In Memoriam

Abraham "Abe" Howard died at the age of 86 on Saturday, April 21, 2001 at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 23 at Phelps and Son Funeral Home in Inez, Kentucky. Burial was in the Abe Howard Cemetery at Debord, Kentucky.

Abe was born on March 12, 1915 in Martin County, Kentucky, the son of James Madison Howard and Alice Tennessee Vanderpool Goble. He was the grandson of James Howard and Angeline McGinnis, the great grandson of Sarah Delong and Hiram McGinnis and the great great grandson of George Delong and Mary Barbary Auxier.

He is survived by his wife, Hester Harless Howard, who is also a descendant of Mary Barbary Auxier.

John Nathaniel Auxier departed this life in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 23, 2001 at the age of 82.

He was born on May 5, 1918 near Verdon, Nebraska, the son of Elmer Edward Auxier and Edna Ester Griffiths. He was the grandson of Nathaniel Douglas Auxier and a descendant of Samuel Auxier I.

John attended country schools in the Verdon area and attended his freshman year of high school there before his family purchased a farm five miles south of Salem, Nebraska near the Kansas border. After moving, John attended the Salem High School and graduated on May 9, 1935. John excelled in high school athletics. He was the holder of discus records for two years in the Little Ten Association and was a state champion discus thrower.

On July 16, 1939, he was united in marriage with Theresa Fern Tangney at Unionville, Missouri. They set up housekeeping on a farm south of Salem where John was a grain and dairy farmer for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Alice Auxier Emery.

John and Theresa were the parents of one daughter and four sons. John and Theresa have 30 descendants and, in the very near future, there will be 5 generations in their family.

Iva Joy Auxier Meade, age 90, died on March 19, 2001, at J. J. Jordan Geriatric Center in Lawrence County, Kentucky. Funeral services were held at the Young Funeral Home Chapel at Louisa, Kentucky. Reverends James A. Hayes, Tim York, and Vennie VanHoose officiated. Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery at Louisa.

Iva was born on November 6, 1910 at Manila, Kentucky in Johnson County. She was the daughter of George Garfield "Garrie" Auxier and Lula Mae Salyers. She was the granddaughter of George Washington Auxier and Angeline Prater and a descendant of Samuel Auxier and Rebecca Phillips.

She was a co-owner of Meade's Market and a member of the Louisa Freewill Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Clinton Meade, on February 18, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her brothers John C. Cecil Auxier, Carson Ballard Auxier, George Garfield Auxier Jr., Robert Lincoln Auxier and her sisters, Alka Auxier Stapleton, Garnett Auxier Cooper and infant sister, Myrtle Auxier.

She is survived by three daughters, one brother, three sisters, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Virgil "Catfish" Delong, age 70, died in Port Charlotte, Florida on February 28, 2001. Memorial services were held March 5, 2001 at American Legion Post #103 in Punta Gorda, Florida. Another memorial service was held on March 17, 2001 at the Upper Room Church of God in Findlay, OH. Burial was on March 18, 2001 at the Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

He was born on July 31, 1930 at Nero, Kentucky, the son of John T. Delong and Dora Lee Hyden. He was the great great grandson of Mary Barbary Auxier and George Delong through his father's lineage and the great great grandson of Frances Amelia Auxier and Samuel Hannah through his mother's lineage.

After his retirement from Cooper Tire and Rubber, he moved from Findlay, Ohio to Punta Gorda, Florida in 1984. He was a member of the Son's of the American Legion Post #103, Loyal Order of the Moose #1693, VFW Post #212 and a member of the United Rubber Workers Union.

He is survived by two sons, four daughters, one sister, one brother, 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

John L. Music, age 86, died Saturday, March 17, 2001 at Ashland, Kentucky. Services were held at the Flatwoods Church of Christ with burial in Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky. John M. Brown conducted the service.

He was born February 27, 1915 at East Point, Kentucky, the son of John Wesley Music and Sola Spradlin. On January 6, 1939, he married Emma Margaret "June" Osborne who preceded him in death on April 29, 1997. She was a descendant of Mary Barbary Auxier and George Delong. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Sue Music (1939-1995).

John is survived by two sons, a daughter, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Francis Bailey Auxier, age 85, of Slayersville, Kentucky died Thursday, March 1, 2001 at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Funeral services were conducted on March 4, 2001.

She was the wife of Amos Auxier who was the son of James Frank Auxier and Eliza Howard. Amos is a descendant of John Auxier and Sarahan Murphy.

