Obituaries

Donna Lee Cotner, 84, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, September 12, 2022, at the Harmony Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Xenia where she had been a patient since October 21, 2021.

Donna was born December 17, 1937, in Fayette County to Albert Ray and Alta Ethel Smith Hart.  She was a graduate of Washington High School and lived most her life in this community.

She formerly was a bookkeeper at Builders Wholesale Supply Company and later was a cook at the Washington City Schools and also served as a student transportation aide.

Donna was a member of the All Saints Church.

On June 16, 1957, she married her best friend, Robert R. Cotner.  He preceded her in death on March 13, 2021.  She was also preceded by eight siblings, James, Denver, Homer, Charles, Harold and Clarence “Fuzz” Hart, Elizabeth Hodge and Pauline Barlett.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Rolland Wilson of Washington Court House; two grandsons, Reece Cosler and his wife, Sarah, and Troy Cosler and his wife, Kelsey, all of Wilmington, Ohio; five great grandchildren, Hannah, Mason, Nora, Carter and Corbin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Highlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Father Warren Huestis, rector at the All Saints Church, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

There will be no calling hours.

A time of food and fellowship will be held at the school house at the Fayette County Fairgrounds immediately following the graveside service.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann Helsel, 88, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe surrounded by her loving family at her side on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

She was born on June 25, 1934, in Fayette County, Ohio to Joseph and Arabelle Henry.  She graduated from Wayne High School in Good Hope in 1952.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Gerald Strawder Helsel on March 13, 2021; her brothers, Burris (Irene), Bill (Wilma), Bob (Lil), Darrell (Marlene), Joseph (Eleanor), Gerald (Betty) Henry, Gary Row, Larry Row and her sisters, Gwendolyn (John) Row, Vida (Alva) Streitenberger, Daina (Dwight) Holloway, and Barbara (Pete) Belt.

She is survived by daughters, Debra Bush and Amber (Andy) Reboulet; sons, Stephen (Judy) Helsel and Preston Helsel; grandchildren, Cody Moore, Emery Reboulet, William, Noah, Gabriel, Phillip, Kendra, Cora, and Kamille Helsel; eight great grandchildren; brother, John (Diane) Row Jr.; sister, Sandra Armbruster; sisters-in-law, Delores “Dee” Helsel, Jane Row, Linda Row and numerous nieces and nephews.

Patty was known to most family members, as well as friends of the grandchildren, as “Mammy” and always made her grandchildren a priority in her life.  There was never a time when she was not willing to listen to anyone’s problems and offer advice.  She played volleyball many years and was an avid and exceptional bowler for most of her life and bowled with her sisters, Vida and Daina on H & H Auto.

There will be a visitation from 11 am until 1 pm on Friday, September 16, 2022, at the Route 38 church of Christ, 1550 OH-38, Washington Court House, OH 43160 where there will be a memorial service after visitation officiated by Minister Dan Collier followed by burial at Highlawn Cemetery, 3260 US Route 22-NW, Washington Court House, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Route 38 church of Christ, 1550 State Route 38-NE, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Glenn Newton Scott, 88, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, September 9, 2022, at 12:15 a.m., at Signature HealthCARE of Fayette County where he had been a patient the past three weeks.

Glenn was born February 14, 1934, in Washington Court House, Ohio to William Thomas and Celestia Cleora Speakman Scott.  He was a lifelong resident of this community.

He was a trackman for the B & O Railroad from 1952 until his retirement in 1989.  He was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and enjoyed making lamps.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Phyllis L. McCarty on March 27, 2001; a son, William Scott on August 30, 2008; his parents and four brothers, Carl, Thomas, Raymond and Ronald Scott.

Glenn is survived by a daughter, Glenna Jo Aleshire and her husband, Rick, of Greenfield, several grandchildren and great grandchildren; a brother, Mark D. Scott; three sisters, Janice Scott, Nancy R. Scott and Betty Shears, all of Washington Court House and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Monday, September 12, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Cremation will follow the service and burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Monday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.come

UPDATE: The funeral service for the Rev. Jack Barton Witherspoon will be livestreamed on the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home Facebook page on Thursday, September 9, 2022. at 6:00 p.m. The livestreaming will begin several minutes before the start of the service.

The Rev. Jack Barton Witherspoon, 78, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, September 5, 2022, at 1:48 a.m. at the Court House Manor Nursing Home where he had been a patient since May.

