James Walter Bowling Sr. (1931-2009)

James Walter Bowling Sr., 78, of Ashland, Ky., died Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, 2009, in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

He was born April 21, 1931, in Ashland, a son of the late John Oliver Bowling Sr. and Julia Belle Wooten Bowling Armstrong.

He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Lucille V. Blanton Bowling, in 2008.

He was retired from Carpenters Local 472 and Laborers Local 1445 and was a Korean War veteran.

Surviving are sons Larry Eugene (Paula) Sparks, James Walter (Karen) Bowling Jr., John Michael (Shelia) Bowling and Randall Lee (Pamela Jo) Bowling; daughters Phyllis (Charles) Johnson, Rosemary (Ronald) Blevins and Judy (Danny) Terry; brother John Oliver (Annette) Bowling Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister Bonnie Carter of Ashland; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by Pastor Bill Oakes. Entombment will be in Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 9, 2009, at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Susan Lee Gannon

Susan Lee Gannon, 56, of Acworth, Ga., died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 9, 2009, at Mayes-Ward-Dobbins Chapel in Marietta, Ga., with the Rev. Tommy Payne officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods, Ky., by the Rev. Ike Nicholson.

Ms. Gannon was retired from the Cobb County Water Department. Susan graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School in 1971 and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., in 1975. She was a Kentucky colonel and a Governor’s Scholar. In 1982, she graduated from the Ashland Vocational School.

Survivors include her father, Charles R. Gannon of Ashland, Ky., a brother, William Joseph Gannon of Ashland; a sister, Linda Buchanan of Flatwoods; her partner, Patti Ritz of Acworth; and nieces and nephews.

Contributions in memory of Susan Gannon may be sent to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1930 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.

The family will receive friends after noon Friday, Dec. 11 at Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland.



Michael “CoCo” Polakovs (1923-2009)

Michael “CoCo” Polakovs, 86, of Catlettsburg, passed from this life Sunday to that great center ring in the sky on Dec. 6, 2009, in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

Mr. Polakovs was born Feb. 23, 1923, in Riga, Latvia. He was the son of the late Nicolai and Valentina Novikoff Polakovs. Mike was a professional circus clown for nearly 80 years. He entertained tens of millions as CoCo the Clown with circuses around the world. Michael was a member of Greenhill Masonic Lodge 521.

Michael leaves behind Hazel Fannin Polakovs, his loving wife of 49 years, and six children, Graham Ahrhart of Sarasota, Fla., Patty Dale Dalton and her husband, Perry, of Ashland, Ky., Byron Laird of Pippa Passes, Ky., Bruce Laird of Ashland, Michelle Polakovs of Catlettsburg, Ky., and David Polakovs of San Francisco, Calif.; five grandchildren, Mike Ahrhart, Melody Dalton Hogsten, Christopher Dalton, Stephanie Laird Maynard and Amanda Laird; five great-grandchildren, Emma Dalton, Kayla Dalton, Kayla Rice, Cole Maynard and Alex Ahrhart; and a sister, Olga Kerr of Norfolk, England.

He was also preceded in death are three sisters and a brother.

A funeral ceremony to honor the extraordinary life of CoCo will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at Neal Funeral Home on Center Street in Catlettsburg. A message of inspiration will be offered by Pastor Richie Gindlesperger, assisted by Donnie McKenzie. Final rest will be Rose Hill Burial Park. Masonic grave rites follow a solemn committal.

Those wishing to call on the Polakovs family may do so from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and an hour before services Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the East Fork United Methodist Church Building Fund, 20100 Ky. 3, Rush, KY 41168.



Cecil Glenwood “Woody” Wilson (1922-2009)

Cecil Glenwood “Woody” Wilson, 87, of Wurtland, Ky., died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at home under hospice care because of an extended illness.

Mr. Wilson was born March 30, 1922, in Raceland, Ky., a son of the late Joe and Lola Pennington Wilson.

He was a retired laborer at the coal docks for CSX Railroad with 38 years of service. He attended Raceland and Wurtland Methodist churches.

Woody loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved to travel.

Surviving are his loving wife of 64 years, Hazel Bailey Wilson; a daughter, Diane Wilson (Phillip) Barker of Wurtland; two sons, Timothy L. Wilson of Wurtland and Thomas D. (Cindy) Wilson of Coal Grove, Ohio; five grandchildren, Lisa “Shelly” (Steven) Dunlap, Christopher L. (Kari) Wilson, David R. (LaCosta) Barker, Kenneth R. Barker and Shannon M. (Amanda) Barker; and 10 great-grandchildren, Courtney Wilson, Ryan Barker, Christian Wilson, Baclyn Dunlap, Kamryn Wilson, Evan Dunlap, Malea Harris, Tanner Dunlap, Darian Barker and Tyler Barker.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, Dec. 9, 2009, at Evans Funeral Home in Raceland, Ky., by the Rev. Keith Evans. Burial will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods, Ky.

