Roger Kirkpatrick

Rebecca Jean (Becky) Lankford, 57, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, January 10, 2025, at 5:35 a.m. at her home.

Becky was born June 17, 1967, in Wilmington, Ohio to Robert “Bob” and Ruthann Mercer Lankford and lived most of her life in this community.

She formerly had worked over 20 years at Thompson’s Depot in Washington Court House.

Becky attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She enjoyed crocheting, especially blankets.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassie Marie Joseph, her father, Robert Lankford and a sister, Rachelle Holden.

She is survived by her three children, Daniel (Amanda) Carter of Greenfield, Amanda (Regis) Sanders of Sabina, Tesla (Brad Boggs) Brown of Chillicothe; ten grandchildren; her mother and step-father, Ruthann and Mike Thompson of Washington Court House; siblings, Mike (Julie) Carter of Washington Court House, Bobbie and Ernie Lankford of Louisiana; Regina (Fred Williams) Lankford, of Washington Court House, Natosha Curnutte of Groveport; step-brothers,  Jim Thompson of Mount Vernon, OH and Jon Thompson of Washington Court House; a step-sister, Rebecca Palmer; a favorite uncle, Stanley Mercer; best friend, Jessica Nixon and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Steven L. Brooks, from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presiding.  Burial will follow in the Good Hope Cemetery.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Susan Diane Kelley, 82, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 1:35 p.m. at Cedarvale Commons Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, formerly Signature HealthCare of Washington Court House.

Susan was born March 16, 1942, at Elyria in Lorain County, Ohio to Howard Harve and Blanche Irene Bell Thompson.  She was a graduate of Washington High School and had lived most of her life in Columbus before returning to Washington Court House following her retirement.

Before her retirement, she was a librarian for The Columbus Dispatch.  Following her retirement, she worked in the children’s department at the Carnegie Public Library in Washington Court House.

She was a member of the All Saints Church in Washington Court House; was a volunteer with Heartland Hospice and loved animals.

Susan, who was an only child, was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Kelley, and her a

She is survived by several cousins and numerous local friends.

To honor her wishes, cremation took place and there will be no visitation or service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 4 Commercial Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuenralhome.com

Jamie Jason Duncan, age 52, of Circleville, Ohio passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:14 p.m. at his home.

Jamie was born January 9, 1972, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Donald Eugene and Ruth Ann Pence Duncan.    He was a 1990 graduate of Washington High School and a Gulf War veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1990-1994.

He was an HVAC service technician for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #189 in Columbus.

Jamie enjoyed traveling and completing home projects but especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jamie is survived by his wife, the former Brenda G. Brown whom he married October 5, 2013; two children, Ryan Duncan of New Holland and Megan Coy and her husband, Haydin, of Cedarville; two step children, Nicholas Greiner of Laurelville and Kyle Greiner and his wife, Paige, of Mount Sterling; two grandchildren, Elijah and Ellie Coy, a step grandchild, Teagan Greiner; four siblings, Gene (Lisa) Duncan, Millie (Randy) Bock, Tony (Melissa) Duncan, and Nicole Duncan, all of Washington Court House and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be held Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Joy Stanforth, associate pastor at Heritage Memorial Church, officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.

Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Paul Henry Miller, 90, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Court House Manor, after a long and fulfilling life.  In true form, he left this world with little fuss, much like the humble farmer he was.

Paul was born in November 24, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio at Old White Cross hospital, the only son of Russell and Mary Ellen (Caudy) Miller, who preceded him in death, as well as an older sister, Grace Ellen Lang, who preceded him in death by just one day He was also preceded by his mother-in-law, Mary Lou Pfeiffer Saunway;  father-in-law, Paul Henry Pfeiffer, and step-father-in-law, George Saunway.

He was a 1952 graduate of Big Walnut High School, where his exceptional memory for numbers earned him a reputation for changing the locker padlocks of his classmates. He was active in FFA and served as a state officer for two years. He also traveled to Iraq through the 4-H IFYE program and served as the Ohio State Junior Fair Board president.

Paul continued his education at The Ohio State University where he studied Animal Science. While at OSU, Paul lived in the Ohio Stadium dorms and fed the university’s sheep to cover his room and board. A proud member of the Alpha Zeta fraternity, he was editor of the OSU Ag Magazine, on the Gold Diggers Kings Court, and a member of Sphinx senior class honorary. During his senior year, he met the love of his life, Kay Pfeiffer. They married on June 26, 1960, and raised three sons.

Paul was committed to maintaining lifelong connections with friends and classmates, often helping to organize reunions for both his high school class and college fraternity.