Rev. Witherspoon was born December 14, 1943, at the family home on South Main Street in Washington Court House to Jack Stanley and Olive Kathryn Graves Witherspoon.

He was a 1961 graduate of Washington High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from The Ohio State University in 1965.  He subsequently taught eighth grade math for 11 years in the South-Western, Dublin and Upper Arlington school districts.

Following graduation in 1978, with a Master’s Degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, he edited math textbooks for the next 11 years for the Charles E. Merrill Publishing Company in Columbus, Ohio and Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company in Boston.

After graduating from the Boston University School of Theology in 1992, with a Master’s of Divinity degree, Rev. Witherspoon was ordained an Elder with the United Methodist Church at Lakeside, Ohio in 1996.  He served the South Bloomfield and Lockbourne United Methodist Churches from 1993 until 2004.  Beginning in 2001, he also served as village minister and chaplain for First Community Village, a retirement community in Columbus, until he retired in August 2013.

Rev. Witherspoon was a member of the West Ohio Conference and attended the Grace United Methodist Church in Washington Court House.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He enjoyed traveling and visited most of the continental United States as well as Europe, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, the Republic of South Africa and several Caribbean islands.  His life journey led him to a great love and respect for people from different races, religions and cultures.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a cousin, Carol Witherspoon Carey.

Rev. Witherspoon is survived by cousins, Jo Ann and Jerry Newton, Doug and Becky Newton and family, Juliana and Russ Boldaser and family, Richard Witherspoon and Jay Carey; longtime friend, Sharon Allen; numerous other special friends and his beloved cats.

The funeral will be Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.

Cremation will follow the service and burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Washington Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Street, the Washington Court House City Schools, 306 Highland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Janet Sue Miller, 72, of New Holland, Ohio died Friday, September 2, 2022, at 2:17 a.m. at her home.  She had been in failing health.

She was born June 3, 1950, in Chicago, IL to Milton and Dorothy Anderson Currier.  She lived most of her life in Chillicothe before moving to New Holland in 2016.

Before his retirement in 2007, she had been an administrative assistant to the vice president at Horizon Services in Chillicothe.

She was one of Jehovah’s witnesses and a devout member of Kingdom Hall in Washington Court House.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Miller.

She is survived by three children, Margo L. Sanna of Washington Court House and David C. Perry and his wife, Tammy, and Dorothy E. “Dottie” Perry, of Chillicothe; two grandchildren, Isabella Sanna and Hensley Leedom; two brothers, Alfred Currier of Anacortes, Washington and Richard Currier of Chillicothe and a sister, Margo Meredith of Ocoee, Florida.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation will take place.

Arrangements for a memorial service, to be held at Kingdom Hall in Washington Court House, are pending and will be announced when completed.

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

Robert Charles “Quail” White, 64, of Good Hope, Ohio was with his family when he went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 12:45 p.m. at his residence following an ongoing illness.

Bob was born May 20, 1958, at Good Hope in Fayette County, Ohio to Jack Dempsey and Lora Lou Hoppes White.  He was a 1976 graduate of Miami Trace High School where he was a loyal member of the FFA.  He was a longtime member of the Fayette County Progressive Farmers 4-H Club and was the winner of many blue ribbons for showing swine.

He was a farmer and devoted his life to agriculture and the love of farming. He especially loved farming with his grandfather, Herbert Hoppes, for many years.  He had previously worked 11 years at New Sabina Industries.

Bob was a lifelong member of the Good Hope United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and boating; gardening and planting flowers for his mother and working with his father at Cave Lake Park.  Being a huge OSU football fan, he never missed a game on television.

He was preceded in death by his mother on August 17, 2012; by his father on June 3, 2017; his grandparents, Herbert and Betty Hoppes, Ruth Mintee, Noble White; aunt and uncle, William and Mary Jo Shepard and cousin, John David Shepard.

Bob is survived by a son, Tobin White, three grandchildren, Austin, Alex and Samuel White and a great grandson, Murray White, all of Greenfield; two sisters, Brenda White Southworth and Jennifer White, both of Washington Court House; a niece, Jessica Elliott; nephew, Justin Elliott; an aunt, Edna Mae Rife of Washington Court Hose; cousins., Steve and Isaac Shepard, Susan Jetter, Julie Foster, Teresa and Scott Gordan and family, Mike, Katie, Allison and Andy White and other extended family members.

The funeral will be Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Jon R. Silveous, pastor at the Good Hope United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in Good Hope Cemetery.  Tobin, Alex and Austin White, Steve and Isaac Shepard and Jim Howard will service as pallbearers.

