Obituaries

Marjorie Ann (Jordan) Schaefer, 86, of Bloomingburg, Ohio entered into the kingdom of heaven on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 10:28 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House where she had been a patient since March 10.

Marjorie was born June 4, 1935, in Franklin, Ohio to H. F. (Hugh) and Agnes Archer Jordan.  She was a graduate of Lemon-Monroe High School in Monroe, Ohio.  On November 3, 1956, she married Arthur F. Schaefer at the Bethany Methodist Church in Bethany, Ohio.  They moved to Fayette County in 1964, from Butler County.

She had several different jobs, the most recent being bookkeeper for Schaefer Farms.

Marjorie was a member of the Midway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia.

She looked forward to getting together every Thursday at the deli with the “Lunch Bunch.”  She also loved having pizza night and playing games with her family; working puzzles and playing euchre.  Marge enjoyed traveling with family and friends and traveled once to Europe and twice to Denmark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Art in 2011; a sister, Erma Jean Jordan; brothers, Richard, Carlos, and Fred Jordan; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Peg) Jordan and Greta Jordan and a nephew, Rick Jordan.

Marjorie is survived by her children, Bill (Dee Dee) Schaefer of Florida, Tim (Mary Jo) Schaefer of Bloomingburg, Sandy (Bryan) Clyburn of Bloomingburg and Bent Hansen of Denmark, whom she thought of as a son.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Eric and Alaina Schaefer, Kayla (Corey) Stevens, Evan (Hannah) Schaefer, Cody (Franke) Clyburn; a brother, Bob (Karen) Jordan of Florida; several nieces and nephews and her canine companion, Artie.  She was especially looking forward to meeting Cody and Franke’s child, her first great grandchild, to be born in August.

The funeral will be Monday, April 11, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Midway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County, 222 North Oakland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann “Cricket” DeWeese, 59, of Bainbridge Ohio, died Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 1:59 p.m.at her home.  She had been in failing health.

Cricket was born September 24, 1962, at Georgetown in Brown County, Ohio to Jack Robert and Donna Lee Eckert Huddleston.

She loved horses, country antiques and enjoyed the music of Patsy Cline, but she especially loved her kids and grandkids.

Cricket was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Joshua Pollock.

She is survived by two children, Jessica Lindsey (Kyle) DeWeese-Rigsby of Grove City, Ohio and Jonathan (Summer) Huddleston of Jacksonville, NC; grandchildren, Jaiden, Kolt and Ava with another grandchild on the way; step mother, Terrie Huddleston; five siblings, Ruby (Brian) Lane, Tammy Huddleston, Johnny Huddleston, Robert Yaden and Sheri Sims and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, April 10, 2022, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rose Avenue Community Center, 412 Rose Ave., Washington C. H. with Pastor Joy Stanforth officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with the final expenses.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Wendy Sue (Waddle) Mansfield, 73, of Sabina (Lee’s Creek), Ohio was carried home Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 10:20 a.m. at her residence while surrounded by her loving family.

Wendy was born October 6, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio to Marion and Helen June (Fisher) Waddle.  She grew up on Snowhill Road in Fayette County, graduated from Miami Trace High School in 1966, and Bowling Green State University in 1970.

She taught school a short time in Fayette County before moving to Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she used her physical education degree in managing an Army Recreation Center and a woman’s sports program.

Wendy met her husband, Ron, in Germany and they were married September 24, 1980, in Heidelberg.  From the marriage, Wendy inherited two sons, Wade and Zac and gave birth to daughter, Erin Leigh, in 1981.

Wendy supported Ron as an Army spouse until he retired in 2013, at which time they built the house of Wendy’s dreams in Lees Creek on her mother’s homeplace.

Along with her husband Ron, she was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Wilmington.

Wendy was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jack Waddle.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald B. Mansfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Brian Driggers of Fayetteville, NC; two stepsons, Wade Mansfield and his wife, Kym, of Sacramento, CA and Zac Mansfield of Wilmington, OH; a granddaughter, Zoe; a brother, O.J. Waddle and a sister-in-law, Carol Waddle of Fayette County and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 5, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at the Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington, 55 Megan Drive, Wilmington, Ohio.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Lees Creek United Church of Christ, 57 Cox Road, Lees Creek, Ohio with the Rev. Josh Dixon, pastor at Bible Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Sabina Cemetery.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Beverly June Alkire, 91, of Xenia, formerly of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Monday, March 28, 2022, at 10:25 a.m. at Shawnee Estates Senior Living in Xenia where she had been a resident the past 4 ½ years.

She was born June 22, 1930, in Wilmington, Ohio, to Jesse Hammond and Velma Smithson Carey.  She was a 1948 graduate of Wilmington High School and moved to Washington Court House in 1961, from Circleville.

Beverly was a retired bookkeeper and secretary and had worked alongside her husband, Jack, as co-owners of Builders’ Wholesale Supply, but her greatest joy in life was her family.

She was a member of the Wilmington Friends Meeting.

On August 1, 1959, she married Jack Fulton Alkire.  He preceded her in death on September 12, 2018.  She was also preceded by her parents, four brothers, Robert, Noel, John and Dean Carey and five sisters, Helen Hadley, Alice Whiteneck, Orba Bullen, Eleanor Elliott and Phyllis Spitler.