Samuel Martin Crider, age 92, died on March 6, 2001 at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Paintsville, Kentucky. Services were held at the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel on March 9, 2001. Joe Howard officiated. Burial was in the Samuel Auxier cemetery in the Blockhouse Bottom, Johnson County, Kentucky.

Martin, a retired miner, was born on January 28, 1909 in South Point, Ohio, the son of Alexander Morgan Crider and June Conley. On October 20, 1935, in Magoffin County, Kentucky, he married Geneva Wilson Auxier, the daughter of Milton Samuel Auxier and Anna Hope Music. Geneva preceded him in death on July 24, 1991. He was also preceded in death by a son, John Douglas Crider (1937-1937)

Surviving are two daughters, one sister, one grandchild and one great grandchild.

Shirley M. Auxier, age 63, of Tracy, California died on Tuesday, March 15, 2001 at Sutter Hospital. Services were held on March 16, 2001 at the Fry Memorial Chapel.

Shirley was born on February 27, 1938 in Oakland, California. She was a secretary and also a greeter at Wal-Mart.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald Lee Auxier, four children, four step children, a sister, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Virginia Auxer, age 67, of York Haven, Pennsylvania died on February 28, 2001 in Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. Services were held on March 3, 2001 at the Little Funeral Home in Manchester. Burial was in the Paddletown Cemetery.

She was an inspector for Tighe Industries and earlier worked in the former Bern Haven sewing factory. She attended Ambassadors Bible Chapel of Manchester, Pennsylvania and was a member of the York Haven Fire Company Auxiliary. She was an avid bingo player.

She is survived by her mother, a daughter, two brothers and two grandchildren.

Darwin Patton, age 78, of Auxier, Kentucky died on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Funeral services were held on February 23 at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Rev. Dave Flanery officiated. Burial followed at the Moran Family Cemetery at Auxier, Kentucky.

He was born on August 8, 1922, the son of Alex L. Patton and Mary Goble. He was the grandson of James Sheridan Goble and Florence Wells and a descendant of Samuel Hannah and Francis Emaline Auxier.

Darwin was a former manager of Floyd Federal Savings and Loan Association in Prestonsburg, Kentucky and a former assistant cashier for the First National Bank of Prestonsburg.

He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, one brother, two sisters and six grandchildren.

Jeanne Wheeler, age 73, a resident of Paintsville, Kentucky died February 17, at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held on February 20, 2001 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Donnie Patrick officiating. Burial was in the Mayo Memorial Cemetery at Paintsville.

She was born Eulilea Jeanne Miller on January 9, 1928 in Pikeville, Kentucky, the daughter of Robert Miller and Lucille Reynolds. She married Charles Orion Wheeler Jr. who preceded her in death on June 2, 1984. Charles was a descendant of Enoch Auxier. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Lind Wheeler (1955-1999).

Jeanne is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Thomas Lee Auxier, age 56, of Salyersville, Kentucky died Friday, February 16, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. Services were conducted on February 19, 2001 in the Magoffin County Funeral Home Chapel with Matthew Gullion and Buster Blanton officiating. Burial followed in the Williams Cemetery at Mash Fork, Kentucky.

He was born September 7, 1944 at Manila, Kentucky, the oldest son of Carson Ballard Auxier and Herma Christine Kazee. He was a member of the Fish Trap Baptist Church.

Mona B. Auxier Sayre, age 51, on February 12, 2001 at her home in Brownsville, West Virginia and an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted at the Pennington Funeral Home of Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. Inerment was in the Auxier family cemetery at Mount Olive.

She was born December 3, 1949 at Mount Olive, West Virginia, the daughter of Eugene Elwood Auxier and Altha Edith Ramsey. She was the granddaughter of Kester Grayson Auxier and a descendant of Simon Auxier. She was the wife of Roy Z. Sayre.

She is survived by her father, her husband, four brothers and three sisters.

James Harmon Taylor, age 65, died at Central Baptist Hospital on February 7, 2001. Larry Blair and Toby Johnson officiated at services which were held on February 10 at the First Freewill Baptist Church. Burial followed in the family cemetery at Leander, Kentucky.

James, a retired miner, was born December 8, 1935 in Paintsville, Kentucky the son of Virgil and Faye Taylor. He was the grandson of Ott Taylor and Dollie Conley. He was a descendant of Nathaniel Auxier and Constance Beck.

