Published: June 12, 2009 12:37 am      

Friday, June 12, 2009

Bruce E. Craft (1924-2009)

Bruce E. Craft, 84, of Ashland, passed away on June 9, 2009.

He was born in Ashland on Sept. 19, 1924. He was the son of Henry and Eliza Mae Craft (both deceased). Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, William, Kenneth and Henry Jr.; and his sisters, Anna, Betty Lou and Juanita Woods.

Bruce played basketball and baseball for Ashland High School and basketball at Ashland Junior College and Transylvania University. He enlisted in the Army during World War II and served primarily in France and England. Upon his discharge from the Army, he played semi-pro basketball with the Cleveland Clowns and later returned to Ashland. He was very active in various Ashland sports programs as a coach and player. He coached the Hager Elementary Wildcat basketball teams to eight city championships during the 1950s and early ’60s and was the catcher for the McClure’s Restaurant fast-pitch softball state champions in the early ’60s.

Bruce retired as a timekeeper from Ashland Oil in 1987 after 28 years and until the time of his death, he still greeted fellow refinery retirees by their “clock numbers” instead of their names. He also retired earlier this year from the City of Ashland’s Parks and Recreation Department, where he was its recreation director for 16 years.

He was an avid and tireless supporter of Ashland civic and community development projects, especially those related to Central Park, where he spent a great deal of his childhood. He was a member of the Ashland Park Board for 24 years and was instrumental in the development of Central Park’s Winter Wonderland, the construction of its ice skating rink and the tree replacement program.

Bruce also was instrumental in coordinating Ashland’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Poage Landing Days, Summer Motion, the Professor Ross Tennis Tournament and the Kentucky Senior Games in Ashland. He was awarded two keys to the city of Ashland for his efforts as a volunteer, and the tennis courts in Central Park are named after him. He was a well-respected horse racing handicapper who won Keeneland’s Handicapping Challenge by one of the widest margins in the contest’s history.

He is survived by a son, Marc (Lynne) Craft of Georgetown, Ky.; a daughter, Sharon Craft Crissey of Lexington, Ky.; a sister-in-law, Betty Craft of Ashland, Ky.; two nephews, Mike (Kay) Craft of Bowling Green, Ky., and Tommy (Shanel) Craft of Huntersville, N.C.; two nieces, Carolyn (Art) McCullough of Birmingham, Ala., and Cathy (Tim) Fraley of Ashland; two grandsons, Alden Crissey of Plano, Texas, and Chris (Sara) Clark of Lexington; two granddaughters, Hannah (Foster) Barton of London, England, and Lauren (Carlos) Abeyta of Washington, D.C.; a great-granddaughter, Malory Barton; and a very special person, Nina Carey.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Central Park Bandstand, weather permitting, with the Rev. Charles Stewart officiating. Burial will be in Dixon Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Mike Craft, Tommy Craft, Steve Gilmore, Greg Roe, Duke Sheridan and Randy Miller. Honorary pallbearer will be the late Wendell Banks.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland.

Funeral services will be at the funeral home in case of inclement or excessively warm weather.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the City of Ashland Park Board, 1700 Greenup Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 for tennis court maintenance or the purchase of replacement beechnut trees in the park or Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.

Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.



Steven Lee Himes (1965-2009)

Steven Lee Himes, 43, of Ashland, Ky., died Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 21, 1965, in Peru, Ind., a son of Scotty Himes and Jo D. Robertson Himes.

He was a laborer with Ross Brothers Construction.

Additional survivors include his wife, Donna Roberts Himes; a son, Landon Himes at home; a daughter, Alyssa Himes at home; a stepchild, Kayla Roberts at home; a stepbrother, Danny Riggs of Corbin, Ky.; two stepsisters, Kathy Hood and Janet Riggs, both of Ashland; a brother, Terry Himes of Portland, Ore.; two half brothers, Scott Bergamini and Duane Bergamini, both of Arizona; a sister, Sherry McKnight of Pocahontas, Ill.; and three half sisters, Cathy Clevenger of Arizona, Kathy Ross of Columbus, Ohio, and Tanis Kathay of New Mexico.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Lazear Funeral Home in Ashland by Mark Kloha. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call after 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with burial expenses.



Lorene Cox (1942–2009)

Lorene Watkins Cox of Catlettsburg now stands in the presence of her Lord and Savior after her passing Wednesday evening, June 10, 2009, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

Mrs. Cox was 67, born Jan. 27, 1942, in Catlettsburg, Ky., a daughter of the late Burnim and Murniva King Watkins. Lorene recently accepted Christ as her personal Savior, giving all the assurance of eternal salvation and evidence of God’s glory and grace.

Surviving is an adoring family including her husband of 48 years, John Burl Cox; a son, Burl Steven Cox of Catlettsburg; a daughter, Alisa Gay Mullins of Catlettsburg; two brothers, Ernest Watkins and his wife, Alma, of Catlettsburg and Joseph Watkins of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Helen Smith of Catlettsburg; a loving sister-in-law, Norma Lee Watkins Dawson; and four wonderful grandchildren, Courtney Elizabeth Cox, Meagan Brooke Cox, Brady Steven Cox and Monica Nicole Mullins.

