Matthew Mercer

March 15, 1962–Feb. 28, 2020

Matthew John Mercer went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, after a long and courageous battle against a cancerous brain tumor and the effects of its treatment.

Matthew is survived by his wife of 27 years, Roberta (Bobby) Mercer; and son, Matthew Jiaxiang Mercer, both of South Point.

Matthew loved to be outdoors, especially on the water, where he boated, water skied and swam. He was a voracious reader, traveler, historian, cook and rose gardener. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and being a husband and father.

As a career, Matthew enjoyed sales, especially of products and services he valued, although he was happiest as a historical interpreter at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vermont and a carpenter for his late father-in-law, Bob Bushway, of South Strafford, Vermont.

Born March 15, 1962, in Toledo, he was the son of the late Joseph France Mercer and the late Margaret Lucille (Weithman) Mercer. He was raised in LaSalle, Michigan.

Matthew is also survived by his godmother, Barbara Weithman, of Toledo; four siblings Joseph (Amy) Mercer, of Atlanta, Georgia; Karen (Alan) Wolfe, of Monroe, Michigan; Candy (Bryant) Marriner, of Morrisville, North Carolina; Marc (Ann) Mercer, of Ocala, Florida, mother-in-law Evelyn Bushway, of South Strafford, Vermont; three sisters-in-law Cathy Lahmann, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Judy (Michael) Phelps, of East Thetford, Vermont, Rebecca Greer, of Sharon, Vermont; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Carl McComas and the staff of St. Mary’s Medical Center Neurology and the staff of Kingsbrook Lifecare Center in Ashland, Kentucky, for their excellent care and compassion.

Matthew attended Central Catholic High School in Monroe, Michigan, Monroe County Community College, The University of Toledo and Joliet Junior College, earning an AA and BA.

Services will be on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky, with Dr. Matt Shamblin officiating. Caniff Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at canifffuneralhome.com.

Jane Smith

Dec. 29, 1956–March 4, 2020

Jane Ellen Smith, 63, of Ironton, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Kentucky. The Ironton native was born Dec. 29, 1956 to the late Joseph and Joyce Bellomy Smith.

Jane attended Ironton High School and Ohio University Southern. She enjoyed crocheting and making quilts. She loved her dog, Lady, and enjoyed attending church at The Greater Faith Apostolic Church in Ironton.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Bryan and George “Smitty” Smith.

She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Huff, of Ironton.

Phillips Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Delores Hurst

Sept. 20, 1943–March 4, 2020

Delores Evelyn Wilson Hurst, 76, of Ironton, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Bridgeport Nursing Center in Portsmouth. The Lawrence County native was born Sept. 20, 1943 to the late Henry and Betty Morton Wilson. She married her husband, Leo Hurst, in May 1988.

Delores graduated from Ironton High School and was a dispatcher for Ford Brothers, Lewis Transmissions and Liquid Transmissions for thirty years. She loved to stay on the move and really enjoyed camping and traveling. She lived in Cincinnati for 30 years before returning to the Tri-State in 2017.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Hurst, who passed away in 2014; and a sister, Barbara White, who passed away in 2001.

She is survived by a sister, Susan Sanders, of Ironton; a brother, Henry “Gene” Wilson (Karen), of Ironton; nephews, Greg White, Andrew Sanders and Aaron Sanders, all of Ironton; and a niece, Natalie Wilson, of Athens.

Phillips Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton, with the Rev. Steve Harvey officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

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

Clarence Pennington

Aug. 17, 1940–March 6, 2020

Mr. Clarence William “Billy” Pennington, 79, of Hanging Rock, passed away Friday, March 6, 2020, at Community Hospice Ashland, Kentucky.

The Hanging Rock native was born Aug. 17, 1940, a son to the late William C. and Blanche (Barr) Pennington. Clarence is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ruth (Kimbler) Pennington, of Hanging Rock.

Mr. Pennington was a graduate of Rock Hill High School. Billy went on to work as a meter reader for Columbia Gas, where he retired in 1995. He also loved working on cars, squirrel hunting, shooting guns and was a member of National Rifle Association.

In addition to his wife, Billy is survived by a son, Steven Pennington, of Hanging Rock; a brother, Kenneth Pennington, of Coreyville; a stepdaughter, Julie (Ralph) Bond, of Green; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by a son, Mark Pennington, a brother; Bob Pennington; and a sister, Patricia Robinson.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Woodland Cemetery with Pastor Scott Jenkins officiating.

Condolences may be made to the Pennington family by visiting www.tracybrammerfh.com