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Yolanda Avelina Moncayo, 56, of Athens passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Born June 27, 1965 in Quito, Ecuador, she was the daughter of the late Abelardo Moncayo-Andrade and Yolanda Calderón de Moncayo. Yolanda moved to the United States when she was 3 months old and settled with her family in Athens, Ohio in 1969 where she was raised by her loving family.  Yolanda was a nurse, singer, writer, actor, and political activist. She was a passionate and caring daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her brother, Abelardo C. (Meghan) Moncayo; nephews, Alejandro Gabriel and William Javier Moncayo; and a large extended family in Ecuador and the United States.  

David Gilson Bush, 54, of The Plains, passed away unexpectedly Sept. 10, 2019, at Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus. Born July 2, 1965 in Athens, he is survived by his parents, G. Kenner and Margene Bush of Athens; his wife of 24 years, Sabrina; a daughter, Tiffany, and sons, Josh (Brittany) and Michael of The Plains; a brother, Fred (Sheryl) of Athens; a brother-in-law, Randy Jones of Columbus; grandchildren, Jaylynn, Kenzie, Charles and Carson; cousins, Frank (Beth) Spencer of Granville, Jennie (Mark) Weatherley of Boulder, Colorado and Philip (Mary Jo) Baedecker of Vienna, Virginia; nieces and nephews, Salem and CJ Miller, Kensia, Millen and Finn Bush, Mallory, Alexis and Ryan (Victoria) Jones. A 1984 graduate of Athens High School, David was previously employed at The Athens Messenger. An Eagle Scout, he assisted in area scouting activities. He enjoyed horseback riding, collecting and exhibiting antique farm equipment, and was a former member of the Athens County Antique and Farm Machinery Club. David was also a mentor of many area youth and foster children. David was preceded in death by grandparents, Dr. Robert R (Hazel) Gilson, Gordon K. (Izotta) Bush; aunts, Dorothy (Gerald) Terrell, Joan (Frank) Spencer and Jennie (John Blank) Bush; father-in-law, Buck (Phyllis) Jones; and sister-in-law, Shari Jones.

Steven Lee Cunningham, age 53 of Millfield died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, at his home. Born Aug. 18, 1965 in Nelsonville, he was the son of Patricia Nogrady Cunningham of Millfield and the late Fred Cunningham.                  A 1984 graduate of Athens High School, he was employed as a truck driver and auto body repairman.  He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association and enjoyed riding all types of motorcycles, especially enduro events.  Besides his mother, Patricia Cunningham, Steve is survived by a daughter, Allyson Cunningham of Chauncey; a son, Luke Cunningham of Millfield; a sister, Susan (Randy) Wolfe of Athens; a niece, Emily Wolfe of Athens; his mother in law, Bonnie Pratt of Wellston; also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his father, Fred Cunningham; his wife, Carol Pratt Cunningham; a sister, Lisa Cunningham; and his father in law, Charles Pratt.

Born in Columbus, OH, he was a resident of Port St. Lucie, FL for several years, moving from Athens, OH.  Edward was a graduate of Athens High School.  Mr. Fetherolf served our country in the US Army.  He worked as a paramedic.  Survivors include his wife, Sandy Fetherolf of Port St. Lucie, FL; his parents, Thomas & Gail Fetherolf of Port St. Lucie; children, Kailyn, Dakota, Nicholas. Tara. Jerred; thirteen grandchildren; two sisters, Tami, Lori and one brother, Tommy.

Denise Marks, 50, died on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. She was born on Oct. 30, 1966, in Niles, Ill., to Dorothy and Myles Mandell.  The Mandell family lived in various Midwestern and Eastern states throughout Denise’s childhood. For most of the last 30 years of her life, however, Denise was a proud Chicago resident and Cubs fan.  A graduate of Athens High School, Athens, Ohio, Denise began pursuing acting in her teens, attending summer programs at the Dramatic Academy of Performing Arts at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (where she later attended acting school), as well as at Chautauqua School for the Arts and the Chicago Film Actors Studio. She also studied broadcast journalism at Columbia College in Chicago. Denise appeared in radio, TV and several film productions, including a stint in a John Hughes film and in three episodes of “The Untouchables.” She also worked as an airline stewardess, private investigator, independent bookseller, video-dating service representative, mystery shopper and, for the last dozen years of her life, as a product specialist and brand ambassador providing electronic, auto, appliance and food demonstrations for companies large and small.  Denise was preceded in death by her father, Myles.  Survivors include her mother, Dorothy of Dublin, Ohio; brother, Brad (Renae), and nieces, Lydia and Julia of Powell, Ohio; sister, Melanie (Pietro) Abela of Qualicum Beach, B.C.; sister, Pamela Mandell (Paul Bowen) of Williamsville, Vt.; and ex-husband, Robert “Skid” Marks of Chicago. She leaves behind her devoted, longtime boyfriend, Wayne Mayer of Chicago.

