Obituaries for Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000
CLARKSBURG -- John J. Barr, 74, of West Virginia Avenue, Clarksburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born March 24, 1926, in Smithburg, a son of the late John Henry and Muriel Maxson Barr.
His wife, Elva Mae Carder Whaley Barr, survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Rita Whaley Sage, Las Vegas, Nev., and Mrs. Don (Vivian Kay Whaley) Ables, Good Hope; one son, Alan Wayne Barr, Morgantown; one grandson, Ronald Thomas Whaley, Clarksburg; one granddaughter, Mrs. Ruben (Nyla Rae Sage) Zavalza, Las Vegas; and four great-grandchildren, John Thomas Whaley, Clarksburg, Cesar Zavalza, Jesseka Zavalza and Cristean Zavalza, all of Las Vegas.
He was also preceded in death by one grandson, Kenny Longwell and one sister, Rosalie Parsons.
Mr. Barr was a U.S. Army veteran having served during World War II. He was a retired forman with Anchor Hocking Glass factory with 40 years of service.
He was a member of the Clarksburg Lodge No. 52, Loyal Order of the Moose, Clarksburg Aerie No. 2353 Fraternal Order of Eagles, Meuse-Argonne Post No. 527 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Roy E. Parrish Post No. 13 American Legion, and the E.C. Church.
Family and friends may call at Davis Funeral Home, 443 West Pike St., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday. The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Southerlan officiating. Interment will be in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
FAIRMONT -- John Bashar, 85, of Fairmont, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at Fitzwater's Gracious Living Care Home, Fairmont.
He was born Sept. 8, 1914, in Thompson, Pa., a son of the late Michael and Martha Voytichka Bashar.
His wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Besse Bashar, whom he married July 3, 1937, survives.
Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, J. Richard and Diane Basher, Oakton, Va.; one brother and sister-in-law, Joseph C. and Betty Bashar, Enola, Pa.; his special cousin, Mary Meneas, Farmington; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Mike, George and Andy Bashar.
Mr. Bashar served with the U.S. Army from 1943-44 during World War II. In early years he worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. in Uniontown, Pa. After moving to Fairmont, he became a partner in the Avenue Market with D.A. Brandimarte. He then worked for 38 years until his retirement as an insurance agent with Nationwide Insurance in Fairmont.
He was a member of Fairmont Lodge No. 9 and was a 32 degree Mason through the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Wheeling, and Orient of West Virginia.
He was Methodist, past member of Fleming Memorial Church and had recently been attending Coon's Run Baptist Church.
CLARKSBURG -- Joe Beech, 78, of 2210 Pride Ave., Clarksburg, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, 2000, at the Louis Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Clarksburg.
He was born July 14, 1922, in Dawmont, a son of the late Bert Beech and Esther Vierack Beech.
His wife, Catherine Perri Beech, whom he married Oct. 2, 1942, survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Joe Beech Jr. and wife, Carolyn, Belpre, Ohio, Edward Beech and wife, Barbara, Bridgeport, and Michael Beech and wife, Darla, Clarksburg; two daughters, Margaret Jean and husband, Ralph Williams, Clarksburg, Linda and husband, Danny Daugherty, Lost Creek; one sister, Esther Marano, Clarksburg; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Bert Beech and one sister, Margaret Beech.
Mr. Beech had been employed by Dawson Mines and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Benevelant and Protective Order of Elks, the Lions Club, the Sons of Italy, Marconi Lodge of Clarksburg, and the St. James Catholic Church.
Friends may call at Bartolo Funeral Home, 515 West Pike St., Clarksburg, from 7-9 p.m. today and from noon - 9 p.m. Friday. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church, with Father Robert A. Perriello as celebrant. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery. A scriptural wake service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday evening in the funeral home chapel. Full military rites will be held at graveside.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Mary Leota Fornash Brown, of Chula Vista, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000.
She was born April 18, 1923, in Salem, W.Va., a daughter of George and Mildred Fornash.
Her husband, Austin Brown, whom she married on Nov. 21, 1942, in Clarksburg, W.Va., survives.
Also surviving are two sons, John and Michael and his wife, Jo; four grandchildren, David, Mark and Steven Brown and Jennifer English; and three great-grandchildren, Jessica and Jake English and Lauren Brown.
Mrs. Brown was a bookkeeper, cashier and owned and managed a catering business. She graduated from the class of 1941 at Washington Irving High School. Her avocations in life included raising roses and other flowers, doing artificial floral arranging, and reading magazines.
She was an active member of the Community Congregational Church, where she served as a member of the Diaconate and Missions Boards, served several times as president of the Couple Club, now known as the Friday Night Fellowship, taught Sunday school, and catered countless dinners.
