Obituaries

Thomas Leonard Slager, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Tom was born August 6, 1939, in Bloomingburg, Ohio, to Leonard Clarence and Eunice Carolyn Thomas Slager.  He was a 1957 graduate of Bloomingburg High School and was a lifelong resident of Fayette County.

After working on his family farm as a youngster and graduating from high school, where he was editor of the yearbook and manager of the basketball team, he delivered milk for Sagers Dairy on his bike, later delivering 7-Up and serving as a volunteer firefighter in Washington Court House. He then became an entrepreneur and started Tom’s Carpet Service in the 1960s, serving Fayette County and the surrounding region, offering installation and cleaning services for 30 years. Upon retirement, he joined the Washington City school system as the custodian of Sunnyside Kindergarten and retired again in 2008, after 15 years of service. A man who could not sit still, he later worked for two local companies making deliveries in Ohio and the surrounding states.

He was a member of the WCH Grace Methodist Church, Fayette Lodge #107 F.&A.M.; a 65-year member of the Valley of Columbus Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Masons; Aladdin Temple Shrine in Columbus; the Washington Shrine Club and Fayette Aerie #423 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  He served in the Ohio National Guard; was a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion; O.E. Hardway Post #3762 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Fayette County Honor Guard. During his lifetime, he was a fantastic dancer, water skier, roller skater, bowler, animal lover, card player, traveler, Reds baseball fan, camper, boater, and fisherman. He made higher education a priority for his family, proudly supporting his children and grandchildren as they earned college degrees from Otterbein University, Denison University, Adrian College, Capital University, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He took great pride in their accomplishments and enjoyed family holidays, birthdays, and life’s many milestones. He also cared for those less fortunate in a quiet manner, offering shelter and a hand up when someone was in need in the community.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1988, his mother in 2008, and the mother of his children, Lucinda Sue (Cinda) Schlichter Slager, in 2017; as well as his companion Phyllis Newlan, in 2022.

Tom is survived by two daughters, Jennifer J. Pearce and her husband, Bill, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Dr. Amanda M. Pickerill and her husband, Craig, of Clintonville, Ohio.; five grandchildren, Meghan (Will) Lull of Arlington, Virginia, Morgan (Levi) Pearce of Bristol, Tennessee; Maria Pickerill of Columbus, Gabriel Pickerill of Columbus (currently living in China) and  Toby Pickerill of Clintonville; and close family, Anne and Steve Schlichter of Grandview, Ohio.

A Masonic service will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.  Burial, with complete military honors, will follow in Bloomingburg Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, Tom requested that memorial contributions be made to Shriners Children’s Ohio Hospital, c/o the Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, OH 43160

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Patsy Jean Ann Stevens, 91, of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Friday, February 27, 2026, at 12:58 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House where she had been residing since December 17, 2025.

Patsy was born February 15, 1935, in Alger in Hardin County, Ohio to Ervil Lambert and Rosa Bell Williams Orders and was a 1953 graduate of Alger High School.  She moved to this community in 1973, from Kenton, Ohio.

She formerly assisted her husband with the operation of Clark’s Cardinal grocery store.  She also had worked at Patton’s Bookstore and had been a study hall monitor at Washington Middle School.

Patsy was a member of WCH Grace Methodist Church and the ladies circle at the church.  She had formerly been a member of the Jaycettes in Marion, Ohio, and the Washington Lioness Club.  She had a love of sewing and had been a member of the Court House Quilters and was a longtime volunteer with the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ervil J. Orders and three sisters, Alice Hamilton, Esther Mae Clark and Sarah Orders.

She is survived by her husband, Dale Roger Stevens whom she married June 3, 1956; two children, Mike Stevens and his wife, Kim, and Susan Smith and her husband, Kelly, all of Washington Court House; five grandchildren, Amanda Smith, Jennifer (Alex) Castilon, Nicholas (Chelsea) Smith, Rebecca (Tom) Butcher and Phillip Stevens and eight great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 12 Noon at the WCH Grace Methodist Church with the Rev. Matt Brookes, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in Good Hope Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Dixie Lee Hott, 76, of New Holland, Ohio, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 20, 2026, at her home.

Dixie was born December 26, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio to Derwin and Esther Poff Zellers.  She moved to New Holland in 1962, from Fairfield County, Ohio, was a 1967 graduate of Miami Trace High School and attended Cleveland State University.

She had formerly worked in the banking industry with National City Bank.  She had been a buyer for Soldan’s Clothing Store.  She had also worked at Calmar and Steelox and as an aide at Court House Manor Nursing Home.

Dixie was a member of the New Holland Methodist Church.  She enjoyed crafting and selling her crafts at various craft shows.

Dixie was preceded in death by her father in 1993; her mother in 2023, and two sisters, Linda Waller in 2011, and Rita Squires in 2022.

