Ronald Hammond

Aug. 8, 1942 — Feb. 19, 2018

Ronald Bruce Hammond, 75, of Menifee, California, passed away Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at Kindred Health Care in El Cajon, California. The Ironton native was born Aug. 8, 1942, the son of the late Ralph “June” and Marcella Hammond. Ron is survived by his wife, Gayla, his high school “sweetheart,” also an Ironton native.
Mr. Hammond was a 1960 graduate of Ironton High School and attended Florida State University, later graduating from Marshall University in 1965, majoring in psychology and speech communications. Ron was an outstanding athlete, garnering scholarships for football. Ron began his business career as a sales manager with Leader Tire and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and later excelled in leadership as sales and marketing manager for Ashland Oil Corporation, from which he retired in California. Ron was a hero to his siblings, wife, children and grandchildren.
He is also survived by sister, Gloria Matney, of Ironton; brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Patty Hammond, of Flagler Beach, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Victoria Hammond, of Hilliard; son and daughter-in-law, J.C. and Holly Hammond, of Monroe, Louisiana; son, Brent Hammond, of Walpole, New Hampshire; daughter-in-law, Candace Hammond, of Plaistow, New Hampshire; son, Todd Hammond, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; daughter and son-in-law, Krissy and Chris Scollin, of Raymond, New Hampshire; stepson, James Meyer, of Dresden; and stepdaughter, Shelley Devries Gerber, of San Diego, California.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Jake, Jack, Blake, Dani, Brianna, Emma, Liam, Alyssa, Paige, Taylor, Nevada and Jonathan; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Per Ron’s wishes, there will be no formal, public funeral services. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in Ron’s name to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923. www.scleroderma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=donate_home#.Wo7dgGaZNE4

Bette Fisher

Feb. 16, 1945 — Feb. 8, 2018

Betty Lou (Hinman) Fisher, 72, of Kitts Hill, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, at Florida Hospital in Sebring, Florida, surrounded by her husband and children.
Bette was born Feb. 16, 1945, in Muscatine, Iowa, a daughter of the late Lyle Sr. and Vera Hinman. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Fred C. Fisher, whom she married Aug. 21, 1965.
Bette attended the University of Iowa, where she became a certified X-ray technician in 1965. After having her third child, she chose to be a stay-at-home mom until she returned to college in 1984 to pursue a teaching degree at Ohio University.
With her love of learning, she went on to get a Master’s degree at Marshall University. Her first teaching job was at St. Joe, and then she moved on to teach at Rock Hill High School and Ohio University.
She was also a talented crafter. In the late 70s, she learned chair caning from a museum in Cincinnati and used that knowledge to start her own business.
She also loved sewing, needlepoint, crochet, making dolls and teddy bears, weaving baskets, and most recently, woodcarving. She was a member of the Lake Placid Art League.
She loved books and was an avid reader, instilling that love in her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Ironton.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, Lisa (Rich) Saxby, of Ironton, Kathy (David) Asbery, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and Derick (Johnna) Fisher, of Forestdale; nine grandchildren, Emma Saxby, Megan Saxby, Jacob Saxby, Kadin Asbery, Cullen Asbery, Liam Asbery, Elliana Asbery, Derika Fisher and Derington Fisher.
A celebration of life will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 16 at the First Presbyterian Church of Ironton. Please come and share your stories.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bette’s name to either www.copdfoundation.org or the First Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Fifth St., Ironton, OH 45638.

