Previous Services

Ronald Dean Ratliff, 80, of Greenfield, Ohio died Friday, January 28, 2022, at 4:52 p.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where he had been a patient since January 16.  He had been in failing health.

Ron was born September 17, 1941, in Stark County, Ohio to Chester Courtney and Doris Elizabeth Blatt Ratliff.  He was a 1959 graduate of Frankfort High School and attended Iowa State University where he played on the football team and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.  He was a graduate of Morehead State College where he was a member of the Campus Club and also played football.   Following graduation from college, he was an industrial arts teacher and football coach, for one year, at Washington High School.  He lived most of his life in Ross and Fayette Counties.

He was a lifelong farmer and specialized in farm real estate appraisals.  He was president of the Federal Land Bank Association in Washington Court House before retiring in 1980, after fifteen years of service.

Ron was a member of the Pisgah-Mount Pleasant Community Church; the American Association of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers; the Farm Bureau; PACI and the Ohio Top Farmers.  He was an original member of the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Foundation and later the Adena Fayette Medical Center Foundation of which he was a past treasurer and currently was serving as president.  He was a member and past president of the Washington Rotary Club and a trustee of the Hughey Trust.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Victor Ratliff.

Ron is survived by his wife, the former Nancy L. Acton, whom he married August 17, 1963; three children, Lamar Ratliff and his wife, Stephanie, of Fayette County; Mollie Byers and her husband, James, of Waynesville and Jill Mahan of Lexington, KY; six grandchildren, Emily Ratliff (Danny) Laird, Grant (Marissa) Ratliff, Becca Ratliff, John Byers, Dean Byers and Lane Mahan; a great grandson, Brooks Laird; six siblings, Larry Ratliff and his wife, Pam, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Frank Ratliff of Montana, Roberta Long and Connie Bryant and her husband, Wayne, of Ross County, Judy Rhoades of Fayette County and Brenda Tupper of Westerville and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Larry Snodgrass, pastor at the Pisgah-Mount Pleasant Community Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Frankfort.

Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Adena Fayette Medical Center Foundation, 9 South Paint Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Hazel Viola Gilstrap, 78, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 4:50 a.m. at Signature HealthCARE of Fayette County where she had been a patient since January 13.

Mrs. Gilstrap was born November 30, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio to Ernest Debrell and Versa LeMaster May.  She lived many years in Green Valley, AZ before moving to Washington Court House in 2018.

She had formerly been an assembler for IMB and Intel.

Mrs. Gilstrap was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Grant Gilstrap in 1988, and three siblings, Dan, Dave and Jim May.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Scott Merk of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Tina Gilstrap of Pleasanton, TX; seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; seven siblings, including Mary E. Clester of Washington Court House and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation will be observed 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

Donald Bruce Edwards, 87, of Wilmington, Ohio passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Soin Medical Center in Beavercreek, Ohio.

He was born April 21, 1934, in Daytona Beach, Florida to the late Emory Sampson and Katie Louise (Singleton) Edwards. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Richard Allen Edwards; brothers, Warren, Russel, Robert, and Jack Edwards, and sisters Evelyn (Edwards) Kressman and Sue (Edwards) Marr.

Don lived the kind of life that left him with some incredible stories, and those will live on with family and friends. Reared in Daytona Beach, he found an early passion for the newspaper business by helping his brother sell newspapers. As he grew, he moved on to his own paper route then, while still in high school, to the position of copy boy at the Daytona Beach News-Journal. His dedication to the field of journalism and his love of photography followed him throughout his life.

He enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1952, and put those skills to use in the remaining years of the Korean War. As a member of the Signal Corps, he was stationed in Massachusetts, Germany, and eventually Colorado, ending his time as the staff photographer for the Commanding General of the Army Air Defense Command.

Don believed news was a public service, but those entrusted with reporting had a duty to fairness and accuracy. He also had a strong belief in service to his community. Shortly after leaving the Army, he settled in southern Ohio, where he worked for newspapers in Greenfield, Hillsboro, and Washington Court House. In his time working for the Record-Herald, he assisted in the foundation of the Chrisman Award for student athletes, helped establish Eyman Park, and worked with the late Don Riber to help establish the Kiwanis Teen Talent show.

In his later years, he worked for Wilmington College in their student affairs department. As a dispatcher and clerk, he spent many evenings at the desk in the student center, where he provided judgment-free grandfatherly advice to any student in need and ended most conversations with one of his favorite phrases – “Glad you got to see me.” He touched the lives of many students while at WC, but he didn’t leave his journalism and photography skills behind. An avid Lady Quakers Basketball fan, he created an independent website for the team, following them through years of home and away games, tournaments, and a national championship. Along the way he made deep and lasting friendships, aggravated a few referees, and always loved the game.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #49 Wilmington and formerly Post #25 in Washington Court House, the VFW and the 40&8. He was a member of Bloomingburg Lodge #449 and Blanchester Lodge #191 F&AM, and Blanchester Chapter #153 of Royal Arch Masons. He was a past member of the Washington Court House Rotary, Washington Court House Kiwanis Club, and a Past District Chairman for Paint Valley District, Boy Scouts of America.

