Obituaries

Norma Jean Adkins, 76, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, May 6, 2024, at her home.

Norma was born February 12, 1948, at Midway in Madison County, Ohio to Amos and Mildred Elliott Dawes.  She was a graduate of Washington High School and a lifelong resident of this community.

Before her retirement, she was a nursing home aide.  She had also been a grocery store clerk and a server at Frisch’s Big Boy.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tracy Marie Adkins on August 3, 1980; her parents; five brothers, George, Bud, Amos, Jr., and Dave Dawes and Martin Smith and four sisters, Martha Wade, Marjorie Shaw and infant sisters, Margaret and Ann Dawes.

Norma is survived by her husband, Lonnie Edward Adkins whom she married July 20, 1968; three children, Stephanie (John) Coonrod of Greenfield, Lonnie E. (Laurie) Adkins, II of Greenfield and Brandon (Kayla) Adkins of Leesburg; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and a brother, Chuck (Goldie) Dawes of Staunton.

A private family graveside service will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the Washington Cemetery with memories being offered by family members.

There will be no calling hours.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Alexis Lynne Davis, 16, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Friday, May 3, 2024, at her residence.

Alexis was born October 12, 2007, in Colorado Springs, CO.  She was the daughter of Ashley Nicole Davis and Curt H. Curtis.   She lived most of her life in this community where she was a sophomore at Washington High School.

She was a cashier at Rancher’s Roast Beef.

Lexi enjoyed taking riding lessons at the Lost Fortune Horse Stables in Mount Sterling and participating in horse shows, especially in the cantering class.

She is survived by her parents, Ashley and Curt Curtis of Washington Court House; grandparents, Kimberly Crabtree of Grove City and Derald Davis of Washington Court House; aunts and uncles, Valerie (Shane) Davis, Rustin Bullock, Correy Davis, Brandon Bullock, Kaylee (Pat) Davis Brittany (Josh) Beverly, Melissa Lee, Candy Woods and her cousins, Taylor, Zara, Teagan, Livy and Landon, and her protector and baby, Cujo.

The funeral will be Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the South Side Church of Christ with Matthew Hippely, minister at the church, officiating.  A graveside service will be held Friday, May 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the Washington Cemetery.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Friends may call at the church, Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 2 p.m. until time of the service.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Mary Suzanne “Sue” Maddux, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 9:04 p.m. shortly after arrival at Adena Fayette Medical Center.

Sue was born January 29, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the only child of Charles Bernard and Mary Etta Grosse Renneckar.  She was a 1955 graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959 from the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and Health.   She moved to Washington Court House in 1967, from Cincinnati.

She was a public health nurse with the City of Cincinnati Board of Health from 1959-1960.  She also was a maternity ward nurse at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati.  After moving to Washington Court House, she was a nurse at Quiet Acres Nursing Home from 1967-1970.  She worked at the Fayette County Health Department from 1970 until 2000, at which time she retired as director of family planning.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she had been a Sunday school teacher.  She had also served as an elder and deacon and chairperson of the trustees and was a past president of the Women’s Association.  She joined the Eastern Star on April 26, 1956, and was a member of Jefferson Chapter #300 of the Order of the Eastern Star.  She was past president and served on the board of directors of Community Action.  She had also served on the boards of the United Way, Head Start, Ohio Public Health Association, Ohio Family Planning and Campfire, of which she had also been a local leader.  She was the local health department’s representative to the food bank.  She was on the curriculum planning committee at Miami Trace and served as a grief counselor at both Miami Trace and Washington Schools. She served on the advisory board of the Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center and the Fayette County Community Concert Association. She was past president of the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and Health Alumni Association, the Fayette County Professional Nurses Association, and the Washington Court House Kiwanianne Club.  She had been a member of Mother’s Circle of DeMolay and was a member of the Fayette County Commission on Aging.  She loved traveling, especially to Hawaii.

She had a passion for making cross bookmarks and giving them to people, not only locally, but also to people of other countries, including celebrities.  She made over 6000 bookmarks and has them in approximately 40 countries and has letters of gratitude from many people, including the Queen of England.

