John B. Kerns
John Buford Kerns, 59, of Pliny died Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at his residence of cancer.
He was formerly employed by Kenneth M. Dunn Co. of South Charleston. He was senior vice president and in partnership with Taylor & Striegel Inc. of South Charleston.
Surviving: wife, Norina Jean Kerns; daughters, Mrs. Brian “Sherry” Johnson of Pliny and Mrs. James “Sheryl” Smith of Hurricane; grandchildren, Krista and John Johnston, Chelsea and Jordan Smith; sisters, Mrs. Lewis “Carletta” Wears of Pliny and Ann Michael of Delaware, Ohio; brother, Paul D. Kerns of Henderson.
Service was held Saturday, June 15, 2002, at Mount Union United Methodist Church, Pliny, with the Rev. Charles Roush officiating. Burial was in Mount Union Cemetery, Pliny. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.
Carl G. Wilson
Carl G. Wilson, 63, of Eleanor Died June 13, 2002.
Service was held Monday, June 17, 2002, at Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House. Gatens Funeral Home, Poca, was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas M. Shirkey
Thomas M. Shirkey, 79, of Hurricane died June 14, 2002, at CAMC General Hospital after a long illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Phali Burdette Shirkey.
He was an ordained minister. He was a World War II veteran in the 11th Armored Division 22nd A-Tank. He was a member of Valley View Free Will Baptist Church in Hurricane.
Surviving: sons, Billy Shirkey and his wife Pat, and Roger D. Shirkey and his wife, Loretta, all of Hurricane; daughters, Wanda Jean Burden and her husband, Bill of Culloden ad Carolyn Sue Lewis and her husband, Albert of Milton; sister, Nina Painter and her husband, Alfred of Culloden; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many loved nieces and nephews.
Service was held Sunday, June 16, 2002, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Jason Black officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park.
Mozelle A. Wallace
Mozelle A. Wallace, 77, of Hurricane died Saturday, June 15, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington, after a short illness.
She was an employee at the Bob Evans Restaurant in Teays Valley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Reed Wallace.
Surviving: daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Larrie Harper of Hurricane; sisters, Earline Bledsoe of Barboursville, Helen Porter of West Hamlin, Lorine Moore and Wanda Chaney, both of Louisiana; grandchildren Kandy Kessler, Amy Grant and Brandy Gilliam; seven great-grandchildren.
Service was held Monday, June 17, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley. Burial was in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville.
Dorothy V. Rymer
Dorothy V. Rymer, 77, of Huricane died June 15, 2002, in SunBridge Nursing Home after a long illness.
Surviving: son, John Rymer of Hurricane; daughters Edna McDaniel of Hurricane and Joanna Newsome of Palmyra, Virginia; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
Service was held Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Rocky Alan Crum
Rocky Alan Crum, 45, of Huntington, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2002, in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Monday, June 17, 2002 at the Wallace Funeral Home and Chapel by Pastor Greg Creasy. Burial in Oaklawn Memorial Park. He was born December 1, 1956, in Huntington, a son of Josephine McConda Crum of Barboursville and the late Alden Crum. He was employed by Moses Honda. Also surviving are two daughters, Tiffany Crum and Briana Crum, both of Huntington. Wallace Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mozelle A. Wallace
Mozelle A. Wallace, 77, of Hurricane, widow of Billy Reed Wallace, died Saturday, June 15, 2002 in St. Mary’s Hospital. She was employed at Bob Evans Restaurant, Teays Valley. Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Harper of Hurricane; and four sisters, Earline Bledsoe of Barboursville, Helen Porter of West Hamlin and Lorine Moore and Wanda Chaney, both of Louisiana. Funeral services were held Monday, June 17, 2002 at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley; burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville.
John W. Roach
John W. Roach, 69, of Huntington, WV, died Friday, June 14, 2002. Services were held on Monday, June 17, 2002 at Beard Mortuary with Danny Spears officiating. Full military honors were conducted by VFW Post #9738. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. He was born August 26, 1932, in Huntington, W.Va., a son of the late Olin O. and Nellie Coffman Roach. John was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Jane Roach and Florence Stoler. He was a retired lithographer having worked at several print shops in the Huntington and Beckley areas. He was a Marine Corps of the Korean War. He is survived by a son, John David Roach of Circleville, Ohio; a daughter, Robin A. Black of Huntington; and a sister, Elizabeth A. McDaniel of Huntington; grandchildren Sheena Black, Levi Black, Johnna Caudill, Kyle Diengess and Arianna Diengess and a favorite niece, Rebecca S. Bartlett and other nieces, nephews and friends. Beard Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas M. Shirkey
Thomas M. Shirkey, 79, of Hurricane, widower of Phala Burdette Shirkey, died Friday, June 14, 2002 in Charleston Area Medical Center, General Division. He was an ordained minister. Survivors include two sons, Billy Shirkey and Roger D. Shirkey, both of Hurricane; two daughters, Wanda Jean Burden of Culloden and Carolyn Sue Lewis of Milton; and one sister, Nina Painter of Culloden. Funeral services were held Sunday, June 16, 2002 at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane; burial in Valley View Memorial Park, Hurricane.
