VIRGIL RAY BECKETT

Virgil Ray Beckett, 54, of Millstone, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at Minnie Hamilton Health System.

He was born in Braxton County, the son of the late Albert and Lizzie Bell Nutter Beckett.

Surviving are four sisters, Margaret Rush of Arnoldsburg, Evelyn Beckett of Orma, Ruth Rhodes of Mt. Zion and Barbara Sue Taylor of Mt. Airy, N.C.; one brother, Danny Beckett of Orma; several step-brothers and sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Missouri K. Nicholas, and two infant sisters.

Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Rev. Jacob Hersman officiating. Burial was in Poling-Marks Cemetery, Millstone.

GALE MILLER

Gale Miller, 100, of Stumptown, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at his residence.

He was born on Tanner’s Fork of Steer Creek, Shock, the son of the late Grover C. and Oe Minney Miller.

After earning a degree in elementary education from Glenville State College, he taught school in Gilmer County for 24 years at Oak Grove, Perkins, Tanner #4, Rosedale, and Normantown, before retiring in 1973. He was a gospel preacher at Shock, Locust Knob, Millstone, Glenville, Spencer, Gassaway, Howesville, Little Hocking, and at Sarnia, Canada. He was a member of Shock Church of Christ and served as song leader, Bible teacher, preacher, and elder. He built a number of houses and the Rosedale gym. He worked on WPA as a stone mason, helping build the wall in front of the administration building at GSC. He was a steelworker for three years in the Naval Ordnance Plant, Charleston, during World War II. He also had experience in timbering, pipelining, highways, grist mill, blacksmithing, beekeeping, molasses making and split bottom chairs.

Surviving are two sons, Gene H. of Shock and Marvin of Spencer; two daughters, Yvonne Morrison of Stumptown and Carolyn Norman of Aurora, Ohio; one sister, Luanne Conrad of Elyria, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Virginia Ruth Wolfe Shock; eight brothers, Orbert, Obert, David, Hurley Bon, Colby, Corley, Rae and Arlyn Bly; four sisters, Minnie, Carrie, Jessie and Mae; one grandchild, Leigh Ann Morrison; and one great-grandchild, Kyli Carol Marshall.

Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Evangelist Tom Miller officiating. Burial was in Miller Cemetery, Shock.

WILFORD HARDMAN

Wilford M. Hardman, 76, of Big Springs, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Miletree Center, Spencer.

He was born in Gilmer County, the son of the late Alfred and Ruby P. Wilcox Hardman.

Surviving are one son, Edward M. Hardman of Monongahela, Pa.; three daughters, Lena K. Whipkey, with whom he made his home, and Carolyn S. Cunningham, both of Grantsville, and Rose M. Frederick of Harrisville; five brothers, Alfred Hardman, James Hardman, Roger Hardman, Guy Hardman and William Hardman; one sister, Edith Hardman; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services were scheduled Wednesday, 11 a.m., at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with burial in Turner Cemetery, Lockney. Visitation was scheduled one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

CHALMER ‘Paul’ WAGONER

Chalmer “Paul” Wagoner, 85, of Big Bend, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at Minnie Hamilton Health System.

He was the son of the late Charley and Jane Cunningham Wagoner.

He was a retired mail carrier with 53 years of service with U.S. Postal Service. He was a lifelong member of Spruce Hollow Community Church.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Grace Wagoner; one son, Gary Wagoner of Big Bend; one daughter, Sharon “Cookie” Haymaker of Big Bend; two sisters, Margie Sims of Parkersburg and Nellie Sims of Big Bend; two brothers, Ernest and Hatzell Wagoner, both of Big Bend; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Rodney Wagoner; one granddaughter, Rhonda Lynn Haymaker; six brothers, Ora, Delmas, Ervin, Clyde, Carl and Olan Wagoner; and one sister, Leona Taylor.

Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with Rev. Carroll McCauley and Rev. Charlene Spaur officiating. Burial was in Wagoner Cemetery, Big Bend.

HAZEL AVADINE FLUHARTY

Hazel Avadine Fluharty, 94, of Parkersburg, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, in Marietta, Ohio.

