Obituaries—12/5/13

Published 11:30 am Thursday, December 5, 2013

Paul Destocki

Paul Edward Destocki, 71, of Ironton, peacefully passed away in his sleep on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at home. He was born in Ironton to the late Oscar A. “Pete” Destocki and Virginia Johnson Destocki on June 28, 1942.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving sister, Sonia Destocki Barron; daughter-in-law, Sherry L. (Hitchcock) Destocki, wife of Paul; brother-in-law, Richard H. Mitchell; father-in-law, Gideon E. “Slick” Hampton; mother-in-law, Leona Belcher Hampton; aunt, Marietta Alban; aunt, Betty Sabo; uncle, Albert Destocki; aunt, Gertrude Adamkowski; aunt, Katherine Destocki; aunt, Joann Howeth; aunt, Eileen Turner; and, uncle Walter “Bill” Destocki.

On Dec. 27, 1969, Paul married the love of his life, Carol Jean Hampton. This union resulted in the birth of his beloved sons, Paul E. Destocki II and Chris Hampton Destocki.

Paul attended Ironton City Schools, where he was on the scholarship teams and graduated salutatorian of the class of 1960. He received a bachelor of science in ceramic engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) where he was a member of the Keramos Honor Society.

He furthered his education by receiving a master of business administration from Ohio University at Athens where he was awarded the Beta Sigma Phi in the National Honor Society in business administration. Paul also received his Juris Doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he was awarded membership in Phi Alpha Delta, National Honor Law Society. Paul served as a Ceramic Engineer at Charles Taylor & Sons Co. of South Shore, Ky., and National Lead Co. at Fernald, Ohio. In addition thereto, Paul further worked as a C.P.A. and as a partner with his wife, Carol Jean Hampton, in the law firm of Hampton & Destocki Co. L.P.A.

Paul loved life and his friends and family. He was a member and very active in the UCT for many, many years, as well as serving as assistant scoutmaster for many years. Paul also enjoyed camping, shooting, photography, travel, motorcycles and telling jokes. Being baptized in the Christian faith, Paul was raised in the E.U.B. Church of Ironton, as well as attending Central Christian Church with his wife and sons.

In addition to his beloved wife and sons, Paul is survived by Nathaniel DeLong, of South Point; his nephews, Jeff (Mary) Barron, of Hilliard, and Rick Mitchell, of South Point; his niece, Carolyn Ann (Todd) Bradley, of Cincinnati; his sisters-in-law, Rosemary Mitchell, of South Point, and Beverly (Carl) Nance, of Ironton; close cousins, Rebecca Ratliff, of Portsmouth; Andrew (Debbie) Destocki of Lancaster; Jennifer Alban, of Cincinnati,  Elaine Alban and Annette (Larry) Massie, both of Ironton; and lifelong friend, Thomas K. “Tom” Smith of Ironton.

Visitation for family and friends shall be noon Saturday at Central Christian Church in Ironton with the funeral service by the Rev. Phil LeMaster at 2 p.m. Burial shall follow in Section 10 of Woodland Cemetery.

Per the specific instructions of Paul, the family has entrusted his care to Brown Funeral Chapel in Ironton.

Russie Coffman

Russie Coffman, 95, of Ironton, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, W.Va. The Jefferson, N.C., native was born Feb. 28, 1918, to the late James and Myrtle Coldiron Davis. Mrs. Coffman was preceded in death by her husband, Luther A. Coffman.

Mrs. Coffman attended Waterloo High School, was a member of the First Tabernacle Church in Ironton and a homemaker.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter,  Patricia G. Wade; two sons, Arthur Coffman and Don Coffman; five brothers,  Don Davis, Fred Davis, Rad Davis, Howard Davis and Joe Davis; three sisters, Lucretia Cron, Virgie Smith and Birdie Davis; a son-in-law, J.E. Brown; and a granddaughter, Jamie Brown.

She is survived by two daughters, Lillian Brown, of South Point, and Juanita (John) Paholsky, of Ironton; two daughters-in-law, Sue Coffman and Gail Coffman, both of Ironton; a son-in-law, Jack T. Wade, of Ironton; a brother, Leslie Davis, of Columbus; nine grandchildren, Debra Filkins, Susan Wade, Carolyn Coffman, Sheila Scott, Bob Paholsky, Josh Paholsky, Jim Brown, Amy Shaffer and Lucas Coffman; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and special caregiver, Angie Brewer.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Pancake and the Rev. Leon Dalton officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens and visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Anna Lee Hillman

June 7, 1920 — Dec. 4, 2013

Anna Lee Hillman, 93, of South Point, died Wednesday Dec. 4, 2013, at the Community Hospice Care Center. She was born June 7, 1920, in Beetle Ky., the daughter of the late Ed and Bertha Rice Bryant. She was the oldest living member of the Lick Creek Independent Baptist Church in South Point.

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bert A. Hillman; two sons, John Hillman and James Hillman; a daughter, Virginia Hillman; two sisters, Dorothy Leadingham and Ada Fultz; five brothers, Clifford Bryant, Albert Bryant, Clarence Bryant, Everett Bryant and Arlen Bryant. Survivors include a son William “Bill” (Shirley) Hillman, of Wylie, Texas; a daughter, Marjorie Hillman Mays, of South Point; a daughter-in-law, Sue Hillman, of South Point; special friend, Brenda Pinkerman, of Coal Grove; four grandchildren, Jason (Lisa) Mays, Tammy (Scott) Clark, Adam (Lacey) Hillman and Holly (Adam) Meek; four great-grandchildren, Kinley Clark, Liam Meek, Tanner Walz and Justin Walz.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at Miller Funeral Home by Pastor Mike Dement and Pastor Pat Burnett. Burial will follow at the Fultz Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.mfhfuneralhome.com.

Gary Byers

Gary Forest Byers, 67, of Ashland, Ky., died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at home. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday by Pastor Helen Wolfe at New Day Ministries, 615 W. 10th St., Huntington, W.Va.  Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Patrick Walker

Patrick Brady Walker, 56, of Ironton, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013. The Ironton native was born Oct. 17, 1957, the son of the late Clarence C. and Rosemary Brady Walker. He is survived by his wife Tammy Riggle Walker, whom he married June 11, 1994.

Pat was a 1977 graduate of St. Joseph High School and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a supervisor for the ExPro Specialized Services in Wurtland, Ky., and was the former owner and operator of Walker and Walker Automotive in Coryville for 25 years. He loved hunting and racing and was the crew chief for Walker Brothers Racing and an ARCA Racing Team. He was a member and board member of Moose Lodge No. 701 and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Kimberly (Vernon) Wilson and Arionna, all of Ironton; a grandson, Aiden Wilson of Ironton; three brothers, Clarence C. “CC” (Pam) Walker, of Columbus, Michael P. “Oop” (Vicki) Walker, of Ashland, Ky., and Timothy A. Walker, of Melbourne, Fla.; a nephew, Clay Walker; five nieces, Samantha and Betsy Walker, Autumn Stevens, Kalie and Melody Walker; mother-in-law, Virginia Riggle, of Ironton; father-in-law, Melvin Riggle, of South Point; three brothers-in-law, Paul (Anne) Barnett, of South Point, Dwayne Riggle and Craig Riggle, both of Ironton; and several other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m Saturday at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home with Father David Huffman officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with military graveside rites by the V.F.W. Post 8850. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.