Brant Funeral Service

08/11/2025

Russell Murta

Russell Edward Murta passed away peacefully Sunday, August 10, 2025. Born on August 23, 1938 in West Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Donavon and Jennie Vernier Murta. Along with his parents Russ was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy Harris Murta; three sisters, Dorothy Hatfield, Thelma Murta and Ruth Stir; and two brothers, William Murta and Robert Murta.

Surviving are his two sons, Scott (Kris) Murta of Powell and Steven Murta of Sciotoville; nephew Jamey (Julie) Lundy of Rosemount; grandchildren, Michael, Matthew (Lindsey), Paige, Shayne, Jennifer and Julia; great-granddaughters, Kattara and Ellenor; two sisters, Helen Rayburn and Evelyn Conley of Lucasville; and brother, Fred Murta of Circleville.

Russ graduated from Portsmouth West High School and spent a career learning the skills and problem-solving strategies to become everyone’s favorite contractor. He brought the same dependability, know-how and integrity to the job whether it was working at the Portsmouth Steel Mill, constructing a new house or answering a neighbor’s emergency call for repairs.

Russ had a life-long passion for golf and looked forward to his weekly events with friends at the Little Scioto Golf Course. He looked forward to planting a garden each spring and sharing the harvest. He enjoyed listening to classic country music and watching old westerns.

Russ will be remembered for his teasing nature, generous spirit and the deep love he had for his family. He valued honesty, listening more than talking and lived by the theory that the main thing is - to remain calm.

A graveside service to honor his life will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13th at Worley’s Run Cemetery.

The family will receive guests at Brant’s from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions in Russ’ name may be made to SOMC Hospice

View Russell Murta's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/08/2025

In 1862, the United States printed its first dollar bill. Do you know whose face was printed there? It wasn't George Washington.

08/08/2025

Juanita Jean Gammon

Juanita Crabtree Gammon, age 88, of Sciotoville, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

In honoring her memory, private services will be held at the convenience of her family, directed by the Brant Funeral Service. Juanita will be remembered for the warmth she brought into the lives of those around her.

View Juanita Jean Gammon's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/07/2025

Myrtle Letha Crawford

Myrtle Crawford, aged 91, of Portsmouth, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Concord Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wheelersburg. Born on May 26, 1934, in Quincy, Kentucky, she was the beloved daughter of the late Thurman and Hannah White Jordan.

Myrtle embraced life with a passion for travel, particularly enjoying bus trips, and was a devoted supporter of her grandchildren’s sports and 4H activities. Her love for cooking brought her family together during the holidays, where cherished memories were created.

She is survived by her son, Mike (Connie) Crawford; three daughters, Patricia Ann (Terry) Yost, Kristi (Gary) Kirsch, and Cynthia (Robert) McQuay; her sister, Dorothy Gibson; as well as twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson. Myrtle also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, a daughter-in-law, Sheila Crawford, and her beloved grand dog, Ollie.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Crawford, her son, Ronald Lee Crawford, four brothers Homer Jordan, Waynard Jordan, Elmer Jordan, and Allen Jordan—and three sisters, Oddie Hanners, Emma Farren, and Margie Armstrong.

A graveside service to honor her life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12th, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Friends and family are invited to gather for a funeral procession at the Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville at 10:00 a.m. on the same day.

Memorial contributions in Myrtle’s name may be made to SOMC Hospice and the Concord Health and Rehabilitation Center. Myrtle’s warm spirit and the love she shared will forever be remembered by all who knew her.

View Myrtle Letha Crawford's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/07/2025

The oldest existing lighthouse in the United States is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey. Built in 1764, this lighthouse is still in operation.

08/04/2025

Always ready to protect our shores and waterways, the Coast Guard provides more than search and rescue. They are a large part of the nation's navigation system and Marine Environmental Protection.

08/02/2025

07/28/2025

We've been adding milk to chocolate beverages since the mid-17th century. But, in 1875 Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate by mixing a powdered milk developed by Henri Nestlé with the liquor. It's been milk chocolate bliss ever since.

07/25/2025

On June 25, 1950, the first war of the Cold War-era erupted when North Korean forces crossed the border into South Korea. The war would last three years, involving troops from around the globe, and costing millions of lives.

07/24/2025

Prudence R. West

Prudence Ruth West, age 82, of Portsmouth, died Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the SOMC Hospice Center. Born on June 4, 1943, in Portsmouth, she was a daughter of the late Emmett Robert West, Sr. and Jean Hartley West.

Prudence was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was a choir member and Sunday school teacher. She worked at the Campus Ministry Organization and various other volunteer work.

Also preceding her in death was a niece, Christina Jean Gentry and a nephew, Robert Smith.

Surviving are a brother, Robert (Kelly) West; a sister, Patricia Jean Roquet; two nieces, Stephanie (Stuart) Davis and Delphi Estelle Phillips; four nephews, Jordan (MacKenzie) West, William D. Smith, Jr., Frank J. Roquet and Clifford Paul Roquet; ten great-great nieces and three great-great nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 4th, at Memorial Burial Park with Reverend Ronald Johnson officiating.

A funeral procession will assemble at the BRANT FUNERAL HOME IN SCIOTOVILLE at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4th.

View Prudence R. West's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/20/2025

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 carried the first humans to the moon. Six hours after landing on the moon, American Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface. He spent two and a half hours outside the spacecraft. Buzz Aldrin soon followed, stepping onto the lunar surface.

07/17/2025

Darrell Kevin Lore

Darrell Kevin Lore, age 69, of Portsmouth, died on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in the emergency room of the Southern Ohio Medical Center. Born on September 11, 1955, in Lorain, he was a son of the late Darrel Walter and Wanda Phillips Lore.

Kevin had 28 years of service at OSCO, having started on May 16, 1994, as a union worker, transferred to a company supervisor on May 18, 1998, and retired on May 1, 2022.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Greg Lore.

Surviving are a son, Darrell Ryan (Teah) Lore; a daughter, Heather (Daniel) Meadows; a brother, Tony (Nicol) Lore; a sister, Vicki Blackburn; a sister-in-law, Lana Lore; six grandchildren, Owen Meadows, Ana Meadows, Cayden Lore, Hunter Lore, Jaedyn Petrie and Faith Cooley and several nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22nd, at the BRANT FUNERAL HOME with Jack Lore officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive guests at Brant’s from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday.

View Darrel Kevin Lore's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.