Obituaries

ROSEWOOD, KY., Carolyn Yonts Hankins, 87, of Rosewood passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on the morning of September 13, 2024. She was born and raised in Rosewood the daughter of Burgess Oliver Yonts and Lady Mae Petrie Yonts. Carolyn graduated from Dunmor High School. Carolyn was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church where she served as treasurer for 25 years. She and Paul loved to travel, celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary in Europe. They traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii. Carolyn also traveled to Greece, Italy, France, and England. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Paul Dean Hankins, her siblings Thomas Yonts, Larry Yonts, Hattie Ruth Yonts Rust, and Teddy Yonts, her oldest granddaughter Holly Jo Devers, and her son-in-law Keith Peters. 

Carolyn is survived by her children Vicki Peters, Mark (Jane) Hankins, Tammie (Dan) Lorden, Phillip (Gina) Hankins, and Susan (Clay) White, her grandchildren DeeDee (James) Kennedy, Anne (Jeremy) McGill, Sarah (James) Wester, Kate (Adam) Crnko, Whitney (Brad) Morr, Dalton (Whitney) Hankins, and Mika (Peyton) Noel, step-granddaughters Ashlee (Brandon) Miller and Aly (Lincoln) Evitts, she is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2024 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm and Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, Kentucky.  

The funeral service will be Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11:00 am at Gary’s Funeral Home with Reverend Tom Stovall officiating. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Rosewood, Kentucky. 

OWENSBORO, KY., Edith Darlene Payne, 73, of Owensboro passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Chautauqua Health in Owensboro. She was born on February 1, 1951 in Ohio County the daughter of Henry Clarence Westerfield and Dorothy Dean Kirk Westerfield. She was a housewife and a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son James Lee Kimbley III, and a sister Helen Ann Kristoff.

She is survived by a daughter Paula Gist Abell, a son Randall Thomas (Kim) Gist, 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren.

Services are private. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, KY is in charge of arrangements.

GREENVILLE, KY., James Adam Johnson, 63, of Greenville passed away Friday, September 6, 2024 in Owensboro, KY following a short illness. JJ was born on November 12, 1960 in Muhlenberg County the son of Lloyd Johnson and Bertha Dukes Sigers. He retired from Road Builders and was co-owner and operator of Buck’s Asphalt and Paving. JJ enjoyed riding Harleys, spending time at truck shows, but mostly loved spending time with his family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his daughter Christy Lynn Johnson, 2 dogs that JJ loved and was his faithful companions Scooter and Chewy. 

He is survived by a son Adam “Buck” (Amanda) Johnson of Greenville, a daughter Brandy (Jeremy) Greenwood of Greenville, 5 Grandchildren Haylee Rice, Camden Greenwood, Jennifer West, Sadie Johnson, and Jase Johnson, 2 great- grandchildren, a brother Lloyd “Junior” Johnson of Ebenezer, the mother of his children Vickie Johnson. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024 between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Gary’s 

Funeral Home in Greenville, and after 9:00 am until service time on Tuesday. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 11:00 am from Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, KY by Reverend Darren Pentecost with burial to follow in Emberry Cemetery. 

GREENVILLE, KY., Steven Douglas Hendrix, 58, of Greenville passed away Friday, August 23, 2024 at TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville TN. He was born in Greenville on December 27, 1965 the Son of Leroy and Barbara Rowe Hendrix. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and watching Kentucky Basketball. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by 2 daughters Megan (Micheal) Griffin of Madisonville and Ashlee Stevens of Greenville, a son Timothy Hendrix of Greenville, 4 siblings Lenell (John) Burkett, Tommy (Alice) Hendrix, Cathy (David) Johnson, and Danny (Betty) Hendrix, as well as several grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville, KY. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Steven Hendrix Memorial Fund at Gary’s Funeral Home, Greenville, KY.

Henderson, KY., Terry Alan Heltsley, 73, of Henderson passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024 at Lucy Smith King Care Center in Henderson, KY. He was born on August 23, 1951 in Evansville, IN the son of S. B. Heltsley and Jonell Walker Heltsley Humphreys. He was a welder and a tool and dye worker and he was of the Baptist faith. 

