ROBERT ELDON “GOLLY” RUTHERFORD, JR.

Robert Eldon “Golly” Rutherford, Jr., 57, of New Holland, Ohio died Sunday, February 1, 2026, at his home.

Golly was born August 24, 1968, in Circleville, Ohio to Robert Eldon and Delorise E. Puckett Rutherford.  He was a 1987 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of New Holland.

He was a 37-year employee of Intelligrated Machinery & Tools in London, Ohio.

Golly enjoyed collecting Jeff Gordon NASCAR memorabilia.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Golly is survived by two sisters, Diane Rutherford and her boyfriend, Terry Carl, of Washington Court House and Carolyn Rayburn and her husband, D.J., of Washington Court House; eight nieces and nephews, Danielle Rhoads, Christopher Taylor, Jr. and his fiancé, Amy Joseph, Robert Kaelbli and his wife Heather, Troy Shiltz and his fiancé, Cassie Oliver, Natosha, Donnie and Dustin Rayburn and Sophia Rutherford; several great nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; special friends, Amber and Floyd Detty and family and his canine companion, Fitzy II.

Cremation will take place and there will be no visitation or service.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

PAMELA KAY HEATH

Pamela Kay Heath, 77, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 8:08 p.m. at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe where she had been a patient since January 23.

Pam was born November 11, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio to Robert and Dorotha Knick Linder.  She was a 1967 graduate of Washington High School.  She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Wright State University.  She was a lifelong resident of this community.

She began her 35-year teaching career with the London City Schools before becoming an elementary school teacher for the Washington City Schools.  She was the director for gifted education within the Miami Trace Local School District and retired as Director of Curriculum for Washington City Schools in 2007.

Pam was a member of WCH Grace Methodist Church.  She had a deep and compassionate concern from the homeless.  She volunteered at The Well and local food pantries and was a leader of the parental support group for AL-ANON.

On November 16, 1969, she married Stephen Ray Heath.  He preceded her in death on July 6, 2007.  She was also preceded by her parents; a brother-in-law, Robert Heath and sisters-in-law, Melanie Ashton and Sharon Heath.

Pam is survived by three children, Dr. Stephanie McDonald and her husband, Troy, Tom Heath and his wife, Holly, and Rob Heath, all of Washington Court House, six grandchildren, Skyler McDonald, Shaylee McDonald, Dylan Moore and his wife, Emmalee, Arianna Peifer and her husband, Wyatt, Christian Heath and his wife, Kiera, and Bryson Heath; a great grandson, Knox Moore; a brother and sister-in-law, Monty and Laura Linder of Washington Court House; brothers-in-law, Edward Heath and his wife, Cheryl, of Knoxville, TN, James Heath of Washington Court House and John Ashton of Chillicothe; several nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special cousin, Vicki (Jim) Cassidy who was like a sister to Pam.

The funeral will be Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. at WCH Grace Methodist Church with Matt Brookes, pastor at the church officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.

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

A meal will be held following the service at the Crown Room in Washington Court House, graciously hosted by close friends Kelly and Brian Pettit.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brick House Homeless Shelter, c/o Community Action, 1400 U.S. Route 22-SW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

KENNETH WALTER “KENNY” EVERHART

Kenneth Walter “Kenny” Everhart, 78, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 1:32 a.m. at Danbury of Columbus where he had been a patient since January 22.

Kenny was born February 9, 1947, at Jeffersonville in Fayette County, Ohio to Donald Enoch and Dorothy Jane Cox Everhart.  He was a 1965 graduate of Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of this community.

Before his retirement from Kenworth Truck in Chillicothe, he had been employed at Morris Bean for 32 years.

He had served in the Ohio National Guard; enjoyed woodworking, watching OSU games and traveling, especially to Myrtle Beach and Tennessee.  During the last two years, he especially enjoyed going to the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Branson, MO; seeing the Red Rock in Arizona and watching Brock cross the finish line at the Cocodona 250 in Arizona.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Donald, Harold, Robert and Frank Everhart and John McCoy and three sisters, Martha Dresback, Lenna Moore and Juanita Phillips.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sandra Jane “Sandy” Merritt, whom he married September 1, 1977; a daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Mike Daugherty of Washington Court House; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Audra Everhart of Washington Court House and Brock and Sarah Everhart, of Canal Winchester; five grandchildren, Meredith (Thomas) Lewis, Amanda (Trevor) Dean, Luke Everhart, Justin Everhart and Bailey Everhart; five great grandchildren, Zach and Breanna Lewis and Bryson, Greyson and Lainey Dean; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Barb Everhart; a sister, Judy Thompson; brother-in-law, Steve Merritt and his wife, Teresa, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with John Pfeifer, minister at the Gathering Place and Adam Lynch, minister at Crossroads Christian Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Highlawn Cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Corso Care Hospice, 8230 Pittsburgh Avenue-NW, North Canton, Ohio  44720.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

