Obituaries

L. Russell Klontz, 85, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, December 30, 2021, at his home. His death was sudden and unexpected.

Russell was born June 11, 1936, at Octa in Fayette County, Ohio to Eugene Russell and Frances Lorene Harper Klontz.  He was a 1954 graduate of Washington High School, attended The Ohio State University and a lifelong resident of this community.

Before his retirement, he had worked in quality control and purchasing at Armco for 40 years.

He attended the Grace United Methodist Church; was a member of Jefferson Lodge #468 F. & A.M. in Jeffersonville; 32^nd, Degree Masons, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine; Washington Shrine Club; Washington Court House Lodge #129 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and was a member of the auxiliaries of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion and O.E. Hardway Post #3762 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He enjoyed gardening, home improvement projects and being with his family.

On November 15, 1956, he married the former Natalie McLean.  She preceded him in death on April 4, 2014.  He was also preceded by two sons, Keith Russell Klontz in 1960, and Kevin Ryan Klontz in 2011; a grandson, Keith Russell Klontz in 2015, and a brother, Roger Klontz.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law,  Kurt and Sherie Klontz of West Chester, Ohio; a daughter and son-in-law, Karin and Duane Litteral of New Holland; nine grandchildren, Katie (Tim) Karwatske, Becky (Ryan) Bernard, Kara (Mark) White, Kalyn (Aubrey) Sarna, Kyle (Julia) Klontz, Marissa (Ren) Lawwell, Allison Rife, Gretchen Rife and Kenneth Klontz and 13 great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Sandra Klontz of Circleville; a sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Gary Herdman of Sabina and several nieces and nephews..

The funeral will be Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Russell’s granddaughter, the Rev. Becky Bernard, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Milledgeville-Plymouth Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children; c/o the Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, Ohio  43160 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Wanda P. Taylor, 96, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, December 27, 2021, at 6:02 p.m. at Court House Manor where she had been residing since September 19, 2019.

Wanda was born July 18, 1925, at Williamsport in Pickaway County, Ohio to Clarence E. and Zelma Mae Donahue Conaway.  She was a 1943 graduate of Bloomingburg High School where she was class poet.

She had worked at Aeronautical Products, Inc. in Washington Court House and had served as a supervisor at Western Electric in Columbus.

She recent years she attended the Church of Christ on State Route 38 and formerly had been an active member of the First Christian Church where she was a member of the Martha Guild and the Good Fellowship Class.  She also was a Bible school teacher; taught ten years in the primary department; was assistant director of the Sunlight Chorus for 16 years and was a member of the Memorial Fund Committee.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion and a life member of the Fayette County Historical Society.  She formerly was a member of the Washington Country Club and the Ladies Golf Association; the Eagles Lodge Auxiliary and the Fayette County Humane Society.  She had served on the board of directors of the Fayette County Unit of the American Cancer Society and was information and special events chair.  Her pet project was “Send A Mouse to College” for which she received the state award for raising the most money per capita for the project.

On March 9, 1962, she married James Talmadge (Pappy) Taylor.  He preceded her in death on December 11, 1996.  She was also preceded by five brothers, Orville, Alfred, Clarence, Bill and Robert Conaway and four sisters, Ruby Kingery, Jean Mendenhall, Franke Souther and Opal Anderson.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald Craig and Donna Knisley of Leesburg. OH; a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia “Susie” and Dennis Knisely of High Springs, FL; four granddaughters, Shana Brooke Knisley and Julie, Jenni and Jill Knisely; a great granddaughter, Abbey Yoder; a brother, Stan Conaway of Mount Sterling and numerous loving nieces and nephews.,

The funeral will be Friday, December 31, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Danny Dodds, minister at the Greenfield Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House Friday from 11:30 a.m. until time of the service.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Charoula Dontopoulos, 81, of Williamsport, Ohio died Sunday, December 26, 2021, at 9:45 a.m. at her home.

Charoula was born March 1, 1940, in Athens, Greece to Gianni and Agalaia Dontopoulos. She moved to the United States in 1957, and was a graduate of Vassar College where she majored in art history and political science.  She also studied at the Institute of Holistic Health Careers in Columbus.  She was a dual citizen of Greece and the United States and spoke four languages.

She was an herbalist/holistic health educator and an integrative practitioner.  She also enjoyed gardening.

Charoula is survived by her partner of 59 years, Gail Ellen Dunlap of Williamsport; a sister and brother-in-law, Glory and Christos Rossakis of Athens, Greece and other relatives and friends in the Williamsport community.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation will take place.

A private celebration of her life will be observed by her family.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Ronnie James Morris, 36, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 6:33 p.m. shortly after arrival at Adena Fayette Regional Medical Center.  His death was sudden and unexpected.

