Philip Tromm

Philip Tromm 41, of California, KY , died Sunday, November 28, 2010 St. Elizabeth Hospice Edgewood, KY. Loving husband & father who worked as a carpenter for over 20 years. He was also an avid golfer & dirt bike enthusiast, with a well known since of humor. His love of the outdoors also included camping, hunting & fishing. He will be greatly missed by his very large extended family. Immediately survived by his wife Kimberly Tromm and children Ryan Tromm & Katelyn Tromm; his parents Albert & Marjorie Tromm of Pomeroy, OH; Father-in-law & mother-in-law Jim & Dorothy Haas of California, KY.; Siblings, Mike Tromm of Nicholasville, KY., Carl Tromm & Clayton Tromm both of Pomeroy, OH., Alison Houtz of Albany, OH., Natalie Tevis & Marjorita Dean both of Athens, OH. Along with 3 nieces & 4 nephews. Memorial visitation 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Saturday, December 4, 2010 with a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM at the Taylor Mill Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 5433 Taylor Mill Pike Taylor Mill, KY.

Dr. Will Frank Steely

Northern Kentucky University’s founding president, Dr. W. Frank Steely, passed away Monday, November 29th 2010. Dr. Steely was president from December 1969 to September 1975 and served on the NKU history faculty until his retirement in July of 2001. He was 85 years old.
During his presidency, which started on Dec. 11, 1969, and included the groundbreaking of the Highland Heights campus on March 31, 1971, Steely oversaw one of the greatest building booms in the University’s history. By the end of his presidency on Sept. 15, 1975, 12 construction projects, including everything from parking lots to athletic fields to academic buildings, were either being built or already completed.
“Dr. Steely was the human cornerstone of this University,” said Dr. James C. Votruba, NKU president. “He was a tireless and tenacious founding president. Frank Steely was given the Herculean task of building a university from the ground up – and he succeeded.”
A native Kentuckian, Steely was dean of Clinch Valley College at the University of Virginia when the Board of Regents recommended he be named inaugural president of Northern Kentucky State College. A year-and-a-half earlier, Gov. Louie B. Nunn had signed a bill that established a four-university in Northern Kentucky. NKSC would become Northern Kentucky University on June 19, 1976.
Ken Lucas, who serves on the NKU Foundation and is a founding member of the Board of Regents, said the challenges of starting the new school were immense: “We had no staff…no students…no budget…and no buildings. We literally started from scratch.”
Academic departments were initially put up in houses and barns. The photography studio was located in a farmhouse cellar and the music practice room was held in a renovated dog kennel. Steely once recalled of the early days, “Never before did so many do so much with so little.”
It wasn’t a job for the faint hearted. There were countless obstacles to overcome, struggles to be negotiated, naysayers to convince and, not least of all, funds to secure. Though a school on paper only, hardhats would become as common as backpacks during the Steely era. One newspaper even joked that more earth was being moved at NKSC than during the building of the Hoover Dam.
Community and campus leaders, not to mention state legislators, learned early of Steely’s tenacity. Named president in December 1969, Steely was still working for the University of Virginia in January 1970, when the Kentucky state legislature was to approve NKSC’s budget. Knowing how critical his presence would be for the budget debates, Steely rented a Jeep and drove non-stop through snow-covered mountains from his Virginia home to Frankfort to argue on behalf of the university.
Steely was right about the need to be there. By the time he arrived, legislators were reportedly already cutting the school’s budget. With hundreds of Northern Kentucky residents there in support, Steely and Charles Wiley, chairman of the NKSC Board of Regents, argued for the college’s budget. They were able to save most of it.
By the time Steely had returned to the faculty, the campus was flourishing with six buildings, 6,000 students and 150 faculty. And it was well on its way to becoming the major metropolitan university it is today.
Also during the Steely era, and as important as the arrival of earthmovers and cement mixers, was the formation of the NKSC Research and Development Foundation in the fall of 1970. Later renamed the NKU Foundation, it signified a new and long-term level of financial support. The foundation today is a major source of support to the university, through various scholarships, grants and awards.
Other milestones during Steely’s tenure included the merger of NKSC and Salmon P. Chase College of Law in June of 1972; the move by NKSC to the Highland Heights campus and Chase to the Covington campus; the first commencement at NKSC in May 1973; and the college’s conditional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which led to full accreditation in December 1978.
Jack Grosse, dean of Chase College of Law from 1970-78 and 1992-93, said of Steely’s leadership: “It was pure divine providence that Frank Steely was the university’s first president. He truly was the right person for the right job at the right time.”
Today, NKU has nearly 16,000 students, and 2,000 faculty and staff. It has produced about 50,000 alumni and it remains one of fastest growing universities in Kentucky.
“Frank Steely’s greatest early achievement may have been his knack for hiring staff, faculty and administrators who believed in the future of the university,” Votruba said. “Much of what our campus is today and will be tomorrow can be traced to the work of these very special men and women.” Steely “took on many a legislator and politician because he believed in this university and community,” Lucas recalled. “He was a ‘take no prisoner’ kind of guy wherever he was – on campus, out in the community or in Frankfort. He fought and fought for this university.”
Dr. Steely is survived by his wife Martha Pelfrey of Cold Spring, KY. , son Dr. William Steely of Clarksville, TN. & daughter Lisa Steely of Jacksonville, Fl. Also survived by 5 grandchildren & 4 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, at First Baptist Church in Cold Spring. Service will follow the visitation. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at Hazel Cemetery in Hazel, Ky. Alexandria Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Gifts are requested to be made to the NKU Foundation in support of NKU initiatives named in honor of Dr. Steely.

