Finding a specific name in the herald dispatch huntington wv obituaries today can feel like a chore if you aren't sure where the digital "paper" actually lives these days. Honestly, most folks just want to know who we lost and when the service is.
But here is the thing. The way we check local deaths in Huntington has changed a lot since the days of just grabbing the physical paper off the porch.
Why checking the Herald-Dispatch matters right now
Huntington is a tight-knit place. If you grew up near Ritter Park or spent your Saturdays at the Central City Antique District, you've probably got deep roots here. When someone passes, the news ripples through the Tri-State area—from Barboursville down to Kenova and across the river into Ohio.
The Herald-Dispatch remains the "paper of record." Even with social media, an official obituary in the paper is how families document a life for the history books.
Who We Remember: Recent Notices and Services
Looking at the latest updates for Thursday, January 15, 2026, several local families are currently sharing news of their loved ones. It is a heavy week for the community.
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Joseph Franklyn Edwards, 78, of Huntington, recently passed at Cabell Huntington Hospital. He spent years working at Owens-Illinois and Plasser America. If you knew Joe, there is a Celebration of Life happening tomorrow, January 16, at Creekside Restaurant from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s one of those informal gatherings that feels very "Huntington"—just friends and family sharing memories over a meal.
Then there is William Howard Toby "Coach" Holbrook. He was 84. For anyone who went to Huntington High, that name probably rings a bell. He was a retired coach and a fixture in local sports. His service is set for Saturday, January 17, at Chapman’s Mortuary.
We also lost Tracey Diane Simmons Cornwell, 61. She was a familiar face in local food service and a member of the Baptist faith. Her funeral is also this Saturday at Henson and Kitchen Mortuary.
The tricky part about "Today"
People often search for "obituaries today" and get frustrated when they don't see a name immediately. Basically, there is a lag.
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A death might happen on a Monday, but the family and the funeral home (like Reger, Chapman’s, or Klingel-Carpenter) might not get the text finalized and paid for until Wednesday. That means the obituary usually hits the Herald-Dispatch website and the print edition about 2 to 4 days after the passing.
If you don't see someone yet, check back tomorrow morning.
How to Find What You’re Looking For (Without the Headache)
Most people head straight to the Herald-Dispatch website, but you actually end up on a portal powered by Legacy. It's kinda the industry standard now.
- The Search Bar: Don't just type the first name. Use the last name and "Huntington" to narrow it down.
- The Guestbook: This is a big deal for local families. You can leave a "digital candle" or a note. Honestly, these mean a lot to people who can't make it to the visitation in person.
- The Archives: If you are looking for someone who passed away a few months ago, you won't find them on the front page. You have to use the "Past 30 Days" or "Past Year" filter.
What it costs to post
Believe it or not, publishing these isn't cheap. For the herald dispatch huntington wv obituaries today, the pricing is actually tiered based on word count.
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- Under 100 words: You’re looking at about $1.65 per word.
- Over 200 words: The rate drops to around $0.60 per word.
- Basic Death Notice: These are much cheaper (starting around $60) but they only give the bare essentials—name, age, and where the service is.
Families often spend hundreds of dollars just to make sure their loved one’s full story is told. It is an investment in their memory.
Common Mistakes People Make
The biggest mistake? Trusting random "obituary" sites that aren't the Herald-Dispatch. There are these "scrapper" sites that use AI to pull data from funeral home pages. They are often full of errors or, worse, they try to sell you flowers that never arrive at the right funeral home.
Stick to the official source.
Another thing: people often forget that Huntington is a "Tri-State" city. If you can't find a name in the Herald-Dispatch, they might be listed in the Ashland Independent (Kentucky) or the Ironton Tribune (Ohio). Families often pick the paper based on where the person lived the longest, not necessarily where they died.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you are looking for someone right now, here is what you should do:
- Check the Legacy portal linked through the Herald-Dispatch website for the most "official" digital version.
- Visit the funeral home's direct website. Places like Reger Funeral Home or Chapman’s Mortuary often post the obituary on their own site 12 to 24 hours before it appears in the newspaper.
- Search for the "Celebration of Life" rather than just "funeral." Many Huntington families are moving toward less formal gatherings at local restaurants or parks.
- Verify the time. WV weather in January can be unpredictable. Always check the obituary page one last time on the morning of the service to make sure it hasn't been delayed by snow or ice.
Knowing who has passed is about more than just checking a list; it’s about staying connected to the fabric of Huntington. Whether it's a legendary high school coach or a neighbor you used to see at Stewart's Hot Dogs, these notices are the final word on lives well-lived in our corner of West Virginia.