He is survived by his wife of 51-years, Kenna Jane (Summers) Edwards, of Wilmington, his son, Brook (Luann) Edwards and three grandchildren, Joseph, Thomas, and Christopher Edwards, all of Tiffin, Ohio. Also left to cherish his memory is his sister, Gloria (Edwards) Wilson of Mt. Juliet, TN, close friends, Nick Wiget, Jerry Scheve and Mark Denniston, as well as many other friends and family.

The family would like to thank Soin Medical Center for their care and support, which was invaluable.

A graveside service will be held Monday, January 31, 2022, at 1 p.m. in the Bloomingburg Cemetery with the Rev. Matt Brooks, pastor at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.  A memorial service, at the convenience of the family, will follow in the future.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Betty Schaeffer Scholarship Fund, c/o Wilmington College, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, OH 45177 or to your respective American Legion or VFW post in honor of all of those who have served.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Robert Lee Entrekin, 91, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 9:56 a.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, the result of COVID-19.

Bob was born November 29, 1930, at New Holland in Fayette County, Ohio to Clarence Leroy and Norma Marie Ater Entrekin and was reared by his mother and step-father, William Jennings Gilmerr.  He was a 1948 graduate of New Holland High School and lived most of his life in New Holland and Washington Court House.

He was a steel worker at Armco in Washington Court House for 31 years before his retirement in 1992.

Bob was a longtime, faithful member of the First Baptist Church.

On December 16, 1950, he married the former Evelyn Louise Gault.  She preceded him in death on May 23, 2018, after 67 years of marriage.  He was also preceded by a sister, Willa Jean Ater and two brothers, David  and Michael Gilmerr..

Bob is survived by three children and their spouses, Thomas and Mary Entrekin of Washington Court House, Robert and Paula Entrekin of Coshocton, OH and Kathryn and Thomas Jette of London, OH; eight grandchildren, Joseph and Mallory Entrekin, Jeremy and Sabiha Entrekin, Andrew and Kathy Entrekin, Adam Entrekin, James Leigh Adams Jette, Krista and John Seibert,  Heather and Luke Keplinger and Jason and Gina Gorsek Jette; 17 great grandchildren; one great great grandson and a sister, Margaret Anders.

The funeral be Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Joe Current, pastor at the First Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Jason Patrick Sosack, 41, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, January 22, 2022, at his home.  His death was sudden and unexpected.

Jason was born September 15, 1980, in Washington Court House to Stephen H. and Aline Margaret (Peggy) Wooldridge Sosack.  He was a 1999 graduate of Washington Senior High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

He was a security guard and had formerly worked at Fayette County Memorial Hospital and Adena Fayette Medical Center.

Jason is survived by his parents, Stephen H. and Peggy Sosack and a brother, Stephen F. Sosack, all of Washington Court House.

Cremation will be observed and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship fund in Jason’s name that will assist Boy Scouts in attending summer camp.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Margaret “Maggie” Overstake, 78, of New Holland, Ohio died Sunday, January 16, 2022, at 5:45 a.m. at Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio in Columbus where she had been admitted the previous day.

Maggie was born October 10, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio to Harry and Hazel Mason McCall.  She was a graduate of Central High School in Columbus and the Mount Carmel School of Nursing.    She moved to Fayette County in 1982, and had been living in New Holland the past 25 years.

Before her retirement in 2005, she was a medical scrub technician at the Chillicothe Veterans Administration Medical Center.  She had formerly worked at Mount Carmel Hospital and the Orient State Institute.

Maggie was a member of the New Holland Lions Club and had formerly served on the board of directors   She had also served on the board of directors of My Sister’s House. Maggie spent many years of her life helping other people.

On August 19, 1989, she married Ronald Eugene (REO) Overstake.  He preceded her in death on September 17, 2003.  She was also preceded by a daughter, Pamela Smith; her parents; six sisters and a brother.

Maggie is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Tina and Allen Saylor of Grove City, Kimberly and Dave Fields of Delaware, OH and Barbara and Virgil Jones, Jr. of Bloomingburg, eight grandchildren, Allen Saylor, Jr., Mindi (Ryan) Slagle, Chad Westlake, Kara (Cody) Farris, Lucas Luster, Brigitte (Kyle) Haines, Jacob Humphreys and Sarah Humphreys; ten great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Judy McCall of Columbus; several nieces and nephews, including special nieces, Karen Drumm and Kathy Carpenter; numerous friends, including Deanna Hecoax and her beloved fur baby, Beau.

The funeral will be Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with the Rev. Larry Doss, pastor at the New Holland Church of Christ in Christian Union, officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

Friends may call Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House Wednesday from 4-8 p.m.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

(Haskel) Ray Ferguson, 79, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Sunday, January 16, 2022, at 2:42 a.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where he had been admitted the previous day.

Ray was born February 5, 1942, in Ross County, Ohio to Haskel Rufus and Rena Belle Day Ferguson. He had lived in Washington Court House most of his life.