Vinson (Vince) A. Neace

Vinson (Vince) A. Neace, 61, of Alexandria, KY., died Thursday, November 25, 2010 at Dale Hollow Lake, in Byrdstown, TN. He was an employee of Fischer Special Mfg. in Cold Spring, KY. Planning to retire in March 2011 to their home on Dale Hollow Lake, where he loved to fish and spend time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed building and racing cars. A wonderful husband of 40 years to his wife, Deborah Ragan Neace, Devoted father of Gregory Neace of Independence, KY. and Julia Neace of Alexandria, KY. Loving son of Hazel Neace of Highland Heights, KY. and the late Preston Neace. Dear brother of Wanda Ray of Falmouth, KY., Barbara Stahl of
Highland Heights, KY., Imogene Fuehner of Villa Hills, KY., Beverly Fibbe of Alexandria, KY., Rick Neace of Butler, KY. and Alleen Gaither of Pawhuska, OK. Also survived by several neices and nephews. A great friend to all. Visitation and Funeral Servicei will be held at the Alexandria Funeral Home. Visitation: Monday, November 29, 2010, 4 pm -
8 pm. Funeral Service: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 11 am. Interment Riverside Cemetery, Falmouth, KY. Memorials may be made to Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, 3130
Highland Ave - 4th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0055 or charity of donors choice.

Joseph Rogers

Joseph Elliott Rogers, age 94, of Highland Heights, KY., died Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Highland Spring of Fort Thomas, KY. He was a WWII Army veteran. He was retired Assistant Vice President of Provident Bank; member Alexandria United Methodist Church; Past Master Fort Thomas Lodge # 808 & Past Patron of the Fort Thomas Order of the Eastern Star # 269. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth Fisher Rogers in 1958 & a son Wayne Rogers in 2000.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie Elizabeth (Saal) Rogers;
of Highland Heights, KY
One Daughter,
Jo Ann (Rogers) Weaver of Richmond, KY.
Two Sisters,
Mildred Teatsorth of Detroit, MI.
Martha Wagers of Saint Joseph, MO.
Five grandchildren
Nine great-grandchildren

Visitation 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Tuesday, November 23, 2010, with the funeral service following at Alexandria United Methodist Church at 11:30 AM. Rev. Ryan Crabb officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Southgate, KY. Memorials to: Alexandria United Methodist Church, 8286 W. Main St., Alexandria, KY 41001. Arrangements are being handled by Alexandria Funeral Home.

Luella Bertram

Luella R. (Studer) Bertram, age 78, of Cold Spring, KY., died Thursday, November 18, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Edgewood. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring, past president of the St. Joseph Mothers Club, and secretary of St. Joseph Senior Club. She is survived by her husband William Bertram; sons, Bill Bertram (Roseanne) of Ft. Thomas, KY, Dan Bertram (Kathy) of Cold Spring, KY and Jeff Bertram (Nancy) of California, KY.; daughter, Jayne Lickert (Ron) of Alexandria, KY; brothers, John and Whitey Studer both of Highland Heights, KY; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Visitation: 4 to 8PM, Sunday, November 21st at the Alexandria Funeral Home

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Monday, November 22nd at St. Thomas Church, Ft. Thomas, KY.

Memorials are suggested to: American Cancer Society, 297 Buttermilk Pike Ft Mitchell, KY 41017 or Bishop Brossart High School, 4 Grove Street, Alexandria, KY 41001. Online condolences alexandriafh.com

Michelle Milner

Michelle (Anderson) Milner, age 45, of Melbourne, Ky., died in her sleep Saturday, November 13th.
She is preceded in death by her father Anthony Anderson.
She is survived by her loving husband Mark Milner; cherished Son, Donald Massingale III; Mother, Sally Anderson; Brother, Anthony (Connie) Anderson; three Sisters, Amy (Jim) Fox, Dina (David) Bradford, and Jeannine LeBlanc; In-laws, Jerry and Sandy Milner; Brother - in - law, Joel Milner
Michelle was an accountant. She enjoyed crafts, decorating, sewing, and her weekly dates to yard sales with Mark. She was also a member at the church of Christ of Alexandria on Poplar Ridge Rd. Alexandria, KY.
Visitation from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, November 19, 2010 at the Church of Christ Alexandria. with the funeral service at the Church of Christ Alexandria 10:00 AM Saturday, November 20th.
In lieu of flowers:
Michelle Milner Memorial Fund (for the benefit of her son)
Any Fifth third Bank location.

