| Obituaries for February 22, 2000
FAIRMONT -- Kathern V. Albert, 84, of Fairmont, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at The Chandler House, Fairmont.
She was born in Virginia, May 15, 1915, a daughter of the late Charles Hogg and Maggie Sue Saunders Albert.
Surviving are five nephews, Charles Underwood and Tony P. Underwood, both of Fairview, Paul W. Leeper Jr., Salem, James E. Leeper, Niles, Ohio, and Gary Albert, Michigan; four nieces, Gerelda Vincent, Barrackville, Sue Leeper, Fairmont, Judy Belevill and Bonnie Woods, both of Michigan; 17 great-nieces and nephews, 21 great-great-nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been also preceded in death by three brothers, Ernie Albert, Emmett Albert and Russell Albert and two sisters, Mabel Underwood and Mary Ellen Leeper.
Miss Albert started to work at the Westinghouse Lamp in Fairmont in 1944 and retired in 1977. She was a member of the Everlasting Covenant Church in Fairmont.
She enjoyed sewing, cooking and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed the time she spent with her friends she worked with at Westinghouse.
FRENCH CREEK -- Ollie O. Lewis Bender, 92, of Rock Cave, died at 7:18 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Buckhannon.
She was born in Upshur County, June 21, 1907, a daughter of the late Marshall and Jane Riley Pritt.
She married Jay Lewis, who preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 1947.
She later married James Carl Bender, who preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 1998.
Surviving are two sons, Reynold Lewis, Lawton, Okla., and Denzil Lewis, Rock Cave; two daughters, Berdine Potts and Zelma Lewis Gibson, both of Rock Cave; one half sister, Ruby Lafone, Wolf Summit; one half brother, Otto Pritt, West Milford; 10 grandchildren, several great- and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Willard Lewis; three sisters; and one brother.
Mrs. Bender was a member of the Rock Cave United Methodist Church.
Friends will be received at the Robert M. Vincent Funeral Home, French Creek, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Kevin Bender assisted by the Rev. David Jessie officiating. Burial will follow in the Rock Cave Cemetery.
MANNINGTON -- Nellie C. Brummage, 87, of 302 Clarksburg St., Mannington, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at St. Barbara's Nursing Home, Monongah.
She was born Jan. 9, 1913, in Atwood, Wetzel County, a daughter of the late Samuel Martin and Martha Thompson Yoho.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Charles Brummage, on Dec. 1, 1999.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Lee Metheney, Fairmont; one brother, Robert Yoho, Metz; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Mart, Howard and Jack Yoho and one sister, Mina Anderson.
Mrs. Brummage was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mannington. She was a graduate of Mannington High School and Salem College. She had also attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon.
She was a teacher at Mannington Elementary School, having taught second and third grades.
GRAFTON -- Alfred A. Crouser, 98, of Country Living Nursing Care Facility, formerly of Beech Street, Grafton, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at his residence.
He was born in Elizabeth, March 26, 1901, a son of the late William Elmer Crouser and Cora Woodring Crouser.
His wife, Ruth Irene Isner Crouser, preceded him in death on June 30, 1981.
Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Harold (Donna Jean) Summers, South Carolina; six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by one son, James Adriane Crouser.
Mr. Crouser came to Grafton in 1920 with the B&O Railroad, where he was employed as a fireman. He retired from Equitable Gas Co., where he was a superintendent.
He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and Grafton Masonic Lodge No. 15, A.F.&A.M.
MANNINGTON -- Grace Jean Dowdy, 71, of Katy community, near Farmington, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at her residence.
