Lennie Willis

Lennie Willis (Moore, McFarland), of Ironton, residing in Akron, died on Friday, April 4, 2014, at the age of 94.

She was the beloved wife of the late Rev. Cleeland Willis for 66 years; the loving mother of Lonnie (Leah) Willis, of Akron; Phyllis (Clement) Fournier, of Shelby Township Mich.; Russell (Janice) Willis, of Pueblo, Colo.; and Daniel Willis, of Petaluma, Calif. She was also a devoted grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was born in Kentucky to the parents of Lennie and Benjamin Moore on Feb. 21, 1920. Dear sister of Glenn Moore (deceased); Clarence Moore (deceased); and Russell (Irene) Moore, of Arcata, Calif.

Henry and Sara McFarland from Rock Camp parented Lennie from the time she was 2 years of age; her sisters were Eva Rice (deceased); and Wanda Wilson, of Coal Grove.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Philips Funeral Home in Ironton with the Rev. Dennis Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Leatherwood Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to Leatherwood Missionary Baptist Church, C/O Virgie Nance, 48 Private Drive 6842, State Route 243, South Point OH 45680.

 

 

Merril Triplett

Merril Triplett was born June 15, 1929, son of Dora and William Triplett. Merril married his beloved Georgia Hairston in 1952. They had five children, Suzanne, Julie, Merril Jr., Lauren and Bill; nine grandchildren, Jeremiah, Julie, Tom, Katie, Tanner, Tucker, Tori, Nicole and TJ; and four great grandchildren, Tommy, Tate, Dylan and Elliana.

For Merril, his family was very special to him, including many nephews and nieces and one surviving sister, Mary Lou Rogers. Merril also had great passion for his friends, for his church, for helping others, for laughter and, of course, for golf.

Merril was a lifelong resident of Lawrence County, having been involved for many years in the civic affairs of Lawrence County, including being a member of the Ironton City Charter Commission, and he served as an Ironton City Councilman. He also ran for state representative. He was co-founder of Lawrence County Young Republicans.

He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953. He graduated from Rio Grande College and Marshall University. He was the Superintendent of the Decatur-Washington School District, an Assistant Lawrence County School Superintendent and he had a significant entrepreneurial gift building Goldcamp’s Hardware & Furniture into a thriving business for many years.

As a member of Central Christian Church, Merril also served as a deacon and trustee. One of his passions was supporting the church’s food pantry

Merril passed away this past Thursday after a prolonged illness. For his family, his friends, and his community, Merril Triplett believed in living a full and giving life to those whom he valued and loved. And he was always deeply appreciative of the blessings he and his family have had growing up in rural Lawrence County and living in Ironton.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. today at the Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton. Masonic Rites will be conducted. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at Central Christian Church. There will also be a visitation at the church from 10-11 a.m. on the day of the funeral. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons, Merril Jr., Bill, Jeremiah, Tom, Tanner and Tucker.

Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with Military Rites to be conducted by V.F.W Post 8850.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the Ironton Central Christian Food Pantry, 1541 S. Seventh St., Ironton, OH, 45638.

 

 

Mark Strunk

Mark Anthony Strunk, 40, of Ironton passed away Friday, April 4, 2014, at the Hospice Care Center. The Ironton native was born March 15, 1974, the son of Stephen R. and Connie L. Jarvis Strunk, of Ironton. He is also survived by his wife, Jessica “Chrissy” Beasley Strunk, of Ironton.

Mr. Strunk attended Ironton High School and was a former truck driver for Veolia. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Abigail “Abbie” Strunk, of Ironton, and Terri Myers, of Coal Grove; a sister, Kimberly Strunk, of Ironton; and a brother Shannon Strunk, of Waverly.

There will be no public visitation and services will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net. Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton is in charge of the arrangements.

Eugene Spitler

Eugene Wallace Spitler, 76, of Chesapeake, died Thursday, April 3, 2014, at home. He is survived by his wife, Mary Spitler. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville by the Rev. Andrew Darden. Burial will follow in Miller Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/hall.

 

 

Aaron Francis

Aaron Francis, 30, of South Point, died Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville.