Jackson “Jack” M. Hill - 1941-2009

Jackson Hill, 68, of Ashland, passed from this life Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

Jackson was born Aug. 12, 1941, in Ashland, Ky., the son of the late Volnie and George Anna Banfield Hill.

Mr. Hill was a lab technician with Ashland Oil, graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute and founded The Brass Band of the Tri-State. He was a past president of South Ashland Lions Club, a member of Northeastern Kentucky Wildlife and Game Association, an antique car buff and a member of South Ashland United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his loving wife, Lou Ann Barker Hill; a daughter, Amy Church Artrip of Ashland, and three grandchildren, Dakota Church, Alexis Church and Preston Church. Surviving are three aunts, Evelyn Banfield George of Rush, Ky., Ganola Hill Burton of Louisa, Ky., and Jo Banfield of Catlettsburg; one uncle, Hugh Jack Banfield of Rush; two brothers-in-law, Charles and Judy Barker of Ashland and Larry and Patsy Barker of Georgia; and one sister-in-law, Wanda Barker Douglas of Indiana.

A funeral service for Mr. Hill will be Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home on Panola Street in Catlettsburg. Words of comfort will be offered by Pastor Lance Campbell and Pastor Raymond Stephens.

Visitation for family and friends is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family has graciously requested contributions be made to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.



Lloyd Bruce Spears - 1922-2009

Lloyd Bruce Spears, age 87, of Ashland, Ky., died Dec. 16, 2009, in Community Hospice Care Center.

He was born June 12, 1922, in Casey County, Ky., a son of the late Chester and Minnie Gaye Short Spears.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Lloyd Bruce Spears and a daughter, Bonnie Jean Spears.

He was a retired civil engineer with C&O; Railway, attended Rose Hill Baptist Church, was a graduate of Jenkins High School, attended University of Cincinnati and was first chair violinist at Middleburg College when in high school.

Surviving are his wife, Joan Robinson Spears of Ashland; his son’s wife, Ruby Spears of Wurtland, Ky.; a daughter, Carol Sue Harding and husband, Wally of Carneys Points, N.J.; and a grandson, Jay Allen Spears of Smithfield, Ky.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by Dr. Ronnie Mayes. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.

Friends may call at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Patricia Ann Humphrey - 1941-2009

Patricia Ann Humphrey, age 68, of Catlettsburg, Ky., died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 in King’s Daughters Medical Center following a very brief battle with cancer.

She was born Sept. 16, 1941, in Ashland, Ky., a daughter of the late Otto Sanderson and Edna Cressel Sanderson.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, Freddie Runyon; and sisters, Irene Hunt, Callie Dickerson, Pauline Grubb and Lorena Bradshaw.

She was a homemaker and a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Surviving are her husband, Curtis Humphrey of Catlettsburg; sons, Johnny Lynn Humphrey and wife, Juanita and Gerald Keith Humphrey and wife, Tammy; daughter, Kimberly Ann Lynch and husband, Mike; brother, James Runyon; grandchildren, Joni Nichols and husband, Mike, Jennifer Humphrey, J.C. Humprey, Zachary Humphrey, Taylor Humphrey and Eric Cole; and great-grandchildren, Mikalyn Nichols and Austin Nichols.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 18, 2009 at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland by the Rev. Everett Stevens. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland.

Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com



Frank Firestine - 1925-2009

Frank Van Hagg Firestine Jr., 84, of Russell, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, following an extended illness.

