● Volume 32 - Number 33 - Wednesday, February 12, 2014 ●
Estill County News
Ravenna Starts Process Of Merging With Irvine
A first reading of an ordinance pertaining to the merging of the city of Ravenna and the city of Irvine was read by city clerk Susan Lay during the Ravenna Council meeting on Monday, February 10, 2014.
The ordinance states that if both city governments approve the ordinance then it will be put on the ballot for the next general election that will be held in November. At that time residents of the Irvine and Ravenna will vote on whether or not the cities will merge into one.
Mayor Estine Tipton said that three council members from Ravenna and three from Irvine met to review the situation and to decide if the merger would be feasible for both cities.
If the merge between cities did happen it would take up to a year before everything was finalized. Both cities have until August 12, 2014 to decide whether or not to have it on the ballot for the election in November. Both cities would be called the city of Irvine.
The insurance premium tax was once again put to a vote by council members. William VanCleve said that he still wanted the tax lowered to the same rate that Irvine has which is ten percent. Tina Johnson said she was all for lowering the tax if she could be certain that the merging of the two cities would actually happen because it would be lowered anyway. However, if the merging of the two cities fell through then it would put the city of Ravenna in a bind to pay the bills each month.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to break yourself down to a point where you can’t operate each month,” stated Jim Richardson.
Louis Officer agreed and said that it just didn’t seem feasible at this time for the city to lower the tax rate when they still had outstanding bills to pay such as the worker who had been scraping the streets during this bad weather. He made the motion to keep the tax rate the same with all council members in agreement other than VanCleve.
Mr. VanCleve stated that he would like to see all the ordinances of the city of Ravenna brought up to date. He said the ones that concerned him pertained to holidays and compensation for city employees. He added that bonuses were to be given out according to an ordinance and he thought it was time to bring them up to date.
Mayor Tipton said that a committee had been reviewing and amending ordinances while Charles Crowe was still in office but had not completed them.
VanCleve stated that all council meetings had been illegal since the meetings had been moved to the second Monday of each month because the ordinance stated that they are held on the first Monday of each month at six o’clock. Mayor Tipton explained to him that the meetings had been changed because it was too hard to get a financial report completed by the first Monday of the month.
The council agreed that a small committee would be formed once again to begin reviewing and amending ordinances. Jim Richardson and William VanCleve agreed that they would be on the committee to work on the ordinances.
Current Obituaries
Wednesday, February 19th Edition
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Oliver Rawlins, Jr., 57
Oliver Rawlins, Jr., age 57, of Darley Creek in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2014, after a long illness.
He was born July 2, 1956, in Estill County and was the son of the late Oliver Sr. and Marjorie Back Rawlins. He was a carpenter and had lived in Montgomery County most of his life.
Mr. Rawlins is survived by one daughter, Amanda Rawlins, Mt. Sterling; one son, Steven Rawlins, Mt. Sterling; four sisters: Rita Mayse, Jeffersonville; Gayle Hall, Anderson, Indiana; Nellie Willoughby and Anita Willoughby, both of Jeffersonville; three brothers: Jerry Rawlins, Estill County; Owen Rawlins, Jeffersonville; and John Pelfrey, Florida; and three grandchildren: Kearsten, Breonna and Arthur “A.J.” Johnson.
He was preceded in death by one son, Matthew Rawlins; two sisters: Sandra Martin and Lydia Ann Wells; and one brother, Robert Lewis Pelfrey.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 19th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at the Rawlins Cemetery. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home.
James F. Tipton, age 79, of Eaton, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Friday afternoon, February 14, 2014.
Born in Irvine, KY, he was a son of the late Warren & Alleane (Hamilton) Tipton. He proudly served with the United States Army from 1956 - 1958, mostly in Germany. He worked as a Die Press Operator for Westvaco/Weyerhauser in Eaton, retiring in 1994 after 35 years of service. Member of the Eaton YMCA, he enjoyed all outdoor sports including golf, hunting and fishing.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death on December 25, 1990 by his wife, Doris E. (Reed) Tipton, whom he married April 19, 1963; a sister, Ruth Moreland; and son-in-law, Ronnie Benge.
