Published: June 04, 2008 02:01 pm            

Obituaries -- Thursday, June 5, 2008

Margaret Elouise Dunfee

Margaret Elouise Dunfee, 76, of Oak Hill, died peacefully June 1, 2008, surrounded by family and friends, following a courageous battle with a long illness.

Born Jan. 15, 1932, at Mt. Carbon, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Manley and Sarah Wagner Manley. She also was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Eugene; her husband, Bill Dunfee; and granddaughter, Dawn Dunfee-Kroll.

Margaret was a longtime resident of Twin Oaks Plaza in Oak Hill, where she was endeared to many residents, staff and managers, Bill and Sue Taylor. At Twin Oaks, Margaret attended Sunday school and religious services on a regular basis, and prior to her illness was very involved in fundraising activities and events as a member of the TOPS Planning Committee. In February 2008, Margaret was honored to be chosen as Queen for Valentine’s Day by her co-residents.

Surviving: sisters, Juanita Reese of Oak Hill and Gladys Collins of Kimberly; brother, Robert Manley and wife, Pat, of Mt. Carbon; sister-in-law, Louella “Sissy” Kelley of Newark, Del.; her children, Billy Wayne of Mt. Carbon, Margaret McKown and husband, Randall, of Charlotte, N.C., Benny and Ezra, both of Robson, Delores and partner, Ken Melton, of Charlotte, Loretta Miller and husband, Robert, of Mulberry, and twins Roger and Randy, both of Oak Hill; grandchildren, Randy McKown Jr. and wife, Samantha, of Charlotte, Shelly McKown-Adkins and husband, Larry, of Roanoke, Va., Robbie Miller of Robson, Kristi Dunfee of Oak Hill, and John Miller, Jason Miller, Jessica Miller, Brandi Miller, all of Mulberry; and great-grandchildren, Jasmine Dunfee, Alex and Max Kroll, all of Hammond, Ind., Alayna McKown and Cody Glover, both of Charlotte, Shaelyn Braenovich of Mulberry, Naomi Adkins of Oak Hill and Rachel Adkins of Roanoke. Margaret was like a “second Mom” to many of her nieces and nephews, among them Johnney-Bob Dunfee and wife, Lynn, of Ravenna, Ohio, and Dencil Kelly of Clover, S.C. Margaret was blessed with a special care giver, Brenda Maynor, of Loved Ones In Home Health Care.

Funeral service was June 4 at High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with the Rev. Bill Smith officiating. Final resting place was next to her brother, Charles, and her mother, Sarah, at the Eads Cemetery, Montgomery Heights.

Arrangements by High Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill.



Ella M. Jones

Ella Mae Suttle Jones, 81, of Live Oak, Fla., formerly of Glen Jean, died June 1, 2008.

Born May 17, 1927 at Glen Rogers, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Mamie Brunty Suttle. Her husband, Ray C. “Caner” Jones and a sister, Nellie Criss, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Jones was a member of the Harvey United Methodist Church and a homemaker.

Arrangements are incomplete.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.



George Herbert Kraus

George Herbert Kraus, 71, of Bowling Green, Ky., formerly of Spring Dale, died May 29, 2008, at the home of his son, John Kraus, with whom he resided.

Born Feb. 14, 1937, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Herbert Clarence and Pauline Henry Kraus.

George worked as an automotive transporter and enjoyed traveling all over the United States and Canada.

Surviving: sons, John Kraus of Bowling Green and Robert Kraus and wife, Susan, of Flint, Mich.; a daughter, Debbie Miller and husband, Mike, of Bowling Green; his twin sister, Elizabeth Sgitcovich and husband, Phil, of Houston, Texas; a sister, Margaret Krauss Guyer of Spring Dale; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

At his request, his body was cremated and there was no service.

Submitted by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Nancy Ann Wickline Mann

Nancy Ann Wickline Mann, 62, of Mount Hope, died May 29, 2008, at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Sept. 9, 1945, at Peterstown, she was the daughter of Dana Christine LaFon Wickline of Peterstown and the late Rexford Ernest Wickline.

