Obituaries

Donna Elaine Nelms Bethel

Donna Elaine Nelms Bethel, 84, of Cadiz, Ohio, passed away on July 3, 2023, at the Harrison County Home.

She was born December 30, 1938, a daughter of the late Clifford and Martha Vasbinder Nelms.

Donna was a Real Estate Agent; longtime member of the Scott United Methodist Church, where she served as a choir member and choir director.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Richard D. Bethel Sr., son in law Jack Edwards, brother Thomas Nelms; sister Jackie Nelms.

Donna is survived by her children: Richard “Rick” (Martha) D. Bethel Jr., Judy Bethel (Robert) “Bob” Causby Sr., Donald (Renee) R. Bethel, Debbie Bethel Edwards, Shelly Bethel (Doug) Gatts; grandchildren: Charles Joseph Wurchum, Erin Manville, Robert J. Causby Jr, Jacob Bethel, Mercedez Raine, Danielle Porter, Adam Bethel, Jaycie Gatts, Kasey Bethel, Jarret Causby, Tori

Edwards, Noah Edwards, Isaac Edwards; several great-grandchildren; brother: Cliff Nelms, sisters: Doris Nelms and Martha (Marti) Murral, numerous nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Donna’s wishes, services and interment will be private.

Borkoski Funeral Home, 555 East Market Street, Cadiz is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Scott United Methodist Church. Offer online condolences at www.borkoskifuneral.com

Patricia A. Fife Flint, 83, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. She was born March 25, 1940 in Archer Township, Harrison County, a daughter of the late Frank H. and Lona Shultz Fife. She was a member of Ridge Presbyterian Church and a homemaker. She was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Chicago Cubs. She loved Longaberger baskets and dachshunds, and she loved to read. She was also an excellent cook.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wade H. Flint, and brother-in-law, Neil Campbell.

Surviving are two daughters: Yvonne Flint of Steubenville, Ohio and Suzanne Van Pelt (Roger Bryan Van Pelt) of Schertz, Texas; 3 grandsons: Christopher of Schertz, Texas, Jonathan of Universal City, Texas and Zachary Van Pelt of Austin, Texas; and a sister, Marie Campbell

There’s power in visible faith

By Pastor Ken Staley

Who do you surround yourself with?

Are they fair-weather friends or are they the kind that will go into battle for you? Are they followers of Jesus with the kind of faith that you can see?

I have always loved the account in Mark chapter 2 of the paralyzed man whose friends brought him to Jesus but couldn’t get through the crowd at the entry way of the house, so they scaled the walls of the house, cut a hole in the roof, and lowered their friend in front of Jesus. Scripture says that when Jesus “saw their faith,” He pronounced forgiveness, and healing resulted for the lame man.

Everyone needs those kinds of friends. Sure, it’s nice when someone says, “I’ll pray for you,” but come crunch time, what we need is friends with faith that you can see, friends that will cut a hole in the proverbial roof for you. Not everyone has those kinds of friends though. Blind Bartimaeus was one of those. As he sat by the road begging, he heard that Jesus was passing by. As Jesus and the crowd walked by, He yelled, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” And his kind reward from all the compassionate souls in the throng? “Shut up!” Nice. He had no wacko, do whatever-it-takes kind of friends to take him to Jesus, but he did have a voice, a loud one. When Jesus called Bartimaeus over to Him, he got up and left his government-approved begging coat behind, knowing he wouldn’t need it anymore not bothering to take it with him in case things didn’t work out.

He had faith that you could see. After that encounter with Jesus, Blind Bartimaeus was blind no more. And we don’t want to forget the woman with the issue of blood from Mark chapter 5. She had the audacity to press through the crowd and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment believing that she would be healed. I find it hard to believe that she was the only sick person in the crowd that day, but she was the only one to exercise faith that could be seen, and her results were life changing. The apostle James wrote, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Who among us wants to be known for having “Dead faith?” of Steubenville, Ohio.

Here’s the bottom line, faith that can be seen presses through the crowd, is not silenced by religious tradition, throws aside the cloak of victimhood and hopelessness, and cuts through whatever obstacle gets in its way so that it can get to Jesus.

Faith Church of Pleasant Grove at 9:30 a.m. and Harrisville Methodist at 11 a.m.

A graveside service will be held at the Ridge Presbyterian Church cemetery, across the street from the church at 40420 Hanover Ridge Road, Jewett, Ohio 43986 on July 10, 2023 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Roger Bryan Van Pelt officiating. The family is being assisted by Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Cadiz, Ohio.

The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.clark-kirklandbarr.com.

Albert Leroy Mattern

Albert Leroy Mattern, 88, of Cadiz, passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Weirton Medical Center. He was born December 14, 1934 in Cherry Valley a son of the late Albert H. and Mary Jackovich Mattern.

Al was a longtime member of the First Church of Christ where he retired as an Elder and the Boy Scouts where he was an Eagle and the Order of the Arrow. He was a retired salesman for Borden Office Equipment in Steubenville, Ohio. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was an avid gardener and loved to plant flowers around the house.

Al was preceded in death in addition to his parents; by his brother, John (Patricia) Mattern; 2 sisters, Ann (Alvin) Young and Helen (Ron) Barnhart; and a brotherin-law, Larry Ward.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Betty Blake Mattern of Cadiz; a son, Glenn (Tracy) Mattern of Hopedale; 3 grandchildren: Hannah, Jacob and Andrew Mattern; a sister, Laura Ward of Hopedale; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until

8:00 p.m. and again Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 p.m. all at the First Church of Christ, 139 North Main Street, Cadiz with Paul Giffin officiating. Burial will take place at Holly Memorial Gardens at the convenience of the family. The family is being assisted by Clark-Kirkland-Barr Funeral Home, Cadiz, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of Christ, 139 North Main Street, Cadiz, Ohio 43907. The memorial guestbook may be signed at www.clark-kirkland-barr. com.

Sports OVAC football coaches announced

By Ed Banks Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

MARTINS FERRY — The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) has announced the names of the coaches for the annual All-Star Ohio and West Virginia Football Game (ASG).

For the Buckeyes of Ohio, Barnesville’s Blake Allen has been selected to steer the Buckeyes. “I am very excited and humbled to have the opportunity to coach the OVAC Game,” said Allen. “My entire staff is looking forward to it.”

Allen’s Ohio coaching staff will include Bryce Allen, D J Butler, Chris Hannahs, Dylan Rogers, Steven Shumaker, Anthony Starr, Brady Treherne, and Neal Zaccagnini. All of these assistants are members of the Barnesville Shamrock coaching staff.

Allen has been the Shamrock’s football coach for six years and an assistant for two years. His resume includes 2022 Ohio Division V Eastern District Coach of the Year, the 2021 Ohio Division VI Eastern

District Coach of the Year, and the 2020 OVAC Class III Coach of the Year.

For the Mountaineers of West Virginia, Mike Young, now in his third appearance in the ASG, has been selected. “Its an honor and privilege to coach in this game,” Young said. “I remember when Rudy and Sam Mumley were involved. It still all about the kids though. This game has a lot of history and tradition.”

Young is in his 17th season at Wheeling Central. He has completed an OVAC Hall of Fame Career by winning 175 of his 225 games coached. He has led Wheeling Central to eight State Championships and has claimed three OVAC Championships.

Joining Young on the field will be assistants Jim Wolfe, Jason Rine, Shannon Kuchinski, PhilPest, Mario Debias, John Tankovits, and Dylan Baker. These coaches are members of Young’s Wheeling Central coaching staff.

The names of the players in the Ohio, West Virginia Game are to be released in the near future.