The Elkins Intermountain Obits, 1 Jun 2009

Elijah "Nick" Nicholas Wyatt Linger, 3, of Buckhannon, died Thursday, May 28, 2009, in St. Joseph's Hospital in Buckhannon.

He was born Sept. 3, 2005, the son of Sammie N. and Misty Dawn Wimer Linger of Buckhannon.

Also surviving are his maternal grandparents, the Rev. Terry E. and Barbara D. Gower of Buckhannon; paternal grandparents, Gary N. and Rozetta H. Linger of Buckhannon; aunts and uncles, Wendy and Keith Ward of Winchester, Va., Misty R. and Cheikh Sow of Oklahoma City, Okla., Stormy and Crystal Linger and cousin, Miguel, of Lumberport and Amie and Richard Hawkins and cousin, Alex, of Buckhannon; several great-aunts, great-uncles, great-grandparents and cousin; and a large church family.

He was preceded in death by one aunt and one uncle.

Nick was a member of the Living Water Church of God and the Independent United Brethren Church. He was full of life, loved to be outside, going to church to sing with the children's choir, watching fireworks "smoke bombs" and riding on the tractor.

Friends will be received from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Living Word Church of God with Pastor Frank Spears and the Rev. Junior Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Union Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. From 2 Jun 2009.

Gary Harold Nestor, 53, a resident of the Mt. Zion Community, St. George, departed this life early Monday evening, June 1, 2009, at home. Death was attributed to cancer.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of Lohr & Barb Funeral Home for Gary Harold Nestor. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com. From 2 Jun 2009.

Gregory Currence, 48, a resident of Beverly, passed away Sunday morning, May 31, 2009, in Davis Memorial Hospital emergency department following a sudden illness.

He was born April 3, 1961, at Elkins, a son of Amenthia Currence of Elkins and the late Ralph Max Currence.

Also surviving are one brother, Ralph W. Currence and wife, Terry, of Elkins. Several nieces and nephews including Zachary and Taylor Currence, family members and friends also survive.

Greg was a graduate of Elkins High School with the class of 1979. He was employed by Memorial General Hospital and since 1979 was employed at Elkins Regional Convalescent Center where he currently served as director of support services. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed primitive camping, playing guitar and riding motorcycles. He was a member of the Tygart Valley Muzzleloaders Association.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. today at Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Pancreatic Association, P.O. Box 14906, Minneapolis, Minn. 55414, in memory of Greg. Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Gregory Currence. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. From 2 Jun 2009.

Dorsey James "Jim" Cole Jr., 73, of Harrisonburg, Va., died Monday evening, June 1, 2009 at his home.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, Va., and at the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., the funeral hour with Dr. John Sloop officiating.

Burial will be in the Ruddle Presbyterian Church Cemetery. From 3 Jun 2009.

Gary Harold Nestor, 53, a resident of the Mt. Zion Community, St. George, departed this life early Monday evening, June 1, 2009, at home. Death was attributed to cancer.

He was born Thursday, Dec. 15, 1955, at Parsons, a son of the late Harold Wilson and Romona Ellen Sherman Nestor.

Surviving are one daughter, Melissa Dawn Thompson of Virginia; two brothers, Jerry F. Nestor and wife, Lottie, and Matthew B. Nestor and wife, Phyllis, of Mt. Zion; and two sisters, Bernettie J. Nestor of Belington and Lela A. Bohon and husband Ray of Montrose.

Preceding him in death was one brother, Larry Wilson Nestor.

He was a graduate of Parsons High School with the class of 1974. He was a former employee of Elkins Ford Co. He was a mechanic most of his life and was a former employee of J.C. Lumber Co.

The family will receive friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor on Thursday, June 7, at noon. The Rev. Pat Cassidy will officiate and interment will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery at St. George.

Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Gary Harold Nestor. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com. From 3 Jun 2009.

Richard C. Soper Sr., 79, of Brandywine, died Monday, June 1, 2009, in Ruby Memorial Hospital at Morgantown.

The family will receive friends at the Kimble Funeral Home Chapel in Franklin Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the funeral hour with Pastor Scott Meadows officiating. Burial will be in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens at Timonium, Md. From 3 Jun 2009.

Anna Lee Leary Sturms, 66, a resident of Montrose, departed this life late Monday evening, June 1, 2009, in Davis Memorial Hospital.

She was born Thursday, May 20, 1943, at Elkins, a daughter of the late George Washington Leary and Melissa Crookshank Leary.

