Obituaries

Mark Johnson Hartley, 71, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed peacefully surrounded by family Sunday evening, November 10, 2024.

Mark was born December 30, 1952, in Montgomery County, Ohio to Earl Leonard and Mary Lucille Johnson Hartley.  He was a 1971 graduate of Washington High School.  In his early years he found himself traveling throughout the American West, working in Wyoming, California, Idaho, and Utah, where he met his future wife, Debby, at a party.  “She came with another guy, but she left with me!”

He was an avid hunter, outdoorsman and amateur horticulturist.  He enjoyed exploring local farmland and woods of Fayette County with his favorite coon dogs, Lil and Rex. He spent many afternoons on the waters of Rocky Fork Lake, water skiing and fishing with his late wife, Debby, friends and family.

He was a proud union iron worker and member of Local 44 out of Cincinnati Ohio.

As a welder, he helped build such iconic structures as COSI, Flight of Fear at Kings Island and a multitude of bridges throughout Ohio and Kentucky.

Together, Mark and Debby moved to Washington Court House and raised their family there.  Mark was a devoted and outspoken fan of the New York Yankees, Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Trace Panthers.  He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his kids from the sidelines or terrorize the odd referee.  Mark had many friends, from all walks of life, even up to his final days.

He was preceded in death by his wife on July 13, 2005; by his parents and a brother-in-law, Gregory Lynch.

Mark is survived by five children, Aaron Hartley and his wife, Amy, of Blacklick, Ohio; Paula Melchert of Columbus, Lisa Hartley of Columbus, Joanna Hartley and her husband, Andrew Ward, of York, England and Mark Evan Hartley of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Kali (Gideon) Meyer, Lauren Hartley, Dirk Eckle, Nick (Sara) Myers, John Day, Maxwell Ward and Abigail Ward; a brother, David L. Hartley and his wife, Jennifer Ann, of Washington Court House; a sister, Pamela Lynch of Bradenton, FL. and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be held Friday, November 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Steve Brand, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

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

The family would like to request in lieu of flowers to please make donations to Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County, 222 North Oakland Avenue, or the Fayette County Dog Shelter, 1550 Robinson Road, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160 where he adopted his favorite dog, Maggie.

Thanks also to the Heartland Hospice staff and countless other individuals who have shown support to Mark and family.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Sarah Louise Gilpen, 85, of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 5:17 pm. at her home.  She had been in failing health.

Sarah was born April 12, 1939, in Ross County, Ohio to George and Sarah Alice Short Gilpen.  She lived most of his life in New Holland and Washington Court House.

She was a member of the Wesleyan Holiness Church in Washington Court House.

Sarah enjoyed gospel music, reading the Bible and being with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Eugene, Richard, Donald a

nd George Gilpen, Jr. and three sisters, Mary Workman, Lillie Mae Kemp and Sada Lee Gilpen.

Sarah is survived by a daughter, Cindy J. Gilpen; a granddaughter, Crystal (Cliff Sweet) Schick; three great grandchildren, Jared (Heather Smith) Schick, Christopher (Emily Jacobs) Schick and Sarah Schick; a sister-in-law, Sue Gilpen, all of Washington Court House and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland with the Rev. Leonard Roop officiating.  Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Sharon Ann Barry, 73, of Washington Court House, Ohio, formerly of Garfield Heights, Ohio died Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 6:52 p.m. shortly after arrival at Adena Fayette Medical Center.  Her death was sudden and unexpected.

Sharon was born August 17, 1951, in Garfield Heights, Ohio to John and Celia Salacinski Gavelek.  She was a graduate of Garfield Heights High School and lived most of her life in the Cleveland area before moving to Washington Court House a year ago.

Before her retirement, she had been a paralegal and an elementary school teacher’s aide.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Michael Barry on May 4, 2021; her parents; a brother, John Gavelek and a sister, Corine Globokar.