He was an Army veteran, serving from 1971 to 1973 as a Military Policeman at Fort Meade, Maryland. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Jenny Heltsley, his partner Donna Maloney, and 2 brothers Doug Heltsley and Chris Humphreys.  

He is survived by a daughter Teri Jo (Brian) Holman of Bremen, 4 grandchildren Savanna Holman, Casen Holman, Haley Wilson, and Trenton Wilson, a brother Jeff (Guyla) Heltsley of Greenville, 3 sisters Dianne Willis of Hopkinsville, Brenda Thompson of Greenville, and Debbie 

Heltsley of Greenville, several nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM at Friendship Cemetery with Rev. Tommy Drury officiating. Gary’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BOWLING GREEN, KY., Kathleen Nicotera, 84, of Bowling Green went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at The Medical Center in Bowling Green. She was born in Graham on July 27, 1940 the daughter of Urey Norris and Beulah Embry Norris. She was a 1958 graduate of Graham High School, and she had been a teacher’s aide for Muhlenberg County Board of Education. She was a member of East Union Baptist Church in Graham. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas “Nick” Nicotera, brothers James Robert Norris and Paul Norris, and sister Corrine Sparks.

She is survived by a son Thomas Glenn Nicotera of Bowling Green, a granddaughter MacKenzie Gail Nicotera of Goodlettsville, TN., a twin sister Opaleen “Opie” Sparks of Greenville, several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be private.

Private graveside services will be held at Unity Cemetery in Graham, KY conducted by Rev. Tondra Daugherty.

GREENVILLE, KY., Hubert Ray Jessup, 89, of Greenville passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Greenville. He was born in Depoy on March 7, 1935 the son of George Jessup and Bertha Williams Jessup. He was of the Baptist faith. He loved being an entrepreneur and owned several businesses. He sold and retired from owning Landshire Food Systems of Indiana after 23 years in 1989. He was a gentleman farmer and enjoyed having coffee with his friends. He loved spending time with his grandkids and giving them his worldly advice.  

He was an Army veteran who worked in communications. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Doris Jessup Jarvis and Hilda Jessup Culbertson.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Joyce D. Jessup of Greenville, 2 daughters Laura Jessup (Doug) Stroud of Greenville and Mona Jessup (Scott) Zeyen of Rochester, IN., 2 grandchildren Audrey Zeyen (Alex) Carpenter and Matthew (Laura) Zeyen, 2 sisters Betty Jessup (Al) Jowder of Greenville and Georgann Jessup (Joe) Lookofsky of Mayfield.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Gary’s Funeral Home from 5pm – 8pm and on Thursday, August 22, 2024 beginning at 10am until time of funeral.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville with Dr. John Galyen officiating. Burial will follow in Greens Chapel Cemetery in Greenville.

GREENVILLE, KY., Edna Ruth Vincent, 88, of Greenville passed away at her residence on Sunday, August 4, 2024 with her family at her side. She was born in Greenville, KY on January 24, 1936 the daughter of Orbie Mundy and Mary Florence Harkins Mundy. Ruth was married to the late Ray Allen Vincent and was a charter member of Roland Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. She worked as a sales clerk in Uncle Lee’s clothing department in Greenville, was a Tupperware dealer, and did picture framing. 

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 56 years Ray Allen Vincent in 2008, a brother James Mundy, and a great grandson Brantley Belcher.

Edna is survived by 2 sons Mike (Jennifer) Vincent and Donald Vincent, a granddaughter Misty (CK) Belcher, a grandson Connor Vincent, 2 great-grandchildren Makayla and Rustan Belcher, 2 sisters Myrtle (Jerry)Engle and Linda Simms, several nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held at Memorial Gardens in Powderly, KY on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM with Bro. Danny Mooneyhan and Bro. Ron Metheny officiating. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville is in charge of her care and arrangements.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the nurses from Hospice and her caretakers for taking great care of Ruth over the last weeks.

GREENVILLE, KY., Ruthella Stuart, 77, of Greenville passed away on July 30, 2024. She was born on June 21, 1947 to Lacy Mildred and Ruben Elroy Stuart, Sr. Ruthella grew up in Greenville and resided in Georgetown for the last several years.