She was born March 27, 1928, a daughter of the late Frank Hale and Rebecca Williams Hale Ice.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Dowdy, in 1992.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Ronald (Sharon) Nindle, Katy, and Mrs. Stephen J. (Sue) Thompson, Fairmont; two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Nancy Dowdy, Fairmont, and Robert and Susan Dowdy, Boothsville; eight grandchildren, Stephen Nindle, Katy, Jennifer Dowdy, James Dowdy, Paula VanBuren, Stephen Wilson and Jennifer Wilson, all of Fairmont, Marie Brand, Reedsville, and Sarah Thompson, Virginia; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Virginia Owens, Ohio, Margaret Stutler, Fairmont, Marjory Humphrey, Katy, and Irene Arbogast, Jane Lew; three brothers, Harvey Hale, Florida, William Hale, Maryland, and Jack Ice, Rivesville; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one grandson, James "Robbie" Nindle and one sister, Elizabeth Wilson.
Mrs. Dowdy was a member of the Bethel Methodist Church.
She was retired from Fairmont General Hospital. She enjoyed gardening.
GRAFTON -- Robert L. Johnson, 73, of Grafton, died at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at Grafton City Hospital.
He was born in Grafton, June 24, 1926, a son of the late Arthur E. and Clara Mae Nixon Johnson.
Surviving are one sister-in-law, Nancy L. Johnson, Grafton; two nieces, Carolyn Joanne Roy and husband, William "Bill" Roy, Grafton, and Vickie Johnson, Grafton; two great-nephews, Charles David "Charlie" Roy and wife, Shari, Barboursville, and Brian Scott Roy, Grafton; and one great-great-grandniece, Kayla Roy.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles William Johnson and Ernest Johnson and two sisters, Helen Skidmore and Betty Colebank.
Robert Lee Kenney, 66, of 310 South 22nd St., Clarksburg, died at 8:10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born in Clarksburg, July 4, 1933, a son of the late Isaac Newton Kenney and Garnet Marie Snider Kenney.
His wife, Pauline Tate Kenney, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Charlene "Cheri" R. Kenney, Clarksburg; three stepchildren; one brother, James Kenney, Clarksburg; and two nephews, Greg and Brian Kenney, Clarksburg.
He was also preceded in death by one stepson.
Mr. Kenney served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He was a health and safety consultant with the James W. Perry Co. in Bridgeport. He was a member of Mason Lodge No. 155, A.F.& A.M. He was a former member of ARC, having served as past president on the board of directors.
Mr. Kenney was Protestant.
Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. today at the McGlumphy Funeral Home in Clarksburg. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home church chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the Rev. Olen Robertson officiating. Entombment will follow in Floral Hills Mausoleum.
Masonic rites will be accorded at the mausoleum by Mason Lodge No. 155, A.F&A.M.
SALEM -- William Edgar Matthey, 88, of Route 2, Bristol, died at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born Feb. 26, 1911, in Big Isaac, a son of the late Edgar and Rebecca Cunningham Matthey.
Surviving are two sisters, Hope Graham, Bristol, and Fanny Stutler, Arbutus Park; one nephew, William C. Stutler, Houston, Texas; two nieces, Jean Kotschenreuther, Annapolis, Md., and Joan Miller, Fairmont; several great-nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Tony Matthey, Leroy Matthey, Ted Matthey and Clyde Matthey and two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Matthey and Virginia Matthey.
Mr. Matthey was a member of the Bristol United Methodist Church, serving that church for many years on the Board of Trustees.
He was a 50-year member of Salem Lodge No. 84, A.F.&A.M. He served that lodge as treasurer for an extended time and at the time of his death, was recognized as treasurer emeritus.
Mr. Matthey was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Orpha Chapter No. 30, Order of Eastern Star and a charter member of the Harrison County Bicycle Association.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and during the Korean Conflict, he was in the West Virginia National Guard as first sergeant, being stationed in Korea.
Mr. Matthey was employed at Salem High School as a woodworking instructor. Being an avid bicyclist, he traveled extensively on his bicycle in Central West Virginia. He loved traveling, making several trips to the Holy Land.
He was also a enthusiastic, skilled weaver, sharing his skills in a weaving class at Fort New Salem.
Friends will be received at the Greathouse Funeral Home, Salem chapel, from 7-9 p.m. today and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday. The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with Dr. Robert Florian presiding. Salem Lodge No. 84, A.F.& A.M. will conduct graveside rites at the Salem I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
CLARKSBURG -- William J. McLaughlin, 82, of Point Street, Clarksburg, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born Aug. 29, 1917, in Lowell, Mass.
