Marilyn Ann Abrams, age 89 formerly of Dayton, passed away March 11 in Phoenix. Marilyn was a music and theatre lover and a devoted wife to George. She held a strong belief that the retail customer is ALWAYS right. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Abrams; mother, Geneva Seale; brothers, Gerald and Bobby Howard; and son-in-law, Joe Cantrell. Marilyn is survived by her children, Mark (Jeri) Wilson, Patrick Wilson (Jane Marie Boone), Michael (Debbie) Wilson, LuAnn Cantrell and George Abrams; grandchildren, Nathan (Crystal) Bath, Joel (Molly) Wilson, Joshua (Madison) Wilson, Jonathan (Sarah) Wilson, Justin Wilson (Chelsea Buckborough); great grandchildren, Tyler, Ashton and Aiden Bath, Brennan, Kylan, Molly, Benjamin and Ryan Wilson; brother, Paul Howard; sister, Carol Shepherd; numerous nieces and nephews. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Dayton Live, or the charity of your choice.

Janice L. Alpert, age 56 of Dayton, passed away March 8. Janice was a lifetime member of Temple Israel and actively participated in activities through Greene Inc. and Toward Independence. She volunteered with 4 Paws for Ability, The Xenia Food Bank, and other organizations through Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley. She enjoyed participating in The Voices of Greene County. She was preceded in death by her father, Murray Alpert, and her mother, Sarah Alpert. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Maryann and Paul Prichard; nephews, Joseph Murray (Alicia) Prichard, Jacob Edward (Jaymee) Prichard, Jarred John (Abigail) Prichard, Jordan Eugene Leonard Prichard; nieces, Rose Marie (Larry) Kimbell, Jenna Sue (Chris) Moran; five great-nephews, four great-nieces, cousins, and many friends. Her contagious smile is remembered by all that met her. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to 4 Paws for Ability, Toward Independence or the charity of your choice.

Beatrice “Bea” G. Burke, age 96 of Dayton, passed away Feb. 22. Bea moved to Dayton after marrying Jack Burke in 1969. Bea was a very active member of Beth Abraham Synagogue and Hadassah. Bea served as a president and officer for the sisterhood for several terms and was in charge of the gift shop for many years. Bea believed exercise and a good diet were the keys to good health and her 96 years of almost perfect health were a testament to her lifestyle. Bea was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Kurlan, whose two years in Stalag 17 during World War II compromised his health. Her second husband, Jack Burke, and her sisters, Harriet and Estelle, also preceded her in death. Bea’s love of exercise was only exceeded by her love of family. Bea is survived by her daughters, Susan Haaz of Calif., Melissa (Russ) Rathweg of Ga.; sons, Daniel D. (Susan) Burke of Va., Aaron R. (Anne) Burke of Vandalia, Samuel H. Burke of Wash.; sister, Edith Freeman of Calif.; brother, Bernie Lisker of Fla.; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. Bea’s last wish was to dance with her grandson Scott at his wedding on Oct. 1, 2021, which she accomplished beautifully! Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or the charity of your choice in Bea’s memory.

Naomi Kleinfeld Lerner, a woman of valor and principles, devoted, loving, and beloved mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, has moved on. From the Bronx to Broadway, she danced with laughter and love across the United States, finally settling in California. Curious, fun, and sharp-witted, Naomi rooted for the underdog, penned poems to mark special occasions, and found something to admire in almost every person, animal, and thing. Nothing got past her. As “Red,” Naomi stole Hobbie’s heart at a tender age. As Aunt Naomi and Safta, she entertained and comforted generations of children. As Mrs. Lerner, she earned the respect and adoration of staff and students alike. She believed sincerely in your beauty and brilliance, even when you didn’t. Raise a glass of wine in her honor. She will be missed terribly. Interment was in California. Her family asks that you make a donation to the Yiddish Book Center in her memory: yiddishbookcenter.org/join-support.

Claire Lee Lieberman, age 90, died peacefully on March 13. She was preceded in death by her father, Morris, and mother, Sadie Lieberman, and adoring brother, Bert Lieberman. She is survived by Bert’s wife, Jean Lieberman; niece, Marilyn Lieberman Klaben and husband Larry and their children Max (wife Jenny and daughters Mia and Sofia), Sara (husband Amit and son Idan) and Jeremy (wife Miriam and son Oren), nephew, Michael Lieberman and wife Randi Abramson and daughter Eve (husband Ian, son Benny and daughter Zoey), Hannah (and wife Molly Bernard), and Yonah (and girlfriend Maya Matalon), and niece, Diane Lieberman Slovin and sons Aaron (wife Rachel and daughter Olivia), Matt, and Joey. Claire was the always positive, steady, supportive, beloved aunt, great-aunt, and great-great aunt. Claire Lee Lieberman was born in Dayton on May 21, 1931. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Claire Lee worked for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, earning commendations as a film archivist. She later joined her brother Bert and father Morris in the family furniture store, Morris Furniture Co., where her eye for detail and design led to great success as the accessories buyer. She enjoyed traveling the world, often in the company of her mother. She was remarkably independent for a woman of her generation. She loved her family and was a primary caregiver for her elderly parents, modeling that behavior for her nieces and nephew and their children. She prided herself on connecting and reconnecting with relatives across the country. She loved to socialize with her many close friends, solving puzzles and playing mah jongg. She was a longtime member of Beth Jacob Congregation and a life member of Hadassah. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Brunner Literacy Center, brunnerliteracy.org or the Southern Poverty Law Center, splcenter.org.

Irvin J. Zipperstein. Born in Cincinnati in 1925, Irv Zipperstein was the youngest child of Jacob and Sarah Zipperstein. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers (Maurice, Abe, and Sam) and survived by his sister Mary Schneider. A graduate of Hughes High School, Mr. Zipperstein’s college career at the University of Cincinnati was interrupted by World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a radar technician and attained the rank of sergeant. Following the war, he re-enrolled in college, earning two degrees — a bachelor’s and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati Law School. Upon his graduation and after passing the bar exam, Irv married — what was to be — his lifelong sweetheart, Sandra Berman, in 1950. And they were happily married for over 71 years. They relocated to Dayton, where Irv briefly worked for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as legal counsel. Soon after, he opened his own private practice. He served a wide variety of clients in Dayton for over 50 years. A consummate professional and a true “lawyer’s lawyer,” Irv took great pride in his craft and genuinely cared for his clients. Outside of his profession, Mr. Zipperstein was very active in civic affairs, the local Jewish community, and an avid supporter of Israel. He had leadership roles at Beth Abraham Synagogue as well as many other organizations. Irv is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy; their three children, Debi (Shmuel) Lahav, Jon (Ellen) Zipperstein, and Margie (Bob) Stayton; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Irv will be remembered by those who loved him for his integrity, humor, musicality, and optimism. He was a family man through and through and will be missed dearly.

To read the complete April 2022 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.