Loretta Sue Henson
Loretta Sue Henson, 62, of Huntington, passed away at her residence Friday, June 14, 2002 after a six week illness. She was born November 29, 1939, in Hurricane, W.Va, a daughter of the late Randall E and Freda Virginia Foster Cottrell. A celebration of her life was held Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at the Barboursville Baptist Church with the Reverends Craig Coster and Harry Rowe officiating. Pallbearers were Don Moreland, Corbin Fenton, Jonathan Foster, Jerry Beckett, Brad Gibson, Bill Gibson and Bob Gibson. Entombment in Ridgelawn Memorial Park Abbey of Devotion, Huntington. Mrs Henson was a member of the Barboursville Baptist Church where she served as a deaconess. She was a 1957 graduate of St Albans High School and attended Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, W.Va. She was a member of Barboursville Chapter #95, O.E.S.. She was secretary-treasurer of Henson Mortuary, which she helped her husband establish in 1972. She was a former sales associate of Stone and Thomas Department Store, Huntington Mall, and at the time of her illness was an associate at Carlyle Jewelers, Huntington Mall. She was also an associate member of the WV Funeral Directors Association and an avid Marshall University football and basketball fan. She is survived by her husband, Charles D. Henson; one son, David A. Henson of Huntington; one daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Greg Smith of Louisville; four grandchildren Rachael, Kayla and Laura Henson of Huntington. Her family wishes to thank Hospice of Huntington for their care and support; Team 3, Sixth Floor, St. Mary’s Hospital; Dr. J. David Daniels and his staff, Dr. Matthew Harris and his staff for their care in her time of need. Donations should be sent to Hospice of Huntington.
Mrs. Erma Brown
Mrs. Erma Brown, 73, of Branchland, W.Va., passed away Thursday, June 13, 2002 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, June 16, 2002, at Koontz Funeral Home, Hamlin, W.Va., with the Rev. Allen Frye officiating. Burial followed in Franklin Cemetery, Branchland. She was born January 18,1929, in Lincoln County, WV, daughter of the late Fred and Lottie Vannatter Edwards. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Edwards and Bernard Edwards, and two sisters Helen Ray and Opal Fry. She was a homemaker, and a member of United Baptist Church at Branchland. She is survived by her husband, James Brown of Branchland; three sons, Gary Brown, James, Jr and Larry Brown, all of Branchland, six daughters, Patricia Hoskinson, Sue Eplin, Joyce Brunty, Wanda Clay and Sharon Brown, all of Branchland, and Kim Stanley of Culloden; one sister, Ruby Bias of West Hamlin; one brother, Clyde Edwards of Elyria, Ohio; 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Koontz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Vermadel N. Constantino
Dr. Vermadel N. Constantino, 61, of Barboursville, W.Va., died Tuesday, June 11, 2002, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Huntington. Funeral services were conducted Friday, June 14, 2002, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Huntington by the Rev. Father Joseph L. Peterson. Burial in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. She was born June 16, 1940, in Cebu, Philippines, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Marcosa Fernandez Noel. She was a retired psychiatrist and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and the Philippine Medical Association of West Virginia. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Francisco Constantino; a son, Mark Constantino of Manila; four daughters and their spouses, Irma and George Swarn of Mansfield, Ohio, Sharon Constantino of Beckley, Cindy and Patrick Dugan of Parkersburg, W.Va, and Kim and Dr. Stephen Miller of Huntington; two sisters; five brothers; and five grandchildren, Ashley, Veto and George Swarn, Vaughan C. Sizemore and Brad Dugan. Henson Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Wayne Coovert
Harold Wayne Coovert, 55, of Barboursville, went home to be with the Lord on June 10, 2002. Funeral services were conducted Friday, June 14, 2002, at Elmwood Baptist Church by Pastor Rick Glass. Burial in Union Ridge Cemetery. He was born June 15, 1946, in Cabell County, a son of the late George Phillip and Susie Mary Souder Coovert. He was an employee of Allegheny Power with 33 years of service; a member of Elmwood Baptist Church where he served as trustee; served in Japan and Turkey in the U.S. Air Force and was a graduate of Barboursville High School. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Don E. Coovert; one sister, Mary Alice Coovert; and a special mother-in-law, Stella Blake. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Erma Blake Coovert; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Angela Coovert of Raceland, Ky., and Mark and Christy Coovert of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betti and John Mossman of Littleton, Colo., and Carolyn and Mike Braley of Franklin, WV; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Norman and Bonnie Coovert of Corpus Christi, Texas, Kenny and Sue Coovert of Hampton, Va., and George Coovert of Georgia; five grandchildren, Dalton, Delaney, Shelby, Tyler and Dawson Coovert, and one grandson due in August, Logan Harold. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were friends from Allegheny Power.
