All Tributes - Ashland, KY

Franklin “Frank” Grey VanDyke 44, of Ashland, Kentucky passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, November 28, 2021. He was born October 5, 1977, in Pikeville, Kentucky. Frank was the president of his family owned business, VanDyke, Inc. He was a PADI certified master scuba diver and enjoyed spending time outdoors. He loved tinkering with engines and spent many days at the gun range. Above all, Frank loved being a father to Rylan Grey VanDyke and Mason and Gatlin Wilks. He...

Patricia Donnelly Smith Cochran was born on January 31, 1930 in Windsor, Ontario Canada and was the daughter of Edward James Donnelly and Della Kathleen Cornwall Donnelly. She was preceded in death by her husbands Robert Franklin Cochran and Frank Johnson Smith, in addition to her two sons William Thomas McKee Jr. and Stuart Webb McKee, her sister Donna Kathleen Donnelly and her brother Dr. K.C. Donnelly.   Patricia received her BA from Marshall University and her MA from Morehead State...

Charles Lacy Picklesimer, 58, of Boyd County, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021, after a short illness. Charles was born October 25, 1963, in Ashland, Kentucky a son of the late Farmer and Elouise Howard Picklesimer. In addition to his parents, a half-brother, John Picklesimer; wife, Teresa Tomlin Picklesimer and wife, Melissa Picklesimer preceded him in death. Charles was a Boyd County High School graduate and attended Ashland Vocational School. He worked for Mr. Gatti’s...

Elmer Russell Bowling, 91, of Rush, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Kings Daughters Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Bowling was born November 3, 1930 in Catlettsburg, KY, one of thirteen children born to the late Clyde Eugene and Midge Blankenship Bowling. In addition to his parents, five brothers, four sisters and a daughter-in-law Diana Bowling preceded Mr. Bowling in death. Mr. Bowling was a member of the Ross Chapel and retired from Armco Steel Company as a steel...

Joseph Floyd “Joe” Stephenson, 77, of Ashland, KY passed away at the Hospice Care Center on November 27, 2021. He was born in Biloxi, MS to the late Joseph Elmer and Polly Floyd Stephenson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Jean Carlo Stephenson. He was in the first graduating class of Paul G. Blazer in Ashland, a 1963 graduate of the Georgia Military Academy in College Park, GA, and a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY. Joe was...

Katherine “Kay” Berner, beloved wife, mother and grandmother died peacefully on Friday, November 26, 2021, at her residence. She was born October 15, 1953, in North Carolina, to the late Forrest Ragsdale and Sally Forsythe Houser. In addition to her parents, a stepfather, Max Houser; and a brother, James Ragsdale preceded her in death. Kay, along with her family owned and operated the Chimney Corner Tea Room in Ashland. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and volunteered...

Steven Ray Reeves, 53, of Ashland, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland after an extended illness. Steven was born September 4, 1968 in Ashland, a son of the late George and Emma Jean Ruggles Reeves. Steven graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School and retired from the delivery department for Big Sandy Superstores. Steven led a full life in this short time on earth. His humor and friendship will be deeply cherish by all who had the privilege...

Norma Gene Copley Bloebaum died peacefully in Raleigh, NC on Nov. 24, 2021 shortly after celebrating her 93rd birthday on Nov. 23. Gene was born in Catlettsburg to Fred and Jennie Copley, and grew up there with her older sisters Freida (Collins) and Thelma (White). She graduated from Catlettsburg HS and attended ACC until she joined Armco during family illness. A lifelong learner, Gene finished her ACC degree and later earned a bachelors degree from Liberty University. Gene married...

Penny Gatewood McKenzie Ershig, 73 was born September 3, 1948 and died November 21, 2021. She passed peacefully in Naples Florida in Hospice care with family members by her side. Penny was a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and a wonderful grandmother to her only grandchild, Kelly McKenzie Eberline, who was her pride and joy. Penny was always the life of the party and had the ability of making people laugh and the gift to be able to light up any room whenever she entered with her...

Connie Coburn Melvin, 63, of Ashland, was born December 20, 1957 in Miami, Florida and passed away while surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 21, 2021, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas Ray Coburn, Sr. in 1972 and Beatrice Gibbs Coburn Queen in 2020; step father, Ronald Queen in 2016; and a brother, Douglas Ray “Bud” Coburn, Jr. in 2018. Connie was a 1975 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High...