Posted by Lyndell Petty on Feb 5, 2025
William R. (Buddy) Stayton, of Campbellsville, KY, The son of the late Robert “Bob” Stayton and Lear Ruth (Christie) Stayton was born on October 15, 1925, and departed this life on February 3, 2025, in Campbellsville. He was 99 years of age.
He professed his faith in Christ and was a faithful member of the Campbellsville First Methodist Church. He loved raising a big garden, especially tomatoes, and sharing his bountiful garden with his friends and neighbors and did so until he was 98 years old.
Buddy was a military man through and through. A retired First Sergeant of the U.S. Army, he was very proud of his service. “Once A Soldier, Always A Soldier … a Soldier for Life.”
He entered World War II as a front-line combat infantryman in The Pacific Theater and later served on the front lines in the Korean Conflict. He also served as a front-line medic and after the wars ended he served in various positions in the army medical field eventually running entire hospital wings in army hospitals in such places as Germany, Valley Forge, PA, and Seattle, Washington.
During his career, Buddy received many commendations including the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medic Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal in Korea, Bronze Star Medal for Combat Medical Duty, Medic of the Month European Command, Eleven Campaign Battle Stars, and many, many letters of appreciation from his superiors.
After retiring from the army in 1964 with the rank of First Sergeant, he returned to Campbellsville with his wife, Gladys, and daughter, Dreama to live and raise his family. When Parker-Kalon came to Campbellsville, Buddy was hired to set up the shipping department and stayed on as shipping supervisor.
After retiring from Parker-Kalon he went to work at the local Kmart as the stockroom manager. After retiring from Kmart he and Gladys started a successful antique business with booths in antique malls in several central Kentucky towns. Buddy would find and restore antique furniture in his shop and Gladys was in charge of the glassware and small collectibles. They did this until just before Gladys’ passing in 2019. Buddy always gave credit to his wife, Gladys, the U.S. Army, and the Lord for saving his life and making him the man he became.
He is survived by two brothers: Leadis R. Stayton and his wife Susie of Johnsport, IL, and Lanous R. Stayton of Covington, KY. Two special nephews: Raymond Lee Stayton and Steven Flinchum, along with many other nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife: Gladys Irene Williams Stayton, one daughter: Dreama Lou Stayton Rafferty, one granddaughter: Debra Lynn Rafferty, and four sisters: Leora Lavine, Beatrice Burton, Jewell Flinchum, and Freda Stayton.
The funeral Service for William R. “Buddy” Stayton will be Monday, February 10, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at the L.R. Petty Funeral Home Chapel with entombment to follow in the Campbellsville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with full military honors by the United States Army.
Rev. Adam Love will officiate.
The family has requested visitation on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
In Lieu of flowers donations are suggested to be made to the Galilean Children’s Home and can be made at the funeral home.
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Posted by Lyndell Petty on Feb 4, 2025
Evelyn Gay Bentley of Campbellsville, KY, the daughter of the late Leonard Perkins and Myrtle Overstreet Perkins, was born January 30, 1949 in Adair County, and departed this life on Monday, February 3, 2025 in Campbellsville at the Taylor Regional Hospital. She was 76 years of age.
She professed faith in Christ and attended the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Knifley and was a homemaker.
She is survived by two daughters: Linda DeSpain and her husband Mikeal and Vanessa Bottoms all of Greensburg. One grandson: BJ Farmer of Campbellsville, and four great-grandchildren: Andrew Farmer, Bree Farmer, Brian Brackett, and Paislee Farmer.
Also, surviving are three brothers and one sister: Donald Perkins (Anna), Jody Perkins (Sharon), Johnny Perkins (Donna), and Barbara Lockridge, all of Knifley.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Daniel Perkins, and one great-grandson, Brayden Farmer.
The Funeral Service for Evelyn Gay Bentley will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the L.R. Petty Funeral Home Chapel in Campbellsville with burial to follow in the Robinson Ridge Cemetery.
Bro. Donnie Perkins and Bro. Jody Perkins will officiate.
