Obituaries — 11/30/14

Published 12:15 am Sunday, November 30, 2014

Alfred Skelton

Alfred Milton Skelton, 85, longtime resident of Lawrence County, passed away Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in New Port Richey, Florida. Alfred was born May 8, 1929, in Salt Sulpher Springs, West Virginia, to John Milton Skelton and Lula Mae Steele.

Alfred was a World War II veteran, serving as an MP in the U.S. Army.

Alfred loved music. He was a member of the Skelton Trio along with his brother, Harlan, and sister, Ruth. Their backup guitarist at that time was Bobby Bare Sr., who became a well-known American country music singer.

He was an over-the-road truck driver, logging more than 4 million miles before his retirement in February 2012. He was a lifetime member of the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA).

Alfred was a 32nd degree Mason with The Grand Lodge of F.&A.M of Ohio, Lawrence Lodge No. 198, The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, Lagrange Chapter 68 and Grand Council Royal & Select Masons of Ohio and Ohio Council 92.

He was preceded in death by brothers, James K. Skelton and Howard R. Skelton; sister, Ruth A. Skelton-Pence; first wife, Emma Louise Harrison-Skelton; and son, John E. Skelton.

Alfred is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Harlan L. and Norma J. Skelton, of Ohio, Virginia M. Skelton, of Missouri, and John L. and Blanche Skelton, of Georgia; second wife, Barbara J. Burgher-Skelton, of Ohio; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeff H. and Sandy K. (Skelton) Livingston, of Florida, Micah and Michelle L. (Skelton) Stiles, of Ohio; sons and daughters-in-law, James A. (Jim) Skelton, of Florida, Orville R. (Bud) and Ann (Milly) Skelton, of Arizona, Randall D. (Randy) and Teena M. Skelton, of Ohio, and Kevin L. and Elizabeth R. Skelton, of Missouri; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Memorial Funeral Home in Florida with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be 2 p.m. at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Memorial Funeral Home, 16931 U.S. Highway 19 Hudson, Florida. Online condolences can be made at www.gracememorialhudson.com.

Jonbil Burcham

Jonbil Burcham, 84, died at Community Hospice Care Center surrounded by his family in Ashland, Kentucky, at 3:49 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. He was born at his childhood home in Ironton on Sept. 30, 1930, to Coleman and Jesse Varnum Burcham. He was a proud graduate of Ironton High School Class of 1950.

Jonbil served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. On Aug. 24, 1970, he married his wife Maxine Newman Burcham. He lived in many places during his lifetime spanning the United States from California to Ohio, making his final home in Haverhill. He retired from Aristech Chemical in 1996 after 26 years of service. Jonbil attended Midland City Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Maxine Newman Burcham; three daughters and three sons-in-law Kim and Leo Johnson, of Ironton, Jonda and Anthony McDonald, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, and Jill and Steve Wymer of Haverhill. He is also survived by five much loved grandchildren, Lane and Carter Johnson and Benjamin, Faith and Sophie McDonald; and one sister-in-law, Ruth Burcham of Ironton; and many special nieces and nephews. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Coleman and Jesse Varnum Burcham; brothers Noel, Victor, Vincent and Andrew Burcham; and sisters, Marjorie Little, Eleanor Mays and Georgia Smith.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Jonbil’s at-home caregivers who provided much comfort and help to not only him but also to his family. And a special thank you to the warm-hearted employees at Community Hospice of Ashland, Kentucky. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until funeral service at noon on Monday at O’Keefe Baker Funeral Home. Burial will be in Haverhill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send a donation to the charity of your choice.

Raymond Dillon

Raymond Earl Dillon, 66, of Proctorville, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville.

Charles Matasich

Charles Matasich, 72, of Proctorville, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, at home. He is survived by his wife, Pat Matasich. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville.