Ruth is survived by her sister Mina Welch-Vaughan, 2 brothers Ruben Elroy Stuart, Jr. and Louis Hobert Stuart.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Bluegrass Baptist Church 210 New Coleman Lane Georgetown, KY. 

Visitation will begin at 10 AM and the memorial service will be at 11 AM. 

Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, Kentucky is in charge of her care and arrangements.

GREENVILLE, KY., Ruthella Stuart, 77, of Greenville passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. She was born on June 21, 1947 to Lacy Mildred and Ruben Elroy Stuart, Sr. Ruthella grew up in Greenville and resided in Georgetown, KY for the last several years.

Ruth is survived by her sister Mina Welch-Vaughan, 2 brothers Ruben Elroy Stuart, Jr. and Louis Hobert Stuart.

A memorial service will be held in the near future. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, Kentucky is in charge of her care and arrangements.

GREENVILLE, KY., Laverne Sigers, 78, of Kirkmansville passed away on July 29, 2024 at the Dawson Springs Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home. She was born in Muhlenberg County on September 28, 1945 the daughter of Leslie Walter Walker, Sr and Lilla Belle Rager Walker. She attended Emberry Methodist Church. She enjoyed rock and roll music and loved dancing, flowers, and her daughter Charlotte. She was a factory worker, and in her early years she worked at a springs factory.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glendle Sigers in 1993, 2 brothers Leslie Walker, Jr. and Lonzo Walker, a sister Christine Sweeney.

She is survived by a daughter Charlotte Sigers of Dawson Springs, a sister Barbara Henderson of Foley, AL., a special nephew Dewayne Sigers of Greenville, 2 special nieces Rebecca (Jeff) Rose of Dunmor and Amanda (Brent) Oliver of Kirkmansville, several great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM until time of funeral at Gary’s Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 1 at 1:00 PM at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville, KY, conducted by Bro. Bill Skipworth. Burial will follow in Johnston Chapel Cemetery in Kirkmansville, KY.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at Dawson Springs Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home for their outstanding care. 

GREENVILLE, KY., It is with much sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother and “Mamaw”, Marianna Oates McGehee, 89 of Greenville on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Marianna was born January 15, 1935 in Muhlenberg County to the late Elgin McAfee and Flora Belle Bethel Oates. She was raised in the small community of Depoy with 2 sisters and lots of close relatives. She began work at a young age at the local dime store and met the love of her life Lois Ray McGehee. They wed September 20, 1954 shortly after his return from the Korean War and started a family in Greenville. They later purchased a farm just south of Greenville and established the homestead for their entire family today. They enjoyed life together for 46 years until his passing in 2000. She was a member of Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church where she had many dear friends. Marianna loved to cook large meals for her entire family and taught her children and grandchildren how to cook. She always had a variety of home cooked country food and enjoyed having anyone sitting at her table to eat and watch her “shows”. She had an incredible work ethic and was seen serving the public with a smile for 30 years at Countzler’s Drug Store. She worked endlessly even after retirement to take care of her family on the farm and could often be seen in her garden or mowing her yard up until last fall. She proudly helped to raise all of her grandchildren and instilled a love for animals and the importance of family values in each of them. 

Marianna was preceded in death by her husband Lois Ray McGehee, sister Dorothy Nell Dukes and grandson Jeremy Ray McGehee.

She is survived by 2 sons Gary Ray McGehee (Judy) and Judge Executive Mack McGehee (Vanessa), 3 proud grandchildren Matthew McGehee (Sara), Samantha McGehee Martin (Cody), and Morgan McGehee, 2 great grandchildren Hannah McGehee Schnadinger (Nate) and Tucker McGehee-Sherrod, 1 sister Bernice Wagoner, several nieces and nephews, and her canine companion Scarlet.

Visitation will be held at Gary’s Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, July 22, 2024 and on Tuesday the 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to time of funeral at Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Carter Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville KY with Bro. John Day III officiating. Burial will follow in Carter Creek Cemetery in Greenville KY.

The family would like to thank the wonderful Long Term Care staff at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital for taking such great care of her the past few months. She loved each of you like family. 

