Ralph J. Spicer
AKRON, Ohio -- Ralph J. Spicer, 87, of Arkon, formerly of Copen, W.Va., died Saturday, April 25, 1998, in Akron City Hospital after a short illness. He was an Army veteran of World War II, served with the 343rd engineering regiment and was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with Bronze Arrowhead. Surviving: sisters, Madaline McClain of Akron, Ruth Alltop of Clarksburg, W.Va.; brother, Harvey Spicer of Akron. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Stockert-Gibson Funeral Home, Flatwoods, W.Va., with the Rev. David Jessie officiating. Burial will be in Spicer family cemetery, Copen. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Edna M. Workman
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Edna Mae Workman, 89, of Columbus died Sunday, April 26, 1998, in Columbus. She was a 1926 graduate of Bellaire High School, attended normal school and was a retired teacher with more than 30 years of service. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles E. McClanahan of Kanawha County, W.Va. Surviving: daughter, Sandra S. Aured of Worthington, Ohio; three granddaughters; eight great-grandchildren. Schoedinger's Funeral Home, Worthington, is in charge of arrangements.

Judson P. Young
Judson P. Young, 76, of Charleston died Sunday, April 26, 1998, at home after a short illness. He was the retired owner of Young's Auto Parts, an Army veteran of World War II and a Baptist. Surviving: wife, Anna Pritt Young; sons, Dwight Young and Allan P. Young of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter, Sandra Cottle of Charleston; sisters, Mildred Weaver of Charleston, Pauline Cancellosa of Detroit, Mich., Juanita Bobo of West Palm Beach, Fla., Jerry Carte of Gainesville, Fla.; brother, Carl Young of Florida; grandchildren whom he reared, Michael Shane Young of Wilmington, Kelly Ann Young of Charleston; two additional grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bartlett-Burdette-Cox Funeral Home with the Rev. Cyril Johnston officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mildred, Jerry Edens
Mother dies soon after Charleston physician
Dr. Jerry Edens took care of his patients as well as his ill mother. Mother and son died Saturday a little more than an hour apart. Mildred Edens, 74, had fought a long battle with cancer before slipping into a coma on Friday, said her son, Steven Edens of Cross Lanes. Her children were taking turns staying by her side. Jerry Edens, 55, was home on Saturday for a much needed break. Steven Edens said his brother's neighbor called with the bad news. "Jerry went to the kitchen to get some ice cream, fell on the floor and couldn't be (revived)," Steven Edens said. "It was a massive heart attack. He was transported to Thomas Hospital and pronounced dead." Meanwhile, in Charleston Area Medical Center's Memorial Division, Mildred Edens never knew of her son's death. She remained in a coma and died about an hour and a half later. "She was unresponsive Saturday," Steven Edens said. "She was dying. We were expecting that one. For Jerry, it was unexpected. "My brother was a father, caretaker of many and for his mother," he said. His outlet was fishing along the riverbank near his home. "He was known from one end of the county to the other," Steven said. "He was a pretty good guy." Dr. William Harris described him as a good friend and hard worker. "I was a close personal friend," Harris said. "He was a quiet, unassuming individual. He worked hard and traded call with me about 10 years prior to his employment with CAMC. I admired his ability as a physician and his dedication to his patients and profession. He handled life's adversities with great dignity. He was a person I admired." Edens was a graduate of West Virginia State College, received his M.D. degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine, performed his residency at the Kanawha Valley Family Practice Center and studied addiction medicine at Charleston Area Medical Center. He was a member of the American and West Virginia Academies of Family Practice, the American and West Virginia Medical Associations, Kanawha Medical Society, the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Southern Medical Association. He was on the associate staff of Charleston Area Medical Center, was chief of CAMC's Department of Family Practice in 1984 and 1985, and chief of the Department of General Medicine at St. Francis Hospital, Charleston. He was in family practice from 1979 to 1988, and most recently was a physician at HealthPlus/Urgent Care and a volunteer physician to Health Rite Clinics. Also surviving: wife, Juanita G. Edens; sons, Darrell W. Edens, James D. Arrowood and Jeffery S. Arrowood at home; daughter, Kelli E. Edens of North Carolina; sisters, Joyce A. Williams of Pinch, Susan H. Carper of Grantsville; one grandson. Service will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, Cross Lanes, with the Rev. Richard Work officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Elkview Baptist Church and two hours prior to service at the funeral home. Mildred Edens was retired from the Kanawha County Board of Education with 23 years of service. She was a lifelong resident of Kanawha County, a member of Elkview Baptist Church, Rebekah Lodge 57, Elk River Community Center, Elkview Homemakers and the Retired Cooks Association. Also surviving: daughters, Joyce Ann Williams of Pinch, Susan H. Carper of Big Bend; brother, James O. White of Debary, Fla.; sister, Agnes Peyatte of Charleston; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Elkview Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Sizemore officiating. Burial will be in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today and one hour prior to service Wednesday at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Elk River Community Center, P.O. Box 993, Elkview, WV 25071 or Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.Hafer Funeral Home, Elkview, is in charge of arrangements.