He is survived by his mother, one son, four daughters, three brothers, two sisters, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Douglas Ray Daniels passed away at the age of 55 on February 12, 2001 at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. Services were held on February 12 at the Preston Funeral Home. Roger VanHoose officiated. Burial was in the Community Cemetery at Salyersville, Kentucky.

He was born December 18, 1945 in Paintsville, Kentucky, the son of Enich Robinson and Florine Daniels. He was the grandson of Frank Daniels and Izora Ruth Harless and a descendant of George Delong and Mary Barbara Auxier.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, five sisters and four grandchildren.

Sarah Spears Collins Burchell Copeland, age 100 of Versailles, Kentucky died Friday February 9, 2001. Funeral services were conducted on February 12, 2001 in the Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home Chapel at Versailles. Burial was on February 14 in the Mountain View Memory Gardens at Huddy, Kentucky.

She was born on January 9, 1901 in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the daughter of Kenis Spears and Luna Dials. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Whitt Spears and Rebecca Gaines and the great granddaughter of Nobel Gaines and Elizabeth Delong. She was the great great granddaughter of George Delong and Mary Barbara Auxier.

She is survived by two sons, three daughters, 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.

Mary Lou Draughn, age 72, died Friday, January 19, 2001 at her home in Pikeville, Kentucky. Services were held on January 22 in Grace Baptist Church with burial in Johnson Memorial Park under the direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home.

She was born on August 4, 1928 in Johnson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Dow Stapleton and Alka Mayo Auxier. She was granddaughter of George Garfield Auxier and Lula Mae Sayler and a descendant of Samuel Auxier and Rebecca Phillips.

Mary Lou was a teacher, a past director of the Pikeville Model City Agency and Pike County Head Start.

Opal Lee Goble, age 87, died January 24, 2001 at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Services were held on January 26, 2001 at the Nelson Frazier Funeral Home in Martin, Kentucky. Burial followed in the Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

She was born on March 6, 1913 at Auxier, Kentucky, the daughter of Jerry Goble and Nola Crider. On July 21, 1932 she married Fred C. Goble. Fred was the son of James Sheridan Goble and Florence Wells and a descendant of Samuel Hannah and Frances Amelia Auxier.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter Cleda Eleanor Lawson and one grandchild.

Lucille Patton, age 82, died, Saturday, January 20, 2001 at the Prestonsburg Health Care in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Funeral services were held on January 22, 2001 at Auxier Freewill Baptist Church with Bobby Spencer and Calvin Setser officiating. Burial followed in Auxier Relocation Cemetery at Auxier, Kentucky.

She was born February 16, 1918 in Floyd County, Kentucky, the daughter of Richard Marion Wells and Fannie Lee Richmond. She was the great granddaughter of John Richmond and Susan Angeline Auxier.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles H. Patton, on March 1, 1983.

She is survived by one son, two daughters, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three step grandchildren.

Harold Martin Taylor, age 87, passed away on December 29, 2000 at North Kansas City, MO. Services were held at the Fairview Christian Church in Gladstone, Missouri. Rev. Loyd Gentry and Rev. Ron Bowen officiated. Pallbearers were Jeff Paussa, Terry Taylor, Jimmy Justus, Mike Barnhart, Mike McFadden and Tommy Fraccascia. Interment was in the Verdon Cemetery at Verdon, Nebraska.

Harold was born on May 11, 1913 at Goose Lake, Illinois, the son of William and Mable Underwood Taylor. On August 10, 1933, he married Muriel Blanche Auxier who survives.

Sally May Auxier Johnson, age 40, of Lockwood, West Virginia died December 29, 2000, in Raleigh General Hospital after a long illness. The Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, was in charges of services with the Rev. Markco Pritt officiating. Burial was in the Auxier family cemetery at Mount Olive.

She was born in Cannelton, West Virginia on October 29, 1960, the daughter of Eugene Elwood Auxier and Alta Edith Ramsey. She was the granddaughter of Kester Grayson Auxier and a descendant of Simon Auxier. Sally was a homemaker and worked as an aluminum welder. She was a member of the Lyonsville Baptist Church.

Suriving are her father, stepmother, her husband, James W. Johnson, two daughters, five sisters and four brothers.

Lorene Akers, age 79, died at her home in Van Lear, Kentucky, November 21, 2000. Services were held on November 24, 2000 at the Phelps & Son Funeral Home with Jerry Scott officiating. Burial followed at the Highland Memorial Park in Staffordsville, Kentucky.

