Kentucky Marriage Records by CountyJanie Lois Becklehimer
GREENVILLE - Janie Lois Becklehimer, 60, died September 25, 2002 at her residence in Greenville.
Born October 25, 1941 in Muhlenberg County, she was a homemaker and a member of New Paradise Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shannon Becklehimer in 1996.
She is survived by a son, Scott Bechlehimer of Greenville; a daughter, Kim Jarvis of Greenville; four grandchildren, Matt, Dustin, Whitney and Shannon; four sisters, Mary Lou Curry of Central City, Virginia Vincent of Calhoun, Trenda Due of Shelbyville, Kentucky; and Kay Boggess of Lewisburg.
Funeral services were held September 28 at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City with Rev. Jerry Winters officiating. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville. Tucker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James “Red” Smith
James “Red” Smith, 33, of Central City, died September 27, 2002 in Central City.
Born September 22, 1969 in Crawford, Ohio, he was a welder and was employed at Minserco in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.
He is survived by his wife, Tonya O’Bannon Smith; a son, James William Cody Smith of Central City; two daughters, Samantha Dawn Smith and Casee Dale LeAnn Smith, both of Central City; his mother, Judy Foster of Nelson Creek; father, William Hunt of Holt, Michigan; four brothers, Raymond Smith of Michigan, Randy Buchanan, Scott Kime and Bobby Foster, all of Nelson Creek; two sisters, Mary Grubbs and Georgina Sailing, both of Graham; and his grandmother, Minnie Buchanan of Midland.
Funeral services were held September 28 at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City with Rev. Estil Mayes officiating. Burial followed in Fairmount Cemetery in Central City. Tucker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas Wendell Sumner
MILLSTADT, IL - Thomas Wendell Sumner, 68, died September 27, 2002 at his residence in Millstadt, Illinois.
Born October 18, 1933 in Penrod, Kentucky, he was the son of Thomas Ebon and Gracie Mae Gaston Sumner, both deceased. He was a retired auto worker from the Chrysler Plant in Fenton, Missouri. He was a member of United Auto Workers, Local #136. He was preceded in death not only by his parents, but also a brother, Paul Sumner.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Dorothy (Robert) Scharf of Millstadt, Illinois; two daughters, Deborah (Tony) Jarvis of Millstadt, IL and Patty Bowers of Salem, IL; one son, Thomas F. Sumner of Drakesboro; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Leslie and T. J. Jarvis, Stacey and Justin Rist, all of Millstadt, IL, Travis Bowers of Salem, IL and Josh Sumner of Drakesboro; three sisters, Mary Agnes Johnson of Missouri, Nellie Clack of Florida and Sybil Coe of Texas; three brothers, Calvin Sumner and Jerold Sumner, both of Michigan and Wayne Sumner of Florida; a dear friend, Bill Kunkel; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held September 29 at Jones Funeral Chapel. Burial followed in Huntsville Methodist Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 315 South Illinois St., Belleville, Illinois 62220.
Bettye L. Oates
EVANSVILLE - Bettye L. Oates, 78, of Evansville, Indiana, died September 24, 2002 at Good Samaritan Home.
Bettye was previously employed at ARKLA. She and her husband, Red, owned and operated Red’s Mower Service from 1962 - 1978. She was a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in German Township. She was an active member in the German Township Booster Club and German Township Fire Department Auxiliary and was assistant editor of the German Township News. She enjoyed camping, fishing, knitting, needlepoint and her animals. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane M. Young in 1978.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Orvel C. “Red” Oates of Evansville; one son, Daniel L. Oates and his wife, Martha G. of Evansville; granddaughters, Kristen A. Girten and her husband, Eric, Emily L. Newman and her husband, Jacob, and Stephanie Beman and her husband, Ben; one grandson, Kelly Young; four great grandchildren, Samuel and Jacob Girten, Ethan Robison and Amber Jarvis.
Funeral services were held September 27 at Alexander West Chapel in Evansville officiated by Rev. Eugene Bickel. Burial was in St. Paul’s U.C.C. Church Cemetery-German Township. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Visiting Nurse Association, Good Samaritan Home or to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, German Township. Alexander West Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Jewell “Juke” Menser
MADISONVILLE - Jewell “Juke” Menser, 72, of Madisonville died September 26, 2002 in Regional Medical Center in Madisonville.
Born May 15, 1930 in Dawson Springs, he was the son of the late Marion Leslie Menser and Lois Fisher Menser. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Lorene Menser Sparks. He was a retired coal miner having worked at both the Island Creek Coal Co. Crescent Mines and Providence #1 mines. He was a Korean War U.S. Navy Veteran and a life member of the V.F.W. Post #5480. He was a member of the American Legion Post #6 and the Bremen Masonic Lodge. He was also a Kentucky Colonel.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Kelley Menser of Madisonville; one daughter, Tammy Menser Bannister of Madisonville; two sons, Mike Menser of Wilkesboro, NC and Mark Menser of Wayne, PA; one sister, Evelyn Menser Simpson of Columbus, IN; one brother, Norman Menser of Versailles, KY and six grandchildren.