Dixie is survived by three children, Eric C. (Leah Marcus) Hott of Washington Court House, Ria L. (Marc) Grubb of New Martinsburg and Mallorie B. (Justin Hupp) Hott of Westerville; six grandchildren, Caden Hott, Casey Hott, Kyler (Cheyenne) May, Kendal (Austin) Dennis, Konner May and Tatum Hupp; four great grandchildren, Walker and Avery May and Lilah and Crew Dennis; the father of her children, Larry M. Hott and his wife, Krista, of New Holland; two sisters, Diana Kirkpatrick and her husband, Roger, and Terri Kirkpatrick and her husband, Bruce, all of Washington Court House; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation will be observed and there will be no visitation or service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Lisa K. Johnson, 63, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, February 20, 2026, at her residence.

Lisa was born on January 11, 1963, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Dola “Lee” and Betty Ellen Ford LeMaster.  She was a graduate of Washington High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

Lisa was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Mark Johnson on February 12, 2025; by her father in 2010, and her mother in 2016.

Lisa K. LeMaster is survived by two sons, Heath (Sarah Bailey) Johnson and Ethan (Kaitlyn) Johnson, all of Leesburg; two grandchildren, Makenna and Jack Johnson; two brothers, Steve LeMaster and his wife, Deborah, of Washington Court House and Randy LeMaster and his wife, Kandy, of South Caroline and a sister, Candy Leeth and her husband, Rick, of Washington Court House.

To honor her wishes, cremation will be observed. No visitation or memorial is being planned at this time.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome

Daniel Alexander Isham, 79, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 6:44 a.m. at the Hopewell House Hospice at the Chillicothe Veterans Administration Medical Center where he had been residing the past seven years.

Dan was born October 24, 1946, in Lebanon, KY to Albert Lincoln and Anna Margaret Distler Isham and moved here from Waverly, OH in 1958.  He was a 1964 graduate of Washington High School where he excelled in football.  He attended The Ohio State University and Ohio University.

He served with distinction in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1967-1978, and was the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal.  He was a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA and was a Chinese linguist, cryptologist and interpreter for the Navy and the National Security Administration.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he was a district manager and responsible for opening numerous restaurants for Rax Restaurants for ten years, and then for Cracker Barrell restaurants for 25 years.  He retired in 2012.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Washington Court House.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Albert “Al,” and George Allen Isham and three sisters-in-law, Karen Isham, Lynne Callender and Kandy Callender.

He is survived by his wife, the former Nancy Lee Callender whom he married August 28, 1966; two children, Thomas Allen Isham and his wife, Kimberly, of Converse, IN and Amy L. Isham of Washington Court House; three grandchildren, Selena Isham, Jessyca Smith and her husband, Wes, and Christian Isham; three great granddaughters, Caroline Isham, Violet Smith and Madlyn Isham; a brother, Edward R. Isham of Dayton, OH; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Ronald Carpenter of Amanda, OH; two brothers-in-law, Donald Callender of Washington Court House and Charles Callender of Chillicothe and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 12 Noon at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.  The visitation will conclude at 12 Noon with complete military honors then being afforded by the Fayette County Honor Guard.

A private burial of the cremains will take place in Washington Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or online at lbda.org.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Debra May Riley, 72, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, February 6, 2026, at her home.

Debra was born March 11, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio to John and Dorothy Shoemaker Smith.  She moved to Washington Court House soon after her graduation from Brookhaven High School in Columbus.

She worked at MacTools, Inc. for 23 years and then for several years at Bundy Corporation.

Debra enjoyed working crossword puzzles and watching television, especially reality shows.

She is survived by her husband, Denny Lee Riley whom she married September 30, 1977; three children, Frank R. (Shannon Adams) McClain, III of Jeffersonville, OH, Eric E. (Sarah Adams) of Wilmington, OH and Melissa R. Riley of Washington Court House, four grandchildren, Destiny McClain, Ethan Riley, Lucas Adams and Devon Riley; a great granddaughter, Briella Burns and a brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Mary Smith of Delaware.

Cremation will take place and there will be no visitation or service.

Arrangements were completed by the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Robert Eldon “Golly” Rutherford, Jr., 57, of New Holland, Ohio died Sunday, February 1, 2026, at his home.

Golly was born August 24, 1968, in Circleville, Ohio to Robert Eldon and Delorise E. Puckett Rutherford.  He was a 1987 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of New Holland.

He was a 37-year employee of Intelligrated Machinery & Tools in London, Ohio.

Golly enjoyed collecting Jeff Gordon NASCAR memorabilia.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Golly is survived by two sisters, Diane Rutherford and her boyfriend, Terry Carl, of Washington Court House and Carolyn Rayburn and her husband, D.J., of Washington Court House; eight nieces and nephews, Danielle Rhoads, Christopher Taylor, Jr. and his fiancé, Amy Joseph, Robert Kaelbli and his wife Heather, Troy Shiltz and his fiancé, Cassie Oliver, Natosha, Donnie and Dustin Rayburn and Sophia Rutherford; several great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; special friends, Amber and Floyd Detty and family and his canine companion, Fitzy II.

Cremation will take place and there will be no visitation or service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Pamela Kay Heath, 77, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 8:08 p.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where she had been a patient since January 23.

Pam was born November 11, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio to Robert and Dorotha Knick Linder.  She was a 1967 graduate of Washington High School.  She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Wright State University.  She was a lifelong resident of this community.