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

Memorial contributions may be made Angels At Heart Homecare,133 Washington Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Jeri Lynn Jones, 64, of Greenfield, Ohio died Sunday, August 21, 2022, at 6:08 p.m. shortly after arrival at the Adena Greenfield Medical Center.

Jeri Lynn was born May 17, 1958, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Roger Lynn and Doris Lou Brown Hays.

She received an associate’s degree from Southern State Community College and was a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Jeri Lynn had been a pediatric nurse for Home Health Care in Highland County; had worked at Court House Manor and had also worked with the Fayette County Emergency Medical Services.

She loved flowers, gardening, being at the beach, and spending time caring for her pool, which she kept in immaculate condition.  She especially loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren.

She was preceded her in death by her parents and a brother.

Jeri Lynn is survived by her husband, Louis Jones; three children, Megan Barrett and her husband, Brock, of Grove City, Amber Dawdes and her spouse of Greenfield and Chris DaRif of Sabina; a bonus-daughter, Eddie McLees of Grove City; two grandchildren, Jaxon and Maddox; her best friend, Cathy Keaton of New Martinsburg; Louis’ children, Kristine Jones of Burbank, CA, Jessica (Jess) Cordery of Waynesville, OH, Monica (Mark) Davis of Beavercreek, OH and Adam (Kristen) Jones of Centerville, OH; grandchildren, Grace, Mason, Emma, Austin, Elsie, Madison, Mia and Bradley and a brother, Anthony Hays of Bainbridge.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation will take place.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 28, 2022, at 3 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Sunday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Donna Jean Holmes Hankins, 96, of Maitland, FL, formerly of Washington Court House, Ohio entered the presence of Christ on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 1:13 p.m. at Trinity Springs Assisted Living Care in Oxford, Florida where she had been a patient the past year.

Donna was born June 17, 1926, in Toledo, Ohio to Merrell and Velma Bales Holmes.  She was a lifelong Ohioan (Toledo and Washington Court House) and had been a dual resident of Washington Court House and the Clearwater-Orlando, Florida area since 1980.

She was a graduate of The Ohio State University in music, with a degree in vocal performance.  She taught and directed choral music on all levels at Miami Trace High School; in the Toledo Public School System and in the Englewood and Clearwater, Florida school systems for 30 years.

Donna was a choir member and frequent vocal soloist in the music ministries of the churches she attended throughout her life.  She was also a member of the Fayette County Choral Society for many years and performed vocally for the Fayette County Sesquicentennial Celebration held in Washington Court House.  She was a sponsor of the girls 4-H club in Washington Court House for many years.

She was an accomplished author-poet, having written an anthology of more than 100 poems and a full-length book describing a Christian’s relationship with Christ, modeled after the analogy of a woman’s marriage to her husband.

Donna was well-known for her constant study of Scripture, both in formal classes and privately, and engaged in an extensive private ministry of prayer for her family and friends daily.  She maintained a faithful interest in the Jewish people throughout her life, seeking their conversion to Christ and Christianity, until her death.

On November 27, 1948, she married Harford Harrison (Dick) Hankins, Jr.   He preceded her in death on January 17, 2017.

She is survived by three children, Cheryl A. Mason and her husband, Gordon, of Orlando, FL, Dr. Stephen J. Hankins and his wife, Sandra, of Greenville, SC and Lisa J. Donohue and her husband, Thomas, of The Villages, FL; ten grandchildren, Julianne Poor, Greg Mason, Ryan Mason, Kevin Donohue, Thomas Donohoe, Jr., Hayley Byrns, Stephanie Hankins Griffith, Stephen Hankins, Jr., Sherilyn Hankins Franklin and Samuel Hankins and 22 great grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday, August 29, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Fayette Bible Church with the Rev. Tony Garren, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends will be welcomed by the family at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Family and friends are invited to a meal at the church following the burial.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Stephen E. Popper passed away on Monday, August 15, 2022, at St. Catherine’s Manor in Washington Court House, OH, after a brief illness. At the time of his death, he was Director of Occupational Medicine with Bon Secours Mercy Health in Springfield, OH.

He was born on May 4, 1951, in San Francisco, CA, and also grew up in Endicott, NY, and San Jose, CA. He attended high school in San Jose, CA, graduating in 1969. He loved the boy scouts growing up and learning about nature. He enjoyed music, writing songs, photography, and researching antique military weapons.

