Ralph E. Wright, 79, Falmouth
Ralph E. Wright, 79, of Falmouth, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Hospice of Cincinnati.
Ralph was born in Pendleton County, the son of the late Floyd and Flora Casson Wright.
He was an owner of Thoroughbred race horses, and loved to farm especially growing tobacco, was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan and enjoyed playing baseball and softball.
He was preceded in death by brothers; Harold, Leonard, Donald, Randall Wright, sisters; Juanita King, June Fields and Josephine Star.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pearlie Browning Wright, sons; Pete Wright of Maysville, Jerry Wright of Falmouth, Jim Wright of Butler, Tony Wright of Falmouth, daughter, Linda Mulloy of Falmouth, brothers; Alva Lee Wright, Melvin (Bert) Wright, Larry Wright and J.W. Wright all of Falmouth, sisters; Thelma Agopian of Martha's Vineyard, Mass, and Betty Ammerman of Falmouth, and 13 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers for the service are Phillip Mulloy, Mark Mulloy, John McKinney, Chris Wright, Pete Wright, Derek Wright, Andrew Wright, Greg Wright and David Buckley. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Mulloy, Jim Fossitt, Donald Logan, Paul Wolfe, John Monroe, Ewing Ralph Workman, Tommy Browning, David Pribble, Bobby Wayne Hays, Richard Colvin.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Peoples Funeral Home in Butler. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2008 also at the funeral home. Final resting place Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Falmouth.
Glendon T. Ramsey, 73, Butler
Glendon T. Ramsey, 73, of Butler, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008 at the V.A. Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was born in Pendleton County and the son of the late Ercel Lee and Hildred Elizabeth Cummins Ramsey. He was a retired mail carrier after 22 years of service for Rt. #1 in Butler.
"Glen" served in the United State Navy as a telecommunicator from 1952 to 1956, and served as the Mayor of Butler from 1975 to 1983, treasurer and dispatcher of the Butler Fire Department from 1965 to 2003 and a Butler City Councilman from 1986 to 2006. Glen was also a deacon of Butler Christian Church, where he had been a member since 1961, a Kentucky Colonel, and a former member of the Good Sam Angels of Northern Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patsy Louise Yelton Ramsey in 2003, sister; Reba Fern Ramsey, Shelby Lee Ramsey and his son-in-law, David Barnett.
"Glen was a fine person," said Butler Mayor Delbert Reid. "He served the city of Butler well as mayor and as a councilman. He loved his community."
His 11-year-old grandson said, "My pappaw was a really, really, good man and he was handsome," said Nathan Straub.
"You couldn't describe my father in a few words," said his youngest daughter, Alisha Straub. "He was a very generous, helpful, caring, loving man."
"He had to quit school to go to work and help his family. When he joined the Navy he got his GED there," she added.
Ramsey was never late a day in his life when he worked as a mail carrier for Butler, Alisha added. "There are so many funny stories his postal customers tell about him."
Ramsey spent much of his free time at the Butler Fire Department when he was younger and a fireman. "Dad was a very dedicated fireman. When the whistle blew he was there, often he would beat the whistle. He took very good care of his family and then took care of many of the neighbors and his mother. After one of his customers on his mail route husband died he found her a lot across the street from him. He watched over her, got her mail, went to the store and did other things for her," said Alisha.
"Dad just loved to take care of people," said another daughter, Debbie Barnett. "When his mother had to go to a nursing home in Butler he would visit her every morning and every night doing what he could for her. Then when my mom got so bad he had to put her in a nursing home, he was there every day and night, never fail. He was just a wonderful dad and he will be missed so much."
His brother Clayton Ramsey said, "Glen was a very likeable and very intelligent person. Many times when he was running his mail route someone would need help with something and he would always stop and do what he could. He was a great brother and loved politics."
"He was always nice. I couldn't have worked for a better person. He tried hard to be a really fair person," said Butler City Clerk Donna Kendall.
Glen is survived by three daughters; Deborah Faith Barnett of Falmouth, Glenna Hope Roseberry of Butler, and Alisha Lynn Straub of Butler, five grandchildren; Michael (Jessica) Barnett, A.J. (Chrissy) Roseberry, Hollie Roseberry, Cory Straub, and Nathan Straub; a great granddaughter, Haley Jane Barnett; future grandchild; Jonathan Daniel Barnett, due on August 1, 2008, sister; Marcella Louise Latimer of Falmouth, brother; Clayton Foster Ramsey of Falmouth, a host of nieces, nephews and many friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth with Bro. John Losey officiating. Pallbearers for service will be Michael Stephen Barnett, Clayton Foster Ramsey Jr., A.J. Roseberry, Robert McGinnis, Craig Peoples, and Anthony James. Honorary Pallbearers will be past and present members of of the Butler Community Volunteer Fire Dept. Interment will take place in the Riverside Cemetery in Falmouth with full military honors by the Hardin-Browning Post #109. Memorials are suggested to the Butler Fire Department, 309 Taylor St, Butler KY 41006, the Butler Christian Church, 111 High St, Butler KY 41006, the Stephen Delaney Scholarship Fund, 3160 Ed Monroe Rd, Falmouth KY 41040, the Landen Joseph Spence Foundation, 455 Rankin Mill Rd, and the V.A. Hospital, 3200 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220.