Lorene was born on April 13, 1921 in Johnson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Gervin Short and his wife Frankie Phelps. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Phelps and Trinvilla Webb, and a descendant of Samuel Hannah and Francis Amelia Auxier.

Frank Goble, age 82, of Auxier, Kentucky, died on October 26, 2000 in Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Services were conducted on October 28, 2000 at the Floyd Funeral Home Chapel in Prestonsburg. Bennie Blankenship, evangelist with the Prestonsburg Church of Christ officiated. Burial was in the Goble Family Cemetery at Auxier, Kentucky.

Frank, a former coal miner, served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of the DAV Chapter 18 at Auxier, Kentucky.

He was born at Lancer, Kentucky on October 12, 1918, the son of Bannie Lee Goble and Netta Mae Burchett. He was the grandson of Isaac T. Goble and the great grandson of Dr. Isaac Goble who served with the 39th Kentucky Infantry during the Civil War. His great grandmother, Francis Hannah Goble, was the daughter of Samuel Hannah and Frances Amelia Auxier.

Frank is survived by four sons, three daughters, one brother and two sisters. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Lura Conley, age 92, a resident of Johnson County, Kentucky died October 12, 2000 at Salyersville Heath Care Center in Salyersville, Kentucky. Services were held October 15 at the Preston Funeral Home Chapel and were officiated by Chris Baldwin, Ellis Hamilton and John Frank Meade. Interment was in the Brooks Conley Cemetery at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

She was born Lura Alice Meade in Magoffin County, Kentucky on March 6, 1906, the daughter of John Meade and Mary Estep. She was married to Brooks L. Conley on September 8, 1923. Brooks was the son of Millard V. Conley and the grandson of John Haden Conley. He was a descendant of Nathaniel Auxier and Constance Beck. Brooks preceded her in death on March 27, 1996.

Lura is survived by 2 sons, one daughter, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Norma Spears Stepp, age 92, a resident of Prestonsburg, Kentucky died October 15, 2000 at the Highlands Regional Medical Center following a long illness. Services were held on October 9, 2000 at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Prestonsburg with Rev. George Love officiating. Burial followed at the Davidson Memorial Gardens in Ivel, Kentucky.

She was born on March 6, 1908 at Johns Creek in Floyd County, Kentucky on March 6, 1908, the daughter of John Walker Spears and Nina McGuire. She was the granddaughter of John Wesley Spears and Irene Hannah and a descendant of Samuel Hannah and Frances Amelia Auxier.

Norma was a teacher in the Floyd County Public Schools. She was a member of the John Graham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Miriam Rebekah Lodge No. 31 and a charter member of the Floyd County Retired Teachers Association.

She was married on September 3, 1927 to Jonah G. Stepp who preceded her in death. She is survived by one sister, a granddaughter and two great grandchildren.

Nora Webb Butcher, age 82, died October 13, 2000 at the Paul B. Hall Medical Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Funeral services were held on October 15, 2000 at the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel with David Mollett officiating.

Nora was born in Johnson County, Kentucky on December 31, 1917, the daughter of Alex Webb. She married Ashley Butcher on April 5, 1937. Ashley was the son of Hiram B. Butcher and the grandson of Lewis Butcher and Sarah Hyden. He was a descendant of Samuel Hannah and Frances Amelia Auxier.

Nora was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Jewell Sue Butcher. She is survived by 8 sons, 3 daughters, 29 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Candance Jean "Candy" Davis Skipper Godfrey, age 39 died at her residence at Conway, North Carolina on October 8, 2000. Funeral services were held on October 12, 2000 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Conway where she was a member. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery.

She was employed by Bank of America and was a member of the Friendship Circle of Trinity United Methodist.

Candance was born in Munchweiler Germany a daughter of Eddie Davis and Gloria Preston. She was the granddaughter of Bert Earl Preston and Shirley Hopson, and a descendant of George Delong and Mary Barbara Auxier.

She is survived by her parents, paternal grandparents, a sister, and two sons.

Alonzo Clay Hill, age 84 of Elkins, West Virginia, died at the Davis Memorial Hospital, on October 5, 2000, following an extended illness. Services were conducted on October 8, 2000 at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wayne Sayre officiating. Burial was in the Richmond Cemetery at Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

Born on March 6, 1916, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Judge Edward P. Hill and Adda Louellen Davis. He was the grandson of Austin T. Davis and Margaret Hester Ann Mayo Auxier.

