired in 1973 those stories remained a staple of conversations for the rest of his life.

The fire-fighting family man, who loved to hunt, fish and invent things, died Jan. 31. He was 96.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mason Christian Village, 411 Western Row Road, followed by the funeral at 11. Internment will occur at the Spring Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Schroeder grew up in Price Hill, graduated from Western Hills High School, and followed in his father’s footsteps to become a firefighter.

His dad, Will Schroeder, had joined the department in 1909 at a time when they drove teams of horses that pulled the firewagons.

Times continued to change. During Albert Schroeder’s tenure there, the department moved into the modern age of technology. His role went from just fighting fires to developing training for radiation hazards, pollution control and hazardous spills.

He had a few close calls in his career. He once narrowly dodged a fuel tank explosion while battling a blaze on a fuel barge at the Sun Oil Co. dock.

“He and the other fireman were thrown into the river when it exploded. The other firefighter was a non-swimmer. He grabbed the guy and got him ashore,” said Bill Schroeder, Albert Schroeder’s son. Bill, of Maineville, still has a photograph of his dad that ran in The Enquirer in the late 1930s or early 1940s. In it, Mr. Schroeder is on the shore after the plunge, still pointing a fire hose at the blaze.

Mr. Schroeder’s fairness earned him the respect of those he worked for.

“He was one of the good guys,” said retired firefighter Ron Troeger, of North Bend, who worked with Mr. Schroeder for several years.

“He was a good boss. He didn’t show favoritism or anything. He just did his job,” said Troeger. “The guys liked him pretty well.”

Mr. Schroeder met wife Marguerite at a dance. They married in 1935, and spend 55 years together before she died. The couple raised two sons in Price Hill. Mr. Schroeder was also a 75-year member of the Cincinnati Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Schroeder was an avid outdoorsman. He hunted deer and rabbits and fished. He loved to take the kids camping. Even old age didn’t rob him of that passion.

“He was still fly fishing when he was 90, though I had to prop him up so he wouldn’t fall into the river,” said Bill Schroeder.

Mr. Schroeder also had an “insatiable appetite for knowledge,” said his son.

He was an avid reader and subscribed to science and mechanics magazines. His love of those subjects spurred an inventive streak. Mr. Schroeder figured out and built a power steering unit for his boat’s outboard motor before such a thing existed.

The motor worked. But when he tried to get his design patented he found someone else had beat him to it.

Among Mr. Schroeder’s other ideas that never made it into production: a carrying device for car batteries and a similar device for soft drinks.

After retiring from the fire department, Mr. Schroeder moved to Florida for awhile, then came back to Cincinnati where he eventually settled in Warren County. He spent the last 30 years at the Mason Christian Village, thrilling and entertaining residents and staff with his stories about fishing, hunting or fighting fires.

“For the last 15 years he had almost no hearing, but he continued to make friends,” marveled his son, Bill. “He just kept telling these stories.”

In addition to his son Bill, Mr. Schroeder is survived by son Raymond L. Schroeder of Texas, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Condolences: www.stinekilburnfuneralhome.com

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: albert schroeder, chief, cincinnati fire department, died, firefighter, mason, mason christian village, obituary, price hill, spring grove cemetery

Mason Schools is seeking to fill the open school board seat of John Odell, the retired Mason teacher and first-term school board member who died Oct. 27 from an aggressive form of lung cancer.

“John Odell was a remarkable man who never wavered in his commitment to education. His career in education gave him insights that challenged us to expand our thinking, understand the impact of our choices and look for creative ways to accomplish our work,” said board President Debbie Delp. “Now we must honor his legacy.”

Under Ohio law, the remaining Mason school board members must wait 10 days but no more than 30 days to decide on appointing a new member to fill the remainder of Odell’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2013.

Applications will be accepted through Nov. 10. The board will meet in executive session on Nov. 15 to discuss and interview candidates. The deadline to fill the position is Nov. 26.

Download an application online at www.MasonOhioSchools.com. Applications are also available at the Mason Central Office at 211 North East Street. For more information, call 513-398-0474.

Posted in: Board of Education, Schools |

Tags: Tags: applications, candidates, died, john odell, lung cancer, mason city schools, mason school district, school board, seat, vacant

Funeral services will be held this evening for John Odell, the retired Mason teacher and first-term school board member who died Thursday from an aggressive form of lung cancer.

The 62-year-old Odell was diagnosed with lung cancer this summer but continued to work until recently as part of the five-member board that governs one of Ohio’s academically top school systems.

A pioneer in applying learning technology in the classroom and district-wide, Odell was hailed Friday by Mason officials for both his dedication to students and foresight in advancing teaching techniques.

School officials publicly announced his passing Friday.

“He was a remarkable man who never wavered in his commitment to education,” said Mason Board of Education President Debbie Delp. “His career in education gave him insights that challenged us to expand our thinking, understand the impact of our choices and look for creative ways to accomplish our work.”

Odell began teaching in the Warren County school system in 1985.

Retiring from the classroom in 2006, he won his first try at public office in 2009 with election to the Mason school board.

