Obituaries

Ann Elizabeth Sollars Craft, 58, of Nesbit, Mississippi passed away Sunday, March 13, 2022, at her home.

She was born February 18, 1964, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Frank Bowers and Janet Lewis Sollars.  She was the youngest of five children.  In 1986, she married Carter Craft and they soon after moved to West Virginia where they started their family.

She was preceded in death by her father on November 3, 2007.

Ann is survived by four sons, Miles (Ashley) Craft of Pittsburgh, PA, Frankie (Cheryl) Craft of Southaven, MS, Mason Craft of Nashville, TN, and Thomas (Kayla) Craft of Petal, MS; a grandson, Simon Craft of Pittsburgh, PA; her mother, Janet Sollars of Washington Court House, OH; four brothers, Steve (Lisa) Sollars, Brian (Mary Kay) Sollars, Mike (Sherry) Sollars, and Jeff (Bridget) Sollars, all of Washington Court House and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ann was many things: a kind soul, free spirit, cherished friend, but most of all, a proud, loving mother who will be forever loved, and forever missed.

A private memorial service will be Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Ann Campbell, 66, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, March 14, 2022, at her home.  Her death was sudden and unexpected.

She was born February 23, 1956, in Dayton, Ohio to Paul and Lela Backenstoe Campbell.  She was a 1974 graduate of Miami Trace High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Wilmington College and a master’s degree from Wright State University.  She lived most of her life in this community.

Ann began her teaching career with the Trimble Local Schools, in Athens County, where she taught music.  She was a science and math teacher at Belle-Aire Elementary/Intermediate School in Washington Court house from 1991, until her retirement in 2021.  She was invested in the lives of her students and loved and supported them in all ways.  She also assisted with the high school musicals.

She was a member of St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church.

Ann was family oriented and dearly loved her nieces and their families.

She is survived by a sister, Chris Campbell; a niece, Tracy (Trent) Dye; great nieces, Sarah (Kyler) Dawson, Molly (Kyle Garrett) Dye and Emma (Jarett Patton) Dye; a great great nephew, Gabriel Dawson, all of Washington Court House; her canine companion, Chelsea, and many special friends and former students.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no service or visitation.  Private burial of her cremains will be in the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Belle-Aire PTO, 1120 High Street or the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 153 South Main Street, Suite 3, Washington Court House, Ohio  43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Melany Stinson Newby, 73, of Columbus, Ohio passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022, at First Community Village in Columbus, Ohio where she had been residing since February 24.

Melany was born November 21, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio to Byron Briggs and Eleanor Marie Manly Stinson.

She was a 1967 graduate of Miami Trace High School where she was head majorette.  She received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in French Literature from The Ohio State University in 1971. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at OSU.  In 1974, she received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

She was an attorney and had served as assistant city solicitor for the City of Cincinnati before becoming chief legal officer for the University of Cincinnati in 1978.  She was vice chancellor at the University of Wisconsin from 1989, until her retirement in 2006.

Melany received the University of Cincinnati Law School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, and was the recipient the 2020/21 University of Cincinnati Outstanding Alumni Award.  She was also honored in a unique tribute of being included on a mural in the Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, depicting 19 individuals whose accomplishment’s merited the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association’s premier recognition.

Melany was instrumental in forming the Women in Law Scholarship at the University of Cincinnati College of Law; organized the Byron, Anne and Dustin Stinson Family Scholarship Fund at The Ohio State University; invested in many women’s philanthropic organizations and supported many charitable organizations.

She was an avid traveler and loved to play golf.

Melany was preceded in death by her parents; her longtime companion, Trygve Lonnebotn; a sister, Bethany Stinson Stevenson; brother, Richard B. Stinson and sister-in-law, Teresa Stinson.

Melany is survived by a brother, Manly Stinson and his wife, Connie, of Frankfort; a brother-in-law, Dr. John Stevenson of New Albany; nieces and nephews, Shannon Valka, Sarah (Kala) Radl, Rachel (Steve) Greene, David (Kori) Stevenson, Brandt (Kristin) Stinson, Byron R. Stinson; great nieces and nephews, Ella and Ava West, Katherine and John Thomas Stevenson, Audrey, Stella and Asher Stinson, Fenrir and Wolven Radl and other extended family members.

