Mr. Ruggles

Frankie Ruggles, 54, of Flemingsburg, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at the Fleming County Hospital.
Mr. Ruggles was born in Rowan County on April 3, 1954, to the late Johnny D. and Rose Marie Ross Ruggles.
He was a member of the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Fairview.
He is survived by seven sisters, Ida Mae Ruggles of Flemingsburg, Ethel Ann Ruggles of Aberdeen, Ohio, Mary Frances (Jimmy) Emmons of Hillsboro, Betty Jean Davis of Fleming County, Pauline Willis of Ewing, Linda (Larry) Herrington of Ewing and Florence (Steve) Hickerson of Flemingsburg; a nephew, Jonathan Herrington of Nicholasville; and two nieces, Rose Ann Ballard of Hazard and Alicia Herrington of Ewing.
He was preceded in death by a son, Clinton Ruggles.
Services are 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at the Boone - Nickell Funeral Home in Flemingsburg. Pastor Todd Wiley will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Fleming County Cemetery.
Visitation at the funeral home is after 5 p.m., on Sunday.

Mrs. Ross

Mrs. Diane Marie Bugis Ross, 57, died Jan. 15, 2009 at the Fleming County Hospital.
She was born April 23, 1951, in Pontiac, Mich., to Anthony John and Helen Jozwick Bugis.
Diane was a 1969 graduate of Hartland High School, in Hartland, Mich. She went on to graduate from Western Michigan University and Vanderbilt University where she received her masters degree. She loved her job as a speech pathologist working for Comprehend, Inc. and the Fleming County School System. Diane also was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Flemingsburg where she played the organ for 13 years. She enjoyed cooking and loved to play cards. She was an active member of the community and was Lady of the Year in 2005. Diane absolutely cherished spending time with her family and many friends.
She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jerry Ross of Flemingsburg; one daughter, Dr. Madeline "Cori" Ross Tabor of Horse Cave; one son, John Paul Ross of Nashville, Tenn.; and one grandchild, Joseph Anthony Tabor; three brothers, John Bugis of Nashville, Edward (Penny) Bugis of Highland, Mich., and Anthony (Rose Marie) Bugis of Holly, Mich.; two sisters, Mary Jo (Joel) Kowall of Holly, Mich. and Roseanne (Harold) Bennett of Howell, Mich.; brother-in-law, Robert (Lisa) Ross of Flemingsburg; and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at St. Charles Catholic Church.
Burial will follow in the Fleming County Cemetery, Flemingsburg.

Visitation is Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 at the Denton-Workman Funeral Home in Flemingsburg.

Mr. Ripato

Michael Ray Ripato, 56, of Flemingsburg, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at his home.
He was born Sept. 16, 1952, to Ray and Lois Ripato of Maysville.
Mr. Ripato was a diary farmer for many years, served on the American Dairy Association Board, as well as the Southern United Dairy Industry Association Board of Directors. He was also the owner of the Fox Run Farms Trucking.
He was a graduate of Mason County High School and the University of Kentucky. He also attended Asbury Theological Seminary and was a member of the Olivet United Methodist Church.
Survivors in addition to his parents are two sons, Peter Ripato and wife, Amy of Flemingsburg, and Brandon Ripato of Maysville; one grandson, Levi Turner Ripato; two sisters, Patty Firesheets and husband, Don of Marietta, Ga., and Ruth Ann Furby of Maysville; and two brothers, Rev. Silas Ripato and wife, Carolyn of Louisville and Bobby Ripato of Maysville; two nieces, Bethanie Ripato and Courtney Ripato; and three nephews, Justin Firesheets, Nathan Firesheets and Cory Ripato.
Services will be held Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at 1 p.m., at the Barbour and Son Funeral Home in Tollesboro. Rev. David Green will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Olivet Cemetery in Mason County. Serving as pallbearers will be Peter Ripato, Brandon Ripato, Silas Ripato, Bobby Ripato, Randy Barker and Jim Meadows.
Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 at the funeral home from 5-9 p.m.

Mr. Flora

Samuel J. Flora, 81, of Elizaville, passed this life, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at his residence.
Sammy was born in Fleming County on April 25, 1927, to the late Maude Moran and Paul J. Flora.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha.
Sammy and his wife, Martha operated Flora Grocery in Elizaville for many years. He was a former employee of the Elizaville Cemetery and served as a member of the cemetery board.
He is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Flora James and husband, John of Elizaville; five siblings, Ollie Ray (Nancy) Flora of Flemingsburg, Aaron (Sue) Flora of Flemingsburg, Cora Helphinstine of Ewing, Berry Burke of Ewing, Eric (Shirley) Flora of Flemingsburg and Marion (Suzanne) Flora of Flemingsburg; a sister-in-law, Janice Hunt Flora of Elizaville.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward (Buck) Flora, Ovel (Jip) Flora and Bobby Flora; and one sister, Nancy Carrie Flora.

Services are 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at the Price Bros. Funeral Home. Rev. Rich Anderson will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Elizaville Cemetery.
Visitation is 6 - 9 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

Murder charges filed

According to the Ledger Independent, the parents of infant Kaylee Buchanan are facing murder charges related to the death of the child, according to documents filed in Fleming County Circuit Court Friday.
Nearly six months after Kaylee Buchanan died at a Lexington hospital, a Fleming County grand jury indicted Terry Joe Buchanan, 31, and Jessica Marie Allen, 22, on one count of murder and one count of first-degree criminal abuse each. Both individuals could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
On July 20, 2008, 4-month-old Kaylee Buchanan was transported by ambulance from a Ewing residence on Connector Road (Kentucky 165) to University of Kentucky Hospital, where she died approximately three days later, according to investigators familiar with the case. The case officially became a homicide investigation late last month after the Fayette County Coroner's Office determined that the death was caused by "blunt force head trauma."
The criminal abuse count of the indictments alleges both defendants "intentionally abused Kaylee Buchanan, who was less than 12 years of age, or aided and assisted another, by causing serious physical injury to said child, when her right femur and fibula were broken, which required medical treatment."
The abuse allegedly occurred "on or about the period of July 9-13, 2008," according to the indictment.
The murder count alleges "on or about July 20, 2008" the defendants "struck, or aided and assisted another, to strike Kaylee Buchanan's head one or more times, which resulted in her death."