Shirley Fleming

June 26, 1936 — March 16, 2016

Shirley A. Fleming, 79, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Sunrise Assisted Living Residence in Poland, Ohio. She was born June 26, 1936, in Ashland, Kentucky, to Ray and Bess (Frazier) Rice. Shirley was raised in Ironton. She worked for her parents dairy, Hy-Grade Milk Company.

In high school, she was the head majorette of the marching band. This is where she met her soon-to-be husband, Robert Fleming, an assistant band director for the Ironton Tiger Marching Band. After graduation in 1954, Shirley and Robert began dating and were married in Ironton on June 5, 1955. They spent 57 years together. In 1958, they moved to Warren where Robert became the Warren G. Harding band director. Shirley worked for the Ohio Bureau of Unemployment for 10 years. After that, she became the receptionist for Dr. Harold Brodell and his wife Jean.

The Brodells were their dearest friends. Shirley loved to cook and bake. She also loved the concept of canning, especially known for her “hot peppers and oil” and her Kentucky “half white runner green beans”. She enjoyed arts and crafts, especially ceramics. She traveled all over the U. S. and Canada with her husband, supporting his music career and concerts. She also traveled extensively with her mother and brothers. She and Robert especially liked traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, their second home. Surviving are her two sons, James Robert (Joanne) Fleming, her primary care giver for the last 10 years and Mark Fleming. Also surviving are her granddaughters, Jennifer and Jacquelyn Martin; and great-grandchildren, Chuck, Cassie and Tiana. Shirley also leaves behind, her brother, Phillip (Patti) Rice; sister-in-law, Judi (Neville) Rice; niece, Julie (Tyler) Walters; and nephew, Anthony ( Christian) Rice, all from the Ironton area. Preceding her in death are her husband, Robert; her brother, Richard (Dick) Rice; and her parents, from the Ironton area.

The family would like to thank the Sunrise and also Crossroads Hospice who gave Shirley exceptional care and comfort. As per the family’s request, there will be no calling hours. Friends and family may gather at Rose Hill Burial Park in Ashland, Kentucky , Monday at 1 p.m. for a graveside service officiated by the Rev. Harvey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Crossroads Hospice 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr. Suite E Green, OH 44685 or The Alzheimers Association 3695 B Boardman- Canfield Rd. Suite 301 Canfield, OH 44406. Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland and Son Funeral and Cremation Services Co, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481, 330-393-9621. Please visit www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary or to send condolences.

 

 

Helen Martin

Helen (Chub) Martin, 74, of Deltona, Florida, passed away March 2, 2016, at Halifax Hospice in DeBary, Florida. She was born in Ironton on May 22 1942, to the late James and Jean Somers. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Somers; sister, Patricia Somers Vecellio; and her daughter, Deborah Martin Wieteki. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Phillip Martin Sr.; and one son, Phillip Martin Jr.; and one sister, Jean Somers Miller; son-in-law, Sam Wieteki; and four grandchildren, Stephanie Martin Roush, Joseph Martin, Michael B. Preston and Ethan Preston, all of Ironton. She was an R.N. at River Valley Hospital in Ironton for 25 years. Helen was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic church in Deltona, Florida. She is a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Ironton and a graduate at The University of Rio Grande. Chub enjoyed life to the fullest and spending time with her grandchildren. A mass for Chub will be held April 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ironton.

 

 

William Curtis

William Frank Curtis, 55, of Proctorville, died Friday, March 18, 2016, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.

 

 

Jackson Brown

Jackson Brown, 79, of Chesapeake, died Friday, March 18, 2016, at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Garnett. Arrangements are pending at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville.

 

 

Betty Houck

Betty J. Houck, 89, of Ironton, died Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky. Arrangements are pending at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton.

 

 

Donald Mullins

Donald Ray Mullins, 74, of Citra, Florida, formerly of Proctorville, died Saturday March 19, 2016. There will be a memorial service at a later date.  Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, is in charge of arrangements.

 

Clyde Littlejohn, Jr.

June 8, 1949 — March 17, 2016

Clyde Eugene Littlejohn, Jr., 66, of Ironton, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, March 17, 2016, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. The Ironton native was born June 8, 1949, a son of the late Clyde E. Littlejohn Sr. and Alberta Harper Stapleton. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Blankenship Littlejohn, who passed away April 14, 2010.

Mr. Littlejohn was a graduate of Ironton High School and a former pipe winder for Endot Industries in South Point. He was a U.S. Army Sgt., serving during the Vietnam Era and discharged in 1976.

He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and loved to spread God’s word. He was also a member of Isaak Walton Lake, was an avid fisherman, loved to be in the woods and spend time with his family.

In addition to his parents and  wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Steven Littlejohn, Justin Littlejohn and Ralph Littlejohn; a sister, Brenda Clark; and his father-in-law, Curtis Blankenship.

He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth (Beth) Hammond, of Huntington, West Virginia, and Pamela (Barry) Holschuh, of South Point; three grandchildren, Alicia (Matt) Link, of Owingsville, Kenucky, Alexander Littlejohn, of South Point, and Kaitlin Hammond, of Georgetown, Kentucky; a sister, Sheila Littlejohn, of Ironton; three brothers, Kenny Stapleton, Mike (Joy) Stapleton and David (Nancy) Stapleton, all of Ironton; two brothers-in-law, Jeff Blankenship and John (Donna) Blankenship, all of Ironton; a sister-in-law, Laura Blankenship of Ironton his mother-in-law: Betty Blankenship, of Ironton; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Phillips Funeral HomeIronton, with pastor Shane Hanshaw officiating. Burial will follow in Hecla Cemetery with military graveside rites by the V.F.W. Post 8850 and visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Matthew Link, Frank Littlejohn, David Stapleton, Wayne Hammond, Jeff Blankenship and Brian Kidd. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.