Preceding her in death were a brother, Charles Watkins; and four sisters, Josephine Meeks, Thelma Wallin, Bernice Elzey and Jesemae Brown.

A graveside service for Mrs. Cox will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens in Ashland. Pastor Gary Arrington and Pastor Terry Harris will officiate.

Those wishing to call on the Cox family may do so between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon Saturday at Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home on Panola Street in Catlettsburg.



Bryant H. Lybrook (1957-2009)

Bryant H. Lybrook, 51, of South Shore, Ky., died Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.

He was born June 19, 1957, in Portsmouth, a son of Carl W. Lybrook and Betty Hamilton Lybrook of South Portsmouth, Ky.

He was a technical trainer for CDM at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio, and a professional photographer. He attended South Portsmouth Church of God.

Surviving are a son, Carl Grant Lybrook, and a daughter, Taylor O’Brien Lybrook, both of South Shore; a brother and his wife, Paul Wayne Lybrook and Melinda Lybrook of Louisville, Ky.; a sister and her husband, Donna Lowe and Rick Lowe of South Shore; and many friends and relatives.

Preceding him in death was a brother, Roger Dale Lybrook.

Also surviving are a nephew, Ricky Lowe of Phoenix, Ariz., and a niece, Brooke Lowe of South Shore.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore by the Rev. Lloyd Harris and Greg Hudson, minister. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery on Ky. 2, South Shore.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.



Sidney Dale Bailey

Sidney Dale Bailey, 75, of South Portsmouth, Ky., died Thursday, June 11, 2009, in Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.

He was born in Portsmouth, a son of the late Sidney J. Bailey and Mary McMeans Bailey. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a 1953 graduate of South Portsmouth High School and attended Riverview Wesleyan Church in Portsmouth. He was a retired employee of the former Schaefers Supermarket and the former Foodland and was a heavy-equipment operator at Kentucky Road Oil.

Surviving are his loving wife, Janet Hobson Bailey of South Portsmouth, whom he married on Aug. 16, 1956. They had been married for 53 years. Also surviving are a son, Joe Bailey of South Portsmouth; a sister, Dorothy Horner of South Webster, Ohio; and a very special niece and nephews.

He loved gardening and wood crafting and being with his family. Preceding him were a brother, Charles Bailey, and a sister, Hazel Bailey.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore, Ky., with the Rev. Jack Williams and Sam Piatt officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery on Ky. 2, South Shore.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday and after 10 a.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Military graveside services will be by James L. Flannery American Legion Post 276 of South Shore.



Janet Price (1938-2009)

Janet Price, 70, of Worthington, Ky., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va.

Mrs. Price was born Sept. 16, 1938, in Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of the late Newton and Beulah Crisp. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold Hank Price.

She was a member of Raceland Christian Church.

Surviving are a daughter, Kathy (and husband John) Cooper of Oxnard, Calif.; two sons, Danny Kelly of Oxnard and Bill (and wife Elizabeth) Rappe of Raceland, Ky.; a brother, Mike Crisp of Springfield, Ohio; and three grandchildren, Andrew Cooper, Laccy Hager and Rachel Hager.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Evans Funeral Home in Raceland by Jim Matthews, minister. Burial will be in Caroline Cemetery in Raceland.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Robert “Bob” Davis Sr.

Robert Leroy “Bob” Davis Sr., 64, of South Shore, died Wednesday in King’s Daughters Medical Center.

Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Gladys McKee

Gladys McKee, 72, of Russell, died Thursday at her residence.

Evans Funeral Home in Raceland is in charge of arrangements, which are pending.



Joseph Maness (1940-2009)

Joseph Claude Maness, 69, of Speedwell, Tenn., died Tuesday in UT Medical Center.

He was born April 7, 1940, in Martin.

His wife, Thelma June Maness, died in 1995.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson. Burial will be in East Carter County Memory Gardens.

Friends may call after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.malonefuneralhome.com.



Ronnie Caskey (1950-2009)

Ronnie Ray Caskey, 59, of Morehead, died Sunday in Summerlin Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas.

He was born March 29, 1950, in Rowan County.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home in Morehead. Burial will be in Brown Cemetery.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.



Maurice Shannon Sr. (1954-2009)

Maurice A. Shannon Sr., 55, of Louisa, died Wednesday at his residence.

He was born Jan. 20, 1954, in Columbus, Ohio.

His wife, Darlene Marcum Shannon, survives.

A memorial service will be Saturday afternoon at the residence.

Friends may call after noon Saturday at the residence.

Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to www.timeformemory.com/wilson.



Barbara James (1942-2009)

Barbara Sue James, 66, died Thursday.

She was born June 23, 1942, in Warfield.

She was the wife of Danny James.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Potter Funeral Home in West Liberty. Burial will be in Warfield Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.potterfuneralhomeinc.com.



Dorotha “Dot” Neal

Dorotha M. “Dot” Neal, 82, of Ceredo, died Wednesday in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ceredo Church of Christ. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Ceredo-Kenova Funeral Home in Ceredo.

Condolences may be sent to www.ceredo-kenovafuneralhome.com.