LENORA E. OVERMYER
ROMNEY, W.Va. - Lenora Ellen Overmyer, 74, of Romney, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland, Md.
Born Jan. 6, 1924, in Cumberland, she was a daughter of the late W. Marvin and Lula (Taylor) Williams.
Mrs. Williams attended Romney schools and graduated from Romney High School. She attended the Blackstone School in Virginia before graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with degrees in English and history. She did graduate studies in social work and was with the Red Cross at the Fitzsimmons Veterans Hospital in Denver following World War II.
During the U.S. military occupation of Germany, she worked in Berlin, where she managed to weather the blockade of that city including being detained by the Russians for a short period.
Later Lenora taught English classes in Spain before going to Venezuela to work as a secretary in the oil fields for the Mene Grande (Gulf) Oil Co. It was there that she met and married
her husband of 37 years, Dale O. Overmyer.
The family returned to Romney to make their home following Mr. Overmyer's retirement in 1983. Lenora was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Dale O. Overmyer; two sons, Dale O. Overmyer Jr., Washington, D.C., and John T. Overmyer, Austin, Texas; one daughter, Cecilia D. Overmyer, Romney; two brothers, Manning H. Williams, Romney, and Charles Marvin Williams, Weston, Mass; and four grandchildren.
At Mrs. Overmyer's request, her body was cremated.
Graveside services will be conducted at the Indian Mound cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Douglas N. Shepherd officiating.
The Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney, is in charge of the arrangements.
MICHAEL C. PALMER
AUGUSTA, W.Va. - Michael Carl Palmer, 52, of Augusta, died at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va., on Jan. 5, 1998.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie; a daughter, Darah; and a son, Noel.
He was the son of Carl and Jessamae Palmer of McLean, Va.; and the son-in-law of Lillyan Maisti of College Park, Md. Mr. Palmer also is survived by one sister, Mary Field of Ashland, Va.
Michael was the postmaster in Baker, W.Va., and was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict having received the Purple Heart.
Private funeral services will be held at Arlington National cemetery on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m. with visitation at the Palmer residence in Augusta from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Hampshire County Public Library, 153 W. Main Street, Romney, WV 26757.
MARVEL W. PARISH
KEYSER, W.Va. - Marvel W. (Hyre) Parish, 84, of 97 N. Davis St., Keyser, died on Monday, July 27, 1998, at Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser.
Born Nov. 11, 1913, in Davis, she was the daughter of the late Arthur B. and Margaret (Hutton) Hyre. She was also preceded in death by two husbands, Robert S. Smith, in 1945, and Kermit A. Parish, in 1979.
Mrs. Parish was a 1932 graduate of Keyser High School and had been a beautician. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was Past President and member of the United Methodist Women and was Circle Leader for 30 years. She was a Sunday School teacher in the Junior High Department for 25 years. She was a member of the Mary Sanders Bible Class and the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Surviving are one niece; one nephew; and one great-nephew. She is also survived by two cousins, Orianna Day Webb and Dorcus Day Gwinn, both of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Special Friends, Gretchen Green and Mary Summers, both of Keyser.
Friends will be received at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be conducted at the funeral home on Thursday, July 30, 1998, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Samuel E. Starling Jr. officiating.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 32 Davis St., Keyser, WV 26726.
JAMI SUE PARKER
BURLINGTON, W.Va. - Jami Sue Parker, 23, of Route 1, Box 106-A, Burlington, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998, at her residence.
Born Jan. 24, 1975, at Cumberland, Md., she was the daughter of James C. and Mary Kay (Borror) Parker, with whom she resided. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Marvin "Kermit" and Olive (Leatherman) Borror; and her paternal grandfather, Forrest Parker.
Miss Parker was a client/employee of the Developmental Center and Workshop Inc. A 1996 graduate of Keyser High School, Keyser, W.Va., she had been active in Special Olympics for many years, participating in several events on local, regional and state levels. She had served as Outreach Spokesperson for Mineral County Special Olympics since the 1992-1993 season. She was a supporting cast member of McNeill's Rangers in 1991 and 1994. Jami attended Headsville United Methodist Church, Headsville, W.Va.
