Preston J. Spencer
BECKLEY -- Preston James Spencer, 86, of Beckley died Friday, May 1, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital after a long illness. He was a retired miner, a member of the UMW, a sawmill worker and a Baptist. Surviving: daughter, Mary L. Gray of Beckley; brother, Moore Spencer; one sister. Service will be noon Saturday at Durgan Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Andrew Durgan Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

William Stone
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. -- William "Bo" Stone, 50, of North Manchester died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, in Indiana after a short illness. He was an operator for Laketon Refinery, a graduate of Logan (W.Va) High School, member of the Oil and Gas Union and Moose Lodge 1518. Surviving: wife, Glenda S. Stone; sons, John Wesley Stone II of Columbia City, Ind., Brandon J. Stone of Wabashm, Ind.; mother, Violet Kitchen Stone of Logan; brother, Elmer Stone of Sarah Ann, W.Va.; three grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Christian Fellowship Church, North Manchester, with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Home, North Manchester, and one hour prior to service at the church. Information provided by Collins-Slater Funeral Home, Switzer, W.Va.

Clarence M. Stover
CLAY -- Clarence Monroe Stover, 82, of Clay died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, in St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, after a long illness. He was a retired miner with 37 years service, a former Clay County school bus driver, a member of the Clay County Democratic Executive Committee for 22 years and was named 1994 Clay County Democrat of the Year. Surviving: wife, Hazel Stover; daughters, Norma Daniels of Clay, Carolyn Sue Young of Charleston; sons, Bobby and Jerry Stover of Clay, Kent Stover of Hurt, Va.; sister, Arlene Jarrell of Parkersburg; brothers, Cecil Stover of Clay, Charles Stover of West Jefferson, Ohio, Lawrence Stover of Mount Hope; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Carl Wilson Funeral Home, Clay, with the Rev. Dennis Legg officiating. Burial will be in Clay Memorial Gardens, Clay. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Cheryl L. Taylor
HINES -- Cheryl Lynn Belcher Taylor, 48, of Hines, Greenbrier County, died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at the home of her sister, Patty Adkins of Rainelle, after a short illness. She was a homemaker. Also surviving: daughter, Tammy Winfrey of Alderson; brothers, Walter Belcher of Rupert, Wesley Belcher of Hines; two grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Rev. David Allen officiating. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

William H. Thompson
HENDERSON -- William H. Thompson, 51, of Henderson died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at home from injuries after being shot, said a spokesman for the Point Pleasant State Police detachment. He was an employee of Williamson Pallet Co., Southside. Surviving: brothers, Doug Thompson of Holiday, Fla., Robert Thompson of Clearwater, Fla., Russell Thompson of Dayton, Ohio; sisters, Sharon Williamson, Judy Corny and Roberta Thompson of Plain City, Ohio, Joan Thompson of Delaware, Ohio, Cathy Pancake of Ostrander, Ohio; several nieces and nephews. Graveside service will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Hambrick Cemetery, Southside, with the Rev. Lee Baird officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Deal-Brown Funeral Home, Point Pleasant.

Ethel I. Vernatt
MIDWAY -- Ethel Ida Vernatt, 93, of Midway died Thursday, May 7, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, is in charge of arrangements.

Mavis L. Ward
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Mavis L. Ward, 72, of South Bend, formerly of Man, W.Va., died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend. She was a homemaker and a Methodist. Surviving: daughters, Linda A. Santiago of Dallas, Texas, Sandra K. Kreag of Granger, Ind.; sons, David N. Ward of South Bend, William E. Ward II of Lorian, Ohio; sister, Florence Peeler of Wyann, Ark.; brother, Russell Fleming of Elyria, Ohio; one grandson. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Hickey Funeral Home, Cleveland Road, South Bend, with the Rev. James O. Fair officiating. Graveside service will be 10 a.m. Monday in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby, W.Va. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hickey Funeral Home. Evans Funeral Home, Chapmanville, W.Va., is in charge of local arrangements.

Robert E. Adams
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Robert Edwin Adams, 59, of Arlington, formerly of Gap Mills, W.Va., died Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a retired employee of the Department of Defense and a Catholic. Surviving: father, Robert Adams of Zenith, W.Va.; brothers, Gary and Harold Roger Adams of Zenith, Paul Dion Adams of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Shelby Jean Hall of Gap Mills; several nieces and nephews. Service was to be 2 p.m. today at Groves Funeral Home, Union, W.Va., with the Rev. Jimmy Rogers officiating. Burial will be in Carmel Cemetery, Gap Mills.

