Hilda M. Hess
Hilda M. Hess, 76, of Hurricane died April 29, 2002, at home after a long illness.
She was a 34-year resident of Hurricane and was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Ray Hess, and son, Ralph Pat Hess.
She was cared for some wonderful people from hospice: Janet Anderson, Lori Persinger, Lynn Strait, Betty and Kurt Wood.
Surviving: daughter and son-in-law, Alice Hess Clagg and Roger H. Clagg; daughter-in-law, Barbara L. Hess; sister, Willa J. Carrier; grandchildren, Joseph A. Clagg, Jessica A. Clagg, Jennifer L. Hess, Joseph R. Hess, and Pamela S. Hess; great-grandson, Stavin Walker.
Service was held Friday, May 3, 2002, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with Pastor James Boggess officiating. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.
John Lee Whitt Sr.
John Lee Whitt, Sr., 74, of Pliny died April 29, 2002, in CAMC Memorial Hospital.
He was a retired employee of Northern-Pacific Railroad, Tacoma, Washington, and a member of Mount Union United Methodist Church, Pliny. He was a lifelong resident of Putnam County and an Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Allen and Esta Fellure Whitt, and a brother, Roy Whitt.
Surviving: daughters and sons-in-law, Joanne Hodge of Troy Ohio, Sharon and Mark Halstead of Charleston, Sandra and Daryl Shue of Farmington; sons and daughters-in-law, John Jr. and Katherine of Crown City, Ohio, Alan and Cathy of Huntington; sisters, Mary Richards of Winfield and Florence Jones of Piqua, Ohio; brother, Jerry Whitt of Vero Beach, Florida; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Service was held Friday, May 3, 2002, at Mount Union United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Roush officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Mount Union United Methodist Church, 95 Mount Union Road, Pliny WV 25082.
Hansel M. Null
Hansel Marion “Hank” Null, 75, of New Albany, Ohio died Thursday, April 18, 2002 at M. Crmel East Hospital.
He was retired from Rockwell International after 34 years’ of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in WWII.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion S. and Elizabeth J. Null, brothers, Richard, James and Adrian Null, and sister, Barbara Null.
Surviving: wife of 55 years, Gwendolia P. Null; daughters, Sue (Ned) McClish of Marysville and Denise (Jason) Maldonaldo of Locust Grove, California; grandchildren, Chad (Beth) McClish of Marysville, Jeff (Angi) McClish of Pataskala, Denise (Jason) Maldonaldo of Locust Grove, Lisa (Scott) Griffin of Lancaster, California, and Andrea Cunningham of Bonaire, California; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Amanda and Angela Maldonado, Dylan Cunningham, Gracie Griffin, Katelyn Williams, Mathew and Zachary McClish; stepmother, Della Null; brother, Willard Null of Red House; sister, Betty Moles; stepsister, Katherine Scott.
Service was held Monday, April 22, 2002, at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel with Pastor James A. Griffith officiating. Interment
was in Maplewood Cemetery. Donations in memory of Hank may be made to Children’s Hospital Foundation, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus OH 43205.
Hollis C. Walter Sr.
Hollis C. “Clifford” Walter, 82, of Buffalo died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital after a short illness.
He was a member of the Buffalo Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Lambert Walter.
Surviving: son, Hollis C. Walter Jr. and wife, Mary, of Hurricane; daughters, Grace Ann Lee and her husband, Zack, of Mobile, Alabama, and Connie Sue Shout and her husband, Tom, of San Antonio, Texas; brother, David Walter of Cross Lanes; one grandson; four granddaughters; two great-grandsons; one great-granddaughters.
Service was held Monday, May 6, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Pastor Tim Day and Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Edward Steele
Edward Steele, 88, of Bancroft died May 55, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital.
He was a lifelong resident of Bancroft. He helped in the incorporation of Bancroft and the forming of the town’s fire department and water system. He was a former recorder of Bancroft and a former member of the Odd Fellows. He attended Elizabeth Baptist Church, Bancroft.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve N. Steele.
Surviving: children, Mary Lou Gates of Buffalo, Jo Ann Harris of Chesapeake, Virginia, Thomas Steele of Bancroft, and Anita Young of Chesapeake, Virginia; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Service was held Tuesday, May 7, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with the Rev. James Legg and the Rev. Carl Arthur officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Red House.
Wilma B. Crank
Wilma B. Crank, 86, of Barboursville, W.Va., died Thursday, April 25, 2002, in St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were conducted 2 pm Sunday, April 28, 2002, at Bloomingdale-Salem Baptist Church by the Rev. Jeff Sizemore. Burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. She was born August 16,1915, in Cabell County, daughter of the late Irvin and Lula Wagner Morrison She was also preceded in death by her husband Chester S. Crank in 1996; one sister, Thelma Crook and four brothers, Paul, Hubert, Henry and Carl Morrison. She was a retired Cabell County schoolteacher. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Henson Mortuary, Pea Ridge, was in charge of arrangements.
