Flora Wilson Day Howard - 1919-2008

Flora Wilson Day Howard, 88, of Ashland, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 28, 1919, in Carter County, Ky., the daughter of the late James Harvey and Mildred Skaggs Wilson. She was a former employee of the C.H. Parsons Co., a member of First United Methodist Church, a founding member of the Mothers Club, a charter member and past president of the Twins Club and former member of Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Claude B. Howard; a brother, Bert Skaggs; two sisters, Hazel Blankenbeckler and Eva Marlow; and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Claire McClure.

Survivors include four daughters, Claudia E. Howard, Claudette H. Prichard, Loretta Day Belville and her husband, Tom, all of Ashland, and Flora Lee Day Harris and her husband, Tim, of Morehead, Ky.; six grandchildren, Melanie McClure of Ocala, Fla., Tamara Belville of Ashland, Ky., T.J. Belville of Virginia, Jeff Shire of Morehead, Ky., Julie Shire McCown of Lexington, Ky., and Elliott Prichard of Ashland; 13 great-grandchildren, Michael McClure, Amanda McClure, Brittany McClure, Hannah McClure, Bethany McClure, Joshua McClure, Lindsay Belville, Jake Belville, Natalie Belville, Abigail Belville, Mitchell McCown, Kellen McCown and Kendall McCown; a family friend, Judy Jones of Ashland; her loving furry friend, Lucky; and a host of special nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2008, at Miller Funeral Home in Ashland by the Rev. Gene Pillow and the Rev. Jimm Smedley. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and after noon Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 or First United Methodist Church, 1811 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.



John Helms - 1940-2008

John Arlin Helms, 68, of Ashland, died Friday in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.

He was born July 2, 1940, in Carter County, the son of the late John Whitaker Helms and Alia Jane Seagraves Helms Hearn. He was the husband of 48 years to Christine Gehringer Helms, who survives.

He served from 1957 to 1959 with the U.S. Army and was a truck driver with Teamsters Local 505 for 38 years. He was of the Nazarene faith.

He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, William Hearn; brothers and sisters Marvin Helms, Kathleen Ritchie, Edgel Helms and Mabel Workman; and a granddaughter, Paige Hensley.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four daughters and sons-in-law, Jonney and Johnny Hanners, Angela and Sheldon Hensley and Lillie and Donald Kouns, all of Ashland, and Ruth and Alan Taylor of Flatwoods; 10 grandchildren, Kari Kouns, Donald Kouns, Beth Kouns, John Hanners, Austin Taylor, Nick Kouns, Drew Taylor, Amanda Hanners, Emily Hensley and Amy Hanners; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and four sisters, Maggie Hale, Lydia Hale and Lottie Ratliff, all of Ashland, and Effie Virtue of Grayson.

The funeral will be at noon Monday at Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland by Pastor Perry Young. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park

Visitation will be an hour before services Monday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Joe Helms, Steve Helms, Vick Conley, David Conley, Ron Kouns and Chris Prater.



Donald Stephens - 1924-2008

Donald E. Stephens, 83, formerly of Greenup, died June 25, 2008, in Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla.

He was born Aug. 2, 1924, in Kaw City, Okla., to the late Lula Pearl and Charles Franklin Stephens.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Lou Huddleston Stephens; his son, Drew Stephens; and his brother, Carol Stephens of Wentzville, Mo.

Don is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Tammy Stephens of Oklahoma City; his daughter, Lynne Stephens and husband Glen Napier of Orlando, Fla.; his brother, Robert Stephens and wife Sonya Abbott of Boston, Mass; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.

His life will be celebrated by family and friends at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at Central United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Ark., where Don and Betty had their home for 18 years.



Susan Lewis

Susan Duane Lewis departed this life to be with Christ on July 25, 2008, in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell at the age of 59.

Susan was born in Louisville, a daughter of the late Robert S. Buckley and mother Bettie Pittenger Buckley of Richmond, Ky.

