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Melcher Hammer Funeral Home, 1417 Offnere Street, Portsmouth, OH (2026)

02/03/2026

Charles “Doug” Williams, 68, of Portsmouth, died Thursday, January 29, 2026 at his home. He was born August 31, 1957 in Portsmouth, to the late Leo Williams and Hazel Pratt Osborne.
Doug was a long-haul truck driver retiring in 2023 from YRC. He loved his family immensely and was the official score keeper of the “brownie points” that he earned from all of his loved ones.

In addition to his parents, his was preceded in death by three sisters, America Williams, Charlene Rickards, and Shirley Howard.

Doug is survived by his only child, Alicia Williams of Pemberton, NJ, two brothers, Dale Williams of West Portsmouth, and Leo Williams. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, that felt more like siblings, Juanita Sissel (Joe) of Portsmouth, Linda Swords (John) of West Portsmouth, John Howard (Beverly) of West Portsmouth, and David Rickards of West Portsmouth, along with many dear friends.

Services made be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth is assisting with the arrangements.

01/23/2026

Joshua David Oliver

July 4, 1979 – January 19, 2026

Joshua David Oliver, 46, passed away peacefully at home with his lifelong partner Katherine (Nicki) Craig and beloved family surrounding him on January 19, 2026, in McDermott, Ohio.

Born on July 4, 1979, in Portsmouth, Ohio, Josh was a kind-hearted man whose love story with Nicki began in the 5th grade and grew into a lifelong bond of deep devotion, partnership, and unwavering love.

Josh is survived by his devoted lifelong partner, Katherine (Nicki) Craig of McDermott, Ohio; his son, Austin Craig of Sciotoville, Ohio; his daughter, Alexandria Peterman; his mother, Kathy Jenkins Schultz of New Boston, Ohio; his brother, Joe Oliver of New Boston, Ohio; his sister, Jessica Oliver of Lima, Ohio; his bonus mother, Beth Oliver of Florida; his special nephew, Joey Oliver of New York; multiple nieces, aunts, and uncles; and his three cherished grandchildren, Avery, Kayson, and Rider (Austin’s children).

He was preceded in death by his father, Darrell Oliver; his grandparents, Ossie and Ruby Jenkins; and his grandparents, Earl and Mary Oliver.

Most of all, Josh loved being with family—those quiet, everyday moments filled with laughter, stories, and togetherness meant the world to him. He also found great joy in his beloved dog, Zeva Abagail, who was always by his side; casting lines while fishing; pushing himself at the gym; and the meaningful work he did at Shawnee Counseling Center, where he truly loved his job and the chance to help others.

He was blessed with two of the best friends anyone could ask for—Tim Slayer and Corey Rife—who shared countless laughs, memories, and unwavering support.

A special thank you goes to Nicki’s family for their incredible love, help, and strength during difficult times.

Josh’s gentle spirit, loyalty, and deep love for his family and those closest to him will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date. A visitation for relatives and friends will be from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth

01/20/2026

John Oakley, 75, of Portsmouth, died Saturday, January 18, 2026, after a short illness. He was born March 9, 1950 to parents, Rass and Frances Oakley.
John worked for 22 years as Superintendent of Scioto County Board of Development Disabilities, retiring in 2005.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by brothers Rass Jr., Toney, and Don Oakley, and a sister Donna Nichols.

John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jennifer Oakley, a daughter, Danielle Oakley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

John’s passions were music and golf. From the mid-70’s thru early 80’s, John was a bass guitarist for the Sinamon Leaf band, performing up and down the east coast. After retirement he enjoyed continuing to play music and spending lots of time on the golf course with his treasured friends.

In keeping with John’s wishes, a Celebration of Life and gathering of friends will be planned for a future date.

Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth is handling the arrangements.