Delphine Turner Bevins
Delphine Turner Bevins, 74, of Huntington died Friday, April 26, 2002, at her residence. Funeral services Monday, April 29, at Henson Mortuary, Huntington; burial at the B.D. Ratliff-Bevins Family Cemetery, near Pikeville, Ky. She was born Dec. 19, 1927, in Clintwood, Va, a daughter of the late Charles Turner and Elizabeth Rose Turner Ferrell. She grew up in Haysi, Va., Greasey Creek Ky., and Pikeville, Ky, and graduated from Pikeville High School and Bowling Green Business School in Kentucky. She also attended Fairmont (W.Va.) State College and was a member of Westmoreland Baptist Church. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Ellena Turner Compton and LaVerne Turner McCoy, and one brother, George Turner. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Earl Clinton Bevins; two sons, Earl David Bevins and his wife Molly and Bruce Clinton Bevins and his wife Patty of Huntington; one daughter, Elizabeth Anne Bevins Pinson and her husband Leskie of Lantana, Fla; five grandchildren, Jenny Thomas, Bruce Bevins, Natalie Bevins, Erica Bevins and Cayley Pinson; and two great-grandchildren Molly Crowder and Connor Walling Bevins. Throughout her battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, she was faithfullly cared for by her loving husband. A special thank you to friends and members of her church for their prayers, cards and visits, to family friend and caregiver, Debbie Short and to Hospice of Huntington. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Huntington.
Mike Abraham
Mike Abraham, 84, of Barboursville, W.Va., died Wednesday, April 24, 2002, in the Huntington Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Funeral services were conducted 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2002, at Henson Mortuary. Burial Monday in Woodmere Memorial Park. He was born September 17, 1917, in Wilder, Va., son of the late Matt and Sophia Stephanovick Abraham. He was also preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Van Metre Abraham in 1978. He was a salesman for Heiner’s Bakery, and a member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #313 Huntington, who held services at 7 pm. Sunday, April 28, 2002. Survivors include one daughter, Anne Minton Dragovich of Huntington; two brothers, Martin Abraham of Phoenix, Ariz. and George Abraham of Texas; two grandchildren, Mike and Julie Dragovich of Huntington; and great-grandchild, Isabella Ann Dragovich of Huntington. Contributions may be made to the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Department, or you may volunteer at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Henson Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Lorene E. Weatherholt
Lorene E. Weatherholt, 78, of Barboursville passed away Sunday, April 28, 2002, at her residence. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at the Antioch Baptist Church by Pastor Bill Davis and Pastor Pete Davidson. Burial in Enon Cemetery, She was born February 27, 1924, in Cabell County, a daughter of the late Ernest Theodore and Flossie Esther Markin Mohr. She was a lifelong member of Antioch Baptist Church. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Homer S. Weatherholt; and one brother, Fred Mohr. She is Survived by one daughter and son in-law, Karen and Gary Bledsoe of Beckley; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Karen Weatherholt and Homer Lee and Drema Weatherholt, all of Barboursville; four sisters, Frances Weatherholt of Bidwell Ohio, Colleen McCallister and Fay Spencer, both of Ona, and Betty Carter of Milton; one brother, Paul Mohr of Parkersburg; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
James E. Cummings
James E. Cummings, 83, of Barboursville, W.Va., widower of Methel Terry Cummings, died Friday, April 26, 2002, at his residence. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Beard Mortuary with Rev. Keith Creasy officiating. Burial in Woodmere Memorial Park. He was born August 18, 1918, in Barboursville, a son of Alberta Heck Cummings of Barboursville and the late Lawrence D. Cummings. He was a retired postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. James was committed and extremely concerned for his community. He volunteered and gave of himself to many organizations, friends and family. He had numerous friends from his years of volunteering and charity work. He was a member of the Elks Lodge B.P.O.E 313, a board member of the Cabell County Community Services Organizations, a board member of the Southwestern Community Action Council, a member and past president of the Letter Carriers Association and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Huntington Labor Management Council.
He was a very loving and generous man to his family and those who surrounded him, and he showed his love by being a caregiver for several of his family members for many years. He is survived by his loving family, a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann and Neal Kock of Lavalette, W.Va.; a son and daughter-in-law, James F. “Fred” and Linda Cummings of Huntington; five grandchildren, Beth Kock of Lavalette, Jayne Kock of Indianapolis, Ind, Laura Taylor and husband James of Evansville, Ind., Jeffrey Cummings and wife Michelle of Ashburn, Va., and Lisa Myers and husband Steve of Warrenton, Va.; five great-grandchildren Kyle and Austen Taylor, Josh and Anna Cummings and Bianna Myers; and two cousins, Steve Sturm of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Leonard Sturm of Augusta, Ga. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to his caregivers, Ann Stevens, Diana Sowards, Loreda Bias and Rebecca Dingess and to Hospice of Huntington. Beard Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred R. Fisher
Mildren R. Clendenin Fisher, 84, of Eleanor died April 21, 2002, in SunBridge of Putnam following a short illness.