She is also survived by her husband, Dr. Ronald Lewis; two sons, Matthew Lewis of Clearwater, Fla., and Mark Adam Lewis of Huntington, W.Va.; and four brothers, Robert (Chris) Buckley of Englewood, Fla., John (Martha) Buckley of Marietta, Ohio, Mike (Janet) Buckley of Richmond, Va., and Mark Buckley of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Susan was also preceded in death by her son, Mikie Lewis, and a brother, Scott Buckley (Teresa).

Susan was employed by both the Russell and Raceland-Worthington school districts as a substitute teacher. She loved her work and the many children she came into contact with, as well as the friends she had in both school systems.

She was a member of Bridges Christian Church (Russell Christian Church), the Pairs and Spares Sunday school class and Mistletoe Chapter 144, Order of Eastern Star, in Flatwoods. She was a Kentucky colonel.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods by Mark McKinney, minister.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northeast Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2910 Thornhill Drive, Flatwoods, KY 41139.



Zane Franz

Zane Lee Franz, 75, of Worthington, died Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

He was the son of Theresa and LeRoy Franz, deceased, the devoted husband of the late Jean B. Franz and grandson of Jennie Barber, Gus Franz and Ida Mae McKenzie.

He served in the U.S. Army, fought in the Korean War and was decorated with the Silver Star and Purple Heart for heroic deeds. He retired after 25 years in the U.S. Navy, working on submarines. He was then employed with the Vitro Corp., a government contractor, where he inspected ships and submarines. He was a former member of Elks Lodge 350 and AMVETS in Greenup and a member of Worthington First Baptist Church. He was a Kentucky colonel.

He is survived by two daughters, Zanean Toher of Virginia Beach, Va., and her spouse, Stephen; Barbara Lee Lollar and her friend, Jerry Vendetti, of Frankford, Del.; his son, Zane Lee II and his friend, Kelly Zimmerman; two grandchildren, Sophia Lanza and her husband, Damion Lanza, and Tanya Toher; and a great-grandchild, Natalie Lanza.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2008, at Greenup Christian Church, with the service immediately following. Military rites will be provided by VFW Post 8850 of Ironton, Ohio. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery.

Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods is in charge of arrangements.



Garl Adkins - 1942-2008

Mr. Garl Lee “Bub” Adkins, 66, of Olive Hill, formerly of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away Friday morning, July 25, 2008, at his residence.

Mr. Adkins was born April 4, 1942, in Carter County, a son of the late Garlie and Sarah Hicks Adkins.

Garl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and a friend to all who knew him. He was retired from DSI Trucking Co., where he worked as an over-the-road truck driver for 41 years, and was owner and operator of A&A; Flag Cars in Olive Hill. He was a member of Olive Hill Masonic Lodge 629 and the Ashland El Hasa Shriners.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Gerald E. Adkins; a grandson, Travis L. Elkins; a brother, John Wesley Adkins; and two sisters, Doretta Adkins and Joan Kay Adkins.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Mary Holt Adkins; six sons and daughters-in-law, Daryl K. And Barbara Adkins of Polk, Ohio, John W. And Tammy Adkins of Shelby, Ohio, Glen A. Adkins of Sheridan, Wyo., Garl L. Jr. and Lisa Adkins of Lexington, Ohio, Steven and Debi Taylor of Wonder Lake, Ill., and Michael Taylor and Sally of Swansea, Ill.; four daughters and sons-in-law, Denise R. Elkins of Mansfield, Ohio, Opal M. Travis of New Madrid, Mo., Angela M. Taylor and Jim of Olive Hill, Ky., and Patricia L. and Matthew Riley of Ashland, Ky.; 33 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Geneva Kegley of Nicholasville, Hazel and Madison Sweeney of Mansfield and Violet Sloan of Morehead. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, other family members, neighbors and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2008, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill by Brothers J.C. Bond and Michael Rogers.

Burial will be in Garvin Ridge Cemetery in Olive Hill.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. today and until services Monday at the funeral chapel.

