Obituaries

Feb 23, 2026

Bobby Douglas

Ames, Iowa

Robert Edward Douglas, a trailblazing American Olympic wrestler and one of the most influential figures in collegiate wrestling history, passed away on February 23, 2026, at the age of 83. Douglas's remarkable career spanned decades, leaving a mark as both a decorated athlete and a winning coach. His dedication to the...

Feb 23, 2026

Sandra K. (Mruzek) Rhodes, age 83, of Port Charlotte, Florida, was called home to be with the Lord on February 23, 2026, passing peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 2, 1942, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was raised in Wolfhurst, Ohio.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Ernest...

Feb 22, 2026

Rose (DiClemente) Lesnick, 86 of Bridgeport passed away peacefully Sunday, Thursday, February 22, 2026, at Liza's Place with her loved ones by her side.  She was born on June 26, 1939, in Wheeling, the daughter of the late Giosue and Mary Ann (Guitiani) DiClemente.

Rose was a resident of Elmhurst House of Friendship.  She lived for nearly...

Feb 22, 2026

Evelyn K. Suriano, formerly of Martins Ferry, Ohio, and most recently of Johnstown, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the age of 97, at Johnstown Pointe.

She was born in Lansing, Ohio on January 23, 1929, to Michael and Anna (Furimsky) Kovalick.  She graduated from Bridgeport High School and went on to work in...

Feb 20, 2026

Carl Joseph Kitzmiller, 66, of Bellaire, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, in his residence. He was born on December 3, 1959, a son of the late Carl R. Kitzmiller and Jo Ann (Fodor) Braun. He was Presbyterian by faith, enjoyed watching Professional Wrestling, playing Sudoku puzzles, and spending time with his family and friends.

Carl is...

Feb 16, 2026

Marjorie Ann (McClarin) Swiger, 88 of Colerain passed away February 16, 2026, at Wheeling Hospital.  She was born on October 16, 1937, in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Charles and Della (Lyle) McClarin.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence S.  Swiger, Sr. in 2018.

Left to...

Feb 13, 2026

Karen Sue Gallagher, 71, of Barnesville, Ohio passed away at Wheeling Hospital on February 13, 2026.  She was born on July 12, 1954 to the late Karl and Betty (Morris) Sturgill.

Karen graduated from St. Clairsville High School.  She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in English.  She was a substitute teacher and a stay-at-home...

Feb 13, 2026

Kayla Marie Garcia-Paugh, 36 of Alledonia, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 13, 2026, at her residence.  She was born on January 19, 1990, in Glendale, WV.  She is the daughter of Joseph W. Garcia and Bobbi Jo Blake.

If the only measure of a human's life were time, it would seem short, but when measured in...

Feb 12, 2026

Shirley Ann (Gay) Kildow was born November 2, 1936, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, of Bethesda, Ohio, passed away February 12, 2026, at Emerald Pointe Health and Rehabilitation facility, Barnesville, Ohio.  She was the daughter of the late Charles E. Gay and Lela M. (Jenewein) Gay (aka Lela M. Roe).

Shirley was retired from the...

Feb 11, 2026

Katherine Lee "Kat" Nagy 40, of Wheeling passed away February 11, 2026, at her home. She was born January 29, 1986, in Wheeling, a daughter of the late James Nagy Jr.

Katherine dedicated her life to being a devoted stay at home mom and homemaker, providing a loving and nurturing environment for her family. Her passion for...

Feb 11, 2026

Glen J. Pettit, 76 of Bridgeport passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Rolling Hills Nursing Home surrounded by his family.  He was born April 14, 1949, in Glen Dale, WV, the son of the late Carl W. and Alice Mae (Jones) Pettit.

Glen was retired and proudly served his country in the United States Army where...

Feb 8, 2026

Mary Margaret Seese, 97, of Brookeland, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, peacefully at her residence. A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, she was a resident of Brookeland for the past seven years, moving from Sunset Heights, Ohio. Mary was born on October 13, 1928, to John Paul Miller and Bessie Raper. A devoted Christian, she was...

Feb 8, 2026

Sandra Sue Wood, 82, of St. Clairsville OH, died peacefully on February 8, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on April 18, 1943, to William and Donna (Neu) Benschneider from Payne, OH. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Donald C. Wood.

Sandy is survived by her daughters, Toni, Rita, and Amy, and...

Feb 7, 2026

Anita Audrey Bodnar, 86, of Bridgeport, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Trinity Hospital, St. Clairsville. She was born on February 6, 1940, in Wheeling, a daughter of the late Eugene and Madelyn (Davis) Geimer. Anita was a member of the Bridgeport Women's Club, the St. Clairsville Bowling Legue, the Hazelwood Hills Boat Club, and enjoyed baking, traveling,...

Feb 7, 2026

Geary Martin "Batman" Battistelli, 72, of Martins Ferry, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at Country Club Rehabilitation in Bellaire, Ohio.

Geary was born on August 21, 1953, and raised in Shadyside, a place he always spoke of fondly. He especially loved sharing stories of his childhood, his many lifelong friendships, and the sports he enjoyed...

Feb 6, 2026

Linda (McIntosh) Shablack, longtime resident of Martins Ferry, peacefully passed away on February 6, 2026. Linda was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio on April 25,1950. Linda is predeceased by her parents Hubert and Ella(Bennett) McIntosh, sister Joy Bennett, longtime companion William (Bill) DiBacco and Bobby DiBacco for whom she was a longtime caregiver.

Those left to cherish...

Feb 5, 2026

Misty Drake, 46, of Bethesda, Ohio passed peacefully surrounded by love on February 5, 2026, at Ruby Memorial Hospital. Born on January 23, 1980, Misty was the daughter of Donald and Lois Funkhouser of Loomis, Ohio.

She was a 1998 graduate of Union Local High School and the JVS. She had a compassionate heart and dedicated many...

Feb 4, 2026

George Edward Lendon, (82) of Bethesda, was called home to his Heavenly Father, early on Wednesday morning, February 4th.  George was born the youngest of thirteen siblings, in Buttermilk valley at the family farm outside Flushing in June of 1943.  He graduated from Union Local High School, and was part of the first season of UL Jets football.  Following...

Feb 2, 2026

Helen "Honey" Virginia Puperi, 67, of Belmont, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Barnesville Hospital. She was born on December 3, 1958, in Martins Ferry, a daughter of the late Ralph and Anne (Conyers) Noice. Honey was Catholic by faith and was a member of the Church of the Assumption in Barnesville. She retired from the Union...

Feb 1, 2026

Phyllis June (Witchey) Thomas, a steadfast presence in the Beallsville community, passed away on February 1 at the age of 96. Born on June 22, 1929, in Canton, Ohio, to the late Thomas Frank and Grace (Myers) Witchey, Phyllis lived a life defined by resilience, faith, and a legendary "can-do" attitude.

On December 6, 1947, Phyllis married...