Paul and Kay settled on the family farm in Sunbury, where he ran the grain and dairy operation, Fairland Farms, and sold milk from the dairy barn. Paul was also involved in numerous community activities. He served as chairman of trustees during the construction of the new Sunbury Methodist Church and was a captain in the Army Reserves. Paul was the State Young Farmers vice president and president of the Delaware County Farm Bureau.  He also served as president of Country Mutual Insurance before transitioning to general manager after stepping back from full-time farming.

When the family farm moved to Fayette County, so did Kay and Paul. Paul continued to be active in his new community and made many friends there. Paul was involved in the Central Republican Committee, the County Farm Bureau board, the OSU Alumni Club, WCH Grace Methodist Church, and the Community Concert Association. He and Kay traveled extensively, both around the U.S. and abroad, with their favorite destination being Alaska.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Kay (Pfeiffer) Miller; three sons, Jeff (Kathy), Doug (Anita), and Mark; as well as his cherished grandchildren, Charlie (Hannah), Natalie (Joe), Kael, Megan, Erin, and Peyton and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vaughn and Nanette Pfeiffer of Kenton, Ohio.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at noon, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the WCH Grace Methodist Church, 301 E. Market St., Washington Court House. Pastor Matt Brookes will officiate the service. A private burial will take place at a later date in Sunbury, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the Miami Trace FFA Alumni, ℅ Robin Beekman, 6 High St. Jeffersonville, OH 43128, WCH Grace Methodist Church, 301 E. Market St. Washington CH, OH 43160 or The Ohio 4-H Foundation “Pfeiffer/Miller/Saunway Family Scholarship Fund number: 605706,” 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, OH 43210 or online at  https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/605706

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Lois Whiting, 96, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 4:18 p.m. at her home

Lois was born in Woodsfield, Ohio to John and Dorothy Adams Detlor on July 30, 1928, she later moved to Marietta, Ohio where she met and married Allen (Pete) Whiting. They welcomed a daughter, Jana Detlor, and a few years later twin daughters Jaye Allyn and Joye Ellyn.

Passing away before her were her beloved husband, Pete in 2016, and precious daughter, Jaye, in 1981.

Lois’s time on this earth encompassed love, faith, generosity, humor, compassion, and strength. She enjoyed playing golf for many years and had a life-long love of music. After moving to Washington Court House, she and Pete became members of WCH Grace Methodist Church.

Those she leaves behind to keep so many wonderful memories are her daughters, Joye Henman and Jana (Ray) Deeks; grandchildren, Lacy Jaye Ogan (Brad Moore), Tyler Whiting Ogan, and Mark Allen Deeks, and great grandchildren, Brad’s son Ashton, Camille Jana Deeks, Aldric Fukai Deeks; nephews and nieces, and some special friends.

Lois’s four siblings preceded her in death, but she missed most of all her sister in Marietta, Jean Ley, who died in April 2024.

Lois enjoyed her career at Fayette County Memorial Hospital as a medical stenographer and was happy to be the wife of a J C Penney man. She and Pete were blessed to enjoy a wonderful long marriage.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at a later date at the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Memorial contributions may be made to WCH Grace Methodist Church, 301East Market Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

The family offers their sincere thanks to Mell Wickensimer and the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home for their care and concern.

Among the many little treasures she saved was a poem written in 2013, by Pete (his family treasured his many poems for all occasions):

It seems like only yesterday we walked down the aisle.

Two kids in love, now that makes me smile.

We’ve been through a lot, both happy and sad.

We held on to each other and that’s not all bad.

Time rolled by with some blood, sweat and tears.

We’ve been married now for sixty-five years!

Happy Anniversary.  I love you.

Pete

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Mary Margaret McClish, 77, most recently of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Friday, December 27, 2024, at 9:20 a.m. at the OSU James Cancer Hospital after a nearly 2-year courageous battle with cancer.

She was born June 5, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio to Attree Richard & Beatrice Dill McClish.  Her early years were spent on the Hartman Farm in Hamilton Township in Franklin County where her family operated McClish Dairy Products.  She was proud of her ancestral heritage in the immediate area tracing back to the original pioneer families including the McClish’s, Dill’s, Lisle’s and Smith’s.

Mary graduated from Hamilton Twp. High School in 1965, and Bowling Green State University in Physical Education in 1969.  She taught high school in Granville, Ohio until moving to Largo, Florida in 1978, where she was a licensed real estate agent.  She worked for the U.S. Postal Service until she retired in 2014.  Mary moved back to Ohio in 2023, where she has resided at Carriage Court Assisted Living in Washington Court House since May 2023.

Besides her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a brother, Attree R. McClish, Jr. in 1968.