She was born in Calhoun County, the daughter of the late Matt and Maude Meadows Jarvis.

She was a Methodist and a homemaker.

Surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Fluharty; three brothers, Don, Rex and Hartzell Jarvis; two sisters, Macel Riel and Chloe Dye, and one niece, Shirley Fallon.

There was no visitation or funeral service. Her body will be cremated and her ashes interred at a later date. Memorial service will be held later.

VIRGINIA SNIDER SCHAEFER

Virginia Snider Schaefer, 84, of Parkersburg, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at Wyngate.

She was born in Calhoun County, the daughter of the late Clyde A. and Myrtle Busch Snider.

She retired from Kardex Systems and previously worked at Penn Metals for many years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Surviving are one sister, Barbara Riggs of Vienna; one brother, Clyde A. “June” Snider, Jr., of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; and 12 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry E. Schaefer; one brother, Harold E. “Pete” Snider; and three sisters, Violet Elliot, Kathryn Leavitt and Marge Neale.

Services were held at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with Dr. Timothy Allen officiating. Entombment was at Sunset Memory Gardens.

RICHARD WEST

Richard E. West, 47, of Barberton, Ohio, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010.

He was the son of Marie Adkins and the late Mayford West.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his long-time companion, Jerrie Thoma; their children, Sonny Thoma, Amanda Thoma and Jessica Thoma; three sisters Karen Anderson, Diane Shrigley and Evelyn Dye; one brother, Francis West, seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Jason (J Bone) Thoma.

Services were scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Cox Funeral Home, Barberton, with visitation from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, 2 p.m., at Liberty Cemetery, Spencer.

MILDRED REED

Mildred Reed, 95, of San Diego, Calif., died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

She was born in Calhoun County, the daughter of the late Walter and Blanche Mace.

Surviving are one son, Jerry Reed; one daughter, Janet Reed; two grandchildren; and one sister, Clairine Wilkenson. All of her family resides in the San Diego area.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Farrell Reed, in 1994.

A celebration of her life was held at Poway Bernardo Mortuary, San Diego. She was buried in Dearborn Memorial Park, Poway.

DONALD RAY ‘Duck’ STEVENS

Donald Ray “Duck” Stevens, 77, of Grantsville, died Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at VA Medical Center, Clarksburg.

He was born in Grantsville, the son of the late Francis K. and Lula Starcher Stevens.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and retired from Eureka Pipeline Co. in 1993 after 34 years of service. He was a member and an ordained deacon of Brooksville Baptist Church, Big Bend, and member of Grantsville Volunteer Fire Dept., Eureka Lodge 40, A.F. & A.M., Grantsville, Scottish Rite Bodies and Nemesis Shrine Temple, Parkersburg, Builders for Christ, Calhoun Historical Society and Thomas Hollow Hunting Camp.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Gloria Jean Basnett Stevens; three daughters, Lydia Freeman of Flemington, Natasha Tichnell of Newark and Leigh Kinder of Glenville; one son, Mark Stevens of Grantsville; four grandchildren, Brittney and Nick Stevens of Grantsville and Noah and Cam Kinder of Glenville;  four step-granddaughters, Cassie Lamont of Grantsville, Tracy Galloway of Ft. Walton, Fla., Kelly Bell of Newark and Katie Jo Tichnell of Elizabeth; two step-great-grandchildren, Kaylen and Eyan Galloway; one brother, James of Ravenna, Ohio; and three sisters, Retta Johnson of Grantsville, Rachel Smith of St. Marys and Geneva Wilson of Grantsville.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Festus, Sheldon, Cleo and Samuel Stevens.

Services were held at Brooksville Baptist Church, with Rev. C.W. McDonald officiating. Burial was in Betts Cemetery.

AMBER ADAIR RIDDLE JOHNSON

Amber Adair Riddle Johnson, 46, of Nashville, Tenn., died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, Tenn.

She was born in Parkersburg, the daughter of Janet Riddle Johnson and Stephen Dale Johnson.

She was a 1982 graduate of Parkersburg South High School and was a fashion model in New York City, a professional make-up and hair artist with her own line of make-up, Adair Minerals, and owned and operated Cuts Colors and Blondes Hair Salon, Nashville.

