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Date of these obituaries: 11-10-1999
Ray Lee Claypool, 55, owned Independence construction firm
Ray Lee Claypool was a man of strong convictions and a strong work ethic.
The owner and operator of Claypool Construction Co. in Independence, Mr. Claypool worked seven days a week to provide for his family.
He always wanted to have his own company and spent the past two decades developing it, said his wife of 15 years, Loretta Watkins Claypool.
He had learned how to lay foundations, pour concrete, replace windows and spread blacktop as a young man growing up in Covington.
Mr. Claypool, 55, of Independence, died Sunday at his home.
"He was one of the most unique men I've ever met," Mrs. Claypool said.
He had a good sense of humor, but he wasn't afraid to speak his mind, she said.
"He was extremely outspoken. He was a good dad, but he was extremely firm," Mrs. Claypool said. "But if he liked you, he would give you the shirt off his back. And if he loved you, he would let you know that, too."
Mr. Claypool also enjoying hunting and fishing.
Other survivors include a daughter, Raylene Saylor of Taylor Mill; a son, Greg Watkins of Elsmere; a brother, Calvin Chandler of Covington; and a granddaughter.
No services are planned. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northern Kentucky, 1403 Alexandria Pike, Fort Thomas, Ky. 41075. Fares J. Radel Funeral Home, Cincinnati, is handling arrangements.
Billy Asbury, 72, of Falmouth, died Tuesday Veterans Administration Hospital, Cincinnati.
Arrangements are pending at Peoples Funeral Home, Falmouth.
Ruby D. Perry Bumgardner, 61, of Morning View, died Monday at her home. She was a homemaker. Her husband, Albert Bumgardner, died in 1997. A son, Dwayne Bumgardner, died in 1973.
Survivors include a daughter, Tammy Smith of Morning View; sons, Mike Bumgardner of Hebron, Pat Bumgardner of Covington, Kevin Bumgardner of Toledo, Ohio, and Bryan Bumgardner of Dry Ridge; brothers, Donald Perry of Independence and Virgil Perry Jr. of Crescent Springs; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Independence. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Wilmington Cemetery, Morning View.
Norma L. Estridge, 89, of Hamilton, Ohio, died at 4:48 a.m. Tuesday at Baptist Convalescent Center, Newport. She was a retired real estate agent and owned several grocery stores in the Hamilton area. Her husband, Frank Estridge, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a brother, Turner Patterson of Dayton, Ohio; sisters, Velna Adams of Erlanger, Willow Mae Spence of San Diego and Elma Cook of Flemingsburg.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Erlanger. Burial will be in Richmond Cemetery.
Margaret Fancher, 81, of Latonia, died at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington. She was a homemaker. Her husband, Robert Fancher, died in 1986.
Survivors include a son, Robert James Fancher of Florence; daughters, Kimberly Hyams of Independence, Linda Creekmore of Fort Wright and Janice Irwin of Fairborn, Ohio; a brother, James Royalty of Louisville; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at Swindler and Currin Funeral Home, Latonia. Visitation will begin there at 5 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, 401 E. 20th St., Covington, Ky. 41014.
Dorothy Marie Goranflo Griesinger, 94, of Bellevue, died Tuesday at Highlands of Fort Thomas Nursing Home. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school classes for 76 years.
Her husband, Lawrence E. Griesinger, died in 1987. Sons Bob Griesinger and Lawrence Griesinger Jr. also preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Walter S. Griesinger of Cincinnati; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Dobbling Funeral Home, Bellevue. Visitation will begin there at 9 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 25th and Washington, Bellevue, Ky. 41073.
Josephine Hamilton, 81, of Elsmere, died Monday at her home. She was a retired long-distance operator with Cincinnati Bell Telephone and a member of the Telephone Pioneers. Her husband, James R. Hamilton, died in 1988.
Survivors include sons, Phil Hamilton of Crestview Hills and Scott Hamilton of Erlanger; a sister, Elsa Lou Miller of Cincinnati; and four granddaughters.
Services will be at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Linnemann Funeral Home, Erlanger. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erlanger. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, 401 E. 20th St., Covington, Ky. 41014.
