Obituaries—12/31/13

Published 10:15 am Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Harold Shafer 

Harold Leon Shafer, 76, of Ironton, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 13, 1937, in Lecta, to the late Clarence and Rachel Dillon Shafer.

He was a 1955 graduate of Ironton High School and a longtime member of Mamre Baptist Church in Kitts Hill. He was a charter member of Iron City Auto Club and Past Master of Waterloo Masonic Lodge No. 532. He was in the 202nd Kentucky National Guard band for 18 years. He was employed at Jack Wolfe Chevrolet’s garage for 20 years. Following this, he and his brother, John, owned Shafer Brothers Body Shop from 1975 to 1998. Upon retiring, he was employed by Ironton City Schools from 2001 to 2013 as a bus driver.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosemary Bowman; grandson, Rodney Lee Townsend; mother and father-in-law, Almeda and Forrest Robinson; and brother-in-law, Roger Robinson.

Leon is survived by his wife of 57 years, Selba (Robinson) Shafer; daughter, Rita (Cecil) Townsend; son, Michael (Patricia) Shafer; brother, John (Phyllis) Shafer; grandsons Jason (Lindsey) Townsend, of Fairfield, and Jeff (Courtney) Townsend; granddaughter, Summer Shafer; great-granddaughter, Layla Townsend; great-grandson, Cameron Townsend, of Fairfield; brother-in-law, Dr. Michael Bowman, of Raleigh, N.C.; sister-in-law, Doris Robinson; as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Per his request, graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Highland Memorial Gardens with pastor Ryan McKee officiating. There will be no public visitation, everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery. Phillips Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the building fund at Mamre Baptist Church, 2367 County Road 182, Kitts Hill, OH 45645. Pallbearers will be Jason Townsend, Jeff Townsend, Dave Lawless, Homer Woodburn, Wendell Shafer and Leland Shafer. To offer condolences to the family please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Clarence Sexton

Clarence Harvey Sexton II, 54, of South Point, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville. Burial will follow in the Sexton Family Cemetery in Wayne, W.Va. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Arville Kimbler

Arville “Bimbo” Kimbler Jr., 74, of Franklin Furnace, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at St. Mary’s Medical Center-Ironton Campus. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg with the Rev. Ronald Blevins officiating. Interment will be in Junior Furnace Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Margaret Tinkler

Margaret Elizabeth Tinkler, 65, of Huntington, W.Va., died Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, W.Va. There will be no services. Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Joyce Smith

Joyce Marie Smith, 70, of Huntington, W.Va., died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville with pastor Jeff Garrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Adkins Family Cemetery in Oak Hill. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

Colleen Nelson

Colleen G. Nelson, 57, of Proctorville, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. Funeral will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.