Eddie Eugene Curry
Eddie Eugene Curry, 35, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Monday June 10, 2002, in Columbus, Ohio. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, June 13, 2002 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Barboursville. Burial in Morrison Cemetery. He was born March 19, 1967, in Huntington, a son of Stella Walker Gibson of Ohio and the late Gary Curry. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Adkins Curry, one daughter, Emily Curry of Cleveland; one son, Codie Nigh of Columbus; two sisters, Margie Curry of Chesapeake, Ohio, and Anna May Dray of South Point, Ohio; four brothers, Gary Curry Jr. of Huntington, Richard Curry and Bill Maddox, both of Chesapeake, Ohio, and Andrew Curry of West Virginia and his mother-in-law, Lawanna Bacha of Columbus.
Ada Marie Hicks
Ada Marie Hicks, 84, of Hurricane, died Wednesday, June 12, 2002 in Putnam General Hospital, Hurricane. Survivors include one brother, Ernie Hinkley of Culloden; nephew Michael Hinkley of Hurricane; and five nieces, Connie Gower and Bonnie Gower, both of Colorado, Beverly Dickerson of Kentucky and Susan Hinkley and Stephanie Stone, both of Maryland. Burial in Valley View Memorial Cemetery, Hurricane. Contributions may be made to a charity of choice. Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements.
James A. O’Malley Jr.
James A. O’Malley Jr., 54, of Barboursville, W.Va., passed away Monday, June 10, 1002, at his residence after battling a long illness. Memorial services were conducted Friday, June 14, 2002, at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church by Pastor Sue Culbertson Jarrett. He was born May 14, 1948, in Evergreen Park, Ill. a son of the late James A. and Mary Margaret Yunker O’Malley. He was an employee of Darco International. He is survived by his wife, Janis Northen O’Malley; threes sons, Justin O’Malley of Houston, Texas, James O’Malley of N.Y., and Jared O’Malley of Barboursville; three sisters, Pat Phelan, Sandy Halper and Margie Dziedzic, all of Chicago, Ill.; and nephews from Chicago and Arizona. Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, was in charge of arrangements.
Anna “Annie” Wroten Akers
Anna “Annie” Wroten Akers, 93, formerly of Hurricane, W.Va., passed away Sunday, June 9, 2002, at SunBridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Dunbar after a 14 year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at Heck Funeral Home, Milton, with the Rev. Caudle Adkins officiating. Burial in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. Annie was born on Dec. 12, 1908, a daughter of the late John W. and Dora Simmons Wroten in Barboursville, W.Va. She was the widow of Charles “Charlie” Akers and worked at the Goodyear Rubber Plant in Akron, Ohio, for many years. She and Charlie were active members of the Sousanah Freewill Baptist Church in Culloden, W.Va., until both of their illnesses. Annie was an avid quilter, cook and gardener. Also preceding her in death were her son, Lenford “Jiggs” Wroten, daughter-in-law, Goldene Akers; seven brothers, Ernest, Johnny, Murrell, Fred, Shirley, Noah and Frank; and two sisters, Mary Algoe and Marie Wroten. Left to celebrate her life is her son, Bernard Akers and wife, Hazel of Bishop, Va.; daughter-in-law, Elsie Woodard Wroten of St. Albans; seven grandchildren, Jack Akers, Margaret Snell, Debby Cole, Sherry Taylor, Ethel Ward, Charlie Akers and Jenny Angle. She is also remembered by 15 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews whom she adored. The family would like to thank Dr. John Merrifield and the staff at SunBridge for their outstanding care, compassion and love for Annie during the past 13 years.
Paul L. Allen
Paul L. Allen, 74, of Scott Depot died June 2, 2002, at his home after a short illness.
He was born January 1, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late John W. and Grace Kelly Allen. He was also preceded in death by a brother, David Allen, and a sister, Mary Jane Allen.