01/08/2026

Jamie Lynn Robinson 49 of Vanceburg, KY passed away at her home on January 5, 2026 after an extended illness. She was born on January 30, 1976 to the late Earnest and Betty Rickett of Quincy, KY. She was the mother of two surviving children, Taylor (Tyler) Corns of Vanceburg, KY and Anthony Tannor Robinson of Vanceburg, KY. She was preceded in death by one grandson Gabriel Tyler Corns and is survived by three other grandchildren, Jared Kane Corns and Samuel Reid Corns of Vanceburg, KY and Georgios Kominos of Garisson, KY. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Teddy Ray Rickett of Portsmouth, OH, Tracy Scott (Ella) Rickett of Quincy, KY, Earnest Lee (Marie) Rickett of South Shore, KY, and Eddie Wayne (Judith) Rickett, and two sisters Patricia Rickett of Covington, KY and Brenda Rickett of Quincy, KY. She is survived by four sisters, Barbara (Don Blair) Rickett of Garrison, KY, Betty Jo Rickett of Quincy, KY, Imogene Rickett of Quincy, KY and Kristi Dickison of South Shore, KY. She is also survived by three brothers Charlie (Dana) Rickett of Vanceburg, KY and Lonnie James (Sonjia) Rickett of Tennessee and Earnest Bruce Rickett of Quincy, KY and lots of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Graveside services will be 1:00 PM Friday, January 9, 2026 at Crystal Dawn Cemetery in Quincy, KY. Arrangements are under the direction Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth.

01/05/2026

William Pendleton, 68, of Portsmouth, died Saturday January 3, 2026, at SOMC Hospice. He was born October17, 1957 in Delaware, OH, to the late George Pendleton and Virginia (Gullett) Colter.
Bill was a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan, was always known as a jokester, and he loved his family deeply.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Crabtree) Pendleton, who died July 11, 2016, a sister, Mary Ann Moore, and a brother, George Pendleton.

He is survived by his three children, William Pendleton Jr. (fiancé Dawn Bailey) of Waverly, Christina Lewis (Joseph) of Portsmouth, and Kimberly Jenkins (Jason) of Lucasville, four sisters, Norma Parish of Columbus, Diane Justice of Portsmouth, Martha Blake of Columbus, and Darlene Deitz. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Burial will follow at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. A visitation for friends and family will be on Thursday at the funeral home, from 11:00 AM until the start of service at 1:00 PM.

12/28/2025

William Lee Jayce Swords, 26, of West Portsmouth, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He was born April 19, 1999 in Portsmouth, to Grant Swords and the late Jodie Sparks.
Jayce loved to hunt, fish, and ride 4-wheelers. He was a big-hearted guy, and would do anything to help anyone. He loved to be a jokester and could put a smile on anybody’s face. He was a hard worker, and loved his family and friends. He loved being a fun uncle and hanging with his nieces and nephews.
In addition to his father that survives him, he is also survived by brothers, Jarren Swords of West Portsmouth, Tony Wheeler, and Derrick Clifford, sisters, Justice Swords (Tony) of Portsmouth and Briana Hubbard of Florida, his grandparents, Jean and Jerry Swords of West Portsmouth, two nieces, Emerii and Maliin, a nephew, Aviyan, along with many other friends and family that will all miss Jayce.
A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

12/22/2025

Richard G. (Dick) Dilts , 93, beloved father & grand father met his Savior Jesus Christ on
December 22, 2025, at Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice. He was born on June 8, 1932 in San Antonio, Texas to the late Dorothy Greenwell and Paul Eugene Dilts.
Dick attended Texas A & M and Ohio Northern University where he completed his BS in Civil Engineering. He was a Staff Sargent in the US Army.
He worked for Ford Motor, Faultless Rubber & retired from United States Uranium Enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio. He was a member & past president of Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship.
He married Catherine Anne Garlock on September 1, 1956 in Lima, Ohio.
He is survived by his children, Mary Kate Dilts Skaggs of Canal Wi******er Ohio;
Debra ( Michael) Cottle of Wheelersburg, Ohio;
Dorothy (Jeff) Devore of Jacksonville, FL;
Rick (Heidi) Dilts of Worthington, Ohio;
Jane (Lloyd) Turner of Chillicothe, Ohio;
John (Kim) Dilts of St. Augustine, FL; &
James (Amy) Dilts of Pickerington, Ohio.
He is survived by one sister-in-law, Karen Palmer.
He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 11 great-grand children and many nieces & nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Dilts Wills, and 2 brothers, Carl C. (Sonny) Palmer JR. and Larry Palmer.