She was an appreciated and valued employee of Value City, Beckley. She was a member of Stanaford Missionary Baptist Church and attended Mount Hope Presbyterian Church.

Surviving: her longtime companion, Dennis Sanger of Mount Hope; a daughter, Melissa Dawn Mann and fiance, Steve Eugene Hairston, of Beckley; the father of her daughter Melissa, Arthur Dean Mann Jr. of Narrows, Va.; a special daughter, Crystal Sanger and husband, Troy Addison, of Ohio; grandchildren, Tyla Mykel Hairston, London Sanger, Cassidy Sanger and Troy Addison Jr.; brothers, Samuel Wickline of Peterstown, Ernest Eugene Wickline and wife, Jaunita, of Mount Hope, Marshall Wickline and wife, Joann, of Oak Hill, and Paul Wickline and wife, Merlene, of Bluewell; sisters, Virginia Clemons of Peterstown, Marie Braddock of Wilmington, Del., and Lula Meadows and husband, Larry, of Roanoke, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of her life will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Elizabeth Stone officiating.

Visitation was held June 1 at Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope. Cremation followed the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Bowers Hospice House, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope.



Minnie Blanche Gwinn Martin

Minnie Blanche Gwinn Martin, 90, of Warren, Mich., formerly of Rupert, died May 31, 2008, following a short illness.

Born July 2, 1917, at the End of the Lane, Meadow Bridge, she was the daughter of the late Lake and Esta Gwinn. She also was preceded in death by her husbands, James Gwinn and Charles Martin; her son, James Earl Gwinn; and 11 brothers and sisters.

Blanche was a seamstress and a quilt maker. She was a member of the Big Clear Creek Baptist Church at Rupert, the Men’s and Women’s Bible Class, the Rare Rubies Red Hat Society and the local senior citizens group.

Surviving: daughters, Betty Rodgers and husband, Jim, with whom Blanche lived in Warren, Mich., Shirley Marsh and husband, Ray, of Wirtz, Va., and Margaret Ann Hellebuyck and husband, Gary, of Romeo, Mich.; a brother, Olen Gwinn and wife, Delores, of Meadow Bridge; sisters, Gracie Dotson of Bradley and Virgie Callison of San Jose, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in the Big Clear Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Glen Kuhn officiating. Burial will follow in the End of the Trail Cemetery, Clintonville.

Arrangements by Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle.



Everette Eugene ‘Gene’ Moore

Everette Eugene “Gene” Moore, 57, of Mount Hope, died June 2, 2008, at Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Division.

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry, Beckley.



Rev. Charles F. Nicholes

The Rev. Charles F. Nicholes, 61, of Beckley, died May 24, 2008, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

Born April 15, 1947, at Summerlee, he was the son of the late Charles Ray and Freddie Lee Burden Ni-choles. He also was preceded in death by a son, Charles D. Nicholes; and brothers, Alvin R. Burden, George L. Nicholes, Calvester R. Nicholes and Chauncey L. Nicholes.

Rev. Nicholes was a disabled veteran and a member of Hosack Baptist Church, Columbus.

Surviving: his loving wife of 37 years, Betty; sons, Michael A. Nicholes of Beckley and Terry of Columbus; daughters, Rozetta M. Johnson, Charolette F. Nicholes and Nicholle R. Dixon, all of Columbus; brother, Bedford E. Nicholes of Hilltop; sisters, Rozetta M. Fuller of Melbourne, Fla., Viola D. Nicholes and Donna P. Nicholes of Harvey, Mary G. Nicholes of Beckley, Beverly L. Walker of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Patricia A. Nicholes Oak Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Service was May 31 at New Hope Baptist Church, Beckley, with the Rev. Nathaniel Curry officiating. Burial followed at Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Arrangements by Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.



Thomas Aden Phillips

Thomas Aden Phillips, 62, of Beckley, died May 29, 2008, in a Charleston hospital following a courageous battle with Gulliane Barre syndrome. 

