J.B. Collier

James B. Collier, Jr., 68, of Pedro, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2013, at his residence. The Burlington, Iowa, native was born March 21, 1945, the son of the late James B. Collier, Sr. and Bette Fawcett Collier.

J.B. was a lifelong resident of Lawrence County, graduating from Ironton High School in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio University in 1967 and graduated from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1970 with a Juris Doctorate. He returned to Ironton to practice law with his father and grandfather in the family business, the law offices of Collier & Collier. He was elected and served as the Lawrence County Prosecutor from November 1992 until his retirement in December of 2012. In his spare time, J.B. was an accomplished bass player, Cleveland Browns fan, Harley Davidson enthusiast and member of the Flying A**holes Motorcycle Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Catherine M. Collier of Hilliard, and Amanda Collier of Fairhope, Ala.; one son, James B. Collier III of Hilliard; and one sister, Gretchen Randall of Charlotte, N.C.; one rooster, Fast Eddie; and his beloved Boxer, Keesha Lee.

In keeping with his wishes there will be no public visitation or funeral services. Memorial donations in J.B.’s honor may be made to the Lawrence County Humane Society, P.O. Box 412, Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to his family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Robert Layberger

Robert Dale Layberger, 78, died June 1, 2013, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. He was born March 25, 1935, in Wheelersburg, to the late Grover Layberger and Minnie Hughes Sharp Layberger.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Rase. Also surviving are one son, Henry Rase; one daughter, Bonnie Rase; and a niece whom he raised, Cindy Layberger.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery. Friends may call at the Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg, Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.

 

 

Kathy Akers

Kathy Akers, 59, of South Point, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013, at the St. Mary’s Medical Center-Ironton Campus. The Lawrence County native was born July 7, 1953, the daughter of the late Edwin and Nannabelle Phillips Adkins.

Kathy was a 1971 graduate of Rock Hill High School and was a former deli worker for Foodfair. She attended the First Church of God in South Point.

She is survived by two sons, David Morris and Randall Akers, both of South Point; two brothers, Mike and Brenda Adkins of Pedro and Steve Adkins of Wheeling, W.Va.; and a sister, Annette and Brent Sharp of Pedro.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Slabfork Cemetery and visitation will be Wednesday from noon until the time of the service. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Kenneth Hampton

Kenneth Hampton, 46, of Hanging Rock, died Thursday May 30, 2013, at a Cleveland hospital.

There will be private funeral services. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Chapel.