Friends may call after 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.



Francis Joann Akers Mitchell (1937-2009)

Francis Joann Akers Mitchell, 72, of Grayson, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.

She was born Sept. 5, 1937, in Van Lear, Ky., a daughter of the late Norman and Flossie Ann Marshall Akers.

She was retired from the Carter County Adult Education Center and a member of the Grayson Eastern Star, Gregoryville Homemakers and Gregoryville Christian Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three husbands, James McDavid, Leslie Hall and Lloyd Mitchell; two brothers, Donald Akers and Eugene Akers; and a sister, Barbara Huffman.

She is survived by two sons, James Marshall McDavid and John Norman (Jewell) McDavid, two daughters, Kathy (Glen) Bush and Angie (Dan) Rollings; a sister, Nancy Kiser; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; a stepson, Steve (Ann) Mitchell of Columbus, Ohio; and two stepdaughters, Karen (Roger) Wise of Hurricane, W.Va., and Cecee (Dan) Groghan of DC.

She will be sadly missed by her family and a host of friends but will remain in our hearts forever!

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at Sparks Funeral Home in Grayson by Ron Arnett. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery in Fultz.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Dec. 9, 2009, at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.sparksfh.com.





Franklin Doyl “Itchy” Romans (1933-2009)

Franklin Doyl “Itchy” Romans, 76, of Rush, died early Tuesday morning at his home.

He was born July 28, 1933, in Grayson, Ky., a son of the late Everett and Loma Keeton Romans.

He was a self-employed mechanic at the garage he owned and operated. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a member of Rush Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Withrow Romans; two sons, Ernest Romans (Sharanna) of Rush, Ky., and Charles (Kim) Romans of Load, Ky.; two daughters, Sheila (August Jr.) Rice and Angel (Tim) Baldwin, both of Rush; four brothers, Ray (Anna Mae) Romans of Rush, Bob (Lou) Romans of Grayson, Russell Romans of Dalton, Ga., and Fred Romans; a sister, Zelda (Nick) Rice of Grayson, Ky.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Roe and Phyllis Fankell.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson with Jerry Foster officiating. Burial will be in East Carter County Memory Gardens.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and until 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.



Jo Ann Roberts (1929-2009)

Jo Ann Roberts, 80, of Ashland, widow of Jennings Bryan “J.B.” Roberts, died Monday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Barbara Rice

Barbara Ann Hall Rice, wife of Arnold Rice, died Tuesday.

Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Evelyn Wells (1944-2009)

Evelyn Wells, 65, of Westwood, died Tuesday in Community Hospice Care Center.

She was born Nov. 4, 1944.

Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Janet Webb

Janet Webb of Ashland died Tuesday at her residence.

Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Donald Cole (1932-2009)

Donald Cole, 77, of Whites Creek, Catlettsburg, died Tuesday in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home in Catlettsburg is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



William Taylor (1922-2009)

William Robert Taylor, 87, of South Shore, died Saturday in Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice in Portsmouth, Ohio.

He was born Oct. 10, 1922, in Greenup County.

His wife, Ernestine Warnock Taylor, survives.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Siloam Cemetery in South Shore.

There will be no visitation.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is in charge of arrangements.



Margaret Franklin (1925-2009)

Margaret Maxine Tolliver Franklin, 84, of Morehead, died Sunday in Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Grayson.

She was born Sept. 20, 1925, in Carter County.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home in Morehead. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery.

Friends may call after 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.lanestuckygray.com.



Timothy Soard (1967-2009)

Timothy W. Soard, 42, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, died Monday at his residence.

He was born May 25, 1967, in Scioto County.

The funeral will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation.

Gaydos Funeral Home in Vanceburg is in charge of arrangements.



Wendy Martin (1959-2009)

Wendy Kay Tackett Martin, 50, of Wittensville, died Dec. 4 in Cordele, Ga.

She was born Oct. 23, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio.

Her husband, John T. Martin, survives.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville. Burial will be in Family Cemetery in West Van Lear.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.



Marvin Salyer (1945-2009)

Marvin Lee Salyer, 64, of Louisa, died Tuesday in Veterans Administration Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va.

He was born Aug. 3, 1945, at Adams.

His wife, Charlene Perry Salyer, survives.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Young Funeral Home in Louisa. Burial will be in Yatesville Memorial Gardens in Louisa.

Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Mary Pierce (1949-2009)

Mary Dianne Pierce, 60, of South Point, died Monday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 6, 1949, in Chesapeake.

Her husband, Roger Pierce, survives.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Jeffersonville Missionary Baptist Church in Coal Grove. Burial will be in Ice Creek Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton and an hour before services Friday at the church.

Donations may be sent to Jeffersonville Missionary Baptist Church, 412 Washington St., Coal Grove, OH 45638.

Condolences may be sent to www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.



Hester Irwin

Hester Ann Irwin died Monday in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington.

Beard Mortuary in Huntington is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.

Condolences may be sent to www.beardmortuary.com.