CLARK RAY REDDING

Clark Ray Redding, 75, of Atlanta, Ohio died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10:08 a.m.  shortly after arrival at Adena Fayette Medical Center.  He had been in failing health, but his death was unexpected.

Clark was born May 13, 1950, in Fayette County, Ohio, Ohio to Floyd Woodrow and Betty Mae Boyd Redding.  He attended Miami Trace High School and was a lifelong resident of the New Holland and Atlanta communities.

He was a flea market vendor and assisted with auctions.  He formerly had been a detailer for Carroll Hallidan, Inc.

Clark enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tracy Redding on September 22, 2022; his parents and ten siblings, Alberta, Verner, Annabelle, William “Bill” and Floyd (Pete) and Sherman Redding, Carol Pence, Lily Self, Elizabeth Pence and Thelma Redding.

Clark is survived by his wife, the former Susan Elaine Shepherd whom he married June 10, 1968; three children, Clark R. Redding, Jr., Thelma Redding and Stacy Redding and his wife, Stacy, all of Atlanta; seven grandchildren, Tyler (Lindy) Sayre, Ricky (Karen) Taylor, Joy (Cody Quincel) Redding, Micah Redding, Tadd (Brandi) Taylor, Brandon (Timberly) Sayre and Kristin Sayre; several great grandchildren; two sisters, Lucretia (Clarence Lunsford) Bethel of Frankfort and Bernice (Larry) Perkins of Sedalia and numerous nephews and nieces including special nieces Trina (Larry) Mollohan and Melissa (Jeff) Ailing and many cousins.

The funeral will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Church @ New Holland Church of Christ in Christian Union with Crystal Spriggs, minister at the church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Waterloo Cemetery in Pancoastburg.

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

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

GARY JOE JOSEPH

Gary Joe Joseph, 65, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 2:25 p.m. at home.

Gary was born June 27, 1960, in Fayette County, Ohio to Gary Leon “Jake” and Karen Huffman Joseph and was a lifelong resident of this community.

Before his retirement in 2023, he was a forklift operator at New Sabina Industries.  He had formerly worked at Sugar Creek Packing Company.

Gary enjoyed riding motorcycles, listening to music and going to concerts, watching football and animals.

He was preceded in death by his father in 2010, and five brothers, Terry, Barry, Ivan, Larry and James “Buck” Joseph.

Gary is survived by his wife, the former Tina Marie Detty; two daughters, Carissa (Joe) Syrus of Chillicothe and Courtney (Stephen Allen) Joseph of Lancaster; two step children, Joey L. Morris and Jacki L. Morris, both of Washington Court House; four grandchildren, Chaylee and Kenzie Wilson and Cameron and Carley Allen; six step grandchildren, Jacob (Tonya) Morris, Aaron Morris, Emily Morris, Zoey Morris and Noah Morris, all of whom were reared in the Joseph home and Serenity Morris; his mother, Karen Joseph; two brothers, Anthony “Tony” Joseph and Randy (Amy) Joseph, all of Washington Court House; several nieces, nephews and cousins and his companion Yorkies, Dixie, Isabella, Binki, Scruffi, Little Rose, Baby Doll, Punkin, Anna, Romeo, Chica Louise and Albert.

The funeral will be Thursday, January 29,. 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Todd Maurer officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.  Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Highlawn Cemetery.

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

 

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

PAUL RICHARD EDGINGTON

Paul Richard Edgington, 84, of Washington Court House, Ohio went to meet his beloved Jesus on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation where he had been residing since September 6, 2025.

Paul was born September 29, 1941, in Twin Township in Ross County, Ohio to Arthur L. and Kathryn L. Mowbray Edgington.  He attended Twin Township School and graduated from Paint Valley High School in 1959 and attended Ohio University-Chillicothe majoring in elementary education.