Elbert Lee Dobbs

Elbert Lee Dobbs, 82, of California, KY passed peacefully Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Saint Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood, KY. Mr. Dobbs was born January 25, 1928 in Shoopman, Kentucky the son of the late John Hence Dobbs & the late Martha Ann Cooper Dobbs & preceded in death by his step mother Nova Watson Dobbs. He was retired from Xerox. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Acton, IN. He was preceded in death by his first wife Marilyn Wilson Dobbs on May 13, 2000. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Edith Anderson, Velvia Winchester & Evelyn Wright, 2 brothers Estle & Elzie Dobbs & a step brother Doyle Watson. He is survived by his wife Edna Watson Dobbs of California, KY. four daughters Patricia Gregory of Plainfield, IN., Brenda McFerron Of Indianapolis, IN., Sarah Cazee of Cloverdale, IN & Sandra Pridemore of Plainfield, IN. Two Sons Danny Dobbs of Cloverdale, IN. & Jimmie Dobbs of Indianapolis, IN. Three step daughters Kathy Watson of Walton, KY., Donna Ruef of California, KY. & Wanda Newman of Independence, KY. Two step sons Gary Watson of California, KY. & Bill Watson Of Independence, KY. Brother, Ellard Dobbs of Muncie, IN. Step brother J. B. Watson of Indianapolis, IN. Two half sisters Mary Jo Stephens of Indianapolis, IN. & Jewelene Calhoun of Revelo, KY. Also survived by 17 grandchildren & 20 great grandchildren. Visitation 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM with funeral services following Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at the Carthage United Methodist Church Carthage, KY. Alexandria Funeral Home Alexandria, KY in charge of arrangements. A second visitation will be Wednesday, November 17, 2010 form 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Chandler Funeral Home Whitaker Chapel Gosport, IN. Funeral Services 11:00 AM Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Chandler Funeral Home Whitaker Chapel Gosport, IN. Interment in the Combs Cemetery Gosport, IN.

Oren Profitt

Oren Profitt, 69, of Alexandria, KY., died November 10, 2010 at Saint Elizabeth Edgewood. He was a member of Grant's Lick Baptist Church & New Carlisle Masonic Lodge # 100. He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Green Profitt in 2008. He is survived by two sons Matt & Sam Profitt. One brother Bill Profitt. Eight grandchildren. Visitation 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday, November 12 at the Grant's Lick Baptist Church. Funeral service 11:00 AM Saturday November 13 at the church. Interment Oakland Cemetery Grant's Lick. Alexandria Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials to Grant's Lick Baptist Church 941 Clay Ridge Road Alexandria, KY 41001

VERA BROSSART KEARNS

Vera Brossart Kearns, 97, Erlanger, KY died Saturday, November 6, 2010 Saint Elizabeth Hospice Edgewood. He was preceded in death by her husband Edward J. Kearns. She is survived by four daughters Rosemary Wood, Pat Jung, Margaret Tranter & Ella Mae Denigan. Two sons John & Bob Kearns. One brother Erwin "Buddy' Brossart. 22 grandchildren & 48 great grandchildren. Visitation 10:00 - 10:45 AM Thursday, November 11, 2010 Saint Mary of the Assumption Church Alexandria with Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 AM. Interment Saint Mary Cemetery Alexandria. Memorials to Saint Elizabeth Hospice 483 S. Loop Drive Edgewood, KY 41017. Alexandria Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

JOSEPH JOHNSON

Joseph Johnson, 70, Silver Grove, KY., died Thursday, November 4, 2010 at Saint Elizabeth Fort Thomas. He was a retired carpenter. He was a Captain EMT & Safety Officer for the Silver Grove Volunteer Fire Department\Central Campbell Fire District #1, since 1981. He was an Army Veteran & retired from Army Reserves in Fort Thomas. He is survived by his wife Lois Marshall Johnson; Three Daughters Lori, Robyn & Erin. One granddaughter Josie. Visitation 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday, November 8, 2010 Alexandria Funeral Home. Funeral service 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at the Alexandria Funeral Home. Interment Evergreen Cemetery Southgate, KY. Memorials to American Lung Association PO Box 9067 Louisville, KY 40209.

Roy Arnold

Mr. Roy Darrell Arnold, age 35, of Alexandria, Ky., died at his residence on Monday, November 1, 2010.
He was the Vice President of Country Cruisers Car Club and a Volunteer for the Girl Scouts. He was also a board member of the NKY Amputee Support Group.
He is survived by his wife, Stacey (Schultz). Two Daughters, Taylor and Alyssa Arnold,
His Parents, Ralph and Janet (Mulligan) Arnold. Sister, Crystal Lee. 1 Nephew and 2 Nieces. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 on Thursday Nov. 4th at the Alexandria Funeral Home. The service will be following at 7:00.

Memorials:
NKY Amputee support group.
11452 Persimmon Grove Pike.
California, KY 41007

Taylor and Alyssa Arnold
Citizens Bank of Northern KY
7300 Alexandria Pike
Alexandria, KY 41001