All Obituaries

Ernest Lee Howard, 69 Ernest (Ernie) Lee Howard, 69, of West Portsmouth died Saturday, September 24, 2022 at The Ohio State University Medical Center. He was born June 25, 1953 in Portsmouth to the late Ezra and Louella Estep Howard. Along with his parents he is preceded in death by 4 brothers, Eddie Howard, David Howard, Ricky Howard, and Joe Howard, 2 sisters, Mary Sue Howard, and Bonnie Howard.  Ernie was a member of the Starlight Enterprise Baptist Church where he was a dedicated...

Garry M. Sexton, 73 Garry M. Sexton, 73, of Portsmouth, died September 22, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.  He was born in Walsh, Kentucky on September 2, 1949 to the late Jewel and Ruth Harper Sexton.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a beloved son, Garry Sexton Jr.; 5 brothers, Paul, Bob, Don, Wavey and Jesse Sexton; 2 sisters, Helen Bentley and Joann Royal; a sister-in-law Patty Bratt and his loving 4-legged companion Delilah Mae.  Garry...

Virginia Lucille Duffy, 60 Virginia Lucille Duffy, 60 of West Portsmouth died Sunday, September 18, 2022 at her home. She was born January 29, 1962 in Portsmouth to the late Kerwin Duffy and Wilma Hook Duffy, along with her parents she is proceeded in death by two brothers, John Duffy and David Carver. She is survived by a sister, Donita (Jess) Whitt, a brother, Donald Duffy, and her nephew that took care of her Mark Chamblin Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, September 27,...

Richard James, 81 Richard James, 81 of Hocking County formerly of Portsmouth died Tuesday September 20, 2022 at Lanfair Nursing Home in Lancaster. He was born April 23, 1941 in Portsmouth to the late Charles and Lillian Galloway James. Richard was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and was a Registered nurse where he worked for the IRS where he worked as a occupational health nurse for 30 years. He is survived by his wife Nancy VonderHaar James whom he married March 3, 2003. Richard...

Marvin Eugene Distel, 95, passed away September 18 after a month-long battle with cancer. The son of Catherine and Marshall Distel, Marvin lived and worked all of his life in West Portsmouth where he was a respected educator, coach, and eventually, principal of Portsmouth West High School. He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, and his youngest son, Paul Kevin Distel. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Norma Distel; daughter Stephanie (Distel) Kight and her husband...

Cathy L. Marsh, 64 Cathy L. Marsh, 64, of West Portsmouth, died September 16, 2022, at SOMC Hospice.  She was born November 10, 1957, to the late Roger Lykins and Susan Callihan-Conley.  Along with her parents she is preceded in death by a brother, Roger Wayne Lykins.  Cathy was a proud 1976 graduate of Portsmouth West.  After high school, she went on to be an LPN and work for Edgewood Manor in Lucasville.    Cathy is survived by a son, Jeffrey...

James Gordon Lauder, 63 James Gordon Lauder, 63, of Piketon, died September 15, 2022, at his home.  He was born May 16, 1959, in Portsmouth, to the late James Lauder Sr. and Patricia Bowman Lauder whom survives.  He is survived by his wife Rita Trimble Lauder, a daughter, Tricia Lauder, Stepson Scott (Lindsay) Patterson, a stepdaughter, Diana (Ben) Howard, a sister, Pamela (Randy) Kuhn, 6 grandchildren, Whitney Altman, Tyler Howard, Caleb Adkins, Donovan Adkins, Madison Howard,...

Andrew Shepherd, 74 Andrew Shepherd, 74, of Lucasville, died September 14, 2022, at SOMC Hospice, surrounded by his family.  He was born February 15, 1948, to the late Edgiel and Ruth Self Shepherd.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Edgiel Jr. and Jimmy Shepherd. During his lifetime, Andrew was a member of the Teamsters Union, drove a truck, and an auto mechanic but spent most of his career as an auto mechanic working for Foster and Fankle. An avid...

Connie Bean, 68 Connie Bean, 68 of Marion, Ohio, formerly of West Portsmouth, died Saturday, September 3, 2022, at her home. She was born February 26, 1954, in Scioto County to the late, Watt B. Hamilton and Mary Alice Neal Hamilton. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by 2 brothers, John Hamilton and Kenny Hamilton, and 2 sisters, Kathryn Cooper and Sherry Hamilton. She attended Cornerstone Alliance Church in Marion. Connie is survived by her husband, Roger Bean. She is...

Wilma M. Strickland, 97 Wilma M. Strickland, 97, of McDermott went to be with the Lord, September 10, 2022, at Rest Haven Nursing Home.  She was born on September 20, 1924, in Scioto County, to the late Roy and Pearl Altman Culp. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by husbands, Eugene Strickland and Aaron Strickland; 2 brothers, Oakie and Fred Culp, and 2 sisters, Alta Comer and Edith Hilt. She worked at the William’s Shoe Factory in her younger life but spent much...