Dr. Kenneth D. Eye

On May 2, 2008, Dr. Kenneth David Eye, 99, went to be with the Lord surrounded by his family. 

He was the son of the  late Robert Lee Eye and Sallie Ann Propst Eye of Franklin. 

Eye graduated from Franklin High School in 1928, Potomac State Preparatory College in 1929 and the University of Maryland, earning a DDS Degree in 1935.  He completed an internship with the U.S. Public Health Service, Marine Hospital in Baltimore, MD, from 1935-1937.  He entered the Dental Corp Regular Army in 1938 and transferred to the Department of the Air Force in 1949 and attained the rank of Colonel, retiring in 1966.  In what was considered a true testament of dedication to his fellow man, he retired from the armed service on Oct. 31, 1966, and began teaching the very next day at West Virginia University, where he served as associate professor in the Oral Diagnosis Department of the School of Dentistry until 1975. 

His military assignments took him to many places throughout his career - US Public Health Service in Key West, FL, Fort Bragg, NC, Ramey Field, Puerto Rico, Eglin AFB, FL, Ladd AFB, AK, Brooks AFB TX, Wolthers AFB, TX, Andrews AFB, MD, Tachikawa AFB, Japan and Lockbourne AFB, OH.  

Throughout Dr. Eye's life, he enjoyed traveling and visiting new places.  While stationed in Japan, he climbed Mt. Fuji and visited Hong Kong, Thailand, Pakistan, Hawaii and the Taj Mahal in India.  One could always find a camera in his hands capturing photos to make into slides from all his travels.  He enjoyed hunting the hills of West Virginia on his family property in Pendleton County with other family members each fall.  

He was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning and sharing the fruits of his labor.  He worked crossword puzzles daily and always cross-referenced words using multiple sources that were well-worn over the years.  He was skilled at carpentry, making grandfather clocks for himself and each of his children.  He was an avid reader of numerous genres. 

He enjoyed storytelling and had an ability to keep one hanging on the next worked.  He loved telling jokes and would put a new spin on a joke or story with each re-telling.  Each Saturday night, one could find him watching the Lawrence Welk Show.  He especially enjoyed cheering on the mighty Mountaineers during football season whether on radio or television, and was dressed in his Mountaineer regalia from head to toe.  

His wife of 49 years, Doris Frances Parish of Samson, AL, preceded him in death. 

Surviving are three children, David Stephen Eye and his wife, Roanne of Plantation, Fl, Shirley Jane Eye Souk of Moon Twp. PA, and Dr. Kenneth R. Eye and his wife, Judith of Broadway, VA; four grandchildren, Frank Edward Souk, Jr., and his wife, Carolyn of Lakewood, CO, Christopher David Souk and his wife, Rachelle of Charlotte, NC, Dr. Kenneth R. Eye, II of Philadelphia, PA, and Brian David Eye of Harrisonburg, VA; and two great-granddaughters, Ava Grace Souk and Addie Marie Souk, both of Lakewood, CO; and three nephews, Eddie Eye of Elkview, Harlan Eugene "Crafty" Eye of Franklin and Glenn Lee Eye of Mariah Hill, IN.

He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Olin Claude Eye, Luther Hamrick Eye and Henry Arthur Eye, all of Franklin and Robert Jason Eye, Toledo, OH; and one sister, Shirley May Canterbury, Walton. 

Funeral services were held at Tuesday at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin with the Rev. Stanley Kile officiating.  Interment followed in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Franklin, where full military honors were accorded at the graveside by Bowling Air Force Base.   

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements were also under the direction of the Hastings Funeral Home, Morgantown.   

Gae Huffman 

Gae Marie Huffman, 86, of Franklin, W.Va., died Friday, May 2, 2008, at Pendleton Manor in Franklin.

She was born May 21, 1921, at Dry Fork and was the daughter of the late Blosser Johnson Huffman and Rada (Raines) Huffman. 

She was a homemaker and was a member of the Franklin Assembly of God Church. 

She never married. 

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Margaruite Holloway of Franklin; three brothers, Marshall Huffman and Richard Huffman, both of Franklin, and Herbert Huffman of Arthur; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchidren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Pastor Calvin Bailey condcuted the funeral Monday at the Franklin Assembly of God Church. Burial was at the Bland Cemetery on North Mountain.

Memorial donations may be made to Pendleton Manor, P.O. Box 700, Franklin, WV 26807 or Mountain Hospice, P.O. Box 416, Franklin, WV 26807.

Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin was in charge of funeral arrangements. 