On March 13, 1959, she married Richard Harold Maddux.  He preceded her in death on May 19, 2016.  She was also preceded by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Phillip and Shirley Maddux.

Sue is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Graham (Butch) Roberts of Washington Court House; two sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Karla Maddux of Murfreesboro, TN and Roger and Tracey Maddux of Washington Court House;  seven grandchildren, Joshua, Bryan, Jacob, McKenzie, Tyler, Erik, and Laura; seven great grandchildren, Rilyn, Kahlen, Kyron, Karleigh, Kaia, Slone and Harrison and three nieces, Pam Cindy and Lori.

An Eastern Star service, which is open to the public, will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.  A celebration of life service will immediately follow the Eastern Star service with the Rev. Steve Brand, pastor at the church, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church, Saturday from 12 Noon until the time of the service.

Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Rest Haven Cemetery in Cincinnati.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Food Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church, 214 North Hinde Street or Shriner’s Hospital, c/o The Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Barbara Ann Somers, 72, of Bloomingburg, Ohio died Friday, May 3, 2024, at 12:13 a.m. at the Kettering Health Center in Hamilton, Ohio where she had been a patient since Monday.

Barbara was born October 14, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio to Paul Vernon and Iris Eloise Grube Shafer.  She was a graduate of Miami Trace High School and attended The Ohio State University and the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley.  She had formerly lived in Columbus and Colorado before returning to this community in 1997.

She was a special education teacher and fostered one of her students, Michelle, for 16 years.  She had been a freight handler at Airborne Express in Wilmington; a cook at Fayette County Head Start and also worked at Sugar Creek Packing Company.

Barbara was a member of Grace Community Church.  She enjoyed gardening, quilting, cooking, baking and was an avid canner.  However, her main love was being with her grandchildren and attending their extracurricular events.

She is survived by her husband, Dale Robert Somers whom she married February 7, 1991; a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Nichole Somers of Washington Court House; four grandchildren, Amea, Joseph, Callie and Paislee Somers; a brother and sister-in-law, David and Shirley Shafer of South Carolina and a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Greg Miller of Bloomingburg.

The funeral will be Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 12 Noon. at the Grace Community Church, 525 Glenn Avenue, Washington Court House, with Jay Lucas, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Plattsburg Cemetery in Clark County.

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

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Earl Francis “Frank” McMackin, 84, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 6:50 p.m. at his home.

Frank was born August 30, 1939, at Ironton in Scioto County, Ohio to Francis Earl and Teresa Wheelersburg McMackin.  He moved to Washington Court House in 2013, from Huntington, WV.

Before his retirement, he was a sales supervisor for Heiner‘s Bakery in Huntington, WV.  He had also worked at Pennington Bread in Washington Court House.

He was United States Marine Corps veteran and a member of Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion.  He was also a member of Fayette Aerie #423 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul McMackin.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sandra Lou Casey; three children, Christina Maggard and her husband, Tim, of Washington Court House, Mary Crank and her husband, Steve, and Robert Hellyer of Dayton; five grandchildren, Ashley (Eddie) Napier of Jeffersonville, Tyler (Allie Persinger) Maggard of Washington Court House, Nick Donahey, Michael Donahey and Sadie (Taren) Sartor, all of Dayton; four great grandchildren, Connor and Avery Napier, Tripp Maggard and Kenzie Donahey and great grandson, Teddy Maggard arriving Thursday, May 2; a brother, Tom (Karen) McMackin of Delaware, Ohio and Rita Ann (Jerry) Urgrin of Portsmouth and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with full military honors bestowed at 7:30 p.m.  The Reverend Joe Duvall will offer prayers at 8 p.m.

Cremation will follow the visitation.

www.kirkptrickfuneralhome.com

Lucinda Gayle Green, 59, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed away Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:11 p.m. at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus where she had been a patient the past week.

Lucinda was born April 27, 1964, in Riverton, Wyoming to Claude and Opal Loretta Smart Layne, both of whom preceded her in death.  She moved to Washington Court House 4½ years ago from St. Mary’s, Ohio.

