The Herald

01/05/2026

George M. Tharp, 78, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at the Highland Oaks Nursing Home in McConnelsville.

He was born on April 20, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Maywood and Charlene Higgins Tharpe.

He worked as a welder for the Pipe Welders and Iron Workers Union in Florida and Ohio.

He is survived by three daughters, Kimberly Swauger of Springhill, FL, Lisa Strosnider of Kissimmee, FL, and Michelle (Kevin) Geisel of Marietta, OH; two sisters, Mary Ann Tharpe-Riskus of Readington Beach, FL, and Gail Tharpe-Lucero of St. Petersburg, FL; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years, Karen Myers Tharp; and a sister, Cecelia VanSant.

Matheney Funeral Home, in McConnelsville, is handling a caring cremation for the family.

George M. Tharp, 78, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at the Highland Oaks Nursing Home in McConnelsville. He was born on April 20, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Maywood and Charlene Higgins Tharpe. He worked as a welder for the Pipe Welders and Iron Workers Union in F...

01/02/2026

Trent E. Walker, Jr., 37, of Stewart, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

He was born on November 8, 1988, in Columbus, Ohio, to Trent Walker, Sr., and Delicia Davis Wall.

He is survived by his parents, both of Columbus; a daughter, Aaliyah Mayle of Athens; and a brother, Kalib Walker of Columbus.

Services will be held at 12 noon Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Stone-Matheney Funeral Home in Chesterhill.

Friends may call on the family from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on the day of the services.

Trent E. Walker, Jr., 37, of Stewart, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. He was born on November 8, 1988, in Columbus, Ohio, to Trent Walker, Sr., and Delicia Davis Wall. He is survived by his parents, both of Columbus; a daughter, Aaliyah Mayle of Athens; and a brother, Kalib Walker of Columbus....

01/01/2026

On January 1st, at 1:10pm, Washington County Sheriff Mark A Warden has down graded the level two snow emergency to level one snow emergency at this time. Level one means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are icy. Drive cautiously.

01/01/2026

On December 31st, at 9:40pm, Washington County Sheriff Mark A Warden has upgraded to a level two snow emergency. Level two means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report for work.

12/31/2025

On December 31st, at 6:30am, Washington County Sheriff Mark A. Warden has issued a level one snow emergency. Level one means roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are icy. Drive cautiously.

12/29/2025

Randy A. Hamilton, Sr., 74, of McConnelsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.

Randy was born May 8, 1951, in Logan, Ohio, to the late Lewis E. and Betty E. (Starr) Hamilton.

Randy was a proud Vietnam Army veteran and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 172 of Deavertown, Ohio.

Surviving are his two sons, Jason Hamilton and Randy Hamilton, Jr.; two grandchildren, Aleigha (Matthew) Buchman and Kaden Hamilton; three great-grandchildren, Gracyn Love, Lukah Hamilton, and Everett Buchman; siblings, Larry Hamilton, Terry Hamilton, Christy (Dan) Bartow, and Pamela Williams; and many nieces and nephews.

Randy was preceded in death by his “Baby Doll” wife of 48 years, Janet Hamilton; mother, Betty E. Starr-Hamilton; father, Lewis E. Hamilton, Sr.; and three brothers, Lewis E. Hamilton, Jr., Kenneth Hamilton, and Ricky K. Hamilton.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan.

Randy A. Hamilton, Sr., 74, of McConnelsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. Randy was born May 8, 1951, in Logan, Ohio, to the late Lewis E. and Betty E. (Starr) Hamilton. Randy was a proud Vietnam Army veteran and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 172 of Deavertown, Oh...

12/29/2025

Some may have been concerned after last weekend’s snowstorm that the Holidays for Humanity Tree and Gift Auction wouldn’t be as successful if they rescheduled this highly attended annual event, but even after the committee called a postponement in the morning of December 14, the wheels were in motion to have a fantastic event.

As Morgan County was still under a Level Two Snow Emergency, the auction committee made the decision to push the annual auction a week. Some of the “regulars” were not able to attend, but it seemed that others who had never been able to show up previously filled in those seats.

Event organizers say that there were several new people and businesses who not only attended the fundraising event, but also made new donations to the auction.

In another highly attended event, Co-chairs Janet Slisher and Kelly McCoy are excited to announce that this year brought in one of the highest amounts year-to-date.

Some may have been concerned after last weekend’s snowstorm that the Holidays for Humanity Tree and Gift Auction wouldn’t be as successful if they rescheduled this highly attended annual event, but even after the committee called a postponement in the morning of December 14, the wheels were in m...

12/29/2025

Regina G. Limings, 62, of Chesterhill, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.

Stone-Matheney Funeral Home is handling a caring cremation for her family.

Regina G. Limings, 62, of Chesterhill, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. Stone-Matheney Funeral Home is handling a caring cremation for her family.

12/24/2025

Christmastime is a special season to share love, and this story is about two people who know the true meaning of both Christmas and love.

Jim and Holly Ross are aware that there are people, at some point in their lives, who could use some help.

Jim grew up in Muskingum County, and Holly grew up in Stockport. The two met when Jim came to her house to buy a car. The end result was that they married and lived happily ever after, as the story goes.

When their children were grown, they became fully aware there were many, many people who could use some help.

The “help” has a wide and long list. There’s been a much-needed carport, a washing machine that needed to be replaced, or someone having their electric shut-off electric because they were going through a very difficult time.

The one thing they cannot ignore is knowing there are kids who have very little or no Christmas.

Therefore, “H.O.P.E.

Christmastime is a special season to share love, and this story is about two people who know the true meaning of both Christmas and love. Jim and Holly Ross are aware there are people, at sometime in their life, that could use some help. Jim grew up in Muskingum County, and Holly grew up in Stockpor...