Robert E. Hewitt, 67, of Latonia, died at 6:55 p.m. Nov. 2 at his home. He was a retired branch manager of the First National Bank in Cincinnati, a volunteer with the Parish Kitchen in Covington and a kitchen manager with Holy Cross High School in Latonia. He was a Navy veteran.
Survivors include two children; a brother, William Hewitt of New Jersey; and four grandchildren.
Services will be at the convenience of his friends. Mr. Hewitt bequeathed his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A benefit in Mr. Hewitt's honor will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 21 at Marshall-Schildmeyer VFW Post No. 6095, 343 E. 47th St. in Latonia. Catchen Funeral Home, Covington, handled arrangements.
Mary L. Holland, 65, of Williamstown, died at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington. She was a homemaker. Her husband, Sherman Holland, preceded her in death.
Survivors include sons, Richard Holland of Williamstown, Raymond Holland of Dayton, Ohio, and Daryl Holland of Burlington; daughters, Melinda Holland, Stella Holland and Michelle Vice of Williamstown, Maudie Cradock and Lisa Courtney, both of Covington, Judy Jackson of Newport and Judith Martin of Burlington; brothers, John Combs, Les Combs and Marcus Sparks ; sisters, Wavel Mullins, Rosa Lee Jump, Rosie Jhent and Gaynell Fields ; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Elliston-Stanley Funeral Home, Williamstown. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kidney Foundation of Central Kentucky, 2417-B Regency Road, Lexington, Ky. 40503.
Betty Jean Johnson, 69, of Cynthiana, died Tuesday at her home. she was a homemaker and a member of Faith Baptist Church, Cynthiana.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Johnson; and sisters, Katherine Johnson of Cynthiana and Helen Jo Moore of Cincinnati.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Jacksonville Cemetery, Harrison County. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 6612 Dixie Highway, Suite 2, Florence, Ky. 41042.
Mary Theresa Valley Kronewitz, 96, of Fort Thomas, died at 8:02 p.m. Monday at Carmel Manor Nursing Home, Fort Thomas. She was a homemaker. Her first husband, Ammeddee Valley, died in 1954. Her second husband, Ernie Kronewitz, died in 1982.
Survivors include a daughter, Janet Morrison of Latonia; three grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Carmel Manor. Visitation will begin there at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be 2 p.m. Friday in Royal Palm Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Fla. Connley Bros. Funeral Home, Latonia, is handling arrangements.
Basil Warren "Topy" Lewis Jr., 57, of Covington, died Sunday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North in Covington. Mr. Lewis worked for the City of Covington for 32 years and was active in civic affairs.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Mary Jane Lewis; daughters, Kellie Rae Lewis, April Lewis, Rachele Lewis and Nikki Marie Lewis; sons, Patrick Lewis, Basil Lewis and Robert Lewis; brothers, Donald Lewis, Alfonso Lewis and John Lewis; sisters, Virginia Fox, Delores Garrett and Safia Abdullah; and four grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. Visitation will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Jones and Simpson Funeral Home, Covington.
Gracie McIntosh Mayes, 86, of California, died Tuesday at Baptist Convalescent Center, Newport. She was a homemaker. Her husband, Alfred Mayes, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Bradley Mayes of California; and a daughter, Lois Kiser of Lexington; brothers, Walter Strong of Jackson, Simon Strong of Fairfield, Ohio, Brack Strong of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Gerald Strong of Centerville, Ohio; sisters, Onieda Combs of Saldee and Mary Sonya Collier of Campton; one grandchild and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Radel Funeral Home, Highland Heights. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cold Spring Baptist Cemetery.
Bessie Mae Spieve McLaughlin, 91, of Latonia, died Sunday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington. She was a foster parent with the Department of Human Services. Her husband, Amos McLaughlin, died in 1972.
Survivors include a son, Amos A. McLaughlin of Monroe, Wash.; a daughter, Marjorie Daniels of Newport; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Radel Funeral Home, Newport. Visitation will begin there at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Maysville Cemetery.