Lawrence Cortelyou, 66, Falmouth
Lawrence "Dagwood" Joseph Cortelyou, 66, of Falmouth, passed away Monday, March 10, 2008 at the St. Luke East Hospital in Ft. Thomas.
Lawrence was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of the late William Hilary and Teresa Bernadette Campbell Cortelyou.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as an officer during the Vietnam War. Lawrence was also a member of the Falmouth Rotary Club, the Moose Lodge 1469 in Covington, Hardin Browning Post #109 American Legion and a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Falmouth.
Lawrence leaves behind several close friends including Todd Mains of Falmouth.
Dagwood, as his friends called him, was quite the character as those who knew him quickly found out. He worked in New York City as a reservations sales agent and was a 19-year veteran of Northeast and Delta Air Lines. He worked in management in the airline industry since the mid-1960s with Northeast Airlines and then with Delta when the airlines merged in 1972. He retired from Delta Airlines in 1996. A newspaper article once said that he was a man that spent his every spare moment helping others less fortunate than himself.
He was one of 150 members of a small group known as the Airline employees Relief Organization, or A.E.R.O. The group secured medical supplies and equipment and arranged the shipment of same to people in need around the world. His involvement with this organization took him to far-flung places on missions of mercy.
Cortelyou's travels took him to Africa, where more than 300,000 people are suffering from wars, malnutrition and disease. He traveled to Bangladesh, Palestine and Southeast Asia many times traveling for endless hours in a freighter only to make the delivery and head for home with scarcely a rest break.
He told a reporter in an interview that, "Oh, there are other things I could do," he chuckled. "I could take in a movie or play golf or just vacation during my time off. But I feel that if I can save just one life then I'll have done something with my own," he said.
The magazine article stated that history is full of instances where people have gone the extra mile to help others. But in the world of the 1980's the reporter added it is a rarity to find a person dedicated to helping unfortunate afflicted and needy people throughout the world. Larry Cortelyou is such a rare person. He's a bona fide, card carrying member of the human race.
He loved people and he loved horses. His love for horses took him to countries for races, including Ireland, England and France.
He found the town of Falmouth to settle in after his retirement. He wanted to get away from the hectic life in New York.
He still flew to New York to visit friends and other countries such as Paris, France, Germany and other cities.
Cortelyou was a avid New York Giants football fan and often flew to New York to meet with friends and attend the game.
He had an undergraduate degree from Harvard and extensive knowledge of history. If you wanted to know something about the Civil War or about Europe he could tell you.
Cortelyou got involved with his community wherever he was, and because of his love for Falmouth, he ran for City Council, but was defeated two years ago.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, March 14, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Falmouth. Rev. Greg Bach officiated. Music by Martha Lynn and Darryl L. Ammerman. Honorary poll bearers were fellow employees of Delta Airlines and Mark Aulick, president of Falmouth Rotary Club. Pall bearers were Todd Mains, Edward Waag, Don Mariano, Jim Combs, Bill Hahmel and Rick Paynter.
Full military honors followed outside the church by Hardin Browning Post #109. To Mr. Lawrence Joseph Cortelyou we honor and salute you. To the family we offer our sympathy. American Legion Post 109 and V.F.W. Post 1979 and D.A.V. Post members present were Ray Hammond, Jim Hammond, Brue Westbrook, Tom Luckey, Charles Biddle, Jim Sharp, Bob Gulick, Charles Gallagher, Donald Steele, James Haley, Carl Butcher, Larry Fields, Ken Wrobleski, Dan Woodhead and Shelby McDowell. Taps was played by Jim Sharp. Another veteran was laid to rest. Interment will take place in the St. Denis Cemetery in Havertown, Pa.
Clara Hamilton, 96, Butler
Clara Cookendorfer Hamilton, 96, of Butler passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008 at River Valley Nursing Home in Butler. She was the daughter of the late Dow and Annie Boone Cookendorfer.
Clara was proceded in death by her husband, Abe in 2001 and daughter, Jean Hoess in 1994.
She is survived by daughters; Geneva (J.W.) Caldwell of Butler, Lois Ann (Tommy) Hicks of Ft. Thomas and a son, James G. (Alta) Hamilton of Falmouth, nine grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.
Clara was a member of Concord United Methodist Church where she was the pianist for many years.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Friday, March 21, 2008 at Peoples Funeral Home in Falmouth. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2008 also at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Cookendorfer Cemetery in Kincaid Park.
