Claudia Dove

Claudia Rae Whitinger Dove, 54, of Lexington, Ohio died Thursday, August 24, 2000 at Riverside Methodist Select Hospital after a lengthy illness. She fought a good fight, but God knew she was tired. She was born April 20, 1946 in Mansfield, Ohio to Raymond S. & Ruth F. Welty Whitinger.

She will be deeply and sadly missed by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Diana and William Heichel, Imogene and George Gutchall, and Glenna and Kermit Wilson all of Mansfield, Ohio; her step-children, Richard and Patti Dove of Dublin, Ohio, Sheryl and Todd Lehnhart of Lexington, Ohio; three grandchildren whom she adored, Amanda, Zachary and Chelsea Lehnhart; several nieces and nephews, Tyler, Michael and Ryan Heichel, Brad and Cherie Gutchall, Kristen Ratcliff, Michelle and Doug Keen, Marlise and Kirk Bloir and Darren Wilson; Her ''bestest friend'' in the world, JoAnne Heimberger; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Mrs. Dove was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ruth Whitinger; her husband Richard A. Dove whom she lost in 1979; three brothers, Gary, Darrell and Duane Whitinger.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors on Sunday August 27, 2000 from 6-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday August 28, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Dr. James Kelsey of Park Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will be held at Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions will be received at the funeral home in care of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to Central Ohio Diabetes Association.