Obituaries

Oct 29, 2018

James Arthur Vallance, 89

We bid our beloved father farewell on Monday morning, October 29, 2018, in our home, where he passed over Jordan’s stormy banks into God’s tender mercy and into his deceased wife and daughter’s arms.

James Arthur Vallance was born on July 15, 1929 to the late James and Mable Grose Vallance...

Oct 17, 2018

Ray Lee Vestal, Sr., 71, of Franklin Furnace, died Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at  King’s Daughters Medical Center.  Born on September 28, 1947 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Roy and Ellajean Riley Vestal, and was a retired laborer from OSCO.

Also preceding him in death were his wife, Shirley Springs Vestal, his son,...

Oct 10, 2018

John Charles Thieken, 68, of Loris, SC, formerly of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Born on October 24, 1949 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Paul and June Nagel Thieken and was of the catholic faith.

Chuck was a graduate of Portsmouth High School and...

Oct 3, 2018

Ronald L. Gregory, 77, of Sciotoville, died Wednesday, October 3, 2018, in the Southern Ohio Medical Center emergency room.  Born on February 10, 1941 in Sciotoville, he was a son of the late Carl Gregory, Sr. and Vada Dillon Gregory and was a retired conductor for the Norfolk and Southern Railroad with 43 years’ service.

Ron attended...

Oct 3, 2018

James W. Schaeffer, 75, of Beavercreek, died Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at Ohio Hospice of Dayton.  Born on April 29, 1943 in South Webster, he was a son of the late James Odas Schaeffer and Geraldine Howard Schaeffer.

Jim was a retired middle school teacher in Centerville, where he coached football.  His pastime was racing sled dogs...

Sep 28, 2018

Nettie Marie (Cooper) McClain, 93, of Lexington, KY, left her loving family on Friday, September 28, 2018.  She was born on February 22, 1925 in Portsmouth to the late Letha Marie McGlone and Lester Benson Cooper.  Nettie was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, a sister, Emma Jean Howland and a grandson, Robby Burns III.

A...

Sep 22, 2018

William A. Kelley, Sr., 84, of Minford, Ohio, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 22, 2018.  Born on February 20, 1934 in Peniel, WV to the late Olie and Chessie Fields Kelley, where he learned the value of a hard day’s work.

On June 24, 1957, he married the love of...

Sep 8, 2018

David C. Friend, 57, of Portsmouth, died Saturday, September 8th.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville.

Sep 7, 2018

Nancy Lou Meadows, 82, of Portsmouth, died Friday, September 7, 2018, with her family by her bedside.  Born on May 5, 1936 in West Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late William and Dorothea Smith Royal and was a homemaker.

Nancy attended West High School.

Also preceding her death were her husband, Frederick Joseph...

Sep 6, 2018

Mae Douglas Lipscomb, 82, of Sciotoville, died Thursday, September 6, 2018, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Born on June 25, 1936 in Prestonsburg, KY, she was a daughter of the late John and Susan Spurlock Lipscomb and was retired as an accountant for Scioto Building Units.

Mae was also preceded in death by a sister, Margot...

Sep 1, 2018

Terry L. Cummings, 68, of Wheelersburg, died on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at Portsmouth Health and Rehab.  Born on January 18, 1950 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Lilly Flake Cummings and was a member of Bonser Run Outreach Church.

Terry was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Willard...

Aug 21, 2018

James E. Layher, 73, of Wheelersburg, died Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the SOMC Hospice Center, with his family by his bedside.  Born on April 3, 1945 in Scioto Furnace, he was a son of the late Everett and Goldie Triggs Layher and was retired from OSCO.

Jim loved sports, which included his favorite teams, the South...

Aug 15, 2018

Mable Williams, 88, of Franklin Furnace, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at the SOMC Hospice Center.  Born on October 27, 1929 in Pedro, she was a daughter of the late John and Viola Stormes Matney and was a homemaker.  Mable attended Midland City Baptist Church and was co-owner, along with her late husband,...

Aug 14, 2018

Louella K. Sexton, 64, of New Boston, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at the SOMC Hospice Center with her family by her bedside.  Born on April 11, 1954 in Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late Dean and Marcella Cooper Libby.

Lou graduated form Portsmouth High School and loved her church,...

Aug 9, 2018

Mary L. Miller, 66, of Wheelersburg, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Best Care in Wheelersburg surrounded by her family.  Born on March 28, 1952, she was a daughter of the late James and Darlene Smith Blankenbeckley and retired from Fresenius Medical Care in Portsmouth.

A 1970 graduate of East High...

Jul 16, 2018

Winona E. Bays-Blevins, 78, of New Boston, died Monday, July 16, 2018 at Concord Health & Rehabilitation Center.  Born on May 8, 1940 in Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Thressa Sykes Spry and was a homemaker.

Winona was also preceded in death by her husband, James Blevins, a brother, Paul Spry and...

Jul 15, 2018

Darrell W. Lore, 83, of Portsmouth, went to be with his Savior on Sunday, July 15, 2018, with his family by his bedside.  Born on September 2, 1934 in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Walter and Minnie Cartmill Lore and was a retired welder for Custom Steel for over 10 years.

Darrell was a...

Jun 25, 2018

Marvin L. Williams, 76, of Minford, died peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2018, at his residence.  Born on June 30, 1941, he was a son of the late Clyde and Pauline Castle Williams and attended Jackson Street Apostolic Gospel Church.  He was a 1959 graduate of Minford High School and was owner of the former Tony’s Pizza and Weather...

Jun 14, 2018

Stephen Lowell Ketter, 71, of Sciotoville, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2018, in the Southern Ohio Medical Center emergency room.  Born on April 22, 1947, he was a son of the late Aldred Lowell and Mary Jo Ketter and retired from the City of Portsmouth as a 911 dispatcher.

Steve graduated in 1966 from East High School...

Jun 14, 2018

Geraldine F. Verity, 72, of Portsmouth, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, at her daughter, Teri’s, home.  Born on October 24, 1945 in Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late Donald and Rhoda Fields Dixon, and was previously employed at Star Workshop.

Geraldine graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1963 and was the manager for over 20...