Sondra Lee Johnson-Beckley

Sondra Lee Johnson-Beckley, 68, of New Philadelphia, O., passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the Cleveland Clinic, following a period of declining health.

Born April 11, 1940 in Portsmouth, O., she was a daughter of the late Larry Lee Johnson and Dolores Gwendolyn (Ickes) Johnson Knapp.

Sondra grew up in the Twin City area and was a graduate of Uhrichsville High School in the class of 1958. In her teens, she had worked for the State Theatre in Uhrichsville, and had later worked at H.L. Green’s 5 & 10 store in Uhrichsville. She was also the owner and proprietor of Something Special in Uhrichsville for twelve years.

Sondra attended the First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia. She was a woman of many interests who especially enjoyed artistic pursuits like tri-chem painting, flower arranging and other crafts. For many years, her favorite pastime was CBing, having been widely known as “Mama Duck”.

On December 25, 1995, she married her former high school sweetheart, Victor L. Beckley, Sr. who survives her. Her other surviving family includes six children, Dusty Mundell and his wife, Maggie, of Canton, Jim Mundell and his wife Joann, of Canal Fulton, Sue Rossetti and her husband, Mike, of Uhrichsville, Ruby Mundell of Uhrichsville, Sherry Hoover of Canton, and Randy Mundell and his wife, Shelly, of Canton; eleven grandchildren; many great grandchildren; a brother, Harlow E. “Sonny” Davy of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by four step children, John Beckley and his wife, Rhonda, of Uhrichsville, Dave Beckley and his wife, Robin, of Kimbolton, Victor Beckley, Jr. and his wife, Mary, of New Philadelphia, and Tina Leslie and her husband, Brian, of New Philadelphia; and four step grandchildren, including Brianna Leslie with whom Sondra had been especially close. Sondra leaves behind her Aunt Doris Furgiuele of Alliance and Cousin Judy White of Florida, as well.

In addition to her parents, Sondra was preceded in death by her grandmother, Anna E. Ickes, who had raised her; her first husband, Jim Mundell; her second husband, Edward Stuckey; a sister, Doris Martindale; a grandson, Nathaniel Marsh; and her stepfather, Frank E. Knapp.

In keeping with Sondra’s wishes, she has been cremated without a public visitation. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m. in The Barn at First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia, 878 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, O. with Pastor Rich VanArsdalen officiating.

Those wishing to honor Sondra’s memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to Hospice of Tuscarawas County and the American Cancer Society.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
(740) 922-1970
www.lindseyfh.com