Helen "Peggy" Gaston Carez Cooper, went home
to Heaven on Dec. 28, 2011, surrounded by her
children.
Peggy was born Sept. 4, 1928 in Gilmer County
to James Eustace and Ruby Kuhl Gaston.
She is survived by five children, Jim Carez
(Vicki), Susan Frushour (Dick), Mary Pirayesh,
Helen Freed (Bill) and Bill Carez (Michele);
nine grandchildren, Scott Carez, Brian
Frushour, Lisa Frushour Storey, Angela Herdman
Strosnider, Christopher Carez, Doug Pirayesh,
Debra Pirayesh, Alicia Wells and Morgan Carez,
and three great-grandchildren, Lynsay
Strosnider, Kendall Storey, and Nathan
Frushour. She is also survived by her brothers
and sisters; Polly Baker, Hazel Pickens,
Clifford Caston (Helen), Dayton Gaston
(Mildred), Phyllis Johnson (Ray) and Linda
Wagner (Jim), and numerous cousins, nieces,
and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her
first husband Harry Carez, and second husband,
Edgar Cooper; three brothers, Jackie Gaston,
Beryl Gaston, and Edgel Gaston.
Peggy was a member of Big Island Run Church
and later attended Friendship Ridge Christian
Fellowship.
Peggy lived her life for her family. She was
always there for her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. After being widowed
at age 42, she obtained her GED and enrolled
in nursing school. She graduated in 1975 as an
RN. She instilled in her children a wonderful
set of values. Peggy lived on Dutch Ridge Road
for 30 years raising her family, and then in
Creston, W.Va., for 30 years where she made
numerous friends and enjoyed the country life.
She was an exceptional lady, mother, wife, and
friend with sweet, smiling blue eyes, and will
be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The funeral will be held at Kimes Funeral
Home, 521 Fifth Street, Parkersburg, on
Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. with Delmas
Stutler officiating. Visitation will be Friday
from 3-5 and from 6-8 p.m.
William Paul (Bill) Helmic
Parkersburg, WV
William Paul "Bill" Helmic, 70, of
Parkersburg, passed away Dec. 27, 2011, at his
home.
He was born June 13, 1941 in Uler, W.Va., son
of the late Albert P. and Katie R. Jarvis
Helmic.
Bill was a graduate of Gauley Bridge High
School, had served in the United States Air
Force from 1959 to 1963 and was a member of
Trinity United Methodist Church.
He retired from GE Plastics as a chemical
operator with 33 years of service. He was a
member of the Parkersburg Masonic Lodge No. 3.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and watching
his grandsons play baseball.
Surviving is his son, William "Scott" (Kendra)
Helmic of Parkersburg; two grandsons, Ryan S.
Helmic and Dustin W. Helmic, both of
Parkersburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in
death by his wife of 47 years, Barbara A.
Morton Helmic, July 28, 2010.
The funeral service will be held 1 p.m.
Friday, at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth St.,
Parkersburg. Pastor David Stilgenbauer will
officiate and entombment will follow at the
Three Crosses Mausoleum of Sunset Memory
Gardens.
The visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today and
one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Memorial donations may be directed to
Housecalls Hospice.
Maxine Arwilda Ayers
Parkersburg, WV
Maxine Arwilda Ayers, 85, of Parkersburg,
passed away Dec. 23, 2011, at Worthington
Manor Nursing Home.
She was born in Wood County on May 10, 1926, a
daughter of the late Charles V. Poole and
Hazel Willis Poole Roberts.
Maxine was a homemaker and a member of River
Valley Community Church. She enjoyed her
church family, flowers and crochet.
Surviving is her son, Charles R. (Kathy) Ayers
of Vienna; daughter, Charlotte A. Beckett of
Parkersburg; one brother, Gail (Frances) Poole
of Parkersburg; four grandchildren, Zachery
(Heather) Ayers, Nicholas (Jennifer) Ayers,
Melissa (Christopher) Carson and Shawna (Ryan)
Badgett; eight great-grandchildren; several
nieces and nephews; and special friends, Nancy
Morris of Parkersburg and Kay and Gene Tennant
of Parkersburg.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by her husband, John Minter Ayers;
brothers, Ray Poole and Everett Poole; two
granddaughters, Amber Ayers and Heidi Ayers;
and special sister-in-law, Lois Milhoan.
