Author Archives: TheFourthGospel

Nira Ann (Porter) Chambliss

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Brooktondale, NY – Nira Ann Chambliss (nee Porter), aged 70, died 15 July 2019 in Brooktondale, Tompkins County, New York. She was born at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, 11 March 1949, daughter of James Joseph and Marjorie Ruth (Wood) Porter. She is survived by her husband, Cian Sturdy Chambliss, whom she married at Brooktondale, Tompkins County, New York 26 June 1999…

Nira attended Sacred Heart school 1st and 2nd grades, then Holy Name school 3rd through 8th grades. She graduated from Bishop Watterson High School in June 1967. She attended Ohio State University for many years, accumulating enough hours to graduate but not enough in any discipline to obtain a degree. She finally found her calling when she applied for a job at R. S. Fling & Partners as a computer operator. Read Nira’s entire obituary »

God’s Golden Shore, Mike Hilliard

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Thomas Michael Hilliard portrait
Mike Hilliard, RIP

Our classmate—and great friend—Mike Hilliard passed on Leap Day after an extended illness. Our prayers are with, and condolences extend to, his whole family. Mike was one of the kindest and gentlest men we knew. His warmth, caring, and smile will be greatly missed. We excerpt from today’s Columbus Dispatch:

Thomas Michael (Mike) Hilliard, age 71, passed away February 29, 2020. Graduated from Bishop Watterson High School and University of Cincinnati. Preceded in death by mother, Shirley Paananen; son, Todd Hilliard; daughter, Michelle Hilliard; brother James Hilliard. Survived by wife of 37 years, Jean Hilliard; son, Jason (Holly) Hilliard and their children, Patrick, Max and Quinn; daughter Jessica (Nick) Grundy and their children, Alysha and Kenna; daughter Carly; and sister Jan Reeve. Mike had many lifelong friends and enjoyed years of touch football, golf league, and creating great memories. He loved music and dancing and trips to Canada with his family and friends. He was especially proud of his induction into Bishop Watterson’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Friends may call Wednesday [March 4] from 4-7 p.m. at EGAN-RYAN NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 4661 Kenny Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Brigid of Kildare Church, 7179 Avery Road. Private burial at a later date. Read full obituary »

Coach John (Bud) Dorrian

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John E. Dorrian, age 80, beloved son, brother and uncle was called to heaven on March 25, 2019. Born in Columbus, Ohio on October 3, 1938, John was the youngest of eight children born to Irish immigrant parents Hugh Joseph Dorrian and Anna O’ Flaherty. John grew up on Campbell Avenue in the Franklinton neighborhood. From a very young age John excelled in every type of athletic adventure. He played every sport available to him in Sunshine Park winning first place in the 50 yard dash and The Knights of Columbus State of Ohio free throw shooting competition just to name a few. His nickname was Shag because he was always shagging baseballs. Growing up he was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he attended grade school. He graduated from Saint Charles Preparatory High School with excellent grades and outstanding athletic achievements. He went on to play baseball for The University of Notre Dame playing varsity baseball under Coach Jack Kine. He also made the freshman basketball team as a walk on. John used to say with a smile “the basketball team had 16 members and I was the 16th”.

After graduation John went on to earn his Master’s Degree at The Ohio State University in education administration. He was a member of the Shamrock Club and marched in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade for many years.

Professionally John was a teacher at Saint Charles, Buckeye Valley and Bishop Watterson High School. During his 10 years of teaching he coached baseball, basketball and football. His student athletes affectionately called him Coach Bud. Throughout his life members of his teams would always come up to him and thank him for the life lessons he taught then through sports. After retiring from coaching John worked for the State of Ohio and was a computer programmer with C.A.C. for 28 years. John continued to teach in retirement coaching adult immigrants to read and preparing tax returns as a volunteer for AARP. He also enjoyed traveling to Ireland visiting many cousins in the Counties of Galway and Donegal. John continued to play competitive baseball well into his thirties until he turned his full athletic attention to golf. 

The most important part of John’s life was his faith in God and his family. He was a devoted member of Saint Thomas More Newman Center and loved the friendship of the Paulist Priests, especially Father Vinnie. For over 60 years Uncle John has organized the annual ‘Uncle John Easter Egg Hunt and Dorrian Family Reunion’. It cannot be overstated how important this event has become bringing together an entire family now numbering close to 100 people. John spent his last few years happy and well cared for at the Wesley Glen Retirement Home, where he was affectionately referred to as Uncle John by everyone. Read entire obituary»

Bye, Molly Clifford!