A celebration of Melany’s life will be held later this spring at the home of Manly and Connie Stinson.

A private family service for the burial of the cremains will be held at a later date in the New Holland Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road, Newark, Ohio 43055.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Robert Eugene Funk, 74, of Mount Gilead, Ohio died Friday, March 11, 2022, at Kobacker House Hospice in Columbus.  He had been ill the past month.

Robert was born August 23, 1947, in New Holland, Ohio to Worley Michael and Bessie Forsythe Funk.

He was a retired auto mechanic.

Robert was preceded in death by five brothers, Neil, Virgil, Harley Allen, Worley (Buster) Funk and Donald Funk and three sisters, W. Marie Knapp, Ethel Williams and Bernice Saxour.

He is survived by three sons, Robert E. Funk, Jr. and his wife, Billie Jo, of Mount Gilead, Matthew W. Funk of Hilliard and Andy Funk of West Virginia; eight grandchildren, Brandy, Clayton and Austin Tatman, Victoria, Jacob, Shauna, Dustin and Montana Funk; several great grandchildren; a brother, Larry Funk; seven sisters, Joan East, Ruby Adams, Phyllis McCoy, Linda (Charles) Smith, Carolyn Funk, Marilyn Hettinger and Sarah Jane Picklesimer and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland with Richard A. Matthews officiating. Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral Home in New Holland from 12 Noon Wednesday until time of the service.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Nancy Lou French Ward, 82, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the First Community Village in Columbus where she had been residing the past four years.

Nancy was born June 1, 1939, in New Holland, Ohio to Darrell Chase and Jean Benham French.  She grew up in Wilmington, Ohio where her family owned the Murphy-Benham Hardware.  She was a graduate of Wilmington High School and attended Stephens College before graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in education.

Nancy loved to have dinner parties with friends, play tennis and bridge, was an avid reader, and was very engaged in the community.  She was a proud and active member of St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  She loved to sing in the St. Colman choir.  Nancy had served on the Washington City School Board of Education.  She was a member of Phi Beta Psi Sorority, where she was very involved with the Antique Show.  If you were looking for a volunteer for a community project, you only had to call Nancy and she would be right there.  She loved to travel and was lucky to have visited so many places in the world, enjoying her time in Europe and especially England.  She also helped design and decorate two new-build homes and loved to help others with design.  Nancy also enjoyed trading in the stock market and was a dedicated Buckeyes fan and a huge supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals (Who-Dey!).  Nancy loved to dance and to sing and was always at home on the stage.

Nancy was preceded in death by her loving husband, James F. Ward on November 7, 2016.  Their love story began in Westport, Connecticut when Nancy was a young teacher and Jim, who was raised there, lived next door.  Nancy and Jim were married on August 17, 1963, in Wilmington, Ohio.  They went on to live in Wilmington, Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, FL, Cupertino, CA, and finally settled in Washington Court House, Ohio in 1971, where they together owned and operated French Hardware.  Nancy had also been a teacher at the Sunnyside School where she enjoyed working with her students very much.

In addition to her husband, Nancy was preceded in death by an infant son, James F. Ward, Jr.; her parents; a brother, John C. (Jack) French; and a nephew, Rob French.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law; Douglas J. and Dana Ward of Glenview, IL, Matthew C. and Dawn Ward of Canton, MI, David M. and Kelly Ward of Grandview Heights, OH.  She was a loving Nana to eight grandchildren, Ella, Chase, Amelia, Katherine, Madeline, Maggie, Audrey, and James Ward.  She is also survived by special cousins, Charles and Helen Claibourne, David (Erin) Claibourne and Mark (Jenni) Claibourne; special nephew, Scott French; sisters-in-law, Joan (Phil) Lauterbach and Jackie (Dave) Lapic, and four nieces and a nephew, along with their children.

The funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church, 219 South North Street, Washington Court House, Ohio by the Rev. Father Cyrus Haddad, pastor at the church.  Burial will follow in the Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington, Ohio.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House Friday from 4-6 p.m. where a Rosary service will be held Friday at 6 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, 219 South North Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

Faith Marjorie Mayhew lost her battle with cancer on April 7, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.

