Kitty Swanda, 76

Kitty Carole (Kimble) Swanda, 76, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.

She was born at Franklin on June 5, 1935, the daughter of the late Clinton Raymond (Aug18,1975) and Marguerite Dice Kimble (Apr 26, 1983).

Mrs. Swanda was a 1953 graduate of Franklin High School. She attended Berea College, was a member of the Ladies of the Moose #812, and was a Methodist. She had worked as a secretary for Monongahela Power Company, WV Department of Highways, and WV DHHR.

Surviving are two sisters, Phyllis K. Frye and husband Charles of Silver Springs, MD, Nancy K. Gonshor of Franklin; two brothers, Clinton Reed Kimble and wife Bernice of Petersburg; Raymond Kimble and wife Kate of Ashland, VA; three nephews, Charles Frye III and wife Sarah of Lexington, NC, Alan Propst of Bridgewater, Kevin Gonshor and wife Michelle of Franklin; three nieces, Kathy Crowder and husband Tommy of Glen Allen, VA, Kelly Kimble of Ashland, VA, and Susan Bennett and husband Jared of Elkins.

Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.

He was born at Sugar Grove on July 30, 1930, the son of the late Solomon Roy and Cora Mae (Bodkin) Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was a 1948 graduate of Franklin High School, was a member of the VFW Post #9666, and a member of the St. Paul Independent Church. He was employed from 1961 to 1992 as a Forest Service Leader with the United States Forest Service in the Dry River District of George Washington National Forest, and was a veteran of the US Navy.

Also survived are three daughters, Lisa Ann Hull and husband Dennis of Doe Hill, VA, Amy Marie Gardiner and husband Kent of Franklin, Penny Gail Lambert and husband Chris of Franklin; a son, Dennis Clyde Simmons of Sugar Grove; three brothers, Vernon Simmons and wife Cleo of Staunton, VA, Hobert Simmons and wife Maxine of Romney, William Simmons of Sugar Grove; five grandchildren, Ben Hull, Tyler Gardiner, Lindsey Houck, Isaiah Gardiner, and Trace Lambert.

Interment was at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove with military graveside services conducted by the Pendleton County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the family, c/o Deloris Simmons, 2392 Simmons Mountain Road, Sugar Grove, WV 26815.

Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.

Roger Daniel Bennett, 90, a well-known business man and a resident of Elkins, departed this life Sunday afternoon, April 15, 2012, in Nella's Nursing Home at Crystal Springs.

He was born Sunday, Oct. 9, 1921, at Hazelwood, German Valley, Pocahontas County, a son of the late Rev. Vernon Lester "V.L." and Lillian Susan Teter Bennett, formerly of Timber Ridge.

Mr. Bennett was a graduate of Elkins High School with the class of 1940. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the United States Navy in the South Pacific at Guam, Boganville, Sipan and New Caldonia and was discharged as a Marine Raider. He worked for 15 years as shop supervisor for the Western Maryland Railroad Roundhouse. He then was employed for Laton and Laton at Delaware, Md., and retired from the Southland Corp. after 27 years of service, being their number one salesman. After retiring, he built the first townhouses of Elkins known as the Bennett Townhouses and along with his wife owned and operated them for 21 years. He was a member of the Elkins Church of the Brethren.

On Aug. 16, 1942, at Baltimore, MD., he was married to the former Ruby M. Rosencrance, who survives. They had celebrated 69 years of marriage.

Also surviving are two daughters, Sharon L. Graeber and husband, Mark, of San Jose, CA, and Joanne Rosania of Phoenix, AZ; one half brother, Harry Viven of Camden, DE.; three grandchildren, Kimber Garrett, Robert Rosania and James C. Graeber; and four great-grandchildren, Brittany Jenkins, Patricia Graeber, Jillian Garrett and James A. Graeber.

Also preceding him in death were one brother, Charles Edward Bennett; one sister, Nettie June Elmore; and one half sister, Evelyn May Wood.

Funeral services were held April 20 at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins with Rev. Larry Poling officiating. Interment followed at the Brick Church Cemetery at Huttonsville where full military honors will be accorded by members of H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Denzil "Denny" Lee Fink, 68, a resident of Kelly Mountain Road, Elkins, went to be with our Lord late Friday evening, April 13, 2012, in Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, surrounded by his loving family.

He attended the Harper one-room school at Clover Run near Parsons. He graduated from Damascus High School in Damascus, MD., specializing in vocational agriculture.

He served with the U.S. Army from 1960 until 1966. He worked for Tom's Foods as a corporate representative for 38 years from 1963-2001 and for the last 11 of those years, he was the owner and operator, along with his family, of D.L Fink Distributing in Petersburg.

As a hobby, he loved and worked with radio station WELD in Fisher covering five counties in West Virginia and Allegheny County, MD. He played old country, bluegrass and gospel music for 19 years; he was known to his fans as "Denny Lee." He loved to sing and was a noted guitar and piano player. Denny had a passion for farming at his farm on Kelly Mountain and loved to watch animals in the wild. He was a Christian and a member of the Harts' Chapel Church. He considered the late Rev. Meade L. Gutshall and the Rev. Robert Lowther as his pastors and friends.

Also surviving are three daughters, Denise Fink Long and husband, Robert, of Moorefield, Carrie Lee Fink and Johnnie Fink Bennett and husband, Philip, all of Charlotte, N.C.; one son, Robert "Rob" Bosworth Fink of Elkins; one grandson, Caleb Long; and one granddaughter, Cara Jo Long; and three other grandchildren, Bobby Long, Jennifer Long Conrad and Austin Bennett; two sisters, Karen Haller Long and husband, Danny, of Parsons and Cynthia Wotring Shehan and husband, Tom, of Jenks, Okla.; and one brother, Curtis Haller of Elkins.

Mr. Fink's request for a private celebration of life was honored on April 18 at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins with Rev. Robert Lowther officiating. Interment followed in Kelly Mountain Cemetery on Kelley Mountain.

Earl Paul Kisamore, Sr., 72, of Mount Solon, VA, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Kisamore worked as a supervisor at Banta, retiring in 2000 after 28 years of service. He served in the U.S. Army.

Also surviving are two sons Earl Paul Kisamore, Jr. and wife Sherry of Verona, VA, and Tony Kisamore, Sr. and his girlfriend Tracey May of Mt. Solon, VA: four sisters, Ruth Rexrode of York, PA, Joy Michael of Mt. Solon, VA, Mardale "Ann" Botkin of Grottoes, VA, and Sharon Grimm of New Market, VA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Douglas Kisamore, Veronica Kisamore, Ashley Kisamore, T. J. Kisamore, Paul Kisamore, Zack Kisamore, and Jessica Brown; four great grandchildren, Prophecy, Knowledge, Salona, and Dominique.

A funeral service was held at Emmanuel Church of the Brethren, Mount Solon, VA, with Rev. B. Eugene Shaver and Pastor Josh Davis officiating. Burial followed at Emmanuel Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson Funeral Service, PO Box 41, Bridgewater, VA 22812 to help with funeral expenses.

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

Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.

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2001, Janet Cooper

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