Obituaries

Jerry Lee Grim III, age 83, of Berwyn, IL and formerly from Lancaster, OH; Marietta, OH, and Williamstown, WV; went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at home after a long illness related to vascular dementia. He was born in Dayton, Ohio to Jerry Lee Grim, Jr. and Jeannette Cranmer Grim on June 1, 1942.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Amelia Ash Grim in 1996, his sister Betty Grim Jensen of Miamisburg, OH in 2025, and sons Douglas M. Grim in 2011 and Joseph A. Grim in 2023. Jerry is survived by his children, Nancy Carol Lee Grim (Robert) Hunter of Berwyn, IL; Shannon R. Queen of Galloway, OH; Benjamin S. (Winnie) Grim of Columbus, OH; Tammy Riggs of Myrtle Beach, SC; Mary Grim-Riblett of Parkersburg, WV;  Sherry Cottrill of Parkersburg, WV; Donald Grim of Marietta, OH; John (Dee) Grim of Parkersburg, WV; David Dahlheimer, Sr. of Savannah, GA; and over 400 foster children; many of whom still call him “Dad”. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Theresa Grim Wilson, Huber Heights, OH and brothers David Grim, West Carrollton, OH; Dan (Helen) Grim Miamisburg, OH; and Don (Mi Suk) Grim, San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives, church family and friends.

Jerry graduated from Nelsonville High School, Nelsonville, OH in 1960. He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music with a concentration in Music Education from Ohio University, Athens, OH in 1964. He earned a Master’s of Library Science degree from Kent State University, Kent, OH in 1965. Jerry attended Asbury Theological Seminary for Theology Studies in Wilmore, KY between 1994 to 1996.

Jerry was a music prodigy and began his music ministry as pianist and organist at age 12 at First United Methodist Church of Nelsonville, OH, and earned his local pastor’s license at age 16. Jerry served churches across Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky as Music Minister and/or Pastor. Rev. Grim served as Pastor for Beech Grove United Methodist Church on the mountain top near Science Hill, KY and King’s Mountain United Methodist Church in Lincoln County, KY prior to his wife’s passing. Pastor Jerry answered the call to serve as Music Minister/Assistant Pastor for Elmwood Park United Methodist Church, in Elmwood Park, IL and finished his music ministry calling with St. John’s United Methodist Church, Oak Park, IL.

As a music educator and professional musician, Jerry taught all instruments, choirs and musical theatre for all ages in school and non-school settings, operated Boyd’s Music Store, and played organ for the Lafeyette Hotel in Marietta, OH for a decade in the 1980s. From 1955 to 1959, Mr. Grim was noted in the Athens Messenger (Athens, OH) for his participation in local devotional and church chorus events—such as accompanying high school choruses on the piano for community programs. In College in the early 1960s, records show Jerry singing in the Wesley Choir at Ohio University. Jerry lived into his gifts and directed, sang, and/or accompanied many solo or vocal groups, bands, and choruses across the spectrum from sacred, classical, church choirs, praise bands, dinner music and popular music across the generations. Jerry was particularly recognized for his musical arrangements of hymns and sacred texts for choirs that ‘pulled open’ the chord structures to replicate an ‘Angel Choir’ he experienced in a vision as a young child. He was also well-known in the Mid-Ohio Valley for being a founding member of the King’s Fellowship Gospel Band.

Jerry served as a Librarian in schools and public Library Systems such as the Nelsonville Public Library, the Cincinnati Public Library, Toledo Public Library, Norfolk Public Library, and as a Ohio Correctional System Librarian. He co-authored a seminal work on cataloguing and edited a series of English-language children’s textbooks that were sent to be used in rural schools in Ghana. He is also credited for writing the first federally-funded grant to send Bookmobiles into rural community areas in the Cincinnati, OH region.

After his wife Martha went to be with the Lord, Jerry moved to Chicago, IL to be near his daughter Nancy and resumed his ministry work serving as Organist / Choir Director for several Episcopalian and United Methodist congregations in the Chicago, IL region. He came out of retirement from his work as teacher, librarian and pastor “temporarily” on more than one occasion to serve as a school bus driver for alternative school students, teach middle school at Socrates Greek Orthodox School in Chicago and to serve as a Professor and Director of the Teacher’s Writing Center for the College of Education at Chicago State University, Chicago, IL for five years before retiring permanently in 2008 for health reasons.

Across the decades, Jerry and his wife Martha dedicated their life to foster and adoptive care, having adopted 10 children, giving birth to their daughter Nancy, and finished raising countless others. Jerry and his wife’s legacy in foster and adoptive care ministry for “hard-to-place” exceptional needs children and youth from diverse cultural, race, and ethnic backgrounds spanned over 32 years together. Pastor Dad continued to mentor young adults with disabilities and exceptional needs for another 30 years in the Chicago, IL area. Jerry and Martha’s ministry continues to live on as their children live into that calling to create safe spaces for “the other” and to welcome “chosen family” into their lives.

“The most visible creators are those artists whose medium is life itself. The ones who express the inexpressible — without brush, hammer, clay, or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt. Their medium is simply being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They see, but don’t have to draw. Because they are the artists of being alive.” — Donna J. Stone, American poet

Charles Denmore Killian was born at home in Tyner, Indiana (Pop. 206) a left-hander who found himself in a right-handed world. He was graciously equipped by his Heavenly Father with many gifts that enabled him to fit in and thrive. Early in life he determined to be one of God’s helpers and began his life’s mission by preaching to his uncle’s cows and conducting funerals for neighborhood pets. He faithfully attended Sunday School and placed his penny offering in the globe bank each week to be sure everyone around the world could know about Jesus.

