Lexington

The Nicholasville Police Department is investigating a Lexington man it says stole $274,000 in campaign-contribution checks intended for the Democratic Governors Association. Michael Parker, 22, of 403 Hart Road, in Lexington was arrested Monday on a warrant by Jessamine County sheriff's deputy Gerald Wheeler and booked into the Jessamine County Detention Center, where he later bonded out that same day on an unsecured $10,000 bond, according to court records. He has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, more than $10,000, which is a Class C felony.

Nancy Braun, 56, wife of Paul Braun, died Thursday, May 9. She was born Aug. 27, 1956, in Corning, N.Y., the daughter of the late Donald and Marylou Schoonover VanKurin. Survivors other than her husband include two sons, Michael and wife Meredith Braun of Somerset, and Matthew and wife Carly Braun of Lexington; one daughter, Mindy and husband Brian Braun Groff of Lexington; and one granddaughter, Madelyn Braun. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, at First Alliance Church, 2201 Higbee Mill Road in Lexington.

Oscar Shepherd, 90, of Lexington, passed away Thursday at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lexington. Arrangements are incomplete with Scobee Funeral Home. The online guestbook is available at www.scobeefuneralhome.com and the 24-hour funeral information line can be reached at 744-2122.

Gayle Gay, 61, wife of Larry Gay of Lexington, passed away Jan. 21, 2013. She was born in Coconut Grove, Fla. and graduated from Coral Gables H.S. in Miami, Fla. and later graduated from Florida State University where she became the first African-American cheerleader. She resided in various cities with her husband before returning to central Kentucky with her husband where he grew up. Gayle was an educator and guidance counselor in various school districts for 35 years. She was preceded in death by her son, Anthony, and leaves to mourn her death her husband, Larry; son, Nicklas; and daughter Adrienne (Matt)

When word came from nearby Fort Boonesborough that the first battle of the American Revolution had been fought in Lexington, Mass., the group named their future settlement "Lexington. " Over the next 220 years, this property served as the location of a mill, distillery, gunpowder factory and dairy farm. As Lexington grew, McConnell Springs was swallowed by industrial development, and efforts to restore it did not begin until the late 1980s. Jim Rebmann, vice chairman of the board of directors of the restored historical site of McConnell Springs, will speak at the monthly Second Thursday program of the Bluegrass Heritage Museum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the museum.

Frank F. Singleton, 62, of Lexington, husband of Bernita S. Singleton, died March 6, 2013, in Santa Fe, NM. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Todds Road Grace Church in Lexington with visitation from one hour prior to services. The online guestbook is available at www.scobeefuneralhome.com and the 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 744-2122.

Carol Strange Dennis, 72, of Lexington, passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at the Hospice Care Center in Lexington.  Carol was born Oct. 31, 1940, to Fred and Mildred Strange. She was a retired self-employed business owner. Carol is survived by three sons, Ricky David Strange of Lexington, Bobby Dale Osborne (Jackie) of Winchester and Michael "Ozzie" Osborne (Connie) of Mount Sterling; three daughters, Karen Osborne of Hawaii, Connie Neal (Don) of Lexington and Kristie Hurt (Doug)

Mae Fox Brandenburg, 91, of Lexington, widow of Lyle C. Brandenburg, passed away Monday at the Taylor Manor in Versailles. She was born in Clark County on Sept. 19, 1921, to the late Beulah Haggard and Albert Fox.  She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Lexington, former expert seamstress and dental assistant. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Betty Brandenburg Davis (Ray); two granddaughters, Suzanne Davis Franklin (Robert) and Jennifer Lyle Davis; and two great-grandchildren, Madeline Blair Franklin and Tolan Davis Franklin.

Rufus Crowe Jr., 81, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the VA Hospital on Cooper Drive in Lexington.  Born in Fayette County, he was the son of the late Rufus Crowe Sr. and Iva Irene Branham Crowe. Mr. Crowe was a graduate of Lafayette High School and a Navy veteran serving on the USS Bryce Canyon AD-36 from 1951 to 1955.    He retired from the Facility Engineering Department of Square D Company and was of the Baptist faith.   Survivors include three daughters, Vicki Louise (Ronnie)

Robert "Bob" Oscar Davis, 46, of Five Points, Tenn., passed away Friday, May 3.       Born in Lexington, Bob was a son of Marcus Dolton Davis and the late Emelie Camenisch Davis. He attended Lincoln County High School and was a welder and mechanic.    He was also preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Oscar and Elinor Camenisch.  Other survivors include  daughters, Connie Davis Cox and Kelsey Dawn Davis; a son, Dalton Lee (Amber) Davis; and siblings, Dale, Jason (Teranda)

