Hospice

From his hospital bed, Levi Baker struggles to speak as he distributes the wisdom of his 18 years. “No makeup,” he advises his 9-year-old cousin. His past advice has included telling her and her 12-year-old sister to steer clear of boys. Education is another important subject to him. “He says, 'And you must stay in school and get your education,'” says his grandmother, Judy Worthington. Baker, despite his battle with testicular cancer, achieved his goal of graduating from high school.

The theme of a memorial service held at Jessamine Christian Church last Thursday night by Hospice of the Bluegrass Jessamine County was "A Gift of Hope. " The purpose of the service, which was open to the public, was to give people a chance to gather together in memory of loved ones. The sanctuary was bathed in a soft light from the Christmas tree as the small crowd shared tears and memories of loved ones. After the service, the visitors enjoyed a reception with refreshments.

Dear Editor: When you are sick, where would you rather be treated? Bets are, you would prefer the security and comfort of your own bed in your own home. More than 4.5 million Americans agree with you, which is why we are celebrating National Home Care Month and National Hospice Month this November. When your mother, father, sister, brother and neighbor are struggling with a disability, dealing with a chronic or terminal illness, or recovering from a recent hospital stay, home care and hospice professional caregivers have the answer.

Ernst Otto “Ernie” Rilki, 87, husband of Jeanette Ruth Gasser Rilki, of Westgate Drive died Oct. 14. Ernie was the youngest of nine children of the late Heinrich and Johanna Litchel Rilki. He  was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Bensenville, Ill., loved to work on cars and houses, was a big wrestling fan, and enjoyed horses, dancing and working. Additional survivors include a son, Kenneth Otto and wife Christine Rilki of Nicholasville; and a daughter-in-law, Hazel Rilki of Illinois.

To the editor, Hospice of the Bluegrass, Jessamine County expresses sincere appreciation to Mayor Russ Meyer for hosting the First Annual Mayor's Golf Scramble at Connemara Golf Course. We were awed by the outpouring of support through the 28 teams and 54 hole-sponsors and many businesses who lent a hand making this first golf scramble a huge success. Through the outpouring of support through local events like the Mayor's Golf Scramble, Hospice of the Bluegrass in Jessamine County is able to provide quality end-of-life care to our patients, their families and the bereaved, all people deserve quality care at the end of life ?

To the editor: Hospice of the Bluegrass, Jessamine County expresses heartfelt appreciation to Mayor Russ Meyer for hosting the second annual Mayor Meyer’s golf scramble at Connemara Golf Course. Attendance this year was awe inspiring with 34 teams, 55 hole sponsors and three tournament sponsors. The outpouring of support from several local businesses helped make this year’s tournament a great success. The team of SGM Homes won the tournament with a score of 58, 13 under.

Mary Wilson (Gabby) Walters, 88, mother of Kathy (Doug) Means of Winchester, passed away on March 21, 2013. A private service will be held at Lexington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ashland Terrace Retirement Home in Lexington or Hospice of the Bluegrass. Additional information is at www.milwardfuneral.com.

Lydia Ann Crabtree, infant daughter of Kevin Ellis and Joanna Louise Doyle Crabtree, died Saturday, Feb. 4. Additional survivors include two sisters, Alayna and Gwendolyn Crabtree; maternal grandparents, David and Joanne Ramey of Wilmore; paternal grandparents, Andy and Margaret Crabtree of Indiana; paternal great-grandparents, Norm and Carolyn Crabtree of Indiana, and Floyd and Frances Penney of Florida; and numerous other family members. Services were 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Wilmore Free Methodist Church.

James T. Dunn died Sept. 20, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospice Center. A native of Fayette County, he was born April 21, 1935, to Lillian Dunn Taylor and the late Forrest Dunn. He was a retired member of the Local Union No. 452. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Linda H. Dunn; children Tom Dunn, Mark Dunn, Mike Dunn, Glenna Blevins, Darla Dunn, James Dunn, John Lawson Jr., Marley Taulbee and Heather Lawson; brother Robert Dunn; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn “Mickey” House Criner Pope, 69, died Saturday, Oct. 22, at UK Medical Center. A Jessamine County native, she was the daughter of the late William Fountain and Mary House, an employee of  Hospice of the Bluegrass and the loving wife of Miles H. Pope. She is also survived by son Andrew P. Criner and wife Jane,  brother Billy Fount House, Sandy Hammons, sister Mildred Don Tracy,  granddaughters Kate and Caroline Criner, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by John C. Criner Jr., father of her son.  Service was at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home.

