All Obituaries

   Bernard “Barney” Richard McKinney, 99, a longtime resident of Portsmouth, OH and New Albany, IN, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Hill View Retirement Center in Portsmouth. He was born in Portsmouth in 1920, a son of the late William and Anna Marie Kessinger McKinney.    He was the founder and president of the former Scioto Woods Company in Portsmouth and a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. He attended George Washington University...

      Rev. Jack E. James, 93, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 6, 2020, when he passed away at his home in Wheelersburg. He was born September 29, 1926 in Pittston, PA, a son of the late Odessa “O.Z.” and Myrtle Walker James.    As a young man, Jack joined the Army Air Corps and entered World War II, achieving his wings. For his service, he received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon and the World War II Victory...

   Walter “Bippy” Kenneth Roe, 89, of Portsmouth, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at Wesley Village at Hill View. He was born March 18, 1930 in Minot, ND, a son of the late Henry Mefford and Louise Pfefferle Roe.     Walt retired after 35 years at the Goodyear Atomic Corporation where he worked as a maintenance mechanic.  He was the owner of the former Walter Roe Realty Company and had also worked as a realtor for Howard Wymer. A 60-year...

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...