Alma Leslie Buskirk, 77, of Parkersburg passed
away June 15, 2009, at Camden-Clark Memorial
Hospital.
She was born in Doddridge County, a daughter
of the late Amos and Mabel Davis Morris. She
had been a member of the VFW of Del Rio,
Texas, and the Eagles.
Surviving are three sons, Charles Randy
(Stephane Jean) Buskirk of South Charleston,
Dana (Melissa) Buskirk and Jody Lee (Pam)
Buskirk, all of Parkersburg; five daughters,
Debbie Whitten (Patrick) of San Antonio,
Texas, Rhonda Retzer (Gregg) Mandan, N.D.,
Joyce Gobeille (Gary) of Middleton, Mass., Ann
Marie Barry (Patrick) of Reno, Nev., and
Elizabeth Buskirk of Parkersburg; 32
grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three
sisters, Betty Bennett, JoAnn Fitzwater and
Garnet Morris, all of Parkersburg; and several
nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by her husband, Charles Ira Buskirk;
three brothers, Aubrey, David and Phillip
Morris; and two sisters, Jacklyn Demastis and
Kathryn McGee.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Kimes
Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Waybright
officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar
Grove. The visitation will be from 6-8 p.m.
Thursday at the funeral home.
Robert Harlan Chichester
Parkersburg, WV
Robert Harlan Chichester, 70, of Parkersburg
passed away Friday evening, June 12, 2009, at
Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital after a battle
with cancer.
He was born Jan. 3, 1939, in Parkersburg, to
the late Violet Chichester Bauman. He just
recently returned to Parkersburg after
residing for 23 years in Bradenton, Fla.
He served with the United States Army from
1959-1962. He had over 20 years experience in
restaurant operations, having owned his own
for a time. He was also employed by several
car dealerships over the years.
He was a Methodist by faith and loved the
Lord. He supported several outreach ministries.
Surviving is the love of his life and best
friend, Linda Thirouin Chichester of St.
Petersburg, Fla.; his son, Darren Scott
Chichester of Las Vegas, Nev.; brothers, Carl
Chichester (Janet) of Reedsville, Ohio, and
Roy Bauman (Diane) of Croton, Ohio; sisters,
Patty Hauger (Harold) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio,
Betty Nesselroad of Parkersburg, Deborah Clark
(Bruce) of Gambier, Ohio, Peggy Rector
(Raymond) of Newark, Ohio, Tracey Harry
(Edwin) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and Sue Saiter
(Randy) of Bladensburg, Ohio; and many nieces
and nephews.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in
death by his stepfather, Wilbur Bauman; and a
brother, Henry Scott Bauman.
In accordance to his wishes, his body was
cremated. His family will host a celebration
of his life at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at
the New Hope Baptist Church on Rosemar Road.
Kimes Funeral Home & Cremation Services of
Parkersburg is assisting the family and online
condolence messages may be sent to the family
by visiting www.kimesfh.com
Douglas Phelps Hess Sr.
Vienna, Wv
Douglas Phelps Hess Sr., 81, of Vienna passed
away Saturday morning, May 30, 2009, at Camden-
Clark Memorial Hospital.
He was born Aug. 13, 1927, in Marietta, a son
of the late Whitney Andrew Hess and Barbara
Louise Bardill Hess. He was a member of the
Salvation Army and had served in the United
States Army and the Air Force.
Early on, he studied piano and was a champion
in Ohio at the age of 11. He then started
playing other instruments, the clarinet and
the tuba. He was active with Boy Scouts of
America, having achieved the rank of Eagle
Scout with two gold palms. After serving in
the Air Force, he graduated from Ohio
University with a B.S. Degree in education.
His first job was band director at Beverly,
Ohio, and for the next 25 years, he taught at
many Washington County Schools. He also
directed the Marietta College Band. In his
spare time, he continued his musical career
playing in musicals for the Actors Guild,
playing bass in local clubs, playing clarinet
in a polka band and playing piano at nursing
homes.
Nearing retirement, he got involved in two
local groups that he stayed with for the rest
of his life. The summer concerts with the Doug
Hess Band became a tradition in the
Parkersburg area and the Doug Hess Orchestra
played big band favorites at dances across the
region, including the Big Band Brunch.
Doug also served as president of the local
Musicians Union and was an officer and band
director with the Parkersburg Salvation Army.
Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Lois A.
Gant Hess; sons, Whitney Hess of Winfield,
W.Va., Douglas Hess Jr. of Belpre and Nathan
Hess of Marietta; grandchildren, Willow,
Shannon, Gavin and Xander Hess; and a brother,
Bardill Hess of Akron, Ohio.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in
death by his brother, Lincoln Hess.
The funeral service for Mr. Hess will be 3:30
p.m. Wednesday at the Kimes Funeral Home, 521
Fifth St., downtown Parkersburg, where the
Doug Hess Orchestra will play for their
director one last time. Maj. Vernon Dolby will
officiate and military honors will be provided
by the American Legion Post 15 of Parkersburg.
The visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Smoot Theater of Parkersburg.
Thelma Burgess
Charleston, WV
Thelma Burgess, 91, passed away May 22, 2009,
at the Arbors of Marietta.
Kimes Funeral Home, Parkersburg, is assisting
the family with cremation arrangements.
Doris Marie Strong Johnson
Parkerburg, WV
Doris Marie Strong Johnson, 65, of
Parkersburg, passed away Thursday, May 14,
2009, at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 5, 1943 in Wirt County, a
daughter of the late Okey and Merle Fought
Strong.
Doris was a 1962 graduate of Wirt County High
School and was a Homemaker.
Surviving is a daughter, Kim Wright (Chris
Hall) of Parkersburg; a son, Jeff Johnson
(Mischa) of Parkersburg; and daughter, Jenny
Johnson of Vienna; four grandchildren, Shelena
Taylor, J.B. Studenic, Kenzie Johnson and
Jyles Johnson; one great-granddaughter,
Kailynn Taylor; three brothers, Russell and
Roger Strong of Elizabeth and Donnie Strong of
Mineral Wells; and a sister, Wilma Snider of
Davisville; several nieces and nephews; and
her beloved cat, "Ginger".
The funeral service will be held 1 p.m.
Saturday at the Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth
Street, Parkersburg. Rev. Melvin Boggs and
Charles Linder will officiate and burial will
follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.