I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone who so graciously supported Heritage Hospice Inc.'s third annual Memorial Auction/Blue Jean Ball and Drive 4UR Community Event. April 12 was a fun-filled evening of great food, fellowship and entertainment, as we held our memorial acution and ball at the charming Pioneer Playhouse.  Approximately 250 people came out to support Heritage Hospice and witness the presentation of the second annual “Margaret Caldwell Spirit of Hospice Award” to Carol Reed, a Heritage Hospice volunteer for 21 years.

For 21 years, Carol Reed has been working hard to help Heritage Hospice.  The Perryville resident's years of devotion to the organization that serves Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties was recognized when she received the 2013 Margaret E. Caldwell Spirit of Hospice Award Friday night at the annual Heritage Hospice Memorial Auction and at Pioneer Playhouse. About 260 people attended the event. Janelle Wheeler, Heritage Hospice executive director, and Barbara Lockhart, whose family received the honor in 2012, presented the award to Reed.

Sammy Lou Huffman Wilhoit Davis, 80, passed away Saturday, March 23. Born in Lexington, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Julia Francis Huffman. Ms. Davis attended Transylvania University and was a lifelong member of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was an artist of American folk art; she loved sewing and knitting, and her kitty cats, and she was also was a great southern cook. Her survivors include four children, Stacy and husband Kevin DeCoste, Stephen and wife Karen Wilhoit, Scott C. and wife Emily Wilhoit, and Clay and wife April Davis; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Sue Cox, Leola and husband Bill Honican, and Linda Hayden.

Anyone who wants to throw a party for family and friends can get a leg up on the planning by checking out the offerings at Heritage Hospice Inc.'s third annual memorial auction, held during the organization's Blue Jean Ball.  The idea behind a “blue jean” ball? Heritage Hospice provides comfort care, so attendees can put on their jeans and get comfy with the organization and its auction offerings. This year's event will be 6 to 11 p.m. April 12 at Pioneer Playhouse, 840 Stanford Road.

Mary Wilson (Gabby) Walters, 88, mother of Kathy (Doug) Means of Winchester, passed away on March 21, 2013. A private service will be held at Lexington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ashland Terrace Retirement Home in Lexington or Hospice of the Bluegrass. Additional information is at www.milwardfuneral.com.

Johnny Ray Wiseman, 86, of Winchester, husband of Virginia Gravett Wiseman, passed away Thursday, March 14. A native of Clark County, he was born December 8, 1926, to the late William W. and Laura Belle Bradley Wiseman. Johnny was a United States Air Force Veteran, graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College in Winchester, attended First Baptist Church, member of the Clark County Extension Board, the Clark County Extension Council, Clark County Fair Board, Past President of the Clark County Farm Bureau, Director of the Burley Co-op for 15 years, commissioner of the Clark County Water District for 15 years, member of the Farm Service Agency for five years, and member of the Clark County Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Velma Hamm 92, widow of Russell M. Hamm, died Wednesday, March 6, at Royal Manor Nursing Home. She was a native of Jessamine County born March 29, 1920, to the late Fred and Louvenia Canter Teater. Velma was a faithful member of Little Hickman Christian Church, where she had served as treasurer for 50 years. She was a former member of Oak Hill Homemakers and enjoyed mowing her yard, farming, planting and tending her garden, and cooking. She was especially fond of dogs and always had one around after her husband passed away in October 1980.

A lot of personal loss led Cathy Reeser to embark on a career as a hospice social worker. March is National Social Work Month and Reeser shares some of her thoughts about the 12 years she has worked with Heritage Hospice. Heritage Hospice welcomes interns and Reeser is an example of someone who started her social work career while a student at Eastern Kentucky University. Reeser says her research into working with the dying began when her brother died in the early 1970s. “My brother died when he was 29 and I was 21 and I started reading everything I could on death and dying.

Darrell Johnson, 66, of Camp Daniel Boone Road was a native of Jessamine County born Feb. 28, 1946, to the late Claude and Hazel Himes Johnson. He passed away Feb. 27, 2013, at the home of his daughter Carolyn. He is survived by daughters Karen Lisa Williams, Regina Galdines, Carolyn Huerta and Sandra Ramirez; a son, Kevin Lee Johnson; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Shirley Masters and Loretta Holly; and nieces and nephews. A service of remembrance was held at 1 p.m. Monday at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home.

Alma Jean Hedden Smith, 84, widow of Needham Askew Smith died Saturday, Feb. 16. Survivors are her four children, Beverly and husband David Agee, Bo Smith, Lee Ann and husband David Parker, and Kimberly Smith; four grandchildren, Buddy Baker, Ashley and Melissa Agee, and David Nelson Parker; and other family members. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Byrum. Services were held at 3 p.m. Monday at Betts & West Funeral Home with the Rev. Dewayne Brewer officiating. Burial followed in Blue Grass Memorial Gardens.