Violet G. Bailey
LANARK -- Violet G. Riner Bailey, 97, of Lanark, Raleigh County,died Tuesday, April 28, 1998, in a Beckley nursing home after a long illness. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, is in charge of arrangements.

Vere L. Barkley
GREEN BANK -- Vere L. Barkley, 85, of Green Bank died Sunday, April 26, 1998, in Pocahontas Memorial Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Green Bank, a member of Liberty Presbyterian Church, Green Bank, the International Order of Odd Fellows and was retired from Howe Leather Co. Surviving: sisters, Hilma Sheets of Green Bank, Pauline Worstell of Naples, Fla., Odessa Kane of Cass; three stepgrandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Arbovale, with the Rev. David Rittenhouse officiating. Burial will be in Arbovale Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Bertha J. Bladen
ORGAN CAVE -- Bertha June Rodgers Bladen, 72, of Organ Cave died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Greenbrier Manor Nursing Home, Fairlea, after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Organ Cave, a member of Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, Organ Cave, the VFW Auxiliary and was a homemaker. Surviving: husband, Ira Edwin Bladen; daughter, Linda G. Rye of Maryland; son, Dale Bladen of Ronceverte; brothers, Fred Rodgers of Rural Retreat, Va., Howard and Ray Rodgers of Ronceverte; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Service was to be 11 a.m. today at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, Organ Cave, with the Rev. Mark Flynn and the Rev. Larry Dean officiating. Burial was to be in the church cemetery. Longanacre Funeral Home, Fairlea, is in charge of arrangements.

Francis D. Blaney
BECKLEY -- Francis D. Blaney, 81, of Beckley died Tuesday, April 28, 1998, at home after a long illness. Ritchie-Johnson Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

John A. Castle Jr.
John A. Castle Jr., 75, of St. Albans died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Americare-Putnam Nursing Home, Hurricane, after a long illness. He was a retired superintendent from Schoolfield-Harvey Electric Co. Division of Wente Construction Co. with 30 years of service, an Army/Air Force veteran of World War II, serving as a pilot, a graduate of Barboursville High School, where he was an honor student, and attended Davidson (N.C.) College. He was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans, where he taught men's Bible class in the 1950s and 1960, was a 50-plus member of IBEW Local Union 466, a member and past master of Masonic Lodge 58 AF&AM, St. Albans, past patron of St. Albans Chapter 79 Order of the Eastern Star, Legion of Honor, Charleston Chapter Order of DeMolay, Grand Cross of Color, Rainbow Girls, and past Watchman of Shepherds, Charleston Shrine 7. He was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies, York Rite Bodies, Beni Kedem Temple, Kanawha Lodge 25 IOOF, Past Noble Grand Ellinipsico Lodge 13 IOOF, Past Patriarch Charleston Canton IOOF, Past Captain retired Montrose Rebecca Lodge 257 IOOF. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland Coranati Quatour Lodge 2076 London, England, St. Albans Moose Lodge and was Dad Advisor Charleston Chapter Order of DeMolay for 12 years. Surviving: wife, Norma Sue Castle; daughters, Jonni Dawn Mullins of Pliny, Beverly Sue McKinney of Huntington; son, Dr. James R. Castle of Roanoke, Va.; five grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ed Tutwiler and the Rev. D. Keith Clarke officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans,with Masonic rites conducted by Washington Masonic Lodge 58 AF&AM. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans.