Mr. Tipton is survived by children: Paul Tipton (Machel, Jennifer Selby (Mike), both of Eaton; Jimmy Sorrell (Melody) and Patsy Benge, both of Santa Claus, Indiana; nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Delmus Tipton of Irvine, Thelma Thomas of Midway, Loretta Crowe of Irvine, Burnell Tipton of Maiden, North Carolina; Ronnie Tipton of Irvine, Sue Shupe of Lexington, Connie Melear of Harrodsburg, and Gary Tipton of Irvine; his stepmother, Ann Tipton of Irvine; numerous nieces and nephews, other family, and many, many friends.
Friends called on the family from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 17th at the Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center at Preble Memory Gardens - 3377 US Rt. 35 - West Alexandria, Ohio. Funeral service followed at 2 p.m. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Robert Lee Estes, age 71, of Clark County, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2014, at his home.
A native of Clark County, he was born January 31, 1943, at his home on Jones Nursery Lane, to the late Raymond Earl Estes and Nannie Townsend McCall. Married for 28 years, he was preceded in death by the mother of his three children, Helen Louise Jackson.
Robert was the owner of Estes Excavating, in which he did subcontracting work for Ball Homes along with several other companies. He was baptized at the age of 17 at the Pharis Hill Christian Church by Linville Berryman in a nearby pond. He was a former member of Eastside Baptist Church and current member of Powell's Valley Baptist Church in Powell County.
Survivors include one son, David Wayne Estes of Winchester, one daughter, Brenda Louise Kennon (Bill) of Ford, Kentucky; two sisters: Hazel Sue Townsend of Frankfort, and Mary Stephens of Lexington; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Estes was preceded in death by one son, Robert Lewis Estes, who was of New Albany, Indiana; three brothers, James Estes of Clark County, John Estes of Fayette County, and Lenyel Estes of Henry County; and two sisters: Emma Pitts of New Albany, Indiana; and Lorene Ware of Shelbyville.
Funeral services were on Sunday, February 16th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home, 289 S. Main Street, Winchester, with Pastor Gary Willoughby presiding. The family received friends on Sunday from 12:00 Noon until the hour of services. Burial was in the Cobb Hill Cemetery in Estill County.
Pallbearers were Ricky Estes, Danny Estes, David Estes, Tommy Stanfield, Clifton Kennon, and Eddie Kennon.
Honorary pallbearers were Bill Kennon and Steven Estes.
Vickie Rae Arvin, age 55, of Turkey Pen Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at her home.
She was born July 14, 1958 in Richmond and was the daughter of the late James Hue and Lorena Riddell Hunt. She attended the Pea Ridge Holiness Church and had lived in Estill County all of her life.
Mrs. Arvin is survived by two daughters: Sharmala Michelle Arvin and Jamie Marie Farmer, both of Irvine; one sister, Roxy Plowman, Irvine; one brother, Robert Hunt, Richmond; and three grandchildren: Callee Arvin, Miheyla Farmer, Tessa Arvin; and they are expecting her 4th grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husbands: Kenneth “Moose” Plowman and Walter Scott Arvin; and one brother, James Dewayne Hunt.
Memorial services were conducted at 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 17th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Jerry Rose. Friends called after 12:00 Noon, Monday at the funeral home.
Mattie Frances Osborne Brinegar, age 73, of Old Landing Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at her home, following a long illness.
She was born May 10, 1940, in Estill County, a daughter of the late Hiram and Cynthiana Sparks Osborne. She formerly worked at Carhartt Inc. and was a farmer. She had lived in Estill County most of her life and attended the Wagersville Pentecostal Church of God.
Mrs. Brinegar is survived by her husband, Clark Brinegar; a daughter, Kathy Smith (Phillip), Estill County; five sons: Jerry Wayne Brinegar (Barbara), Ricky Joe Brinegar (Karen Ann), both of Clark County; Michael Lee Brinegar (Thelma), Roy Lynn Brinegar (Annette) and Jeffery Quienten Brinegar (Trish), all of Estill County; two sisters: Virgie McIntosh and Shirley Crowe (Bobby) both of Estill County; ten grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Ruby Brinegar and Ella Marie Osborne; and two brothers: Herman Osborne and Benny Ray Osborne.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 15th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Beverly Arvin and Bro. Hargus Gordon with burial following in the Campbell Cemetery. Friends called between 6 and 9 p.m., Friday, February 14th at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were her sons and her son-in-law.
Stanley Marion Durbin Jr., 74, of Birchwood Lane, Ravenna, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, following a long battle with cancer.
