All Obituaries

Melissa A. Dean Ward, 35 Melissa A. Dean Ward, 35, of West Portsmouth, Ohio, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. She was born April 7, 1990, to the late Beverly Ward. Melissa was a 2009 graduate of Portsmouth West High School. She was a beautiful person, both inside and out, known for her kind heart, gentle spirit, and artistic soul. She loved to paint and draw and further pursued her passion by attending Job Corps in Cleveland, where she ...

Johnnie R. Welch, 86 Johnnie R. Welch, 86 of West Portsmouth, died Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at his home. He was born October 20, 1939 in West Portsmouth to the late Johnnie and Willa May Conley Welch. Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Roseann Esham Welch and a son Johnnie Welch. Johnnie was a retired truck driver and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by 3 sons; Mark (Jane) Welch, Timothy Welch and Walter Welch (Barb Cooley), a daughter Brenda ...

David Bryan Speck, 66 David Bryan Speck, 66 of Portsmouth, died Monday, February 23, 2026 at SOMC Hospice. He was born February 15, 1960 in Portsmouth to the late Norman and Mary Boyd Speck. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Cathy Clark and 2 brothers; Blaine Eugene Speck and Duane Lee Speck. Bryan was a loving father to his son and enjoyed expressing his love for his wife. He spent most of his spare time outdoors with his Roosters and his buddy’s. He will ...

Scott Vallance, 42 Scott Vallance, 42, of McDermott, went to be with the Lord on February 20, 2026 at his home. He was born September 21, 1983 in West Portsmouth to James and Vickie (Williams) Vallance, who both survive. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Jessie Williams and Jim and Janet Vallance; his uncles, Rick Williams and Steve Williams; and his aunt, Cindy Vallance Sheets. Scott was a 2003 graduate of Portsmouth West High School. He worked at Harbison-Walker ...

Sherry Paxson McNutt, 62 Sherry Irene Paxson McNutt, 62 of Portsmouth, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at her home. She was born May 2, 1963 in Portsmouth to the late Earl and Edith White Paxson. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Dale “Junior” McNutt Jr., whom she married on July 3, 1983, brothers; James Paxson, David Paxson and Johnny Paxson, a sister, Connie Pack, sister-in-law Kathy McNutt, brothers-in-law; ...

John D. Mershon, 88 John Mershon, 88, of West Portsmouth, Ohio, passed away February 20, 2026 at SOMC Hospice. He was born February 17, 1938 in Scioto County, Ohio, to the late Shirley Edward Mershon and Helen Lucinda (Swords) Mershon. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Earl Mershon, Homer David Mershon, Shirley Edward Mershon, Lawrence Buford Mershon, and Gary Mershon; his sisters, Dorothy Mershon, Geneva Ball, Helen Summers, Louella Teeters, Joan ...

Kristopher Burgess, 47 Kristopher Burgess, 47, of West Portsmouth, passed away February 5, 2026, at his residence. He was born September 9, 1978, in Portsmouth to John Burgess II and the late Linda Kaye (Pollard) Burgess. Along with his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents. He was a 1997 graduate of Portsmouth West High School and was a dedicated member of the Rome Masonic Lodge. Kristopher valued the principles of brotherhood, charity, and integrity ...

Frank C. Peters, 85 Frank C. Peters, 85 of West Portsmouth, died Friday, February 13, 2026 at SOMC Hospice. He was born May 1, 1940 in Sciotoville to the late Roscoe and Ruth Stewart Peters. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by sister, Nancy Peters Hickman, an infant son Patrick and his life-long friend, Dick Cook. Frank was a United States Marine Corp veteran serving from 1959 to 1967. He worked for ODNR for several years and retired from SOCF in 2001 after 37 years. Frank ...

Kootela “Kay” Collins, 85 Kootela “Kay” Payne Collins, 85 of West Portsmouth, died Friday, February 13, 2026 at her home. She was born November 11, 1940 in Rubyville to the late Boyd and Myrtle Frye Payne. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Steven E. Collins, whom she married on December 31, 1960, 2 brothers; Jack Payne and Bill Payne and a sister Cuba Piatt. Kay was a member of Dry Run Church of Christ. She was a 4-H Leader and also ...

Christopher D. Payne, 53 Christopher D. Payne, 53, of Lucasville, passed away February 7, 2026 at Southern Ohio Medical Center after a long and hard-fought battle with diabetes. He endured dialysis treatments while striving to regain the life he loved. He was born October 4, 1972 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Danny and Lena Payne. Along with his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emmanuel and Edna Redouty and Leo and Francis Payne. Christopher worked for 30 years for the State ...