Elizabeth M. Adkins
Elizabeth Maude Adkins, 83, of South Charleston died Thursday, May 7, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a native of Maryland, a homemaker and a member of Smith Creek Nazarene Church. Surviving: sons, John, Robert and Eugene Adkins of South Charleston, Daniel Adkins of Dayton, Ohio, Wallace Adkins of Canada; daughters, Elizabeth Hinzman, Clara Pistore, Dorothy Byrd and Mary Holdren of South Charleston, Mabel Dudding of Kingston, Ohio, Barbara Chandler of Hurricane, Helen Teel of Mullens; 38 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston, with the Rev. Buck Stone officiating. Burial will be in Adkins Cemetery, South Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary.

Clifford Asbury
SUMERCO -- Clifford Asbury, 80, of Sumerco died Friday May 8, 1998, at CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, is in charge of arrangements

Magalena Backus
MADISON -- Magalena Backus, 61, of Madison died Friday, May 8, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a health care provider at Boone Nealth Care Center. Surviving: husband, Homer Backus; sons, Christopher and Ricky Backus of South Madison, Ronald Backus of Greenview; daughters, Trena Epling of Greenview, Retha Grimmett of Chapmanville; brothers, Carl Thompson of Griffithsville, Emzy Thompson of Turtle Creek, Glennis and Sidney Thompson of Danville; sister, Zella Hill of Hewett; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Greenview Church of Christ with Billy Elshire officiating. Burial will be in Danville Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Handley Funeral Home, Danville.

Earl W. Bateman
POCA -- Earl W. Bateman, 83, of Poca, formerly of Nitro, died Thursday, May 7, 1998, at Americare-Putnam Nursing Home after a short illness. He was a retired bus driver with the Kanawha County Board of Education with 35 years of service. He was a Protestant. Surviving: sons, Keith of Charleston, Curtis of Nitro, Kennith "Buddy" of Wisconsin, Rick of Poca; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Service will be 3 p.m. Monday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans. Burial will be in Burdette Family Cemetery, Cross Lanes. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Oneda S. Cochran
NEOLA -- Oneda Sylvia Cochran, 79, of Neola died Friday, May 8, 1998, in Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea, after a long illness. She was a member of Neola Baptist Church. Surviving; sons, Carl, Denny and Don Cochran of Neola; daughters, Phyllis Judy of Neola, Gladys Webb and Brenda Thompson of White Sulphur Springs; brothers, Jack Joyce of Ohio, Clarence Joyce of Virginia; sisters, Ennis Brown of Ohio, Lucille Clifton of North Carolina; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Neola Baptist Church. Entombment will be in Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs. The family suggests donations be sent to Neola Baptist Church or Anthony Creek Fire and Rescue Squad.

Roy B. Cogar
SUTTON -- Roy B. Cogar, 77, of Sutton died Thursday, May 7, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a long illness. He was a Methodist, a member of Odd Fellows, Sutton, a retired postal carrier, a former member of the Sutton town council, a member of the Democratic Executive Committee and former Braxton County Democrat of the Year. Surviving: wife, Glenith Roby Cogar; daughters, Carolyn Canfield of Sutton, Shelva Suarez of St. Albans; sons, Roy and Kevin Cogar of Gassaway, Craig and Kenneth K. Cogar of Sutton; sister, Blossom Claypoole of Heaters, six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Morrison United Methodist Church, near Sutton, with the Rev. William M. Hunt officiating. Burial will be in Morrison Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Stockert Gibson Funeral Home, Flatwoods, and one hour prior to service at the church.

George W. Cohernour
RENICK -- George W. Cohernour, 82, of Renick died Friday, May 8, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was retired from the West Virginia Department of Highways. Surviving: son, Don Cohernour of Renick; sisters, Viola Wiseman of Lewisburg, Rhoda Hulbert of Vancouver, Wash.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery, Renick. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Don J. Dingess
HOLDEN -- Don Jacob Dingess, 71, of Holden died Thursday, May 7, 1998, in Logan General Hospital. He was retired from Island Creek Coal Co., a veteran of World War II and a member of Holden 5&6 Freewill Baptist Church. Surviving: wife, Bonnie Dingess; daughters, Donna Collins of Logan, Ohio, Cathy Dingess of Holden, Tammy Kirkendoll of Chapmanville; son, Randy Dingess of Holden; sisters, Shirley Watts of Rittman, Ohio, Amber Walsh of Holden; brother, Ernest Dingess of Louisville, Ky.; three grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Holden 5&6 Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Light officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Godby. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at James Funeral Home, Logan, and one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

William C. Fisher Sr.
William Cleek Fisher Sr., 80, of Charleston died Friday, May 8, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness. He was an employee of Save Supply with more than 50 years' service and a member of West Side United Methodist Church, Charleston. Surviving: wife, Bernice Harpold Fisher; daughter, Mary Fisher Basham of Kingsport, Tenn.; sisters, Okla Johnson and Sophronia Morris of Ripley; two grandsons. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, with the Rev. Martin Hallett officiating. Burial will be in Fairplain Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests donations be sent to West Side United Methodist Church, 401 Roane St., Charleston, W.Va. 25302.