Will Dye, Clint Dye, Chris Dye, Jim Oney, Matt Riley and Clyde Wilson will serve as pallbearers.



Zona Gipson - 1923-2008

Zona Mildred Gipson, 85, of Grayson, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 25, 2008, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.

Mrs. Gipson was born June 9, 1923, in Lewis County, a daughter of the late Ezekeil and Martha Rhoden Cooper.

She was a member of Hitchins Wesleyan Church and attended Kehoe Nazarene Church.

She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Worthington; her second husband, Henry Abdon; her third husband, Roy Gipson; a daughter, Barbara Worthington; brothers Jim Cooper, Paul Cooper, Allen Cooper, Oscar Cooper, Otis Cooper and Sherman Cooper; and sisters Flossy Buckler, Edna Dyer, Inez McGlone, Olive Lewis and Thelma Cooper.

Survivors include four sons, Charles Worthington of Greenup, Kenneth (Rita) Worthington of Logan, Ohio, Gary (Melissa Jane) Worthington of Greenup and Henry (Kim) Abdon Jr. of Oil Springs; five daughters, Linda (Clyde) McCoy of Greenup, Jane (Joe) Brown of Wurtland, Carolyn Workman of Casselberry, Fla., Charlotte Worthington, address unknown, and Freda Zornes of Ashland; eight stepchildren, Gipson family’s children; 28 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Reed Funeral Home in Greenup by the Rev. George Smith. Burial will be in Kehoe Cemetery at Kehoe.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today and an hour before services Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hitchins Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 96, Hitchins, KY 41146.



Frank Elkins

Frank H. “Hop” Elkins, 79, of Flatwoods, died Saturday in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell.

He was the husband of Opal E. Sowards Blanton Elkins, who survives.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Advance Memorial United Methodist Church in Flatwoods. Burial will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods is in charge of arrangements.



Arthur Peake Jr. - 1925-2008

Arthur H. Peake Jr., 83, of Portsmouth, Ohio, died Friday in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va.

He was born Jan. 20, 1925, in Portsmouth.

His wife, Norma Lee Morton Peake, survives.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Morton Funeral Home in South Shore. Burial will be in Siloam Cemetery in South Shore.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.



Ira Butcher - 1921-2008

Ira Butcher, 86, of Sitka, died Friday in Kindred Hospital in Louisville.

He was born Sept. 28, 1921, in Johnson County.

The funeral was at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville.



John Meade - 1956-2008

John “Jiggin John” Meade, 52, of Hagerhill, died Friday in Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg.

He was born March 27, 1956, in Indiana.

His wife, Darlene McKenzie Meade, survives.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today and until the time of services Monday at the funeral home.



Dolly Cockrell

Dolly Williams Cockrell, 91, of Clearfield, died Thursday in Morehead.

Her husband, Earl Dennis Cockrell, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home in West Liberty. Burial will be in Staver Smith Cemetery in West Liberty.



Lundie Estep

Lundie Estep, 98, of Flatgap, died Saturday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Paintsville Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Patty Flat Cemetery at Fuget.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.



Joyce Fannin - 1954-2008

Joyce Fannin, 54, of Kitts Hill, died Thursday in Sunset Nursing Home in Coal Grove.

She was born March 1, 1954, in Detroit.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Brown Funeral Chapel in Ironton. Burial will be in the Maddy-McKenzie Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The family requests donations to help with funeral expenses be made to Brown Funeral Chapel, 204 Vernon St. Ironton, OH 45638.



George Farris

George Michael Farris, 42, of Kitts Hill, died Saturday in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky.

Funeral arrangements are pending at O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home in Ironton.



Barry Beals - 1951-2008

Barry Beals, 57, of Coal Grove, died Tuesday at his residence.

He was born May 31, 1951, in Ironton.

A cremation committal service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Calvary Cemetery in Coal Grove.

O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home in Ironton is in charge of arrangements.