Diana Russell

July 2, 1950– Oct. 20, 2019

Diana Gail Russell, 69, of Pedro, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at King’s Daughters’ Medical Center.

She was born July 2, 1950 in Ironton, a daughter of the late Lawrence Webb and Lillian Shope Webb.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, David Lee Russell Sr.; a daughter, Melissa Ison; a brother, Davy Webb; and a sister, Jackie Eastham. Diana was a caregiver for Abbott Home Health Care.

Survivors include her children, Junie DePriest, of Ironton, Mikey DePriest, of Ironton, Brenda (David) Tackett, of Pedro, Allen (Tiffany) Russell, of Pedro, Donnie (Melissa) Russell, of South Webster, Davy Russell, of Pedro, and Daryl (Carla) Russell, of Ironton; three sisters, Teresa (Steve) Wilds, of Ironton, Pam Bailey, of Pedro and Mary, of Ashland, Kentucky; four brothers, Ronnie (Patty) Webb, of Ironton, Fred (Doris) Webb, of South Point, Charlie Webb, of Ashland, Kentucky and Jeff Webb, of Ashland, Kentucky; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and her boyfriend, Danny Stewart, of Ironton.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery, Pedro. Friends may call one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.

Ronald Ackerman Sr.

Nov. 19, 1943– Oct. 19, 2019

Ronald Lee “Butch” Ackerman Sr., of Portsmouth, gained his wings on Oct. 19, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by family.

Ron was born on Nov. 19, 1943, he was 75 years old. Ron was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Norwood. Ron was a paratrooper stationed in Hawaii in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he worked for Wayne Pumps in Ironton and 7-Up Corporation before following his dream and opening a boat shop in Portsmouth and Ironton at the age of 28.

Ron’s Mighty Mouse race team raced for 11 years, during which he accumulated a multitude of victories throughout the U.S., Bahamas and Holland, including 53 first place finishes, seven divisional championships, National Championships in 1973, 1981 and 1982 (in three different classes), a third consecutive National Championship year, capturing the 1983 Formula 100 title in Massachusetts.

He became the first driver in any class to win the “Triple Crown” of boat racing, making him the most successful single season racing driver in the history of the National Powerboat Assocation.

After retiring from racing, he became a millwright and worked for the carpenters’ union in the power plants. His hobbies were building and flying his powerchute planes, hang gliding and visiting historical battlefields.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Blanche Ackerman; his wife, Kay Jean Pernell Ackerman; son, Ronald Ackerman Jr.; and his brother, John William “Bill” Ackerman.

He is survived by his sons, Harley “Deke” (Tammy) Hughes, of Birmingham, Alabama and Bengy (Cathy) Hughes, Portsmouth; his siblings, Robert “Bob” (Mary Jo) Ackerman, of Ironton, Melinda Ackerman, of Marblehead, David (Joann) Ackerman, of Cincinnati, Teresa Jane (Jim) Rudman, Ironton, Judy (Ralph) Winters, Chicago, Illnois, 12 grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at O’Keefe Baker Funeral Home at 1108 S. Sixth St., Ironton, with Father Joseph Greenwell officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be 6–8 p.m. Thursday.

Tina Russell

Tina Louise Russell, 51 of Coal Grove, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at Harbor Healthcare of Ironton.

No services will be held. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

Dale Neal

June 6, 1949–Oct. 21, 2019

Dale S. Neal, 70, of Wheelersburg, formerly of Coal Grove/Ironton, passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, after a short battle with cancer. Dale was born June 6, 1949, to the late John and Inez Neal.

He graduated from Dawson Bryant High School in 1967. He married Shirley Daniel Neal on July 24, 1968. He worked for JRB Trucking in Ashland, Kentucky for 25 years as a diesel mechanic. He attended Sandhill Christian Baptist Church, where he had a loving “church family”.

In addition to his mom and dad, he was proceeded in death by two brothers, Sammy John Neal and Robert Lee Neal.

He is survived by, and will forever be loved and missed, by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Daniel Neal. His daughter, Roxanne (Randolph) Scott; his son, John (Amanda) Neal; his grandchildren, Megan Dayle Butler, Mason Butler, Abby Neal, J.W. Neal and Collin Essa; one great-granddaughter; his special sidekick, Eden Adele Smith; and countless friends and neighbors.

Dale was a hard-working, family man, who was loved and adored by everyone who knew him. He loved his kids and he loved being a Poppaw!

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home, 518 S. Sixth St., Ironton, with Pastor Ronnie Blevins, Pastor Jared Timberlake and Pastor Gary Arthurs officiating. Burial will follow in Haverhill Cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be 11 a.m. until time of the service at the funeral home.

To offer the Neal family condolences, please visit: www.phillipsfuneralhome.net

Mark Porter

Mark Clint “Pooter” Porter, 53 of Greenup, Kentucky, died Oct. 16, 2019 at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Kentucky.

Memorial service will be held 6:30–7:30 p.m. Saturday at Central Baptist, 600 29th Street Ashland, Kentucky, with visitation one hour prior.

Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.

Robert Hudson

Robert Hudson, 86, of Huntington, West Virginia, died on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. Robert is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Margaret Hudson.

Visitation will be held from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesday at Schneider-Hall Funeral Home in Chesapeake. A graveside service will be at noon on Thursday at Springhill Cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at schneiderhallfuneralhome.com

Joyce Gumbert

Joyce Anne Gumbert, 69, of South Point, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 at her residence.

Funeral services will be noon Friday, at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S, Seventh St., Ironton, with Pastor Kenny Waller officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Hanging Rock Cemetery.

To offer the family condolences, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.