James Nathaniel “Nate” Johnson, 45, Bowling Green
Willie Mae (Hogan) Miller, 95
Paul H. “Rudy” Runyon, 61, Glasgow
‘Nate’ Johnson
James Nathaniel “Nate” Johnson, 45, of Bowling Green died Friday, March 1, 2024. Nate was an online marketer and co-founder of a software company called Lighthouse Media. He was very entrepreneurial and a brilliant writer and blogger. He was very inquisitive, wanting to know all he could learn about any new subject, idea or item. He was a lover of the outdoors, especially during the years he spent living in Colorado. He was an avid cyclist, fly fisherman, skier and surfboarder. During his indoor times, he loved to listen to jazz music as well as opera. He was a member of First Christian Church of Glasgow.
Survivors include his two children, Blythe Johnson and Levi Johnson of Colorado; his parents, Martha Dean Martin and husband Danny of Glasgow and Gerard Johnson and wife Ruthie of Murray; paternal grandmother, Bernadene Johnson of Glasgow; three sisters, Eli Johnson Hester and husband Zac, Andrea Smith, and Heather Wilson; one brother, James Buchanan; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Leslie and Christine Dean and Helen and Malcolm Martin; and his paternal grandfather, James Leonard Johnson.
The family chose a private service, with cremation following. A celebration of Nate’s life will be held at a future date. Arrangements are entrusted to Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the 13th Street Clubhouse, 1031 E. 13th St., Bowling Green, KY 42104.
Willie Mae Miller
Willie Mae (Hogan) Miller, 95, died Feb. 29, 2024, with her daughter Melissa by her side as she drew her last peaceful breath at her Saratoga Springs, New York, home.
Willie Mae was born April 25, 1928, in Cave City, Kentucky, not far from Mammoth Cave National Park. She was the sixth of 10 children of Willie and Ethel Hogan. She recalled many happy times from her childhood, including playing ball in the yard with her siblings; their beloved dog, Ring; and joining in hopscotch and marbles during class recess under the watchful eye of her favorite teacher, Miss Madeline. She fondly remembered her mother’s hot, fresh biscuits with molasses and the thrill of a stocking full of fruit and small candies (enough to last a whole day!) on Christmas morning. Willie Mae dutifully wrote letters to her four older brothers who were stationed overseas during World War II, and she collected dozens of postcards they sent her from various places around the world. During her teens, she was a waitress at “The Wigwams” in Cave City and later worked in a local clothing factory.
A vast new world opened up for Willie Mae when, at the urging of her youngest brother, Rondal Hogan, and his wife Zona, she joined them in a move to Alaska. She attended the University of Alaska and worked in a bank in Fairbanks, reveling in the freedom and novelty of a completely new way of life. In 1962, she met Glenn D. Miller, and six weeks later they were wed on June 26. Their only child, Melissa, was born in 1966, and the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1969. Willie Mae often said that her adult life finally began when she moved to Alaska. After the loss of her husband in 1978, she continued to raise her daughter and work as a secretary in Anchorage.
In the early 1990s, Willie Mae made another bold move and settled in Saratoga Springs, New York. She came to Saratoga to be near her daughter and her family, but she also found a beloved new family of cherished friends. Always a joiner and an organizer, Willie Mae soon became a member of a weekly walking group, which led to day trips, camping trips, parties, outings, card games, skiing, hiking and picnicking – many wonderful years of fun and companionship.
The greatest joys of Willie Mae’s life were her daughter and grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Paquet (Joseph Ponessa Jr.); granddaughter, Miranda Paquet (Adam Kelly); grandson, Bradley Paquet (Caitlyn Roy); and granddaughter, Teressa Paquet; brothers, Arthur Hogan and Rondal Hogan (Zona); and numerous, much-loved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Willie Mae is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Peter Paquet; three sisters, Joan Toohey, Joy Taylor and Doris Blankenship; and four brothers, Jesse Hogan, James Hogan, Turner Hogan and Genie Hogan.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Willie Mae’s wonderful caregivers, Margaret Bishop and Karen Donworth. The loving care and patience of these two very special women brought her much comfort during the past year.
A gathering of family and friends is at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Bob Hunt Funeral Chapel in Cave City, with a graveside service at Cave City Cemetery to follow. Visitation is also from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, at William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, ending with a brief scripture reading and prayer at 6 p.m.
Anyone wishing to make a donation may contribute in honor of Willie Mae to Saratoga Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
‘Rudy’ Runyon
Paul Harvey “Rudy” Runyon, 61, of Glasgow died Friday, March 1, 2024, at T.J. Samson Community Hospital. He was a son of the late Arthur Paul Runyon and Doris Ann Wix.
He is survived by six children, James Moss (Tamara), Kevin Moss (Vicky), Charles Runyon (Brittany), Ashley Runyon (Krysienna), Carmen Runyon and Catelynn Runyon; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Arthur Runyon (Vickie) and Bill Wix (Patricia); special niece, Felicia Keeton; and several other nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Runyon.
Funeral is at 2 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home, with burial in Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the funeral home may be made to help with expenses.
Comments