Alan Hartford Unrue, 68, of Ironton, Ohio, passed away at Our Lady of Belfonte Hospital on Wednesday April 4, 2018. Alan was born in Ironton, Ohio on February 7, 1950 to Charlotte L. and John Junior Ball. He was raised by his grandparents, Roy and Esta Unrue. Alan, known by most as Hartford, married the love of his life, Bernice Jo Holbrook, on December 20, 1969. They were married for 48 years. To this union was born four children; Adam (Becky) Unrue, Matthew (Mary) Unrue, and April (Jeremy) Justice of Ironton, Ohio, and Elizabeth (Travis) Blair of Catlettsburg, KY. Alan had two brothers George (Sheila) Ball of Alma, Georgia and Roy Ball of Flatwoods, KY. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters; Dianna Lattimer, Patricia Ball, Tamara Marie Morris, and Amellia A. Abrams; and a brother John Ellis Ball. Alan was a 1968 graduate of Dawson-Bryant High School. He was drafted and entered into the military on September 26, 1969 where he served during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged from the military on April 28, 1971. Alan worked at Castle’s Showcase in Ashland, KY for seven years. He then moved to People’s Security Insurance as an L.U.T.C.F life underwriter where he retired in 1998. He was converted on March 4, 1975. Alan was a faithful member, deacon, and clerk of Old Oak Springs United Baptist Church. After God and his church, Alan loved being with his wife, children, and eight grandchildren; Joey, Rachel, and Leah Unrue, Molly and Megan Justice, and David, Ella, and Libby Blair. Alan recently enjoyed building his farm and working with bees. Alan will be greatly missed by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His greatest desire was to see the United Baptist Church to grow and prosper. He was a member of Proctorville VFW Post #6878 and DAV HB Doc Riley Chapter 51. Funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday April 8, 2018 at Old Oak Springs United Baptist Church, 845 39th Street Ashland, KY by Elders Clayton Oliver, Lewis Baier, and Bobby Mollett. Burial will follow in Holbrook Family Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday April 7, 2018 at Old Oak Springs Baptist Church with church service beginning at 7 p.m. and visitation one hour before the service on Sunday. Proctorville VFW Post #6878 will conduct military graveside rites. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory, Proctorville, Ohio is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.
