Virginia Ruth Toney, 85 of Huntington passed away Friday, March 26, 2004. Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by Pastor Rick Glass. Burial in Adkins Cemetery, Ranger, WV. She was born May 22, 1918, in West Hamlin, WV, a daughter of the late Silas and Edna Staley Adkins. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Adda Midkiff and Velva Burton and three brothers, Gentry, Clyde and Grady Adkins. She is survived by three daughters, Rita Lucas and Jean Holley, both of Huntington, and Leah Thompson of Barboursville; one son, Roger Toney of Huntington; one sister, Ina Curry of Barboursville; two grandchildren, Sheila Cremeans and Richard Lucas; two great-grandchildren, Crystal and Cassandra Cremeans.
Clythe Clinton Beckett
Clythe Clinton Beckett, 86, of Milton went home to be with the Lord Saturday, March 27, 2004 in Putnam General Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 29, 2004 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Millard Morrison officiating. Burial in Enon Cemetery. He was born Nov. 19, 1917, in Cabell County, WV, a son of the late James Edward and Jerusha Johnson Beckett. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Eloise Perry Beckett. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, George and Anna Beckett of Milton; four daughters and sons-in-law, Marcella and Junior Woodard of Milton, Darlene and Richard Crouch of Milton, Sue and Wendell Hughes of South Carolina and Clyta and Tim Shaffer of Pennsylvania ; seven grandchildren; 5 great great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mossie Thacker.
Ethel McCallister
Ethel McCallister, 79, of Culloden went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 24, 2004, while at St. Mary's Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted March 27, 2004, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with the Rev. John Duffy officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. She was born January 11, 1925, in Huntington, W.Va., a daughter of the late Mark and Roma Nibert Stowasser. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Fred McCallister. She was a long time employee with Elder-Beerman, a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Culloden and a member of the Eastern Star. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Linda McCallister of Culloden; four grandchildren, Crystal McCallister, Bret McCallister and his wife Cindy, all of Hurricane, Amber Kessler and her husband Jason of Greenville, S.C., and Willie McCallister and his wife Stephanie of Salt Rock; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Delmer Stowasser of Williamstown; two sisters, Arlene Hoylman of Scott Depot and Estella Stowasser of Milton. She was surrounded by many wonderful neighbors and a host of dear friends. She was loved dearly and will be missed greatly but we can all find solace knowing that she has gone to her eternal rest in heaven.
Louis Ray “Lou” Hayes
Louis Ray “Lou” Hayes, 68, of Culloden, W.Va., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 23, 2004. He was born on January 5, 1936. Lou was a member of the Union Baptist Church of Milton and a retired Ironworker of Local 301, Charleston. He is the son of Clara and Cliff Towns of Buena Park, Calif. Lou was preceded in death by his father, Glen Ray Hayes, and brothers Glen Ray Hayes II and Steven Robinson. He is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne; two daughters, Vickie and her husband Randy Elkins of Milton and Lou Ann and her husband Rick Blake of Proctorville, Ohio; one son, Steve Hayes and his wife Pam of Craigsville, W.Va.; one sister, Sharon Robinson of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; grandchildren, Nicole and Casey Gates, Shena Burger, Justin Hayes, Jamie Elkins, Sarah and Bryan Blake; and special cousin Mike Smith and his wife Sandy of Pawley's Island, S.C. Funeral services were conducted Friday, March 26, 2004, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton with Rev. Tracy Mills officiating. Burial in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane, W.Va. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements. A special thanks to the American Red Cross and friends and family who donated blood; to Dr. John DiStefano and Staff, the 6th Floor Oncology Unit at St. Mary's Medical Center; and Hospice of Huntington. In lieu of flowers monetary contributions may be sent to Hospice of Huntington, P.O. Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709.
John “Jay” Green Stamper
John “Jay” Green Stamper, 71, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, formerly of Huntington, went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 21, 2004, in Lorain, Ohio. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 27, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel. Burial in Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington. He was born January 13, 1933, in Kitchen, W.Va., a son of the late Leslie Herbert Stamper and Maggie Eplin Stamper. He was a garageman at a trucking company and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Darlene Stamper; two sisters, Pauline Stevens and Eunice Frye Bias and two brothers, Ted Stamper and Frank Stamper. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Parsons Stamper; six daughters, Diana Ramsey of Cleveland, Donna Allen, Denise Dubbert, Stacey Stamper and Charlene Stamper, all of Sheffield Lake, Ohio and Delores Kochock of Strongsville, Ohio; one son James Stamper of Lakewood, Ohio; three sisters, Mary Reynolds of Ashville, Ohio, Florine Angle of Barboursville, W.Va., and Bertie Mae Burdette of Ona, W.Va.; one brother, Henry Stamper of Guyandotte, (Huntington) W.Va.; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. VFW Post #9738 conducted military graveside rites.