Todd C. Wingett, age 51 of Athens died Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at his home. Born March 24, 1966 in Athens, he was the son of Rosalie Copeland Wingett of Albany and the late Charles G. Wingett.   A 1984 graduate of Alexander High School and a 1986 graduate of Hocking College with a degree in business, he started working in the family construction business as a teenager and was the owner and operator of Wingett Builders, Ltd. for over 20 years. During his professional career he constructed over 250 homes and built Connopher Lane, a sub-division in Albany. He enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles, entertaining his family, and was a strong supporter of the Alexander School System sport’s programs.   Todd is survived by his mother, Rosalie Wingett of Albany; two sons, Christopher Wingett of Albany and Conner Wingett of Athens; two brothers, Chad (Jessica) Wingett of Albany and Cory (Lisa) Wingett of Weirton, WV; nieces and nephews, Julia, Ella, Luke and Tyler Wingett; a special friend, Marla Sams of Albany; and his best friend, Jay Barnes of Albany.

Stephen Robert Aber, age 51 of The Plains, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 at his home. Born Nov. 28, 1965 in Dayton, he was the son of the late Robert G. & Tacie L. Smith Aber.   A 1984 graduate of Athens High School, he attended Hocking College. He was an avid remote control hobbyist. He enjoyed travel and video games. He was a reliable, great friend to many.   Stephen is survived by an aunt, Carol B. Smith of Oakwood; three cousins- Scott J. Smith, Elizabeth (Jim) Smith Corcoran (and their children, Lexi & Justin) and Molly Smith Riggs (and her children, Dylan and Ryan); also he is survived by his girlfriend, Sandy James of The Plains. 

Shane L. Gilkey of Albany was killed on February 27, 2015, after stopping to help another motorist after a crash on State Route 681 on Friday morning. Shane L. Gilkey, 48, of Albany, died Friday, February 27, 2015; he was born April 15, 1966, in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of the late Leonard and Edith Burcher Gilkey. Shane was assistant vice president for research at Ohio University. He was a member of Westside Church of Christ, Pomeroy; also was a 4-H advisor of The Little Beavers 4-H Club and presently coached Athens Youth Hockey Varsity Team. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Malissa Christy Gilkey, sons Wes, Ben, and Eli Gilkey; a sister, Judy (Richard) Dow of Westerville and a brother, James (Shirley) Gilkey of Albany.

Nathan Ray Gross, 49, of The Plains, died Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2015, at his home.  Born Dec. 18, 1965, in Rochester, New York, he was the son of Kathleen Rose Swan Embrey and the late Farley Dean Gross.  He graduated from Franklin University with honors with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and was a former employee of University Medical Associates in Parks Hall.  Besides his mother, he is survived by five children, Jordan Boyer, Kyle Ray Bruce, Natilee Marie S. Gross Lawson, Nathan George James Gross, Madison Zoe Gross; seven siblings, Charles D. Gross, Bobby J. Gross, Patricia A. Machamer, Kathy J. Michael, Farley R. Gross, Elizabeth M. Stevens, Mia H. D’Augustino; a granddaughter, Isabella Rayann Lawson; two step-grandchildren, Ciara and Zayden; his stepfather, Joseph D’Augustino; numerous stepbrothers, stepsisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a myriad of friends. Nathan was a beloved son, devoted father, cherished brother and faithful friend to many.

Mark Randall Metcalf, 48, of The Plains, Ohio, passed unexpectedly on Jan. 13, 2014, in his home.  Born Aug. 9, 1965, in Athens, he was the son of the late Thelma Jean Metcalf.  He is survived by his wife of 26 years Kris Metcalf and three children Jonathon Metcalf, Jennifer (Jeremy) Cundiff, and Joseph Metcalf; sister Charlene Stover; mother-in-law Ruth Burley; brother-in-law Bob Fletcher; sister-in-law Jaala (Johnny) Perry, Clint Carpenter and several nieces and nephews and many handpicked family members. Family is not always what you are born with but those people in your life you handpick to become your family along the way.  He was a 1984 graduate of Athens High School and employed with Athens County Public Library System. He was active in the Boy Scout Troop 58, The Plains Lions Club and Hocking Valley Sportsman club.

Robert Norris Conant, age 45 of Athens died Friday evening, Aug. 24, 2012 at his home. Born Aug. 30, 1966 in Atlanta, Ga., he is the son of the late Nancy L. Pritchard Conant and E.M. Conant, Jr. and his step mother Ann Conant of Lithopolis.  A 1984 graduate of Athens High School and Tri-County J.V.S., he was previously employed as a manager of Cross Roads on Union St. and also was an account manager at Rent to Own, both of Athens. He was a member of the Albany Baptist Church and attended the Fields of Grace Church. He loved to go hunting, enjoyed watching old classic movies and attending auctions.  Rob is survived by his wife of 8 years, Davena Fletcher Conant; his father and step mother, E.M. and Ann Conant, Jr. of Lithopolis; a daughter, Elisabeth Conant of Greenfield, Indiana; a son, Robert James Conant of Athens; four grandchildren- Elijah & Nathan and Brayden & Haleigh; three sisters- Carol (Rick) Fleming of Patalaska, Lisa (Rodney) Williams of Roopville, Ga., and Vanessa (fiancé Omar) Conant of Columbus; three brothers- Buddy (Judy) Cross of Hattiesburg, Miss., David (Viola) Cross serving in the U.S. Army in Germany and Greg Cross of Mississippi. He truly loved and had a special relationship with his numerous nieces and nephews, who affectionately called him “Uncle Bobo”  Besides his mother he is preceded in death by his Grandpa & Grandma E.M. Conant, Sr. and Grandma Lucy Abbott. 

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