She was a homemaker, attended the Arbuckle Church and was a lifelong resident of Putnam County.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd R. “Joe” Fisher.
Surviving: sons, Gary L. Fisher of White House, Tennessee and Gregory D. Fisher of Barboursville; brothers, Denver Clendenin of Red House and Dwayne Clendenin of Ripley; sisters, Marguerite Harrison of Eleanor, Maurine French and Mavis Kelly, both of Red House; three grandchildren; one stepgranddaughter; four great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at Raynes Funeral home, Buffalo, with the Rev. Robert Kelly officiating. Burial was in Emma Chapel Cemetery, Liberty.
Doris M. Tucker
Doris M. Elliott Tucker, 56, of Buffalo died April 22, 2002, in Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
She was a homemaker and a devoted member of Otter Branch Church. She was a devoted and loving friend to all and she will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth R. and Eunie L. King Elliott.
Surviving: husband, Leslie Walter Tucker; daughters, Glenda Rutan Hill and Rebecca Rutan Priddy, both of Buffalo; brother, Ronald Elliott of Buffalo; five grandchildren; four stepchildren; several stepgrandchildren.
Service was held Thursday, April 25, 2002, at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with the Rev. Mike Tucker and the Rev. Jay Parkins officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park.
Elmer L. Chapman
Elmer Lewis “Bill” Chapman, 92, of Scott Depot died April 23, 2002, at his residence.
He was born March 20, 1910 in Milton, the son of the late Randolph and Sarah Deal Chapman.
He was a retired weighmaster from Union Carbide, South Charleston, and was a Baptist by faith.
Surviving: wife, Della Collins Chapman; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Stephen m. Barnette of Scott Depot; sister, Lona “Tena” Beatty of South Charleston; four grandlchildren, Stephem Barnette II, Stephanie Neidlinger, Paul Barnette and Timohty Barnette; four great-grandchildren, Elizaberth Barnette, Rachel Neidlinger, Rebekah Neidlinger and Andrew Barnette.
Graveside service was held Thursday, April 25, 2002, at Neal Cemetery, Milton, with the Rev. Stephen Barnette and the Rev. Timohty Barnette officiaitng. Heck Funeral Home, Milton, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar Avenue, Dunbar WV 25064 or Bethany Baptist Church Missionary Fund, 2504 Grant Avenue, St. Albans WV 25177.
Harold C. Chapman
Harold Cecil Chapman, 89, of Hurricane, formerly of Raceland, Kentucky, died Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at his residence.
He was born September 30, 192 in Ona, a son of the late Lonard and Liva Chapman. He was retired from Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. He was a member of the Raceland Worthington Independent School Board for eight years and chairman of the board for four years. He was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Raceland and he attended Forrest Burdette memorial Untied Methodist Church in Hurricane.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Edgar L. Chapman, and two sisters, Helen Richardson and Ruth Dalton.
Surviving: wife of 63 years, Mildred Wikel Chapman of Hurricane; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Richard Wilkes of Hurricane; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary L. and Kathy Chapman of Madision, Indiana, William W. and Linda Chapman of Ashland, and Ronald D. and Brenda Chapman of Neelyville, Missouri; brothers, Bernard A. Chapman of Chesapeake, Ohio and Robert H. Chapman of Proctorville, Ohio; sisters, Freida Mitchell of Huntington and Louise Lambert of La Porte, Texas; nine grandchildren, Deron, Neil, Corey and Daniel Wilkes, Joy Waybright, Julie Fouts, Brent and Erin Chapman, and Elijah Chapman; three great-granddaughters, Emily, Lydia and Iris; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Saturday, April 27, 2002, at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, Chesapeake, with Minister Richard Wilkes and Minister Tom Waybright officiating. Burial was in Rome Cemetery.
Eunice “Pauline” Joseph
Eunice “Pauline” Joseph, 89, of Paradise died April 28, 2002, in SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation of Putnam County.
Pauline was born July 8, 1912, the daughter of the late Blaine and Susan Crago Casto. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, George H. Joseph, and a brother, Terrence “Ted” Casto.
She was a 1933 graduate of Poca High School and was valedictorian of her class. She then taught school for 13 years, mainly in one-room schools in the Paradise area of Putnam County.
Surviving: son, John Joseph of Poca; daughter, Susan Flowers of Red House; grandchildren, Jeffrey Joseph of Toledo, Ohio, Matthew Joseph of Paradise, Katie Flowers of Huntington, Jenny and Joe Flowers, both of Red House.
Memorial service was held Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, with Paul Arthur officiating. At her request her body was donated to the Human Gift Registry in Lewisburg. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of choice.
