Mervin Alston Stump, 81 

Mervin Alston Stump, 81, of Dorcas, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Grant Memorial Hospital, Petersburg.  
Mr. Stump was born Oct. 5, 1921, in Landes and was the son of the late Vinceon A. Stump and Phoebe Jane Kile Stump.

He was a farmer and was employed at Potomac Edison and Halterman's Hardware.  He was a mechanic for the Atlantic Oil Company and worked for Golden Lanes in Petersburg for several years. 

Mr. Stump was a member of Gordon Chapel United Methodist Church and was an Army veteran of World War II.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 78 for over 50 years and attended the Brake Church of the Brethren. 

Surviving are his wife of almost 54 years, Georgia Mae Thorne Stump.  They were married Dec. 24, 1948. 

He is also survived by four daughters, Phyllis Alt of Dorcas, Janie Corley of Elkins, Denise Ours of Charlottesville, VA, and Nancy Rotruck of Petersburg; three sisters, Marie Kimble of Franklin and Neva Kesner and Dallie Stump, both of Petersburg, 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 

He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Joyce F. Judy; one granddaughter, Ginger L. Alt; and one great-grandson, Zac Alston Paul Alt; and four brothers, an infant brother, Raymond Stump, Rubert Stump and Marlin Stump; and one sister, Glenna Stump. 

Ther Revs. Craig Howard and Gary Phillips conducted the funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Brake Church of the Brethren.  Burial was at Brake Cemetery in Dorcas with military rites by the combined veterans organizations of Grant County and the JROTC.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joyce F. Judy Scholarship und, the Ginger L. Alt Scholarship Fund, 24 N. Main St., Petersburg, WV 26847. , the Stump family cemetery or Brake Cemetery. 

Mary Susan Simmons

Mary Susan Simmons, 93, of Franklin, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.  She had been a resident at the Pendleton Nursing Home.

Mrs. Simmons was born Oct. 9, 1909, in Kline and was a daughter of the late James Anderson Hartman and Martha Susan May Hartman. 

She was a homemaker and Methodist by faith. 

On Sept. 22, 1934, she married Roy Curtis Simmons, who preceded her in death Dec. 8, 1992. 

Surviving are four daughter, Marie Mitchell and Madeline Shifflett, both of Franklin, and Shirley Mitchell and Karen Warble, both of Harrisonburg, VA; three sons, James Simmons, Randy Simmons and Olin Simmons, all of Franklin; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Pastor Randy Cosner conducted the funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Kimble Funeral Home Chapel in Franklin.  Burial was at Fairview Bethel Cemetery in Fort Seybert. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Pendleton Nursing Home, PO Box 700, Franklin, WV  26807. 

William P. Puffenbarger

William Pearlie "W.P." Puffenbarger, 95, of the Pendleton Nursing Home in Franklin, and formerly of Sugar Grove, died Saturday, Dec, 28, 2002, at the nursing home, where he had lived since 1997. 

Mr. Puffenbarger was born Jan. 20, 1907, in Sugar Grove and was the son of the late William Harrison Puffenbarger and Martha Jane Mitchell Puffenbarger. 

He was the former owner and operator of Puffenbarger Grocery for 62 years.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sugar Grove and also attended Shepard of the Valley Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, VA. 

On July 19, 1930, he married the former Nellie Virginia Mitchell, who preceded him in death Oct. 20, 1990. 

He is survived by a daughter, Norma Jean Campbell of Harrisonburg, VA; a daughter-in-law, Wona Puffenbarger of Bridgewater, VA; two grandchildren, Ackie and Zoe Puffenbarger of Bridgewater, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

 He was also preceded in death by one son, Paul Puffenbarger, three brothers, Frank Puffenbarger, Homer Puffenbarger and Harvey Puffenbarger; and three sisters, Mary Puffenbarger, Dorothy Simmons, and Ethel Hahn.

The Rev. Mary Poston conducted a graveside service 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Sugar Grove Cemetery Fence Fund, c/o Reid Homan, HC 74  Box 101, Sugar Grove, WV  26815.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Basagic Funeral Home. 

Lewis "Happy" Leary, 82

Lewis W. "Happy" Leary, age 82 years, a resident of Elkins, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 23, 2002, at his home. 

Mr. Leary was born March 18, 1920, in Randolph County, a son of the late Joshua C. and Nancy Jane Marteney Leary. 

He is survived by his lifetime companion, Carol R. Thompson. 

Preceding him in death were four sisters, three brothers and seven half-brothers and sisters. 