Surviving family in addition to her parents are her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Parker, Romney, W.Va.; aunts and uncles, Lois and Marshall Shipley, Huntington, W.Va., Marvin "Sonny" and Georgia Borror, Chambersburg, Pa., Kenneth and Nancy Parker, Westminster, Md., and Roger and Joann Parker, Shepherdstown, W.Va.; cousins, William Borror, Media, Pa., Elizabeth Stalhi, Hagerstown, Md., Linda Shipley, Huntington, Holly Shipley, Lexington, Ky., Chris Parker, Shepherdstown, Mary Jo Ward, Amelia, Va., and Tim Parker, Stephens City, Va.
Jami also is survived by her " chosen" family, Eloree Bolton, Mike and Thelma Rhodes, and Kenny and Robin Ayers, as well as the community that loved her.
Friends will be received at the Rotruck-Smith Funeral Home, Keyser, on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Borror and the Rev. Thomas Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the Headsville cemetery, Headsville, W.Va.
Jami's parents request that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Developmental Center and Workshop Inc., 50 Clary Street, Keyser, WV 26726; to the Mineral County Special Olympics, 50 Clary Street, Keyser, WV 26726; or to the Apple Alley Players, P.O. Box 144, Keyser, WV 26726. Her involvement with these organizations made her very happy.
ELMER F. PARRISH
ELK GARDEN, W.Va. - Elmer Frederick Parrish, age 86, of Sulphur, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 1998, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland.
Born July 17, 1911, in Sulphur, he was a son of the late Joseph and Frances Clingerman. He also was preceded in death by his wife, June (Barb) Parrish.
He was retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways.
Surviving are two sons, Donald Parrish, and wife, Mary, of Sulphur, James Parrish, and wife, Sylvia, of Wilmore, Ky.; one daughter, Barbara Bruckey, and husband, John, New Creek; one brother, Russell Parrish, Sulphur; one sister, Edna Parrish, of Cuppett-Weeks Nursing Home, Oakland, Md.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The body is at the David A. Burdock Funeral Home, Kitzmiller, where friends will be received on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Donald E. Marple officiating.
ALVIN W. PEARCE
CAPON BRIDGE, W.Va. - Alvin W. Pearce, 59, of River Road, Bubbling Springs Campground, Capon Bridge, formerly of Keyser, died Monday, May 4, 1998, at the Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Va.
Born on Oct. 2, 1938, at McCoole, Md., he was a son of Norma (Malcolm) Pearce, a resident of Egle Nursing Home, Lonaconing, Md., and the late Alvin F. Pearce. He also was preceded in death by his former wife, Sarah Ruth (Faulk) Pearce, on Dec. 22, 1995.
Mr. Pearce was a retired shift mechanic with the O'Sullivan Corporation in Winchester. A graduate of Bruce High School, he was Pentecostal by faith and was a U.S. Army and Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Pearce was a member of Lodge #662, Loyal Order of Moose, Keyser, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Winchester, Post #137, American Legion, Capon Bridge, the Harley-Davidson Owners Group, Winchester, and the Western Maryland Chapter of A.B.A.T.E., Cumberland, Md.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving companion, Alma Wertman, Capon Bridge; three sons, Bill Pearce, Bel Air, Md., Kenny Pearce, Westminster, Md., Alvin Pearce, Keyser; two brothers, Charles Pearce, McCoole, Md., John Patrick Pearce, Burlington; one sister, Norma Barbe, Cumberland; five grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.
Friends will be received at the Rotruck-Smith Funeral Home, Keyser, on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Mercer officiating.
Interment will be in the Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser.
JOSEPH W. PERRY
FORT ASHBY, W.Va. - Joseph Wayne Perry, 79, of Fort Ashby, died Monday, July 27, 1998, at Sacred Heart Hospital.
He was born April 15, 1919, in Peden, N.C.
Mr. Perry served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He retired from Bethlehem Steel with 41 years' service, having been a master machinist.
Mr. Perry was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and was a lifetime member of both the Fort Ashby Post #6667, V.F.W. and the N.R.A.
Mr. Perry was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Adams) Perry, in 1988.
He was the last immediate survivor of his family.
Friends will be received at the Upchurch Funeral Home Inc., Route 28, Fort Ashby, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Dallas Forren officiating.
Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by the local Combined Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Fort Ashby Post #6667 V.F.W., Fort Ashby, WV 26719; or to the American Cancer Society, 111 S. George St., Cumberland, MD 21502.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jack Welch, Vince Montecillo, Claude Funk, Freddie Siple, Joe Grabenstein and Jim Troutman.