Funeral services were held September 29 at the Barnett-Strother Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Menser and Rev. David Menser officiating. Burial followed in the Hicklin Cemetery in Anton, KY. Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville was in charge of arrangements. Memorial gifts may take the form of donations to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Shirley Miller
Shirley Miller, 59, of Central City, died September 27, 2002 at Maple Manor Nursing Center in Greenville.
Born October 22, 1942 in Paducah, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Deidra Miller; a sister, Leoda Richardson; and her father and mother, Leo and Jane Hall.
She is survived by her husband, Doug Aders; a son, Tim Miller of Drakesboro; four daughters, Teresa Rose of Beech Creek, Melissa King and Gina Whitehouse, both of Central City and Kim Hunt of Beechmont; nine grandchildren, Chris Rose, Brandon Rose, Deidre King, Jessica, Jeffery and Jennifer Whitehouse, Hunter Miller, Lauren Hunt and Morgan Hunt; two brothers, Lenual Hall, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee and Gary Hall of Paducah; five sisters, Janice Harris, Joan Hall, Etta Hall, Tana Rambo, all of Paducah and Lana Robertson of Metroplis, Illinois.
Graveside and burial services were held September 29 at Palestine Cemetery in Paducah, Kentucky with Linda Whitehouse officiating. Tucker Funeral Home in Central City was in charge of arrangements.
Wilma Osborne
SACRAMENTO - Wilma Osborne, 76, of Sacramento died September 27, 2002 in Madisonville.
Born September 5, 1926, she was a homemaker and a member of Sacramento Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Hugh Osborne; son, Willis Osborne of Madisonville; one daughter, Linda Son of O’Fallon, Illinois; four grandchildren, Derrick Adkins, Caitlyn Thompson, Brien Osborne and Brandon Osborne; two great grandchildren, Isabella Osborne and Chase Adkins; one brother, Charles Newcom of Bremen.
Funeral services were held September 29 at Tucker Memorial Chapel with Rev. Leslie Moody officiating, assisted by Rev. Darrell Eldridge. Burial followed in Bethlehem Cemetery in Bremen. Tucker Funeral Home in Sacramento was in charge of arrangements.
Gwendolyn Rose Gregory Dukes
Gwendolyn Rose Gregory Dukes, 57, died September 28, 2002 at her residence in Central City.
Born October 26, 1944 in Louisville, she was a homemaker and a member of Crossing Holiness Church in Central City. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Gregory, Sr. and Gladys Spears Gregory.
She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Oscar Dukes; daughter and son-in-law, Franny and Tim Barnard of Central City; four brothers, Frances Gregory, Jr. of Bremen, G. H. Gregory of Cromwell, Tommy Gregory of Central City and Teddy Gregory of Troy, Indiana; three sisters, Marilyn Berkley of Camden, Tennessee, Vonda King of Livermore and Lorraine Dukes of Rockport, Indiana; and a host of nieces and nephews;
Funeral services were held September 30 at Crossing Holiness Church, Central City, with Bill Penrod officiating, assisted by Linda Whitehouse. Burial followed in Fairmount Cemetery in Central City. Tucker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ricky David “Rosie” Welborn
DRAKESBORO - Ricky David “Rosie” Welborn, 45, died September 26, 2002 at his home in Fredricksburg, Virginia.
Born September 9, 1957 in Evansville, he was a member of Dunmor Baptist Church and also a member of the Dunmor Fire Department and Beechmont Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his father, John Wallace Welborn and a sister, Cheryll Border.
He is survived by a son, John Scott Welborn of Drakesboro; three daughters, Johnna Rager of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, Leah Welborn and Kasey Welborn, both of Drakesboro; former wife, Debbie Welborn of Drakesboro; two sisters, Johnna Lynch of Russellville and Margie Williams of Dunmor; and mother, Minnie Welborn of Evansville.
Funeral services were held September 30 at Price Funeral Home in Lewisburg with Rev. Tony McCall officiating. Burial followed in Dunmor Cemetery. Price Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Maggie M. Revlett
EVANSVILLE - Maggie M. Revlett, 79, of Evansville, died September 29, 2002 at her residence.
Mrs. Revlett was a homemaker and a 23 year member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Clyde O. Revlett; one daughter, Juwanna Diane Mehaffey of Carmi, Illinois; one son, James Norman Revlett of Evansville; one sister, Edith Abbott of Powderly; one brother, Bobby Whittinghill of Lewisburg; and two grandchildren, Rodney Norman (Judy) Wiethop of Effingham, Illinois and Patrick Mehaffey of Carterville, Illinois.
Visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 1 at Boone Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel on 4th and Chandler Ave. Funeral services will be held October 2 at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 808 SE Third St., Evansville, with Rev. Allen Pollock officiating. Burial will follow at Highway Cemetery in Drakesboro. Memorial contributions may take the form of contributions to Calvary Baptist Church in Evansville. Boone Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, in Evansville, is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Jewell Bivins
GREENVILLE - Donald Jewell Bivins, 58, died September 29, 2002 at his home in Greenville after a short illness.
Born June 23, 1944 in Muhlenberg County, he was a retired farmer. He was preceded in death by one son, Roy Daniel Bivins in 1979.
He is survived by his wife of forty years, Judith Shelton Bivins, of Greenville; two sons, Gerald Todd Bivins and Barry Lynn Bivins, both of Greenville; one daughter, Donna Bivins Rose of Hopkinsville; four grandchildren; three brothers, Glendel Bivins and Darrell Bivins, both of Greenville and Freddie Bivins of Rosewood; three sisters, Lucyle Willis and Louise Morriss, both of Greenville and Linda Shelton of Elkton.
Graveside services and burial were at Landmark Cemetery, Highway 831, Greenville with Joe Edwards officiating.
Robert Ricks
SODDY-DAISY, TN - Robert Ricks, 77, of Soddy-Daisy, formerly of Christian County, died September 28, 2002 at a hospital in Tennessee. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church. He was a Mason and a member of the Alhambra Shrine Temple #0727, of Hixson, and a member of the Scottish Rite. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jackson and Fredrick Ricks.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothea L. Ricks of Soddy-Daisy; three daughters, Theresa Ricks of Providence, Michelle Garrett of Soddy-Daisy, and Rebecca Ricks of Radcliff; two sons, Howard Ricks of Soddy-Daisy and Harold Ricks of Water Valley, KY; two sisters, Sarah Hope of Thumann, Arkansas and Margaret Lambert of Ashton, West Virginia; three brothers, Frank Ricks and Hugh Ricks, both of Hopkinsville and Charles Ricks of Crofton; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held October 1 in the chapel of Williamson & Sons Funeral Home with Dr. David Tabor officiating. A Masonic Service followed. There was also a memorial service held at Grace United Methodist Church. Interment followed in Chattanooga National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Grace United Methodist Church, 9833 Hixson Pike, Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee 37379. William & Sons Funeral Home in Soddy-Daisy was in charge of arrangements.
Joann Taylor
Joann Taylor, retired Muhlenberg County educator for 32 years, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 30, 2002. She passed away at the Medical Center in Bowling Green.
Born July 2, 1948, she was the second child of Ruth and Lucian Taylor, Sr. of Central City. She was a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher from 1982 - 1998, assisted with Vacation Bible School, and helped out with various projects as needed. Her community work included service on the committee of the Muhlenberg Habitat for Humanity.
As a devoted educator in Muhlenberg County, Joann instructed primary level students P-3/4 for 27 years. After her retirement, Joann was a part time instructor for Madisonville Community College, a part time teacher educator for Western Kentucky University and a part time substitute teacher for the Muhlenberg County School System. She also had a five year certification in the state of Tennessee. Joann received a B.S. degree in 1970, a MA degree in 1975, and Rank I in 1983 in elementary education from Western Kentucky University.
She is survived by four brothers, Dr. Lucian Taylor, Jr. of Lexington, John Thomas Taylor, Sr. of Central City, Jerry Taylor of Drakesboro and Stan Taylor of Corona, California; four sisters, Cordia Jones of Irvine, California, Dorris Powell of Smyrna, Tennessee, Brenda Taylor of Santa Ana, California and Donna Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; seven nieces; five nephews; and two great nieces.
Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, October 3, and Homegoing Celebration will be Friday, October 4 at 2 p.m., both at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Bibbs’ Funeral Home in Greenville is in charge of arrangements.
Valera Gossett Williams
GRAHAM - Valera Gossett Williams, 80, of Graham died September 29, 2002 at Muhlenberg Community Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Born August 24, 1922 in Graham, she was retired from General Electric in Owensboro and was also a licensed practical nurse. She was of the Baptist Faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Alice Woods Gossett and three brothers, James, Benjamin and Charles Gossett.
She is survived by one brother, Robert Harry Gossett of Central City and several nephews and one niece.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 1 from 5 - 9 p.m. and funeral services will be Wednesday, October 2 at 11 a.m., both at Gary’s Funeral Home. Rev. Paul Drury will officiate. Burial will follow in Corley Chapel Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Muhlenberg County Opportunity Center, Senior Citizens Center or the AmericanCancer Society. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville is in charge of arrangements.
Nancy W. Crecelius
NASHVILLE Nancy Wallace Crecelius, 94, died Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 at her residence.
Born in Muhlenberg County May 9, 1910, she was a member of Methodist Church in Princeton, Ind.
Survivors include a daughter, Sally (David) Polan of Nashville; a stepdaughter, Sylvia Crecelius of Princeton, Ind.; a stepson, Jim (Margaret) Crecelius of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; a sister, Kathryn Iler of Central City; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Sept. 23 at Tucker Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeff DiMatties officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery.