Carlos C. Chambers
RAMAGE -- Carlos C. Chambers, 66, of Ramage, Boone County, died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison, after a long illness. He retired from the Marine Corps with 21 years of service and was a member of the Moose Lodge. Surviving: daughter, Kathleen Humphrey of Jacksonville, N.C.; mother, Edith Chambers of Danville; brothers, Harold Chambers of Charleston, Tyke Chambers of Sharples; sisters, Barbara Barker of Clothier, Cheryl Duffield of Clay; one grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Paul Little officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Madison,with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 5578, Madison. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Richard M. Copen
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Richard Merel Copen, 63, of Terre Haute, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Sunday, April 26, 1998, in Reginald Hospital after a short illness. He was a graduate of Sissonville (W.Va) High School and retired from Eli Lilly Co. with 28 years of service. Surviving: wife, Janet Priestley Copen; daughter, Melondy Lynn Copen of Terre Haute; son William Arthur Copen of Terre Haute; brother, Claude Daniel Copen of Yelm, Wash.; sisters, Wyona Jean Manack of Brewster, Ohio, Nancy Ann Copen, Sharon Lee Hodge and Vivian Carole Bright of Charleston, Judith Ilene Hayes of Spencer, W.Va.; three grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Maddox-Wood Funeral Home, Terre Haute. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Terre Haute. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Erma M. Costilow
Erma Marie Costilow, 77, of St. Albans died Monday, April 27, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a homemaker and a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Mount Hope, and Grace Baptist Temple, St. Albans. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Costilow. Surviving: daughter, Evelyn Marie "Ree" Collins of Culloden; son, Charles N. "Chuck" Costilow of St. Albans; sisters, Emma Jean Nezum of Wintersville, Ohio, Thelma Robinson of Charleston, Norma Eileen DeBrular of Willoughby, Ohio; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Casdorph-Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans, with the Rev. David Pence officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 415 Dickinson St., Charleston, WV 25301 or to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar, WV 25064.

Beulah P. Dawson
Beulah Pearl Dawson, 85, of Charleston died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Marmet Health Care Center after a long illness. She retired from Woodrum's Department Store and was a member of Randolph Street Baptist Church. Surviving: brother, Carl Smith of Elkview; granddaughter, Amber McMillion of Newburgh, Ind. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home, Charleston, with the Rev. Thomas N. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Annie B. Dean
BRANCHLAND -- Annie Belle Dean, 74, of Branchland, Lincoln County, died Monday, April 27, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, after a long illness. She was a retired seamstress from the Dee-Mure Brassiere Factory. Surviving: daughter, Barbara Sue Dillon of Midkiff; sons, Donald L. Dean of Branchland, Everett Dean Jr. of West Hamlin, Jack D. Taylor of Troy, Ohio; sister, Fannie Dale Yon of Milton, Pa.; brothers, Burgin Price Jr of Lakeland, Fla., Wiley Carol Price of Canton, N.C.; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Mildred United Baptist Church, Branchland, with Paul Triplett and Roger Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery, Branchland. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at McGhee-Handley Funeral Home, West Hamlin.