Jimmy Swann

Jimmy Swann, 51, of Patriot, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 at home. Funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville by pastor Meredith Turley. Burial will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery, Willow Wood. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Monday. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Thomas Williams

Thomas Dale Williams, 64, of South Point, formerly of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, in the Hospice House of Huntington. He was born in Louisa, Kentucky, on Dec. 30, 1949, a son of Edna Spears Williams and the late George Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Tommie Sue Templeton; daughters, Jill Castle and her husband, Jeff, of Hendersonville, Tennessee and Paige Williams, of Brentwood, Tennessee; son, Benjamin Williams and his wife, Mandy, of Las Vegas, Nevada; stepdaughters, Michalle Oldaker and her husband, Charles, and Susan Arthur; stepson, TR Hannan; granddaughter, Emory Castle; stepgrandchildren, Ryan Ashworth, Blake Ashworth, Jordan Storms, Austin Oldaker, Tristin Oldaker, and Braxton Oldaker; sisters, Rita Adkins and Teresa Damron, of Huntington; brother, Dr. Ted Williams and his wife, Kim, of Richmond, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

Tom was a 1968 graduate of Barboursville High School and a 1971 graduate of Marshall University with a degree in accounting. He was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army completing Airborne, Ranger, and Helicopter flight schools. After being honorably discharged as a captain from the U.S. Army, Tom began his career with the U.S. Treasury Department. He transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation where Tom retired as a supervisory special agent from the Kansas City Central Agency.

After retirement, he was recruited to serve as a special investigator for the Office of the Attorney General of Kansas. In addition, Tom was an Eagle Scout, a member of Crossroads Christian Church in Lexington, and an avid Bible scholar. Tom enjoyed reading, riding his Harley, and spending time outdoors. He was a kind, humorous, and faithful servant of his Lord who loved and cared deeply for his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

In celebration of his life, Lynn Buckles, pastor of Crossroads Christian Church, and Trent Eastman, pastor of New Baptist Church, will conduct a service at 3 p.m. today, at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. Burial will follow in Getaway Cemetery, Getaway. Proctorville VFW Post 6878 will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. today prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Castle, T.R. Hannan, Ryan Ashworth, Blake Ashworth, Edward King, Charles Oldaker, Austin Oldaker, and Jeremy Clay. Honorary pallbearer is Ted Williams. Memorial contributions to New Baptist Church, 610 28th St., Huntington, WV, 25702, or Gideon Bibles to the Gideon International, P.O. Box 687, Proctorville, OH, 45669, are suggested. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Phyllis Wise

A much loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Phyllis Jean Carpenter Wise, 72, of Ironton, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland. She had been courageously battling leukemia since July of 2014. The Lawrence County native was born June 28, 1942, a daughter of the late John P. and Marietta Eastham Carpenter.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Wayne William Wise, of Ironton, who loved her dearly and stood by her side throughout her battle. Mrs. Wise was a graduate of Ironton High School and the Lawrence County Vocational School. She was a nurse for the River Valley Health System and Bryant Health Care Center and a member of the Rock Camp United Methodist Church. She strongly believed in the principle of God first and displayed unconditional love to her family and friends. The presence of this strong and loving role model will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William F. Carpenter; and a sister, Connie Sue Moore. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Paul Edward McMackin and David Wayne Wise, and Donald Lee Russell, all of Coal Grove; a daughter, Sondra Denise Paulus of Coal Grove; two daughters-in-law, Donita McMackin, of Coal Grove, and Christine Wise, of Proctorville; nine grandchildren, Justin Paulus, of Atlanta, Georgia, Kelli McMackin, Kasey Bocook, Sean Paulus, Dagon Wise and Luke Paulus, all of Coal Grove, Dawn and Sara Miller, of Proctorville, and Stephanie and Samantha Russell, both of Louisville, Kentucky; three nephews, John Carpenter, Steve Moore and Shane Moore; and three nieces, Tonya Moore Waller, Cathy Moore and Terri Carpenter Volger.

Funeral service will be at 12 p.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral Home with pastor Brad Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens and visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Fred Jones

Fred D. Jones, 87, of Ironton, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home with minister Willy Purdie officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 8850. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Allison Eastham

Allison Nicole Eastham, 15, of Ironton, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home.

Lillian Shuff

Lillian Shuff, 83, of Pedro, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at home. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home.

Birdie Brumfield

Birdie Faye Howard Brumfield, 93, of Crown City, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at home. Funeral service will be conducted at 9 a.m. Monday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville with minister Brad Poe. Burial will follow in Crown City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Nancy Adkins

Nancy Susan Adkins, 59, of Lavalette, West Virginia, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington. She is survived by her husband, Randall Adkins. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville by pastor Don Irby. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Rita Bowen

Rita Lou Bowen, 74, of Chesapeake, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville by pastor Jeff Black. Burial will follow in Rome Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.