She was born in 1946, in Steubenville, Ohio to John Thomas and Marjorie Lee Miller Mayhew. She had been a resident of Beverly Hills, California and Washington Court House, Ohio.

Faith attended The Ohio State University and UCLA, earning her Master’s Degree in education. She worked as an elementary school teacher for many years in the California public school system. She was passionate about beagles, racehorses and enjoyed working as an extra for Hollywood movies. Faith liked to attend the Golden Globe awards and she was working on a screenplay of her life when she passed. She enjoyed her friends and neighbors and liked taking her 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible to car shows in California. Faith was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported women’s education.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, John Mayhew and Joseph Mayhew.

She is survived by a niece and two nephews, Mandy Mayhew Allred (Barry Allred), Matt Mayhew (Kim Mayhew), and Bill Mayhew.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial of the cremains will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Joretta Hope Armbrust Brunner, 90, of Washington Court House, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 3:18 p.m. while surrounded by her loving family at Court House Manor where she had been residing four years.

She was born July 19, 1931, in Fayette County, Ohio to Elmer Frank and Rosa Maude Garringer Armbrust and was a lifelong resident of this community.

Joretta was formerly a secretary at Armbrust Concrete and Sugar Creek Stone Quarry and later was a title runner for Gusweiler GM Center for eight years.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Washington Court House and had served as organist for almost 25 years.  She had also been an active member of the Jackie Rutter Circle and she, and her husband, had also been youth leaders and made lifelong impressions on the youth.  Previously, she had been a member of the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church for 30 years where she was church organist for 12 years and also youth leader with her husband.  She had been organist for many funerals, serving several local funeral homes. She was a volunteer at the Adena Fayette Medical Center, formerly known as the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  She had also volunteered with the American Cancer Society of Fayette County.

Joretta was a homemaker who loved family gatherings, holidays, baking, and is known for her peanut butter fudge and red velvet cake that she shared with family and friends. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, crocheting, crafting, creative writing, poetry, playing the piano and organ, and listening to music. She leaves a rich Christian heritage of love and service to her family, church, and community. Her family is so very grateful and blessed to have had her in their lives for so many years. Joretta loved her Lord and she will be forever known by her godly example of faith, love, and kindness and her memory will always be loved and cherished.  Her children are thankful to their mom for being the lovely example of a virtuous and noble woman as she modeled God’s pattern and design for all of them. We love and miss you. “She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her.” NIV Proverbs 3:15; “Her children arise and call her blessed…” NIV Proverbs 31:2.

On September 4, 1948, she married Paul Christian Brunner in Newport, KY.  He preceded her in death on January 19, 2014.  She was also preceded by her parents; seven brothers, Alvin, Elden, Willard, Freddie and Charles Ronald Armbrust and two infant brothers; four sisters, Kitty Workman, Hazel Caplinger, Bonnie True and an infant sister and a devoted son-in-law, Joseph Ries in 2001.

She is survived by four daughters and their spouses, Julia Hope Brunner Ries D’Sidocky, and her husband, Richard, of Ravenna, Linda Brunner Wells and her husband, Gene, of Pawleys Island, SC, Susan Brunner Mitchell and her husband, Jon, of Washington Court House and Nancy Ann Brunner of Hebron, OH; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey (Ronda) Ries, Dennis (Tawny) Mitchell, Michael (Jessica) Mitchell, Brian (Lindsay) Mitchell, Cassandra (Wade) Jennings, Hamilton (Tashana) Wells, Bethany (Michael) Pratt and Elizabeth (Charles) Whitaker; 24 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The funeral will be Wednesday, March 9, 2022, a 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Washington Court House with the Rev. Joe Current, pastor at the church, and Michael and Dennis Mitchell, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 301 East East Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

The family is thankful to Court House Manor and their staff for the great care, patience and kindness shown to their mother.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Mark R. Wickensimer, 49, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, at his home.  His death was sudden and unexpected due to complications of COVID.

Mark was born July 23, 1972, in Washington Court House, Ohio.  He was the son of Mell R. and Martha Dayle Bean (Marty) Wickensimer.  He was a 1990 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

He was currently assistant manager of Ace Hardware in Washington Court House and had done remodeling projects for Sam and Angie Gebhardt.

