“Doug” Auxier
Harry Douglas “Doug” Auxier, 93, of Salyersville, died Saturday, June 3, 2023, at his residence.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel with Erve Bradley and Willis Blair officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Park, Staffordsville.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones-Preston Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.jones-prestonfuneralhome.com.
Daniel Clark
Daniel Ray Clark, 46, of Wittensville, died Thursday, June 1, 2023, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the chapel of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home. Roger Hill will officiate.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.phelps-son-funeralhome.com.
Virginia Conley
Virginia Faye Childers Conley, 89, of Paintsville, died Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Paintsville ARH Hospital.
She was born Feb. 22, 1934, in Greenup County, to the late James Russell Childers and Lucy Salyers Childers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Roger Allen Conley; her brothers, James E. Childers, Paul D. Childers, Lon C. Childers and Charles E. Childers; her sister, Mary M. Childers; and her grandson, Stephen Russell Conley.
She is survived by her sons, Melvin Russell Conley (Mary), of East Point, and Keith Conley, of Lexington; her daughters, Sandra Gail Dingus (Rick Thaxton), of Elkview, W.Va., Sharon Kaye Shoaf, of Shelbyville, and Cheryl Ann Butcher, of Paintsville; her sister, Verna Mae Pelphrey, of Paintsville; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Jarrell (Ron), Paul Bryan Conley (Char), Gina Michelle Adams (Heiko), Amy Denise Bowen, Courtney Lynn Conley, Amanda Lynn Butcher (Katie), Ron Thompson (Santana) and Rachel Thompson. Numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive, along with a host of family members and friends.
Virginia, or Jenny, as she was known to many, worked for many years at the old Paintsville Hospital in labor and delivery. She also went on to work and retire from Paul B. Hall Hospital with an additional 20 years of service.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in the chapel of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home. Burial took place in the James McHenry Davis Cemetery, Davis Branch, Paintsville. Matthew Craft officiated.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.phelps-son-funeralhome.com.
This is a paid obituary.
Esther Kimbler
Esther Daniels Kimbler, 70, of Sitka, died Monday, May 29, 2023, at her residence.
She was born Aug. 9, 1952, in West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Burt Daniels and Rachel Spradlin Daniels.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Fred Kimbler; her son, Edward Lloyd Kimbler; two brothers, Burt Daniels II and Rodney Spradlin; and her sister, Linda Sparks.
Esther is survived by her sons, Darrell (Lisa) Daniels and Sammy Ray Kimbler, both of Sitka; three daughters, Madison Waller and Kaley Kimbler, both of Sitka, and Kimberly Kiger, of Paintsville; two sisters, Charolette and Opal Faye (Donald), both of Ohio; her sister-in-law, Barbara Daniels, of Salyersville; grandchildren, Sonya (Terrence) Hunt, Ryan Lowe (April), Sasha Farmer, Marcus Lowe, Josh (Gemma) Rivers, Zach Daniels and Tori Daniels; great-grandchildren, Justin Endicott, Mason Johnson, Paxston Hunt, Carter Lowe, Cooper Lowe, Lillian Farmer, Kinslee Farmer and Klaire; and her great-great-grandchild, Waylon Endicott. A host of nieces, nephews and family members also survive.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the Ramey Branch Church with Jamison Mollette and Denvil Mollette officiating. Burial took place in the Daniels Family Cemetery, Tutor Key.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.phelps-son-funeralhome.com.
This is a paid obituary.
Glenn Pack
Glenn Richard Pack, 56, of Louisville, returned to his Heavenly Father on Friday, June 2, 2023.
He was employed by MHS/Fortna. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and a pool shark. He truly enjoyed the outdoors.
Glenn was born in Paintsville, July 1, 1966, to the late Grover and Bebe Childers Pack.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Gordon Pack and Charles Pack.
Glenn leaves his wife, Sherri; daughters, Lakin Rachelle Pack (Lenert) and Lauren Nicole Pack (Stacy); two sisters, Carolyn Martin and Glendene Pack; two brothers, Paul Pack (Lara) and Greg Pack (Linda); one grandchild, Phoenix James Pack; one sister-in-law, Mary Grace Pack; and a host of other family and friends to cherish his memory.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023, in the chapel of Schoppenhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (Preston Hwy. at Brooks Rd.) Burial in Brookland Cemetery.
Friends and Family may pay their respects on Wednesday, June 7, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until time of service. Any contribution may be made to the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Schoppenhorst Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home of Louisville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.subfuneralhome.com.
This is a paid obituary.
Elmon Ratliff
Elmon E. Ratliff, 94, of Denver, died Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Paintsville ARH Hospital.
He was born in Johnson County, Aug. 2, 1928, to the late Ellis Ratliff and Edna Blair Ratliff.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Harvalee Conley Ratliff; his second wife, Ella Faye Ratliff; one son, Gary Elmon Ratliff; four brothers, Ray W. Ratliff, Henry Ratliff, Kenneth Estill Ratliff and Eulis Ratliff; and two sisters, Geneva Ratliff and Allene Soard.
