OBITS (Dec. 1997) - Union Co., KY ***************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Commercial entities must ask for and receive permission from submitter before downloading. Contributed by "MDT" ***************************************************************************** Copied with Permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, Kentucky, Wednesday, December 3, 1997, Number 49. Obits on page 2. Ronald Butler, 57, Uniontown, died Tuesday, at 12:43 am at Union County Methodist Hospital. He was a member of UMWA, and a coal miner for 30 years. Survivors include his wife, Mitzi; his mother, Lillian Butler of Uniontown; one son, Jay Butler of Uniontown; two sisters, Donna Ashby of Uniontown and Kim Searles of Huntington, IN; two brothers, Michael Butler of Bedford, IN, and Bill Butler of Uniontown, and two grandchildren. Services will be at 10am Thursday at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with Rev. Jeff McMain officiating. Burial was in City Cemetery in Uniontown. Pauline O. Bryant, 77, died Friday morning at Union County Methodist Hospital. She retired as a teacher's aide at Bancroft School. She was a member of North Side Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Lewis; two daughters, Claudette Raymer of Shawneetown, IL, and Patty McMain of Providence; two sons, Jackie of Flint, MI, and Ricky of Morganfield; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Services were at 2pm Sunday at Cox & Son Funeral Home in Shawneetown, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery in Equality, IL. Charles Hosea Michael, 69, Henderson, died at 10:04am Thursday at Community Methodist Hospital. He was a World War II veteran and a former employee of C.P. C. Construction Co. of Henderson. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Roberta Evans Michael of Sebree; three daughters, Susan Dianne Hailey of Madisonville, Carolyn Renee Tinbarge of Henderson and Lora Lynn Watson of Morganfield; four sons, Rodney Wayne Michael and Jeffery Allen, both of Henderson, Charles Dennis Michael of Robards and Timothy Dale Michael of Morganfield; four brothers, John Michael of Poplar Bluff, MO, James Michael and Manuel Michael, both of Indiana, and Sam Michael of Orlando, FL; 17 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Services were at 1:30pm Monday at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home . The Rev. Jeff Burke officiated. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, with military honors by American Legion Post No.40 of Henderson. Dester Lee Ward, 85, died Tuesday at Bon Harbor Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center. He retired from General Electric in 1972. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was a 1931 graduate of Daviess County High School, where he was president of the Drama Club. He was the author of the book, "The Spooky Hills" and a numerous poems, including "Father's Arms", which received the Golden Poet Award in 1987 from the World of Poetry's board of directors in Las Vegas. Surviving are seven daughters, Judy Hardesty , Esther Blandford, Denise Ward and Veatrice Clark, all of Owensboro, Wanda Rickard of Bremen, Millie Hines of Cincinnatim and Harriet Thomas of Louisville; five sons, Ralph of Owensboro, Donald of Elkton, Victor of Philpot, Steven of Lexington, and David Aaron of Uniontown; a brother, Norbert of Owensboro; 25 grandchildren; 5 step grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren. His wife, Catherine Shively, died in 1987, and a daughter, Norma Lee Westerfield, died in 1984. Services were at 10am Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, with burial in St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery in Whitesville. Augusta Trumbo, 93, Morganfield, died Friday at 11:40 am at St. Matthew Manor in Louisville. Mrs. Trumbo was a member of Saint Johns Episcopal Church in Morganfield. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Trumbo in 1972. Survivors include three daughters, Kay Trumbo and Shannon Britt, both of Louisville, and Joan Simpson of Jeffersonville, IN. Services were at 11am Monday at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield, with burial in Odd Fellow Cemetery in Morganfield. In liew of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Harvey Gundlach, 79, Morganfield, died Tuesday at Union County Methodist Hospital. He was retired from American National Can Company and a member of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include his wife, Colyene; two step daughters, Eva Hartely of Lodi, CA, and Sue King of Morganfield; two sons, Jerry Gundlach and Ronnie Gundlach, both of Modesto, CA; three sisters, Florence Hemple of CA., Lavren Lerison of Modesto, CA and Mary Ball of Leasonton, CA; one brother, Rev. Lester Gundlach of Phoenix, AZ; ten grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Services were at 1pm Saturday at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with Rev. Robert Phillips officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Copied with permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wednesday Dec. 10, 1997, Number 50, Obits on page 2. Sybal Trail, 93, Marion, died Sunday morning at Salem Springlake Care Center. She was a member of Barnetts Chapel Church. Surviving are five daughters, Ann Conger, Mary Travis, Pearl Watson and Elaine Noel all of Marion, and Elsie Campbell of Morganfield; two sons, Paul of Sturgis and Jimmy of Marion; 32 grandchildren; 62 great grandchildren; and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and also by a son, Learner Ray. Services were at 2pm Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home, with burial in Whites Chapel Cemetery. Sam M. Gregory, 79, Morganfield, died Sunday at 1 am at Community Methodist Hospital in Henderson. Mr. Gregory was a member of Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Sullivan where he taught Sunday School for many years. He was also the builder of Custom Feed Mill which he owned and operated for twenty seven years. Survivors include his wife, Clella Brantley Gregory; one daughter, Marka Kroeger of Henderson. Services were at 1 Tuesday at Taylor Raymond Spears Funeral Home in Lewispot, KY. Burial was Lewisport Cemetery. Mrs. Brenda Farthing, 54, Sturgis, died Thursday at 3:10am at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. Mrs. Farthing was a member of First Baptist Church in Sturgis. Survivors include her husband, Bill W. Farthing; her mother, Louise Bealmer fo Sturgis; two sons, Scott Farthing and Phillip Farthing of Sturgis; two sisters, Mildred Cunningham of Sturgis and Helen Buchanan of Sharpe, KY; three brothers, Billy D. Estes of Tempe, AZ, Eddy Estes of Gilbertsville, KY and David Estes of Sturgis; and one grandchild, Dakota Farthing of Sturgis. Services were at 2pm Sunday at Whitsell Funeral Home with Rev. John Coble officiating. Burial was in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Pauline Adams, 72, Sullivan, died at 1:30pm Monday at Union County Hospital. Mrs. Adams was a member of Lake Grove General Baptist Church in St. Charles, KY. Survivors include her husband, William Morris; one daughter, Carolyn Keithley of Columbus, OH; six sons, Terry Don of Dekoven, Odell Wayne of Dalton, KY, William Morris Jr. and Larry Leon both of Sturgis, David Ray of Wheatcroft, Shelby DeWayen of Harrisburg; 21 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Services will be at 1pm Thursday at Reid-Walter Funeral Home in Earlington with Rev. Steve DeArmond officiating. Visitation will be from 5pm to 9pm Wednesday and 9am until funeral time Thursday. James Russell Hall, 88, Clay, died Tuesday, December 2 at Regional Medical Center in Madisonville. Survivors include one brother, Gordon Hall of Union County; one niece adn two nephews. Graveside services were at 11 am Thursday at Pythian Ridge Cemetery in Sturgis. The Rev. Robert Phillips officiated. Copied with permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1997, Number 51, obits on page 2. Mrs. Gracie E. Ricketts, Sturgis, died Saturday at 9:50pm at her residence. She was a member of the Dekoven Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tom Ricketts; two sons, Wesley of Sturgis, and Tony of Henderson; four sisters, Patsy Ricketts of Morganfield, Judy Crawford of Dekoven, Sarah Courtney of Vincennes, IN., and Polly Jones of Dawson Springs, KY; seven brothers, Bobby Hedgepath of DeKoven, Doug Hedgepath of Newton Falls, OH., Mickey Hedgepath of Morganfield, Danny Hedgepath and Darrell Hedgepath both of DeKoven, Larry Hedgepath and Richie Jones, both of Sturgis; three grandchildren, Thomas, Raeley, and Kelsie. Services were at 1pm Tuesday at Whitsell Funeral Home with Bro. Pete Hedgepath officiating. Burial was Caseyville Cemetery. (Personal note here- Bro. Pete Hedgepath is the son of her brother, Bobby Hedgepath) Robert D. Hibbs, 69, Sturgis, died Saturday at 10am at his residence. He was a retired coal miner. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Sue Hibbs; two daughters, Cindy Rowley of Sturgis and Holly Hibbs of Henderson; two sons, Jack Hibbs and Zack Hibbs, both of Sturgis; six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Services were at 2:30 Monday at Whitsell Funeral Home with A. Y. Hodge Jr. officiating. Burial was in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice. Mr. Thee Bradford, 80, Sturgis, died Sunday at 6:45 pm at Union County Methodist Hospital. Mr. Bradford was a member of the Uniontown Masonic Lodge, member of the United Methodist Church, a WWII Veteran, and a loving husband and father. Survivors include his wife, Lucille; one daughter, Teddie Motter of Franklin Grove, IL., ; two sons, Bobby Joe Bradford of Rockford, IL., and Stan Bradford of Kirkland, IL.,; four sisters, Hallie Mae Bayley of Mt. Vernon, IL., Regina Halley of Mt. Morris, WI., Betty Grant of Eddyville, and Peggy Higginson of Henderson; one brother, Buck Bradford of Morganfield; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Services will be today at United Methodish Church in Sturgis with Rev. Jeff Carter officiating. Visitation will be until funeral time today. Burial will be in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Anthony's Hospice or flowers. Barbara Marie Yates, 83, Morganfield, died Thursday at 10:22 am at Medco Nursing Home in Morganfield. Mrs. Yates was of the Baptist Faith. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Newcomb, who died July 2, 1991. Survivors include one sister, Hazel Carson of Evansville; one brother, Curtis W. Gray of Eddyville; one grandchild; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were at 1pm Saturday at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with Rev. Mark Galloway officiating. Sammy West Jr. 63, died Sunday at Madisonville Regional Medical Center, of natural causes. He was a retired coal miner and a member of Second Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Nakomis; two sons, Sammy Ray and Keith Allen, both of Providence; a sister, Nancy Nesbitt of Sturgis; two brothers, Harmon Ray of Salt Lake City and Rodney of Morganfield; and two grandchildren. Services will be at 11am today at Melton Funeral Home, with burial in Lakeview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8am to service time today. Mrs. Sarah Frances Butts, 85, Sturgis, died Thursday at 12:45 am at Stonegate Nursing Home Center in Stonegate, OK. She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis E. Butts in 1965, one son, Louis Jr. in 1991 and a daughter, Mary Reed in 1990. Survivors include one daughter, Emma Moore of Piney Flats, TN; three sons, Joe Butts of Beaver Dam, KY, Jim Butts of Aurora, OK, and Jerry Butts of Eddyville; one sister, Laura Reburn of Morganfield; 12 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, nices and nephews. Services were at 1pm Monday at Whitsell Funeral Home with Rev. Don Collins officiating. Burial was in Old Bethel Cemetery. Copied with permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, Kentucky, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1997, Number 52. Obits on page 2. Thomas W. Carmon, 70, Morganfield, died Thursday at 10:45pm at the Union County Methodist Hospital. Mr. Carmon was a member of New Hope General Baptist Church and United Mine Workers of America. Survivors include one son, Thomas N. Carmon of Morganfield; one sister, Martha Farley of Henderson; two brothers, Charles Carmon of Corydon and Jerrry Carmon of Smith Mills; three grandchildren, Catherine Carmon and Johna Stanford, both of Morganfield, and Vance Lynn in the US Navy in Groton, Connecticut. Services were at 11 am Sunday at New Hope General Baptist Church with Rev. Clifton Vandiver officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellows. Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope General Baptist Church or to St. Anthony's Hospice. Dixie Dorroh, 94, Sturgis, died Dec. 17th at 6:20 am at Lake View Nursing Home in Morgantown. Survivors include one son, James Whittaker of Rocky Hill, KY; three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Services were at 2pm Friday at Whitsell Funeral Home with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Catherine " Katie" Toombs, 71, Morganfield died Friday afternoon at her son's residence in Indianapolis. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold in 1995. Mrs. Toombs was a homemaker. She graduated from St. Vincent Academy. She was a member of Grace Fellowship Church and a member of Breckinridge Golf & Country Club. Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Ipock of Uniontown; one son, Bill Toombs of Indianapolis, IN; three sisters, Frances Kavanaugh, Phyllis Bredenkamp, and Betty Ellia, all of Evansville; one half sister, Angela Clements of Evansville; two brothers, Gordon Clements and Thomas Clements, both of Morganfield; one half brother, William Clements of Louisville; seven grandchildren, Shannon Jones, Shawna, Sharise, Shay, and Shane Toombs, all of Indianapolis, and Jay and Matt Ipock of Uniontoiwn. Services were at 10am Monday at Grace Fellowship Church in Morganfield with Rev. Dwight Jackson officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellow Cemetery. Virginia Lee Peyton, 76, Madisonville, died at 1:50am Wednesday at NHC Health Care. She had attended Grapevine Holiness Church and was a housewife. Survivors include her husband, Marvin W.; one daughter, Theresa Greer of Sturgis; three sons, Jerry W. Peyton of Chattanooga, TN, Larry Peyton of Montgomery, TX., and Marvin L. Peytohn of Chandler, TX; two sisters, Georgia Mitchem of Evansville adn Louvina Larimore of Logansport, IN; one brother, David Hillyard of Henderson; eight grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Services were at 2pm Friday at Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville. The Rev. Eugene Uzzle officiated. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Anthony's Hospice, P. O. Box 573, Morganfield, KY 42437, or to Green River Hospital, P.O. Box 449, Calhoun, KY 42327. Myrtle Marie Ledbetter, 81, Henderson, died at 5:45 am Thursday at Medco of Henderson. She was a member of First Christian Church in Henderson. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Arthur E; one daughter, Shirley Robbins of Henderson; one son, Phillip Ledbetter Sr of Henderson; two sisters, Charlotte Byrd of Henshaw, KY and Mildred Corbett of Morganfield; eight grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and nieces and nephews. Services were at 10am Monday at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home. The Rev. Alan Todd officiated. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Florence MIlls, 86, Morganfield, died Sunday at 8:05pm at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville. Mrs. Mills was a member of Sturgis Baptist Church. Survivors include one daughter, Frances Kearby of French Lick, IN; two sons, Jimmy Mills and Buzzy Mills, both of Morganfield; two sisters, Jessica Hayes and Stella Duckworth, both of Morganfield; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Services are today at 10am with Rev. Herbert Williamson officiating at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Helen Sigers, 70, Wheatcroft, died Sunday at 7:05pm at her residence after an illness. Mrs. Sigers was a member of Church of God of Prophecy in Wheatcroft. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Sigers in 1985; and one brother, James Boyd and one sister, Esther Green. Survivors include four daughters, Carlene Crowley of Madisonville, Barbara Frazier, Wanda Coleman and Therasa Collins, all of Wheatcroft; three sons, William Sigers and Robert Binkley, both of Wheatcroft, and Bobby Eugene Binkley of Harrisburg, IL; three sisters, Mary Newman of Providence, Betty Wilson of Henderson and May Burton of Crittenden County, Sarah Dunn of Wheatcroft, and Margaret Foster of Wheatcroft; seven brothers, L. W. Beach and Jerry Beach, both of Providence, George Beach and Freddy Beach, both of Sullivan, Kenneth Beach, Morris Beach and Marvin Beach, all of Wheatcroft; 13 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. Services are today at 1pm at Church of God of Prophecy in Wheatcroft with Rev. A. G. Winters and Rev. Scott Hayes officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Clay. Anne Crowdus, 34, Morganfield, died at 3:45pm Monday at Union County Methodist Hospital. A member of Morganfield First Baptist Church, she did volunteer work at Sturgis Elementary School. Survivors include her husband, Steve; one son, Joe Clay Crowdus, at home; her parents, Earlene White of Morganfield and Jerry White of Grove Center, KY; grandparents, Earl and Jenny Syers of Sturgis; two sisters, June White of Alexandria, LA, and Jennifer White of Morganfield; and one brother, Edwin White of Grove Center. Other survivors include two aunts, Janice White Jones of Denver, NC, and Mary Ann Rutherford of Beckley, WVA; father in law Joe Crowdus of Morganfield and several cousins. Services will be at 1pm Saturday at Morganfield First Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 10 am to 9 pm Friday at Whitsell Funearl Home in Morganfield and until Funeral time on Saturday. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Joe Clay Crowdus Education Fund at First Kentucky Bank, St. Anthony's Hospice, or to Morganfield First Baptist Church. Copied with Permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997, number 53. Obits on page 2. Tommy R. Ricketts, 55, Sturgis, died Sunday at 9:55 am at his residence from natural causes. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gracie Ricketts, who died Dec. 13, 1997. Survivors include two sons, Wesley Ricketts of Sturgis, and Tony Ricketts of Henderson; one sister, Shelia Walker of Morganfield; three grandchildren, Raeley, Kelsie,and Thomas Ricketts. Services were at 1pm Tuesday at Whitsell Funeral Home with Bro. Pete Hedgepath officiating. Burial was in Caseyville Cemetery. (Personal note- His wife's obit appeared in the Dec. 17, 1997 issue of The Sturgis News. He was found slumped over the kitchen table. Once again , Bro. Pete Hedgepath is the son of Bobby Hedgepath, Bobby would be a brother in law to Tommy Ricketts) James H. Bondurant, 89, La Center, KY, died Thursday at 5:20am at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rachael; one son, Gene Bondurant of Sturgis; one daughter, Thelma Patterson of Greenfield, TN; three grandchildren, Blake Bondurant of Sturgis, Grenata Patterson & Phil Patterson of Greenfield, TN; and one great grandchild, Caleb Patterson of Greenfield. Services were Saturday at 2pm at Morrow Funeral Chapel of LaCenter. Burial was in Morrow Funeral Chapel. Addie Christine Gibson, 80, Morganfield, died Monday, Dec. 22nd at her home. She was a member of Bowman Chapel CME Church. Survivors include five daughters, Parthenia Lewis of Harrisburg, PA, Gloria Faye Calhoun and Vivian Tubbs, both of Morganfield, Betty L. Swanson of Indianapolis and Yvonne Rochelle Burks of Sturgis; and two sons, James P. Jr. of Harrisburg and Marvin Ray of Morgafield. Services were at 1pm Saturday at Carr's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with burial in St. Ann Church Cemetery. William Ray Jackson Sr., 57, Uniontown, died Tuesday, Dec. 23rd at his residence in Uniontown. Mr. Jackson was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Uniontown. Survivors include his wife, Paulette Jackson, three daughters, Sharon Carrier of Eldorado, IL., Linda Westerman of Uniontown, Brenda Green of Sullivan and one step daughter, Beverlee Pemberton of Uniontown; two sons, William Ray Jackson Jr. of Uniontown, and Steve Allen Jackson of Morganfield, ; two step sons, Eric Pemberton of Sturgis, and Bryon Pemberton of Uniontown; six sisters, Mary Florence Mueller of Burlington, NJ., Geraldine Tilson of Hammond, IN, Linda Hicks of Terre Haute, IN., Carolyn Buckman of Morganfield, Joyce Smith of CA., and Ann Duncan of Morganfield; six brothers, James Richard, Wayne, Wesley, Jerry, Andy and Randy Jackson, all of Uniontown; 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Services were at 10m Friday at Calvary Baptist Church in Uniontown with Bro. Jim Adams officiating. Burial was in City Cemetery in Uniontown. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice. Mary Jon Schaffter, 79, Uniontown, died Tuesday Dec. 30th at 11:20am at her residence. Mrs. Schaffter was a member of Uniontown Baptist Church, Eastern Star Lodge #274, and Rebecca Lodge #34. She is preceded in death by her husband, W. E. "Smokey' Schaffter, in Dec. 1974. Survivors include two sons, Ronnie Schaffter of Sturgis and John Wayne Clines of Orlando, FL., one sister, Ruby Lee Nally of Uniontown; one brother, Norman "Doc" Clines of Uniontown; and four grandchildren. Services are pending at Whitsell Funeral Home. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Address all mail, subscriptions, changes of address, and other correspondence to : The Sturgis News, P.O. Box 218, Sturgis, KY 42459. Subscription Rates, Union and Surrounding counties $9.54; Elsewhere in KY $13.78 ;and Out of State $16.00. Published every Wednesday. (I have no connection to them other than it's my hometown newspaper, I make nothing from them)