After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Upon being discharged in 1948, he earned a business degree from Bliss College. Paul was a World War II veteran and a former member of Masonic Lodge 637. He was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lakeland, Florida, and a former member of Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. Paul was self-employed for 28 years as owner and distributor of Electro-Hygiene Company, located in Spring Hill.
Surviving: wife, Lois Ketchum Allen of Scott Depot; brother, Joseph Allen of Sebring, Florida; sister, Rosemary Lindsey of New Mexico; daughters, Carole Ann Magner of Washington state and Debbie Sue of Allen of Indiana; four grandchildren, Bo Morfing, Nicholas Morfing, Grady Magner and Lindsey Magner; seven nieces and nephews.
Service was held Friday, June 7, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Cheryl Winter officiating. Burial was in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. The family requests donations be made to Calvary Apostolic Church, Hurricane, or St. Timothys-in-the-Valley Eposcopal Church, 3430 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane WV 25526.
H.W. “Herb” Hanes
H.W. “Herb” Hanes, 85, of Scott Depot died June 3, 2002, in Wetzel County Hospital, New Martinsville.
He was retired from the Green Bank National Observatory, a former employee of the Rubber Plant and spent 36 months in the Panama Canal. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Charleston.
Surviving: wife, Margaret L. Ervin Hanes; stepson, W. Frank Fuller of St. Albans; stepdaughter and husband, Shirley and Dr. Charles White of Williamstown; sister, Hilda Summerfield of Cross Lanes; grandchildren, Felicia Garretson, Michelle Smith, Regina Minchello and Brandon White; nephews, Stanley, Doug, Ronald and Donald Summerfield.
Service was held Thurday, June 6, 2002, at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor Harold Wightman officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. The family suggests donations to Seventh-day Adventist Church, 622 Kanawha Blvd. W, Charleston WV 25302.
Emily Michelle Pickens
Emily Michelle Pickens, 27, of Cary, North Carolina died Wednesday, May 29, 2002, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Born in Spokane, Washington, most of Emily's youth was spent in Severna Park, Maryland. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1998, Emily became the marketing director for the Greensboro Opera Co., before her illness struck.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Naomi Pickens of Winfield, who worked for this newspaper for many years.
Surviving: mother, Janet Pickens of Cary; father and stepmother, Robert Pickens and Deborah Mugno of Cary; sister, Amy Pickens of Morrisville, North Carolina; grandparents, Robert and Jean Cole of Ravenswood; stepbrother, Matt Mugno of Lutherville, Maryland; stepsisters, Beth Mugno of Morrisville and Allison Mugno of Lutherville; five aunts, five uncles, 11 cousins and many wonderful friends.
A memorial service was held Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Brown-
Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. A full service was held Tuesday, June 4, 2002, in Severna Park at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. The family requests memorial donations be made to The Brain Tumor Center, Room 047, Baker House, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3624, Durham NC 07710.
Troy McNeely
Troy L. McNeely, 85, of Winfield, formerly of Wharton, died June 2, 2002, in Putnam Genera Hospital after an extended illness.
Born January 19, 1917 in Logan County, the son of the late George and Nora Nelson McNeely. He was a coal miner, working at Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates No. 1 mine, Pond Fork, and retiring from Carbon Fuel, Chesapeake. He was a former member of Freedie Freewill Baptist Church, Van, a member of the UMWA and an avid gardener.
Surviving: wife of 64 years, Pauline Thurmond McNeely; daughters, Erma Judge of Burlington, Kentucky, Karen Mudge of Coventry, Rhode Island, and Mary Frances Kostoff of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sons, Howard McNeely of Las Vegas and Johnnie McNeely of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters, Verna Tackett and Thelma McNeely, both of Lake; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Service was held Saturday, June 8, 2002, at Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, with the Rev. Richard Work officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens, Madison.
Martha S. Rodriguez
Martha Suzanne Kimble Rodriguez, 52, of Hurricane died June 5, 2002, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
She was a homemaker and journalist for all Putnam County newspapers. She was a member of Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, a volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Putnam County, a volunteer for Changing Directions - Hurricane Chapter. She was regional coordinator for the Tiger Cubs and a T-ball coach.
Surviving: husband, Hector M. Rodriguez; sons, Hector Kimble Rodriguez of Fairmont and Everette Jeremy Rodriguez of Hurricane; daughters, Elizabeth Sara Rodriguez and Olivia E. Rodriguez, at home; brothers, David E. Kimble of Cleveland, Ohio and John W. Kimble of St. Albans.
Service was held Friday, June 7, 2002, at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church with Pastor Rodney Taylor and the Rev. George Bendall officiating. Burial was in Esta Miller Memorial Park, Red House. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements. The family suggests memorial donations be made to CASA, PO Box 632, Teays WV 25569.
