OBITS: Union County, May, 1999 ******************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons.Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. Contributed by "MDT" ******************************************************************* Copied with the permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union Co., KY, Wed. May 12, 1999, Number 19. Obits on page 2. MIRANDA CAROL THOMAS - 18, Morganfield, died at 8:40am Monday, May 10, 1999 at her residence. Miranda had suffered from leukemia. Survivors include her parents, Roger & Dava Thomas of Morganfield; grandparents, Tommy & Judy Cartwright of Morganfield, Dorothy Thomas of Morganfield; Great-Grandparents, Buster and Helen Omer of Morganfield; one brother, Mitchell Thomas at home. Services were 2pm at the First Baptist Church in Morganfield with burial in St. Ann Cemetery in Morganfield. Miranda was a student at Notre Dame University, a member of Morganfield First Baptist Church, Salutorian of Class of '98 at Union County High School. Other activities include Drill Team Captain, 4-H, Student Government, Governor's Scholar, Junior Miss, Miss River Days, Miss Trade Days & Co-Ed Y. ELIZABETH "LIBBY" WEDDING RHEA - 77 Morganfield died at 4pm Friday, May 7, 1999 at Methodist Hospital in Morganfield. She was a housewife and member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morganfield. Preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Eugene Rhea. Survived by her husband W. J. Rhea Jr. ; two daughters, Betty Curry of Clay and Lynn Gray of Morganfield; one son, Bobby J. Rhea of Salem; one sister, Ann Frields of Henderson; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at 10am Monday at Townsend Funeral Home in Dixon with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Clay. RALPH P. WILLIAMS - 79, Sturgis, died at 8:23am Friday, May 7, 1999 at Methodist Hospital in Morganfield. Mr. Williams was a WWII vet and a retired coal miner. Survived by his wife, Susan; six daughters, Sandra Brooks, Kathy Bradburn, Janie Williams, Barbara Waddell all of Sturgis, Annette Powell of Paducah and Melinda Billottee of Morganfield; one son, Danny of Sturgis; 13 grandchildren and 4 gr. grandchildren. Services were held at Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery in Sturgis. ** See news story at bottom** THOMAS A. BEABOUT - 67, Corydon, died at 1am Sun. May 9, 1999 at his residence. Mr. Beabout was a Marine Veteran and member of the Corydon, KY Civil Defense. He was also a past member of Illiana Luck Wheels of Gary, IN. He was born June 15, 1931 to Audy Pearline Meazles and Vernon Robert Beabout.. Preceded in death by his father, Vernon Beabout. Suvived by his mother, Pearline Meazles Jones of Waverly; 2 daughters, Janet Duncan of Corydon and Teresa Brunner of Robards, Ky; one son, Thomas Andrew Combs of Osage Beach, MO; two sisters, Bonnie Shockley of New Haven, MO., and Carolyn Sue O'Leary of Eureka, MO; one brother, Robert Beabout of Pacific, MO; 6 grandchildren and 3 gr. grandchildren. Services were Tuesday, May 11, 1999 at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with burial in Corydon Cemetery in Corydon, KY. ROBERT "BOB" TRUITT - 79, Sturgis, died at 8:30pm Mon. May 10, 1999 at Methodist Hospital in Morganfield. Suvived by his wife of 58 years, Amy; one daughter, Betty Sue Brinkmann; one son, Rev. Robert Davis Truitt; 4 grandchildren, 2 gr. grandchildren, Jennifer Brinkmann, Daniel Brinkmann, Beth Graham, Bradley Truitt, Rachel Graham, Jay Robert Truitt. Services were 11am Thursday at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Mr. Truitt served 12 years on the Union County Sheriff's Department and served on term as Sheriff. Mr. Truitt was Circuit Court Clerk for 6 years. He was a Sturgis City Clerk, a Car Salesman and a KY Colonel elder. Mr. Truitt was a life long member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and