She formerly was a convenience store cashier.

Lucinda was a member of the New Life Apostolic Church in Reesville.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and fishing.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Green; a daughter, Lacey Borne of Huntland, TN; three stepchildren, Natasha Green, Joshua Green and Sharon Green, all of Middlesboro, KY; seven grandchildren, Skyler Borne, Lucas, Charlie and Colin Green, Myiah, Shaonte and Tieresha Mullins and a sister, Claudette Caldwell of Gruetti-Laager, TN.

The funeral will be Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Ronald Warnock, pastor at the New Life Apostolic Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Jo Ann Gillenwater, 79, of New Holland, Ohio died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 2:59 p.m. at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital in Columbus where she had been a patient two weeks.

Jo Ann was born September 1, 1944, in Ross County, Ohio to Roy Noble and Ruth Ellen Ater Holloway.  She was a 1963 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of the New Holland community.

She had been a cashier at Walmart in Washington Court House.  She formerly was a waitress and manager of the White Cottage Restaurant and later owned and operated the Snack Shack in New Holland.  She enjoyed crocheting.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard R. Wood in 1978; her second husband, Robert L. Gillenwater in 2019; her parents and two brothers, Melvin E. Holloway in 2017, and Paul F. Holloway in 2010.

She is survived by two sons, Michael A. Wood and his wife, Mary Ann, of Mt. Sterling and John E. Wood and his wife, Tiffany, of Port Charlotte, FL; six grandchildren, Michael A. Wood, Jr. and his wife, Dana, and Howard Richard Wood and his wife, Miranda, Annabella, A.J., Shayne and Erin Wood; five great grandchildren, Dalton, Waylon, Teagan, Payton, and Talon Wood; two step great grandchildren, Autumn and Zachary Burgess; a brother, Jeff (Vickie) Holloway of Washington Court House and two sisters, Carolyn Vititoe of Washington Court House and Nancy (Russell) Keller of Mount Sterling.

The funeral will be Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland with the Rev. Michael Hodge, pastor at the Walnut Hill Church of Christ in Christian Union, officiating.  Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home in New Holland one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Jo Ann Davis Langdon, 87, of Washington Court House died Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Columbus after a brief illness.

Jo was born on July 2, 1936, in Fayette County to Martin Grove and Kathryn Persinger Davis.

She was a graduate of Washington High School, then attended The Ohio State University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Music. She held numerous elementary music teaching positions in Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Nebraska including hosting her own PBS television show produced in Omaha and shown throughout the school district.  Following her teaching career, she obtained an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. She had a distinguished 40-year career as a paralegal with two prestigious law firms in Omaha, NE and Columbus, OH. In addition, she ran a successful independent tax business for many years in Washington C.H.

Music played an instrumental role in her life. Her high school musical career culminated with a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue played in conjunction with the high school band. She also had a distinguished music career at Ohio State including a performance of Handel’s Messiah with a 400-voice university chorus and served as the accompanist for the Symphonic choir. She was inducted in the music honorary, Delta Omicron. Locally, she was the pianist for many years for both the Fayette County Choral Society and the Cecilians music club. She used her musical talent to benefit many organizations in the community.  She performed in concerts throughout the area playing solos, piano duets and accompanying many local musicians.

Another one of her great passions was gardening. She was a member of the AOGC garden club of Fayette County. Jo designed an extensive, lovely English garden at her beloved home; having over 100 roses, her favorite. She won multiple blue ribbons at the Fayette County Fair for her roses. She participated in several garden tours and her garden was a favorite among local photographers. Jo was well known for her beautiful flower arrangements which she generously shared with others.

Jo moved back to Washington C.H. in 1993. She was a very active member of the community. She was proud to serve on multiple boards, committees and charities. Notably, she was an active member and trustee of the Fayette County Historical Society, member and trustee the First Presbyterian Church, member of Kappa Alpha Theta, DAR, Phi Beta Psi and the Washington Country Club. Jo will be remembered for her razor-sharp focus on whatever task was at hand. Even more so, she will be remembered as the epitome of elegance and grace, a true lady born of a past era. Jo’s diverse group of friends was a testament to her extraordinary talents and interests.