Patricia Ann Smarr
Patricia Ann Smarr, 73, of Huntington, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2004, at Mariner Health Care, Huntington. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. She was born June 23, 1930, in Huntington a daughter of the late Christian L. and Florence Mae Leach Smarr. She was a former employee of Flowers by Edward Bennett. She was also preceded in death by one son, Kie Lee Lawrence. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Lana and Tim Conner of Michigan; one brother and sister-in-law, Dick and JoAnn Smarr of Huntington; grandchildren, Jeff, Brian, Todd Hensley, Summer Lopez, Kelley Lear, J.T. and Casey Conner; nine great-grandchildren and one due in July; special niece, Joyce Miller, and a very dear friend, Reba Harbour.
Clinton H. Smith
Clinton H. “Mike” Smith, 82, of Winfield died May 16, 2004, at Putnam General Hospital.
Born March 5, 1992 in Hurricane, Mike was a son of the late Lewis and Ruby Scott Smith. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Fred and Lawrence Smith, and his first wife, June Satterfield Smith.
He was a Christian and was a member, deacon and choir member of Judson Baptist Church, Winfield. he was retired from the shipping department of Union Carbide, South Charleston plant. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II in the Philippines. He loved spending time hunting and fishing.
Surviving: wife, Nellverna Smith; children, Scott Smith of Huntington, Doug Smith and wife, Patsy, and Mark Smith and wife, Marybeth, all of Hurricane, Becky Kelley and husband, Tom of Chester, South Carolina; stepchildren, Alda Miller and wife, Sue, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Darlene Wick of Bancroft, Crystal Moberley of Winfield, Rodney Miller and wife, Melissa, of Scott Depot; sisters, Ora Miller and Hallie Hall, both of Hurricane; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at Judson Baptist Church with the Rev. Fred McCallister, the Rev. Keith Creasey and Jim McGehee officiating. Burial was in Hurricane Cemetery. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Judson Baptist Church, 1400 Bills Creek Road, Winfield WV 25213.
Alberta M. Whittington
Alberta M. Landers Whittington, 82, of Buffalo died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at home following a short illness.
She was a homemaker, attended Cross Creek Community Church and was a lifelong resident of Putnam County.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Wilma Lett Landers, and her husband, Carol Whittington.
Surviving: daughters, Maxine Williams of Parkersburg, Kathlene Walls of Stollings, and Ginger Smith of Marietta, Georgia; sons, Albert Pooler and Johnny Bailey, both of Ohio; stepsons, Elvin Ray Whittington, Larry Joe Whittington and Carol Richard Whittington, all of Buffalo; brothers, Ernest Landers of Morgantown and Paul Zink of Raymond City; sisters, Margaret Craft of Orlando, Florida, Betty Williams of St. Albans, Lorene Tate of London, Kentucky, and Elizabeth Johnson of Indiana; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Thursday, May 20, 2004, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Denver Tucker officiating. Burial was in Cross Creek Cemetery.
James Vallo Jr.
James Vallo Jr., 38, of Winfield died May 15, 2004 at his residence.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was preceded in death by two brothers, John B. and Timothy D. Elmore, and a brother-in-law, Jay C. Burgess.
He was a graduate of Dupont High School and was a flight attendant for American Airlines.
Surviving: mother and father, Judith Gallagher of Hurricane and James Vallo Sr. of Texas ; sisters, Sandra Smith, Lorie Baldwin, Sheila Brisendine, Barbara Reed, Janie Vallo and Tabitha Townsend; brothers, Michael Woodward, James Gilpin and Kevin Elmore.
A private family memorial service was held Friday, May 21, 2004, at Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, with Pastor Bill Stanley officiating.
Betty Francis Skiles
Betty Francis Skiles, 68, of Red House died May 17, 2004, at home after a long illness.
She retired from Wellington’s of Scarlet Oaks Country Club, Poca, with 28 years of service.
Surviving: her husband of 41 years, Dallas E. Skiles; sons, Michael and Mark Wayne Hill, both of Hampton, Virginia; daughter, Marshalla Smith of Red House; sister, Juanita Morris of Jackson County; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at Gatens Funeral Home Chapel, Poca, with the Rev. Willard Beller officiating.
Charles L. Bradley
Charles L. Bradley, 80, of Bufalo, formerly of Rainelle, died May 20, 2004, at home following a long illness.
