All Obituaries

Betty Ruth Welch McCleese, 85, of Minford, Ohio, passed away on January 23, 2020, at SOMC Hospice. Born in Paintsville, KY, on May 19, 1934, the daughter of the late Charles Arthur Welch and Ora Olive Bickford Welch, she was a graduate of East High School in 1953.  She was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Sciotoville, Ohio. Betty was a bookkeeper for several area businesses, including Kopy Kat and Ohio Coin Op. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her ex-...

 Wannah Kay Stephenson, 70, of Franklin Furnace, died peacefully Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at home surrounded by her great-grandchildren. She was born March 6, 1949 in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late Harold Hicks, Sr. and Ethel Leona Eidenour Hicks.    Wannah loved to play bingo and spend time watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.    Her husband, Ralph Edward Stephenson, whom she married Nov. 26, 1966 in Portsmouth, preceded her in death June...

   Patrick Curtiss, 74, of Columbus, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Westerville. He was born December 31, 1945 in Portsmouth, a son of the late Ralph Orville and Dorothy Mae Mays Curtiss.    Patrick retired after 30 years at G.E. in Worthington where he was a machinist and grinder. He had formerly worked at JC Penney and Empire Detroit Steel Corp. in the Portsmouth area. A 1963 Clay High School graduate, he was a member of the Western Sun Lodge...

   Rev. Delbert Jordan, 86, of Portsmouth, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born September 30, 1933 in Carter County, KY, a son of the late Albert Francis and Pearlie McGinnis Jordan.    Delbert pastored several local churches, the last being Bible Chapel in West Portsmouth.    In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Elta Jarvis Jordan; second...

  Thomas Anthony Royal, 60, of Wheelersburg, a former Gresham, OR resident, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in Portsmouth. He was born February 22, 1959 in Portsmouth, a son of the late Thomas Rodney Royal and Gladys Joan Sexton Royal.    A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Tom was a member of the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion and the Portsmouth Eagles Aerie #4285. While living in Oregon, he was an avid dart player.    Surviving are two sons, Joshua (Micki)...

   Donald Daniel Gleim, Sr., 88, of Franklin Furnace, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2020 at his home. Don was born March 2, 1931 in Porter Township, Scioto County, a son of the late Carl John and Frieda Emma Knapp Gleim.    A lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, Don was a farmer and retired Wheelersburg School District Bus Driver of 36 years. He was a 1949 Wheelersburg High School graduate. In 2014, Don was presented the Outstanding Farmer Citizen Award by the...

   Michael Hayden Williams, Sr., 81, of Portsmouth, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born February 22, 1938 in Portsmouth, a son of the late Emily (nee Bush) and Thomas Edwards Williams, Sr.    Mike was the retired co-owner of the Hunter-Williams Insurance Agency and the co-owner of the former Tom & Mike Williams Insurance Agency. An Army veteran, he earned the Good Conduct Medal and a Letter of Commendation. He was an active...

   Margaret Frances Schmidt, 91, of Portsmouth, formerly of Havertown, PA, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. She was born May 25, 1928 in Darby, PA, a daughter of the late Francis and Elizabeth Young Crumback.    Margaret was a member of Sacred Heart, Manoa Roman Catholic Church in Havertown, PA and a graduate of Collingdale (PA) High School. She was the former Director of Continuing Education at the Temple University...

   James Lee Thuma, 74, of Portsmouth, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019, at SOMC after a brief battle with cancer. He was born March 14, 1945 in Portsmouth, the only child of Everett Lee and Mary Ellen Colley Thuma.   Jim retired after 30 years of service with the Scioto County Department of Job & Family Services where he served as Assistant Director. A member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and a 1963 Portsmouth High School graduate, Jim received a bachelor...

   Gilbert Carl Hayes, 81, of Portsmouth, passed away Wed., Dec. 11, 2019 at SOMC. He was born April 10, 1938 in Hamilton, OH, a son of the late Carl Rutherford Hayes and Beulah Martin Rook.    Gil was a member of Christians Beyond Church and a 1956 graduate of Franklin High School. He had worked as a meat cutter both in Michigan and at the former Millhuff’s Department Store. Gilbert was also an Army veteran.    Surviving is his wife, Mary Alice Locher...