Before graduating high school, he contacted a senator and had his name nominated in Congress to be admitted to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. He was accepted, graduating in 1973 with a degree in Astronautical Engineering. He was a graduate of Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine class of 1985, and Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Fairborn, OH, with a residency in Psychiatry 1985-1988. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

He retired with over 28 years of military service with a career spanning munitions maintenance, engineering, and as a physician, being a Senior Flight Surgeon. He earned jump wings (free fall), the explosive ordinance disposal badge, as well as publishing/presenting over 30 aeromedical research papers. He worked in the Aerospace Systems Division managing contracts on cruise missiles. The work was classified as it involved the delivery systems of nuclear weapons. After retirement he started a new career as an occupational medicine physician for 25+ years, finally residing in Washington Court House, OH. His staff at Bon Secours Mercy Health was like a second family and was dearly loved by him.

He was an avid fitness and work-out advocate his entire life, always setting a good example himself, for his patients and friends and encouraged them to do their best. He believed a fit body was a much healthier body. He enjoyed boxing, and competed and won some Golden Glove competitions.

He will be remembered for his many community contributions, including volunteer high school sports-physical doctor, seven years volunteering as team physician for Friday night high school football for South Gallia High School, serving as a Sunday school teacher, mentor to countless kids and young adults, as well as a soccer coach. He also helped rescue countless animals, including cats, dogs, and horses. He was a huge supporter of Standardbred Retirement Foundation, who rescues retired, in-need, and abandoned Standardbred horses. He was an animal lover, and his own beloved pet family included rescued German Shepherd, Jester, kitty, Venus, and Standardbred horses, Ethan, Muppet, and Moon as well as many others over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Beverly Popper of San Jose, CA, and brother, John Popper. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and step-children, Denny Daugherty, Darrin Daugherty, and Dana (Patrick) Conley. He was looking forward to the birth of his first step-grandchild, Iris Mae Conley, due later this year. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Charles (Pam) Haislip Jr. of Artemas, PA, and his sister, Peggy (Raymond) Tomasso of San Jose, CA, and their children as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by a dear friend of many years, Stephen Kuglin, of CA.

The funeral will be a private family service, at Stephen’s request, on August 17, 2022. Father C.M. Haddad will preside. Stephen will receive full military honors, including a 21-gun salute for his service to this country. Toward the end of his life, Stephen embraced the Roman Catholic Faith.

Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House, OH, will be handling the arrangements, and he will be laid to rest in Washington Cemetery Veterans’ Section, Washington Court House, OH.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to http://tunnel2towers.org, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, or https://adoptahorse.org/ Standardbred Retirement Foundation, SRF Farm, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Maxie Webster (Max) Justice, 81, of Good Hope, Ohio died Sunday, August 7, 2022, at 7 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House where he had been a patient the past month.

Max was born June 7, 1941, at Clarksburg in Ross County, Ohio to Herbert Elmer and Martha Freda Rittenhouse Justice.  He attended school in Atlanta, Ohio but lived most of his life in the Good Hope Community.

Known as the “Coke Man,” he worked for Coca-Cola in Circleville for over 40 years.

He was a 50-year member of Heber Lodge F. & A.M. #501 in Williamsport; Heber Chapter #62 of the Order of the Eastern Star; 32^nd Degree Masons, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine in Columbus; Washington Shrine Club; Circleville Chapter #20 of the Royal Arch Masons of Ohio and Tyrian Council #60 of the Royal and Select Masters of Ohio.  He was a long-time member of the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department and had previous served 25 years as chief.

Max, along with his wife Bunny, traveled many miles going to flea markets and sales in search of antiques.  He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.

On June 11, 1964, he married the former Colleen Ann (Bunny) Bennett.  She preceded him in death on January 30, 2014.  He was also preceded by a son, Daniel Justice on December 29, 2015, and a sister, Jacqueline Hooper in 2000.

Max is survived by a special niece, who was like a daughter, Robin Hart and her husband, Keith, of Washington Court House, three grandchildren, Nathan Howell, Rachel Cornett and Adrianne (Justin) Noggle, five great grandchildren; a brother, Tommie Justice and his wife, Nancy, of Dayton; two sisters, Carol A. Bliss of New Holland and Maxine Knisley, and her husband, Don, of Washington Court House and several other nieces and nephews.

A Masonic service, which is open to the public, will be Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.  The funeral will immediately follow the Masonic service with Rebekah Milstead officiating.  Burial will be in the Good Hope Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com