Before his retirement in 1991, he had been a machine operator at Cincinnati Milacron for 30 years.  Following his retirement, he cleaned carpets for several years.

He enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music, weight lifting and being with his family.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Janice Haynes, Joyce Reser, Kay Collins, Ruth Long and Paul Ferguson.

He is survived by his companion of 30 years, Sue Templin; three children, Kimberly Greene and her husband, Ron, of Westerville, Kathy Ferguson of Washington Court House and Keith Wright and his wife, Emma, of Albany, OH; seven grandchildren, Liz, Katie and Nick Greene, Kristin (Kevin) Knisley, Jake Hynes, Taylor (Dalton) Dean and Makayla Gentry; seven great grandchildren; four sisters, Jean Poole, Betty Deskins and her husband, Robert “Butch”, and Carolyn Self and her husband, John, all of Washington Court House and Marilyn Jester and her husband, James, of Elkhart, IN and numerous nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will be observed.

A private graveside service will be held in the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Rodney K. Acton, 87, of Washington Court House, Ohio died peacefully at his home at 9:20 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2022.

Rodney was born April 8, 1934, at Frankfort in Ross County, Ohio to Roger Cory and Melba Ruth Garrison Acton.

He was a housing authority inspector for Fayette County and owner of the Line Shack Saloon.

Rodney was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Cory Acton in 2003; a granddaughter, Kathryn Marie McPherson; his parents and a sister, Judith Dennis Johnson.

Rodney is survived by his wife, the former Mary Frances Waters whom he married March 29, 1957; a daughter, Marie Lynne McPherson and her husband, Greg, of West Jefferson; two granddaughters, Alyson McPherson of Denver, CO and Emily McPherson Havak and her husband, Michael, of Hilliard and a great grandson, Mackenzie Gerald Havak.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will be observed.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date with burial of the cremains in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Frankfort.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

George W. List, 88, of Circleville, Ohio died Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 6:36 a.m. at the Brown Memorial Home in Circleville where he had been admitted the previous day.

George was born May 9, 1933, in Pickaway County.  He was a graduate of Jackson Township High School at Fox in Pickaway County and was a lifelong resident of Pickaway County.

He had worked 28 years in production at Owens-Illinois, Inc. which later became Georgia Pacific Corp.  He retired in 1998.  He had also been a farm worker and drove a school bus for the former Jackson Township schools in Pickaway County.

George was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Circleville; a 50-year member of Heber Lodge F. & A.M. #501 in Williamsport and was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He was the last of his siblings.

George is survived by his wife, the former Lynn Wallace whom he married July 25,1970; a daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Kristopher Knue of Circleville; three grandchildren, Andrew Knue and his wife, Caitlin Hayes, of Columbus, Nickolas Knue and his wife, Cierra, of Grove City and Gracie Knue of Circleville and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will be observed and no visitation or service will be held at this time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street, Circleville, Ohio 43113.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

Edwin Dwight Taylor, 84, of New Holland, Ohio, died Thursday, January 6, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. at the Grant Medical Center in Columbus where he had been a patient since January 1.

Edwin was born March 9, 1937, in Delaware, Ohio to Dwight Arthur and Nelle Ambrose Taylor.  He was a 1955 graduate of Olentangy High School and received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the College of Agriculture at The Ohio State University.  He was the recipient of the FFA American Farmer Degree.  He moved to Circleville in 1960, and served as the Pickaway County 4-H Extension Agent from 1960-1964.  He had resided in New Holland since 1963.

In 1984, he began working for the USDA Farm Service Agency in price support and as a district director.  He retired from the USDA in 2006.  He was a lifelong farmer, starting his career with his father.  Ed had a passion for agriculture, growing crops, raising cattle and hogs and providing food.

Ed was an active member of the New Holland United Methodist Church; the Pickaway County Farmer’s Club and the Pickaway County Farm Bureau.  He was a member and past president of the New Holland Lions Club and had served eight years in the Ohio National Guard.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Ann Taylor Braun on September 22, 2015; a brother-in-law, Ralph W. Getz; a niece, Tamara Nelle Getz-Warren and his parents.

Ed is survived by his wife, the former Patricia “Pat” Kay Beardslee whom he married June 12,1960; a son and daughter-in-law, Arthur and Nellie Taylor of New Holland; a son-in-law, Dr. James Braun of Fort Collins, CO; three grandchildren, Katherine Braun Langford and her husband, Mark, and Clayton and Nathan Taylor; a sister, Charlene Getz of Monroeville, PA; nieces and nephews, Janice and David Simeone of Monroeville, PA, Wayne and Kelli Getz of Delphos, OH and John H. Warren, III of Solebury Township, PA. and five great nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at the New Holland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Jewell, pastor at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the New Holland Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

Memorial contribution may be made to the New Holland United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Nikki Sheets, 154 East Front Street, New Holland, Ohio 43145 or the Edwin and Patricia Family Scholarship Fund (for students majoring in agriculture or dietetics), 14205 Clarksburg Pike, New Holland, Ohio 43145.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com