Joseph Leith

Joseph “Joey” Clinton Leith, 23, of Ironton, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, in Ironton. The Lawrence County native was born Feb. 18, 1988, the son of Clint and Christina Leith of Bainbridge and Rhonda Yates and Jimmy Kirk of Ironton.

Joey was a 2006 graduate of Ironton High School and was of the Baptist faith. Joey was a beautiful soul with a heart of gold and a smile that could melt your heart, a kind and caring friend who was full of life and loved to make others laugh. He was a talented tattoo artist who left his mark on many. He never met a stranger, and at the drop of a hat would help anyone who needed him. He cared for his family and friends with all his heart and was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Lee and Dolly Yates and Becky Salyers; uncle, Rowdy Yates; and grandfather, Keith Hiller.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his fiancée, Marye Long of Ironton; a sister, Jessica Leith and her fiancé, Joe Hankins of Ironton; brother, Tyler Leith of Bainbridge; paternal grandparents, O.C. and Cheryl Leith of Ironton; uncle, Mark Leith and Angie of Frankfort, Ky.; aunts, Kim and Bob Anders, Kathy Yates, all of Ironton, Amy Willis and Angie Haynes both of Coal Grove; special aunt, Kay Walbridge of Coal Grove; grandmother, Diana Allen of Waverly; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Phillips Funeral Home with the Rev. James Cremeans officiating. Burial will follow in Hanging Rock Cemetery and visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Drue Yates

Drue Yates II, 19, of Ironton, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, in an auto accident. The Shelby native was born March 23, 1992, the son of Robert and Deb Hicks Yates of Ironton.

Drue attended Plymouth High School and was an employee of Fee Corp. He loved playing the guitar and was an avid hunter and loved fishing and archery. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Bob Yates; maternal grandfather, Robert Hicks; maternal great grandfather, Victor Coffey; and paternal great grandparents: Drue and Viola Yates.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son, Hunter Yates of Ironton; a sister, Kayla Yates of Shelby; paternal grandmother, Sandy Muhr of Shelby; maternal grandparents, Don and Louann Hall of Shelby; and maternal great grandmother, Gladys Coffey of Shelby.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at Phillips Funeral Home. Donations may be made to NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsman, 27 Private Road 1813, County Road 5, Kitts Hill, Ohio 45645. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Joe Kerns

CROWN CITY — Joe Kerns Jr., 40, of Crown City, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Holzer Medical Center. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Hall Funeral Home. Burial will be in Miller Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Fleeta Faulkner

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — Fleeta Belle Faulkner, 89, of Middleburg, formerly of Proctorville, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at Life Care Center of Wells Crowning, Orange Park. Fla. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home.

Earl James

FLATWOODS, Ky. — Earl Raymond James, 85, of Flatwoods, died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at his home. He was the husband of Dixie Conley Jones, who survives. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Carman Funeral Home, Flatwoods. Burial will be in Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.