On Aug. 5, 1968, at Elkins, she was married to Robert W. Sturms, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Ronnie Sturms of Montrose, Steven Sturms and Robert Gray of North Carolina, and Robert W. "Bub" Sturms Jr. and loving friend, Debbie Daugherty, of Elkins; five daughters, Agnes, Cass, Mary of Elkins, Sandy of Wheeling, Kimberly of Montrose and Melissa of Elkins; brothers, Jerry Leary of Cravensdale, Woodrow Leary and Darius Leary of Elkins; sisters, Eula Loane of Marietta, Ohio, and Betty J. Glendenin of Pt. Pleasant; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding her in death were brothers, Denver "Barb," Charles and George Washington Leary Jr.; and several sisters, Virginia Goff, Lenora M. Crites, Pauline Leary and Shirley Hupp.

She attended the schools of Randolph County, was a homemaker and had worked for Nella's Nursing Home. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and gardening, and had been a member of the Ladies' Aid Auxiliary at Coffman Chapel.

Graveside services were conducted at the Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons today at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Dennis W. McCauley officiated and interment followed.

Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Anna Lee Leary Sturms.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com. From 4 Jun 2009.

Gledes Ellen Arbogast, 91, a resident of Valley Head, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 3, 2009, at her home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be under the direction of Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins for Gledes Ellen Arbogast. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. From 4 Jun 2009.

Maxine June Strader, 90, of Buckhannon, the Mt. Carmel Community, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at her home.

She was born June 25, 1918, at Gould, a daughter of the late Robert and Myrtle Burr Hamner.

On Nov. 11, 1936, she married Harold I. Strader, who preceded her in death July 21, 1994.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Teddy Eugene Strader; seven brothers, Floyd, George, Dana, Joe, Paul, Lyle and Dick Hamner; and four sisters, Ruby Waugh, Ava Clouser, Velma Rose and Evelyn Bunner.

She is survived by one son, Jerry A. Strader and wife, Greta, of Weirton; three daughters, Carol Burr and husband, Bill, of Weirton, Sandy K. McCartney and husband, Stephen, of Buckhannon and Robyn McCartney and husband, Tom, of Polk, Ohio: 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Strader was a cook for the Upshur County school system and a member of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church where she was a former Sunday school superintendent. She was also a member of the Pythian Sisters Temple 134. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and reading and was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

Friends will be received from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. She will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Wease Day officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Tallmansville.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. From 4 Jun 2009.

Gledes Ellen Arbogast, 91, a resident of Valley Head, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 3, 2009, at her home.

She was born Aug. 15, 1917, at Valley Head, a daughter of the late Andrew and Zetta Smith.

Surviving are two sons, Vester Arbogast and wife, Jonita, of Akron, Ohio, and Mitchell Arbogast and wife, Connie, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and three daughters, Dora Parrack and husband, Donald, of Azle, Texas, Elaine Hogan of Valley Head and Connie Bartlett and husband, Jerry, of Hopewell, Va. One sister, Elsie Warner of Riverton; 10 grandchildren, Victoria, Karen, Valerie, Brad, Debbie, Michelle, Jeffrey, Gregory, Jonathan and Judy; and 13 great-grandchildren, Bruce, Joshua, Matthew, Jacob, Erin, Marissa, Matthew, Sophia, Nicholas, Ethan, Caleb, Melanie and Rhonda also survive.

Also preceding her in death was one son-in-law, William Hogan; and one brother, Omer Smith.

Mrs. Arbogast was a homemaker and was formerly employed at Bata Shoe Co. She was a member of the Valley Head United Methodist Church.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday at Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins.

On Sunday, June 7, she will be moved to the Valley Head United Methodist Church where a funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Pastor Ann Fretwell and the Rev. Eddie Kyle will officiate and interment will follow in the Valley Head Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Valley Head United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2244, Elkins, W.Va. 26241 or Tyrand Cooperative Ministries, P.O. Box 365, Mill Creek, W.Va. 26280. Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Gledes Ellen Arbogast.

Lawrence Shiflett Jr., 77, of Sellersville, Pa., formerly of Hatfield, Pa., went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 2 , 2009 ,at his residence.

Born in Durbin, he was a son of the late John Lawrence and Letha May (Curry) Shiflett.

He was a 1951 graduate of the Pocahontas County High School, Green Bank. Mr.Shiflett was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. He had been employed as a factory worker with various textiles and fiberglass manufacturers. Mr. Shiflett was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Ridge Valley, where he had crocheted prayer shawls for the church. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, crocheting and going out to dinner. He especially loved spending time with his family.