He graduated from Westerville, Ohio High School and attended Ohio State University. He was a purchasing agent of Princess Elkhorn Coal Company at David, Kentucky; president and general manager of Elmac Corporation in Huntington, West Virginia, and a member of the Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, five sons, a daughter, a sister and nine grandchildren.

Lindsey E. Rice, age 60, died September 28, 2000 in Grove City, OH. Graveside services were held at Highland Memorial Park in Staffordsville, Kentucky on September 30, 2000. Leroy Auxier officiated and Jones-Preston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Lindsey was born April 12, 1940 in Johnson County, Kentucky, the son of William Dewey Rice and Ollie Conley. Both of his parents were descendants of Nathaniel Auxier and Constance Beck.

Lindsey is survived by a son, a stepdaughter, four brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Anna Lou Tucker Auxier, age 66, of Swiss, West Virginia, died on September 19, 2000 in Summersville Memorial Hosptial, Summersville, West Virginia after a long illness. Services were held at the Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge, West Virginia with the Rev. Clarence Toney officiating. Burial was in Sunset Cemetery, Fola, West Virginia.

She was born in 1933, the daughter of James Edward and Nina Tucker. On December 18, 1954 she married Howard Sterling Auxier. Howard is the son of Leslie Earl Auxier and Pearl Gertrude Foster. Anna as a homemaker and a member of the Pentecostal Church.

Surviving are her mother, her husband, a son, two sisters and four brothers.

Genis Guy Carpenter, age 62, of Swiss, West Virginia, died on August 22, 2000 in the Memorial Division of the Charleston Area Medical Center after a short illness.
Service were held on Thursday, August 24th at the Little Elk Holiness Church, Swiss, West Virginia with Albert Martin officiating. Burial was in Simms Cemetery. Waters Funeral Chapel, Summersville, West Virginia was in charge of services.

Genis was born in Sutton, West Virginia the son of Oscar Carpenter and Rosa Knight. He was a mechanic and a member of the Pentecostal Church. He married Odessa Jane Auxier on May 9, 1962. Odessa is the daughter of Oat Auxier and the granddaughter of Milton I. Auxier.

Genis is survived by his wife Odessa, a daughter, a stepdaughter, three stepsons, ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Thelma Wells, age 83, of Van Lear, Kentucky died on Tuesday, August 8, 2000 at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Paintsville, KY. Funeral services were held on August 10, 2000 at Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel with J.W. Holcomb officiating. Burial followed in Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

She was born on June 12, 1917 in Johnson County, Kentucky, the daughter of William T. Hyden and Margaret Hopson. She was the granddaughter of Henry Hyden and Arta George and the great great granddaughter of Samuel Hannah and Frances Amelia Auxier. She married Thomas Allen Wells on March 23, 1935.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Estill Hyden, Samuel N. Hyden and James Hyden and one sister.

Wilbur Tobias Webb, age 95, of New Haven, West Virginia, died Sunday, July 23, 2000. Burial was in the Graham Cemetery at New Haven, West Virginia.

He was born November 2, 1094 on Hager's Branch in Kentucky, the son of Dr. Tobias Webb and Hattie Spradlin. He was the grandson of Jacob Webb and Nancy Ann B. Auxier and the great grandson of Enoch Auxier.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Opal Mina Cunningham Webb, on May 23, 1985. He was the last remaining member of his family, being preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.

Harry Edwin Oxier, age 73, died August 1, 2000 at Newark Healthcare Center. Funeral services were held on Friday, August 4, 2000 at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny L. Gordon officiating. Burial was in the Newark Memorial Gardens at Newark, Ohio.

Harry retired in 1987 after being employed for 33 years with Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Company. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.

He was born August 14, 1926, in Morgansville, West Virginia to James Adam Oxier and Cora Beth Randolph. He was the grandson of James Mark Oxier and Elizabeth Cart, the great grandson of Adam Bush Auxier and the 3nd great grandson of Simon Auxier.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Wayne Adam Oxier, Vernon Oxier and a sister Ella Mae Ebert.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2000 in All Saints Catholic Church for Sue Carol Syring Auxier, who died of cancer at age 63.

Sue Carol was born December 24, 1936, in Silverton, Oregon. She moved to Salem, Oregon as a child and to Portland, Oregon in the early 1950's. She attended Clark College School of Nursing in Vancouver, Washington, and Good Samaritan School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse for Kaiser Permanente for 17 years until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church.

Wilbur Claydean Delong, age 72, died Tuesday, July 4, 2000 at Candler Hospital, Port Wentworth, Georgia after a short illness. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 8, 2000 at the Kirkersville Chapel of Henderson, Van Atta and Johnston Funeral Service. Burial followed at Kirkersville Cemetery.