David L. Fletcher
David Lee Fletcher, 37, of Alum Creek died May 7, 1998, from injuries received May 1 in an automobile accident on Corridor G near Childress Road, said a hospital spokesman. He was an employee of Al Marino Heating and Plumbing. Surviving: wife, Laura Fletcher; daughters, Mary and Kimberly Fletcher at home; parents, Ray and Joanna Fletcher of Alum Creek; sisters, Donna Lude of South Charleston, Ellen McCallister, Patricia Holstein, Melody McCormick, Betty Fletcher and Leasa Fletcher of Alum Creek; brothers, Eddie, Charles Jr., Gary and Kenneth of Alum Creek. Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with the Rev. Robert Harless, the Rev. David Horn and Pastor Tommy Roberts officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Bessie M. Ford
GLASGOW -- Bessie M. Ford, 93, of Glasgow died Friday, May 8, 1998, in Beverly Health Care Center after a long illness. She was a former employee of the dietary department at Montgomery General Hospital, a lifelong resident of Kanawha County and a Protestant. Surviving: grandchildren, Brenda K. Myers and Allen Ford of Glasgow, Paul Ford of Shrewsbury, Linda Woods and Carolyn Fitzgerald of Powellton, Mary Boyd of South Carolina, Billy Casey of Ohio, Bessie M. Ferrell of Indiana; several great-great grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Cook Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gary Tucker officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Cooke Funeral Home, Cedar Grove.

Merle H. Forren
BECKLEY -- Merle Harrah Forren, 87, of Beckley died Friday, May 8, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a short illness. She was a graduate of McKindree State Hospital School of Nursing, an office nurse for Dr. John Heagarty, Layland, and a member of United Methodist Temple and Eastern Star Chapter 1350, Danese. Surviving: daughters, Marilyn Stone of Beckley, Carolyn Pence of Cross Lanes; two grandchildren. Graveside service, with Eastern Star service by Chapter 1350, will be 2 p.m. Sunday in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity, with the Rev. Betty Lusk and the Rev. Ellen File officiating. Melton Mortuary, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests donations be sent to United Methodist Temple, 3871 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, W.Va. 25801.

Beverly J. Garrett
OAK HILL -- Beverly Jean King Garrett, 58, of Oak Hill died Thursday, May 7, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. She was a homemaker and a member of Mountain View Church of God, Hilltop. Surviving: sons, Ronnie E. King, John King and Carl L. Garrett of Oak Hill; daughter, Linda D. Manning of Scarbro; sister, Betty King of Maryland; two grandchildren; one stepgrandchild. Service will be 2:30 p.m. Monday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Rudell Bloomfield and the Rev. Jerry Cantley officiating. Burial will be in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Oak Hill. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Charlene A. Gillispie
Charlene A. Gillispie, 64, of Alum Creek died Friday, May 8, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness. She was a former employee of Multi-Cap Meals on Wheels Program, South CHarleston and a lifelong resident of Kanawha County She was preceeded in death by her son, Kevin Gillispie. Surviving: husband, Harold; son, Mark of Alum Creek; daughters, Shirley Rhodes of Evens, Chris Gillenwater of Alum Creek, Kathy Gillispie of South CHarleston; sisters, Faye Stewart and Nina Mallory of Spring Hill; brother, Wayne Adkins; three grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, Alum Creek, with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will be in Barker Cemetery, Ashford. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Emma R. Grubb
BECKLEY -- Emma Ruth Day Grubb, 76, of Beckley died Thursday, May 7, 1998, at the home of her son, Larry Grubb of Middlebrook, Va. She was a homemaker and a longtime resident of Raleigh County. Surviving: sons, Richard Grubb of Berryville, Va., Chester Grubb of Winchester, Va.; daughters, Beverly Mays of Gastonia, N.C., Sina Woods of Oak Hill, Alesia Moody of Verona, Va.; brothers, Patrick Ralph Day of Oak Hill, D.R. and Douglas Eugene Day of Burlington, N.C.; sisters, Betty Seelinger and Christina Little of Burlington, Frances Maiden of Barboursville, Arvada Ashworth of Dayton, Ohio, Mildred Raddi of Granger, Ind., Kay Pennington of Shady Spring, Colleen Irvin of Beaver; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, with Pastor Bill Parker officiating. Entombment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.