Helen J. Piatt

Published December 1, 2025 - 5:43 p.m.

Helen Joann Piatt, age 81, of Freeport passed away peacefully at the Truman House in New Philadelphia on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Joann was born in rural Piedmont on December 17, 1943 and had lived in Freeport since 1966. She graduated from Lakeland High School in 1962 and retired from the Freeport Press after over 25 years of service.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents Thomas L Piatt and Arzanna J Barrett Piatt, brothers Emerson Piatt, Donald Piatt and James Piatt and sisters Ella Bethel and Marlene Sprowl.

Surviving is a brother Gary (Phyllis) Piatt of Magnolia, special friend Karen Walton and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside memorial services will be conducted by Chaplain Emeritus Gary Piatt on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 2 pm in Greenmont Cemetery, Freeport. Koch Funeral Home, Freeport has been entrusted with her arrangements. www.kochfuneral.net

harrison county

Obituaries

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Kerri Lynell Bennett

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Dana Sue Yoder

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Close-up of a young man wearing a gray cap with “SKINS” on the front.

Alex McPeak

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Elderly woman indoors near a window, with flowers and soft daylight behind her.

Janice Deolene (Grender) Heiser

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Close-up portrait of a woman in a dark fur-trimmed coat, looking at the camera.

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Harold Eldwin Campbell

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Police officer in uniform seated beside a computer monitor in an office.

Robert Euton

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Carl Baker

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Sharon L. Taylor

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Donald Lee Brown

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Portrait of an elderly woman wearing glasses and a red jacket against a dark background.

Reva Jane Olinger

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Harold H. Donaker

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Mark W. Rogers

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Donald E. Evans

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Sharon L. Kyle

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Wayne O. Lepley

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William Gary High

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Leon Smith

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Daniel G. Youngen

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Jim Alexander

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Mary A. Peltz

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Gary Grant Bantum

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Thomas Lee Patterson

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Donald L. Stire

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Paul M. Schonauer

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Don C. Cassetty

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Michael D’Ostroph

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Rita Kay Roach

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Martha M. Green

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Lorena Miller

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Jeffrey Craig

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David Brown

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Richard Niemiec

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Thomas Woodruff

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Levi R. Mast

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Sandra Kaye Layman

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Steven L. Brown

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James R. Cash Jr.

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Jonathan Atwood

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Colton James Dorsey

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Eli J. Stutzman

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Mike Thurston

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Marvel Louise Lewis

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Ryan Smith

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Sally Ann Hudson Ross

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Jerry James Foster

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Harry Richard Bordenkircher

Harry Richard “Rich” Bordenkircher, age 93, of Coshocton, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Monday, May 4, 2026.

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Sue Banbury

Virginia “Sue” Banbury, age 88, died on May 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones following a courageous battle with cancer.

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Fred A. Trussel

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John Willis Jr.

John Lloyd Willis, Jr., 59, of Holmes County, died March 26, 2026, at Altman Hospital in Canton from small-cell cancer.

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Kathryn Marner

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Paul S. Morton

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Barbara Joan Sheets

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Michael J. Uhl

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Timothy Edward Toussant

Timothy Edward Toussant, 69, passed away unexpectedly April 28, 2026.

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Michael Shawn Walters

Michael (Mike) Shawn Walters, age 57, of Coshocton passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 23, 2026.

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Paul Daniel Smith

Paul Daniel "Dan" Smith, age 68, of Millersburg, Ohio, passed away April 11, 2026, in Dauphin Island, Alabama, doing what he loved.

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William Stubbs dies at 79

William “Bill” Harold Stubbs, 79, of Coshocton, passed away on April 28, 2026, at his home.

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Connie J. Morris

Connie J. Morris, 69, of Minerva, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Aultman Compassionate Care Center, surrounded by her family.

William Stubbs

William “Bill” Harold Stubbs, 79, of Coshocton, passed away on April 28, 2026, at his home.

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Kenneth Sigler

Kenneth Lee “Spike” Sigler, 87, of Shreve, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, April 27 at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster surrounded by his family and friends.

Lester Leckrone

Lester L. Leckrone, age 86, of Loudonville, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Altercare Majora Lane Nursing Home after a brief illness.

Martha E. Betts

Martha Ellen (Collier) Betts, 94, of Cadiz, passed away April 17, 2026, at the Harrison County Home. She was born August 5, 1931, in Cadiz, Ohio, to parents Frank and Martha (Ramsay) Collier.

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Samuel E. Kerwood

Samuel E. “Sam” Kerwood, age 76, of Scio, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, in Aultman Hospital, Canton after a lengthy illness.

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Regis J. Marker Sr.

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Sonya Adams

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Darian Atwood

Darian David Atwood, 16, affectionately known to some as “Double D” and “Tub Tub” passed away Monday, April 20, 2026.

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John Dusenberry

John Dusenberry, age 98, of Warsaw, passed away on April 23, 2026 at Coshocton Regional Medical Center.

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William Owens

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Levi V. Raber

Levi V. Raber, 88, of Charm, Ohio, passed away at Majora Lane surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 26, 2026 after a short illness.

Sally A. Zarbaugh

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Albert Yoder

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Peter Scalambrino

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Dale D. Matics

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Bea McPherson

Bea Shaheen McPherson, affectionately known to many as “Aunt Bea”, of Hartville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of April 17, 2026. She was 104 years old.