Ruth H. Thomas, 86

Ruth Elaine (Harman) Thomas, 86, of Essex, MD, and formerly of Maysville, died Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Franklin Square Hospital, Essex, MD.

She was born Nov. 6, 1921, near Petersburg and was the daughter of the late Claude and Elizabeth "Betty" Bland Harman.

Mrs. Thomas was a homemaker and was a former employee of the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company in Baltimore, MD.  

Her husband, Charles F. Thomas survives.  

 Also surviving are one son, Theodore Mitchell Thomas; four daughters, Susan Thomas, Nancy Hickman, Charlene Rothen and Mary Hannon; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews; three sisters, Pauline Hall of Baltimore, MD, Clemence Courtney of Pawtucket, RI, and Claudia Hope George of Maysville; and one brother, Lynn Harman of Maysville.

She was also preceded in death by five sisters, infant Tressy Harman, Mayselle Harman Zopfi, Chloe Harman Smith, Edith Harman Killen and Nellie Harman Thorn; five brothers, Charles Harman, Thomas Harman, Garland Harman, Theodore "Budge" Harman and Newton Harman.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Connelly Funeral Home, Essex, MD.  Interment was in the Gardens of Faith Cemetery, Essex, MD. 

This obituary is courtesy of the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg. 

Brooks Rexrode, 80

Brooks Miller Rexrode, 80, of Waynesboro, VA, died Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Avante of Waynesboro, VA. 

Mr. Rexrode was born March 22, 1928, in Franklin and was a son of the late Lloyd R. Rexrode Sr. and Beulah Mae Arboagst Rexrode.  

He was a retired truck driver with Smith's Transfer and was a member of Hermitage Presbyterian Church.  He was also a member of the Staunton Moose Lodge, as well as a charter and life member of the Blue Ridge Good Samaritan Camping Club. 

His wife, Jane Gallimore Rexrode, survives. 

Also surviving are a son, David Miller Rexrode of Staunton, VA; a daughter, Vicki Rexrode Gayhart of Scottsville, VA; a steps-son, Jay Paul Gallimore of Waynesboro, VA; two sisters, Norma Jean Echard of Monterey, VA, and Dorothy Lightner Misner of Harrisonburg, VA; two brothers, Jim Rexrode of Fincastle, VA, and Lloyd Rexrode Jr. of Staunton, VA; a grandson; six step-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service was held Sunday at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery.  a memorial service followed at Hermitage Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Wray Sherman officiating at both services. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Hermitage Presbyterian Church, 46 Hildebrand Church Road, Waynesboro, VA  22980. 

Condolences may be sent to www.reynoldsfuneralservices.com 

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro, VA, was in charge of funeral arrangements.  

Richard Murphy, 77

Richard W. Murphy, 77, of Franklin died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Grant Memorial Hospital, Petersburg. 

Mr. Murphy was born Sept. 10, 1930, and was the son of the late Luther Helmick and Lena Pennington Helmick. 

He was retired from Hanover Shoe Company and was a member of Ruddle Presbyterian Church. 

He never married. 

Along with his birth parents, he was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Isaiah and Kate Simmons Murphy. 

H e is survived by two sisters, Ella Mae Smith of Burlington and Evelyn M. Painter of Clarksburg; and two brothers, James. R. Helmick of Brandywine and Luther Helmick, Jr., of Burlington. 

He also was preceded in death by four brothers and seven sisters.  

The Rev. Stanley Kile conducted the funeral Saturday at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.  Burial was at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin.  

Ervin Lambert, 80

Ervin Delmar Lambert, 80, of Bridgewater, VA, died Sunday, May 4, 2008,. at his home. 

Mr. Lambert was born July 9, 1927, in Cherry Grove and was a son of the late Lorenzo Dow and Edith Myrtle Judy Lambert. 

He was employed at Ethan Allen Furniture in Bridgewater, VA, and was a member of the Landmark Tabernacle Church in McGaheysville, VA.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Germany, France and Belgium. 

On July 1, 1944, he married Margaret Elizabeth Knott, who survives. 

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Brenda Rexrode of Dayton, VA, and Patsy Powell of Hinton, VA; two sons, Delmar Lambert of Staunton, VA, and Jerry Lambert of King William, VA; a sister, Phyllis Derrow of Bridgewater, VA; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.  

The Revs. L. Keith Powers and Tony Dovel conducted the funeral Wednesday at Landmark Tabernacle Church in McGaheysville, VA.  Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Bridgewater, VA. 

The online guestbook may be signed at www.johnsonfs.com 

Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater, VA, was in charge of funeral arrangements. 

.

Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.

© - Copyright Notice
2001, Janet Cooper

This Page was last updated -- .