Surviving in addition to her parents are two sisters, Erica Loraine Johnson Elmore of Lubeck and Jennifer Adair Johnson McPeek of Rockport; two brothers, Steve Dale Johnson of Rockport and Bradford Dale Johnson of Washington; and aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Hazel Wilmoth Riddle; maternal grandfather, W. Paul Riddle of Grantsville; and paternal grandmother, Audra Sleeth.

Services were held at Kimes Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with Evangelist Steve Morgan officiating. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Calhoun County.

ROBERT A. ‘Bob’ STARCHER

Robert A. “Bob” Starcher, 68, of Lakemore, Ohio, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.

He was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Isaac and Bessie Starcher of Cremo.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam and retired from Chrysler. He was a member of UAW Local 122 and owner of Starcher Painting Co. He was a past member of the Knights of Pythias and the Senior Vice Commander of Army Navy Garrison 273.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Eva; one daughter, Chanin George; two step-daughters, Sheila Foreman and Michele White; three brothers, Tommy, Ronald and Jimmy Wayne; one sister, Margaret Badgett; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Isaac Jr., Roy, Arnold and Harold; two sisters, Garnet Porter and Mildred Jean Richards; one step-son, James D. Gartner; and one granddaughter, Melissa Brown.

Services were held at Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron. Burial was in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

LOUISA YEARIAN

Louisa Yearian, 80, of West Chester, Pa., died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

She was born in Orma, the daughter of the late Aristotle and Mary Cottrell Butler.

She was a homemaker. Surviving are five daughters, Donna Smith, Connie Blackwell, Kathie Brogan, Claudette  Cox   and  Vickie   Buckalew;  two sons, Mike Yearian and C.J. Yearian; two sisters, Macel Carpenter and Nina Conley; three brothers, Tom, Charlie and Milton Butler; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Marcy Adamcewicz, and one son, Neal Yearian.

Services were held at Orma Methodist Church. Burial was in Orma Methodist Church Cemetery.

DORIS JEAN TAYLOR

Doris Jean Taylor, 74, of Clay, died Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at Hubbard House, Charleston.

She was born in Clay County, the daughter of Freeman and Nina Duffield.

She was a member of Alta Church of God and was a homemaker.

Surviving are her husband, Rev. Arnold Taylor; two sons, Curt Dancey of Akron, Ohio, and Charles Wyant of Clay; four step-sons, Denzil Taylor, Dexter Taylor, Ronnie Taylor and Richard Taylor, all of Spencer; one brother, Ford Duffield of Akron; one sister, Deloris Duffield of Akron; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services were scheduled Wednesday, 11 a.m., at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Rev. Donald Dawson and Rev. Paul Young officiating, and burial in McLaughlin Cemetery, Duck. Visitation was scheduled one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

DARYELL ‘Tater’ SMITH

Daryell L. “Tater” Smith, 69, of Grantsville, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at his home.

He was born in McDunn, the son of the late Milford W. and Blanche E. Hunt Smith.

He retired from Ford Motor Co., Brookpark, Ohio, at age 55 after 31½ years of service.

Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Michele L. Smith of Grantsville; five sons, Stephen, Stuart, Scott, David and Jesse Smith of Ohio; one step-daughter, Tina L. Whipkey of Grantsville; two brothers, Burl Smith of Florida and Michael Smith of Ohio; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Janice Cosentino, and one brother, Albert Smith.

At his wishes, no services were held.

ROBERT JAMES GRIFFIN, JR.

Robert James Griffin, Jr., 61, of Parkersburg, formerly of Calhoun County, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at his residence.

He was born in New Jersey, the son of Robert James Griffin, Sr., and the late Ethel M. Richards Griffin.

Surviving in addition to his father are one son, Robert James Griffin III; seven brothers and sisters; and a special friend and caregiver, Terry Glisson of Parkersburg.

Private graveside services were held at the convenience of the family.

NONA MAE MAZE

Nona Mae Maze, 94, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Munday, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

She was born at Industry, the daughter of the late Sampson and Hazel Rose.

