Richard “Ric” Blum, age 69 of Clayton, passed away on July 3 after a courageous battle against cancer. Ric was vice president of Ohio Loan Company, a longstanding family-owned business. He served in many capacities at the state and national level of pawnbroker associations, including being named the National Pawnbrokers Association Pawnbroker of the Year in 2014, named the Ohio Pawnbrokers Association 2015 Ohio Pawnbroker of the Year, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Midwest Pawnbrokers Association in 2017. Ric was passionate about the industry and building relationships with others, exemplified by his many articles published in Today’s Pawnbroker Magazine. He was a longtime member of Beth Jacob Congregation, Beth Abraham Synagogue, and Temple Israel. Those who knew him know that he was willing to help anyone with anything they needed, and his quick wit and sense of humor would put a smile on anyone’s face. Ric was preceded in death by his father, Hyman F. Blum, in 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Linda Blum; mother, Sylvia Blum; his four children, Stephanie Henning (fiancé James Back Jr.), Michael (Kristin) Blum, Amy (Noam) Siegel, Emily Blum (fiancé Justin Clouser); grandchildren, Joel Henning, Gabriella and Charles Blum, Isla and Henry Siegel, Alex (Mackenzie) Henning, Brandon (Skyler) Henning; brother, Kenneth (Lisa) Blum; nephew, Philip (Rabbi Cantor Lily) Blum; great-grandchildren, Scott Henning, Dominic Henning; great-niece, Sunny Blum, other relatives and many friends. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Northmont Education Foundation or Beth Jacob Congregation in Ric’s memory.

Melvin Saul Caplan passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 23. He was born Feb. 14, 1937 in Norfolk, Va. He attended Yeshiva University from 1955 to 1961 and graduated with a master’s in social work. He was an Army veteran. He was a varsity wrestler in college and had two nationally published papers on social work. He taught at the University of Dayton for five years. He was the executive director of the Dayton Jewish Community Center for nearly 30 years and subsequently served as the chief operating officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton for several years. He enjoyed puzzles, fishing, reading, playing games, and finding the cheapest gasoline in the city. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Carolyn Caplan; his sister Rae Stern; and his parents, Arthur and Rosa Caplan. He is survived by his children, Jay (Rachel), Robert (Kathy), and Richard (Jessica); and his grandchildren, Andrew, Anna, Corbin, and Joshua. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

Anthony B. “Tony” Char, age 85 of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of the Dayton area, passed away on May 18. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helaine (Moltz) Char, and his parents, Isaac and Beebe Char. He is survived by his children, Debbie of Sarasota, DeeDee and David (Deb) of Dayton; grandchildren, Brandon (Candi), Brittany (Dustin), Jonathan (Ashley) and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Carter, Wyatt, Mayson and Liliana; his brothers, Sherman (Joan) Char and Jerry (Judy) Char, sister-in-law Ruth Moltz and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country. Tony was a lifelong golfer and a founding member of the Michigan State University Chapter of Evans Scholars Golf Fraternity. His professional life was spent serving the local governments of Dayton, Troy, and Piqua, Ohio; and Louisville, Ky. Tony was instrumental in the growth and development of each of the communities he served, most notably the City of Dayton. Many of his initiatives are still evident today in each of those locations. He was very active in community association management in Sarasota and the greater area and served as president of each of the communities in which he resided. He was a force and is already missed by those who knew him. Interment at Riverview Cemetery.

Jonah Jordan Chesen was born in Buynaksk, Russia on Nov. 16, 1992 and passed away at the age of 30 in Miami Township. He leaves behind his loving mother and father, Judy and Alan Chesen, and his grandmother, Ethel Chesen. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Elsie Mintz; by his grandfathers, Harold Mintz and David Chesen; and by his uncle Jeffrey Chesen. He is survived by his aunts, cousins, and too many wonderful friends to mention. Jonah attended the University of Toledo, Sinclair College, and Franklin University. He loved movies, travel, soccer, hiking, and weightlifting and bodybuilding. He also loved to write and recently completed his first book. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Donations in Jonah’s memory may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue, House of Bread, or to the charity of your choice.

Monique Margolis, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on July 10 in Houston, Texas surrounded by members of her family. She will be remembered as a dedicated, strong, selfless, and loving mother, wife and daughter who devoted her entirety to her family and was loved dearly by them. Monique was born in Paris, France on June 20, 1934 to Estelle and Simon Knoploch. Her early life was disrupted by World War II, however, hidden as a young child, she was among the survivors in her family. After completing school, she embarked upon a career translating foreign films between French and Italian. She visited the United States later in life where she met her beloved husband, David Sterling Margolis, with whom she was married for 41 wonderful years. Monique and Sterling had two children and raised their family in Dayton, in what Monique treasured as among the happiest times of her life. Monique was known as a beautiful and elegant lady. She enjoyed piano, ballet, classical music, literature, and tennis. After Sterling’s passing, Monique spent time in Houston, Palm Beach, and New York City with her children and grandchildren. She gave more to her family than she ever asked for in return and will be dearly missed. She loved life and saw the beauty in life to the very end. She is survived by her son Michael and Mitra Margolis, her son Gregory and Lori Margolis, and her two grandsons, Blake and Jesse Margolis. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. The family kindly requests that donations be made in Monique’s memory to Temple Israel or to support the research of breast cancer and its cure, to the Lerner Research Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. Gifts may be sent to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or made online at clevelandclinic.org/giving.

To read the complete August 2023 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.