She was also an active member of the Eastern Star, where she served as a hostess and secretary, Scottish Rite Woman's Association and state president of TTT.
Memorial gifts can be given to the Alzheimer's Association.
ELKINS -- JoAnn Chisolm, 56, a resident of Harding, died at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins, following an extended illness.
She was born July 18, 1944, in Harding, a daughter of Mary McCullar Chisolm and the late Richard E. "Dick" Chisolm.
Also surviving are one daughter, Barbara J. Chisolm, Harding; one grandson, Marcus Chisolm, Harding; four brothers, Richard "Jr." Chisolm and wife, Oglivia, Norton, Henry Chisolm and wife, Jennifer, Farmington, and George Chisolm and wife, Marlene, Phoenix, Ariz., and Robert Chisolm and wife, Anita, Harding; one sister, Barbara Tyson and husband, Harold, Snowshoe; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Chisolm attended the Riverside School at Elkins and was a graduate of the Coalton High School. She worked for many years at the Memorial General Hospital in the central supply unit.
Ms. Chisolm was an active member in the community and attended the Shiloh Baptist Church of Elkins, where she served as president of the Missionary Society. She was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5583 at Coalton, an active member and past worthy matron of the Benson Chapter No. 17, Order of the Eastern Star and served as a Girl Scout Troop leader. She attended meetings of the Cancer Support Group of Elkins.
MANNINGTON -- Adam Daniel Daft, 18, of Plum Run community, Mannington, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at Ruby Memorial Hospital due to sudden complications from diabetes.
He was born Nov. 28, 1981, in Fairmont General Hospital, a son of Jack and Tonya Fluharty Daft of Plum Run.
Also surviving are one sister, Tasha Daft; his maternal grandparents, Tom and Loretta Fluharty, Plum Run; his maternal great-grandmother, Goldie Fluharty; his paternal grandparents, Lewis and Edith Daft, J. Kennedy Road, Cecil and Bessie Daft, No. 9 community; his aunts and uncles, Jerry and Terri Daft, Rick and Kim Daft, all of Farmington, Tim and Shirley Daft Rager, Fairmont, Jim and Lois Daft Kennedy, Garrettsville, Ohio, David and Vickie Fluharty, Atlanta, Ga., Joe and Lana Fluharty Shappek, Buckhannon, and Matt Fluharty and Lynne Cameron, Cincinnati, Ohio; 12 cousins; several good friends from 4-H, camps and school, and numerous good friends from Aegis; his special family, Ralph, Karen, Katie and Michael Ridenour; and one special friend, Cheyenne Williamson.
He was also preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Ernest and Esther Tennant, Daybrook, and Millard "Bill" Fluharty, Plum Run; his paternal grandparents, William and Cora Jones Cole, Mannington.
Mr. Daft attended North Marion High School and was their Prudential Spirit of Community Service Merit Honoree for three years. He was also a member of FFA and Forestry.
He was an 11-year member of the Busy Bison 4-H Club where he served various leadership roles and was on several committees. He had received various club, county and 4-H awards.
He was selected and attended Washington Focus Youth Leadership Forum. He also attended Junior Conservation Camp, Senior Conservation Camp and Forestry. He was selected as a junior leader in Conservation Camp. He attended Marion County 4-H Camp Mar-Mac for 10 years and was working on pond enlargement and nature trail improvements at camp. He was a counselor at Camp KNO-KOMA for juvenile diabetes.
Mr. Daft volunteered for three years for diabetic research. In 1999 he was named as the Conservation Boy Hall of Fame of the Year. He had received several conservation poster awards in 1996 and in 1998 he received the State Cardinal Art Conservation Poster of the Year Award.
He was the founder of the Buffalo Creek Clean Stream Partners for $2,400 to improve the water quality and recreational programs in Buffalo Creek. Last year he received the State Make A Difference Day Award and $2,000 for the program.
Mr. Daft was a member of the West Virginia Re-enactors Association and participated in several Civil War events throughout the Eastern U.S. and Canada. He also participated in the anniversary battles of Antietham and Gettysburg.
Last year he was named the Times West Virginian Youth Citizen of the Year. He was awarded by Family Magazine and Governor Cecil Underwood as a State Dream Teen 2000. He was an associate at Aegis.
Mr. Daft was an organ donor and believed in conservation and community service. His favorite pass times were hunting, fishing and working on his 1969 Chevy Impala.
Funds in Adam's name have been established for The Juvenile Diabetic Foundation and scholarships to camp KNO-KOMA; Buffalo Creek Clean Stream American Streams Program; and Tree Planting Beautification at Camp Mar-Mac. All donations should be made to the Busy Bison 4-H Club, P.O. Box 536, Farmington, WV, 26571.