William Newton

July 18, 1946 — March 1, 2018

William “Bill” E. Newton, 71, of Coal Grove, formerly of Washington Court House, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at 8:26 a.m. at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky. He was born on July 18, 1946, in Franklin County to Ivan and Natalie Breece Newton. He was a 1964 graduate of Miami Trace High School. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and had worked as a radio tech during his tour in Italy.
After returning to the states, he worked at The Pentagon in Washington D.C. for a short time. Bill had also been employed at Crestar Foods in Washington Court House. He enjoyed collecting angels and playing video games.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Anita (Andy) Groves; and brothers, Wallace and Chuck Newton.
Survivors include his stepchildren, John Davis, Becky Horn, Dawn Davis and Fred Davis; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra (Dick) McKinney; sister-in-law, Lois Newton; and his special friend and caregiver, Brenda Kelly. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Summers Funeral Home with Danny Dodds officiating. Burial will follow at the Washington Cemetery. Friends may visit from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Angels Awaiting Maternity Home, 782 Xenia Ave., Wilmington, OH 45177. Online condolences may be sent to www.summersfuneralhome.com.

Rose Bever

June 12, 1934 — March 3, 2018

Rose M. Bever, 83, of Lancaster, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Grant Hospital in Columbus. She was born June 12, 1934, in New Lexington, daughter of the late Francis and Loretta (Hammond) Metzger. She was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church and she especially loved quilting.
She is survived by her husband of 64 and a half years, Donald J. Bever; children, Daniel J. (Donna) Bever, of Londonberry, New Hampshire, Dennis J. (Sue Wilkins) Bever, of Reynoldsburg, and David J. (Kimberly) Bever, of Lancaster; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers, James (Vardell) Metzger, of Columbus, and Francis Metzger, of New Lexington.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold Metzger; sisters, Madeline Strohl, Elizabeth “Betty” Skillman, Veronica “Bonnie” Emmert, and Clara Studer; and two infant brothers.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mark Catholic Church, Lancaster, with Fr. Peter Gideon celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Somerset. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Sheridan Funeral Home, Lancaster, where a vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The family requests memorial contributions to St. Mark Catholic Church, 324 Gay St., Lancaster, OH 43130, or the Navy SEAL Foundation1619 D St., Virginia Beach, VA 23459.
To send an online condolence and sign the guestbook, please visit www.sheridanfuneralhome.net and click obituaries.

Ronald Deal

Ronald Allen Deal, 68, of Huntington, West Virginia, died Friday, March 2, 2018, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, Huntington, West Virginia. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville. Burial will follow in Miller Memorial Gardens, Miller. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

Peggy Perkins

Peggy Ann Perkins, 86, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, died Saturday, March 3, 2018, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Kentucky. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bailey Family Funeral Home, Flatwoods, Kentucky, with pastor Johnsey Collins officiating. Burial will follow at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens, Flatwoods, Kentucky. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.

 

Clarabelle Frische

June 12, 1935 — March 3, 2018

Clarabelle Frische, 82, of Coal Grove, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 3, 2018. She was born in Lawrence County on June 12, 1935, the daughter of the late William D. and Clarice Rosebrough Jenkins. She was a 1953 graduate of Dawson-Bryant High School. She was a faithful member of Zoar Baptist Church in Coal Grove, where she was a member of the Zoar Senior Saints, participated in the Zoar Ladies Loving Hands group, and enjoyed riding the church van.
Clarabelle was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Loyal Frederick Frische; sisters, Edna”Louise” Steed, Shelbia Jean Jenkins and Cleo Harmon; and brothers, Glendon Jenkins and Billy Grey Jenkins.
She is survived by one daughter, Rhonda (Jerry) Dillon, of Coal Grove; and one son, Fred (Miranda) Frische, of Sevierville, Tennessee. Other survivors include her five grandsons, Jeremy Dillon, Kyle Frische, Josh Dillon, Brett (Stasha) Frische and Daniel Frische; two great-grandsons, Bryson Frische and Carson Frische; sisters, Kathleen Harmon and Judy (Don) Harmon; brother, Wendall (Nancy) Jenkins; and many beloved nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Clarabelle’s honor to the Community Hospice Care Center, Ashland, Kentucky. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Zoar Baptist Church, Coal Grove, with pastors Jim Beals and Jeremy Dillon officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton. O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home, Ironton, is handling the services.