Born Feb. 10, 1946, in Beckley, he was the son of Wilma L. Phillips of Beckley and the late Wendell Phillips. In addition to his father, he also was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Phillips.

Tom was a retired teacher and administrator from the Fayette County Board of Education. He was a 1964 graduate of Woodrow Wilson high school, where he was a member of the football hall of fame, and a 1974 graduate of West Virginia University of which he was a member of the football team.

He received his masters degree from WV College of Graduate Studies in 1978. He was a medic in the Army during the Vietnam era, stationed at a hospital in Munich, Germany.

Tom was an assistant coach at WV Tech. He served on the WVSSAC Board of Appeals. He also taught at Mullens High School, Valley High School and Gauley Bridge High School, and was assistant principal at Oak Hill High School. He received many awards and honors during his career.

Tom was previously a Sunday school teacher of the Baptist faith. Tom was an avid reader and loved WVU sports. Most of all, he enjoyed his grandchildren.

Surviving: his wife of 38 years, Linda Sue (Short) Phillips; daughter, Liz Anne Vance and her husband, Richard, of Beckley; his two grandchildren whom he loved so much, Aden and Savannah Vance; sisters, Deborah Phillips of Washington, D.C., and Judy Meadows and her husband, Steve, of Beckley; brothers, Kenneth Phillips of Beckley and Wendell Phillips Jr. and his wife, Sara, of Charlotte, N.C.

Service was May 31 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Tommy Knotts officiating. Military rites were conducted by the Oak Hill VFW.

Online condolences may be sent at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

 Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



Dennis Saunders

Dennis Saunders, 55, of Mount Hope, died May 27, 2008.

Dennis was the son of Wilmer Saunders Sr. and Laura Saunders of Maryland, and the late Ethel Jean Snow Saunders.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia; brother, Wilmer Saunders Jr.; and stepson, Les Fitzwater.

Surviving: stepsons, Carlton Lyle Fitzwater of Beckley, Curtis Fitzwater, Anthony Fitzwater and Alex Fitzwater and wife, Karen, of Beckley; stepdaughters, Tina Fitzwater of New York and Carrie Crumpler of North Carolina; brother, Thomas Saunders and wife, Patty, of Illinois; sister, Patricia Eisenhower and husband, Paul, of Virginia; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Service was May 30 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley.



James R. ‘Jimmy’ Thompson

James R. (Jimmy) Thompson, 66, of Buckhannon, died May 25, 2008, at his home.

Born Nov. 26, 1941, in Montgomery, he was the son of the late George Elmer and Minnie Marie Ward Thompson. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Keith Thompson.

Mr. Thompson was a rock crusher for Stone Co., Inc., and a Catholic by faith. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a charter and life member of the Eugene Skaggs VFW Post #7695 of Ansted, a 30-year member of the Ansted VFD, Deputy Fire Marshall for the State of West Virginia, a registered EMT with fire and water rescue, a member of the ALERT team and a member of the Knights of Pythias.

On Feb. 27, 1981, he married Brenda S. Skaggs, who survives. Also surviving: daughter, Georgia Melody Thompson of Beckley; son, James R. Thompson II of Harmony, N.C.; grandson, Ronin Jor’el Copning-Thompson; best buddies, Frank Hoover and Dutch of Buckhannon and Leonard Lancaster of Hico; niece, Michelle Alvarez and family of Princeton; nephew, Michael Keith Thompson II and family of Summersville; and many extended family and friends throughout the United States.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at VFW Post #7695 in Ansted with Father Roy Gene Crist as celebrant.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Eugene Skaggs VFW Post #7695, Main St., Ansted, WV 25812.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.polingstclair.com.

Arrangements by Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home.



Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Turk

Dr. Robert “Bob” Turk, 84, died peacefully May 30, 2008.

Born April 30, 1924, in Mansfield, Ohio, he was the son of the late John W. and Bernice Turk.