member of the Odd Fellow Lodge for 55 years. **From Page 1** A 79 year old Grangertown man died last Friday morning , less than an hour after his pickup truck turned into the path of a loaded coal truck on KY 109, about a quarter-mile north of the Sturgis city limits. The man was identified as Ralph Williams. Investigating officer Deputy Sheriff Mickey Arnold said that Williams had pulled onto KY 109 from a side road - KY 2917 and then was attempting to turn onto the One Eye Ridge Road when Williams turned into the path of a 1993 tractor-trialer operated by Bobby R. Ferrel of Sturgis and owned by D&D Trucking of Morganfield. Arnold noted that the One Eye Ridge Road is 75 feet south of SR 2971. Arnold said Ferrel was unable to aovid the collision or to stop before striking William's vehicle. Ferrell's truck then left the road, overturned, stricking a fence and utility pole, traveling some 201 feet from the impact. William's vehicle traveled about 150 feet from the impact point. Both vehicles were severely damaged by the collision. Arnold said William's visibility was limited or obstructed because of the sun's angle at that time of the morning. The accident occurred at 7:30am and Williams, a retired coal miner, was pronounced dead at the Methodist Hospital, Union County, at 8:23am. Details of the funeral are on page 2. RUBY L. NALLY - 76 of Uniontown died at 8:35pm Sun. May 2, 1999 at Methodist Hospital in Henderson. She was a member of Airline Baptist Church in Henderson. She retired in 1985 after 19 years with AT&T in Aurora, IL. Preceded in death by her husband Bernard R. Nally in 1978. Survived by three daughters, Shirley Wolfe of Uniontown, Vanda Griffin of Henderson, Peggy Brame of Calvert City, KY; three sons, Bernard Richard Nally Jr of Lexingston, Jerry Wayne of Sandwich, IL., and Donnie Ray of Jackson, TN; one brother, Norman Cline of Uniontown; 16 grandchildren, 16 gr. grandchildren. Services were 2pm Wed. at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with burial in St. Agnes Cemetery in Uniontown. FREDA WOLFE - 62 Morganfield, died at 3:52am Sat. May 1, 1999 at Methodist Hosptial in Henderson. She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield and was a long time employee of Wal-Mart and Rite Aid. Suvived by her husband of 45 years, Charles A.; five daughters, Becky Greenwell and Charlotte Gibson both of Morganfield, Sarah Burlison of Evansville, Paula Aud of Owensboro and Ruth Williams of Henderson; five sons, Tim of Dayton, TN., Charlie of Waverly, Leonard of Cadiz, Raymond of Evansville and Philip of Morganfield; three sisters, Betty Buckman of Buda, IL., Helen Wolfe of Waverly and Lucile Liesse of Dalzell, IL; three brothers, Tom Blandford Jr. of Wyanet, IL., David Blandford of Sterling, IL., and Larry Blandford of Buda; 40 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Services were 1pm Monday at St. Ann Catholic Church with burial in St. Ann Cemetery in Morganfield. Copied with the permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wed. May 19, 1999, Number 20, obits on page 2. WILLIAM E. HAZEL - 85 of Port Charlotte, FL, died May 9, 1999 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. Born Sept. 16, 1913 in Sturgis, KY. Mr. Hazel came to Port Charlotte five years ago from Winter Haven, FL. He was a life member of Bedford, MI. He owneed Bill Hazel's Service, Battle Creek, MI, prior to retirement. Mr. Hazel loved golf and boating. He attended First Baptist Church of Winter Haven. Survivors include his wife Anna Lorene Hazel; sons Duane of Lake Wales, FL., and Arthur of Landsdale, PA; daughter M. Daneen Beaver (Edward) of Port Charlotte; sister, Jettie Kinney of Indianapolis, IN; 11 grandchildren, 22 gr. grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Friends were invited to attend a memorial service which was held at 11am, May 12 at Villa San