Lorraine Fortner passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on Jan. 2. Lorraine was born in Terre Haute, Ind. She graduated from Indiana State University, then from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She worked at LexisNexis for over 40 years. She was active in several community organizations and activities, including the CityFolk dance group, volunteering at performances and otherwise supporting the arts, among others. She was also very active with Temple Beth Or. She enjoyed domestic (especially state or national parks) and international (including numerous counties and most continents) travels, often choosing the less traveled or more unusual places. She is survived by one brother, Walter (Patricia), one sister, Leslie, one sister-in-law, Lorinda, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents (Robert and Vera) and one brother (Jim).
Arrangements are pending.

Donald Klass, age 89 of Waynesville, passed away on Dec. 22. Donald was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah, and two sisters, Barbara Sokol and Marilyn Sigell. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Harriet; two sons, David and Michael; two granddaughters, Natalie and Vivian; sister, Joan Levin; brother-in-law, David Sigel; and special nephew, Thomas Sigel. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery.

Allen Levin was born in Columbus on Oct. 16, 1925, to Morris and Molly (Winter) Levin. He died peacefully on Dec. 23 at Bethany Village in his Homewood apartment with his sister-in-law, Karen Levin, present while he passed. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Levin (Jacobson); infant son, Bradley Levin; father, Morris Levin; mother, Molly Levin; brothers, David Levin and Samuel Levin; and sister, Mardelle Friedberg. He is survived by his twin brother Louis Levin; nephews, Ryan Levin (Alison), Howard Michaels, Gary Friedberg, Robert Levin, and Michael Levin (Pam); nieces, Danielle Young, Diane Brun (Hal) and Elaine Smith (Steve). He is survived by his former wife, Stephanie Levin, and her sons who were also Al’s nephews, Brian Wolff (Rebecca), M. TwoFeathers, and Jason Lambek (Dara). He is also survived by numerous great nieces and great nephews and many other relatives and friends. Al and his twin, Lou, spent their entire lives together. They were each other’s best friend. When people would ask about their being twins, they referred to themselves as “womb mates.” They served together at Okinawa in the Army from 1944 to 1946, surviving being strafed by the Japanese on the first day that they arrived on the island. Throughout all their 98 years, they maintained that intense identical twin connection. It was a bond that transcends all others. In their later years, they became snowbirds spending the winter in Florida along with Sara Litwin. Al was a kind and gentle soul who always was concerned about the welfare of others. He was like a second father to Brian, Michael, and Jason. He was always willing to listen to them and provide guidance and support throughout their lives. Al was one of the owners of Levin Service Company along with his brothers Sam and Lou. They built many of the entertainment venues that Daytonians have enjoyed through the years. They were originally in the beer and wine carryout business but expanded into the drive-in theater business in the late 1940s. They built the Sherwood Twin Drive-in Theater, Dixie Drive-in, the Captain Kidd Drive-in along with many others throughout Ohio and in Chicago. Their crown jewel was the Kon-Tiki Theater on Salem Avenue. They also built the Rhino Restaurant in Downtown Dayton. They purchased Caesar’s Creek Flea Market in the early 1980s and built Treasure Aisles Market. As you can see, their business holdings were quite diverse. After Sam Levin passed away, his monies were used to endow the Levin Family Foundation. Al was immensely proud to take on the role of philanthropist in his later years. He was a trustee of the foundation and actively involved in the distribution of funds up to the time he passed away. He was very pleased that he could have a positive impact upon the lives of so many people here in Dayton and abroad. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. The family is requesting that any donations be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. We would like to thank Danny Reveal for being a caregiver and friend to Al; the Touching Hearts staff – Patryk Cook, Brenae Thomas, Isabel Green, Kelly Calicoat, Amy Jernigan, Alyssa Henry, Sherri Whitaker, and Rebecca Spoonemore; and finally, the nurses from Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, Robin Schrand and Nate Rosfeld. When you think of Al, be sure to smile. He would like us to remember him for all the happiness he brought us throughout his life.

Steven Robert Markman, age 76, passed peacefully on Jan. 2. He was born in Cleveland in 1947 to Max and Lillian Markman. He graduated from Brush High School before studying aeronautical engineering at The Ohio State University. He joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation, where he was a missile maintenance officer. Following discharge, he married Helen and they moved to Dayton. He earned his graduate degree from the University of Dayton and continued his career with the Department of Defense for 33 years. Steve was state of Ohio and Dayton Post 587 commander with the Jewish War Veterans, active in the MG Club and Tae Kwon Do. He was an avid wood worker and aquarium enthusiast. He volunteered many years refurbishing airplanes to display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Lillian Markman, his in laws, Dr. David and Eleanor Krongold, and his brother, Jeffrey Markman. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Helen Markman; children, Jacob (Tammy) Markman and Eve (Dustin) Schmidt; grandchildren, Kara Stutz, Eli Markman, Aubrey Schmidt, and Dahlia Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Easton Stutz and Colton Stutz; sister, Sandy (Steve) Marcus; sister-in-law, Ilene Markman; brother-in-law, Martin (India) Krongold; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Interment was at David’s Cemetery. Donations can be made to Temple Beth Or, Chabad of Greater Dayton, or to a charity of your choice.

To read the complete February 2024 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.