LeRay A. Rexrode

LeRay A. Rexrode, 79, of Monterey, VA, died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at his home.

He was born July 13, 1930, at Franklin and was the son of the late George M. Rexrode and Elva G. Harper Rexrode.

He had been a construction worker.

On Dec. 31, 1955, he married Helen Barnisky Rexrode, who survives.

Also surviving are one sister-in-law, Louise Barnisky of Marlinton; a number of nieces and nephews; caregivers, Lori and Chris Simmons and their children, Kayla & Cameron; and special friends, Bob and Vivian Terry

He was also preceded in death by one brother, Walter Rexrode; and one sister, Anna Grace Hitzler.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at the Kimble Funeral Home Chapel in Franklin with Rev. Andre Crummett officiating.  Burial was at the Cedar Hill Cemetery at Franklin.

Memorials may be made to the Highland County Rescue Squad.

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

Ray Armentrout

Ray Armentrout, 78, of Seneca Rocks passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at his residence.

Mr. Armentrout was born in Macksville on Aug. 19, 1931, the son of the late Grover C. (died 1942) and Margie Catherine Harper Armentrout (died 1955).

He attended Dixie Elementary North Fork Schools, was a farmer, and a Methodist.

Surviving are three sisters, Carolyn “Jean” Wimer and husband, Larry of Riverton, Ann Armentrout and friend, Don of Ocala, FL, and Carrie Wetch and husband, Don of Elkins; one brother, Guy Armentrout and wife, Mary Virginia of Cherry Grove; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, Arthur and Fay Armentrout; and four sisters, Grace Smith, Ruth Armentrout, Joy Ann Armentrout and Ruby Sites.

Funeral services were held Friday at the chapel of the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin with Rev. Barbara Rexroad officiating.  Interment was in the Armentrout Family Cemetery, Seneca Rocks.

Memorial donations may be made to the Seneca Rocks Volunteer Fire Department or charity of choice.

John A. O'Donnell, M.D.

John A. “Jack” O'Donnell, M.D., 88, of Daytona Beach, FL, passed away Thursday April 22, 2010.

He was born Nov. 4, 1921, in Attleboro MA.

He graduated in 1941 from Boston College, earned his M.D. degree in 1945 at Georgetown University, served his internship in anesthesiology at the U.S. Naval Hospital Chelsea in Boston, MA, served his residency in anesthesiology at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT, and completed a fellowship at Lahey Clinic in Boston, MA.  He was a US Navy veteran of World War II and served as a medical officer on the U.S. Vulcan repair ship.  He also served in the Naval Reserve until 1954.

Dr. O'Donnell was senior attending staff at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington DC, served as an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Georgetown University School of Medicine and was on staff at Union Hospital in Falls River, MA.  Dr. O'Donnell's publication, “Anesthesia for Aortic Valve Replacement Operation” appeared in the Journal of Anesthesiology.

After moving to Florida, Dr. O'Donnell served as chief of anesthesiology at Halifax Medical Center, retiring in 1981.  He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, lifetime member of the Volusia County Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, International Anesthesia and Research Society, and was a member of the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1951.  He was an avid Washington Redskins fan and enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, and spending summers in Brandywine.

He is survived by his wife Betty; four sons, John O'Donnell and wife, Jeanie of Alexandria, VA, Arnold and wife, Sara of Washington, DC, Joe O'Donnell of College Park, MD, and David O'Donnell of Laurel, MD;  four daughters, Peggy O'Donnell of Washington, DC, Ann Greenberg and husband, Harvey of Gaithersburg, MD, Mary Catherine O'Donnell and husband, Tim Persons, and Sheila Conley and husband, Kevin, all of Kensington, MD; five grandsons, Christopher and Louis O'Donnell and Kevin, Brendan and Dennis Conley; eight granddaughters, Stephanie O'Donnell and husband, Nick Curren, Kara O'Donnell, Madeline O'Donnell, Meredith O'Donnell, Ann Marie Greenberg, Katie Matisick and husband, Tom, Teckla, Maggie and Zoe Persons and Julia O'Donnell; a great-granddaughter, Audrey O'Donnell Curren; a brother, Dr. Robert O'Donnell and wife, Pauline of Attleboro, MA; and nieces and nephews, Father Raymond O'Donnell, Morlane O'Donnell, Dr. Vincent O'Donnell, Robert O'Donnell, Michael O'Donnell, David O'Donnell, Rita Nichols, Melissa Ahmed and Denise and Daniel Stanley.

He was preceded in death by a son, J. James O’Donnell.

Rev. Mario Claro will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Franklin today at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Brandywine, with military graveside services provided by the Pendleton County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.

The family received friends at the Basagic Funeral Home, Franklin, on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8p.m.

Dora Gladys VanMeter

Dora Gladys VanMeter, 101, of Petersburg died Friday, April 23, 2010, in the Grant County Nursing Home, Petersburg.

She was born Sept. 7, 1908, in Petersburg and was the daughter of the late David Clinton Alt and Virginia (Kimble) Alt.

Her husband, Okey VanMeter, preceded her in death on Oct. 28, 1995.

She was a member of Bethel Church of the Brethren.

