Kentucky Marriage Records by CountyJohnston
SACRAMENTO, Ky. – Blanche Martin Johnston, 84, passed away Nov. 7, 2006 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital. She was born in Crittenden County and was a seamstress for J.C. Penney for 15 years. She was of Baptist faith.
Surviving are two sons, Curtis Hardison of Greenville and Bobby Hardison of Sebree; a sister, Clarice Sandefur of Fancy Farm; a brother, Rayburn Martin of Springfield, Ill.; a stepson, Billy Gene Johnston of Greenville; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Mendal Johnston; two brothers, Robert Martin and Armond Martin; and her parents, Curtis Martin and Hattie Brown Martin.
A graveside service was held Nov. 20 at Sugar Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville was in charge of arrangements.
Easley
Mary Edna Fritts Easley, 93, of Marion, passed away Nov. 16, 2006 at Crittenden Health & Rehab. She was born in the Piney Fork Community of Crittenden County and graduated from Mattoon High School and Murray State University.
She spent many years teaching school in Crittenden County. Following the closing of the U.S. Steel Lafayette Mines, she moved to Gary, Ind., again teaching until she retired to Marion with her husband. She was a longtime member of Marion Cumberland Presbyterian Church and attended First Presbyterian Church in Lake Station, Ind., while living in Gary. She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star in Marion and a 30-year member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.
She is survived by a daughter, Betty (late Charles) Henley of Bradenton, Fla.; a son-in-law, Bill Garnett of Lafayette, Ind.; four grandchildren, Billy and Mark Henley, Bobbby Garnett and Lisa Livesay; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marcella Hobgood of Henderson; a brother, R.L. Gipson of Bloomington, Ind.; two nephews, Bruce McEuen of Princeton and Randal McEuen of Hobart, Ind.; and two nieces, Loetta Riddle and Janice Coleman, both of Marion.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, R.D. Fritts and Raymond Easley; a daughter, Jetta Garnett; and three brothers. Her parents were Luther and Myrtle Gipson.
Services were Nov. 19 at Gilbert Funeral Home with Dee Ann Thompson officiating. Burial was in Mapleview Cemetery.
Little
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – James C. “Jim” Little, 83, passed away Nov. 19, 2006 at Angel River Health and Rehabilitation. He was born in Crittenden County, graduated from Mattoon High School and was a member of the United Church of Christ. He retired in 1983 from the Indiana State Excise Police after 29 years of service, holding the rank of lieutenant for 22 years.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Merridy Ellerbusch Little; two daughters, Julia A. Johnson and Melinda S. Jarboe, both of Evansville; a brother, Darrel Little of Bloomington, Ind.; five grandchildren; and one niece and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lola M. Thomas Little and Thomas E. Little; and a sister, Earlene Benham McKim.
Services were Nov. 22 at Boone Funeral Home in Evansville with entombment in Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Croft
Rosa Lee Croft, 82, of Marion, passed away Nov. 16, 2006 at Crittenden Health & Rehab. She was a member of Marion Baptist Church.
Surviving are a son, Jimmy Croft of Marion; two daughters, Linda Valentine and Brenda Croft, both of Paducah; a brother, Jimmy Lemon of Marion; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Croft; and a son, David Croft. Her parents were James Gilliam and Rosa Mae Gipson Lemon.
Services were Nov. 18 at Gilbert Funeral Home with Rev. Cortis Hill officiating. Burial was in Mapleview Cemetery.
Stewart
CRAYNE, Ky. – William E. “Butch” Stewart, 56, passed away Nov. 8, 2006 at Crittenden Hospital. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and a member of the Marion VFW Post.
Surviving are a son, Dane Ryan Stewart of Murray; a sister, Sue Parrent of Marion; a brother, Tommy Stewart of New Smyrna, Fla.; and a granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Hazel Stewart.
Graveside services were Nov. 11 at Baker Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Simpkins
EDDYVILLE, Ky. – William F. “Nub” Simpkins, 75, passed away Nov. 7, 2006 at his home. He was a member of Eddyville First Baptist Church and sang in the Goodnewsmen Quartet.
Surviving are his wife, June C. Simpkins; a sister, Fannie Belle Martin of Eddyville; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents were William Floyd Simpkins and Miriam Gracie Travis Simpkins.
Services were Nov. 11 at Eddyville First Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Purdue, Rev. Glenn Flowers and Rev. Gates Bowman officiating. Burial was in Frances Cemetery.
Hardin
LEDBETTER, Ky. – Graveside services for Emma Lou Hardin, 89, were held Nov. 14, 2006 at Loveless Chapel Cemetery. Rev. Mike Grimes officiated. Boyd Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hardin passed away Nov. 12 at Western Baptist Hospital. She was a member of Ledbetter United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Carl Hankins and Sherman Hankins, both of Paducah; a brother, W.L. Lester of Sturgis; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Crossland Hardin; two daughters, Sue Dowdy and Doris Gilbert; two brothers; a sister; and three grandchildren. Her parents were Fulton and Anna Belle Curry Lester.
Knight
Chester L. Knight, 84, of Marion, passed away Nov. 12, 2006 at Regional Medical Center in Madisonville. He was of Baptist faith.
Surviving are a son, Michael Knight of Marion; five daughters, Charlotte Davis of Salem, Donna Knight of Lakeland, Fla., Judy Cummins and Sandy Hardin, both of Marion, and Kristi Vance of Murray; his ex-wife, Elizabeth Knight of Salem; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William S. and Anna Ruth Brackett Knight; four brothers; and four sisters.
Services were Nov. 15 at Boyd Funeral Home with Rev. John East officiating. Burial was in Salem Cemetery.
Belt
Lena Joyce Belt, 98, of Marion, passed away Nov. 13, 2006 at Crittenden County Health & Rehab. She was a member of Pleasant Grove General Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Donald Joyce of Henderson, Glen Joyce of Marion and Jimmy Joyce of Nashville; a sister, Lucille Fisher of El Dora, Fla.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Wayne Brooks; and a granddaughter.
Services will be at 1 p.m., Nov. 17 at Pleasant Grove General Baptist Church. Rev. Herbert Alexander will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.
Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hunt
Robert Shane Hunt, 32, of Marion, passed away Nov. 3, 2006.
He was a member of Cave Springs General Baptist Church and a boilermaker.
Surviving are his wife, Gina Hunt; three children, Jacob Hunt, Madison Hunt and Zach Ray, all of Marion; a sister, Kristin Belt of Marion; a half brother, Austin Whitledge of Marion; two half sisters, Nikki Whitledge of Las Vegas and Erica Whitledge of Marion, Ill.; his mother, Evonne Hunt of Marion; two grandmothers, Peachy Hunt and Ruby Phillips, both of Marion; and a niece, Raylee Belt.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Hunt; and grandfathers, Orlyn Hunt and Rev. Robert Phillips.
Services were Nov. 6 at Gilbert Funeral Home with Rev. Heath Martin officiating. Burial was in Rosebud Cemetery.