BRIDGEPORT -- Eloise Evans, 76, of Elm Street, Laurel Valley, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg.
She was born Sept. 15, 1924, in Anmoore, a daughter of the late William and Biddie Riffle Fisher.
Her husband, Mearl Evans, preceded her in death in 1985.
Surviving are three sons, Calvin Evans, Virginia Beach, Va., Charles Dean, Chesapeake Beach, Md., and Larry Dean, Laurel Valley; three daughters, Margaret Evans, Laurel Valley, Mrs. Richard (Linda) Scheuvront, Gregory's Run, and Mrs. Carl (Rhonda) McHenry, Chesapeake Beach; 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joan Harris, East View.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Kevin Evans; two brothers, Doyle and Harold Fisher; and two sisters, Luella Fisher and Eleanor Collins.
Mrs. Evans was Protestant and a former employee of St. Mary's Hospital in the Food Service Department.
Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, Allen Chapel, 215 East Main St., Bridgeport, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Eberhardt conducting the service. Interment will follow at the Stonewall Park in Stonewood.
BRIDGEPORT -- Ruth Moore Fleming, 86, of Route 1, Bridgeport, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at Rosewood Center, Grafton.
She was born Aug. 3, 1914, in Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Harry and Daisy Kisner McEldowney.
Her first husband, Ambrose Moore, preceded her in death in 1974. Her second husband, Kenneth Fleming, also preceded her in death in 1992.
Surviving are two brothers and four sisters-in-law, Dorsey and Mae McEldowney, Lake Ridge, Denzil and Hester McEldowney, Vienna, Lillian McEldowney, Clarksburg, and Alma McEldowney, Maple Lake; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Cecil, Dewey, Roy, Claude and James McEldowney and one sister, Vada Tucker.
Mrs. Fleming was a homemaker and a member of the Middleview Baptist Church.
Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, Allen Chapel, 215 East Main St., Bridgeport, from 1-8 p.m. today. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home with Pastor Paul Boyles conducting the service. Interment will follow at Middleville Cemetery.
WESTON -- Rebecca "Becky" Sue Gum, 57, of Route 2, Camden, Churchville community, died at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at her resident following an extended illness.
She was born Nov. 5, 1943, on Little Coal River in Level, a daughter of the late Joseph Acean Brooks and Evelyne Leona Leffingwell Brooks.
Her husband, Jerry Gum, whom she married Dec. 8, 1962, survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Frank Swisher, Jane Lew, and Rick Gum, Camden; one daughter, Nancy Gum, Camden; seven grandchildren, Brooke, Carey and Connor Swisher, Melanie, Ricky, Dennis and Natasha Gum; two brothers, John Brooks, Camden, and Frank Brooks, Chicago, Ill.; three sisters, JoAnna Orona, Hatboro, Pa., Betty Ruble, Morgantown, and Margaret Brooks, Heavner, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one brother, Robert Brooks.
Mrs. Gum was a housewife, a clerk for Hecks, and a weaver with 18 years of service for Alkahn Label Factory, Weston, where she left due to her illness.
She attended schools in Cabin Creek, as well as in Weston. She was a 37 year resident of the Churchville community where her husband, Jerry, still resides. She was Protestant.
Friends will be received at Floyd Funeral Home, 402 Main Ave., Weston, from 4-8 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Stephen White officiating. Interment will follow in the Snyder Cemetery, Churchville.
SHINNSTON -- Catherine L. Harris, 77, of Carriage Lane, Fairmont, died at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
She was born Oct. 10, 1923, in Carolina, a daughter of the late Edward L. and Mary Martha Anglin Murphy.
Her husband, Ray F. Harris, preceded her in death on Nov. 27, 1999.
Surviving are two sons, Roy Murphy and wife, Patricia, West Milford, and Michael Harris, Fairmont; two grandchildren, Christina Murphy, Fort Lawn, S.C., and Sarah Murphy, Bridgeport; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Geraldine Carpenter and Rose Marie Wiggins; and three brothers, Cecil, James and Milford Murphy.
Mrs. Harris was a homemaker and a member of the Ringgold United Methodist Church, Ringgold, Ga.
A graveside service will be held in the Oakdale Cemetery, Oakdale, at 11:30 a.m. Friday, with Pastor Chad Hutson, officiating. Dorsey Funeral Home, Shinnston, is in charge of arrangements.
PINE GROVE -- Lee I. Haught, 76, of Reader, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, at his home.
He was a son of the late Clarence I. and Hazel G. Burgess Haught.
