Maxine “Mimi” Stidham, 78, of Portsmouth, died Monday, May 5, 2008, in the Golden Years Convalescent Center.  Born July 7, 1929 in Blackfork, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late George and Goldie Brown McCorkle.  Preceding her in death were her husband, Claude Stidham, a son, Claude Stidham, a grandson, Danny Stidham, and two brothers, Robert and Eugene.  Surviving are a daughter, Brenda (Charlie) Copley of Franklin Furnace, five brothers, George, Cecil, Dale, Ralph and Ronnie, four sisters, Debbie, Patty, Myrtle and Beatrice, 5 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  A graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at South Webster Cemetery with Pastor Bob Taylor officiating.  Friends may call at the Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday

William Roth Stockham, 89, of Friendship, died Friday, May 2, 2008, at his home.  Born February 25, 1919 in Friendship, he was a son of the late Don and Irene Roth Stockham and was a retired bus driver for Greyhound Bus Lines with 28 years of Service.  Bill was an Army veteran of World War II serving in the tank division.  Surviving are his wife, Geraldine Wrightson Stockham, a son, Scott Stockham of Columbus, two daughters, Carol Sue Hinton of Delaware and Donna Irene Knox of Orient, a brother, Jack Stockham of Friendship, 12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.  A funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Brant Funeral Home in Portsmouth.  Interment will be in Scioto Burial Park with military honors by the James Dickey Post of the American Legion.  Friends may call at Brant’s in Portsmouth from 12-2 p.m. on Tuesday. 

Edna Louise Keeney, 64, of Wheelersburg, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at home.  Born December 6, 1943 in Sciotoville, she was a daughter of the late William Joseph “Joe” Cooper and Ruth May McCormick Cooper.  Edna was of the Apostolic faith.  Also preceding her in death were her husband, Buford Allen Keeney, whom she married March 7, 1967 in Portsmouth, a son, Darrell Wayne Keeney; two brothers, Charles Leroy Cooper and Jackie Ray Cooper, and a grandson, Timothy Patrick “PJ” Hatfield.  Surviving are a son, Buford Allen Ray  “B.R.” Keeney, at home; five daughters, Mrs. David (Norma) Jividen, Mrs. Glen (Samantha) Riley, all of Greenup, KY; Mrs. Kenneth (Betty) Taylor of Portsmouth, Mrs. Pat (Jean) Hatfield and Lisa G. McGinnis, all of Wheelersburg; two sisters, Maycle Campbell of Kalamazoo, MI and Diane Bell of Sciotoville; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a former husband, Norman Meyers of Wheelersburg.  A funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville with Elder Willard Large officiating.  Interment will be in Clapboard Cemetery.  Friends may call at Brant’s in Sciotoville after 1:00 pm on Sunday.  Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice.

Florence Heisler, 87, of Rosemount, died Saturday, April 19, 2008, at the SOMC Hospice Center.  She was born on October 22, 1920 in Wadsworth, the daughter of the late Harry W. and Orpha Dickerson Walters. Florence was a Women’s Army Corp. veteran of WWII and a personnel secretary for Detroit Steel.  She also was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Heisler, one daughter, Mary Lou Murphy, one brother, George Walters, and one sister, Madelyn Rutman.  Survivors include one son, John F. (Trish) Heisler of Columbus, one daughter, Theresa (Sam) Lester of Portsmouth, one brother, Harry (Illa) Walters, seven grandchildren, Steve, Jennifer, Andy, Amy, Liz, Katie, and John David, and three great-grandchildren, JJ, Drew, and Matt.  A funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Brant Funeral Home in Portsmouth.  Interment will be in Rosemount Cemetery, with military honors by the James Dickey Post of the American Legion.  Friends may call at Brant’s in Portsmouth from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.  Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice. 

Barbara G. Locher, 73, of Rosemount, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the SOMC Hospice Center.  Born on November 18, 1934 in Portsmouth, she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Bertha Irene Hazelbaker Knauff.  Barb was a member of the Wheelersburg Church of Christ and was a housewife.  Surviving are her husband, Carl “Bob” Locher, a son, Terry Wayne Locher of Pittsburgh, MA, a daughter, Melinda J. Locher of Columbus, two sisters, Betty Blosser of Medway and Ruth Pontious of Jeffersonville, NY, and three grandchildren.  One brother, Warren Knauff, also preceded her in death.  A funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Brant Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Lynn Wessell, minister, officiating.  Interment will be in Rosemount Cemetery.  Friends may call at Brant’s in Portsmouth from 4-8 p.m. Thursday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the SOMC Hospice Center. 

Alva Edward Hamilton, 51, of Portsmouth, died Friday, April 4, 2008, in King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY.  He was born August 11, 1956 in Portsmouth to the late Green and Marcelene Hamilton and was employed at Wal-Mart in New Boston.  Surviving are his wife, Stephanie Johnson Hamilton, a son, Benjamin Hamilton of Kissimmee, Fla., a stepson, Tyler Maguire of Portsmouth, 3 stepdaughters, Malissa Maguire of Lucasville and Julie Maguire and Jennifer Maguire, both of Portsmouth, 3 brothers, Gary Hamilton of South Shore, KY, John Hamilton of Sciotoville and Terry Hamilton of Ky; and 3 grandchildren, Savanna, Kaylee and Cole.  His parents and a brother, Jim, also preceded him in death.  A funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Brant Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Larry Parks officiating.  Interment will be in Memorial Burial Park.  Friends may call at Brant’s in Portsmouth 11-1 p.m. on Thursday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. 

Elaine Marie Smith, 82, of Portsmouth, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Loved ones were with her through the day and when she passed.  Elaine was born on May 26, 1925 in Chicago, IL.  She moved to Scioto County in 1978 from Gallipolis.  Her parents, Frank G. and Mary Foley Smith, and her brother, John Francis Smith, preceded her in death.  Surviving are a sister, Mary Smith; sister-in-law, Willie Smith of Sheridan, AR; immediate family, Nancy, Diane, Alma, and Paul; and extended family members at Scioto Residential Services.  Elaine attended the Temple Baptist Church since 1978, where services were a joy to her.  She retired from STAR, Inc. in 2006 after 28 years of employment, where she enjoyed working in the various jobs she held.  She was a great fan of the Cincinnati Reds.  Elaine was blessed with many friends throughout her life and she loved her friends dearly.  A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 am at the Temple Baptist Church with Rev. John Gowdy officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Brant Funeral Home in Portsmouth

Nick Augustino III, 63, of Delaware, passed away Monday, March 31, 2008, in Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.  Born November 20, 1944 in Evansville, Indiana, he was a son of the late Nick Augustino, Jr. and Janette Troutman Augustino, both of Portsmouth and was a former resident of Flatwoods, KY.  Nick graduated from Russell High School, Morehead State University and received his masters and Ph.D from Xavier University in Cincinnati.   Mr. Augustino was a former teacher and educator.