The family has requested visitation on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
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Posted by Lyndell Petty on Feb 3, 2025
Mrs. Genrose Harden of Campbellsville, daughter of the late James and Elizabeth (Elmore) Tennyson, was born in Hart County on December 3, 1943. She departed this life on Monday, February 3, 2025, at her home, being 81 years of age. She had made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of St. Andrew Methodist Church. Mrs. Harden was a retired employee of Fruit of the Loom and Amazon, and was active in the local ASPCA community. She was an avid thrift shopper and enjoyed sewing and being outdoors gardening and landscaping, traveling to the beach, spending time with her family, and taking care of animals.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Two children: Mia Maria Yates and husband Ronnie, and Tonya Gupton and husband Chris, all of Campbellsville,
A brother: Charles Tennyson and wife Brenda of Campbellsville,
A special aunt: Blondine Elmore,
Four grandchildren: Brittany Milby of Campbellsville, T.J. Milby and wife Tamara of Greensburg, Caleb Gupton and fiancé Taylor Cole of Campbellsville, and Chloe Gupton and fiancée Matt Wise of Elk Horn,
Three great-grandchildren: Paige Underwood, Lily Milby, and Madison Milby.
Also surviving is her companion of 30 years: Vernon “Sonny” Allen, and a host of other family members and friends.
There will be a funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Harden on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the chapel of the L.R. Petty Funeral Home, 1765 New Columbia Rd, Campbellsville, KY.
Bro. Daniel Cook will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 11:00 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in the form of donations to Hosparus of Green River or the ASPCA. Those can be made in person at the funeral home.
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Posted by Lyndell Petty on Feb 1, 2025
Mr. William Harold Willhelm of Campbellsville, son of the late Fred and Bertha (Miller) Willhelm, was born in Mena, Arkansas on September 17, 1924. He departed this life on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Taylor Regional Hospital, being 100 years, 4 months, and 12 days of age. He was born into a Church of God Seventh Day family, and he retained the faith instilled in him as a young child until his passing. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country honorably in the Pacific theater during WWII. His faith and religious beliefs wouldn’t allow him to handle firearms or ammunition, so his love for his fellow Americans was manifested through his care and compassion of the sick and wounded as a TEC 5 Medical Technician. It was a proud moment that he was allowed to draw the blood of General Douglas MacArthur at one point.
Mr. Willhelm was a man of many talents. After the war, he was hired at Montgomery Ward, and he worked there over 36 years as a electrical technician. He was a noted instrumentalist, especially on the piano and violin, and will be long remembered as a genuine “MacGyver” due to his fix-it nature.
He was a proud member of the VFW Post 10736 in Denver, CO, and the loyal husband to the late Thelma Dell (Harris) Willhelm, but his true passion was in his devotion to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All who knew him, from a young boy to an aged man, were familiar with his love for the Bible and all the treasures it holds. He has spent many a decade laying up his retirement where moths and rust cannot corrupt it, nor where thieves can break in and steal it; may he now enjoy the fruits of his labor for all eternity.
He leaves to cherish his memory:
Two children: Virginia Uhlir of Wisconsin, and Lawanna Abell of Campbellsville,
Four grandchildren: Willie Abell, Manda Kelly, Jeff Uhlir and wife Danielle, and Cheryl Westfall and husband Jim,
A brother: Glenn Willhelm of California,
And a host of extended family members and friends.
Besides his wife, Mr. Willhelm was also preceded in death by three siblings: Dale Willhelm, Frieda Howland, and David Willhelm.
There will be a graveside funeral service to honor the life of Mr. Willhelm on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Campbellsville Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of L.R. Petty Funeral Home. Bro. Wayne Hrenyk will officiate.
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Posted by Lyndell Petty on Jan 31, 2025
Maxine Blankenship of Campbellsville, KY, the daughter of the late John D. and Nellie (Hoosier) Goode was born July 17, 1947 in the Roley Community and departed this life on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at her home. She was 77 years of age.
She was a homemaker and a caregiver and was of the Baptist Faith.
Maxine, loved cooking, gardening and the outdoors, she always looked forward to being able to travel, but with her faithfulness to her caring nature, she always put her life on hold so that others could get the care they needed.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Jimmy L. Blankenship; a brother and a sister: Lanis Goode and Mary Ellen Dickens.
Survivors include a daughter: Lora A. Montgomery and husband Ricky of Russell Springs and Thomas Glen Russell and wife Kimberly of Campbellsville; a sister: Patty Sullivan and husband Dempsey of Lebanon.
Also surviving are four grandchildren: Dustin Montgomery and wife Kayla, Kyle Montgomery, Demetria Shirrell and husband Brandon and Candace Bradley and husband Josh; ten great-grandchildren: Max, Maci, Jaxon, Olivia, Klayton, Shaylah, Christopher, Katelyn, Levi and Abel and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral service for Maxine Blankenship will be Monday, February 3, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of the L.R. Petty Funeral Home with interment in the Campbellsville Memorial Gardens.
Family request visitation after 11:00 A.M. Monday until time for the service.
Memorials are suggested Hosparus or Green River and can be made at the funeral home.
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