Obituaries for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000
SISTERSVILLE -- Hazel Galford, 95, of Clarksburg, formerly of Friendly, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, in Clarksburg.
She was born Sept. 10, 1905, in Sistersville, a daughter of the late Joseph Northcraft and Laura Barnhart Northcraft.
Her husband, Fred Galford, preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 2000.
Surviving are one brother, Leonard Northcraft, Friendly; one sister, Hilda Floyd, Oxford, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Lawrence, Robert, Victor and Oscar Northcraft and three sisters, Edna Virden, Olive Kelley and Edith Clark.
Mrs. Galford was a former teacher in Tyler County schools and attended the United Methodist Temple, Clarksburg.
AKRON, Ohio -- Grethel Gray, 84, a native of Gilmer County, W.Va., and a resident of Ohio for 59 years, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000.
Her husband, George, preceded her in death in 1996.
Surviving are six brothers, Thurl (Adah) Stalnaker, Connecticut, Blaine (Mary) Stalnaker, Atlanta, Ga., Gerald (Judy) Stalnaker, Weston, W.Va., Burhl (Trudy) Stalnaker, Dobison, N.C., Edsel and Keith (Elaine) Stalnaker, both of Camden, W.Va.; one sister, Arnolee (Henry) Scherer, Greenville, Pa.; one stepson, Zane (Betty) Gray; one stepgrandson, David (Angela) Gray, Bristol, Tenn.; one stepgreat-grandson, James Gray; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one brother, Leo and twin sisters, Naomi and Ioma.
Mrs. Gray worked for Goodrich Rubber Co. She was a member of the Firestone Park Baptist Church, where she did mission work and was in the women's group. She was also a 50-year member of Fernleaf Chapter No. 422 of the Order of Eastern Star.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Firestone Park Baptist Church, 310 East Wilbeth Rd., Akron, Ohio 44301 or to the Hospice Program of Visiting Nurse Service, 3340 Ridgewood Rd., Akron, Ohio 44333.
CLARKSBURG -- George Hilson, 84, of Dale Avenue, Clarksburg, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at a local nursing home, following an extended illness.
He was born Oct. 13, 1916, in Birmingham, Ala., a son of the late Sydney and Rose Hilson.
His wife, Elnoria Dunkley Hilson, whom he married Dec. 25, 1937, survives.
Also surviving are one son, James Sydney Hilson, Accokee, Md.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Carolyn Leigh Zachary, Clarksburg, and Mrs. Kenneth (Doris Elaine) Blue, Huntington; five grandchildren, Kaia Hilson, Mark Hilson, Christy Zachary, Kimberly and Kenneth Blue; four great-grandchildren, Dominique Hilson, Mark Hilson, Ronald Hilson and Brooksie Blue; one sister, Bertha Shelton, Blackstone, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by one son, George Hilson Jr., two brothers and two sisters.
Mr. Hilson retired in 1981 from Consolidated Natural Gas Co. after 15 years of service as a land clerk.
He was a member of Clarksburg Lodge No. 482, BPO Elks, the Kelly Miller Association, NAACP, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he was the oldest deacon of the church, and deacon emeritus.
Mr. Hilson was a former board member of the Harrison County Senior Citizens and was active in both local and civic organizations.
Family and friends may call at Davis Funeral Home, 443 West Pike St., Clarksburg, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday. Mr. Hilson will be taken to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church to lie in state for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Saturday, with Pastor David A. Kates, officiating. Interment will be in the Greenlawn Masonic Cemetery.
PHILIPPI -- Florence Holbert, 84, a resident of Route 1, Montrose, died at 4:35 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at her residence.
She was born Jan. 20, 1916, in Belington, a daughter of the late Winfield Scott and Gladys Bush Moore.
Her husband, Hubert Holbert, preceded her in death.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Herman (Norma Gail) Harris and Mrs. Jerry (Roberta Ann) Kittle, both of Belington, and Mrs. Kenneth (Linda Lou) Moats, Philippi; three sons, Edwin Hugh Holbert, Belington, Ronald Moore Holbert, Dale City, Va., and Homer Lee Holbert, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; one sister, Mary Jones, Stowe, Ohio; one brother, John Hugh Moore, Mullens; 15 grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, seven stepgreat-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Harold Holbert.
Ms. Holbert retired from Appalachian Mental Health, was a former Barbour County School nurse, and was employed at Broaddus Hospital.
She was a graduate of Belington High School, a member of the V.F.W. Post 410 Ladies Auxiliary and attended the Crim Memorial United Methodist Church.
BUCKHANNON -- Dorothy Dugger Myers, 80, of 12 East Lincoln St., Buckhannon, died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000, at her home.
She was born Sept. 6, 1920, in Lakeview, Ga., a daughter of the late Emery Ellington and Emma Ray Ellington.
Surviving are one daughter, Janice Fiscina, West Babylon, N.Y.; one son, Jerry Dugger, Forest Hills, N.Y.; two sisters, Billie Ford, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Margaret Brown, Augusta, Ga.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ms. Myers was a homemaker.
JANE LEW -- Neva Virginia Nelson, 84, of Route 1, Jane Lew, died at 1 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at her home.
She was born June 14, 1916, in Cherry Grove, a daughter of the late Ellis Dow Bennett and Peachie Ellen Lamb Bennett.
Her husband, Robert M. Nelson, whom she married Jan. 29, 1945, in Meadville, Pa., survives.
Also surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Barbara N. Ahl and husband, Robert, Attica, N.Y., and Diane N. Mearns and husband, John Collins, Buckhannon; one sister, Tina Caldwell, Harrisonburg, Va.; one brother, Berlin Bennett, Pearl City, Hawaii; seven grandchildren, Deborah L. Cratsley, Sandra L. Prusak and Janet M. Eaton, all of Attica, Howard A. Mearns, Buckhannon, Lana J. Kline, Dallas, Texas, Olen R. Kline and Neva J. Spencer, both of Denver, Colo.; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one sister, Berdie Kline; two brothers, Denver Bennett and Luther Bennett; one son, Robert Shannon Kline; and one grandson.
Mrs. Nelson was a member of the Weston Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Friends will be received at the Morris Funeral Home, Jane Lew, from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, at which time a memorial service will be held with Phillip Losh officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the North Fork Memorial Cemetery, Circleville. Morris Funeral Home, Jane Lew, is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be made to People's Hospice, Clarksburg, c/o United Hospital Center, Clarksburg.
Helen Virginia Robinson Pratt
CLARKSBURG -- Helen Virginia Robinson Pratt, 83, of Route 6, Clarksburg, Liberty Addition, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following a brief illness.
She was born Sept. 1, 1917, in Doddridge County, a daughter of the late James Wallace and Dora Belle Hughes Robinson.
Her husband of 58 years, Dale L. Pratt, whom she married Sept. 10, 1940, preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 1998.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, James Samuel Pratt and wife, Sandra Sands Pratt, Southington, Ohio; one daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. Byron B. "Buzz" (Sandra Lee) McKinley, Georgetown, Texas; four grandchildren, Mrs. Michael (Mary Helen) Poag, Cedar Creek, Texas, Mrs. Daniel A. (Sherry Lynn) Ellis, Mantua, Ohio, James Michael and Selina Pratt and Marci Dawn Pratt, all of Warren, Ohio; three great-grandchildren, Ray Dennison Ellis, Jonathan Daniel Ellis and Nicole Annmarie Pratt; one brother and sister-in-law, Cecil B. and Roberta Norris Robinson, Salem; one maternal aunt, Mrs. Oma A. Hitt, Stonewood; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one brother, James Blair Robinson and one sister, Mrs. Paul (Juanita Robinson) Harper.
Mrs. Pratt had been employed by the O.J. Morrison Department Store for 17 years until its closing, and then was a custodian of her church for many years until her retirement at age 77.
She was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church, where she was a member and past president of the Missionary Society, chairperson of the Administrative Board, member of the Ladies Aid Society and was a Sunday school teacher.
Family and friends will be received at Davis Funeral Home, 443 West Pike St., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Pratt will be taken to the Liberty United Methodist Church to lie in state for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. service on Friday, with the Rev. Violet Reynolds and the Rev. Mason Bennett officiating. Interment will be in the Greenlawn Masonic Cemetery.
BUCKHANNON -- Richard E. Schumaker, 65, of Rock Cave, formerly of Lorain, Ohio, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000, at his home.
He was born March 16, 1935, in Lorain, a son of the late Emil and Mildred Sons Schumaker.
His wife, Sandra A. Schumaker, survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Randy Schumaker, Elyria, Ohio, and Darrel Schumaker, Lorain; two daughters, Diane Dorsey, Lorain, and Debra Schumaker, Elyria; six grandchildren; and one sister, Joyce Uszak, New London, Ohio.
He was also preceded in death by one son, Richard Schumaker.
Mr. Schumaker was a veteran of the Korean conflict, having served in the U.S. Marines. He attended the French Creek United Methodist Church, French Creek.
PHILIPPI -- Kay Casto Smith, 53, a resident of 1351/2 South Walnut St., Philippi, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg.
She was born Feb. 19, 1947, in Philippi, a daughter of the late Hersel and Gladys Mackey Casto.
Her husband, Terry Lee Smith, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Sherri Lee and Bill Pitzer, Philippi; three sisters, Hope Casto and Charlotte Booth, both of Philippi, and Jackie Jones, Belington; one brother, Paul Casto, Elkins; and two grandchildren, Ashley and William Tyler Pitzer, Philippi.
She was also preceded in death by one sister, Mary Kathleen.
Mrs. Smith was a homemaker. She was a graduate of Philip-Barbour High School with the class of 1965 and attended Silent Grove Baptist Church.
GLENVILLE -- Teddy Dane Wilfong, 62, of Dusk Camp, died at 5:50 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at his residence, following an extended illness.
He was born Oct. 17, 1937, in Gilmer County, a son of the late Coy and Clida N. Rowh Wilfong.
His wife, Nancy Luzader, whom he married in 1972, preceded him in death in 1997.
Surviving are one son, Byron Wilfong, Marietta, Ohio; two daughters, Connie Crider, Randolph, Ohio, and Penny Jo Smith, Kanawha County; one stepdaughter, Kay King, Glenville; two stepsons, Mark Frame, North Carolina, and Randy Frame; two brothers, Donnie Wilfong, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Coy Junior Wilfong, Dusk Camp; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wilfong was a retired Dowell employee and Methodist.
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