Elmon is survived by three sons, Larry Joe Ratliff, of Denver, Mike Hitchcock (Donna), of Williamsport, and Fred Hitchcock (Kaye), of Tutor Key; four daughters, Kathy Russell (Garland), of Salyersville, Nancy Caudill (Jeff), of Denver, Patty York (James), of Denver, and Sue Blackburn (James), of Denver; 11 grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 3, 2023, in the chapel of the Phelps & Son Funeral Home with Joe Scott and Isaac Rowland officiating. Burial followed in the Ellis Ratliff Cemetery, Denver.
Arrangements were under the direction of Phelps & Son Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.phelps-son-funeralhome.com.
David Stambaugh
David Stambaugh, 55, of Thelma, died Monday, June 5, 2023, at his residence.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023, in the Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel with Roger Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Stambaugh-Preston Cemetery, Brunt Cabin Road, Hager Hill.
Friends may visit the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Wednesday, June 8, 2023 from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones-Preston Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.jones-prestonfuneralhome.com.
Vida Tackett
Vida Miranda Tackett, 68, of Prestonsburg, died Saturday, June 3, 2023, at her residence.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Highland Memorial Cemetery with Paul Wayne Browning officiating. Interment immediately followed.
Arrangements were under the direction of Preston Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.theprestonfuneralhome.net.
Harold VanHoose
On May 30, 2023, Harold Dean VanHoose shed his earthly pain from health issues and made a graceful exit, surrounded by love in Somerset.
Harold was born on Feb. 3, 1941, in Johnson County, to Hollie and Roberta VanHoose. He graduated from Oil Springs High School, where he enjoyed agriculture classes and held a state degree with FFA. Harold was also a Boy Scout during his school years. After graduating, he wanted to join the military, but the recruiter didn’t need anyone for six weeks. Harold didn’t want to wait that long, instead he enrolled at Ashland Barber College. He excelled at barbering and spent 60 years mastering the art of cutting hair. He was elected to the Kentucky State Barbering Board by Gov. Brereton Jones. He owned Harold’s Barber Shop in Paintsville, for many years. He also worked at Fort Knox and MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa, Fla.) barbershops. He managed the MacDill shop for a few years and was the personal barber for several well-known generals. After sixteen years in Tampa, he returned to Kentucky in 2016. His last barbering job was at Nancy Barbershop in Nancy, and he enjoyed that community immensely.
Harold was active in his community. He loved politics and campaigning. He was elected Johnson County sheriff in the late 1970s and ran for office because he wanted change for his community. He was president of VanCar coal trucking company in Muhlenberg County for a few years. Harold also enjoyed appraising and developing property. He held several patents as he loved inventing and modifying things. He was a member of The Lions Club in Paintsville. He was also a proud Master Mason and Shriner. Harold was a Kentucky Colonel. He served as President of the Bambino League for Youth Baseball in Johnson County for several years. He and friends enjoyed summers in a softball league for fun competitive games.
He was a “jack of all trades” and made friends wherever he went. He will be remembered for his grit, resilience, tenacity, honesty in telling it like it was, his storytelling, and his smile. His greatest attribute was his positive attitude.Harold loved to explore the world around him during his younger days. He was an avid traveler who had visited many states and countries. He enjoyed hunting and took yearly bird hunting trips with friends to Kansas, Wisconsin and Nebraska. He always enjoyed a day out on the lake fishing, or a day hiking in the woods and walking creeks to find the most unique rock of the day. He collected many rocks and arrowheads over the years. Many are displayed in his flower garden. He enjoyed reading and watching Westerns. Piddlin’ in his toolshed and working on his antique cars (most recently a prized 1948 Willys Jeep) was considered a good afternoon.
Harold married his high school sweetheart Ruby K. Adams in 1962. They were an incredible duo for 55 years. She preceded him in death. After 18 years of marriage, one daughter was born, their miracle child Kara Paige. Harold is survived by his daughter Kara Paige; his son-in-law, Stephen Douglas Butcher; and two grandchildren, Kessa Hallie-Faye and “Cowboy” Kase Douglas. He was proud to be their Pawpaw. The three had many grand adventures. He is also survived by his dog, Daisy.
Harold was one of twelve children. He was preceded in death by his brothers, James and Luther.
He is survived by his siblings, Hershell, Hollie J, Roger, Venny, Jean, Ruby Jewell, Geneva, Lillian, and Sharon. He is also survived by many other family and friends who will fondly remember the inspirational Harold Dean.
Harold asked that there be no sorrow in his passing of journeying home. Instead, think of how you can make a difference in the lives of others and live each day with positivity. Find the good.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m.,Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville. The family will receive friends and family starting at 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Southern Oaks Funeral Home in Somerset, along with Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville, will be in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Shriners Children’s Hospital.
The guestbook may be signed at www.theprestonfuneralhome.net.
This is a paid obituary.
“Tootsie” Ward
Ora Alice “Tootsie” Ward, 85, of River, died Friday, June 2, 2023, in Ashland.
Funeral services were conducted at 7 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2023, in the chapel of the Preston Funeral Home. Gordon Ward officiated.
Arrangements were under the direction of Preston Funeral Home of Paintsville.
The guestbook may be signed at www.theprestonfuneralhome.net.