He was a native of Estill County, born January 7, 1940, a son of the late Stanley Sr. and Carrie Fike Durbin. Mr. Durbin was a renowned mechanic and businessman who had been named both a Kentucky Colonel and a Kentucky Admiral. He enlisted in the United States Army on May 8, 1963 and was honorably discharged April 30, 1969. During his service to our country, he was honored with a Good Conduct Medal as well as being recognized as a Sharpshooter (Rifle).
One of Mr. Durbin’s proudest accomplishments was the formation of the American Legion Riders Post #79 where he is lovingly heralded as “The Godfather.” He attended Ivory Hill Baptist Church and was an active member of American Legion, VFW, AmVets and 40 & 8th.
A state champion pool player, Mr. Durbin was known by all as an avid lover of horses and dogs. Riding motorcycles and socializing with friends brought much joy to Mr. Durbin throughout his life.
Survivors include his sons, Victor Leon Durbin (Kathy) of Irvine and Kim Durbin of Big Hill; two daughters: Natalie Locascio (Charles) of Houston, Texas; and Amanda Rachalle Clapp (Jason) of Mayfield, Kentucky; nine grandchildren: Amber Durbin Bray, Erin Durbin Neal, Jaimy R. Locascio, Kammy D. Locascio, Vinchenzo C. Locascio, Ty J. Ellegood, Haley-Marie Ellegood, Jonathan Durbin, and Valisa Durbin; eight great grandchildren; his siblings: Carrie Nell Abney and Ora Lee Hardy; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Durbin was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Sr. and Carrie Fike Durbin; and siblings: Eudell Miller, Reva Jean Richardson, Ronald Durbin, and Royce Durbin.
A Memorial/Celebration of Life Service is being planned for a later date.
Lewis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Debbie Rardin, age 53, Winchester Road in Clay City, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014.
She was born November 10, 1960 in Irvine to James and Corrine Neal Cole.
Survivors include one daughter, Kassie Rardin, Clay City; her parents, James and Corrine Cole, Clay City; three brothers: Thomas Cole, Irvine; Michael Cole, Clay City; and James Ray Cole, Irvine; three sisters, Wanda Compton, Irvine; Phyllis Hoskins and Alice O'Hair, both of Clay City.
Ms. Rardin was preceded in death by her son, Casey Rardin; and two sisters, Sharon and Joyce Cole.
Vistation began Friday at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Davis & Davis Funeral Home, 777 West College Avenue in Stanton.
Robert W. “Buster” Tipton, age 87, of Winchester, Kentucky, widower of Betty C. Tipton, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at the Bluegrass Care and Rehabilitation Center in Lexington.
A native of the Furnace community in Estill County, he was born December 4, 1926, to the late William A. and Stanley Reed Tipton. He was a retired plumbing and HVAC contractor and member of the Central Baptist Church, where he served as an usher and greeter.
Survivors include one son, Robert L. Tipton, and two grandchildren, Ike and Allie Tipton, all of Winchester; two sisters: Norlynn (Kyle) Goodlet of Lexington, and Eldean (Hall) of Versailles; three brothers; Ralph Tipton (Liz) of Livingston, Jerry Tipton (Betty) of Winchester, and Kenneth Tipton (Dorothy) of Lexington; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Vickie Tipton; and brother-in-law, Eddie Hall.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home, 289 South Main Street, Winchester, with Bro. Pat Finley presiding. The family received friends on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. Burial was in the Winchester Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bobby and Ike Tipton, Justin and James Hamilton, Tim Patrick, and Jacob Moore.
Mahala Frances Newman, age 80, of Red River Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Monday, February 10, 2014, at the Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
She was born January 3, 1934 in Estill County and was the daughter of the late Gilford and Sarah Ann Newman McKinney. She was a retired employee of F.W. Rickard Seed Company and had lived in Estill County all of her life.
Mrs. Newman was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Newman.
She is survived by three daughters: Carol Alcorn, Brenda Neal, and Pamela Barnes, all of Irvine; one son, Danny Newman, Irvine; 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mrs. Newman was preceded in death by two daughters: Ruby and Vickie Newman; one son, Harold Newman; six sisters and seven brothers.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 14th by Bro. Beverly Arvin at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was at the Fielder Cemetery. Friends called between 6 and 9 p.m., Thursday, February 13th at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Paul Samples, Anthony Neal, Chris Isaacs, Chris Neal, Jamie Newman and Mickie Conrad.
