Tom Blum, age 95 of Dayton, passed away Dec. 31. Mr. Blum was a suit salesman at Rike’s for many years, a member of Beth Jacob Congregation, Army veteran of World War II, member of Jewish War Veterans Post 587, and Disabled Veterans of America. Through the years he was an active member of the YMCA playing handball and racquetball. Mr. Blum was preceded in death by his sisters Fannie Friedman, Sara Shapiro, and Mildred Blum; brothers Morris and Arnold Blum; niece, Barbara Shapiro and nephew, Howard Shapiro. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Garison of Dayton; nieces and nephews Leslie Goldstein, Gary Garison, Peggy Garison Fogelman, Linda Shapiro, Harley Friedman, Gaye Feldman, and Patty Thomas. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery.

Sylvia Sherman Cohen, age 95 of Deerfield Beach, Fla. passed away Dec. 30. Mrs. Cohen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip E. Cohen, and her brother, Nat Sherman. She is survived by her children, Harlene (Stephen) Johnson of Parkland, Fla., Herbert Cohen of Deerfield Beach, and Dr. Steven (Jude) Cohen of Centerville; five grandchildren: Karen (Dr. Craig) Dean, Teri (Mark) Spence, Kelly Cohen, Daniel Cohen and Alex (Rebekah) Cohen; four great-grandchildren: Sarah and Evan Dean, Ethan Spence and Isla Cohen; her sister, Lillian Sherman Meyer of Cincinnati, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Cohen worked at Temple Israel for many years and was a lifelong member. She enjoyed her retirement years in Florida immensely. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery in Dayton. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice may be made in her memory.

Marvin Alan Kobel, age 92 of Kettering, passed away Dec. 28. Formerly of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Fairfax, Va., he was a native of Gloversville, NY. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine; two daughters, Fran Linda (Jordan) Tannenbaum, Deborah (Bruce) Feldman; five grandchildren: Amy Knopf (Gary), Jason Feldman, Michael, David and Rebecca Tannenbaum and great-granddaughter Ava Knopf. A 1947 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism, Mr. Kobel was a public relations executive in the life insurance business. He was an insurance and business trade journal editor in Louisville, Ky.; an editor in the public relations division of Metropolitan Life in New York, and vice-president of public relations for the National Association of Life Underwriters in Washington, D.C. from 1955 to 1990. In that capacity, he helped to initiate and implement the Association’s expansive public service and consumer education programs and managed its annual convention. After his retirement in 1990, he was a public relations consultant and worked with the then House of Representatives Hunger Committee. While at the University of Wisconsin in 1940 and 1941, he was a sports reporter and columnist for the Daily Cardinal. He joined the U.S. Air Corps in 1942 and served in the China-Burma-India theatre until early 1946. He returned to the university and was an editorial writer and columnist for the Cardinal. His memberships included the National Press Club, Public Relations Society of America, Association Executives Society, Disabled Veterans of America; Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi (Professional Journalism Fraternity), and Wisconsin Alumni Association. In addition to graduating from Wisconsin, he studied for advanced degrees at New York University, and received the Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College of Life Underwriters. He was active in the Democratic Party in New York and Northern Virginia. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Dayton Children’s Hospital or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Herman W. Levitt passed peacefully in his sleep at home on Dec. 28 with his beloved wife of 67 years, Shirley, by his side. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to any hospice or local food bank.

Bert Lieberman, age 88, died Dec. 26. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean (Kolstein) Lieberman, and loving children and grandchildren: daughter Marilyn Klaben and son-in-law Larry Klaben of Dayton and their children Max, Sara, and Jeremy; son Michael and daughter-in-law Randi Abramson of Washington, D.C., and their children Eve and her husband, Ian Rayder, Hannah, and Yonah; and daughter Diane Slovin of Cincinnati and her children Aaron, Matt, and Joey; and his adoring sister, Claire Lee Lieberman, of Cincinnati. Born in Dayton on Nov. 14 1926 to Morris and Sadie Lieberman, Mr. Lieberman was a proud World War II veteran. He never forgot that he was a son of immigrants to America. A young entrepreneur, he founded Morris Furniture in 1947 with his father and led the company until current president and CEO Larry Klaben purchased it in 1998. Success in the furniture business helped Bert and Jean travel the world. He found tremendous happiness with their friends — especially the five other couples that constituted “The Club” that met for dinner once a month for decades. His greatest joy was his family and he took tremendous pride in their accomplishments and involvements. A lifelong member of Beth Jacob Congregation, Mr. Lieberman was a compassionate and generous philanthropist, a longtime leader and board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and former chair of Covenant House. Contributions may be made to Human Race Theatre (humanracetheatre.org), the Anti-Defamation League (adl.org), Cedar Village (cedarvillage.org), or the charity of your choice. Rabbi Hillel Fox officiated at the funeral services, held at Beth Jacob Congregation.

Freyda G. Perlmutter of Dayton passed away Dec. 27. She was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac, and brother Leo Gordon. Mrs. Perlmutter is survived by her daughters, Bryna (Paul) Simkin, and Debbie (Jason) Witow; grandchildren, Emily Simkin, David Simkin, Maia, Yael and Lior Witow; sister, Charlotte Levy. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish National Fund or the charity of your choice.

Stuart A. Rosenstein, age 73 of Dayton, passed away Jan. 11 at Miami Valley Hospital. Mr. Rosenstein was a retail salesman for more than 40 years for Morris Furniture and Roberds; after retirement he enjoyed being a shuttle driver. He was a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue and its Men’s Club, former member of Beth Jacob Congregation, past president of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beth Jacob Men’s Club and Chevra Kadisha. Mr. Rosenstein was an Army veteran stationed in Germany, was part of the Breakfast Minyan Club, loved traveling, was a member of the Jewish War Veterans and the Masons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Esther Rosenstein. Mr. Rosenstein is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cherie; daughter and son-in-law, Shani and Dan Kadis of Cleveland; son, Johnny Rosenstein of California; sister and brother-in-law, Bunny and Jerry Callis of Arizona; grandchildren, Spencer and Gabriel; and many other relatives and friends. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Jewish War Veterans, Dayton Chapter of Hadassah (P.O. Box 292815, Dayton, OH 45429), Beth Abraham Synagogue or a charity of your choice.

To read the complete February 2015 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.