Dr. Turk spent his childhood in his beloved state of Ohio, living in Bucyrus and Columbus. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a navigator and gunnery instructor. He rose to the rank of sergeant.

After the service, he received his Bachelor’s in History from Heidelberg College, along with a Masters from Ohio University. He began his teaching career in Ohio and met the love of his life, Martha Tuggle, in January 1950 at a YMCA Columbus dance. They married on Jan. 27, 1951. in Columbus.

They moved to Lorain, Ohio, and taught at Lorain High School. In 1957, they moved to Kenneth City, Fla., for a teaching position at the Dixie Hollins High. Bob was elected and served for two years as a town councilman of Kenneth City in 1958.

Bob was offered a position at the then new Miami Dade Community College as a professor in 1961. Professor Turk taught history, political science and social science at the college. The family settled in Hollywood.

In 1985, Professor Turk retired from Miami Dade Community College, but still continued to teach classes at the school for another 15 years. He received his Specialist and Doctorate in History from Florida Atlantic University.

Throughout his life, Bob was involved in so many community programs. He was a member of the Orange Bowl Staging Committee for 25 years, Emerald Society, German American Club, American Legion, Elks and Shriners. He recently received his 50-year pin from the Masonic Lodge. He served as a volunteer deputy at the VA Hospital for many years. He was a member of Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church in Hollywood, teaching Sunday school and serving as a liturgist.

Family and friends played a large part in his life. He enjoyed traveling and spending summers in Fayetteville, and in Columbus, Ohio. He loved his special times with his grandchildren, Michael and Ally. One of his favorite pastimes was his breakfasts and lunches with the “Over the Hill Gang,” retired professors from Miami Dade Community College. This past January, Bob and his bride of 57 years, Martha, enjoyed an anniversary dance.

Surviving: his beloved wife, Martha; his children, Susan Turk, Jeff Turk and Michele (Jason) Drucker; and grandchildren, Michael and Alexandra.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 3 at Hollywood Hills United Methodist. He will be laid to rest at High Lawn Cemetery in Oak Hill, at a grave site service at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association.



Opal E. Davis Vargo

Opal E. Davis Vargo, 85, of Katy, Texas, formerly of Scarbro, died peacefully May 29, 2008, after an extended illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Mike P. Vargo.

Opal was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church, Oak Hill, and a member of the Oak Hill Garden Club.

Surviving: her brother, G.E. Davis and wife, Frieda, of Rotunda West, Fla.; sister, Wanda Martin of Beckley; sons, Michael Vargo of Pearland, Texas, and Jeff Vargo and wife, Jamie, of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, David Vargo and wife, Sabina, Bryan Vargo and wife, Jody, and Stephen Vargo and wife, Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Cody, Spencer, Peyton, Destiny and Collin Vargo; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

She was buried in Houston, Texas, at Woodlawn Cemetery on June 3, with a memorial service to be held in Oak Hill, at the First Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, June 7, at 4 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the First Presbyterian Church in Oak Hill.

Arrangements by Schmidt Funeral Home, Katy, Texas.



Donley Wayne Wriston

Donley Wayne Wriston, 45, of Oak Hill, died May 24, 2008, at Prenter.

Born Feb. 19, 1963, at Charleston, he was the son of the late Lesley and Alice Marie Burgraph Wriston. Also, his wife, Kathy Sue Beals Wriston, preceded him in death on Dec. 14, 2007.

Mr. Wriston was a belt technician for Atlas Belt Company of Mount Hope.

Surviving: son, Donley Wriston of Beckley; daughter, Tabitha Wriston, serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; stepsons, Jason Rice of Glendale, Ariz., and Jeremy Rice, Brandon Rice and Keith Rice, all of Oak Hill; brother, David Wriston of Oak Hill; sister, Debbie Wriston of Oak Hill; and grandchildren, Lillian Rose Fannin and Tessie Rice of Oak Hill.

Service was May 31 at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, with eulogy and remembrance by family and friends. Mr. Wriston was cremated following the service.

Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.

        

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