He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in the European Theater during World War II.  While serving his country he was awarded numerous medals and ribbons including two bronze stars.  He was an employee of Allegheny Lumber Company for 22 years prior to his retirement and attended the Central Baptist Church near Elkins. 

 Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, from the funeral home chapel with Rev. Keith Miller and Rev. Destry Daniels officiating.  Interment followed in the Mouse Cemetery near Elkins. 

Full military rites were accorded at the graveside by members of H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins was in charge of the arrangements. 

Lacy G. Whetzel, 64

Lacy G. "Shorty" Whetzel, 64, of 351 East Gay St., Harrisonburg, VA, died Thursday, Dec 26, 2002, at his home. 

Mr. Whetzel was born May 17, 2002, in Franklin and was the son of Tommy and Effie Simmons Whetzel.  

He retired from WLR Foods and was a member of the Sangerville Church of the Brethren. 

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Dodson Whetzel, and a stepson, Michael W. Morris of Harrisonburg, VA. 

A graveside service was held 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Sangerville Church of the Brethren Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the family to help with medical and burial expenses. 

Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, VA, was in charge of the arrangements. 

Glenn R. Bennett 

Glenn Rothwell Bennett, 72, of Circleville, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002 at Grant Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Bennett was born Jan 8, 1930, in Circleville and was a son of Mabel Warner Sponaugle Bennett of the Pendleton Nursing Home, Franklin and the late Jimmie Jay Bennett.   

A sergeant in the U.S. Army he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, a retired ironworker and a farmer.  He was a member of the North Fork Church of the Brethren, a charter member of the North Fork Rescue Squad, a member of the VFW Post No. 6862, the Masons, Scottish Rite and was a Shriner.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Barbara Sutton Bennett, who he married Oct. 9, 1954; two daughters and sons-in-law, Leah M. and William "Bill" Frank of Harrisonburg and Lori R. and Douglas Butcher of Riverton; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard G. and Debbie Bennett of Petersburg; a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth B. and Vernon Simmons of Franklin; a brother and sister-in-law, Merl "Cub" and Barbara Bennett of Riverton; and six grandchildren, Ashley Miller, Kevin Frank, Brian Frank, Ashley Roby, Mikala Harman and Johanna Harman.

He was also preceded in death by two sons, David Lee Bennett (7-19-1980) and William Coleman Bennett (7-25-1996).

Drs. Paul O'Gorek and the Rev. Roy Dale Sharp will conduct the funeral 2 p.m. today at the Basagic Funeral Home Chapel in Franklin.  Burial will be at the North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton with military rites by the combined veterans organizations of Pendleton County.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice. 

Jennie Kuptz, 83

Jennie Kuptz, 83, of Hamtramck, MI, died Monday, Dec 23, 2002, at the Detroit Receiving Hospital in Detroit, MI. 

Ms. Kuptz was born Jan. 16, 1919, in Bowling Green, OH, and was the daughter of the late Stanley Moskal and Victoria Pietrucha Moskal. 

SHe was a press operator for the Automobile Industry in Detroit. 

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Bill Mikesell of Elizabethtown, PA, and formerly of Franklin; a sister; a granddaughter and a great-grandson. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec 30, at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Franklin with Father Mario Claro officiating.  Burial was at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.  

 Arrangements were by Kimble Funeral Home, Franklin.

Myrtle S. Selby, 49

Myrtle Susan Mitchell Selby, 49, of Fulks Run, VA, died Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at her home. 

Mrs. Selby was born April 3, 1953, in Pendleton County, and was a daughter of Sarah Francis Mitchell Reedy of Fulks Run, VA, and the late Willie Samuel Mitchell. 

She was a homemaker and a member of Midland Church of the Brethren. 

In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sons, Melvin Ennis, JR., of Maryland, and Monty C. Selby, Jr., of Florida; a daughter, Dorothy L. Reedy of Fulks Run, VA; two sisters, Margaret F. Robinson of Midland, VA, and Clara Ellen Dolly of Lakeland, FL; and a brother, William Roy Mitchell of Fulks Run, VA. 

A graveside service was held 3 p.m. Thursday at the Midland Cemetery in  Midland, VA. 

Memorial contributions may be made to her mother, Sarah Reedy, 13839 Camp Hollow Lane, Fulks Run, VA 22830. 

The Grandle Funeral Home of Broadway, VA was in charge of the arrangements.  

Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.

© - Copyright Notice
2001, Janet Cooper

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