Oscar M. Dillon
NETTIE -- Oscar M. Dillon, 65, of Nettie, Nicholas County, died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea, after a long illness. He was a disabled miner, an Army veteran of the Korean War, a member of the UMW and Beckley Chapel United Methodist Church, Nettie. Surviving: wife, Carol Woods Dillon; daughters, Carolyn Sue Lewis and Regina Gail Taylor of Frankford; son, Oscar Dillon Jr. of Summersville; sisters, Lucy Osborne of Orient Hill, Thresa O'Dell of Hominy Falls; brother, Osmond Dillon of Hominy Falls; seven grandchildren; one stepgrandchild; one stepgreat-grandchild. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Rev. Allen Karnes officiating. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Natalie G. Dixson
Natalie G. Dixson, 50, of Charleston died Monday, April 27, 1998, at home after a short illness. Preston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Charles E. Doss
SHEPHERDSTOWN -- Charles E. Doss, 70, of Shepherdstown died Monday, April 27, 1998, at home. He was a retired employee of Shepherd College, a member of New Street United Methodist Church, Shepherdstown, and Gideons International, an honorary director of the Shepherd College Foundation, a graduate of Morris Harvey College, Charleston, and a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Surviving: wife, Martha A. Doss; sons, C. Alan Doss of Frederick, Md., Denis L., Donnie R. and Scott J. Doss of Shepherdstown; brothers, W.R. Doss of Vider, Texas, G.E. Doss of Lumberton, Texas, Raymond Doss of Shrewsbury, Leroy F. Doss of Belle; sisters, Marie Bailey of Osyka, Miss., Louise Boswell of Glasgow, Ruby Payton of Charleston, June Williams of Shrewsbury, Shirley Raike of Melrose Park, Ill.; six grandchildren; one stepgrandson. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at New Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wendy Shullenbarger officiating. The body was donated to the Human Gift Registry at West Virginia University. The family suggests memorial contributions to Panhandle Home Health, 1161-2 Winchester Ave., Martinsburg, WV 25401, the Shepherdstown Fire Department or a charity of choice.

Mamie J. Eagle
JANE LEW -- Mamie Johnson Eagle, 77, of Jane Lew, Lewis County, died Monday, April 27, 1998, at home after a short illness. She was a homemaker and a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church, Weston. Surviving: husband, Edward "Buck" Eagle; daughters, Louise Pratt of Weston, Joan Moore of Sutton, Annetta Miller of Culloden, Jane Minor of Lexington, Ky.; son, Ricky A. Eagle of Stafford, Va.; brother, Arthur J. Johnson of Huntington Park, Calif.; sister, Madeline Tenney of Homewood; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Broad Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Clifford West officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Boyle Funeral Home, Weston. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Broad Street United Methodist Church building fund.

Madeline M. Evans
OAK HILL -- Madeline McLain Evans, 86, of Oak Hill died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after an apparent heart attack. She was a homemaker and a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church. Surviving: sons, Jack Evans of Oak Hill, Jim Evans of Cross Lanes; brother, Charles McLain of Portsmouth, Va.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Service will be noon Thursday at Tyree Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ray McClung officiating. Burial will be in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Lonnie D. Gore
Lonnie D. "Rick" Gore, 40, of St. Albans died Sunday, April 26, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital after an apparent heart attack. He was a self-employed contractor and a graduate of Dupont High School. Surviving: fiance, Jeanie King of St. Albans; mother, Virginia Gore of Rand; sisters, Emmetta Megginson of Charleston, Loretta Richmond of Hartford, Conn.; brothers, William Richmond of Charleston, Frank Richmond of Port St. Lucie, Fla. Service will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Fidler-Frame Funeral Home, Belle, with Donna Miller officiating. The body will be cremated. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Charles R. Gunnoe
HUNTINGTON -- Charles Ralph Gunnoe, 86, of Huntington died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Huntington Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was a retired miner. Surviving: brothers, Roy Gunnoe of Port Richey, Fla., Julian Gunnoe of Huntington; sister, Matilda Snodgrass of Charleston. Graveside service was to be 2 p.m. today at Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. The family suggests memorial contributions to Walnut Hills Baptist Church, 286 Davis St., Huntington, WV 25705.Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret R. Guthrie
DELTONA, Fla. -- Margaret Rose Guthrie, 77, of Deltona, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died Monday, April 27, 1998, in Deltona Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was former director of Parks and Recreation for Kanawha County, W.Va., a member of Deltona Church of Christ and the Day Lily and Orchid Societies of Volusia County. She sang with the Sweet Adalines, Charleston, and the Sunshine Express, Deltona. Surviving: husband, Wesley E. Guthrie; daughters, Lana Rose Ellison of Deltona, Diana Sue Kenyon of Decatur, Ala.; sisters, Thelma Agnes Coleman of Charleston, Geraldine June Jones of Dunbar, W.Va.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Service and burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, Orange City, Fla.