Wilbur retired from Owen Illinois Glass Company in 1986. He was the Past Worshipful Master of the Pataskala, Ohio Masonic Lodge. During World War II he served in China with the U.S. Marine Corp.

He was born in Martin County, Kentucky on July 18, 1927, the son of Emery J. Delong and Hattie Ruth Robinson. He was the grandson of Alfred M. Delong and Zylphia Davis. He was the 3rd great grandson of both Mary Barbary Auxier Delong and Nancy Ann Auxier Brown.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Noble Delong, a brother, Paul Grayson Delong in 1972 and a sister, Sarah Nadine Delong Leaper in 1999. He is survived by a son, a stepdaughter, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren.

John Lawrence Tickel, age 87, died at 6 a.m. June 22, 2000,Wednesday of an extended illness at the Daviess Community Hospital, Washington, Indiana.

Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Saturday at the Odon United Methodist Church in Odon with the Rev. Tim Ahlemeyer officiating. Interment was in the Walnut Hill Cemetery. A viewing was at the Poindexter-Hall & McClure Funeral Home in Odon Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Masonic service by the Odon Lodge was conducted Friday at 7:30 p.m.

He was the son of Hiram Albertis and Inez Pearl (Torrance) Tickel, born in Kay County, Okla., June 18, 1913. He was reared on the family homestead and was the son of pioneers of the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. His father and grandfather were participants in the land run into the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma Territory.

Tickel, a Braman High School graduate in Oklahoma, was in track, football and baseball, while in high school. In 1931 he played left field in the state championship game for the Braman Pirates in their bid for the state championship conducted in Norman, Okla. He later continued playing baseball for several local teams in the area around Odon. He was also a Wichita Business School graduate in Kansas.

He married Letha M. Auxier on Oct. 16, 1937, in Newkirk, Okla. They came to Daviess County in 1938 to operate the Auxier Farm located southeast of Odon. He was hired in 1941 as an electrician by the Maxon Company during the building of the naval ammunition depot at Crane. He continued to work as an electrician and line crew foreman in the public works department of the Navel Surface Warfare Center until his retirement Jan. 3, 1975.

Tickel belonged to the American Federation of Government Employees and served as a board member of Ketcham Memorial Nursing Center. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and played a large part in the construction of the present Odon United Methodist Church. He was recognized May 11, 1982, as a 50 year member and was presented the traditional pin of Moore Lodge No. 303, Free and Accepted Masons of Odon. Also, he was a master wood craftsman during his lifetime and an avid collector of antiques.

Surviving besides his wife are: two daughters, Judith Tickel Need, and Lynne Tickel Speer, five grandchildren; Mary Lynne O'Brien, John Need, Gina Levesque, Sarah Need, and Greg Speer; six great-grandchildren. He was the last surviving member of his family, having been preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Hugh, Clarence and Homer Tickel and four sisters, Lola Mae Tickel, Clara Young, Lorraine Davis and Dorothy Johnson.

Shirley Herman "Bud" Robert Jr., age 53, on June 6, 2000 near Gilboa, West Virginia. He died of injuries received in the fire which started in the kitchen of his moble home. Graveside services were conducted on June 10, 2001 at the Dodson-Simpson Memorial Cemetery at Kessler Cross Lane, West Virginia.

He was born in 1947 the son of Shirley Herman Robert Sr. and Helen Auxier. He was the grandson of Otis Vernon Auxier, the great grandson of Maletis Auxier and a descendant of Simon Auxier.

Irene Auxier died May 25, 2000 at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Paintsville, Kentucky. Funeral services were held on May 28, 2000 at the Paintsville Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Richard Williams officiated. Burial was in Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

She was born Irene Burton on October 24, 1913, the daughter of Foster Burton and Rachel Gibson. She was a member of Rockhouse Freewill Baptist Church and had worked in housekeeping for the Paintsville Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dennis Charles Daniel, and two daughters, Oraleene and Kathleen. On August 1, 1962 she married Samuel Auxier, the son of Tobe Auxier and Bell Preston. Samuel was the grandson of Joseph D. Auxier and the great grandson of Enoch Auxier. Samuel also preceded Irene in death in 1984.

