Ralph Emerson Patrick

Ralph Emerson Patrick, 77, of Ironton, formerly of Flatwoods, Ky., passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.

Ralph was born Dec. 26, 1934, in Lawrence County, Ky., a son of the late Marion and Hazel Hardeman Patrick. He graduated salutatorian from Dawson-Bryant High School and earned a bachelor of science in chemistry from Marshall University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Ralph retired from Ashland Oil as a group leader in research and development after more than 40 years of service. Ralph was a member of Rock Camp United Methodist Church, the Ashland Retirees Club, the Ashland Oil Forum Club, the American Chemical Society and the Order of the United Commercial Travelers of America

While employed with Ashland Oil, Ralph was active in the company’s athletic leagues, including bowling and softball. He enjoyed playing golf and attending horse races in Lexington during Keeneland meets. He was an avid sports fan, who enjoyed watching the Kentucky Wildcats and the Marshall Thundering Herd. He was a dog lover, and he adored his pet Chihuahua, Rockie.

In recent years, Ralph and his wife lived in the community of Deering, where he had many fond memories from growing up there as a child.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Meeks Patrick; his children, Dee Case (Steve) of Dayton, Kevin Patrick of Lexington, Ky., Joel Patrick (Teresa) of Franklin Furnace, and Kelli Adanick (Paul) of Lexington. He is also survived by his three beloved grandchildren, Sarah Vanderpool (Harlan) of Indianapolis and Jessica and Seth Patrick of Franklin Furnace.

Besides his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Patrick, of Hopewell, Va., and his sister, Florence McGinnis, of Coal Grove.

The funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel. Burial will follow at Ice Creek Cemetery in Deering.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in his memory may be mad to Sierra’s Haven, 80 Easter Drive, Portsmouth, OH 45662 or to the American Diabetes Association, 1221A-Ohio Avenue, PO Box 115 Dunbar, WV 25064. Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com.

 

Maxie Hock

Maxie Nell Gallion Hock, 91, of Ironton, passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.

She was born on July 19, 1920, in Matewan, W.Va. Maxie was a talented artist who worked in the legal department at Ashland Oil Refining Company and was retired from the Briggs Lawrence County Public library. She was a member of Saint Joseph Church in Ironton and a member of the Catholic Women’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Hock, parents, Jacob Gallion and Anna “Babe” Riffe Gallion; brothers, Jacob A. “June” Gallion and Pershing Gallion; and sister Margie Elam.

She is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth A. Clark, of Ironton; and two sons, William “Gerry” Hock, of Ironton, and John Hock and fiancé, Kristen Gordon, of Lancaster, Ohio. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Casey Edwards and fiancé Joseph Crabtree, Jacob Hock and Leslie Hock, and their mother Rhonda Hock, one great-granddaughter, Lennon Crabtree, and many dear nieces, and nephews and cousins.

There will be a graveside service 11 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Cemetery with Father David Huffman officiating. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at O’Keefe-Baker Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Shrine of St. Jude Claretians Missionaries 205 West Monroe Street Chicago IL 60606-5033 or the Community of Hospice 1538 Central Ave. Ashland, KY 41101.

 

John Thornton

John Emerson Thornton, 75, of Kitts Hill, passed away Friday Jan. 27, 2012, at a local health center.

The Pine Grove native was born June 11, 1936, the son of the late John G. and Margaret Lambert Thornton.

Mr. Thornton was a graduate of Rock Hill High School and was a member of Woodland Chapel Church where he was the treasurer of the church for 29 years. He was a WWII U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a retired millwright for Armco where he worked for 39 years. After graduating high school, he went into dental school at the U.S. Navy School of Dentistry and became a certified dental tech. He also attended Ashland Business College.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Thornton; twin sisters, Elizabeth May and Glea Faye Thornton; son, John E. Thornton Jr., and granddaughter, Carrie L. Thornton

He is survived by his wife, Carrie Lee Johnson Thornton whom he married April 23, 1955; a daughter and son-in-law, Sherri Lee and James F. Barker of Kitts Hill; a sister, Cheryl Hall of Kitts Hill; a grandson, Jarod Emerson Thornton of Lexington, Ky.; a grandson, Matthew Terrance Thornton of Louisville, Ky.; a grandson, Andrew Thornton of Nashville, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Erin Thornton of Springfield, Mo.; a grandson, John David Thornton of Springfield, Mo.; a granddaughter, Crissy Willis of Deering; a granddaughter and her husband, Julie and Jarod Warren of South Point,; a granddaughter and her husband, Kaylee Rachelle and Justin Thompson of Kitts Hill and a grandson, James Aaron Barker of Kitts Hill.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Woodland Chapel Freewill Baptist Church with Brother Dave Schug officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Creek Cemetery with military graveside rites by the V.F.W. Post 8850. Friends may call 6-9p.m. Monday at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. To offer condolences to the family please visit tracybrammerfh.com.

 

Michael Koster

HILLIARD, Fla. — Michael Allen Koster, 64, of Hilliard, formerly of South Point, Ohio, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Florida.

Michael was born Nov. 20, 1947, in Ironton, OH, a son of the late Lawrence Koster and Cecilia Hieronimus Koster. He was a veteran of the US army.

He is survived by a son, Michael Koster of Woodbridge, Va.; a daughter, Cheryl White of Ironton; three brothers, Lawrence, Keith and Raymond Koster, all of Florida; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and Arnella Koster, of Ironton.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery, NE, Greenup County, Ky., with military honors. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.