He attended Pt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, was a retired engineer from Conrail with 33 years of service, a member of the Nitro Moose Lodge 565, a lifetime member of the Rainelle VFW Post 4484, where he was a founding member, and a proud U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, where he was a sergeant in the 468th Bomb Group.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Nettie Loudermilk Bradley and Chester “Pat” Bradley, stepson, Richard Hill, and a granddaughter, Domedia Darlene Bradley.
Surviving: his wife of 30 years, Libby Harper Bradley; sons, Steven Douglas Bradley and wife, Gayle, of Marengo, Ohio and Gary Wayne Braldey of Rainelle; stepson, John Hill of Rainelle; sisters, Dora McClung and Pearl Moore, both of Hurricane; four grandchildren.
Service was held Monday, May 24, 2004, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Cecil Spry officiating. Interment was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Patricia Caffee
Patricia Caffee, 61, of Poca died May 21, 2004, in Bonnie’s Personal Care Home in Poca.
She was a member of the mount Beulah Church in Grant Town.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Elizabeth Branch Akers, brother, Franklin D. Akers, and sisters, Mildred McCain and Gloria Jean McCain.
Surviving: sons, Freeman and Cory Caffee, both of Barrackville; daughter, Donna Caffee Gilmore of Barrackville; brothers, Clarence Akers of Far Rockaway, New York and Sonny Akers of New York; sisters, Shirley G. Hall of Grant Town, Reva Barrett of New York, Joyce Akers of Fairmont, and Bonnie Zink of Poca; eight grandchildren; a host of family and friends.
Memorial service was held Monday, May 24, 2004, at Gatens Funeral Home Chapel, Poca.
Henry Benton Kinder
Henry Benton “Bunky” Kinder, 77, died May 22, 2004, following a long illness.
Born April 1, 1927, he was a World War II vetera of the U.S. Army Air Corp.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Eloise Wolf Kinder, brothers, Calvin Kinder and Paul Kinder, and sisters, Ruby Call, Bessie Koontz and Dora Sesher.
Surviving: son, James “Mike” Kinder of Hurricane; daughters, Ruth Rollins of Hurricane and Dixie Fichera of Alcoa, Tennessee; sister, Alice Collins; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchildren.
Service was held Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at Allen Funeral Home Chapel, Hurricane, with the Rev. Dr. Charles Hendricks officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Ross Muskoff
Ross Muskoff, 38, of Scott Depot died May 22, 2004, of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
He was born November 25, 1965 in Canton Ohio, moving to the Kanawha Valley in 1998. He was a mail handler for the USPS, working in the Southridge postal complex. He was an outdoorsman and spent many hours hunting and enjoying nature. He was also a NASCAR enthusiast.
Preceding him in death are his mother, Marlana Malkoff Bible, his father, Bob Muskoff, and his grandmother, Gertrude Baker.
Surviving: wife, Sherry King Muskoff; son, Alexander Muskoff at home;; biological father, Steve Baker of Texas ; stepfather, Tim Bible of Ohio; brother, Brent Baker and his family, Nikki and Brandon, of Michaigan; aunt, Martha Green of Cleveland; cousin, Michelle Romick of Michigan; godparents, Erwin and Marianne Blass of Ohio; father- and mother-in-law, Julie and Aaron Riley of Morehead, Kentucky; numerous nieces and nephews.
Service was held Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with Pastors Gary Hale and Timothy Linick officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Leukemia Society, West Virginia Chapter, Two Gateway Center, 13 North, Pittsburgh PA 15222.
Jane Adkins
Jane Adkins, 67, of Milton passed away Saturday, May 22, 2004, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Graveside services were conducted Tuesday, May 25, 2004, in Forest Memorial Park, Milton, with Ernest Pruitt officiating. Jane was born July 16, 1937, in Wayne County, a daughter of the late Garland and Pearl Crockett Blankenship. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Anna Ruth Blankenship, and two brothers, Samuel Lee Blankenship and Karl Blankenship. Jane was a retired employee of St. Mary’s Hospital. She is survived by one daughter, Connie Sue Venoy, and her companion, Phillip McCormick; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael E. and Pam Adkins of Proctorville, Ohio; two sisters, Bonnie Pruitt of Clyde, Ohio, and Glenna Chaney of Gallipolis, Ohio; two brothers, Tim Blankenship of Tiffin, Ohio, and Gary Blankenship of Lavalette; three grandchildren, Matthew Venoy and Yvonne Adkins, both of Milton, and Bethany Adkins of Proctorville; one great-granddaughter, Rhea M. Rideout of Huntington; two step-grandchildren, Jeffery Harmon of Proctorville and Sherry L. Powell of Louisiana; and a host of nieces and nephews. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements.