He taught 5th grade at Huntington Elementary School in Ross County for five years and worked at Kroger in Chillicothe during the summer.  In 1960, he took a full-time position as a meat cutter in Washington Court House.  He moved there the next year and worked there for a short time before going “on the road” as a relief meat cutter in twenty some Kroger stores in southeastern Ohio.  He worked full-time at Kroger in Circleville and Washington Court House before retiring in 2002, after 33 years.

Paul attended the Bourneville (OH) Methodist Church and served as a Certified Lay Speaker for the Methodist Church throughout Ross County.  He spoke at Concord Presbyterian Church and served with the Scioto Valley Youth for Christ for several years.  He taught Sunday school and sang in the choir at the Good Hope United Methodist Church.   After moving to Washington Court House, he sang in the choir and served on the board at First Presbyterian Church.  He served on the board and sang in the choir at the Nazarene Church in Washington Court House before helping start In Faith Ministries and building the church on Jamison Road with Pastor Larry Burns.    When Pastor Burns retired, Paul joined the Bible Baptist Church in Washington Court House and continued to serve there.

Paul’s love of the church was a dominating factor in his life.  He also loved singing, traveling, camping with their truck and 5th wheel camper for 18 years, working jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku puzzles and working with his flowers.  He and his wife took leadership of a first-grade group of 13 Camp Fire Girls at Belle-Aire school in 1971, and worked with the group until they went to high school.  He had served as an officer of the Bourneville Grange; helped start Hospice of Fayette County; sang with the Fayette County Choral Society for several years and was an active member of the New Holland Lions Club in which he participated in their service projects and served as secretary and/or treasurer for several years.  Paul started volunteering at the Fayette County Commission on Aging in 1986, by working banquets in the evenings, delivering Meals on Wheels, folding newsletters, keeping records of hours of other volunteers  until he signed on as a part time driver for transportation in 2023 and continued as a driver with four meal routes throughout Fayette County.

In 1963, he married Mary Ann Clift, the mother of his children.

Paul was preceded in death by his father in 1957; his mother in 1998; his loving and cherished grandparents, James and Lillie Mowbray; a step-son, Jeffrey Ramsey; three step grandchildren, Angela Ramsey, Brock Ramsey and Amber Soderberg, a step daughter-in-law, Rose Ramsey.

Paul is survived by the love of his life his wife, Virginia A. Ausman Ramsey whom he married August 24, 1985; his children, Rebecca (Boyd) Fullmer, Provo, UT, Deborah (Gary) Burton, Dayton, OH, Steven (Andrea) Edgington, Ashville, OH; four grandsons; one granddaughter; his brother, Fred (Lori) Edgington, Byron Center, MI.  Among others he has been blessed to know and love are Virginia’s children, Marilyn (Dale) Kenley, Georgetown, KY, Don (Pauline) Ramsey, Overland Park, KS, Sandra (Brooks) Pistole, Gainesville, FL, Charles Ramsey, Washington Court House, OH, William (Julie) Ramsey, Canyon Lake, TX; 17 grandchildren, 30+ great grandchildren they blessed him with and one great great grandson.

The funeral will be held Saturday January 31, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Bible Baptist Church, formerly known as the Bible Baptist Temple, 4361 State Route 41-NW, Washington Court House, Ohio with Trent Spangler, former pastor at the church and H. Scott Latimer, pastor at Fall Creek Friends Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Twin Township Cemetery near Bourneville in Ross County, Ohio.

Friends may call at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the service.  A Lions Club service will be held Friday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

JAMES S. CLAWSON (Reschedule of Service)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Reschedule of James Clawson Memorial Service

 

Due to the impending winter storm, the visitation and memorial service for James Stephie Clawson, 75, of Jeffersonville, Ohio has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washinton Court House.

A visitation will be held Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home.

A private memorial service to bury his cremains will be held at a later date.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

 

JAMES S. CLAWSON

James Stephie Clawson, 75, Jeffersonville, peacefully passed away January 15, 2026, at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation in Washington Court House. He was born April 24, 1950, in Springfield, Ohio.

Jim grew up on the family farm in South Solon and graduated from Madison South High School in 1968, playing football and basketball. He was FFA President and earned his FFA State Farmer degree. Continuing his education while working three jobs, he graduated in 1973 with a BS in agricultural education from Wilmington College, where he was a member of the Janizaries fraternity. He started grad school at The Ohio State University before seizing the opportunity to farm. For six years he served in the Army National Guard.  On March 16,1974, he married Sandi Bush.

