NELDA LEACH

Nelda J. (Mathews) Leach, 81, of Martins Ferry, OH, died Thursday, May 31, 2018, at home.

She was born Sept. 12, 1936, in Martins Ferry, a daughter of the late Snow Curtis and Edith (Phillips) Mathews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William V. “Starchy” Leach, in 1992; and her siblings, Dale and Paul Mathews, Geraldine Dojack, Shirley Tomich and Linda Sue Krahel.

Nelda was a restaurant manager before she began her career as a customer service representative with TCI (which is now Xfinity). She retired in 2001.

Nelda lived life to the fullest, always had a smile on her face and never met a stranger. She loved to hug everyone she knew and met. One of her favorite sayings was “that may be the only hug that person got that day.”

She was a member of First Christian Church, Martins Ferry Walking Club and Martins Ferry Senior Center.

Surviving are her children, William Leach of Wheeling, WV, Robin (Mark) Zink of Bridgeport, OH, Rick (Lisa) Leach of Hurricane, WV, Karen McCracken of Wheeling, WV, and Jenel (Robert) Duncan and Shelly (Albert) Lutz both of Martins Ferry; siblings, Mary Lou Fulton of Shadyside, OH, Carol Ann Jackson of Louisville, KY, and David (Tammy) Mathews of Shadyside, OH; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronald and Jean Holzpfel of Martins Ferry; grandchildren, Robert Zink, Derek (Emily) Leach, Nicole Thomas, Wayne (Liz) McCracken, Courtney Leach, Jonathan (Ashley) McCracken, Ricky (Tina) Leach, Ryan Leach, Christen (Dean) Harper, Shane Pamphilis, Tabitha McCracken, Mallory Pamphilis, Alexis and Bryce Leach, Joshua (Kerri) Wood, Timothy (Dierdre) Lutz, Courteny (George) Bradford, Trevor (Lauren) Lutz, Carrie and Rob Duncan; great-grandchildren, Kayele Zink, Shelby Thomas, Dominic and Kataleana McCracken, Lily and Maya McCracken, Trevan and Jaxon McCracken, Dominic and Elliana Leach, Logan Joos, Harper and Hudson Wood, Toni Riley and Keidyn Duncan, Erik and Albert Bailey, Anissa Roth and Brenley McConnaughy; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Family and friends will be received at Heslop Funeral Home, 415 Walnut St., Martins Ferry, Sunday, June 3, 2018, from 12-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Monday, June 4, 2018, from noon until time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. with Minister Rod Kasler officiating. Burial follows in Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church Forward Fund, 710 S. Zane Hwy., Martins Ferry, 43935.

Condolences may be expressed at www.heslop. com.