Sara L. Wright

Sara L. Wright, 89, of Coshocton, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Ronald L. Fittro

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A chain-link fenced utility area with metal equipment and concrete pads next to a paved path and grass.

Harrisville faces sewage plant violations

Friend also addressed a rumor that all of council had resigned because of the situation, saying it was untrue

Harrison Central graduates 126 students

Harrison Central High School graduates received their diplomas May 29 and began their next adventures

Ohio BMV to contact non-domiciled CDL holders

Some drivers could see their CDL downgraded unless they provide qualifying documents or request a hearing

Graduates in red caps and gowns sit facing an outdoor stage with a speaker at a podium.

JVS celebrates 51st graduating class

With a turn of the tassels and the toss of caps, the 51st graduating class was celebrated

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Local

Officials seated behind a curved table with microphones and papers in a meeting room.

Harrison County approves new hire for Department of Job and Family Services

Commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of Zoe Dobbs

Cracked asphalt path with potholes beside a grassy area and houses across the street.

Scio mayor reports complaints, upcoming repairs

The wastewater treatment plant was inspected May 19 by the Ohio EPA

Cadiz sidewalk project moves closer to construction

Council also revisited discussion on the new basketball and pickleball courts

Hopedale receives grants for wall, culvert projects

The village was awarded two grants filed through U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s office

Two men seated at a conference table in a meeting room with windows and empty chairs.

Cadiz man weighs plea offer in sex case

Coda Boyd appeared on the record May 26 before Judge T. Shawn Hervey, who reviewed the charges and possible penalties

Curved empty road with grass, trees, and utility lines under cloudy skies.

Harrison County awards bridge replacement bid

County resident Frank Battilochi appeared before the board to raise concerns about the condition of Edwards Road in Athens Township

A muddy dirt road beside a grassy field with a small wooden shed and trees under cloudy skies.

Cadiz receives more than 300 applications for village administrator position

Council will form a small committee to review the applications before narrowing the field for interviews

Sports

Harrison Central boys advance athletes to regional track meet

The Harrison Central boys tied for seventh place as a team

Youth football players and adults posing on a grassy field with a team banner.

Harrison Central softball team captures first district title in school history

The Lady Huskies made school history by winning the Division IV district championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Holmes

Four people standing on a baseball field near home plate with stadium bleachers behind them.

Huskies honor seniors, prepare for postseason

Tournament play starts May 26 at Mazeroski Field in Cadiz

Softball runner slides toward a base while two fielders attempt a tag on the infield.

Huskies top Morgan in sectional opener

Harrison Central entered the contest as the No. 4 seed with a 15-8 record

Young athletes stand on a boys pole vault podium at an outdoor track and field meet.

Harrison Central junior high track athletes compete at state

The Harrison Central Junior High track team had a strong season

Public Record

Two men seated at a table with documents in a meeting room, chairs and framed wall items in the background.

Conotton Valley approves exit from IVC

The board unanimously voted to leave the Inter-Valley Conference following the 2027-28 academic year

People seated around tables in a meeting room with chairs lined against the wall.

Jewett discusses police staffing, park rental fees

Council President Josh Walters conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Bo Bailie

Several women stand indoors beside a Jefferson County School sign mounted on a blue brick wall.

JVS cosmetology students share career training with board

Instructors Brianne Schoolcraft and Lillian Thrasher were joined by juniors Shaylee Rossi, Ava Nett and Avery Patterson to give an overview of the program

Man in a red cap seated at a table with a laptop in a room with bulletin boards.

Bowerston council revises proposed water surcharge increase

Council set village cleanup day for June 20 from 8 a.m. to noon, or until the dumpster is full

Weathered industrial building with large broken windows along a narrow road and trees nearby.

Harrison County commissioners review cleanup bids

The commissioners also addressed the Brownfield Grant regarding the Dunbar school demolition in Cadiz

Two men seated at a wooden table in a wood-paneled room with papers, folders, and a water container.

Harrison County defendants appear in felony sex crime cases

Charles B. Jarvis, 82, of Jewett was found competent to stand trial during a May 19 hearing before Judge T. Shawn Hervey

Two people sit beside a wooden table in a room with large windows, chairs, and a radiator.

Wymer pleads guilty in Jewett animal abuse case

Wymer faces up to 18 months and 90 days in jail and $4,250 in fines

Life and Learning

A smiling man sits at an office desk with paperwork and a pen, with office equipment behind him.

Gorman reflects on first year leading Jefferson County JVS

Gorman came to the JVS after spending 32 years in the Steubenville City School District

Washington Township VFD to host flea market

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Layered carrot cake with white frosting, carrot garnish and mint on a glass plate.

Ourant Schoolhouse cake walk set June 13

Live music will be provided by Brother Randall & Friends Bluegrass Band

Harrison Community Hospital hosts 3D mammography open house

The event highlighted the hospital’s continued commitment to expanding women’s health care services in the community

Harrison Central to graduate 125

Leading the Class of 2026 is valedictorian Brady Moss, son of Julie and Woody Moss

Three people hold certificates behind a desk with a monitor and a desktop computer tower.

JVS student earns computer after completing certifications

Anthony Fiala is an Edison High School student and was among eight JVS students tasked with building their own computers in the lab

Five people pose indoors before red and blue curtains, with one seated in a white chair in front.

Jefferson County JVS honors staff for years of service

Eight employees were honored during the festivities, which were held in the school commons and coincided with the last day of classes at the Bloomingdale campus

Columns and Opinion