William Ball

Dec. 22, 1924 — July 31, 2017

William (Bill) Gayhart Ball, 92, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2017, at Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley Nursing Home, Ironton. Bill was born to Bernard W. and Mae Gayhart Ball on Dec. 22, 1924.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 66 years, Pearl (Sue) Ball; his aunt, Bernice Morgan; stepmother, Maxine Brammer; and brother, Pete Karlet.
Bill was a graduate of South Point High School. He attended Rio Grande College, where he met Sue, and completed his education at Cedarville College. Bill was an accomplished athlete, excelling at multiple sports in high school and college. He taught and coached at South Point High School before a lengthy career with Ashland Oil. He was a longtime member and Deacon of First Baptist Church, where he served in many different capacities. Along with friend and WIRO owner, Ken Auble, Bill was part of the “Voice of the Tigers” broadcast team for many years. He was an avid supporter of his daughters’ and grandchildren’s activities.
He is survived by daughters, Cheryl (Derek) Kirpalani, Teresa (Terry) Parker and Barbara (David) Thomas; grandchildren, Andrew Kirpalani, Bethany (Alex) Alvanos, Chad Parker, Jamie Shavers, Kelsey Thomas and Craig Thomas; great-grandchildren, Haiden Grace Thompson and Brady Cole Shavers; sister-in-law, Martha Karlet; and many other loving relatives and special friends.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Ironton with pastor Eric Barnes officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, Ironton, and 10 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the church.
Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Faith and Fitness Center or a memorial donation to the church.  To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.tracybrammerfh.com.

Betty Thomas

May 23, 1932 — July 29, 2017

Betty Ethel Thomas, 85, of Ironton, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Kentucky, with her family at her side after a brief illness. The Lawrence County native was born May 23, 1932, a daughter of the late Clarence and Pearly Jane Stapleton Cochran.
She attended Kitts Hill High School and was a member of the Freedom Enterprise Baptist Church for 37 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, George Abner; her second husband, Harold “Tim” Thomas; three sisters, Edith Smith, Edna Anson and Delsie Simpson; and six brothers, Albert Cochran, Elmer Cochran, Arlie Cochran, Wilburn Cochran, Delbert Cochran and Ralph Cochran.
She is survived by one daughter, Jeanie (Bill) Akiers; two sons, George “Ray” (Nelda) Abner and Rick (Sharon) Thomas; one sister, Verna Brown, of Franklin Furnace; seven grandchildren, Mike Akers, Brian (Holly) Akers, Kevin (Angie) Akers, Billy (Sarah) Akers, Nathan (Tonya) Abner, Leah (Jeff) Stevens and Brittney (Derek) Castle; 11 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, with pastor Darren Spainhower and pastor Terry Collins officiating. Burial will follow in LaGrange Cemetery and visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Larry Conn

July 16, 1952 — July 28, 2017

Larry Ronald Conn, 65, of Ironton, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017, at his residence. The Ironton native was born July 16, 1952, a son of the late Frank “Curly” and Genievie Scherer Conn.
Larry was a graduate of Coal Grove High School and a Director of Community Service for the Lawrence County Group Home. He was also a former employee of K-Mart, a special deputy for the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and a Kentucky Colonel.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Diane (Buzz) Donahue; a niece, Melissa McCloud; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Conn.
He is survived by a sister, Joyce (Jim) McCloud, of Ironton; a brother, Billy (Lena) Conn, of Coal Grove; five nieces; one nephew; six great-nieces and three-great nephews; and a host of friends and family.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Woodland Cemetery with Bro. Dave Schug and pastor Brad Jenkins officiating. There will be no public visitation, but the funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Phillips Funeral Home, Ironton, is assisting the family with the arrangements. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Mary Walters

Mary Ellen Walters, 69, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, died Sunday, July 30, 2017, at Community Hospice Care Center, Ashland, Kentucky. She is survived by her husband, Gary D. Walters.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Advance United Methodist Church, Flatwoods, Kentucky, with the Rev. Don Young and the Rev. Sean Schroll officiating. Burial will be at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery NE, Greenup, Kentucky. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. today and an hour prior to the service on Wednesday. The family has entrusted Bailey Family Funeral Home, Flatwoods, Kentucky, with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Juanita Sexton

Juanita Steward Sexton, 91, of Delaware, Ohio, died Sunday, July 30, 2017, at Delaware Court, Delaware, Ohio. Graveside service will be noon Thursday at Oaklawn Cemetery, Huntington, West Virginia, with burial to follow. Visitation will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home, Chesapeake. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneiderhallfuneralhome.com.

John Dole III

John Addis Dole III, 69, of Longwood, Florida, formerly of Ironton, died Thursday, July 20, 2017, at his home in Longwood, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Dole. His memorial service was conducted Tuesday, July 25 at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Lake Mary, Florida.