Obituaries

Sep 28, 2020

Rita F. Prose, 78, was born on November 28, 1941 in Canton, Ohio and died on September 28, 2020 at the SOMC Hospice Center.  Rita was a licensed social worker and worked at both the Southern Ohio Medical Center and Hill View, until she retired in 2015.

Rita had a passion for life and was always of service...

Sep 26, 2020

Billy J. Carter, 67, of New Boston, died Saturday, September 26, 2020, at BridgePort.  Born on September 5, 1953, Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Ralph and Helen Hayslip Carter and was a retired bank teller.

A graduate of East High School in 1971, Billy had worked over 30 years at Standard Supply, formerly active in...

Sep 16, 2020

H. Edward Mantell, 91, of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at River Bend House in Wheelersburg.  Born on August 4, 1929 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Ralph and Zelma Sheets Mantell and was a retired electrician for I.B.E.W. Local #575 and a 65-year member.

Also preceding him in death was his wife,...

Sep 10, 2020

William Lynn “Bill” Ogg, 83, a lifelong resident of Scioto County, passed away on September 10, 2020. He was born in North Moreland on May 17, 1937 to the late Charles K. and Christine Ogg.

He was a graduate of Portsmouth East High School (1955) where he excelled in academics and athletics.

He is survived...

Sep 9, 2020

Betty Ann Dyer, 64, of Franklin Furnace, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, with her family by her bedside.  Born on October 24, 1955 in Cincinnati, she was a daughter of Homer and Hazel Wiggins Smith, was retired from PNC Bank.  Betty was a Jehovah’s Witness.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Amel...

Aug 20, 2020

Shelia Mae Seibert, 57, of Wheelersburg, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at the SOMC Hospice Center with her family by her bedside.  Born on October 5, 1962 in Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late Forrest and Lodena P’Simer McCleese and was a homemaker.

Shelia was a member of Christ...

Aug 19, 2020

Roger F. Fowler, 70, of Sciotoville, died Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at SOMC Hospice Center.  Born on November 21, 1949 in Ashland, KY, he was a son of the late Paul and Elaine Barnett Fowler.

Roger was one of the proudest veterans, having retired from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service.  He had served during...

Aug 19, 2020

Ronald Carl Arn, 64, of Franklin Furnace, died peacefully at home Wednesday evening, August 19, 2020, with his family present.  Born on April 29, 1956 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Carl and Sylvia Ball Arn and was a retired carman for the CSX Railroad with 29 years of service.

Red was a 1974...

Aug 19, 2020

Dottie Lou McCoy, 76, of Wheelersburg, died Wednesday, August 19, 2020, in the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Born on August 15, 1944 in Paintsville, KY, she was a daughter of the late Brad and Glendyne Williamson Parsley.

Dottie graduated from Inez High School and attended Plymouth Heights Church of the Nazarene and Garden City Free Will Baptist...

Aug 5, 2020

Thelma Hughes, 94, of Wheelersburg, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at her residence.  Born on May 24, 1926 in Iaeger, WV, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Whitsil and Sarah Thompson Smith.

Thelma was active at the former Rosemount Road Church of Christ in Christian Union.

Also preceding her in death were...

Aug 2, 2020

Rodney T. Backus, 90, formerly of Portsmouth, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at his daughter’s residence in Rushville.  Born on August 24, 1929 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Charles and Marcella Backus and was a member of Riverview Wesleyan Church.

Retiring as a utility operator, he was...

Jul 19, 2020

Mareda E. Zempter, 79, of Sciotoville, died Sunday in the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Born on October 4, 1940 in Greenup County, KY, she was a daughter of the late Leslie and Stella Hall Newsome and was a homemaker.

Mareda was a caregiver for many family members and friends, and it wasn’t so much about monetary compensation...

Jul 10, 2020

Roger Blaine Gregory, 82, of Wheelersburg, peacefully went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 10, 2020, at the SOMC Hospice Center with his family by his bedside.

Born on January 22, 1938 in New Boston, he was a son of the late George and Irene Harris Gregory and was retired from U.S.E.C.

Roger...

Jul 7, 2020

Jill Trevino, 56, of Franklin Furnace, died Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in the SOMC emergency room.  Born on July 19, 1963 in Toledo, she was a daughter of Gilbert and Judith Pierott Springstead.

Preceding her in death was her father.

Jill was a fantastic homemaker, a fabulous cook and previously worked at Best Care.

Jun 25, 2020

Gregory Thomas Maynard, 62, of Portsmouth, died in his home on June 25, 2020.  He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School.  He went on to Ohio State for one year.  He then returned to Portsmouth to work for Nationwide Insurance for 12 years and WIOI radio station.  He was currently employed by Hatcher Real Estate.

Greg...

Jun 9, 2020

Bonnie Ruth Harner, 85, of Wheelersburg, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, June 9 2020, at the SOMC Hospice Center.  Born on September 3, 1934 in Wheelersburg, she was a daughter of the late Rev. David Widdig and Isabelle Ruth Widdig.

Bonnie was a proud and devoted member of Garden City Free Will Baptist Church,...

Jun 6, 2020

Larry Holloway, 70, of Sciotoville, died Saturday, June 6, 2020, in the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Born on May 8, 1950 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Dan and Mary Houston Holloway and was retired from CSX Railroad.

Larry was an integral part of the father and son team that showed cars and enjoyed...

May 31, 2020

Michael Andrew Brescia (Mike) died on May 31, 2020, at the age of 80. Born on July 7, 1939, to Andrew and Lillian Minerva Brescia, Mike graduated from Portsmouth West High School in 1957 and Ohio University in 1964.

Mike married Jean Keibler in 1963 and settled first in Portsmouth, then in Wheelersburg, to raise the family...

May 28, 2020

Stephen Eugene Downard, 66, of McDermott, passed into Heaven on May 28, 2020. Born on August 8, 1953 in McArthur, he was a son of the late Robert Allen Downard and Marjorie Wiseman Downard.

Stephen relocated from Gallipolis to Scioto County in January 2013. He attended STAR, Inc. and was supported by his Scioto Residential Services Family....

May 24, 2020

Dorothy “Dottie” Eileen Justus, 90, of Portsmouth passed away on May 24, 2020, at Southern Ohio Medical Center. She served 32 years as a public school teacher, primarily in the Portsmouth School system at Grant Middle School. Other than her strong Christian faith and her family, her love of history was perhaps her strongest passion, which she shared graciously...