Beverly is survived by four children and their spouses, Dr. Nancy Lynn Alkire and her husband, Scott Seaman, of Columbus, Susan Carrie Zaffiro and her husband, Paul, of Liberty Township, OH, David Jack Alkire and his wife, Keya, of Mount Sterling and Jennifer Ann Schiff and her husband, Brian, of Wake Forest, NC; six grandchildren, Sarah Zaffiro (Kyle Karnes), Rachael (Drew Stevens) and Carissa Zaffiro, Cole and Carter Schiff, and Dean Alkire; a sister-in-law, Sarah Jane Alkire of Xenia and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Friday, April 1, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Julie Rudd, pastor at the Wilmington Friends Meeting, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Madison Mills Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45420.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Julia Ann Schwartz, 72, of Washington Court House, Ohio went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11:19 a.m. at her home while surrounded by her loving family.

Julia was born December 15, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio to Thomas Leon and Nelle Gay Cotterman Deger.  She was a graduate of Lebanon High School and then graduated as a registered nurse from the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Dayton.

She worked three years at Fayette County Memorial Hospital and then ten years for Dr. Marvin H Roszmann.  She began working at the Fayette County Health Department in 1991, in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, and worked at the health department until her retirement on January 30, 2016.

Julia was a member of the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church in Washington Court House.

She loved her garden.  She was a member of the Deer Creek Daisies and looked forward to all of their floral outings and being with her garden friends.  She also exhibited her flowers at the Fayette County Fair.

Travel was a big part of Julia’s life as she enjoyed being with her family and friends.  She invited many of her friends to her “second home” in Las Vegas, where she fell in love with the cactus, mountains, wildlife and all the area had to offer.

She also loved watching harness racing of Standardbred race horses, which was well known to her family.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

She is survived by two sons, Bret (Robin) Schwartz of Washington Court House, Tim (Anita Flynn) Schwartz of Las Vegas, NV; two granddaughters, who were the love of her life, Alexis (Dylan Fagan) Schwartz of Washington Court House and Aubrey Schwartz, a student at Wilmington College; a brother, Steve (Debbie Ehling) Deger of Lebanon; nephew, Levi Deger of Columbus ; niece, Hailee (Luke) Miller; great nephew, Weston Miller; great niece, Remington Nelle Miller, all of Lebanon and her former husband and friend, Dr. Robert Schwartz, and his wife Lisa, of Washington Court House.

Julia’s family thanks all of her special friends and neighbors for their visits, encouraging words, food, flowers, laughs and smiles.  Julia was so loved by all who knew her and she looked forward to their comforting visits.

Special thanks go to Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County, particularly for the candle lighting service and day of remembrance for Julia.  The nurses, representing the spirit of Florence Nightingale, quoted “Nursing is giving of one’s self to enhance the lives of others, a commitment to caring” and acknowledged Julia’s many years of service as a nurse.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday where a Rosary service, led by Nancy Bennett and Shirley Pettit, will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Friends may also call at the funeral home Thursday from 11 a.m. until Noon, at which time prayers will be offered by Jeff Davis, chaplain for Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County.  Burial will be in the Turtlecreek Cemetery near Lebanon, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County, 222 North Oakland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Mary Catherine King, 99, a resident of Sterling House in Mount Sterling, Ohio since 2015, died Monday, March 21, 2022, at 6:28 p.m. at Sterling House.

Mary was born January 23, 1923, in New Holland, Ohio to Edgar and Edith Byers Davis.  She was a 1941 graduate of New Holland High School and lived most of her life in Fayette County.

She was a member of the Madison Mills United Methodist Church.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, E. Max King on August 16, 1986; by a son, Steven M. King on September 11, 2014; four brothers, Robert, John, Joe and Thad Davis and a sister, Betty Wilson.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Sandi King of Washington Court House; a daughter-in-law, Cathy King of Washington Court House; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Bethany Kloss and her husband, Aaron, and their children, Lane and Aven, of Centerburg, Ohio; Valerie Higelin and her husband, Brandon, and their daughter, Camden, of Albuquerque, NM; Michael King and his wife, Morgan, and their daughters, Liza, Molly and Hattie of Morehead, KY; Brian King and his wife, Kelly, of Good Hope and their children, Lorelei, Lucas and Lilly; Kristina Humphrey and her husband, Tim, of Bloomingburg and their children, Ben and Amelia Womack; Rob King and his fiancée, Shyann Henry, of Florida; a sister Shirley Davis Mowery of Lancaster, OH; a special niece, Pam (Bob) Palmer of Boston, MA and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at the Madison Mills United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Jewell, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Madison Mills Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church from 10:30 a.m. Thursday until time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Mills United Methodist Church, c/o Louann Thompson, 1654 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

Jerry Earnest Smith, 69, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, March 18, 2022, at 8:20 p.m. at the Fayette Adena Medical Center where he had been a patient since Wednesday.

Jerry was born September 7, 1952, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Glenn Edward and Helen Marie Gates Smith.  He was a 1970 graduate of Miami Trace High School and had lived most of his life in the New Holland and Washington Court House communities.

He was a police office in Sabina from 1984-1992; served on the Fayette County Life Squad from 1977-1984 and was a volunteer with the Pick-A-Fay Fire Department in New Holland from 1973-1984.

Jerry was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served in the Ohio National Guard.  He was a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion; New Holland Lodge F. & A.M. #392 and the Walnut Hill Church of Christ in Christian Union.

He was preceded in death by a step-son, Steven A. Clawson; his parents and a brother, Joseph E. Smith.

He is survived by his wife, the former Penny Louise Neville whom he married July 10, 1997; a daughter, Laura Smith-Linsten and her husband, Victor, of New Holland, a step-son, Johnathan N. Clawson of Washington Court House; seven grandchildren, Lea and Heather Wing and Logan, Lilly, Levi and Marley Clawson and Cheyanne Linsten and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the New Holland Church of Christ in Christian Union with the Rev. Michael Hodge officiating.  Complete military honors will follow the service.  Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in New Holland Cemetery

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

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