June Blair, 89, of Athens, formerly of Sanford, Florida, died Thursday morning, November 19, 2009 at Hickory Creek Nursing Center.

Arrangements will be announced by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home.

Jack Hillyer, Ph.D., 82, of Athens, died Sunday evening, November 15, 2009 at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, Athens. He was born east of Murray City in Trimble Township, Athens County on June 4, 1927 to the late Joseph Howard Hillyer and Beatrice Sylvia (Phillips) Hillyer.

He was a graduate of Murray City High School. During his senior year Jack enlisted in the US Coast Guard. Called to duty in the weeks prior to his graduation ceremonies from Murray City High School in 1945 he immediately reported for US Coast Guard duty where he served on the vessel Admiral Hughes (AF-124) for 14 months throughout the South Pacific in the final days of WW II.

In late 1946 Jack enrolled in Ohio University. Three years later (1949) he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Education and his Doctorate in Education (Ph.D.) from Ohio University.

Ronald Bail, 62, of Athens, died Friday morning, November 13, 2009 at Hickory Creek Nursing Center, The Plains. Born April 4, 1947 in Athens, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Della Steele Bail.

He attended Athens High School and was formerly employed in area restaurants including the B.B.F. and the Towne House Restaurant, both of West Union Street.

Ronald is survived a sister, Marvella (Sean) Rodeheffer of Ft. Myers, Fla.; a brother, Lee Roy (Dixie) Bail of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

Clay C. Bennett, 88, of Athens, formerly of Columbus, died Sunday morning, November 15, 2009 at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, Athens. Born July 27, 1921 in Greenup, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Joseph and Nora Traylor Bennett.

He retired as a millwright from D.L. Auld Co. of Columbus and was formerly employed with the C.C.C. in Oregon and the N&W Railroad in Portsmouth. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post of Portsmouth and the Masonic Lodge of South Shore, Ky. He was a ham radio operator, license number AB8JE. He was also a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

Clay is survived by two sons and daughters in law- Charles Bennett and Victoria Tong, D.O. of West Portsmouth and Jon and Ann Bennett of Amesville; and two grandchildren- Jessica Bennett and Diana Bennett.

Charles E. Mace, 85, of New Marshfield, died Sunday, November 15, 2009 at Arcadia Acres Nursing Center, Logan. Born October 22, 1924 in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Eli “Pete” Mace and Elsie Jolley Mace Whitlatch.

A graduate of Waterloo High School, he was a former resident of Hammond, Indiana. He was employed as a chemist for Dupont Chemical Co. in Chicago, Ill.

He was a member of Highland VFW Post 1109 (Indiana).  A U.S. Army veteran of World War II he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He was wounded in the battle of Saipan and awarded the Purple Heart.

Brenda Kathleen Kirkendall, 49, of Athens, passed away early Monday morning, November 16, 2009 at her home surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.

Born September 18, 1960 in Athens County, she was the adopted daughter of Mary Burch Halbirt of Athens and the late Phil Halbirt.

She was a 1979 graduate of Federal Hocking High School and was a member of The Canaanville United Methodist Church. Among Brenda’s many talents was that she was an avid photographer and enjoyed making people smile.

Eugene Phillips, 63, Albany, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus.

Born in Logan County, West Virginia, on August 8, 1946, he was the son of the late Orville and Lula Greenhill Phillips.  He was the owner of Phillips Drywall.

Helen C. Shank, 94, of Athens, died Thursday morning, November 12, 2009 at Hickory Creek Nursing Center, The Plains. Born April 12, 1915 in Wilkesville, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Izel Jones Foley.

A graduate of Wilkesville High School, she had worked as an attendant at the Athens State Hospital. She was a 25 year member of Wilkesville Grange, a member of the Athens Senior Club and attended the Glouster United Methodist Church.

Coy Darah Higginbotham, 86,  Athens, went to be with the Lord Saturday November 7, 2009, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

Born December 11, 1922 in Charleston, WV., he was the son of the late Enos Bly and Stella Elizabeth Smith Higginbotham.

During WWII he served with the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division in the South Pacific on Siapan, Okinawa and in the 1st Landings on Japan as Liberation Forces.  While in the service he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Victory Medals, Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars.

Roger L. Butterbaugh, 87, of The Plains, died Wednesday morning, November 4, 2009 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. Born October 21, 1922 in Chillicothe, he was the son of the late Clarence L. and Alma Mae Cramblit Butterbaugh.

A 1941 graduate of Chillicothe High School, he retired from Columbus & Southern Ohio Electric Co. in 1984 as an engineer and supervisor of the engineering department of the electric company. He completed his electrical engineering degree through I.C.S and Ohio University in 1968. He was a member of Christ Community Wesleyan Church and lived his life for God and Jesus Christ.

He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II serving as a crew chief with the 412th Fighter Squadron working on P-38, P-39, and P-51 Mustang as well as the P-80 and P-59 jet aircraft.