He was also preceded in death by Catherine Anne Devore ( granddaughter), Joseph L Skaggs ( son-in-law), and Patricia (Patti) Dilts ( daughter-in-law).

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM Saturday, December 27, 2025 St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Fulton officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, with graveside military rites provided by the American Legion, James Dickey Post #23. Friends may call at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home on Saturday from 9:30 AM until 11:15 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or SOMC Hospice.

12/17/2025

Ronald Eugene Simon, 96, of Columbus, formerly of Minford, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 15, 2025 at Mother Angeline McCrory Manor in Columbus. He was born in Scioto County on November 22, 1929 to the late Henry and Bertha Simon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Bobetta Simon, a son, Patrick Simon, two daughters, Julie Skaggs and Cheryl Burns, a sister, Lillian Johnson, four brothers, Raymond, Henry Jr., Harold, and Robert, and two great-grandchildren.

Ronald worked at the N&W Railroad for 35 when he retired in 1988. He also did carpenter work on the side. He was an avid woodworker who made many beautiful pieces of furniture and keepsakes, now owned by family and friends. He was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul, an Ordained Eucharistic Minister, a graduate of Clay High School, class of 1948, he was the oldest alumni member of his class. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. When he and Bobetta moved to Columbus in 2014, he became very active in the community of the Villas of St. Theresa, where they lived. He loved to garden and cook and shared his cooking with his neighbors. He will be sadly missed by so many people.

Ronald is survived by his children, Deborah Hamilton (Steve) of Columbus, OH, Michael Simon (Tina) of Hilliard, OH, Kathy Shope (Steve) of South Webster, OH, Maria Combes (Wayne) of Morris Chappel, TN, Michelle Spaulding of Dublin, OH, Mary Dippel (J.P.) of Columbus, OH, and Mark Simon (Kathy) of Morral, OH, a brother, James Roger Simon of Circleville, 23 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 1:00 PM Saturday, December 20, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Stephen Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Portsmouth. A visitation for friends and family will be on Saturday, from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mother Angeline McCrory Manor and Luminary Hospice for their care.

12/15/2025

Ruth Eckstein, 100, of Portsmouth, died peacefully, Friday December 12, 2025 at Hillview Retirement Center. She was born December 4, 1925 in Phoenix , Arizona, to the late John and Grace (Lang) Kelso.

Ruth graduated from the St. Mary of the Springs College in Columbus. She taught at Portsmouth City Schools and retired after 33 years of teaching. She was a lifelong member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Some of Ruth’s memberships and affiliations include; Holy Redeemer Ladies Guild, Catholic Ladies of Columbia, a board member of St. Joseph’s Monastery Woman’s Club, Retired Teachers Association, three Senior Bowling Leagues, volunteered at SOMC for many years, and had been an active member at SOMC Life Center, even up until her later years.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charles F. Eckstein, who died on February 11, 2016, and her son, John Eckstein.

Ruth is survived by two sons, David Eckstein (Mary Lou) of Rancho Mirage, CA and Michael Eckstein of Orlando, FL, a granddaughter, Tiffany Whisman (Eric) of West Portsmouth, a grandson, Christopher Eckstein of Portsmouth, two great-grandchildren, Tanner Eckstein Cantrell and Taryn Bussler (Holton Carpenter), and a great-great-granddaughter, Adalynn Grace Carpenter. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law, Cecelia Gallagher and Shirley Eckstein.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday December 18, 2025 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with Father Stephen Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. A visitation for friends and family will be on Wednesday evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Following visitation, a Recitation of the Rosary will take place at the funeral home at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ruth to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church or SOMC Hospice.

