DEATHS Grammy-winning country songwriter John Hartford, 63, who penned Glen Campbell's 1967 hit "Gentle on My Mind," of lymphoma, June 4, in Nashville.... Cartoonist Hank Ketcham, 81, who for more than 50 years drew the daily comic strip Dennis the Menace, of prostate cancer, June 1, in Carmel, Calif. Dennis (the 5-year-old troublemaker was named after Ketcham's first son) was adapted as a sitcom in the '60s, and as a 1993 film.... TV fixture Arlene Francis, 93, of undisclosed causes, May 31, in San Francisco. Before her stint as a panelist on What's My Line? from 1950 to 1975, Francis appeared on Broadway and hosted the NBC morning show Home with announcer Hugh Downs. Her daily radio interview program aired from 1960 to 1984 in New York City. "She was regal, high-class," says Downs.... Limousine driver Patricia Marcella, 44, in a bizarre accident, May 28, in Cambridge, Ontario. With 83-year-old Phyllis Diller in the back seat, Marcella stopped along an uphill driveway to ask for directions to the hotel where the funny lady was staying. Not realizing she'd left the limo in neutral, Marcella walked behind the car and was crushed when it rolled backward. Diller and her opening act--magician Mercer Helms, who was also in the car--escaped injury.

Originally posted Jun 15, 2001 Published in issue #600 Jun 15, 2001 Order article reprints
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