Souci, Port Charlotte. Arrangements were by Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Port Charlotte. GEORGIA JENNINGS HEAVRIN - 79, of Morganfield died Sat May 15,1999 at the Morganfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Morganfield, KY. Mrs. Heavrin was preced in death by her husband John Young Heavrin in 1969. Survived by one daughter, Ivana Carmon and son in law Tom Carmon of Morganfield; two brothers, Jim Jennings and Bobby Dale Jennings both of Morganfield; three grandchildren, Cathie Carmon, Johna Stadford and Vance Lynn; three gr. grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services held Monday, May 17, 1999 at Whitsell Funeral Home with burial in Odd Fellow Cemetery in Morganfield. She was a school teacher, a Ky Colonel, a Girl Scout Leader, a former member of Homemakers Club, Fair Board Member, and past PTA president. Mrs. Heavrin was born Feb. 12, 1920 to Ivan and Jewell Powell Jennings. WILLIE LUCKETT - 97, of Morganfield died Tues May 18, 1999 at the Morganfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Miss Luckett was preceded in death by four sisters, Alice Luckett, Ernestine Fenwick, Ann Deig and Grace Norton; and one brother, Hampston Luckett. Survived by one sister, Pauline Luckett of Freemont, OH; one niece, Betty Lassila of Henderson; two nephews, Bill and Jim Luckett both of Morganfield; cousins. Services were held at the St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield on Thurs. May 20 at 12pm, with burial in St. Ann Cemetery. Miss Luckett was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church. She was born Dec. 9, 1901 to Thomas Preston Luckett and Priscella Sparks Luckett. Copied with the Permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wednesday May 26, 1999, Number 21. Obits on page 2. JOSEPH S. "COTTON" THOMAS - 76, Morganfield, died Mon. May 24, 1999 at the Methodist Hospital in Henderson, KY. Survivors include his wife, Elaine; one daughter, Kathy Humphrey of Morganfield; two sons, Bill & Jerry, both of Morganfield; four sisters, Lois Funk, Jean Kinch, Catherine McCallister, all of Evansville and Marion Rudd of Morganfield; one brother, Harold Thomas of Evansville; 7 grandchildren. Services 10am, Thurs. May 27, 1999 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Uniontown, with burial in St. Ann Cemetery in Morganfield.. Mr. Thomas was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Uniontown. He was born May 16, 1923 in Union County to William Jospeh Thomas and Mary Lillian (Heavrin) Thomas. KRYSTAL DAWN LAFFOON - 8, Lexington, KY, died Thurs. May 20, 1999 at the Cincinnatti Children's Medical Center, after battling acute Lymphatic Leukemia for six years. Survived by her parents, Kenneth Dean Laffoon Jr and Kimberly Luttrell Laffoon and one brother Joshua Laffoon of Suthards. Other survivors are grandparents Kenneth Dean and Joyce Ann Laffoon of Madisonville; Jane Johnston of Madisonville, Jerry Luttrell of Morganfield; three gr. grandparents , Orene Russell of Dawson Springs, Doyne Eskridge of Evansville and Nina Dunn of Madisonville; several aunt, uncles and cousins. Services were held Sun. May 23, 1999 at 4pm at the Reid-Walters Funeral Home in Earlington, with burial in the Old Suthards Cemetery. RONNIE G. DRURY -52 of Uniontown, died Fri. May 21, 1999 at the Methodist Hospital Union County from a heart attack. He is survived by his wife Frances Viola; one daughter, Loretta Drury of Morganfield; three sons, Austin, Tony both of Morganfield, and Randy of Sturgis; one step daughter, Amanda Overfield of Uniontown; three step sons, Daniel Overfield of Ridgeway, IL., Kenneth Overfield of Uniontown and Greg Overfield of Morganfield; one sister, Bonnie Faye Brooks of Morganfield; one brother, Calvin Drury of Indianapolis, IN; 17 grandchildren. Funeral service was held Mon. May 24, 1999 at Whitsell Funeral Home with burial