Obituaries

Mary Margaret McClish, 77, most recently of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Friday, December 27, 2024, at 9:20 a.m. at the OSU James Cancer Hospital after a nearly 2-year courageous battle with cancer.

She was born June 5, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio to Attree Richard & Beatrice Dill McClish.  Her early years were spent on the Hartman Farm in Hamilton Township in Franklin County where her family operated McClish Dairy Products.  She was proud of her ancestral heritage in the immediate area tracing back to the original pioneer families including the McClish’s, Dill’s, Lisle’s and Smith’s.

Mary graduated from Hamilton Twp. High School in 1965, and Bowling Green State University in Physical Education in 1969.  She taught high school in Granville, Ohio until moving to Largo, Florida in 1978, where she was a licensed real estate agent.  She worked for the U.S. Postal Service until she retired in 2014.  Mary moved back to Ohio in 2023, where she has resided at Carriage Court Assisted Living in Washington Court House since May 2023.

Besides her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a brother, Attree R. McClish, Jr. in 1968.

She is survived by a brother, Paul Dill McClish and a sister-in-law Pauline Cochran McClish of Washington Court House; a nephew, Brent (Nancy) McClish of Washington Court House; a niece, Marjorie (Tim) Garren of Nova Scotia, Canada; nephew, Matthew (Jennifer) McClish of Marietta, GA, plus 11 grand and great grand nieces and nephews.  She cherished many other relatives, friends and coworkers she enjoyed throughout her life journey.

Family and friends will be welcomed by the family, Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, 975 Rathmell Rd., Columbus, OH 43207 for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m.  Burial to follow, next to the church, in the Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Walnut Hill Cemetery, 915 Rathmell Road, Columbus, Ohio  43207.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Shirley Hughes, 65, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10:40 p m. at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation where she had been residing the past three years.

Shirley was born July 27, 1959, in Fayette County, Ohio to Lon Jay and Joan Marie McDonald Hughes.  She was a 1978 graduate of Miami Trace High School where she was a member of the marching band.

She was a lifelong member of the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church and had previously served as lector.  She enjoyed knitting and loved cats.

Shirley is survived by a brother, Tom Hughes of Lancaster and several cousins, including Ronald J. Weade who was her guardian.

The funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, January 3, 2025, at 12 Noon at the St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church by the Rev. Father Cyrus M. Haddad, pastor at the church.  Burial will follow in St. Colman Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church, 219 South North Street or Fayette Progressive Industries, 1330 Robinson Road-SE, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Rickey Lee Roberts, 66, of Hillsboro, Ohio, formerly of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 6:11 pm. at the Laurels of Hillsboro where he had been residing since September 20, 2021.

Rickey was born October 23, 1958, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Fred Casey and Wilma Jean (Jeannie) Daniels Roberts.  He was a 1977 graduate of Washington High School and lived most of his life in Washington Court House.

Before his retirement, he was an inspector with the United Steel Workers and worked at the Arcler Mittel plant in Columbus.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy.

Rickey was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mindy Gayle Roberts.

He is survived by his longtime friend, Lester LeMaster; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Linda Whited, all of Washington Court House; two nieces; a nephew and several great nieces and nephews.

To honor his wishes, cremation will be observed.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Rebecca Jane Thompson, 92, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10:09 a.m. at the Copper Knoll Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she had been residing since June 2020.

Becky was born June 21, 1932, in Washington Court House, Ohio to William Augustus and Rebecca Florence VanGundy Armbrust.  She was a 1950 graduate of Washington High School and lived most of her life in Fayette County, in the Manara community, before moving to Washington Court House in 2004.

She had formerly been a bookkeeper at J.C. Penney, for Russell Miller Foods and the J & J Restaurant.

Becky was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, had served as a deacon and on the session and was leader of the Presbyterian Women.  She was a member of the Washington Garden Club; sang with the Fayette County Choral Society and enjoyed planning bridge.

She married Edwin F. Thompson on August 13, 1961.  He preceded her in death on May 29, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Jackie, Gene, Harold Richard and Norman Armbrust.

Becky is survived by a son, Ed Thompson of Hilliard; daughter-in-law, Gaye Thompson of Hilliard; a daughter, Cindy (C.J.) Thompson of Washington Court House;  four grandchildren, Traci Jenkins and her husband, Andrew, of Hilton Head, SC; Lindsay Reilly and her husband, Jim, of Parker, CO; Kyle Thompson and his wife, Sarah, of Hilliard and Jesse Jamison and his wife, Ashlee, of Washington Court House; six great grandchildren, Jaxon and Kayden Reilly, Emma and Hudson Jamison and Parker and Ainsley Thompson; several nieces and nephews and other friends and relatives.

The funeral will be Friday, December 27, 2024, at 12 Noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington Court House with the Rev. Steve Brand, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will be at a later date in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.

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

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Bonnie Lee Orders Piekut, 83, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 20, 2024, at 7:12 p.m. at her home.

Bonnie was born August 28, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio to Francis Marion and Jean Eversole Orders.  She was a 1959 graduate of Westerville High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University.  She had lived in various locations before moving to Washington Court House in 1995, from Syracuse, NY.

She had been a schoolteacher for several years and later had worked at the Osh Kosh store at the Tanger Outlet Mall.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Kendra Kevern.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Casimir Michael Piekut whom she married July 18, 1964; two children, James Piekut and his wife, Kathy of Little Rock, Arkansas and Tara Abraham and her husband, Scott of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Brittany Callaway and her husband, Conner, Derek Abraham and his wife, Holly, and Bridget Abraham; two brothers, Frank Orders and his wife, Patti, of Lewis Center, OH and Stephen Orders and his wife, Donna, of Maringo, OH; a brother-in-law, Thomas Kevern of Arizona and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at WCH Grace Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Blendon Central Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio.

