Alice Sandra Dworkin, age 73 of Dayton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Oct. 27. She was born on Sept. 25, 1940 in Dayton, to Jack and Lena Dubin. After graduating from Colonel White High School she began working for the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts where she retired after 30 years. Mrs. Dworkin was a very social person and loved spending time with her many friends and family. She is survived by her daughters, Marla Kemelhar of Purcellville, Va. and Rachael Boughton of St. Louis, her grandchildren Jordan, Sofia and Evan, and numerous other family members.

Rabbi Janice Garfunkel died unexpectedly in the E.R. of Bethesda Hospital, Cincinnati, Oct. 26. She is survived by her parents, Dr. Felix Garfunkel and Dr. Erika Garfunkel, as well as her children, Aliza, 14 and Eliana, 10, her brothers Dr. David Garfunkel and Michael Garfunkel, uncle and aunt and several cousins. Rabbi Garfunkel graduated from Oakwood High School. She worked for a congressman for a year and, after a year, started her rabbinical studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, first in Jerusalem, then in Cincinnati. She was ordained in New York in 1988. Rabbi Garfunkel dedicated her life to do good in every way. Endowed with great intelligence and determination, and a very sensitive heart, she served and helped in several congregations. First, she served in Worcester, Mass. subsequently a congregation in Hagerstown, Md. for 7-8 years as congregational rabbi and then transferred to serve as the rabbi of Temple Shalom in Springfield, Ohio for seven years. She fought her disease valiantly and did extensive research on the literature and even attended a meeting of breast cancer researchers in Washington, D.C. to help her doctors fight her disease. At a later stage, she moved to Cincinnati to be close to family. The family is, of course, heartbroken for our great loss. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Donations can be sent to a breast cancer research organization or Adath Israel Congregation in Cincinnati.

Joseph W. Greenberg, age 91 of Dayton, passed away Nov. 11 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Greenberg was born May 24, 1922 in Columbus to the late Sam and Fannie Greenberg. Mr. Greenberg was the CEO of the M.L. Dunn Company from 1966 until his retirement in 2009 at the age of 87. Mr. Greenberg was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Annabelle, and his sister Evelyn Greenberg Hoffman. Mr. Greenberg is survived by his son Barry; son and daughter-in-law Murray and Tammy; three grandchildren, Zakary and Amanda Greenberg and Cory Greenberg; two great-grandchildren, Zoey and Jace; sister Reva Greenberg Slaven; brothers and sisters-in-law Marvin and Maxine Greenberg and Larry and Barbara Greenberg and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Please make contributions in Mr. Greenberg’s memory to Temple Israel, Hospice of Dayton or the charity of your choice.

Shirley F. Mintz, formerly of Cleveland and a resident of Dayton for 12 years, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9. She enjoyed her stay in Dayton having made many close and supportive friends. Although Mrs. Mintz was involved in many religious organizations, volunteered, and participated in raising funds for various charities, she was devoted to her husband and three children. Mrs. Mintz was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin M. Mintz, in 1990. Also preceding her were her dear parents Louis and Ann Fishman, and her cherished first grandchild Ian Jay Hollander. She is survived by her children, Robert Mintz (Diane), Dr. Barbara Hollander (Joseph), and Lori Goldner (Mark). Her surviving grandchildren include Lowell Mintz (Jori), Jacquelin Mintz, Ariel Mintz, and Joshua Goldner (Angela). Mrs. Mintz enjoyed collecting fine art works and antiques, cooking, entertaining, and playing golf. One cannot think of her without her husband. They were an adoring, loving, and fun-to-be-with couple. Mrs. Mintz’s devotion to her husband was evident in her care of him during the 17 years when he was blind. They were wonderful role models for their children’s marriages. The family is greatly comforted in knowing they will now be together again forever. Interment was at Park Synagogue Cemetery. Mrs. Mintz was a lifelong member of Park Synagogue. The family would like to express our profound appreciation to Sherry Yeakley for her companionship and care of Mrs. Mintz and to her helpful friend Freida Brooks. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Mintz’s memory may be made to Beth Jacob Congregation or Daybreak of Dayton.

To view the print version of the December 2013 Observer, click here.