in St. Agnes Cemetery in Uniontown. He was born July 20, 1946 to James Austin and Mary Irene Carroll Drury. ODIS RAY MURRELL - 45, Sturgis, died 10am Wed. May 19, 1999 in Hallandale, FL. Survivors include one daughter, Tracey Murrell of Sturgis; one son, Shane Murrell of Morganfield; four sisters, Agnes Godbehere of Sturgis, Ora Porsser of Minns, FL., Sherry Woodall of Palm Bay, FL., Margaret Spurlock of Melbourne, FL; five brothers, Jamea of Morganfield, Johnny, Boyd and John W. of Sturgis, and Joe Ed of Melbourne, FL; 4 grandchildren. Graveside services were held on Tues. May 25, 1999 at the Morganfield Odd Fellow Cemetery. RITA ANN CLEMENTS - 34, Uniontown, died at 2pm Thurs. May 20, 1999 at Methodist Hospital in Union County. She is preceded in death by her father, Nicholas Clements on Nov. 14, 1998. Survivors include her mother, Betty of Uniontown; one sister, May Sue Perkins of Sturgis. Services were held Sat. May 22 at 10am at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Uniontown with burial in St. Agnes Cemetery in Uniontown. Miss Clements was a member of the St. Agnes Chatholic Church in Uniontown. SILAS M. BURNS - 65, Owensboro, died Mon. May 24, at the Owensboro Mercy Health System. Survived by his wife of 41 years, Marlene Ann; two daughtes, Karen McRoy of Madisonville and Darlene Basham of Lewisport, KY; five brothers, Roger, Tommy, William, all of Owensboro, Beverly of San Antonio, TX., and Home of Rocky Mountain, VA; two sisters, Anita Keith of Owensbor and Zella May Quinn of Sturgis. Services were held 1pm Thur. May 27, 1999 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Owensboro, with burial in Resurrection Cemetery in Owensboro. He was born in Daviess County. He retired after 43 years of employment with the Hon Company where he had been an Upholsterer. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, a member of Local 230 United Steelworkers. He was a Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. JOSEPH BRADDOCK - 80, Sturgis, died Thurs. May 20, 1999 at the Morganfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Anna Kathryn; two daughters, Mary Anna Ashby of Sturgis, and Linda Jean Johnson of Eldorado, IL; one son, Leonard Thomas "Sonny" of Poole, KY; two sistes, Juel Farmer of Madisonville, Frances Holmberg of Chicago, IL;two brothers, T. P. of Sturgis and Gordon of Henderson. Other survivors inluce six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. The funeral was held 1pm at the Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. He was a member of Old Bethel Baptist Church, a retired UMWA member. Mr. Braddock was born June 18, 1918 in Union County to Leo Braddock and Anna (Lefler) Braddock. ANNETTA WITTEN - 60, Morganfield, formerly of Madisonville, died 7:30pm Wed, May 19, 1999 at the Methodist Hospital in Henderson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd in 1986; her mother, Francis Williams in 1995; her father, David Robert Williams in 1960; a brother Thomas Williams in 1990. Survived by three daughters, Ruby Carr, Loretta Ricketson and Glennia Markham, all of Sturgis; four sons, Dennis of Sturgis, Raymond of Colorado Springs, CO., Jesse of Lancaster, OH., and Luther M of Madisonville; one step son, Wayen Witten of Milburn, OK; four sisters, Patsy Moresman of Slaughters, Frances Clayton of Madisonville, Julia Whithy of Fort Campbell and Ruth Williams of CA; five brothers, Dough Williams and Jerry, of Providence, KY., James Williams of Evansville, Robert Williams of Earlington, and Billy Joe Williams of Eddyville; 26 grandchildren and 30 plus great grandchildren. Services were held on Sat. May 22, 1999 at 5pm at the Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield with burial in the Woodland Cemetery in Union County. Copied with the Permission of The Sturgis News, Sturgis, Union County, KY, Wed. June 2, 1999, Number 22. Obits on page 