Ronnie as born September 14, 1985, in Washington Court House to Todd Alan and Roxann Wheeler Morris.  He was a graduate of Miami Trace High School and lived most of his life in New Holland and Washington Court House.

He was a longtime employee of Fayette Progressive Industries and played on the sports teams of the Washington Court House Dragons.

Ronnie is survived by his father, Todd A. Morris of Greenfield; his mother and stepfather, Roxann and Brian Anthony of Washington Court House; three brothers, Jerod Morris of Washington Court House, T.J. Morris and his wife, Tyra, of Greenfield and Adam Morris of Washington Court House and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Michael Hodge, pastor the at Walnut Hill Church of Christ in Christian Union, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Milledgeville-Plymouth Cemetery.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Billy Lee Anderson, 90, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed away Friday, December 17, 2021, at 4:13 p.m. at his home with his loving family at his side.  He had been in failing health.

Billy was born January 28, 1931, in Fayette County, Ohio to Siah and Ilo Fountain Anderson.  He was a graduate of Wayne High School in Good Hope and was a lifelong resident of this community.

Before his retirement in 2010, he had been a cabinet builder for Palm Harbor Homes for 47 years.

He was a member of Crossroads Christian Church.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and was a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion.

He enjoyed the outdoors and mowing the fields.  He was well known  for his gardening and his spacious gardens.

On October 22, 1955, he married the former Opal Lee Conaway.  She preceded him in death on February 8, 2016.  He was also preceded by a son, Todd Alan Anderson in 1992; two brothers, Dane and Marlyn Anderson and a sister, Vivian Enochs.

Billy is survived by a son, Kevin Anderson of Washington Court House; a daughter, Kami Olsson and her husband, Mattias, of Washington Court House; seven grandchildren, Erin (Damien) Hart, Adam (Lindsey) Anderson, Brittany (Patrick) Clark, Katie (Elonzo) Coppins, Ethan Ruth, Elijah Ruth and Kassidy Olsson; several great grandchildren; a sister, Janet Dodds of Washington Court House and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Highlawn Cemetery with Todd Maurer, involvement minister at the Southside Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to ProMedica Hospice, 116 Morris Road, Unit B, Circleville, Ohio  43113.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Peggy Lee Funk, 70, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 9:01 a.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where she had been a patient since November 19.

Peggy was born June 28,1951, in Washington Court House to Given Eugene (Gene) and Bettie Jean Justice Hatfield.  She was a 1969 graduate of Washington Senior High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

She formerly was a clerk at Fayette Pharmacy.

Peggy enjoyed spending time with her family.

On April 5, 1977, she married Thomas Earl Funk, Jr.  He preceded her in death on May 12, 2005.  She was also preceded by her father in 2012, and her mother in 2008.

She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Kim and Tom Mongold of Jeffersonville; a brother and sister-in-law, Wesley (Willie) and Susie Hatfield of Washington Court House; a stepdaughter, Lori (Greg) Crabtree of Kingston; two step grandchildren, Brian Crabtree and Jenna Smith; six step great grandchildren, Lily, Luke, Waylon, Ainsley, Alyvia and Maverick; nieces and nephews, Jason and Tammy Mongold of Washington Court House, Joshua and Danielle Mongold of Jeffersonville, Brad and Nick Hatfield of Washington Court House; two great nieces, Allie and Megan Mongold and other great nieces and nephews.

Cremation will be observed.

Arrangements for a graveside service, to be held at the Highlawn Cemetery, with the Rev. Todd Wallace, minister at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, officiating are being completed and will be announced by the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 153 South Main Street, Suite 3, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Clyde Hockenbery, 91, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, December 12, 2021, at 1 p.m. at his home while surrounded by his loving family.

Clyde was born November 29, 1930, at West Jefferson in Madison County, Ohio to James Spencer and Nettie Marie Braithwaite Hockenbery.  He was a 1948 graduate of West Jefferson High School and moved to Washington Court House in 1977, from West Jefferson.

He retired as a lieutenant in 1984, from the Upper Arlington Fire Department after 25 years of service.  He was a member of Firefighters International #1521 and the Retired Firefighters Association.

On February 17, 1977, he married the former Vera Jane Lamb.  She preceded him in death on December 28, 2018.  He was the last of eight siblings.

Clyde is survived by children, Denise Butkus and her husband, Al, of Sebastian, FL, Nancy Humphrey, Annette Beam and her husband, Thomas, Robin Jones and her husband, Al, and Linda Roy, all of West Jefferson, Keith Hockenbery and his wife, Kim, of Sebastian, FL, Donald Palmer, Jr., of Washington Court House, Pamela Stapleton and her husband, Jim, of Staunton, and Teresa Streitenberger and her husband, David, of Washington Court House and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will be observed.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Judy Chapel in Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Judy Chapel Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 11 a.m. until time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Firefighters Charitable Foundation at ffch.org.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Willard Charles Clemmons, 78, of Atlanta, Ohio died Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 11:43 p.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where he had been a patient since November 24.

