Dorsel Eugene Larkins

Dorsel Euguene Larkins met his Lord and Savior face to face on Sunday, March 29, 2026. He was 92 years old. He was the son of Dell Larkins and Ethel (Taylor) Larkins, both of whom were descended from Meigs County pioneers. Dorsel was the ninth of ten children, and he was the last surviving sibling of an unnamed infant who died in 1916, Gilbert Larkins in 1935, Juanita Larkins in 1936, Cpl. Charles Larkins in 1972, Tressie (Larkins) Stethem in 1986, Leota (Larkins) Johnson in 2014, Ruby (Larkins) Dunn in 2015, Robert Larkins in 2018, and Josepine (Larkins) Osborne in 2020. During his life, he mourned the loss of his wife Phyllis (Wamsley) in 1994, his son Michael (Kim) Larkins in 2016, and Audrey (Hubbard) in 2025. Dorsel is survived by his children Shirley (Steve) Salisbury of Gallipolis and Kenneth (Kathy) Larkins of Long Bottom, grandchildren Adam (Missy) Salisbury, Aaron (Carrie) Salisbury, Anna (Will) Maynard, Wesley Larkins, Whitney (Joshua) Santiago, Alissa Glenn, Amber Larkins, and Amanda Larkins, great-grandchildren Samantha, Gabby, Hannah, Jackson, Noah, Cooper, Landon, and Alden, and his sister-in-law Nancy Preston and his brothers-in-law Carl Wamsley and Dick Wamsley.

Dorsel grew up along the banks of the Ohio River in Long Bottom, Ohio, in a home that had survived the great floods of 1884, 1913, and 1937, and had once been a hotel. He helped his father who ran the mail on a small boat between Long Bottom and a train stop on the opposite side of the river. He married Phyllis Wamsley early in life and they made their home in several places in the Ohio river valley, following his work opportunities as a union equipment operator, finally settling down for good, building their home and raising their children just behind Dorsel’s parents’ home in Long Bottom.

Dorsel’s children attended Eastern High School and he volunteered his time and talents on the school board, serving several terms as President. He served on the Meigs County Republican Central Committee and also was a strong member of the Masonic Lodge, serving there for more than sixty years.

Dorsel bought his first Harley Davidson before he was twenty years old and enjoyed just about anything with an engine and wheels. He could whistle like a bird and swim like a fish. He was a hard worker and good storyteller. He hosted family reunions and often visited distant family. He took a lot of pictures. He liked Archie comic books, Mickey Mouse cartoons, and Walt Disney tv specials. He hunted and fished. He had a green thumb. He liked home cooking, fresh tomatoes with salt, bologna from Reed's, and Remo's hotdogs. He loved being near water and often travelled to the ocean with his family. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dorsel believed in his heart that Jesus Christ lived, died, and was bodily resurrected. He was a member of the Long Bottom Methodist congregation, leading the Sunday school teaching and singing, and often shepherding the church pageants, plays, dinners, and funerals that mark life in a small community. When he was the first one to get to church, he pulled the rope and rang the old bell hanging below the steeple. He rang it often.

Funeral services will be conducted by the White Funeral Home of Coolville on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 1 P.M. with Adam Salisbury officiating. A Masonic service conducted by the Shade River Masonic Lodge #453 will follow the funeral service.  Internment to follow immediately at Sand Hill Cemetery in Long Bottom.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home Friday from 11 A.M. until time of service.

You are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com.