Honorary pallbearers were Josh Bobbitt, Mark Smith, Andy Alcorn and PhilipWalton.
Geraldine Lutes Wilson, age 75, of Wisemantown Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Monday, February 10, 2014, at the Irvine Health & Rehabilitation Center following a long illness.
She was born April 25, 1939 in Estill County and was the daughter of the late Roy Lutes and Nettie Kate Richardson. She was a homemaker and attended the South Irvine Pentecostal Church of God. She had lived in Estill County all of her life.
Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Howard Wilson.
She is survived by four daughters: JoAnn Harrison, Patricia Hurley, Darlene Ballard and Loretta Mackey, all of Irvine; one son, Willie Wilson, Danville; ten grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Lonnie Wilson.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 13th at the Warren F. Toler Funeral Home Chapel by Bro. Sidney Sparks. Burial will be at the Winston Cemetery. Friends may call between 6 and 9 p.m., Wednesday, February 12th at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Dustin Willis, Brandon Coffey, Jeremiah Vaught, Michael Willis, Justin VanWinkle and Travis Cooper.
Perry Luther Parrett, age 57, of Wagersville Road in Irvine, Kentucky, passed away Friday, February 7, 2014, at his home.
He was born September 26, 1956 at New Zion in Jackson County, Kentucky, and was the son of the late Hiram and Effie Flannery Brandenburg Parrett. He had worked at Philco-Ford in Connersville, Indiana; ran a used car lot and more recently owned a large farm in Estill County. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by four brothers: Bill Brandenburg (Margie), Garlin Brandenburg (Christine), both of Connersville, Indiana; Eugene Brandenburg (Carolyn), Mount Vernon; and Darrell Parrett (Sue), McKee; three sisters: Susie Hall, Connersville, Indiana; Betty Mays (James Paul) McKee; and Virginia Call, Salisbury Center, New York;
and several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends
Mr. Parrett was preceded in death by one son, Jason Parrett; three brothers: Charles Parrett, Willis Brandenburg and Clarence Brandenburg; and two sisters: Eulene Isaacs and Mildred Parrett.
Graveside services were conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13th by Bro. Jimmy Ward at the Hoover Cemetery.
Warren F. Toler Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis Joy Lucas Henderson, age 80, of Irvine, Kentucky, was called home to glory on Monday, February 3, 2014.
She was born February 14, 1933 in Canyon Falls, Lee County, Kentucky, and was daughter to the late Floyd and Pauleon Lucas.
Mrs. Henderson was preceded in death by her husband, J. W. Henderson; two brothers: Dyolf Lucas and Thomas Lucas; two sisters: Dixie Lucas Rose and Barbara Lucas Caruso Parks; and one great granddaughter, Baylee Madison Friend.
She was the mother of Jesse Wells Henderson III, Carrie Paulette Henderson Chaney, and Jonathan Lucas Henderson. She is survived and missed by two sisters, Daphne Lucas Opdyke and Brenda Lucas Deckard; one brother, Michael D. Lucas, granddaughters, Tracey Henderson Harrison, Laura D. Davis, Ashley Henderson, Sydney Henderson, and Julie Henderson; grandsons, Ryan Chaney, and Aiden Henderson; great grandchildren, Austin Harrison, Logan Harrison, Blake Friend, Bella Joy Davis, Roree Anna Davis, and Lillyan Henderson.
Phyllis, or more lovingly known as P Hen or Grandmaw, joyously took her heavenly home. While we cry for our own loss, we also rejoice and celebrate her life. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Irvine, and could often be found driving her blue station wagon full of kids and adults to church or singing in the choir. She, along with her husband built and operated Stacy Lane Apartments for 20 years. While she was the manager to many tenants over the years, several of those became more like family. One could simply sit in the office for a chat or even watch a soap with P Hen. Phyllis much enjoyed her time with friends in the local Homemakers’ group. Their outings and charitable work were a source of happiness for her. She was a very giving person. One only had to ask for help, and Phyllis would do her best to oblige. Her greatest source of happiness came from her family. If anyone could teach the sincerest act of loyalty to family it would be Phyllis. She championed and loved her family as Christ loved the church.
There will be a memorial service held in honor of Phyllis’ life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 21 Glory Street, Irvine or to the National Audubon Society, 225 Varrick Street, New York, NY, 10014.
Phyllis loved the Lord and found his beauty in the things he created, especially the birds.
Phyllis Joy Lucas Henderson