She is survived by a brother, Paul Dill McClish and a sister-in-law Pauline Cochran McClish of Washington Court House; a nephew, Brent (Nancy) McClish of Washington Court House; a niece, Marjorie (Tim) Garren of Nova Scotia, Canada; nephew, Matthew (Jennifer) McClish of Marietta, GA, plus 11 grand and great grand nieces and nephews.  She cherished many other relatives, friends and coworkers she enjoyed throughout her life journey.

Family and friends will be welcomed by the family, Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, 975 Rathmell Rd., Columbus, OH 43207 for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m.  Burial to follow, next to the church, in the Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Walnut Hill Cemetery, 915 Rathmell Road, Columbus, Ohio  43207.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Shirley Hughes, 65, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10:40 p m. at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation where she had been residing the past three years.

Shirley was born July 27, 1959, in Fayette County, Ohio to Lon Jay and Joan Marie McDonald Hughes.  She was a 1978 graduate of Miami Trace High School where she was a member of the marching band.

She was a lifelong member of the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church and had previously served as lector.  She enjoyed knitting and loved cats.

Shirley is survived by a brother, Tom Hughes of Lancaster and several cousins, including Ronald J. Weade who was her guardian.

The funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, January 3, 2025, at 12 Noon at the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church by the Rev. Father Cyrus M. Haddad, pastor at the church.  Burial will follow in St. Colman Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church, 219 South North Street or Fayette Progressive Industries, 1330 Robinson Road-SE, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Rickey Lee Roberts, 66, of Hillsboro, Ohio, formerly of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 6:11 pm. at the Laurels of Hillsboro where he had been residing since September 20, 2021.

Rickey was born October 23, 1958, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Fred Casey and Wilma Jean (Jeannie) Daniels Roberts.  He was a 1977 graduate of Washington High School and lived most of his life in Washington Court House.

Before his retirement, he was an inspector with the United Steel Workers and worked at the Arcler Mittel plant in Columbus.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Rickey was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mindy Gayle Roberts.

He is survived by his longtime friend, Lester LeMaster; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Linda Whited, all of Washington Court House; two nieces; a nephew and several great nieces and nephews.

To honor his wishes, cremation will be observed.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Rebecca Jane Thompson, 92, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10:09 a.m. at the Copper Knoll Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she had been residing since June 2020.

Becky was born June 21, 1932, in Washington Court House, Ohio to William Augustus and Rebecca Florence VanGundy Armbrust.  She was a 1950 graduate of Washington High School and lived most of her life in Fayette County, in the Manara community, before moving to Washington Court House in 2004.

She had formerly been a bookkeeper at J.C. Penney, for Russell Miller Foods and the J & J Restaurant.

Becky was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, had served as a deacon and on the session and was leader of the Presbyterian Women.  She was a member of the Washington Garden Club; sang with the Fayette County Choral Society and enjoyed planning bridge.

She married Edwin F. Thompson on August 13, 1961.  He preceded her in death on May 29, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Jackie, Gene, Harold Richard and Norman Armbrust.

Becky is survived by a son, Ed Thompson of Hilliard; daughter-in-law, Gaye Thompson of Hilliard; a daughter, Cindy (C.J.) Thompson of Washington Court House;  four grandchildren, Traci Jenkins and her husband, Andrew, of Hilton Head, SC; Lindsay Reilly and her husband, Jim, of Parker, CO; Kyle Thompson and his wife, Sarah, of Hilliard and Jesse Jamison and his wife, Ashlee, of Washington Court House; six great grandchildren, Jaxon and Kayden Reilly, Emma and Hudson Jamison and Parker and Ainsley Thompson; several nieces and nephews and other friends and relatives.

The funeral will be Friday, December 27, 2024, at 12 Noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington Court House with the Rev. Steve Brand, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will be at a later date in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.

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

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Bonnie Lee Orders Piekut, 83, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 20, 2024, at 7:12 p.m. at her home.

Bonnie was born August 28, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio to Francis Marion and Jean Eversole Orders.  She was a 1959 graduate of Westerville High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University.  She had lived in various locations before moving to Washington Court House in 1995, from Syracuse, NY.

She had been a schoolteacher for several years and later had worked at the Osh Kosh store at the Tanger Outlet Mall.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kendra Kevern.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Casimir Michael Piekut whom she married July 18, 1964; two children, James Piekut and his wife, Kathy of Little Rock, Arkansas and Tara Abraham and her husband, Scott of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Brittany Callaway and her husband, Conner, Derek Abraham and his wife, Holly, and Bridget Abraham; two brothers, Frank Orders and his wife, Patti, of Lewis Center, OH and Stephen Orders and his wife, Donna, of Maringo, OH; a brother-in-law, Thomas Kevern of Arizona and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at WCH Grace Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Blendon Central Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio.

Friends may call at the funeral home, Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.