Mr. Shiflett is survived by his children, Stanley Casto and his wife, Michelle, of Houtzdale, Pa., Patricia Tunning and her husband, James, of Buckhannon, Mark A. Shiflett and his wife, Terry, of Windber, Pa., and Tammy M. Mancuso and her husband, Joseph, of Sellersville, Pa.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers, James Shiflett and his wife, Twila, and Allen Shiflett and his wife, Bonnie, all of West Virginia; and three sisters, Margaret Hill and her husband, Thurman, of West Virginia, Leona Sheets, of Washington, D.C., and Grace Varner and her husband, Frank.

His funeral service will be Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Ridge Valley), 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, Pa. 18960.

Family and friends may call Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Prospectville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, at the address above. Arrangements are by Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, Sellersville, Pa. From 5 Jun 2009.

Gledes Ellen Arbogast, 91, a resident of Valley Head, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 3, 2009, at her home.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today at Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins. On Sunday, June 7, she will be moved to the Valley Head United Methodist Church where a funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Pastor Ann Fretwell and the Rev. Eddie Kyle will officiate and interment will follow in the Valley Head Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Valley Head United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2244, Elkins, W.Va. 26241 or Tyrand Cooperative Ministries, P.O. Box 365, Mill Creek, W.Va. 26280. Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Gledes Ellen Arbogast. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. From 6 Jun 2009.

Harriet A. York Lompert "Honey Lou," 48, a resident of the Laurel Mountain Road in Belington departed this life at 8:11 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2009, at her residence.

She was born Sept. 3, 1960, at Waterbury, Conn., a daughter of Walter John and Joyce York Lompert, who survive at Belington.

Honey Lou is survived by one brother, Walter A.Y. Lompert of Belington; one sister, Elisabeth A.Y. Lompert of Anchorage, Ala.; three nephews, Jared, Hayden and Gabriel Lompert; and three nieces Alexandra, Victoriya and Taylor Lompert.

Honey Lou was disabled from birth but touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of being a part of her life.

Friends will be received at the Talbott Funeral Home, 210 Brandenburg St., Belington, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 8, and again on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. when final rites will be conducted from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Father Don Higgs officiating. Interment will follow in the Fraternal Cemetery near Belington. The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Harriet Alexandra York Lompert "Honey Lou."

Condolences can be made to the family at www.talbottfuneralhome.com. From 6 Jun 2009.

James Hoffman, 83, of Elkins and former publisher of The Inter-Mountain, died Wednesday, June 3, 2009.

He was born Jan. 24, 1926, in Elkins, to Clarence and Beulah Robinson Hoffman, both deceased.

He was married on Dec. 31, 1948, to the former Aletha Buchanan, who survives, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2008.

He is also survived by one daughter, Dr. Cassandra Race and husband, Tom, of Atlanta, Ga.; one son, Dr. J.D. Hoffman and wife, Debra, of Alexandria, Va.; one granddaughter, Laura Runco and husband, Vince; two grandsons, Brandon Hoffman and Tommy Race; one brother-in-law, Charles Buchanan of Huntington; two cousins, Beverly Dawn Hammer and Dixie Martin, both of Elkins; and a dearly loved friend, Dr. Alfred Early of Tampa, Fla.

Mr. Hoffman graduated from Elkins High School in 1944 and entered the Army as a pilot at the end of World War II. Returning to Elkins after the war, he attended classes at both West Virginia University and Davis & Elkins College. He worked at several jobs including The Inter-Mountain newspaper.

After marrying, the young couple moved to Huntington, where he continued his newspaper career as an advertising sales representative for the Huntington Herald-Dispatch. Mr. Hoffman raised his family in Huntington and rose to the position of business manager and treasurer with the Herald-Dispatch.

Later, he accepted a position as publisher of the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, Maine. He returned to West Virginia in the 1980s to manage the Dominion Post in Morgantown. He later joined Ogden Newspaper Inc., first in Florida and then finally returning to Elkins as publisher of The Inter-Mountain. Mr. Hoffman retired in 2003.

He was a past president and former member of the board of directors of the West Virginia Press Association and has been honored numerous times for his professional and public efforts.

Friends will be received at Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins Monday, June 8, from noon until 1 p.m., the funeral hour. The Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley will officiate and interment will follow in the Elkins Memorial Gardens.

Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for James Hoffman. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com. From 6 Jun 2009.