She is survived by a daughter, Mackenzie Barry and her husband, Logan Trombley, of Lakewood, Ohio; a stepson, Sean Barry of Twinsburg, Ohio; her fiancé, Rick Bussey of Washington Court House; two sisters, Maryann Schlosser and her husband, Jim, of Garfield Heights and Jonnette Morley of Cleveland and her cat, Cleo.

To honor her wishes, cremation was observed.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 12-3 p.m., with remarks at 2 p.m., at the Twinsburg Community Center multipurpose room.  All are invited to enjoy light refreshments and celebrate Sharon’s long and beautiful life.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

John Newcomb McFadden, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 2:57 a.m. at the Adena Greenfield Medical Center where he had been a patient one day.

John was born April 24,1938, in Fayette County to William Eldridge and Beulah Nadine Hoppes McFadden.

He was a 1956 graduate of Wayne High School in Good Hope and lived most of his life in this community where he was a retired farmer.

John was a member of the Good Hope Methodist Church.  He was a veteran of the United States Army.

On July 30, 1966, he married the former Diane Elizabeth Dowler.  She preceded him in death on December 8, 2005.  He was also preceded by his parents; a brother, William E. McFadden, Jr. and a brother-in-law, Ronnie Dowler.

He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Gene Elliott of Washington Court House; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jenny and Bill Yeoman of Washington Court House; a sister-in-law, Joyce McFadden of Washington Court House; nieces and nephews, Stephen (Catherine) Yeoman, Todd Yeoman, David (Lisa) Dowler, Will (Leah) McFadden, Sydney McFadden and Kari (Tony Garrison) Elliott and several great nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Monday, November 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Good Hope Methodist Church with Jon R. Silveous, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Good Hope Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Hope Methodist Church, c/o Mike Wilson, 2016 Flakes Ford Road-SE, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Gail Allen “Hank” Thompson, 89, of Greenfield, Ohio, died Friday, October 25, 2024.

Hank was born March 24, 1935, in Rarden Township in Scioto County, Ohio to Clarence Elmer and Beatrice Mae Williams Thompson.

He was a 1954 graduate of Kiser High School in Dayton; received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Wittenberg University in 1959 and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Dayton in 1968.

On August 7, 1959, he married Johanna Elizabeth Caylor.  They were married for 57 years. She preceded him in death on September 17, 2016.  He was also preceded by his parents and two brothers, Vernon Dean Thompson and Larry Randall Thompson.

Hank served as a private first class in the United States Army from 1959 until 1961.

He was an elementary principal for the Greenfield Exempted Village School District and retired in 1992.  He was a member of the Greenfield Historical Society, the 20^th Century Club and the Greenfield Lions Club.

Hank is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Alyssa and Kurt Alexander of Lima and two grandchildren, Kara and Sean Alexander.

The funeral will be held Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the All Saints Church in Washington Court House with Pastor Karen Martin Kepner, minister at the Grace Lutheran Church in Fairfield County, officiating.  A time of food and fellowship, in the fellowship hall at the church, will immediately follow the service. Burial will then follow in the Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Church, 733 State Route 41-SW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160 or to the Greenfield Historical Society, PO Box 266, Greenfield, Ohio 45123.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Eloise Parks, 99, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at her residence.  Her death was sudden and unexpected.

Eloise was born January 21, 1925, in Craig County, Virginia to Clarence and Maude Caldwell Reynolds.  She was a graduate of Jackson (Ohio) High School and moved to this community in 1957, from Jackson.

Before her retirement in 1990, she had been a salesclerk at Uhlman’s Department Store in Washington Court House.  She had formerly been office manager at Park’s Coal Yard.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she had sung in the choir.  She had been a volunteer with the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and had worked in the hospital gift shop.  She enjoyed baking and gifting her baked goods to family and friends.