2. JOHNNY BURLISON- 28 of Sturgis, died on Mon. May 31, 1999 at University of Louisville Hospital Burn Center in Louisville, KY. Survived by his wife, Susie Burlison; his mother, Terry Kirby of TN; three step daughters, Brittany Drury, Candi Drury and Randi Drury all of Sturgis; one step son, Christopher Smith of Sturgis; three sisters, Ruth Piper, April Combs both of Morganfield, and Arlene DeBose of Uniontown. Funeral Service held 1pm Thurs. June 3, 1999 at Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis with burial in Old Bethel Cemetery in Union County. JEWELL LEE - 66 of Sturgis, died of heart failure at her residence on Fri. May 28, 1999. Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by husband Henry Lee in 1982. Survived by her mother Thelma Edna Estes of Eldorado, IL,. one sister, Faye Edwards of Noblesville, IN., one brother, Bill Estes of Santa Maria, CA; eleven nieces and nephews. Funeral Services held Whitsell Funeral Home on Mon. May 31, 1999 with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. She was a member of the Jahovah's Witness Congregation. ANDREW L. (PETE) JOHNSON - 57 of Uniontown, died from leukemia on Mon. May 31,1999 at his residence. Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Johnson in 1995. Survivors include one daughter, Tammy Belt of Sturgis; one son, Scott Johnnson of Uniontown; three sisters, Ann Frost and Mary Fulkerson of Uniontown and Betty Coker of Indianapolis, IN; two brothers, Robert and Paul Johnson of Uniontown; four grandchildren. Funeral services held at Whitsell Funeral Home in Morganfield 10am on Wed. June 2, 1999 with burial in the City Cemetery in Uniontown. Mr. Johnson was retired from the US Navy. He was born April 9, 1942 to Fred and Lorene Long Johnson. LUCILLE DAY - 84, of Sturgis, died Mon. May 31, 1999 at the Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, KY. Mrs. Day was preceded in death by her husband Charles Day in 1963. Survived by three daughters, Mary Ann Well of Sturgis, Jo Day-Romero of Owensboro, Helen Day of Columbia, IL; two sons, Jerry Day of Sturgis and Bob Day of Columbia, IL; one sister, Mary (Bub) Gibson of Sturgis; one brother, Henry Huckeby of Sturgis; four grandchildren. Furneral Services were 12noon on Wed. June 2, 1999 at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church with burial in the St. Ambroce Cemetery. Mrs. Day was a lifelong member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She was born on May 30, 1915 to James and Kathryn Walbaum Huckeby. MARLIN WOODS - 89 of Morganfield, died Sat. May 29, 1999 at Ridgeway Manor Nursing Home in Ridgeway, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Oma Lee Woods in 1988. Survived by one daughter, Linda Moore of Morganfield; two sons, Gary Woods of Morganfield and Larry Woods of Uniontown; one sister, Nettie Bible of Morganfield; four grandchildren. Services were held at First Baptist Church on Mon. May 31, 1999 with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Morganfield. He was a member and former deacon of the Morganfield First Baptist Church. Mr. Woods was born November 9, 1909 to Ira and Nettie Cole Woods. WILLIAM D. CLENDENIN - 77 of Sturgis died at his residence on May 29, 1999. Preceded in death by his wife, Helen Clendenin in 1995. Survived by one daughter, JoAnn Young of Cartersville, IL; one son, Emmett Shephard of Sturgis; three sisters, Neva Hammel of Whiting, IN., Nancy Steel and Margaret Jearalds of Marion, IL; two brothers, Cecil of Lake City, FL., and Joe of Marion, IL; four grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Services were held at Whitsell Funeral Home on Tues. June 1, 1999 with burial in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Mr. Clendenin was a member of the Black Diamond CB Club, worked at the Dotiki mines for several years and served as a medical technician in the Army during WWII.