Jim was active in his Jeffersonville community. For many years he served on the volunteer fire department as well as the area’s first volunteer life squad. He was a member of the local Lions Club, Farm Bureau, the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church, serving on various committees, and most recently the South Solon United Methodist Church. Always an advocate for education, he was a school board member with the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center for seventeen years. Decades of summers would find him playing softball, pitching for the church league or for Madison Seed. And though inseparable from his farm machinery during peak times, he never missed attending a home sporting event, concert, or performance of his children.

An outdoorsman, Jim loved farming, fishing on the Georgian Bay, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, and wintering in Florida. He enjoyed camping and traveling. Highlights include visiting Scotland for his son Jimmy l s postgraduate graduation, accepting an invitation from daughter Jackie to help build a Habitat for Humanity home in Argentina, and seeing daughter Jomi when her overseas studies took her to Ireland They attended weddings of their AFS exchange students in Italy (Matt) and Panama (Geny), but Covid canceled wedding travel to Hungary (Robbie). Jim loved tinkering in his workshop or with his old vehicles. He really enjoyed keeping busy, and only the ringing of the loud dinner bell could finally bring him indoors.

Survivors include Sandi, his wife of 51 years; daughter Dr. Jackie (Shawn) Robinson, South Solon; son Dr. James Clawson, Chicago; daughter Jomi (Shaun) Goodbar, Wilmington; wonderful grandkids Colby and Corrine Goodbar; brother Joe (Cathy) Clawson, Liberty Hill, Texas; sisters-in-law Susan Neuhart, Lexington, KY, and Sharon Eberle, Dublin, and several nieces and nephews. Special lap-hugging schnauzers Mocha and Pepper already miss him greatly. Parents Joe and Mary Knasel Clawson, sister Connie, and in-laws Charles and Mary Bush predeceased him.

Many thanks to the staff at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation and Ohio Hospice.

Calling hours will be held at Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House on Sunday, January 25 from 2:00 to 4:00 with a service to follow. A private memorial service to bury his cremains will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to Madison-Plains Scholarship Foundation, 12460 Fralick Road, London, OH 43140.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

 

HARRY WILLIAM JONES

Harry William Jones, 80, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:02 a.m. at his home.

Harry was born August 10, 1945, in Washington Court House, Ohio to Jink and Edna Funk Jones.

Before his retirement, he had worked fifteen years at Mac Tools, Inc.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and finding special bargains at pawn shops.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Frances Elizabeth Entsmiger on September 12, 2024, a son, Bill Jones and a granddaughter, Amanda Jones.

He is survived by a daughter, Bobbi Day and her husband, Bobby, of Washington Court House; 11 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nichole, Brittany, Samantha, and Amber Caulley, Justin Dummitt, and Harriet, Billy, Lacey, Dillon, and Harley Jones; three great grandchildren, Addilyn Smith, Hayden Orihood and Stella Runnels and several siblings.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation will take place and burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Washington Cemetery.

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

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com

WILLIAM BRIAN QUINN

William Brian Quinn, 78 of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe from pulmonary fibrosis.
Bill was born October 12, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to John and Henriette DeJonghe Quinn. He was a graduate of St. Mel’s High School in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in finance and from Syracuse University with an MBA.
Before his retirement, Bill’s career was in management consulting specializing in teaching Six Sigma methodologies. His career took him to Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand and most of the US. He served as a captain in the USMC as a flight officer. Bill had many interests including photography, competitive target shooting, cooking and scuba diving. While living in Australia, Bill became a dive master and led excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji. He also played the bagpipes and enjoyed performing at events in Dayton and Grove City. After retirement Bill tutored GED students in math.
Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Anne Quinn, his son, Brian Quinn (Kyla Lahaie) and their two children, Antheia Quinn and Louren Lahaie; a brother, John Quinn (Kathy) from Phoenix, AZ; a sister, DeJonghe Quinn from California, and his sister-in-law, Margaret Whitaker from Kentucky. In addition, he has many nieces and nephews.
When Bill married Anne, he promised her a lifetime of love and adventure–mission accomplished.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation took place and a graveside service will be held at a later date in the Greenfield Cemetery under the direction of Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette Regional Humane Society, 4 Commercial Avenue, Washington Court House, OH 43160.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com