12/09/2025

Bub Hoskins
Elbert Ralph Hoskins 74, more affectionately known as Bub, passed into the arms of our Lord in the early hours of Friday, December 5th, 2025. After family said their goodbyes, Bub passed peacefully with both his sister, Judy McGinnis of Sciotoville, and his longtime partner, Lisa Irwin of Portsmouth, by his side.
Bub was born to Nellie “Pearl” (neé Cooper) and Elbert “Ralph” Hoskins in Portsmouth, Ohio on February 26th, 1951. He graduated in the Summer of 1969 from East High School, where he was known as a legend for his talent on the basketball court and his affable personality. Bub worked many years at Haverhill Chemical working his way up to supervisor.
Wallflower is a term that never would have been given to Bub. He was the life of the party and was known for his quick quips and humor. To know Bub, was to know laughter, loyalty, and a care deeper than one could even know. He would be the first person to give you the shirt off of his back. This was evident in how much he cared for and spent time with his three daughters Allison, Lindsey, and Kelsie, as well as his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were his pride and joy. Bub spent the last decade with the love of his life, Lisa, and their pup, Sadie Mae, who he made sure would not want for anything.
In his free time, Bub liked to golf with his buddies, hang out at the Stadium Lunch, and spend time poolside with Lisa and Sadie. He greatly enjoyed fishing and was known for his Lake Erie Walleye. He was a friend to all and was even cracking jokes in his last days.
Bub is survived by his partner Lisa Irwin of Portsmouth; his sister Judy (Steve Suter) McGinnis of Sciotoville; his daughters Allison Jones of Versailles, KY; Lindsey (Adam) Hall of Ostrander; and Kelsie Hoskins of Columbus; Lisa’s son Jake (Madeleine) Lavender of Grove City; his nephew Eric (Lisa McCain) Lewis of Portsmouth; his grandchildren Brittany, Hanna, Chad, Chase, Faith, Everleigh, Gray, Zoey, Mikey, Whitley, and Wade; his great-grandchildren Isabela, and Eli; his great-nephew Josh; and his great-nieces Erica, Ramsie, and Maylie. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends alike.
Bub is preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Ralph; his son, Lance Jefferson Hoskins; and his beloved nephew, Jason Hoskins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Lisa and Bub’s families would like to extend a special thank you for all of the help from the Portsmouth Fire Department over the last few months. All of the fire people at the Hilltop Station became like an extension of the family and Bub’s care team. Words cannot express our gratitude. Also a special thanks to all of the staff at Concord Rehabilitation for their help and attention to Bub during his stay.
Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth is assisting the family with the arrangements.

12/02/2025

Mary Kay Wolfe passed peacefully at Hospice of Cincinnati surrounded by her closest family on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Born to Clyde and Wylodine Richards on July 16, 1947 in Portsmouth, Ohio, Mary Kay grew up on Coles Blvd., developing life-long friendships with Judy Church and Nikki Potts. After attending Ohio University, she worked at Portsmouth bank before moving to the Cincinnati area where she was a buyer at Kings Island then co-owned and operated Fortress Stor & Lock in Mason. An avid reader, she also enjoyed working at the Mason Public Library. Mary Kay was also a talented artist.

She leaves behind a devoted husband, David Wolfe, of over 56 years, daughter Sarah (Steve) Gifford, grandchildren Joshua (Casey) Gifford and Madeline Gifford and great-grandson Aiden Gifford.

Private services will be held December 3, 2025 at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth with internment at Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg.

Memorial donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation in memory of Mary Kay.

11/27/2025

From our family to yours, we sincerely hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Melcher Hammer Funeral Home

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