Iva Lou Swift Cochran
Iva Lou Swift Cochran, 98, of Murray, Kentucky passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Huntingdon, Tennessee.
She was born Oct. 26, 1926, in Kirksey, Kentucky, to Headley Allen Swift and Emily York Swift.
She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church in Murray.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles K. Cochran; a son, Charles Ronald Cochran; a grandson, CR Cochran; a sister, Nova Blankenship; and a brother, Don Swift.
Mrs. Swift is survived by two daughters, Malinda Mathis and husband Dr. Dale Mathis of Huntingdon and Renee Hiles and husband Guy of Thomasville, Georgia; one son, John Cochran of Jacksonville, Florida; one brother, Alton Swift of Murray; five grandchildren, Erin Skubish of Nashville, Tennessee, Adam Mathis of McKenzie, Tennessee, Ryan Mathis of Jacksonville, Jason Mathis of North Pole, Alaska, and Jordie Papa of Jacksonville; and six great-grandchildren, Fiona Mathis, Aurora Mathis, Emma Leggett, Lyla Skubish, Daphen Mathis and Demi Mathis.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Dr. Dale Mathis officiating. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Colonel (Ret.) John Harvey Kelly
Colonel (Ret.) John Harvey Kelly, 82, of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 10, 2025, at his home.
Born Aug. 29, 1942, in Frederick, Oklahoma, he was the son of Iris Virgil Kelly and Evonne Parker Kelly.
He was raised in Martha, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Martha High School in 1960. He went on to attend Oklahoma State University and graduated in January 1965 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. A Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
John proudly served his country in the US Army, where he had a long and decorated career. He held numerous leadership and command positions throughout the world, including multiple tours in Vietnam and Germany. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and was a graduate of the US Army War College.
His military education and specialized training included the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, US Army Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, Fixed Wing Aviator Course, Rotary Wing Qualification, OV-1 Qualification and Instructor Pilot Course, TACFIRE Fire Support Course, and the Inspector General Course.
Among his many assignments, Colonel Kelly served with:
• 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 2nd Battalion, 36th FA at Fort Sill
• 131st and 122nd Aviation Companies in Vietnam and Germany
• 3rd Battalion, 34th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA
• 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell
• 1st Battalion, 75th Field Artillery in Bamberg, Germany
• VII Corps Artillery in Augsburg, Germany
• Combined Arms Services Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• FORSCOM Inspector General’s Office at Fort McPherson, Georgia, where he served as Acting Inspector General.
Colonel Kelly retired in September 1991, having earned numerous military honors and awards including:
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Medal with 43 devices
• Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
• Parachutist Badge
• Air Assault Badge
• Senior Army Aviator Badge
John was previously married to Vicki Portman, and together they had two children, Kristi and Nik. On Sept. 10, 1978, he married Mary Ann Melugin in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 2004, John and Mary Ann moved to Lake Texoma, where he enjoyed his retirement surrounded by nature and family.
John was a member of the American Legion, the OV-1 Mohawk Association, and a devoted member of the Madill Church of Christ. He loved fishing, water and snow skiing, and cheering on Oklahoma State University sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John “Nik” Kelly; his brother, Lee Kelly; and his father-in-law, Daddy Bob Melugin.
John is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kelly of Lake Texoma; brothers, Gary Kelly and wife Louise of Cody, Wyoming and Don Kelly and wife Marsha of Norman, Oklahoma; children, Kristi Lenell Wade and husband David of Lake Texoma, and Elayna Meshelle Kelly-Duncan and husband Tim of Dickson, Oklahoma; grandchildren, John Thomas Wade and Misha Cullum of Justin, Texas, Kelly Lenell Wade and Timothy Gowns of Lewisville, Texas, Corbyn Nikole McDaniel and husband Casey of San Diego, California, John Nikolas Kelly Jr. of Dickson, Oklahoma, and Kolton Lane Duncan and Beatrice Valles of Broken Bow, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, John Parker Wade, Austin Wyatt Phelps and Bailey Ann Phelps; several nieces, nephews and many honorary great-grandchildren including Morgan Butler, Haley Brown and Trent Barrett, all of Justin, and Krista Hayes of Memphis, Tennessee.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Madill Church of Christ with Todd McRay, Francis Nelson, Richard Bonnett and Don Hasselman officiating. Song leading will be by Richard Bonnett and music will be by a cappella recording ,”A Cappella Sunset,” by The Legacy Singers. Honorary pallbearers will be David Wade, Tim Duncan, John Thomas Wade, John Nikolas Kelly Jr., John Parker Wade, Kolton Lane Duncan, Gary Lee Kelly, Weston Kelly and John Nikolas Kelly (posthumously).
Memorial contributions may be made to Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be left at wattsfuneralhome.com.
Watts Funeral Home, Madill, Oklahoma, is in charge of arrangements.
Services are under the direction of Watts Funeral Home, Madill, Oklahoma.
Heather Mary Shultz
Ms. Heather Mary Shultz, 54, of Murray, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025 at her home.
Heather was born on October 4, 1970 in Dayton, OH to David and Cecilia Strong. She loved to be outdoors, fishing, gardening and bird watching. But what Heather loved the most was spending time with her beloved family and always being there to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her father; a daughter, Stephanie Shultz and one brother, David Strong.
Those left to cherish many wonderful memories include her spouse, Steven Phillips of Murray; sons, Michael Strong of Indianapolis, IN, Luke Shultz of Murray, Matthew Phillips of Murray; one step son, Steven Cody Phillips (Caitlyn) of Indianapolis, IN; three daughters, Amber Shultz of Mayfield, Gabriel Shultz of Mayfield, Shelby McKinnon (Michael) of Indianapolis, IN; a brother, Nathaniel Geist (Shelby) of Indianapolis, IN and five grandchildren, Roman, Scarlett, Celeste, Knightly, Maverick.
Her family welcomes visitors from 1 pm until 3 pm on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Imes Funeral Home, 311 North 4th Street, Murray.
A private family graveside service will be held at Hicks Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to help her family with funeral costs. Donations may be made at Imes Funeral Home, 311 North 4th Street, Murray, KY 42071 or by calling 270.753.7000.
Imes Funeral Home is entrusted with caring for her family.
Imes Funeral Home & Crematory, downtown Murray, is in charge of arrangements and provided editorial content in its entirety for this obituary.
David Byram
David Byram, 86, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Janice Bryant Renick
Janice Bryant Renick, 91, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, at her home in Hickory Woods Senior Living Community in Murray.
Arrangements are incomplete at Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
John Russell Phipps
John Russell Phipps, 59, of Benton, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.