Jeffrey Lewis Rathburn
Title
Jeffrey Lewis Rathburn
Source
Willis Funeral Home
Date
April 16, 2023
Text
Jeffrey Lewis Rathburn, 56, passed away unexpectedly April 16, 2023 from injuries sustained from a fatal car accident. Jeff was born on May 9, 1966 at Holzer Hospital in Gallipolis, Ohio, the son of the late Jack L Rathburn and surviving mother Karen Rathburn-Skidmore along with recently deceased stepdad, Gary “Pat” Skidmore.
Jeff was married to the love of his life, Danielle Cummons Rathburn on July 1, 1990 who survives along with their children who are the pride of his life: Shantelle (Nathan) Rimmey, Emma Hope Rathburn, and Austin JACK Rathburn. He was also a proud Papa to Brielle and Emmit Rimmey. He was looking forward to his soon to be born grandson Miles JEFFREY Rimmey. Our family knows that he will be “sitting in many corners watching over them” during every special event.
Also surviving are his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Danny and Shirley Cummons of Gallipolis, Ohio. Forever remembered and deeply loved by his sister, Kimberly Sue (Randy) Canaday and brother, Chris (Brandi) Rathburn. Uncle Jeff will always be remembered by his nieces, nephews, and great-nephews whom he loved to tease and torment: Ashley Brooke (Beau) Harrison and children, Brady, Brock, Blake, Brant, Bailey. Tyler Wade (Rosie) Canaday and children Kayson Wyatt Canaday, Skylar Moreland. Lindsey Kirsten Canaday “Spoils”. Clay Plymale, Briar Williams and son Ariott, Brailee, Braylan Rathburn.
Jeff was raised in the Church of Christ and was baptized as a young man. He graduated Gallia Academy High School with The Class of 1984. He loved being on the football team and was also senior class vice president. He continued his education and received an Associates of Applied Business from the University of Rio Grande. He will be remembered by all for his kindness and big heart. Even though Jeff was a quiet and private person, he was witty and fun. He had the most beautiful smile, was fearless and independent yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate. Anyone that knew him knew he could be strong-willed and determined which is part of who he was. Those strengths helped him throughout life’s many challenges. He has instilled those traits in his beautiful children and taught them to be relentless about things that were important like family and aspirations.
In his younger years, he began working with his Papaw Carrol Williams working on cars and at Valley Furniture Store. Both his grandparents and parents instilled his strong work ethic which led to his 33 year career at Ohio Valley Electric Co. (Kyger Creek Station). Jeff started his career October 23, 1989, at Kyger Creek Station in the Labor Gang. His goal was to work his way up in the company and recently was promoted to Operations Manager. Jeff loved his job and made personal connections with his peers. He was a true leader that never gave up or quit on anything or anyone. All those who knew him loved his sense of humor and respected his strong work ethic.
Jeff enjoyed traveling with his family on vacations, playing pranks on friends, listening to 80’s rock “The Mighty Van Halen”, had a great sense of humor and LOVED BIG AND HARD. Big Rath, Jaffy, will be missed by all and NEVER FORGOTTEN. He will be laid to rest near his father Jack Rathburn at Gravel Hill Cemetery, also overlooking Kyger Creek Plant where he loved his work and his work family.
The funeral service for Jeff will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Jack Rathburn, Chris Rathburn, Brad Graham, Sean Brown, Travis Reed, Ryan Watson, Brad Maynard, and Chris Ellcessor. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Rimmey, Randy Canaday, and Tyler Canaday.
Jeff was married to the love of his life, Danielle Cummons Rathburn on July 1, 1990 who survives along with their children who are the pride of his life: Shantelle (Nathan) Rimmey, Emma Hope Rathburn, and Austin JACK Rathburn. He was also a proud Papa to Brielle and Emmit Rimmey. He was looking forward to his soon to be born grandson Miles JEFFREY Rimmey. Our family knows that he will be “sitting in many corners watching over them” during every special event.
Also surviving are his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Danny and Shirley Cummons of Gallipolis, Ohio. Forever remembered and deeply loved by his sister, Kimberly Sue (Randy) Canaday and brother, Chris (Brandi) Rathburn. Uncle Jeff will always be remembered by his nieces, nephews, and great-nephews whom he loved to tease and torment: Ashley Brooke (Beau) Harrison and children, Brady, Brock, Blake, Brant, Bailey. Tyler Wade (Rosie) Canaday and children Kayson Wyatt Canaday, Skylar Moreland. Lindsey Kirsten Canaday “Spoils”. Clay Plymale, Briar Williams and son Ariott, Brailee, Braylan Rathburn.
Jeff was raised in the Church of Christ and was baptized as a young man. He graduated Gallia Academy High School with The Class of 1984. He loved being on the football team and was also senior class vice president. He continued his education and received an Associates of Applied Business from the University of Rio Grande. He will be remembered by all for his kindness and big heart. Even though Jeff was a quiet and private person, he was witty and fun. He had the most beautiful smile, was fearless and independent yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate. Anyone that knew him knew he could be strong-willed and determined which is part of who he was. Those strengths helped him throughout life’s many challenges. He has instilled those traits in his beautiful children and taught them to be relentless about things that were important like family and aspirations.
In his younger years, he began working with his Papaw Carrol Williams working on cars and at Valley Furniture Store. Both his grandparents and parents instilled his strong work ethic which led to his 33 year career at Ohio Valley Electric Co. (Kyger Creek Station). Jeff started his career October 23, 1989, at Kyger Creek Station in the Labor Gang. His goal was to work his way up in the company and recently was promoted to Operations Manager. Jeff loved his job and made personal connections with his peers. He was a true leader that never gave up or quit on anything or anyone. All those who knew him loved his sense of humor and respected his strong work ethic.
Jeff enjoyed traveling with his family on vacations, playing pranks on friends, listening to 80’s rock “The Mighty Van Halen”, had a great sense of humor and LOVED BIG AND HARD. Big Rath, Jaffy, will be missed by all and NEVER FORGOTTEN. He will be laid to rest near his father Jack Rathburn at Gravel Hill Cemetery, also overlooking Kyger Creek Plant where he loved his work and his work family.
The funeral service for Jeff will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Willis Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Jack Rathburn, Chris Rathburn, Brad Graham, Sean Brown, Travis Reed, Ryan Watson, Brad Maynard, and Chris Ellcessor. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Rimmey, Randy Canaday, and Tyler Canaday.
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Citation
“Jeffrey Lewis Rathburn,” Meigs County Library History Site, accessed November 24, 2024, https://history.meigslibrary.org/items/show/24412.