Jo was preceded in death by her first husband, James M. Fox, her second husband, James K. Langdon, her sister, Elizabeth Jane Davis and stepson Paul Langdon.

She is survived by her sister, Dinah Miller of Dayton, OH; her son, Charles M. Fox and Brenda Gerleman of Wichita, KS.;  two daughters and sons-in-laws, Kathryn and Michael Beier of Hendersonville, TN and Dinah and Rhett Jaehn of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren, Nicole and Matt Fox, Sarah and Lauren Beier, Harrison, Davis and Carter Jaehn; step-daughter and son-in-law Lorraine and Chris Hull of St Louis, MO; step-daughter Lisa Arko of Narberth, PA; step-sons and daughters-in-law James Jr and Katherine Langdon of Minneapolis, MN and Steve and Kathy Langdon of Lincoln, NE and David Langdon of Mesa, AZ.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 214 N. Hinde Street, Washington C.H. A burial at Washington Cemetery and a lunch in Persinger Hall, First Presbyterian Church, will immediately follow the service.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington C.H. Friday, April 26 from 6-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to programs important to Jo: The Fayette County Ohio Historical Society, 517 Columbus Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160; The Big Blue Bus Program at Washington Court House City Schools, 306 Highland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160; or the Fayette Community Chorale, c/o Maggie Glass, 5694 Plantation Circle, New Holland, Ohio  43145.

www.kirkptrickfuneralhome.com

Ronald Joe Campbell, 82, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. at his home.  He had been in failing health.

Ronald was born August 5, 1941, in Fayette County, Ohio to Joe D. and Virginia L Yeoman Campbell, both of whom preceded him in death.  He was a 1959 graduate of Jeffersonville High School, attended Wilmington College and was a lifelong resident of this community.

He was a soil lab technician at Spectrum Analytic (formerly Agrico Lab) for 40 years before his retirement in 2003.

Ronald had been a member of the Community Re-Investment Area Housing Council.  He had served as a Union Township Trustee for 21 years.  He also served on the Fayette County MRDD board of directors for ten years; the Washington Union Cemetery board of directors; the Fayette County Zoning Commission and the Fayette County Zoning Board of Appeals.   He was a member of the Republican Central Committee for 16 years and was campaign chairman for several Republican candidates.  He had been a member of the former McNair Memorial Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, the former Martha Pauline Donohoe whom he married September 1, 1962; three children, Kathy Friedberg and her husband, Todd, of Columbus, Mandy Ogan of Washington Court House and John Campbell of Grove City; two grandchildren, Jayden Friedberg and Lacy Ogan and her friend, Brad Moore and his son, Ashton Moore; a sister, Sue Brown and her husband, Barry, of Ashville;  two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Carr and her husband, Alford, of Washington Court House,  and Margery Berry of Grove City; two brothers-in-law, Leo Donohoe of Fayette County and Eddie Donohoe and his wife, Carol, of Greenfield and several nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held in the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery with the Rev. Joy Stanforth, associate pastor at Heritage Memorial Church of Christ in Christian Union, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County, 222 North Oakland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Edrie Mae Downing, 77, of Washington Court House, Ohio, died Friday, April 12, 2024, at 10:53 p.m. at her residence.  She had been in failing health.

She was born January 31, 1947, in Williamsport, Ohio to John and Mary Frances Hagley Teets.

Edrie was preceded in death by her first husband, Brian Cook and by her second husband, Roy David Downing; her parents and three sisters, Norma Jean Rutherford, Maxine Hedges and Wilma Adkins.

She is survived by three sons, Brian Cook and his wife, Yolanda, of Washington Court House, Kevin Downing of Washington Court House, and Howard Downing of Chillicothe: ten grandchildren; two sisters, Tonya Weiss of Washington Court House and Sue Crabtree and her husband, Tom, of Williamsport and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in New Holland with Tom Butcher officiating.  Burial will follow in the Springlawn Cemetery in Williamsport.

Friends may call at the funeral home in New Holland one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com