His wife, Vera Rose Wright Haught, preceded him in death on Aug. 5, 1993.
Surviving are one son, William C. "Bill" Haught, Wheeling; three sisters, Mary Lou Lemasters, New Martinsville, Wanda Sue Taylor, Wellsburg, and Peggy Jo Lancaster, Reader; a devoted friend, Bill Streets, Pine Grove; five grandchildren, Rickey, Penny, Jonathan, Nicholas and Malissa Haught; three great-grandchildren, Becca, Morgan and Cameron Haught.
He was also preceded in death by two sons, Donald Earl and Richard Lee "Rickey" Haught; three brothers, Dick, Phillip and Robert Haught; and one sister, Lenora Lemasters.
Mr. Haught was a member of the Eight Mile Church of Christ near Reader.
He retired as district superintendent with 33 years service at Mannington District, Consolidated Natural Gas Supply Corp., Hastings.
He was former national vice president for Gas Workers Union. He was owner of Lee I. Haught's Registered Black Angus Cattle Farm, Eight Mile Ridge, near Reader, and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
GLENVILLE -- Vena I. Moyers Kennedy, 96, of Rosedale community, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2000, at Oak Manor Assisted Care, Deland, Fla., following an extended illness.
She was born Oct. 29, 1904, in Braxton County, a daughter of the late Perrion and Laura Hawkins Moyers.
Her husband, Harlan Kennedy, preceded her in death.
Surviving are one son, Billy Kennedy and wife, Joan, Glenville, and Deland; one brother, Russell Moyers; two sisters, Glena Shaffer, Duck, and Maureen Marks, Belpre, Ohio; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one son, one daughter, three brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Kennedy was a retired school teacher having taught 30 years combined in Braxton and Gilmer counties.
She attended Glenville State College, then attended and graduated from Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., with a master's degree in math, English and education.
She attended Rosedale Methodist Church.
CHEROKEE VILLAGE, Ark. -- William Bernard Morgan, 69, of Cherokee Village, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, Jonesboro.
He was born Oct. 14, 1931, in West Union, W.Va., a son of William Frank and Mary Jane Cain Morgan.
His wife, Martha Elizabeth Morgan, whom he married Aug. 22, 1954, in Virginia Beach, Va., preceded him in death on Sept. 20, 1999.
Surviving are one stepson, Wilburn Don Wiles, one daughter-in-law, Virgie Wiles, both of Cherokee Village; two brothers, Raymond Morgan, Old Town, Fla., and Ernie Morgan, Lost Creek, W.Va.; four sisters, Mary Jo Ash, East Liverpool, Ohio, Judie Murphy, Raleigh, N.C., Becky Murphy, Charleston, Ohio, and Bernice Swiger, West Union; two grandchildren, Donna E. Cole, Lanton, Mo., and Chris A. Pike, Hardy; four great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by one great-grandson, Kendall Don Wiles; one brother and one sister.
Mr. Morgan was retired from the U.S. Army having served in both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era.
He was a member of the Spring River Baptist Church.
FAIRMONT -- Letha D. Morris, 82, of Monongah, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at her home.
She was born July 14, 1918, in Monongah, a daughter of the late Nelson and Gladys Leeper Wright.
Her husband, Chester W. Morris, preceded her in death June 11, 1984.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Carl W. and Barbara Morris, one daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Fred Gorbey, all of Monongah; one stepdaughter, Josephine Herndon, Fairmont; seven grandchildren, Christopher W. Morris, Cheryl Wendy Crawford, Letha Ann Gorbey, Freddie Gorbey, Pam McCoy, Laura Harris and Kelly Coburn; five great-grandchildren, Greg Yanero, Casey Yanero, Rocky Gorbey, Sarah Gorbey and Lindsey Harris; several stepgrandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Robert "Sonny" Nelson McCoy; one stepson, Robert Morris; one stepdaughter, Gail "Betty" Martin; three brothers, Basil, Jim and Ernest Wright; one sister, Alma Wright; and one stepsister, Bessie DeBolt.
Mrs. Morris was a homemaker and Methodist. She worked for the Marion County Board of Education as a custodian for 15 years at East Fairmont High School.
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. -- Florence A. Shaw, 69, of Bridgeport, W.Va., formerly of Lower Township, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000, at her home.
She was born in Cape May Court House, a daughter of Alice Rebola, Georgia.
Her husband, Ronald R. Shaw, survives.
Also surviving are her children, Lt. Comm. Howard Shaw, Australia, and Ronna Pomykacz, Cape May Court House; two brothers, Bobby Taylor, Marlton, and Harry Taylor, New Jersey; one sister, Edna Carlson, Georgia; and two grandchildren.
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