Irene is survived by one son, two daughters, three brothers, two sisters, eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

George Cecil Brown, age 71, died at Highlands Regional Medical Center at Prestonsburg, Kentucky of an extended illness. Funeral services were conducted on May 6, 2000 at the Wilson Funeral Home in Louisa, Kentucky with Rev. Wayne Burch officiating. Interment was in the Greenlawn Cemetery at Louisa.

He was president of Brown Food Service and attended the First United Methodist Church in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

George was born on September 13, 1928 in Lawrence County, Kentucky, the son of George Dewey Brown and Molly Berry. He was the grandson of John Forest Brown and Martha Murphy and the great grandson of Hezekiah Brown and Mariah Jayne Auxier.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha Mae, two sons, one daughter, two brothers and four grandchildren.

Delbert Mannings Auxier, age 79, of Mount Nebo, West Virginia died on April 12, 2000 at the V.A. Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia after a long illness. Graveside services were held on April 15, 2000 in the Arnet Cemetery at Tipton, West Virginia with Ken Souder officiating.

Delbert was retired from Union Carbide Alloy. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church.

He was born September 9, 1920 in Lockwood, West Virginia, the son of Otis Vernon Auxier and Mary Jane Foster. He was the grandson of Milton Isaiah Auxier and Frances Ann Armstead, the great grandson of Adam Bush Auxier and the 3rd great grandson of Simon Auxier.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia, 3 sons, a daughter, two brothers, three sisters, ten grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Garrett Gibson, age 58, of Gilboa, West Virginia died on April 16, 2000 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia after a short illness. Services were held on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at Water Funeral Chapel in Summersville, West Virginia with Rev. Lonnie Strickland officiating. Burial was in the Gibson Family Cemetery at Gilboa.

Garrnett was a homemaker, a member of the VFW Auxiliary and a member of the Baptist faith.

She was born Garrnett Jean Auxier in 1942, the daughter of Collis Auxier and Ethel Frances Adkins. She was the granddaughter of Otis Vernon Auxier and Mary Jane Foster, the great granddaughter of Milton Isaiah Auxier and the 4th great granddaughter of Simon Auxier.

Surviving are her parents, two brothers, three sisters, four sons, three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 10, 2000 for Imogene Arrowood, age 71, of River, Kentucky. She died Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at Highlands Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Steve Rose and J.M. Scott officiated at the services which were held in the Concord Independent Baptist Church.

Imogene was born May 8, 1928 at Auxier, Kentucky, the daughter of Paris Wells and Alice Sherman. She was the granddaughter of James Hiram Wells. She was a descendant of Mary Barbara Auxier Delong and Frances Amelia Auxier Hannah.

She is survived by her husband William F. Arrowood, four sons, six daughters, one brother, one sister, 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mildred Auxier, age 90, passed away at her home on Davis Branch in Johnson County, KY on Sunday, March 5, 2000. Services were held on Tuesday, March 7, at Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel. Dave Flanery officiated. Burial was in the Davis Cemetery on Davis Branch Road near Paintsville, Kentucky.

She was born Mildred Virginia Music on November 6, 1909 in Johnson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Samuel Malcom Music and Laura Lorena Moles. She married Warden Paige Auxier on April 4, 1931 in East Point, Kentucky. Warden was the son of Warren Decab Auxier and Cynthia Davis. He was the grandson of Joseph Decab Auxier. Warden preceded Mildred in death on October 28, 1983.

Malta Rice, age 81, wife of James Russell Rice, died on Sunday, February 13, 2000, at the Hazard Nursing Home. Funeral services were held on February 16, 2000 at the Little Paint First Church of God at East Point, Kentucky with Rev. Wayne Burch and Rev. Ray Wyant officiating. Burial was in the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery at Staffordsville, Kentucky under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

She was born Malta Gladah Rice on May 21, 1918, the daughter of Samuel K. Rice and Nora Virginia Davis. She was the granddaughter of Austin Thomas Davis and Margaret Hester Ann Mayo Auxier and the great granddaughter of Samuel Auxier III and Rebecca Elizabeth Mayo.

Malta and her husband lived at Little Paint during most of their fifty eight years of marriage. They have been faithful members of the Little Paint First Church of God for more than sixty years. Due to Malta's health, she had not been able to attend church services during the past few years but her life was a witness of her love for the Lord and the church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, one son, one sister and one brother.

Thomas Baldwin, age 75, died February 11, 2000 at the Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center in Paintsville, Kentucky. Services were held Sunday, February 13, at Paintsville Funeral Home, with Rev. Richard Williams officiating. Burial followed in the Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

He was born November 1, 1924 in Paintsville, Kentucky, the son of John Baldwin and Alka Rice. He was the grandson of James Harvey Rice and Julia VanHoose, the great grandson of William Rice and Mary Ann Auxier and the 2nd great grandson of Nathaniel Auxier and Constance Beck.