She was a retired teacher’s aide.

Surviving are one son, Roger Maze of Limestone, Tenn.; one daughter, Naomi Karen Richard of Green Sea, S.C.; 14 grand-children; many great-grandchildren; and a few great-great-grand-children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Maze; two brothers, Oscar and Ross; one sister, Lucille; two sons, Blaine Maze and Clarence Maze, Jr.; and two daughters, Betty Krugman and Connie Lahman.

Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, with Rev. William Law officiating. Burial was in Maze Cemetery, Munday.

BETTY MAY WARNER

Betty May Warner, 64, of Chandlersville, Ohio, formerly of Grantsville, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.

She was born in Caldwell, Ohio, the daughter of Betty D. Ball Huberty of Caldwell and the late Nate Mayfield.

She was a member of First Church of Christ, Caldwell.

Surviving in addition to her mother are her husband, Roger E. Warner, Sr., whom she married June 22, 1963; two sons, Roger E. Warner, Jr., of Dexter City, Ohio, and Timothy Warner of Buckeye Lake, Ohio; one daughter, Sarah Elerick of Buckeye Lake; 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Dovenbarger of Belle Valley and Sandra Clark of Dexter City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one son, Stanley Carl Warner, and step-father, Edward Huberty.

Services were held at Chandler Funeral Home Chapel, Chandlersville, with Rev. William Pickenpaugh officiating. In keeping with Betty’s wishes, cremation was observed with inurnment at the family’s convenience.

EMIL LEE WHIPKEY, SR.

Emil Lee Whipkey, Sr., 84, of Parkersburg, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Tanner, the son of the late Clarence Whipkey and Bessie Wyers Whipkey.

He was a 1944 graduate of Parkers-burg High School, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of DAV Chapter 32. He retired as a truck driver from Central Motor Freight and was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sons, Emil L. Whipkey, Jr., of Mineral Wells and Charles Whipkey of Parkersburg; one daughter, Linda Woolard of Parkersburg; one sister, Onida Seebaugh of Lubeck; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Nadine Hupp Whipkey, who was born in Grantsville.

Services were held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, with Rev. John Lands officiating. Entombment followed in Three Crosses Mausoleum at Sunset Memory Gardens with military rites by American Legion Post 15.

LYNDOL KEITH FRYMIER

Lyndol Keith Frymier, 70, of Beaver, Ohio, formerly of Tanner, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at Pineview Manor, Beaver.

He was born in Gilmer County, the son of the late Eustace and Ploma Grogg Frymier.

He was a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge, Tanner.

Surviving are one son, one daughter, six grandchildren, four sisters and three brothers.

He was preceded in death by one sister.

No other information was received.

Services were scheduled Wednesday, 2 p.m., at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with Rev. Alfred Hickman officiating, and burial in Mt. Liberty Cemetery, Tanner. Visitation was scheduled Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m., at the funeral home.

ROSCOE LENARD MOORE

Roscoe Lenard Moore, 68, of Chloe, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Charleston Area Medical Center.

He was born in Kanawha County, the son of the late Clarence and Martha Tanner Moore.

Surviving are two daughters, Melissa K. Sparks of Creston, Ohio, and Demetra D. Moore of Kansas; one sister, Thelma Carte of Chloe; one brother, Mitchell Moore of Chloe; and three grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel and Grace Sparks.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Morris Moore, three brothers and two sisters.

It was Roscoe’s wishes that no services be conducted.

HAROLD GENE SEARS

Harold Gene Sears, 69, of Duck, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Division.

He was born in Clay County, the son of the late Roy B. and Stella Burnside Sears.

He was a farmer and a Baptist.

Surviving are two brothers, Julius Sears of Chloe and Hubert Sears of Frametown; niece, Ann Lamb of Duck, with whom he made his home; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, 1 p.m., at Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway. Burial will be in Moore Fork Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to services at the funeral home.

GENEVA ELLEN BENNETT HUSK

Geneva Ellen Bennett Husk, 92, of Grantsville, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at Minnie Hamilton Health System.

She was born in Grantsville, the daughter of the late Elza and Mary Jane Harris Bennett.

