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Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
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Obituaries For Thursday, August 31
Connie Sue Ketzner, age 72 of Cookeville, passed from this life Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at her home in Cookeville. Born Saturday, June 23, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late John and Nora (Miller) Ketzner. She was a loving grandmother, great grandmother, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a Veteran of the U. S. Airforce and worked many years as a nurse. Connie is survived by: 2 Grandchildren and spouse: Lauren and Coty Gardner of Baxter, Maddie Hammock of Sparta; 4 great grandchildren and 1 on the way: Aleeah Heatherly, Aiden Heatherly, Layla Gardner, Tatum Gardner; 2 half sisters: Lee Ketzner of Michigan, Pat Ketzner of Michigan. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by 1 daughter, Emily (Jones) Ellis, 2 brother, John Ketzner, Armor Ketzner. Connie had chosen cremation and no services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family or the funeral home to help with final expenses.
Funeral services for Mr. Bobby Winfield Cope, age 87 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, September 1, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Plainview Cemetery in the Cassville Community. He passed away Tuesday evening, August 29, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Bobby was born September 16, 1935 in Sparta, to the late Thomas Winfield and Dollie Roberts Cope. Alongside his brother, Bobby owned Cope Brothers Oil Company in Sparta for many years. In addition, he owned and operated other businesses near Center Hill Lake through the years. Saturdays in the fall were devoted to University of Tennessee Football as he was a season ticket holder for many years. Bobby was also a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed being on Center Hill. He was an avid golfer and served as President of Sparta Country Club for several years. He served in the National Guard for 14 years and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by siblings James Edward “Jack” Cope who died in WWII, Haskell Cope, Pauline West, Thelma Swift, Beulah Troglen; special nephew Don Cope; daughter Sherry Beth Cope Smith and son Ronald Jeffrey “Jeff” Cope, both of whom he lost in 2020; wife of nearly 66 years Joyce Ann Bennett Cope who died August 24, 2021. Survivors include his son: Mike (Christy) Cope of Bell Buckle, TN; Grandchildren: Emilee (Jacob) Groce, Shane (Amanda) Smith, Ciera Cope, Zac Cope, Sabrina Butturini; Great-grandchildren: Rylee & Maddox Groce, Carsen & Asher Smith, Samantha Butturini; Several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Friday at Hunter Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to wear UT orange in honor of Bobby’s love of the Vols.
A Celebration of Life for Rose Leigh Bilbrey Vines, 78 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Friday September 1 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Dr. Kevin Conrad will officiate. She passed away in Nashville on August 21 after a brief illness. Her family will welcome friends Friday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Ricky Boyd Wheeler, age 64 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, beginning at 1:00 p.m. from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home, with Bro. Andrew Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed from this life Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Born Friday, May 29, 1959, in Cookeville, he was the son of the late Carmel Boyd Wheeler and the late Reba Anderson Wheeler. Ricky is survived by his loving wife, of 40 years Frankie Darlene Wheeler of Cookeville. 1 daughter and son-in-law: Angela and Richie Chaffin; 1 son and daughter-in-law: Mark and Heather Carr; Grandchildren: Kylie, Alyssa, Avarie Chaffin, Brittany Carr, Sydney Stacey, and Bralee Anding; Great grandchildren: Mason and Atlas; Sisters and spouses: Sherry and James Scott, Beth and Tom Brown; Nephews: Andrew Scott, Caleb Brown; Aunt: Bobbie Jean Dennis. Several cousins and close friends. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, September 1, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
A celebration of life for Cindy A. Scritsmier, 63 of Gainesboro, will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Gainesboro Bridge Church at 4 P.M., with Pastor Ken Lewis officiating. The family has chosen cremation. She was born June 11, 1960, in Rochelle, IL, and she passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at her residence in Gainesboro. She was the daughter of Lorraine Cratolo and the late Phil Cratolo. On August 15, 2013, she was married to Fred E. Scritsmier, who survives. She was a homemaker, and a member of the Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Chicago, Paw Paw Bible Church in Paw Paw, IL, and Gainesboro Bridge Church in Gainesboro. Survivors include her Husband: Fred E. Scritsmier of Gainesboro; Daughters: Nicole Manley of Roselle IL, Regina Dyrda of Houston, TX, Corinne Dyrda of Glendale Heights, IL, and Dava Dyrda of Roselle, IL; Brothers: Al Cratolo, Ron Cratolo, John Cratolo, and Danny Cratolo; Sister: Brenda Cratolo of Lombard, IL; Mother: Lorraine Cratolo of Lombard, IL; Grandchild: Willow Dyrda; and other relatives. Memorial donations may be made to the Gainesboro Bridge Church by contacting the funeral home.