Frank was born Sept. 24, 1925, in Leechburg, Pa., to the late Frank Van Hagg and Gertrude Beares Firestine Sr.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII as a medic and received a Purple Heart for wounds he received in action. Frank was the first principal of the new Russell High School and retired as an assistant superintendent for the Russell Board of Education. He was a member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, a past master of Smith Lodge 775 F&AM; of Flatwoods, Apperson Chapter 81, Everette Council 65, Ashland Commandry 28, Scottish Rite Valley of Covington Indra Consistory, El Hasa Shrine, Oriental Band, past president of the Russell Rotary Club, district governor 674 of Rotary International and a member of Bellefonte Community Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Curd Firestine.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Firestine of Russell; two sons, Frank Van Hagg Firestine III and his wife, Angie of Williamstown, Ky., and Jeffery C. Firestine of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, by the Rev. Stewart Schneider and Rev. Jack Edwards at the Russell High School Student Union. Military services will be conducted by Kenova American Legion Post 93. Burial will follow in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods.

Friends may call Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service at the school. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Russell Rotary Club.

Caniff Funeral Home in Westwood is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Frank Firestine Scholarship, c/o Russell Rotary Club, P. O. Box 990, Ashland, KY 41105-0990 or Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, 605 Bellefonte Princess Rd., Ashland, KY 41101.



Phyllis Blankenship - 1945-2009

Phyllis Blankenship, 64, of Richmond, Ky., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Compassionate Care Plus in Richmond, after a two-year battle with Lymphoma.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel in Barboursville, W.Va., by the Rev. Russell Donahue and Rev. Greg Dial. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. at Woodland Cemetery in Ironton, Ohio.

She was born Sept. 1, 1945, in Robinette, W.Va., a daughter of the late Thurman and Thelma Pritchard Winters.

She was employed by the Anaheim City Schools in Anaheim, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her brother, H. J. “Joe” Winters.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Jack “Ed” Blankenship; three children, Jason Blankenship (Ashley) of Medina, Ohio, and Jan and Lea Ann Blankenship of Richmond; sister, Deloris Gene Esque of Huntington; brother, Thurman “Jack” Winters Jr. of Barboursville; and her “second mother,” Millie Woolum of Anaheim.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Plus, 350 Isaacs Lane, Richmond, KY 40475.



Linda Mitchell Taylor - 1944-2009

Linda Mitchell Taylor, 65, of Louisa, went to be her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at her home.

Linda was born Nov. 3, 1944, in Louisa, Ky., the daughter of the late Woodrow Cecil and Mary Ethel Preston Mitchell. In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by a brother, Charles (Banty) Mitchell. She was a customer service representative and member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband, Bennie Taylor of Louisa; a daughter, Angela Adams, also of Louisa; a son, Harry Morris (Sam) Akers of Medway, Ohio; a sister, Dorcas Fannin of Ashland, Ky.; a brother, Woodrow Cecil Mitchell Jr., also of Ashland; six grandchildren, Danielle Steele, Eden Steele, Brittany Akers, Cheyenna Steele, Erica Kylee Akers and Michael Adams; and two great-grandchildren, Rayaunna Steele and Aubryaunna Steele.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa by Brother Jim Farley, Brother Jim Crum and Brother Doug Kelly. Burial will follow in Mitchell Cemetery on Route 581 in Louisa.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made to www.timeformemory.com/wilson.



LaVerne Bowman

LaVerne Bowman, 86, of Sevierville, Tenn., formerly of Ironton, Ohio, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in Sevierville.

She moved to Tennessee after retiring from Jo-Lin Health Center in 1986. She was so loved by family and friends and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by parents, Essie and Charles Lunsford Sr.; husband, Lawson F. (Bubby) Bowman; son, James (JimBo) Bowman; infant twin sister, Laurene Lunsford; and brothers, Charles Jr. and Ernest Lunsford.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Georgene Bowman of Asheville, N.C.; daughters and sons-in-law, Judi and Edward McKee of Port Richey, Fla., and Tammy and Billy Layman of Dandridge, Tenn.; daughter, Brenda Branam of Sevierville; one brother, Gene Lunsford; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at Tracy Brammer Funeral Home in Ironton with Chaplain Robert Barker officiating. Internment will follow in Community Baptist Cemetery.

Friends may call at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.