The funeral service will be held 1 p.m.
Wednesday at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth
St., Parkersburg, with the Rev. John Douglas
officiating. Burial will follow at Rockland
Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday.
Mildred Naomi Wright
Parkersburg, WV
Mildred Naomi Wright, 87, of Parkersburg,
passed away Dec. 22, 2011, at Harmar Place in
Marietta.
She was born Aug. 14, 1924 at Crooksville,
Ohio, a daughter of the late Wirt and Clara
Dawson Brookover.
Mildred was a graduate of Williamstown High
School, was a member of the South Parkersburg
Baptist Church where she was a member of the
Believers Sunday School class.
She retired from Corning Glass with 32 years
of service and had received her 60 year Pin.
She enjoyed playing the piano, yodelling,
crochet and quilting.
She was also a member of the Order of Eastern
Star Chapter # 14.
Surviving are two sons, Robert Wayne (Norma)
Wright of Belpre and Larry E. (Donna) Wright
of Belleville; one daughter, Barbara W. Wilcox
(former husband, Dwayne Wilcox) of
Parkersburg; grandchildren, Derrick Wilcox,
Pamela Newell, Wendy Shriver, Jason Wright,
Dustin Wright and Andrea Emerick; great-
grandchildren, Zack Newell, Shanea Maholick,
Cody Wilcox, Reagan Shriver, Dawson Newell,
Chase Emerick, Brady Shriver, Lexie Wright and
Maddie Emerick; one sister, Velma (Mason) Cole
of Radford, Va. and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by her husband, Robert J. Wright; a
grandson, Nicolas Wilcox; a brother, Chester
Brookover and a sister, Nadine Rouser.
The funeral service will be held 2 p.m.
Tuesday at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth St.,
Parkersburg. Pastor Joe Busch will officiate
and burial will follow at Evergreen South
Cemetery. There will be viewing and visitation
two hours prior to the service on Tuesday.
Helen Virginia Lieving
Parkersburg, WV
Helen Virginia Lieving, 89, a long time
resident of Eagle Pointe, passed away Dec. 21,
2011, at Camden Clark Medical Center, St.
Joseph's Campus.
She was born Feb. 25, 1922 at McFarland in
Ritchie County, a daughter of the late Henry
O. and Flora Null Lieving.
She was a member of the Straight Creek Baptist
Church and attended South Parkersburg United
Methodist Church.
Helen retired from Brockway Glass Company in
Vienna and had worked at Ames during WWII.
She loved antiques and her many African
Violets. She was a sweet and caring lady.
Surviving are a brother-in-law, Ralph Davis; a
niece, Pam Copland; nephews, John Davis,
Lowell Davis, Paul Ross and wife, Shelia and
several cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded
in death by sisters, Grace B. Lieving, Jean
Ross, Mary Frances Davis and two infant
sisters.
The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. today
at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth Street,
Parkersburg. Rev. Rick Brown will officiate
and burial will follow at the Mason Cemetery in Ritchie County.
Viewing and visitation will be one hour prior
to the service.
Richard Ellsworth Life
Murraysville, WV
Richard Ellsworth Life, 81, of Murraysville,
passed away Dec. 16, 2011, at Marietta
Memorial Hospital following a six-month
illness.
He was born in Wood County, a son of the late
William McKinley and Nora Ellen Freeland Life.
Richard was a retired general contractor. He
was a life member of Pond Creek Volunteer Fire
Department. He was instrumental in building
the fire department facility, having served on
the original building committee. He was also a
member of Country Pickers Bluegrass Band.
Surviving is his wife of 58 years, Wilma Smith
Life; two sons, Richard C. (Terry Ann) Life of
Elizabeth and Steven R. Life of Jackson
County; two daughters, Kathryn (Garry) Myers
of Parkersburg and Eva Kittle of Vienna; 10
grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and
several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in
death by a half-brother, John Bonnett; and
half-sister, Opal Jackson.
The funeral service will be held 11 a.m.
Monday at Kimes Funeral Home, 521 Fifth St.,
Parkersburg, with Pastor Keith Hostutler
officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset
Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m.
today.