Baker-Stevens-Parramore Funeral Home

04/02/2026

Joseph H. Powell, 91, Passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Beloved husband of the late Shirley J. Powell. Loving father of Douglas R. (Karen L.) Powell and Lisa L. (Wesley D.) Patrick and the late Joseph B. Powell. Dear grandfather of Wesley Todd Patrick, Christopher R. Patrick, Jessica L. Powel...

View Joseph H. Powell's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/01/2026

Linda “Ms. Shafe” Shafer, age 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Linda was a loving and devoted mother to Tracy (Chris) Whiteman, and a proud and cherished grandmother to Payton (Logan) Gomia. She was also blessed with the joy of being a great-grandmother to Stella Gomia,...

View Linda "Ms. Shafe" Shafer's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/30/2026

Beverly “Nanny” Gillespie, age 87, of Middletown, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026. She was born June 1, 1938, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Matt Messer and Eve Mae (Woods) Messer.

Beverly dedicated over 20 years of her life to working in home health care, where her natural kindnes...

View Beverly "Nanny" Gillespie's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/30/2026

We understand that having a clear grasp of your options instills confidence and peace of mind during crucial decision-making moments. Our four-part series went into the following subjects:

◾ Traditional Funeral Service
◾ Memorial Service
◾ Cremation Services
◾ Celebration of Life

Should you have any questions or wish to learn more, or if you prefer to speak with someone directly, please don't hesitate to reach out to us by phone.

We'd love to hear back from you regarding your feedback! Please let us know in the comment section below! ❤️

03/29/2026

Susan (Slayback) Kellar passed away peacefully earlier this month. Born in 1943, Susie lived a life, mostly in Centerville, OH marked by dedication to her work and deep connections with those around her. She spent 30 years as a phone operator with Ohio Bell. Later, she found work in home sales...

View Susan Kellar's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/27/2026

This will complete our four part series on Understanding Service Options. This part, "Celebration of Life" (4️⃣ of 4️⃣) will conclude the series. We hope that you have learned a few things, but if you have any further questions, please reach out to us at anytime. ❤️

A Celebration of Life is a gathering designed to honor the personality, story, and impact of an individual. Unlike a traditional funeral service, the focus is placed on memories, joy, and the legacy the person leaves behind. What are the benefits?

Personalized and Meaningful

◾ Centered on sharing stories, experiences, and reflections that highlight who the person truly was.
◾ Often incorporates personal touches such as favorite music, photos, videos, hobbies, or cherished belongings.
◾ Can include readings, speeches, or creative elements that reflect the individual’s spirit.

Flexible in Style and Setting

◾ May take place in a variety of locations: homes, event venues, parks, places of worship, or meaningful outdoor spaces.
◾ Can be casual or formal, structured or relaxed—tailored to the preferences of the family or the wishes of the loved one.
◾ Often scheduled days, weeks, or even months after the passing, allowing more time for planning and gathering.

Focused on Legacy and Connection

◾ Encourages guests to celebrate the lasting impact of the individual’s life.
◾ Provides an uplifting environment for sharing gratitude, laughter, and cherished moments.
◾ Brings family and friends together in remembrance, support, and community.

03/24/2026

Luther T. Colliver was born on September 19, 1935, in Lexington, Kentucky. He was the son of Collie B. Colliver and Betty Brandenburg (Fuller). Luther spent most of his life residing in Middletown. He passed away on March 21st, 2026.

Luther’s journey of faith began when he was baptized into ...

View Luther T. Colliver's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/24/2026

This is part three of our Understanding Service Options, and will educate you on Cremation Services. (Part 3️⃣ of 4️⃣)

Cremation services offer families flexibility in how they honor and remember their loved ones. These services can be personalized to reflect cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and or individual preferences.

◾ Visitation and Ceremony

--Cremation can include a visitation or viewing prior to the cremation process, allowing family and friends to gather, offer support, and say their goodbyes.
--A ceremony or service—religious, spiritual, or secular—may be held before or after cremation.
--Families may choose a traditional funeral‑style service, a memorial service, or a simple gathering centered on remembrance and reflection.

◾ Options for Final Placement

--Burial in a cemetery plot or cremation garden
--Placement in a columbarium niche
--Scattering in a meaningful location (subject to local regulations)
--Keeping the urn at home or in a designated memorial space

◾ Keepsake and Remembrance Options

--Keepsake urns or miniature urns for shared remembrance
--Jewelry containing a small portion of the remains
--Memorial art, such as glass or stone pieces
--Biodegradable urns for eco‑friendly ceremonies or plantings

03/23/2026

Betty Jo Helton, age 76, of Middletown, Ohio, was born on December 4, 1949, to Selden and Joanna Carroll. She entered into the presence of the Lord at home, surrounded by her family.

Betty was a dedicated steel mill worker for 30 years at Armco. She was hired as a laborer in the 1970s and wa...

View Betty Jo Helton's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/20/2026

Rolly Lee Williams, age 91, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was born June 29, 1934, in Middletown to Wilson and Annabell (Gentry) Williams.

Rolly retired after 23 years of dedicated service as a Route Serviceman for Coca-Cola. He was an avid HAM radio enthusiast who en...

03/20/2026

Claude Andrew Bolen (Andy) of Middletown, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family on March 18th, 2026.

Andy was born in Montgomery County, KY to Willie and Margaret Bolen of Camargo, KY. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Earl Bolen his sister Jan...

View Claude Andrew Bolen's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/20/2026

Memorial Service (Part 2️⃣ of 4️⃣)

A memorial service is a ceremony held to honor and remember a loved one without the presence of the casket.

Because there is no need for immediate burial or cremation logistics, a memorial service can be scheduled with greater flexibility and is often held weeks or even months after the passing.

Families may choose this type of service to:
--Allow time for relatives and friends to travel
--Create a more personalized or reflective gathering
--Hold the ceremony at a meaningful location
--Plan an event after private burial or cremation