Mark was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending OSU football games.  Mark was an extremely hard worker and really enjoyed teasing his niece, nephew and cousins.  He was loved by his family and will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his mother on March 21, 2019.

Mark is survived by a daughter, Macy Jones; his father, Mell R. Wickensimer; a sister, Mindi Wickensimer, of Martinsville, OH; a niece and nephew, Deana Ison and Hunter Hamilton; aunts and uncles, Sandy and Jim Armstrong of Washington Court House; Ronald Terry and Betty Wickensimer of Sebring, FL. Paul Wickensimer of Greenville, SC, Karis Wickensimer of Greenville, SC and special friends, Jackie Garringer, B.J. Jamison and Sharon Miller.

Cremation was observed.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Judy Chapel in Washington Cemetery.  Burial of the cremains will be in the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Isabelle Stratton, 97, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 7 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House where she had been a patient since February 8.

Mrs. Stratton was born December 19, 1924, in Springfield, Ohio to Harry and Florence Todhunter Hyser.  She lived most of her life in this community where she had been a manager at the Montgomery Ward store.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; was a voracious reader and did good deeds for many people.

Mrs. Stratton was preceded in death by her husband, Earl D. Stratton on March 7, 1979, a daughter, Carole Boulmetis and a grandson, Brian Stratton.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Earl D. and Deborah Stratton of Lakewood Rach, FL; a son-in-law, Sam Boulmetis, and his wife, Anita, of Charlotte, NC; three grandchildren, Lauri McLeland, Stephen Boulmetis and his wife, Kimberly, and Michelle Winkelman and her husband, Michael; five great grandchildren, Ben and Jacob McLeland, Connor and Carter Winkelman and Ty Wellemeyer and many special local friends.

The funeral will be Friday, March 4, 2022, 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, March 4, 2022, from 11 a.m. until time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 153 South Main Street, Suite 3, or the Fayette County Commission on Aging, 1179 South Elm Street, Washington Court House, Ohio  43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Francis McDonald Allen, 95, of Houma, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 18, 2022, while surrounded by her family.

“Frannie” was born December 26, 1926, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Aloysius Bernard “Bush” and Ruth Hagler McDonald.  She was a 1944 graduate of Washington High School where she served as homecoming queen in 1943.  She attended Mount Saint Joseph College in Cincinnati before moving to Louisiana in 1950, with her beloved husband, Robert B. Allen, who preceded her in death on February 18, 1970.

She was a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Houma, Louisiana.  Her hobbies included lady’s day golf at Ellendale, bridge club, garden club and bird watching.  She was an accomplished bird watcher and pursued that passion on several international birding expeditions.  But her greatest enjoyment was her family and watching her grandchildren, Jacob and Chelsea, participate in their many sporting events growing up.  “Granny Fran” was a loyal fan at Vandebilt Catholic High School.

She always thoroughly enjoyed her return visits to Washington Court House and the annual family reunions with her extended and scattered family.  “Aunt Frannie” was adored as one of the five ‘originals’ of the AB McDonald clan.

She was preceded in death, 52 years to the day, by her husband, Robert B. Allen; her parents, Aloysius and Ruth McDonald; a brother, Howard McDonald; a sister, Claire Weade; nephew Michael and nieces Ginger, Elaine and Karen.

She is survived by three children, Lynn Allen (Johnny) of Marietta, GA, Robert B. Allen, Jr. (Sandy) of Richardson, TX and Timothy J. Allen (Vickie) of Houma, LA; grandson, Jacob R. Allen (Emilie); granddaughters, Chelsea Lynn M. Allen, Ashley Bennett & Sherrel Caprio and eight great grandchildren including Clint Matthew Allen; two sisters, Mary Meadows (Jerry) of Paoli, IN and Ann Rask (Richard) of Breckenridge, CO, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews whom she adored immensely.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the St. Coleman of Cloyne Catholic Church in Washington Court House Ohio, by the Rev. Father Cyrus Haddad, pastor at the church.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Bob.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Vandebilt Catholic High School; St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church; or the Terrebonne Bird Club.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com