Willard was born July 3, 1943, in Ross County, Ohio to William Charles and Lois Riehle Clemmons.  He was a 1961 graduate of Ashville High School and lived most of his life in Pickaway County and the Atlanta community.

He was a carpenter and worked for several union companies before retiring in 1998, from the Miles-McClellan Construction in Columbus where he had worked for 12 years.

Willard enjoyed the outdoors, coon hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John F. Clemmons.

Willard is survived by his wife, the former Alice Marie Hyatt, whom he married November 25, 1962; two sons, Keith Clemmons and his friend, Joe Liston, of Mount Sterling, Dean Clemmons and his wife, Christal, of Atlanta; three grandchildren, Jeremy Cochenour and his fiancé, Kelly Bruce, of Atlanta, Brittany Cochenour of Columbus and Ciera Clemmons and her fiancé, Jordan Pine, of Atlanta; several great grandchildren; a great great granddaughter; his step mother, Shirley Clemmons of Circleville; a brother, Mark (Telisha) Clemmons; a step brother, Mike Vangundy of Ashville; a step sister, Melony Vangundy of Circleville; a sister-n-law, Brenda Clemmons of Circleville and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland.  Burial will follow in the Springlawn Cemetery in Williamsport.

Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 5-8 p.m.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Richard William Southworth, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 10, 2021, at 1:40 a.m. shortly after arrival at the Adena Fayette Medical Center.

Dick was born November 25, 1935, in Pickaway County at New Holland, Ohio to Harold David and Anna Lois Gault Southworth.  He lived most of his life in Washington Court House.

Before his retirement, he and his wife had been co-owners and operators of Mugs and Jugs. Dick had formerly been a milkman with Sagar Dairy and in his earlier years had detailed cars.

Dick was an active participant in the Silver Sneakers program at the YMCA.  He was an avid golfer and had been a member of the Washington County Club where he was proud to have had a hole in one.  However, his greatest joy was being a husband, father and grandfather.

On May 5, 1956, he married the former Doris Pauline Chapman.  She preceded him in death on December 15, 2020.  He was also preceded by a son, Steven Lee Southworth on December 4, 2016; a brother, Robert Southworth in 1996, and two sisters, Patricia Maddux in 1998, and Marsha Holloway in 1975.

Dick is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Buck Minyo and two grandchildren, Spencer and Trevor Minyo, all of Washington Court House.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation took place.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Todd Wallace, pastor at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Wilma Margaret Rulon, 98, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 7 p.m. at Adena Fayette Medical Center where she had been a patient since December 3.

Mrs. Rulon was born August 12,1923, in Clinton County, Ohio to Floyd and Hazel Swaney Jones. She was a 1942 graduate of New Vienna High School and moved to
Washington Court House in 1960, from Wilmington.

During World War II, she worked at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as an airplane inspector and then was a clerical worker in the dental clinic.  She had worked at the New Vienna Canning Factory, at BATJAK, K-Mart and retired as a clerk at the Fayette County Title Department.

She was a charter member of the Wilmington Church of Christ (Christian).  After moving to Washington Court House, she became a dedicated member of the First Christian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher in the Junior Department and director of the
Vacation Bible School.  She was a member of the Loyal Daughters Sunday school class, the Women’s Fellowship, the Martha Guild and she spearheaded numerous church committees.  She recently had been attending Crossroads Christian Church.

Mrs. Rulon enjoyed traveling and loved sitting in her garage and visiting with the neighbors as they passed by.  Her greatest love was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On December 22, 1946, she married William M. Rulon.  He preceded her in death on July 15, 1997.  She was also preceded by a brother, James Lee Jones in 1986, and a son-in-law, William S. Halliday in 2003.

She is survived by three daughters, Linda Halliday, Marsha Rulon and Gayle Robinson and her husband, Jay, all of Washington Court House; five grandchildren, Bill Halliday, II and his wife, Erica, of Washington Court House, Cara Helmes and her husband, Steve, of West Chester, Ohio, Kate Halliday and Kevin Woods, of Washington Court House, Amy Jo Morris and her husband, Chad, of Liberty Township, Ohio and Scott Robinson and his wife, Margo, of Washington Court House; seven great grandchildren, Katie and Ryan Helmes, Sadie and Macie Halliday, Charlotte and Liam Robinson and Emily Morris; several nieces and nephews and special friends and her cat, Cotie.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Washington Cemetery with Steve D. Henderson, former minister at First Christian Church, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 153 South Main Street, Suite 3, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com