Jearold A. “Chuckie” Harshbarger
Jearold A. “Chuckie” Harshbarger, 56, of Milton, W.Va., passed away Thursday, May 20, 2004, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, May 23, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by the Rev. Gordon Rutherford. Burial in Gwinn Cemetery, Milton. He was born April 27, 1948, in Milton, a son of Harold H. Harshbarger of Milton, and Dorothy Alford Meadows of Eleanor, W.Va. He is also survived by his stepmother, Violet Finley Martin Harshbarger; one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Roger Shull of Milton; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Harold Lee and Linda Harshbarger of Milton, and Kevin Harshbarger of Barboursville; stepsister Pamela Meadows of Eeanor; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Chuckie’s caregiver, James Burns for his care and, Brenda, Harold, and Violet for their continued loving care during his life.
Clyde Hensley
Clyde Hensley, 88, died May 14, 2004. He was born Oct. 12, 1915, in Milton, W.Va., to Woodvill Clyde and Mary Burdette Hensley. Residing in Chapel Hill, N.C., since 1984, he participated in the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement (DILR), Meals on Wheels, Shared Housing of Chapel Hill, New Hope and Stoneridge/ Sedgefield Property Owners’ Associations and the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church. Before retiring, Mr. Hensley worked as an accounting in Huntington, W.Va., and Ashland, Ky., for nearly 35 years. He and his wife, Yvonne, lived mostly in Barboursville, W.Va, W.Va. where they reared their children and belonged to the Barboursville Baptist Church. A graduate of Marshall University, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II in New York City. Mr. Hensley survived by his wife, Yvonne Matheny Hensley; their three children, David Hensley of Montreal, Canada, Blair Kokotek of Fair Lawn N.J., and Shelley Lounsbury of Stamford, Conn.; five grandsons; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Hensley of Chapel Hill; one niece; and five nephews. Family and friends met to celebrate his life Friday, May 21, at Binkley Baptist Church, Chapel Hill. Mr. Hensley was buried in Milton, WV. Arrangements by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh, N.C.
Helen D. Johnson
Helen D. Johnson, 84, of Huntington, went to be with the Lord Thursday, May 20, 2004, at Morris Memorial Nursing Home. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, May 23, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville by Minister Danny E. Evans. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. She was born May 16, 1920, in Huntington, a daughter of the late John Earl and Emma Hope Bond Duncan. She was a long time member of the Farmdale Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin J. Johnson. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Minister Danny E. Evans of Huntington; one son and daughter-in-law, Samp Earl and Kathy Johnson of Crown City, Ohio; four grandsons, Samp Douglas Johnson, John Earl Johnson and his wife Nikki of Crown City, Ohio, Zachary David Evans and Jonathan Daniel Evans of Huntington; one great-grandson, Sampson Dakota Johnson of Crown City.
Eugene Anderson Miller
Eugene Anderson Miller of Barboursville passed Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at his home. Funeral services were conducted Monday, May 24, 2004, at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by the Rev. Charles E. Caserta. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. He was born Oct. 19, 1927, in Pine Knob, W.Va., a son of the late Chapahannock Miller and Pearl Gunnoe Miller. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U.S. Army and was known in the Barboursville area for repairing lawn mowers. He was preceded in death his wife, Ruth May Carpenter Miller and one brother, Dale Miller. He is survived by one daughter, Deborah Miller Caldwell and her husband Carlton of Melbourne, Fla.; one brother, Byrd Miller of Pine Knob; and two grandchildren Lewis Mark Bowers Jr. and Heather Bowers Perdue. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. V.F.W. Post 9738 will conduct military graveside rites. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington, Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709.
Mr. Billy Jack Craig
Mr. Billy Jack Craig, 66 of Lesage, W.Va., died Wednesday, May 19, 2004, in St. Mary’s Medical Center. Graveside funeral service were conducted Friday, May 21, 2004, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville, by Rev Jamie Jefferson. Burial followed. Billy Jack was born January 29, 1938, in Cabell County, West Virginia, a son of the late Homer O. Craig Sr. and Ethel M. Nelson Craig. He was retired from the Huntington Police Department and was a member of the F.O.P. Gold Star Lodge. He was preceded in death by a son Jeffrey Allen Craig. Survivors include his wife Betty Jean Craig; one daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Jim Nibert of Lesage; one sister, Mary Beall of Fairbanks, Alaska; one brother, Homer O. Craig, Jr.; two grandchildren, Ashley Miranda Kearns and James Richard Nibert II; two great-grandchildren, Isiah Kearns and Max Nibert. Chapman’s Mortuary Huntington, was in charge of arrangements. Funeral services were held Friday, May 21, 2004.