Friends may call at the funeral home, Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Howard G. Arnold, 83, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 1:16 a.m. at Court House Manor Nursing Home where he had been a patient since December 5.

Howard was born March 29, 1941, in Fayette County, Ohio to John Milton and Wynona Vivian LaFollette Arnold.  He was a 1959 graduate of Simon Kenton High School and lived most of his life in Clinton and Fayette Counties.

Before his retirement, he was a resin specialist at PPG Industries in Circleville.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf with friends and watching high school and college football games, especially Ohio State.

On May 23, 1965, he married the former Carol Sue Stokes.  She preceded him in death on October 28, 2007.  He was also preceded by his parents.

Howard is survived by two daughters, Amy Stump and her husband, John, and April Blake and her husband, Marion; a granddaughter, Lindsey Nicole Stump, two brothers, J. Marvin Arnold and Wayne Arnold and his wife, Leslye, all of Washington Court House; best friends, Larry and Brenda Wright and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral will be Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Jay Lucas, pastor at Grace Community Church, officiating.. Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home in Washington Court House Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Fannie Elizabeth Langley, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7:20 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House where she had been residing since June18, 2024.

Fannie was born June 30, 1938, in Pike County, Ohio to John Wesley and Charlene Elizabeth Eleanor Taylor Langley.    She was a 1957 graduate of Jeffersonville High School.  She had formerly lived in Arizona before returning to this area in 2007.

She retired as an engineering troubleshooter for Boeing in 1999, after sixteen years of service.  She had also worked for Hughes Aircraft and McDonnell Douglass.  She formerly was a beautician.

Fannie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Allen Uszak on October 15, 2016; by her parents and two brothers, Ronnie and William Langley.

She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Jim Rowland of New Holland; four brothers, John Langley and his wife, Beverly, Roy Langley, Bob Langley and his wife, Carol, and Harry Langley and his wife, Dona and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Mell Wickensimer, director of visitation at WCH Grace Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners’ Hospitals, c/o the Washington Shrine Club, P.O. Box 164, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Dan Schlichter, 86, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Dan was born June 10, 1938, in Fayette County, Ohio to Arthur C. and Esther R. Wilson Schlichter.  He was a 1956 graduate of Washington High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

He was a farmer, auctioneer and sold sheep at sales all over the United States.

Dan served two terms as a director on the National Hampshire Sheep board; was a lifetime member of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and was a recipient of the Ohio Master Shepherd Award.

He was a member of the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church; was a past president of the Miami Trace Athletic Boosters; had been a 4-H advisor and was a member of the Shepherd’s Club and the Archaeological Society of America.  He enjoyed arrowhead hunting and spending time with his family.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Max Schlichter and a sister, Rise Burr.

He is survived by his wife of 68-years, the former Linda L. Shelley whom he married November 16, 1956; four children, Jeff (Dee Dee) Schlichter, Chris (Joyce) Schlichter, Jill (Jeff) Phillips and Curt (Christi) Schlichter; grandchildren, Kristin (David) Plachno, Thad (Tania) Schlichter, John (Jenna) Phillips and Jacob (Ryleigh) Phillips; great grandchildren, Avery and Landon Plachno, Tori and Tobin Schlichter, Corbin, Knox and Liam Phillips.  He is also survived by several cousins.

In keeping with Dan’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

The funeral will be Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Pastor Tom Knauff officiating.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the Miami Trace Athletic Department. Checks may be made out to Miami Trace, c/o Treasurer’s Office, 3818 State Route 41-NW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Michelle Elaine Cockriel, 55, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 6:41 a.m.  at her home.

She was born September 18, 1969, in Washington Court House, Ohio to John Wayne and Naomi Ruth May Stritenberger.  After living in various place during her life, she returned to Washington Court House in 2015.

Michelle had been an administrative accountant.

She is survived by her mother, Naomi Ruth May of Washington Court House; her father and stepmother, John W. and Deborah Stritenberger of Louisville, KY and two brothers, John Todd Stritenberger of Washington Court House and Adam Ross Stritenberger of Columbus.

To honor her wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no visitation or service.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Alan Wayne Cutter, 60, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Friday, December 6, 2024, at 9:59 p.m. shortly after arrival at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

Alan was born May 22, 1964, in Lawrenceburg, IN, to Glenn Everett and Linda Kay Armstrong Cutter.  He was a 1982 graduate of South Ripley High School in Versailles, IN and received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Purdue University in 1987.  He moved to Fayette County, Ohio in 1992, from Indiana.

He was passionate about his job as a salesman for AgRevolution and took great pride in supplying RoGator and TerraGator spraying applicators to the farming community.

Alan was a member of All Saints Church in Washington Court House and the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Versailles, IN.  He enjoyed trap shooting and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his father on October 18, 1996.

Alan is survived by his wife, the former Nancy R. Rosson whom he married September 24, 1988; three children, Alex (Whitney) Cutter and Kyle (Heather Kulin) Cutter, all of Washington Court House and Kaitlyn (Mason) Locke of Taylor Mill, KY.  He was extremely excited about the upcoming arrival of his first grandchild, Baby Locke, expected in June 2025.  He is also survived by his mother, Linda K. Cutter of Friendship, IN; a brother, Eric Cutter of Friendship, IN and a sister, Mary (Brian) McCarty of Dillsboro, IN and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 5869 State Route 129, Versailles, IN 47042 with the Rev. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar, pastor at the church, officiating.  Friends may call at the church one our prior to the service on Thursday.  Burial will be in the St. Peter Cemetery in Versailles.

Friends may call at Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Miami Trace Great Oaks FFA scholarship fund. Checks may be made out to Miami Trace, c/o Treasurer’s Office, 3818 State Route 41-NW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com