Charles earned a Bachelor of Arts at Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) in 1959 and a Master of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary in 1963. He received a PhD in Rhetoric and Public Address from Indiana University in 1971. As an ordained member of the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, he served under special appointment as a Homiletics Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. In retirement he filled several pastoral appointments in North Carolina.

Chuck’s first teaching experience was certainly unique. While a pastor in northern Indiana, he was pressed to accept a position as teacher in a one-room Amish school. More than 50 pupils looked to him for instruction; some younger ones spoke little English, and a few older students were spending additional years as eighth graders to avoid moving on to high school. Chuck had a wonderful time! Later in his career he moved on to teach at Houghton College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He also taught courses for the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary in Estonia, the Methodist Theological Seminary in Moscow, the Rotary Leadership Institute and the Salvation Army Officers Training program.

Though teaching was his profession, Charles was a pastor at heart. He began his ministerial journey during his college days, serving the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Longtown, Ohio, most notable historically as a tri-racial community and an important stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a treasured experience that gave him much joy and confirmed his commitment to ministry. In the years that followed he continued to serve as a pastor for many churches in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, and North Carolina.

Throughout his career Chuck generously gave himself to his communities. He has been a City Councilman, school board member, Rotarian, Education Foundation member, volunteer mentor in local schools, storyteller, and YMCA supporter. He fervently honored the command to love God with all his heart…and to love his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37-39).

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and MayBelle Killian, and his brother, George Killian (surviving wife Pearl). He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Jane of Raleigh, NC, sister Patricia Schultz (husband Joe) of Elizabethton, TN, brother William Killian (wife Linda) of Tucson, AZ, his two daughters, Joy Mau of Raleigh, NC, and Elaine Olsen (husband Rev. Billy Olsen) of Benson, NC. Chuck is also survived by his four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Nicholas Woods (wife Chelsea, daughter Finley) of Christiansburg, VA; Colton Woods (wife Rachel, daughter Eliza) of Goldsboro, NC; Jadon Olsen (wife Kelsi) of Siler City, NC; Amelia Olsen of Benson, NC.

Roger Lee Potter of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away on June 3, 2026, at the Lexington VA Hospice facility at the age of 78. He was born on December 6, 1948, in Ashland, Kentucky, to the late Leander William Potter and Lucy Marie Miller Potter of Flatwoods, Kentucky.

Roger served in the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Army National Guard. During his service in the US Air Force, he lived overseas in England for 4 years, where his son Matthew was born. He was a draftsman for several businesses, including the National Mine Service Company in Ashland, Kentucky. Roger attended University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. He also attended Asbury College and Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He worked at KCTCS as an instructor, where he retired in 2005.

He was an avid fisherman, a big Star Wars fan, and longtime follower of the University of Kentucky sports programs.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn Potter; his son, Matthew Lee Potter; daughter-in-law, Jeanelyn Baldivia Potter; and granddaughters, Ashley Alunan Potter and Bethany Marie Potter. He is also survived by four stepchildren, their spouses, and step-grandchildren.

Left behind are his nephew, William “Bill” Michael Grizzle; and nieces and nephews: Dolly Marie Grizzle Lee Patrick, Toni Elaine Potter Tackett, Billie Kay Potter Wilson, Marsha Phipps Jenkins, Cheryl Phipps Dalie, Nancy Phipps Summer, Anthony Phipps, and James Phipps.

He was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin John Potter; his sisters, Betty L. Potter Grizzle and Bonnie M. Potter Phipps; his brother, William “Bill” Earle Potter; and his nephews, Ron Grizzle and Randy Grizzle.

Mrs. Catherine Karima Perry Stokes, 56, of Corbin, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2026 at the Continue Care Hospital in Corbin. She was born February 2, 1970 in Cairo, Egypt, the daughter Professor Glenn Perry Sr. and the late Eleanor Rose Hypes Perry.

Catherine was a medical practice administrator with Kentucky Family Medicine and a devoted member of Grace Community Fellowship Church, where she faithfully served in children’s ministry as a Sunday school teacher. She also dedicated herself to helping others through Celebrate Recovery. In addition, Catherine served on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, was a longtime board member of the Corbin Public Library, and was a member of Rosae Crucis.
Catherine loved spending time outdoors, whether hiking, gardening, mowing, or caring for her family farm. A lifelong learner, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Studies and later a degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. She also completed two semesters at Asbury Theological Seminary, where she deepened her faith and devotion to God.

A devoted mother to her two daughters, Catherine encouraged their love of the arts and sciences and instilled in them perseverance, compassion, and a commitment to doing good. Her love and generosity extended far beyond her family, as she opened her heart and home to countless children and adults in the community, offering wisdom, encouragement, and refuge when needed.

Catherine was instrumental in the establishment and success of her husband’s medical practice, Kentucky Family Medicine. Even while courageously battling cancer, she remained committed to serving others, providing both spiritual encouragement and compassionate care. Exceptionally selfless yet steadfast in her convictions, she was truly a woman of strength, integrity, and valor.
Catherine delighted in life’s simple joys—the color purple, her beloved animals, and riding her bicycle, rain or shine.

On November 5, 2017, she united in marriage with Todd Stokes Sr. in East Bernstadt.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a son, Damian Ashton Dean; a brother, Phillip Alexander Perry and grandparents, Tollie and Pearl Taylor Perry and Ralph and Nettie Duncan Hypes.

Survivors include her loving husband, Dr. Christopher Todd Stokes Sr. of Corbin; her father, Prof. Glenn Earl Perry Sr. of Terre Haute, IN; two cherished daughters, Dakota Adrian Dean and Calista Rose Dean both of Corbin; sisters, Barbara and Lucy Perry; a brother, Glenn Perry Jr.; David Dean; among other family and countless friends who will miss her deeply.