Obituaries — 11/28/11

Published 9:29 am Monday, November 28, 2011

Franklin Wheeler

Franklin B. Wheeler, 81, of Ironton passed away Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Amelia. The Ironton native was born March 9, 1930, the son of the late Halsey B. and Mable Kouns Wheeler. He was the widower of Anna Louise Cook Wheeler.

Franklin was a 1948 graduate of Ironton High School and was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was an electrician for the Allied Chemical Tar Plant and retired after 32 years of service.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anna Adair and Jim Southworth of Amelia; grandson, John Southworth of Amelia; and granddaughter, Michelle Southworth of Amelia.

A private graveside service will be at Woodland Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Robert Heighton

Robert “Rob” Douglas Heighton, 57, of Ironton, died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at his residence. The Dearborn, Mich., native was born Nov. 8, 1954, the son of the late Clifford Heighton and Frances Depriest Heighton of Nashville Tenn. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Jackie Weese Heighton.

Rob attended Ironton City Schools and was a U.S. Army Vietnam era veteran. He was a former Crane Operator for Elam’s Coal Dock and McGinnis Coal and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his father he was preceded in death by brother, Rick Heighton; brother, Carl Heighton; and mother-in-law, Bernice Weese.

In addition to his wife and mother Rob is survived by his daughter, Nicole Heighton of South Point; brother and sister-in-law, Clifford “Skip” and Debbie Heighton of Raceland, Ky.; brother and sister-in-law, Pete and Dena Heighton of Ann Arbor, Mich.; sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Steve Brislin of Ashland, Ky.; and brother, Ron Heighton of Nashville.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Military graveside rites will be by VFW Post 8850. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

David Harris

PROCTORVILLE — David Kent Harris, 65, of Proctorville, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was the husband of Linda Taylor Harris, who survives. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hall Funeral Home by Paul Drake, minister. Burial will be in Miller Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Gary Edward Short, Sr.

SOUTH SHORE, Ky. — Gary Edward Short, Sr., 73, of South Shore, formerly of Flatwoods, Ky. died at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011. He was the husband of Phyllis Jean Keeton-Shore, who survives. Funeral services will be held at Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Chaplain Randy Tate officiating. Burial will follow at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-9 p.m.

Thomas Lester

Thomas E. Lester, 74, of Ironton, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington, W.Va. He was the husband of Connie Lester, who survives. There will be a private graveside service at Rome Cemetery. Visitation is noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hall Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.