Memorial donations to a charity of your choice.
Anna Mae Brown, 92, Berea
Anna Mae Brown, 92, of Berea, Kentucky, formerly of Boyd, Harrison County, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2008, at St. Joseph Hospital in Berea. She was a daughter of the late Clarence and Eva Hafer Spurgeon.
Anna married Martin Ross Brown and he preceded her in death on April 18, 1970. She was a farmer, former operator of Brown's Grocery in Boyd, and a former employee of Wright's Engine Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio where she made aircraft engines and a member of the Boyd United Methodist Church.
She is survived by a son; Richard Allen Brown of Berea, step-son; Paul Brown of Houston, Texas, step-daughter; Patsy Stranberg of Knoxville, Tenn, 4 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and brother, Clinton Spurgeon of Amelia, Ohio and sister; Alverna Messick of Riverside, Calif.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth. Rev. Donna Jones officiated. Interment followed in Pythian Grove Cemetery in Berry.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Cincinnati Chapter, 644 Linn Street Suite 1026. Cincinnati, OH 45203.
Orie Linus Pugh, 90, Cynthiana
Orie Linus Pugh, 90, of Cynthiana, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the River Valley Nursing Home in Butler. He was the oldest son of the late Quincy and Irene Traylor Pugh, and married to Berndina Hester Pugh and his wife preceded him in death in 1999.
Orie was a lifelong farmer, member of the Mt. Gilead Christian Church, member and past Master of the Claysville Masonic Lodge, member of the Cynthiana Chapter of the Masonic Lodge and member and past worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Falmouth. He was respected by all, loved by many, was generous, kind and good natured. He was dedicated to his family, labored throughout his life and is now at rest.
He is survived by two sons; Kenneth A. Pugh and James Matthew Pugh both of Cynthiana, daughter; Brenda Pugh of Tarpon Springs, Fla, nine grandchildren; Kenneth L. Pugh, Tammy Mullens, Michael Pugh, Rebecca Cunningham, Jeffrey Pugh, Leslie Whalen, Lisa Michelle Pugh, Shawn Graney, Robert Brandon Pugh, 11 great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren, three brothers; Wallace Pugh and Adrian Pugh both of Falmouth, Fred Pugh of Edgewood, and three sisters; Betty Wolfe of Cincinnati, Ohio, Margie Brown of Amelia, Ohio and Carolyn Walthers of Falmouth.
In addition to his wife, Berdinia, he was preceded in death by son; Orie Leroy Pugh, three brothers; Bill Pugh, Robert Pugh, Kenneth Pugh and two sisters; Lelia Swart and Francis Cloe.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth with Bro. Gary Figgins officiating. Pallbearers for the service will be Kenneth L. Pugh, Michael Pugh, Jeffrey Pugh, Leslie Whalen, Shawn Graney, Robert Brandon Pugh, Jeremy Work, and Shannon Pugh. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery. Visitation with Masonic honors took place on Monday evening.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home, 3701 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40207.
Betty Jo Creech, 67, Butler
Betty Jo Creech, 67, of Butler passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at St. Luke East Hospital.
Betty was the daughter of the late Garrett and Ethel Dotson Daugherty. She was employed by the Social Security Administration, attended Gabbards Tabernacle, loved to sew, and spend time with her grandchildren. Betty was a loving family member and will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by grandson, Brandon Martin.
Betty is survived by her husband, Larry Creech of Butler, sons; Richard Creech of Batavia, Ohio, Kevin (Leslie) Creech of Ft. Wright, Larry "Buck", Jr. (Shannon) Creech of Grant's Lick, daughters; Jo Ann Tveitbakk, Sarah Martin and Nancy Brown all of Butler, and Juanita (Jeff) Jett of Falmouth, brother; John Daugherty, sisters; Sue Siamon, Rita Body and Nancy Collins, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Peoples Funeral Home in Butler. Final resting place was Plum Creek Cemetery in Grant's Lick.
Jacob A. Wagel, 87, Bryan, Ohio
Jacob A. Wagel, 87, of Bryan, Ohio, formerly of Brooksville, died Saturday March 15, 2008. He was born in Brooksville, the son of the late John and Rose Iseringhausem Wagel. Jacob was a retired factory worker and farmer and had also worked at Deasoness Hospital, and Bracken County Senior Citizens.
He was a Deacon at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Augusta, a Kentucky Colonel, and a member of the Bracken County Helping Hands Club.
Jacob is survived by his children, Brenda Sue (Ken) Crouch and Lexa Rose Blevins of Bryan, Ohio and Robert Allen (Sharon) Wagel of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister, Sophia Sharp of Brooksville and seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m., on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Moore & Parker Funeral Home in Brooksville. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Augusta-Chatham Rd. Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul Lutheran Church, C/o David Appleman, P O Box 9, Brooksville, KY 41004. Condolences may be sent at www.mooreandparkerfh.com