Mason Schools Assistant Superintendent Amy Spicher worked with Odell for years and said his impact was district-wide and will last into the next generation.

“John was such a visionary and he understood the big picture, but he also capitalized on the small moments. Every time a parent in our district logs on to Edline (Mason’s website) to check their child’s grades or a teacher’s homework assignment – John’s hands are on that,” said Spicher.

“I have met so many, many teachers who have been inspired by John – many of whom would say that they are better teachers because of him – and that legacy will impact our students for decades to come,” she said.

Memorial services for Odell will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Christ’s Church in Mason, 5165 Western Row Road, with services starting at 6 p.m.

Odell is survived by his wife Susan and five children.

Under Ohio law, the remaining Mason school board members must wait 10 days but no more than 30 days to decide on appointing a new member to fill the remainder of Odell’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2013.

The school board’s next meeting is Nov. 15.

Posted in: Board of Education, Schools |

Tags: Tags: comets, death, died, john odell, lung cancer, mason city schools, mason school board, schools

Retired teacher and first-term Mason school board member John Odell died Thursday after a short battle with lung cancer, school officials announced this afternoon.

The Enquirer’s Michael D. Clark has the details:

The 62-year-old Odell was diagnosed with lung cancer this last summer and up until two weeks ago was still performing the duties of his publicly elected seat as one of Mason Schools’ five board members.

Odell began teaching in the top-rated, Warren County school system in 1985 and was elected to the governing board in 2009.

“It’s an obvious loss to both the board and the whole Mason community,” says Tracey Carson, spokeswoman for the 11,000-student district. “He was a very innovative teacher and an amazing educator who had such a passion for kids.”

Under Ohio law the remaining Mason school board members must wait 10 days but no more than 30 days to decide on appointing a new member to fill the remainder of Odell’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2013.

Memorial services for Odell will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Christ’s Church in Mason, 5165 Western Row Road, with services starting at 6 p.m.

Odell is survived by his wife Susan and five children.

MasonBuzz will report more as details become available.

Posted in: Board of Education, Schools |

Tags: Tags: comets, death, died, john odell, lung cancer, mason city schools, mason school board, schools

Services were held this week for longtime TV sportscaster/anchor Walt Maher.

Maher, 81, of Mason, died last Thursday in Drake Center.

The Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter offers this look into the life of one of the most colorful characters in Cincinnati television history.

Maher was the dean of local sports anchors when he retired from WKRC-TV (Channel 12) in 1997.  His first radio job was in his hometown of Maysville, Ky. He came to WCPO-AM (1230)  in Cincinnati in 1960, and soon started filling in as a sportscaster and newscaster on sister WCPO-TV.

His Saturday night Channel 9 newscasts “dominated the ratings” in the early 1970s, often drawing more viewers than Al Schottelkotte’s weeknight Channel 9 newscasts, said Jim Delaney, a former WCPO-TV and Enquirer editor.

“He was a real gentleman on and off the air,” he said.

Maher moved to Channel 12 sports in 1979, where he was the newsroom father figure and coach of the Channel 12 Who-Dos basketball team which played charity games throughout the Tristate for years.

“I feel so blessed to have known him, and worked with him, because he was a rare, caring human being,” said Sports Director Brad Johansen. Maher was weekend sports anchor when Johansen was hired in 1992 as a reporter/anchor.

“He was one of the first to befriend me, because he ran the Who-Do basketball team. That got me indoctrinated into Channel 12. Everyone in the community knew him, and everyone in the community loved him,” Johansen said.  Maher would insist that the host school/organziation for the Who-Do game provide a postgame meal for both teams to eat together. “That’s the kind of peson he was. He was always trying to get people together.”

Johansen visited Maher last night at Drake Center. Johansen said Maher told his family and friends: “I miss doing it (TV).”

If desired, memorials may be sent to Juvenile Diabetes Reseach Foundation, Life Center Organ Donor or Whiz Kids. Here’s a link to Maher’s obituary at Mueller Parker Funeral Home.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: brad johansen, death, died, funeral, mason, services, Walt Maher, walter maher, WCPO-AM, WCPO-TV, WKRC-TV

Visitation for a 2011 Lakota East graduate killed in a two-vehicle crash this week will take place in Mason today.

Visitation for Sarah A. Towler will be held from 6-8 p.m. this evening at Mueller Parker Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road.

Towler, 18, of West Chester, was a passenger in a Huyndai Elantra that crashed Tuesday evening on Interstate 71 in Ashland County, Ohio.  She was one of four people in the car, all of whom are from Greater Cincinnati.  Police have said they believe the four were heading to a concert in Cleveland.

• West Chester teen dies in I-71 crash

Derick M. Lynce, 19, of Colerain Township, driver of the car that was carrying Towler and two others, remains in critical condition, according to the MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Condolences can be left at www.muellerparker.com.  Private burial will take place in Virginia.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: ashland county, car crash, derick lynce, died, lakota east high school, mason, mueller parker funeral home, sarah towler, teen, visitation, west chester