Donald Richard Bosley, age 54, passed away on February 4, 2000, at his home in Belva, West Virginia, after a long illness. Services were held on February 7, 2000 at Pennington Funeral Home, in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. Rev. Roger Goodwin officiated. Burial followed in the Montgomery Memorial Park, London, West Virginia.

He was a disabled baker employed at Dunkin Donuts. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by his wife Diana Lynn Auxier Bosley. Diana is the daughter of Harrison Burton Auxier. He is also survived by a foster son, his mother and five brothers.

Reginald Clayton Auxier, age 83, passed away on February 4, 2000 at Life Care Center in Yuma, Arizona. Graveside services were held on Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery at Yuma, Arizona with full military honors by the honor guard of the Yuma Marine Corp Air Station.

Reginald was a member of Morningside Baptist Church in Yuma, Arizona. He received his high school education in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

He was born September 21, 1916 in Jodie, West Virginia, the son of Clayton Buchanan Auxier and Ella Lee Osborne. He was the grandson of Milton I. Auxier and Frances Armstead, the great grandson of Adam Bush Auxier, the 2nd great grandson of James E. Auxier and the 3rd great grandson of Simon Auxier.

Reginald was first married to Norma Crow. They were the parents of Daisy Auxier Sexton. His second marriage was to Opal Beulah Griffith. They were the parents of Gary Reginald Auxier.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Daisy, son Gary, sister Mabel Auxier Firskey, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Reginald retired from the U.S. Air Force in October of 1965 after 24 years of service with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal-Japan, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Glider Pilot Wings. In November 1965, he was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal from the 2nd Air Force.

George Bickers Auxier, age 81, died on February 2, 2000 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mountain View Mortuary was in charge of services which were held on February 2, 2000. Burial was in the Hogan Cemetery at Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

George was born on March 28, 1918 in Custer County, Oklahoma, the son of William Wentworth Auxier and Ida Laura Patterson and was the last surviving member of his family. He was the grandson of William Bickers Auxier and Victoria Virginia McQuarter, the great grandson of George Washington Auxier and Nancy Prater and the 2nd great grandson of Samuel Auxier II and Rebecca Phillips.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Thomas Victor Auxier, William Wentworth Auxier and Daniel Eugene Auxier, his sisters Ida Virginia Auxier and Mary Ethel Auxier Rapp.

Marian Auxier, age 64, of Mason City, Illinois passed away on Thursday, December 30, 1999, at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Illinois. Services were held on Monday, January 3, 2000 at the Mason City United Methodist Church. Rev. Daniel Brown officiated.

She was born Marian Lee Corbin on July 14, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Lee Raymond Corbin and Helen Elizabeth Duncan. She was married to Louis Eldon Auxier on September 4, 1954 in Mason City, Illinois. They were the parents of four children. Eldon, a barber in Mason City, preceded her in death on February 12, 1999. She was also preceded in death by their son, Michael Lynn Auxier (1956-1957).

Marian was a homemaker and a retired volunteer teacher's aid. She was a member of the Mason City United Methodist Church, Madeline Chapter of the Mason City Order of the Eastern Star, Mason City Women's Investment Club, Mason City Women's Club and Mason City and Easton bridge clubs. She was a Mason City Republican precinct committee-woman and the Mason County Republican party treasurer.

Marian was unfailingly hospitable to the numerous Auxier cousins who went to Mason City, Illinois seeking family history. Through her efforts and those of her husband, Eldon, the history of the Auxier family in Illinois was preserved.

Ruby Ward, age 78, died at the Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center, in Paintsville, KY on January 1, 2000. Services were held on January 4, 2000 at the Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel. Manford Fannin and Ronnie Spriggs officiated. Burial was in the Highland Memorial Park at Staffordsville, Kentucky.

She was born Ruby Jewell Daniels on August 15, 1921, in Johnson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Frank Daniels and Izora Ruth Harless. She was the granddaughter of Elisha Harless and Lucinda Scalf, the great granddaughter of Van Harless and Francis J. Delong. She was the third great granddaughter of Mary Barbary Auxier Delong.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Helen Daniels Witten and Florine Daniels Hughes and one brother Frank Daniels. She is survived by her husband, four sons, one daughter, 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.