On January 11, 1944, she married Charles Edward Parks.  He preceded her in death on January 27, 2005.  She was also preceded by five brothers, Elliott, Pascal, Wesley, Max and James Reynolds and a sister, Jean Hammond.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Roger L. and Susan Parks of Crown Point, IN; two sisters, Joanne Chapman of Wilkesville, OH and Phyllis Cribben Jackson, OH; a sister-in-law, Janice Reynolds of Jackson, OH and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Bobby Seymour, minister at the First Baptist Church, and her nephew, Larry Parks, officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Margaret Ann Mick Stewart, 75, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, October 21, 2024, at 1:50 p.m. at her home.  She had been in failing health.

Margaret was born October 14, 1949, in Ross County, Ohio to Rodney and Flora Daisy Everhart Mick.  She lived her early life in Bainbridge before moving to Fayette County in 1967.  She was a graduate of Miami Trace High School.

She had formerly been a gas station attendant, babysitter and housekeeper.

Margaret was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to old music, but her greatest love was spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings.

Margaret is survived by two daughters, Patrician Ann Anders and her husband, Lewis, and Brenda Michelle Stewart, all of Washington Court House; five grandchildren, L.J. (Summer) Anders, Haley (Dylan) Cline, Sarah Anders, Myckel Anders and Alana (Nicholas) Fitton; four great grandchildren and a sister, Dora of Kentucky.

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

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Wilma Geraldine “Gerry” Manning, 91, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, October 21, 2024, at 1:36 a.m. at Copper Noll Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she had been a resident since April 6, 2024.

Gerry was born August 25, 1933, at Peebles in Adams County, Ohio to Walter Ray and Sylvia Lucille Moore Gorman.  She was a graduate of Washington High School and lived most of her life in this community.,

On July 20, 1953, she married Lendil Willis Manning.  He preceded her in death on February 2, 2008.  She was also preceded in death a son, Danny Willis Manning, a daughter-in-law, Wendy Manning; her parents and two brothers, M. Dale Gorman and infant brother, Melvin M. Gorman

She is survived by two children, James L. Manning of Jeffersonville and Peggy Parker and her husband, Blane, of Biloxi, MS; five step grandchildren and several step great grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Carol Stephens and Jenny Connelly, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.

John Charles DeWitt, Jr., 58, of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Friday, October 18, 2024, at 2:04 p.m. at his home.  He had been in failing health.

John was born April 10, 1966, in Rochester, New York, to John Charles and Pauline Beahan DeWitt.  He moved to Washington Court House in 2007, from Georgia.

Until his illness, he had been a forklift operator at Stephens Pipe and Steel in Mount Sterling.

He enjoyed watching television while drinking Natural Ice.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Debbie Hassel.

He is survived by a daughter, Kayla M. DeWitt of Trotwood, OH; his daughter’s mother, Tiffany Owens DeWitt of Trotwood and two sisters, Annette Hanson of Snellville, Georgia and Tammy Elensky of Washington Court House.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no visitation or service.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Thomas Neil Wilkins, 64, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 1:20 a.m. at the Adena Reginal Medical Center in Chillicothe where he had been a patient since October 5.

Tom was born February 8, 1960, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Neil Francis and Starlie Clara Yenrick Wilkins.  He was a 1978 graduate of Miami Trace High School and received as associate degree from DeVry University in Columbus.

He had been an electrical engineer with ABB in Columbus for the past 40 years.

He was a member of Fayette Aerie #423 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Washington Court House Lodge #129 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.  He was a musician and had formerly played bass guitar in area bands.  He also enjoyed golfing.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1981, and his mother in 2013.

Tom is survived by two sons, Trevor Wilkins and Trent Wilkins and his fiancée, Brianna Longberry; his former wife, Chris Wilkins; a sister, Melanie Vince and her husband, William, of Washington Court House and a niece, Kristi (Kyle) Browning of Lebanon.

The funeral will be held Monday, October 21, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Jon R. Creamer, minister at the Heart To Heart Christian Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 12 Noon Monday until time of the service.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com