Sharon Kathleen “Kathy” Osborne, wife of Paul M. Osborne and a retired legal secretary, died Saturday, May 18, 2013. Born in Troy, Ohio, she was the daughter of Frances Thornton Spengler, Winchester, and the late Kenneth Lee Spengler. She was a member of Wades Mill Community Church, Winchester. Besides her husband of 42 years, survivors include a daughter, Stephanie Osborne (Jeff) Nelson, Lexington; a brother, Larry Spengler, Winchester; and two grandchildren, Maxwell Osborne and Samantha Claire Nelson.

Janice Ann Smith, 77, of Winchester, widow of Bobby John Smith, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Fountain Circle Health and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Smith was born in Camden, Ohio, on May 11, 1936, to the late Gearold Dean and Josephine Favinger Allen. She was a retired jewelry store office manager and as the office manager of her husband's plumbing business. She was a member of the Antioch Christian Church. Survivors include three stepchildren, Fay Isaacs of Lexington, Ronnie Smith of Winchester and Gayle Smith of Winchester; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a very cherished friend, Pattie Ham. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 25, at Scobee Funeral Home by Bro. Atwood Winkle.

Edna Mae Patterson, 84, of Winchester, passed away Wednesday in Lexington. Arrangements are incomplete with Scobee Funeral Home. The online guestbook is available at www.scobeefuneralhome.com and the 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 744-2122.

Mary Arlene Hatton Lange, 73, formerly of Richmond, widow of John Stone Lange, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at St. Joseph East Hospital. Mrs. Lange was born in Winchester on Sept. 18, 1939, to the late J.B. and Ruth Esther Black Hatton. She was the valedictorian of the Madison Central High School Class of 1957 and later earned her bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her master's degree from the University of Utah. She was a retired school teacher, a member of the D.A.R.

James Edward Bradshaw passed away May 20, 2013, at St. Joseph East in Lexington.  He was born June 3, 1945, in Richmond, Va., and was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Ortie Bradshaw, and his brother, Jerry Bradshaw.   While he was respected and well-liked in a variety of careers, his top priorities were always his Savior and his family. He is survived by the light of his life, Pat, wife of 47 years; two daughters, Beth (Greg) Waltermire of Lexington, Becky (Dan)

Margaret Brandenburg Raney, 71, widow of Asa Raney, passed away Friday May 17, 2013, at Clark Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Raney was born in Clark County on Oct. 7, 1941, to the late Kelly and Viola Henry Baber. She was a retired Kentuckiana Food Service, Clark County Board of Education and Blue Grass Christian Camp employee. Mrs. Raney was a member of Antioch Christian Church. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Donna Himes of Winchester, Juanita (Bruce) Keesee of Mary Ester, Fla.; one son and daughter-in-law, Kelly (Karen)

J.T. Long singled home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday as Mercer County rallied to defeat Lexington Christian 9-8 at Harrodsburg. Mercer trailed 8-6 after LCA scored three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Titans answered with four hits to win their third straight game. Long's one-out hit drove in Layne Peavler with the winning run. Earlier in the inning, Brandon Doughty led off with a double and pinch-runner Dylan Logue moved up on a John Ingram single and scored on a wild pitch.

Nancy Braun, 56, wife of Paul Braun, died Thursday, May 9. She was born Aug. 27, 1956, in Corning, N.Y., the daughter of the late Donald and Marylou Schoonover VanKurin. Survivors other than her husband include two sons, Michael and wife Meredith Braun of Somerset, and Matthew and wife Carly Braun of Lexington; one daughter, Mindy and husband Brian Braun Groff of Lexington; and one granddaughter, Madelyn Braun. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, at First Alliance Church, 2201 Higbee Mill Road in Lexington.

William Edward “Speck” Lowry, 91, passed to our Heavenly Father on May 11. He was a farmer and native of Jessamine County. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha June Poor Lowry; daughters, Grace Anita Chatham Woods, Billie Lee Goodwill and Georgia Ruth Moore; granddaughters Margaret Gracen Chatham and Elizabeth Abigail “Bets”" Chatham; and grandson Jason Keith Goodwill and wife Heather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eliza McCauley and George Edward Lowry; his sister, Robin Anita Lowry; and sons-in-law Terry Goodwill, William Moore and Donald Woods.