She began her 35-year teaching career with the London City Schools before becoming an elementary school teacher for the Washington City Schools.  She was the director for gifted education within the Miami Trace Local School District and retired as Director of Curriculum for Washington City Schools in 2007.

Pam was a member of WCH Grace Methodist Church.  She had a deep and compassionate concern from the homeless.  She volunteered at The Well and local food pantries and was a leader of the parental support group for AL-ANON.

On November 16, 1969, she married Stephen Ray Heath.  He preceded her in death on July 6, 2007.  She was also preceded by her parents; a brother-in-law, Robert Heath and sisters-in-law, Melanie Ashton and Sharon Heath.

Pam is survived by three children, Dr. Stephanie McDonald and her husband, Troy, Tom Heath and his wife, Holly, and Rob Heath, all of Washington Court House, six grandchildren, Skyler McDonald, Shaylee McDonald, Dylan Moore and his wife, Emmalee, Arianna Peifer and her husband, Wyatt, Christian Heath and his wife, Kiera, and Bryson Heath; a great grandson, Knox Moore; a brother and sister-in-law, Monty and Laura Linder of Washington Court House; brothers-in-law, Edward Heath and his wife, Cheryl, of Knoxville, TN, James Heath of Washington Court House and John Ashton of Chillicothe; several nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special cousin, Vicki (Jim) Cassidy who was like a sister to Pam.

The funeral will be Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. at WCH Grace Methodist Church with Matt Brookes, pastor at the church officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

A meal will be held following the service at the Crown Room in Washington Court House, graciously hosted by close friends Kelly and Brian Pettit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brick House Homeless Shelter, c/o Community Action, 1400 U.S. Route 22-SW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Kenneth Walter “Kenny” Everhart, 78, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 1:32 a.m. at Danbury of Columbus where he had been a patient since January 22.

Kenny was born February 9, 1947, at Jeffersonville in Fayette County, Ohio to Donald Enoch and Dorothy Jane Cox Everhart.  He was a 1965 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

Before his retirement from Kenworth Truck in Chillicothe, he had been employed at Morris Bean for 32 years.

He had served in the Ohio National Guard; enjoyed woodworking, watching OSU games and traveling, especially to Myrtle Beach and Tennessee.  During the last two years, he especially enjoyed going to the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Branson, MO; seeing the Red Rock in Arizona and watching Brock cross the finish line at the Cocodona 250 in Arizona.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Donald, Harold, Robert and Frank Everhart and John McCoy and three sisters, Martha Dresback, Lenna Moore and Juanita Phillips.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sandra Jane “Sandy” Merritt, whom he married September 1, 1977; a daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Mike Daugherty of Washington Court House; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Audra Everhart of Washington Court House and Brock and Sarah Everhart, of Canal Winchester; five grandchildren, Meredith (Thomas) Lewis, Amanda (Trevor) Dean, Luke Everhart, Justin Everhart and Bailey Everhart; five great grandchildren, Zach and Breanna Lewis and Bryson, Greyson and Lainey Dean; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Barb Everhart; a sister, Judy Thompson; brother-in-law, Steve Merritt and his wife, Teresa, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with John Pfeifer, minister at the Gathering Place and Adam Lynch, minister at Crossroads Christian Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Highlawn Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 11 a.m. until time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Corso Care Hospice, 8230 Pittsburgh Avenue-NW, North Canton, Ohio  44720.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Clark Ray Redding, 75, of Atlanta, Ohio died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10:08 a.m.  shortly after arrival at Adena Fayette Medical Center.  He had been in failing health, but his death was unexpected.

Clark was born May 13, 1950, in Fayette County, Ohio, Ohio to Floyd Woodrow and Betty Mae Boyd Redding.  He attended Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of the New Holland and Atlanta communities.

He was a flea market vendor and assisted with auctions.  He formerly had been a detailer for Carroll Hallidan, Inc.

Clark enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tracy Redding on September 22, 2022; his parents and ten siblings, Alberta, Verner, Annabelle, William “Bill” and Floyd (Pete) and Sherman Redding, Carol Pence, Lily Self, Elizabeth Pence and Thelma Redding.

Clark is survived by his wife, the former Susan Elaine Shepherd whom he married June 10, 1968; three children, Clark R. Redding, Jr., Thelma Redding and Stacy Redding and his wife, Stacy, all of Atlanta; seven grandchildren, Tyler (Lindy) Sayre, Ricky (Karen) Taylor, Joy (Cody Quincel) Redding, Micah Redding, Tadd (Brandi) Taylor, Brandon (Timberly) Sayre and Kristin Sayre; several great grandchildren; two sisters, Lucretia (Clarence Lunsford) Bethel of Frankfort and Bernice (Larry) Perkins of Sedalia and numerous nephews and nieces including special nieces Trina (Larry) Mollohan and Melissa (Jeff) Ailing and many cousins.

The funeral will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Church @ New Holland Church of Christ in Christian Union with Crystal Spriggs, minister at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Waterloo Cemetery in Pancoastburg.

Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m. Monday until the time of the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com