GREENVILLE, KY., Donald Lawrence Randolph, 87, of Greenville passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024 at The Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. He was born in Chicago, IL on June 17, 1937 the son of the late Melvin Lawrence Randolph and Dorothy Mae Lee. He was a boiler operator for Kentucky Utilities at the Greenriver facility as well as a member of Roland Memorial General Baptist Church. In his free time, he loved to read and he was an avid fisherman.  

After 21 years of service, he retired from the Air Force. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 57 years Sadie Diane Randolph, a daughter Karen Page, a sister Sue Beasley, and a brother Ronald (Parkie) Randolph.

He is survived by 1 son Lynn (Roxanne) Randolph of Greenville, 2 daughters Bonita Randolph of Greenville and Kayla (Doug) Wandoff of Bowling Green, grandchildren Darin (Addie) Randolph, Jennifer Randolph, Madison (Bradley) Martin, Atlas Wandoff, Sadie Wandoff, and Logan Wandoff, great-grandchildren Kyler Gunterman, Emma Gunterman, Lydia Randolph, and Parker Randolph, several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be after 10:00 AM on Monday, July 15, 2024 until time of funeral at 1:00 PM at Gary’s Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville with Rev. Tony Shanks officiating. 

Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military honors in Greenville KY.

GREENVILLE, KY., Raymond “Ray" "Rapid Ray" "Ray-Ray” Michael Rheaume, 63, of Greenville passed on June 27, 2024 at Maple Manor Health Care Center in Greenville from complications of heart disease & diabetes. Ray was born in Newton MA to the late Francis C. Rheaume & the late Carol A (Brader) Stepson of Annette C. Rheaume. Ray graduated from Keefe Technical High School in Framingham, MA class of 1979, where he studied Graphic Arts. He was a great drummer playing in the band “Stash” with high school friends.  Ray was a very talented artist creating custom signs, comics, artwork, and logos for businesses. His favorite art was painting race cars for local drivers in New Hampshire. To quote Ray: "If it stops moving long enough, I'll sling some paint on it". His lifelong passions were gaming and comic books. Comic book art is what inspired him to become an artist. His favorite being Wolverine. 

He was predeceased by his wife Celeste (Martel) Rheaume. 

He is survived by his children Michelle & husband Sam, James & wife Sydney, Sarah & husband Gage, siblings Cynthia Baker & husband Brian, Joanne Creedon, James Washington, and Renee Olson & husband James, nieces, nephews and the caring staff at Maple Manor.

Private services will be held.

Gary’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

GREENVILLE, KY., Patrick Harry Wiltsie, 72, of Greenville passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. He was born on October 18, 1951 in La Crosse, Wisconsin the son of the late Delbert Wiltsie and Ardelle Indahl Wiltsie. 

He retired from the United States Postal Service after over 30 years of service. He served in the Navy from 1983 to 1986.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson Jacob Meronek. 

He is survived by his daughter Michelle Wiltsie of Greenville, a son Wayne Wiltsie of Waukesha, WI., 2 sisters Holly (Roger) Swenson of Poplar Bluff, MI. and Peggy (Don) Wales of Hartford, WI., a brother Micheal Wiltsie of Wisconsin, a Grandson Joseph Meronek of Kiel, WI.

There will be no visitation.

There will be no services. 

Gary’s Funeral Home is entrusted with Mr. Wiltsie’s care.   

GREENVILLE, KY., Patrick Harry Wiltsie, 72, of Greenville passed away on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. He was born on October 18th, 1951 in Wisconsin the son of the late Delbert Wiltsie and Ardelle Indahl Wiltsie. He retired from the United States Postal Service after over 30 years of service. He served in the Navy from 1980 to 1983. 

He is survived by his daughter Michelle Wiltsie of Greenville, a son Wayne Wiltsie of Waukesha, WI., 2 sister Holly (Roger) Swenson of Poplar Bluff and MI, Peggy (Don) Wales of Hartford, WI., a brother Micheal Wiltsie of Wisconsin, a grandson Joesph Meronek of Kiel, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson Jacob Meronek. 

There will be no visitation 

There will be no services. 

Gary’s Funeral Home is entrusted with Mr. Wiltsie’s care.