She worked for W.B. Gibson, Grantsville, for 38 years.

Surviving are one son, Clovis Ray Wade of Akron, Ohio, from her first marriage to Herbert Wade; one daughter, Wilma Jane Husk Bell from her second marriage to Charles G. Buck Bell; one step-son, Howard Dale Husk of Akron; one step-daughter, Deloris McCartney Davis of East Liverpool, Ohio; and several grand-children, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; one son from her second marriage, Robert Eugene Husk; one step-son, Gilbert William Husk; five sisters, Edna Husk, Geneve Collins, Pauline Hornbeck, Ivelean Richards and Elenore Mills; and three brothers, Orval Bennett, Cay Bennett and Holly Golden (Bud) Bennett.

Services will be held Thursday, 2 p.m., at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, with Rev. Alfred Hickman officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mt. Zion. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

MAXINE SMITH POWELL

Maxine Smith Powell, 81, of Cutler, Ohio, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Marietta Memorial Hospital.

She was born in Grantsville, the daughter of the late Clarence S. and Nell M. Holpp Smith.

She was a graduate of St. Marys High School and a member of Dale United Methodist Church. She was a founding advisor to Palmers Lads & Lassies 4-H Club and a youth advisor for many years at Oak Hill United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her husband, George S. Powell, whom she married Nov. 29, 1946; three sons, G. Sam Powell of Stockport, Ohio, William F. Powell of Cutler and Daniel J. Powell of Columbia, S.C.; one daughter, Barbara Kidder of Stockport; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Smith of Wartburg, Tenn.; three sisters, Emma J. Garish of Akron, Ohio, Martha Snyder of Wooster, Ohio, and Madylene Hamrick of Parkersburg.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert, Lester and Pete Smith.

Services will be held Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at Barlow Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home, with Pastor Robin Swinsburg officiating. Visitation was scheduled Wednesday, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at Barlow Chapel. Following services at the funeral home, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at Palmer Community Center. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery. There will be no public graveside service.

JAMES DANA BAILEY

James Dana Bailey, 90, of Newton, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in Charleston Area Medical Center, Memorial Division.

He was born in Calhoun County, the son of the late Henderson Calvert and Lillie Ann Hunt Bailey.

He retired from Union Carbide Corp., Alloy, in 1980. He was a longtime member of Newton Baptist Church, Newton, where he served many years as Sunday School superintendent.

Surviving are one daughter, Dawne Ann Church of Kerrville, Tex.; one son, Calvin Bailey of Cross Lanes; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia P. Greathouse Bailey; one son, James Dana “Jim” Bailey II; four sisters, Tressie Bailey, Delphia Brannon, Eva Spencer and Dessie Noe; and four brothers, Bruce, Woody, Clifford and H.C. Bailey, Jr.

Services will be held Thursday, 1 p.m., at Newton Baptist Church, Newton, with Rev. Ronald Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Point Cemetery, Newton. Visitation is Thursday, two hours prior to the service, at the church. John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, is in charge of arrangements.

BERNARD JAMES McCUMBERS

Bernard James McCumbers, 91, of Rosedale, died at his home on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

He was the son of the late Galry and Ada Cottrell McCumbers. He was a member of Fairview Church, Lower Nicut.

Surviving are his wife, Rhonda Pearl Cottrell McCumbers; five sons, Darrell McCumbers of Wollwine, Va., Dare McCumbers of Spencer, Denzil McCumbers of Rosedale, Robert Dale McCumbers of Elizabeth and Dwayne McCumbers of Shiloh, Ohio; two daughters, Connie Hardman of Navarre, Ohio, and Sandra McCumbers of Parkersburg; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grand-children; one brother, Galry Jr. McCumbers of Ohio; and three sisters, Gladys Snyder of Ohio, Linda McCumbers of Rosedale and Clara Turner of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Willis McCumbers, and two sisters, Geneva Nicholson and India Drennen.

Services will be held Thursday, 1 p.m., at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Rev. Carl Marks officiating. Burial will be in Cottrell Cemetery, Bear Run. Visitation will be on Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the funeral home.