Deirdre Artrip - 1958-2009

Deirdre Elaine Artrip, 51, of Ashland, died Dec. 12 in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 5, 1958, in Ashland.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Neal Funeral Home in Catlettsburg.

Friends may call one hour before the service at the funeral home.



John Meeks - 1939-2009

John Philip Meeks, 70, of Westwood, husband of Chiquita Gabbert Meeks, died Thursday in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

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



Hope Steele

Hope Steele, 60, formerly of Grayson, died Wednesday in Zanesville, Ohio.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Malone Funeral Home in Grayson. Burial will be in Edison Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today and until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.



Larry Berry

Larry Berry, 63, of Ironton, formerly of Grayson, died Tuesday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

The funeral will be at noon today at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson. Burial will be in family cemetery near Hitchins.

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



Willadean Blevins - 1933-2009

Willadean Johnson Blevins, 76, of Olive Hill, died Thursday in Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington.

She was born July 18, 1933.

Her husband, John W. Blevins, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Johnson Family Cemetery in Carter County.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. Saturday, anytime Sunday and until time of service Monday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made to www.northcuttandson.com.



Bobby Cornett - 1934-2009

Bobby Monroe Cornett, 75, of Morehead, died Thursday in St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead.

He was born June 4, 1934.

His wife, Barbara L. Crawford Cornett, survives.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery.

Friends may call at 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to www.northcuttandson.com.



Patricia Armstrong - 1957-2009

Patricia Ann Armstrong, 52, of Vanceburg, died Wednesday at home.

She was born March 28, 1957, in Quincy.

Her husband, Charles Wilson Armstrong, survives.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dickerson Funeral Home in Vanceburg. Burial will be in Waring Cemetery in Garrison.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and at 8 a.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made at www.dickersonfh.com.



Thelma Thomas - 1923-2009

Thelma Vesta Thomas, 86, of New Lebanon, Ohio, formerly of Morehead, died Monday in Middletown Atrium Hospital in Middletown, Ohio.

She was born March 9, 1923.

Her husband, Samuel Turner Thomas, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery.

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

Condolences may be made to www.northcuttandson.com.



Michael Newkirk - 1972-2009

Michael David Newkirk, 37, of Oil Springs, died Wednesday in Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg.

He was born June 6, 1972, in Johnson County.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Jones-Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville. Burial will be in Hannah Family Cemetery in Swamp Branch.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and until time of service Sunday at the funeral home.



Ray Justice - 1923-2009

Ray Arlen Justice, 86, of Morehead, died Wednesday in Life Care Center in Morehead.

He was born Jan. 2, 1923.

His wife, Nita Gloria Flannery Justice, preceded him in death.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead. Burial will be in Webbville Cemetery.

Friends may call at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to www.northcuttandson.com.



Roberta Davidson - 1923-2009

Roberta Wells Davidson, 86, of Prestonsburg, died Wednesday in Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg.

She was born July 18, 1923.

Her husband, Marshall Davidson, preceded her in death.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Davidson Memorial Gardens in Ivel.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Carter Funeral Home in Prestonsburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 256 S. Arnold Ave., Prestonsburg, KY 41653.



Bobby Craddock - 1929-2009

Bobby L. Craddock, 80, of South Point, died Wednesday in Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

He was born Nov. 20, 1929, in Putnam County, W.Va.

His wife, Wilma Freeman Craddock, preceded him in death.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens in South Point.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice Care Center, 2330 Pollard Road, Ashland, KY 41101.

Condolences may be made to www.schneidergriffin.com.



Edna Sanders

Edna Sanders, 93, of Ironton, died Thursday in Jo-Lin Health Care Center in Ironton.

Tracy Brammer Funeral Home in Ironton is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Lorrie Lefebre - 1956-2009

Lorrie Collins Lefebre, died Dec. 12 at home.

She was born April 9, 1956.

Her husband, Ron Lefebre, survives.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gamble-Nelson Cemetery in Naples.