V. J. "Jack" Briceland

V.J. “Jack” Briceland, of Pikeville, Tennessee, formerly of Columbiana, Ohio, put up one hell of a fight before cancer had its way with him. He passed away at 2:40 PM on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, while at home and under hospice care following a long hard illness. He was 83.  

Jack was born September 18, 1934, at home on the family farm in Summitville, Ohio, the youngest son of ten children to Joseph R. & Mary C. (Wargo) Briceland.  

After graduating from Salineville High School, now known as Southern Local, in 1952, he enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps to help defend our flag and to keep our country free. He achieved the rank of Corporal during the Korean Conflict and was assigned the duty of parachute packer. His decorations and citations include: the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, & Good Conduct Medal.  

Having been honorably discharged from his duties in 1955, he furthered his education by attending Kent State University on the G.I. Bill. A short time later, he fell in love with a gal by the name of Carol L. Williamson. They exchanged vows on May 3, 1958, and together started a family. Born to this union were four children: Andrew, Mark, Jeffrey, & Daniel.  

He supported his young family working as a carpenter foreman for several companies including: Earl Newell, Townsend & Bottom, Joseph Bucheit, and A.P. O’Horo, accumulating a 25 year career. In addition, he became the owner & operator of Howell Burial Vault Company, Columbiana, for a period of 10 years before officially retiring. He had a work ethic second to none, and those that knew him understood it full well that only one way was correct, Jack’s way!  

He was a devout Catholic who grew up in St. John Catholic Church, Summitville, and later joined the St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Columbiana. He was also a member of the Carpenter’s Local #171, Youngstown, Ohio.  

In his spare time, he loved coaching youth baseball & football while in Columbiana; he was an umpire for many years too; a well-known Square Dance caller; an expert cement finisher, who poured many sidewalks, driveways, patios, basements, garage floors, etc.; an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan; and a NASCAR enthusiast. In addition, he enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, grilling on a wood fire, pitching horseshoes & washers, and feeding the deer & turkey in Tennessee. Most of all, he had to be the center of attention, a role he took very seriously.  

Furthermore, he liked to travel; Canada for fishing trips, NASCAR for racing events, and out west to visit with family in both Montana and Alaska.  

He is survived by: his wife, Carol L. Briceland, Pikeville; his sons, Andy (Margaret Ann) Briceland, Pikeville, Mark (JoAnne) Briceland, Chewelah, Washington, Jeff (Kerri) Briceland, Boardman, Ohio, & Daniel (Kristin) Briceland, Brookfield, Ohio; his nine grandchildren: Aron (Alyssa) Briceland, (twins) Steven Briceland & Stacey (Rob) Miller, Adam Briceland, Ben Briceland, Rachel Briceland, Karlee Briceland, Shilah Briceland, & Spc. Eli Briceland; his three great-grandchildren, Connor, Nolan, & Mikayla; his sisters, Vernita “Neat” Ocel, Mechanicstown, Ohio, Valeria Brown, Summitville, & Frances Rosalie “Bub” Wilson, Atwood Lake, Ohio; his step-grandchildren, Josh (Jimi Dee) Clark, & Ethan (Sierra) Clark; his step-great-grandchildren, Jackson, Samuel, Chloe, Bristol, & Nolan; and his extended family too.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his siblings, Joseph Jr., Charles, William, & James Briceland, Martina "Big Red" Radford, & Rosemary Martin.  

In accordance to his wishes, a memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 180 7th Street, Columbiana, Ohio 44408, where family and friends are welcome to pay their respects one hour prior to the service.  

As suggested by his family, memorial contributions can be made to Columbiana Youth Baseball, P.O. Box 265, Columbiana, Ohio, 44408 (or) Little Clipper Football Association, P.O. Box 406, Columbiana, Ohio 44408.  

Expressions of sympathy may be left for his family at www.bricelandfuneralservice.com