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O’Donnell, Mary “Molly” Catherine
September 18, 1949 – May 24, 2019
Age 69 of Ogallala, NE. Passed away at Perkins County Health Services in Grant, NE. Molly was born Mary Catherine Clifford on September 18, 1949, to Charles and Marjorie (McGinty) Clifford, the oldest of 6 children. On September 4, 1976 Molly was married to Kevin O’Donnell at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Columbus, OH. Molly and Kevin had 3 daughters, Erin Elizabeth (Tom) Cucinotta, Mara Anne (Sheldon) Morgan, and Keely Marie O’Donnell.

On April 1, 1977 Molly and Kevin moved to Ogallala. Molly was a 41-year member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala, where she served on numerous church committees including the St. Luke’s Altar Society. In Addition, Molly was a longtime member and past President of the Ogallala P.E.O. Chapter CL. She had also served on the Ogallala Library Foundation Board for many years.

Molly was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Kevin of Ogallala; her 3 daughters, Erin Elizabeth (Tom) Cucinotta of Carlsbad CA, Mara Anne (Sheldon) Morgan of Elkhorn NE, and Keely Marie O’Donnell of Omaha; her grandchildren, Joshua Morgan, Elizabeth Morgan, and Keira Cucinotta; her siblings, Mark (Rose), Melissa (Doug), Matthew (Sandy), and Maureen (Chris); brother and sister-in-law, Jerry (Bonnie) O’Donnell, Rochelle Campbell; and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Golden Hours Convalescent Home, or St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Molly’s memory.

The ROSARY will be recited on Tuesday, May 28, at 6pm at St Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala. MASS of CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be Wednesday, May 29, also at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala at 11am, with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Full obituary »

Farewell Dick Allen!

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Allen, Richard “Dick”
1949 – 2018
Dick AllenRichard Meara Allen, age 68, of Columbus, Oh, passed away Sunday, August 12 at Kobacker House in Columbus. Born September 11, 1949 in Charleston, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Charles Delmar and Mary Lucille (Hinterschied) Allen. Dick attended Immaculate Conception before going on to Graduate as a Golden Eagle from Bishop Watterson High School.

He was the owner of several bars and restaurants throughout his life as an entrepreneur in Columbus. Many of which were located on the campus of The Ohio State University, where he attended college. The Oar House, The Travel Agency, Surf City, Dead Eye Dick’s Saloon, Kitties Long Branch Saloon, and The Bombay Yacht Club, to name a few, were the foundation blocks for what has now evolved into the OSU campus bar scene. After his long run on campus, Dick pursued ventures downtown with Allen O’Mearas, Aristotle’s, The Old Pewter Mug, and Chameleon’s. Perhaps most notable of his establishments, located in the Victorian Village, he founded Zeno’s. Zeno’s has served as the community’s local watering hole for, as of August 10, 34 years. His patrons were his closest of friends, and his employees may as well have been his children. He seemed to have enough love in his heart for everyone. Dick paved the way for bar and restaurant owners in Columbus by constantly battling for their independent business rights, and by sacrificing much of his own to do what was right for many. A large part of this came through his tenure as the Treasurer of the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, as he has held that position since the OLBA was founded.

As if he didn’t have enough going on, he was also involved in the ownership of Oakhurst Country Club in Grove City, where he was Chairman of the Board. This gave a pretty good excuse to be at the golf course for long periods of time, and several days in a row.

Dick Allen was a Husband, a Father, a Grandfather, and a Brother first, a best friend second, and a brilliant businessman last, however he played all of the parts so well, that it may be hard to rank them. Always putting the interests of others before his own, Dick loved to vacation with his family, simply to provide for them and bask in the joy of their happiness. Of course there were some small benefits that came with training three sons into bartenders/servers over his lifetime, but he deserved every bit of the hospitality that he got, and more.

Aside from getting away with the family, he found joy in being an avid Blue Jackets, Browns, and Buckeyes fan. Dick Allen was a mountain of a man with a heart of gold, and he will be terribly missed. If there is one quote of his that captures the way he lived his life, it would be, “Do it like you know it, or don’t do it at all.” This is the advice of a Legend, Dick Allen, may he rest in peace.
Full obituary »