Sharon Marie VanDyne
by: Dwayne PageApr 23, 2025
Sharon Marie VanDyne age 81, passed away Monday night, April 21, 2025 at her residence in Smithville. She was born January 9, 1944, in Ithaca, New York to her parents the late William and Phyllis Dolkos. She married her kindergarten sweetheart Jesse Kenneth VanDyne, SR., and they had 7 children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse VanDyne, SR; daughter, Penny VanDyne; son, Jesse VanDyne, JR.; and a sister, Donna Bell. Ms. VanDyne was a Baptist and was a homemaker. Funeral service will be 2 PM Friday April 25, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Teresa Wright officiating. Visitation will be Thursday 3 PM until 7 PM and Friday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. She is survived by children, Christine (Frank) Elliott, Todd VanDyne, Danny (Susan) VanDyne all of Smithville and Tim VanDyne and Steven VanDyne both of Palm Beach, Fl.; grandchildren, Michael (Julie) VanDyne of Smithville, Jessica (Jimmy) Vaughn, Nicholas Guess, Stepheny Guess, Danny VanDyne, JR. Hannah, Jesse, and Lane of Smithville, Samantha (Adam) McCormick of McMinnville; great-grandchildren, Bryson (Madison) Farris, Heaven, Logan, and Makyra Farris, Lucas and McKenzie, Lillian and Andrew VanDyne, Karsyn and Mckenzie McCormick; great-great-grandchildren, Bentley, Emerson and Hector Farris; brother, Phillip (Cheryl) Gotro of Smithville; sister, LeAnn (Hunter) Walker of Pegram, Tn. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Gentiva Hospice (Bobbie Sue and Lindsey) also to Christine’s Smithville NHC Family for all the thoughts, messages, phone calls and prayers during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to DeKalb Animal Shelter in memory of Ms. Sharon. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the VanDyne family.
Kathy Sue Deffendoll
by: Dwayne PageApr 22, 2025
Kathy Sue Deffendoll, age 62, of Alexandria, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at her residence. Born in Shelbyville, KY, on October 10, 1962, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth McKinney and Ruth McKinney of Taylorsville, KY.
She is survived by her loving husband, Steven Wayne Deffendoll of Alexandria, and her three children: Kristina (Chris) McMillen of Smithville, Brandon Deffendoll of Alexandria, and Kimberly (Cody) Atnip of Liberty. Kathy was a proud grandmother to Lacey McMillen, Cole McMillen of Smithville, Katy Bowen, Kendyl Atnip, Wesley Bowen of Liberty, and Dalton and Addie Evans of Smithville, whom she loved like grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Martine McKinney of Taylorsville, KY, and her siblings: Brian McKinney of Louisville, KY, Paul (Jennifer) McKinney, Clint McKinney, and Allison (Matt) Finch, all of Taylorsville, KY. Her nephews, Dalton Hardin and Jackson Finch of Taylorsville, KY, along with a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, also mourn her passing.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth McKinney, and her son-in-law, Joseph Bowen.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Bro. Chris McMillen will officiate the service.
The family extends a special thank you to Gentiva Hospice caregivers Rachel, Bobbie Sue, Leila, Cora, Lindsy and Shelly for their love and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DeKalb Animal Shelter in Kathy’s memory.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Michael Landon Prater
by: Dwayne PageApr 22, 2025
Michael Landon Prater age 63 of the Short Mountain Community passed away Friday, April 18, 2025, at Ascension St. Thomas Stones River Hospital ER. He was born August 4, 1961, to his parents the late Robert W. and Cora Lee Underwood Prater. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, James David Prater; sisters, Carolyn Faye Brown, Novella Hodges, Wilma Jo Sanders and Ida Cheryl McGowan. Mr. Prater was a member of Church of Jesus Christ and worked as a mechanic and nurseryman. He loved working on cars, fishing, and storytelling to the grand and great-grandkids. Funeral services will be 1 PM Wednesday April 23, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Murphy officiating with burial to follow in Blues Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 12:Noon until 8 PM and Wednesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Donna Jo Wilson Prater; 4 daughters, Carolyn Faye (Brian) Adams, Amy Lynn (Stevie) Walker, Kimberly Dawn (Randy) Carrier and Ellen Lee (Michael) Brinkley; 14 grandkids, Austin (Shawna) Lawson, Carrie (Derek) Pigg, Naomi (Matthew) Davis, Jacob Adams, Caleb (Rachel) Adams, Hannah Carrier, Rebekah Adams, Abigail Carrier, Traven Lawson, Elexis Brinkley, Emily Brinkley, Dakota Brinkley, Erika Brinkley, and Dalton Brinkley; 13 great-grandkids; sisters, Litta A Murphy and E. Dorene Murphy; brother, Danny G. Prater. The family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses in memory of Mr. Prater. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Prater family.