Surviving are two grandsons, Alan D. Yokum and wife, Myra, and Brent T. Yokum and wife, Marcie, all of Petersburg; two great-grandchildren, Gwen R. Brill and husband, Brad of Petersburg, and Griff A. Yokum and wife, Becky of Upper Tract; two great-great-grandchildren, Bailey and Grant Brill; one sister: Nina Sabo of Petersburg; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Helen F. Yokum on Jan. 15, 1984; two sisters, Bertha Weese and Rhoda Harold; and six brothers, P.E. Alt, Harness Alt, Grant Alt, Luther P. Alt, Arch Alt and Raymond C. Alt.

Funeral services were held Monday at the Bethel Church of the Brethren with Pastor Gregory A. Rotruck officiating.  Interment followed in the South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Church of the Brethren, HC 32 Box 620 Petersburg, WV 26847.

Gerald Casto, 72

Gerald Casto, 72 of Forrestville, MD, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, in the Hospice of the Chesapeake after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Sept. 3, 1937, in Wheeler and was the son of the late Frantz Casto and Audrey Casto Brown.

Mr. Casto served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1963.

His wife, Jean P. Casto, survives.

Also surviving are three step-sons, David Casto, Al Manning and Butch Manning; one sister: Dorothy Stemple of Baltimore, MD; four brothers: Jack Casto of Hagerstown, MD, James Casto of Petersburg, Carl Casto of Baltimore, MD, and Marlin Casto of Mozer; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Roger and Donald Casto; and two sisters, Betty Casto Young and Irene Casto Barr.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Huntt Funeral Home in Waldorf, MD.  Interment was in Trinity Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 3675 Solomons Island Road, Harwood, Maryland 20776.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Huntt Funeral Home in Waldorf, MD.

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

Earl Puffenbarger, 71

Earl Ray Puffenbarger, 71, of Harrisonburg, VA, passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at the V.A. Medical Center in Martinsburg.

He was born in Blue Grass, VA, on June 5, 1938, to the late Kenny Roosevelt and Maude Whitecotton Puffenbarger.

Mr. Puffenbarger was a U.S. Army veteran.  He was previously employed with Ray Carr Tires, Frazier Quarry and Yellow Cab Company, all in Harrisonburg, VA.  He enjoyed many pastimes, including fishing, hunting and bowling.

His wife, Doris Lee (Bennett) Puffenbarger, whom he married on Dec. 24, 1963, survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Sheldon R. Puffenbarger of Crozet, VA, and Steven A. Puffenbarger of Harrisonburg, VA; four brothers, Carl Puffenbarger and Allen Puffenbarger, both of Franklin, Charles Puffenbarger of Staunton, VA, and Luther Whitecotton of Uniontown, OH; four sisters, Ruth Puffenbarger of Franklin, Mamie Faulkner of Verona, VA, Julia Puffenbarger and Jeannie Puffenbarger, both of Staunton, VA; and three grandchildren, Brian Davis, Wesley Davis and Tai Lewis.

He was preceded in death by a son, Donald L. Puffenbarger; two brothers, Kenny R. Puffenbarger, Jr., and Robert Puffenbarger; and two sisters, Dorothy Hevener and Pearl Mae Puffenbarger.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday at the Kyger Funeral Home chapel in Harrisonburg, VA, with the Rev. David Collyer presiding.  Interment followed at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Harrisonburg, VA.

Gladys Whetzel, 87

Gladys Whetzel, 87, of Franklin died Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time and under the direction of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

Arvella (Dean) Miller

Arvella (Dean) Miller, 76, of Petersburg died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at Grant Memorial Hospital, Petersburg.

She was born June 30, 1933, in Upper Tract and was the daughter of the late Isaac Lane Dean and Elsie (Evick) Dean.

Mrs. Miller graduated from Franklin High School in 1952.  She was a homemaker and had previously worked at Heck's in Moorefield for 13 years from 1978-1991.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Petersburg, where she received a perfect Sunday School attendance award for 12 years.  She was also a member of the South Branch Valley Woman's Bowling League and a volunteer at the Grant County Nursing Home.

Her husband of 55 years, Roland Calhoun Miller, survives .

Also surviving are one son, Roger A. Miller and wife, Beverly of Arthur; three daughters, Karen Ann Kesner of Petersburg, Debra Rexrode and husband, Donald of Maysville, and Rhonda Kay Lockhart and husband, Mike of Winchester, VA; one brother, Charles Dean and wife, Judith of Huntingtown, MD; 11 grandchildren, Danielle Miller, Brandon Miller and wife, Nikole, Roy Miller, Tonya Rohrbaugh and husband, Todd, Donnie Rexrode and fiance, Ashlea Smith, Natasha Ours and fiance, Randy Guerrero, Derek Ours, Melody Mowery, Jennifer Wyman, Vanessa Fortino and husband, Steve, and Sr. Airman Jonathan Kesner and wife, Hope; 13 great-grandchildren: Kirstin, Brooklyn and Trace Rohrbaugh, Matalyn Mowery, Hailey Fortino, Tristan and Ryan Miller, Tyler Parker, Takoda, Lukas, Angelina, and Kingston Guerrero, and Zander Bennett; one niece, Shannon; and two nephews, Michael and Scott Dean.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday at the Schaeffer Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. James A. Ash officiating.  Interment was in South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg.

Memorials may be made to the Miller family, c/o Roland Miller, 414 Highland Avenue, Petersburg, WV 26847.

Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.

© - Copyright Notice
2001, Janet Cooper

This Page was last updated -- .