Richard Stevens

Richard B. Stevens Jr., 68, of South Point, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. He was born Dec. 31, 1944, in Huntington, a son of the late Richard B. Stevens Sr. and Thelma Elizabeth Roy Stevens.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Marie Stevens and Ann F. Heldman.

He was a master electrician with 30 years of service for Owens Illinois and a 10-year employee of Lowe’s. Richard was a 50-year veteran of fire service with the Lavalette, W.Va., and South Point fire departments, a member of the Lawrence County Fire Chiefs Association, a member and past officer of the Lawrence County Firefighters Association, the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, Lawrence County Emergency Planning Commission, a board member of Lawrence County FireCom and a paramedic and board member of Lawrence County EMS. He was a member of South Point Masonic Lodge No. 497, Eastern Star No. 115, former Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, past board member and coach for South Point Little League, a Kentucky Colonel and a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard.

Richard is survived by his wife, Joyce A. Thornton Stevens; a daughter, Deborah Ann Stevens, of North Carolina; a son, Michael Todd (Stephanie) Stevens; two grandchildren, Bryce M. Stevens and Kylie Stevens; a sister-in-law; three brothers-in-law and their wives; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services with Fireman Honors will be 1 p.m. Monday at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home in South Point with Pastor Chuck Price officiating. Entombment will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.

 

 

Andrew Gagai

Andrew Dennis “Big Andy” Gagai, 84, went to be with his Lord on Nov. 14, 2013. Andy died peacefully at Community Hospice Care Center after a short illness. With him was his wife of 64 years, June Frances Hortel Gagai.

Andy was born on May 17, 1929, in Ironton. He was the youngest son of Frank and Rose Cannon Gagai. Andy graduated from Ironton St. Joe High School in 1947 and was an all-state guard on the undefeated 1946 Flyer football team. Andy was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and he truly loved his church.

After high school Andy worked at the C&O Railroad before going to work with his father-in-law, George “Ty” Hortel, who taught him the carpentry trade. He retired in 1992, but not before building or remodeling all four of his son’s homes.

Andy served in the military as a member of the Ohio National Guard, headquartered in Ironton. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Watterson Council 1405 of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local out of Portsmouth. He also served on the Collins Career Center Advisory Board in its early years.

Andy was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Gagai; four sisters, Rosemary Rudmann, Margurite Osterman, Imelda Christian and Annie Palmer; and his mother and father, Rose and Frank.

Survivors include his wife, June (Hortel); four sons, George (Linda), Andy (Brenda), John (Sheila), all of Ironton, and David of Cincinnati; grandsons Nick (Katie), of Cincinnati, Dennis, of Huntington, W.Va., Tyler, of Athens, and Pat, of Ironton; one granddaughter, Traci (Sam) Elswick, of Orlando, Fla.; three great-grandsons, Sam, Lucas and Joel Elswick, of Orlando, Fla; he is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at 6 today with the recitation of the rosary at 8:30 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton. Ohio Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

The family request that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Andy’s name to St. Joe High School, St. Joe Church or Ashland Community Hospice. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

Gladys Kelley

Gladys Louise Kelley, 87, of Pedro, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. The Lawrence County native was born Nov. 11, 1926, the daughter of the late Earl and Lillian Layne Carmon. Her husband, Orlyn Edward “Poke” Kelley, who passed away June 8, 1974, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Kelley was a homemaker and attended Campbell Chapel Church. She enjoyed cooking and attending church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by daughter Beverly Kelley.

She is survived by two sons, Randy Kelley, of Pedro, and David and Kimberly Kelly, of South Charleston, W.Va.; a sister, Annabelle Hackworth, of Pedro; a brother, Charles “Cotton” Carmon, of Ironton; and two stepgrandsons. Brooks and Logan Gillenwater, both of South Charleston.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Tracy Brammer-Monroe Funeral Home in Ironton with Pastor Bob Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave. Ashland, KY 41101. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

 

 

Blanche Turley

Blanche Turley, 57, of Crown City, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. Services will be 1 p.m. today at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville.

 

Marjorie Sites

Marjorie A. Patterson Sites, 82, of Huntington, W.Va., died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Hall Funeral Home in Proctorville. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service on Monday. Burial will follow in Rome Cemetery. Online condolences can be expressed at www.timeofmemory.com/hall.

 

 

James McComas

James A. McComas, 84, of South Point, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, W.Va. Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, in South Point, is in charge of the arrangements.