William J. Messmer, 84, of Fort Thomas, died Sunday at his home. He was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves and an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He was a retired civil engineer with the Corps of Engineers at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and a member of St. Stephen Holy Spirit Church in Newport, the National Geography Society and the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include a sister, Margaret C. NeCamp of Bellevue; nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Stephen Holy Spirit Church. Visitation will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Radel Funeral Home, Newport. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas.
Marjorie Collins Meyer, 74, of Newport, died Monday at her home. She was a retired bookkeeper with American National Bank and a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Newport.
Survivors include her husband, Orville Meyer; sons, Robert Meyer and Michael Meyer, both of Newport, Kenneth Meyer of Cincinnati and David Meyer of Elsmere; daughters, Sandra Meyer and Melissa Gander, both of Newport; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Radel Funeral Home, Newport. Visitation will begin there at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate.
Fred Perry, 70, of Cynthiana, died Tuesday at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana. He was a retired machinist and an Army veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife, Emma Mae Perry; a daughter, Vickie Lynn Chambers of Harrison County; sisters, Seary Riddle of Lexington, Lulie Keith of Richmond and Winnie Marie Barrett of Newport News, Va.; and two grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Ware Funeral Home, Cynthiana. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in Battle Grove Cemetery, Cynthiana.
Lucy Ann Kemper Reeves, 81, of Dry Ridge, died Monday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center Grant County, Williamstown. She was a homemaker and a member of Knoxville Baptist Church in Williamstown and the church women's union. Her husband, George Reeves, died in 1990. A daughter, Joyce Sasher, died in 1997.
Survivors include stepsons, Sam Reeves of Dry Ridge and Harold Reeves of Cincinnati; a sister, Mary Morgan of Florence; and one grandson.
Services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Eckler-Hudson Funeral Home, Dry Ridge. Visitation will begin there at 5 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Hill Crest Cemetery, Dry Ridge. Memorials are suggested to Knoxville Baptist Church, Fairview and Knoxville-Portland Roads, Williamstown, Ky. 41097.
Gilbert A. Rekers, 92, of Latonia, died at 11:40 a.m. Sunday at Rosedale Manor in Latonia. He was a retired engineer with the L&N; Railroad and a member of First Evangelical Methodist Church, Covington.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Frances Shearer Rekers; daughters, Patsy Lee and Shirley Gasdorf, both of Taylor Mill; a sister, Lorraine Seikman of Nashville, Tenn.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at the convenience of the family. Burial was in Floral Hills Cemetery, Taylor Mill. Memorials are suggested to Rosedale Manor, 4250 Glenn Ave., Covington, Ky. 41015. Swindler and Currin Funeral Home, Latonia, handled arrangements.
Dorothy May Preston Smith, 79, of Lenoxburg, formerly of Alexandria, died at 2:50 p.m. Monday at her home. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Alexandria.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, J. T. Smith; a son, Jeryl Smith of Grants Lick; a daughter, Deborah Ketron of Lenoxburg; a sister, Ruby Lafferty of Mount Sterling; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Alexandria. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 tonight at Alexandria Funeral Home. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church, 104 Washington St., Alexandria, Ky. 41001.
Lucille B. Tucker, 66, of Independence, died Monday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood. She was a dietician with St. Charles Care Center, Fort Wright, and a member of Banklick Church of God, Covington.
Survivors include daughters, Cecilia Barnes of Augusta, Lisa Oldham of Covington and Patty Worley of Louisville; sons, Tom Tucker of Latonia, Steven Tucker of Covington, and Orville Tucker, Larry Tucker and Danny Tucker, all of Independence; a brother, Gerald Morrison of Independence; 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services were at noon today at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Independence. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.
Christine Wiley, 93, of Owenton, died Monday at Owenton Manor Nursing Home in Owenton. She was a homemaker and a member of Richland Baptist Church, Owen County. Her husband, Roscoe Wiley, and a daughter, June Lucas, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Louise Powell of Owenton; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home, Seminary Street, Owenton. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, Owenton. Memorials are suggested to Richland Baptist Church, Owenton, Ky. 40359; or American Cancer Society, 6612 Dixie Highway, Suite 2, Florence, Ky. 41042.