Surviving is his wife of 43 years, Jill "E.A." McLaughlin, Clarksburg.
Also surviving are one daughter, Jill Klishis, Edgewood, Md.; two grandchildren, Charles T. Robinson II, Westminster, Md., and Sandra J. Robinson Rohde, Joppa, Md.; and one great-grandson, Robert "Sean" Rohde.
He was preceded in death by his only son, Sean Patrick McLaughlin, on July 22, 1978 and one brother, Father John McLaughlin, OMI, in September 1990.
Mr. McLaughlin spent five years doing missionary work in Japan.
He was a retired federal employee from Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Mr. McLaughlin was a learned man of several languages and an avid gardener.
His body was donated to science.
A memorial mass was held Monday at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarksburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
MORGANTOWN -- G. Richard "Dick" Phillips, 70, of Suncrest, Morgantown, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown.
He was born Sept. 30, 1929, in Wheeling, a son of the late Dr. Earl S. and Eva E. Pritz Phillips.
Surviving is his wife of 38 years, Mary Ann Kelly Phillips.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mary Elaine Watkins, Frankfort, and Sharon Lee Cruikshank, Fayetteville; one son, Richard Anson Phillips, West Hollywood, Calif.; three grandchildren, Morgan Ryan Cruikshank, Mary Elizabeth Watkins and Michael Roy Cruikshan; and one brother, Frederic Alden Phillips, Fredericksburg, Va.
Mr. Phillips was a member, former director and past president of the Professional Photographers of West Virginia and a member of the Professional Photographers of American.
He was a charter member and treasurer from 1979-91 of the Rotary Club of Westover. He attended West Virginia University and was a brother of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
Mr. Phillips was a photographer in Morgantown since 1954, with WVU, United Press International, Richard Phillips Photography and D/P Inc. Photographics until his retirement in 1994.
He received the prestigious Professional Photographers of America National Award in 1997, being the 19th West Virginia photographer to receive the award since its inception in 1958. He also received numerous honors and trophies from the PPWV since becoming a member in 1961.
Mr. Phillip's news and sports photographs were published in numerous publications, including Time Magazine.
WEIRTON -- Bernard L. Rice, 58, of New Cumberland, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at Weirton Medical Center.
He was born July 22, 1941, in Pendleton, a son of Mary C. Mitchell Rice, Clarksburg, and the late Alva Rice.
He was twice married, first to Norma Hurley Rice, who preceded him in death, and later to Mary DeFazio Rice, who survives in Weirton.
Also surviving are three sons, Robert Alva Rice, Ashland City, Tenn., Phillip George Rice, Delmar, Del., and Mark Lee Rice, Nashville, Tenn.; two daughters, Mrs. Bruce (Rebecca) Lamp, New Cumberland, and Mrs. Michael (Flora) Perrone, Weirton; one sister, Mrs. Paul (Wanda) Watson, Parkersburg; and seven grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Alva Rice Jr.
Mr. Rice was retired from Weirton Steel.
PENNSBORO -- Arthur H. "Jake" Riffle, 69, of Pennsboro, formerly of Cedarville, Gilmer County, and Orlando, Braxton County, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, in Parkersburg.
He was born Jan. 12, 1931, in Orlando, a son of the late George Edward and Bessie Mae Fox Riffle.
Surviving are two daughters, Diane Hacker-McCullough, Pennsboro, and Darlene Heater, Route 1, St. Marys; two sons, Dale Riffle, Harrisville, and Dave Blake, Orlando; one sister, Helen L. Collins, Orlando; one brother, Stanton E. Riffle, Jane Lew; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Hubert L. Riffle, Edward J. Riffle and an infant brother, Paul James Riffle; four sisters, Carrie B. Persinger, Winnie M. Riffle, Virginia R. Blake and June E. Fisher; and one son-in-law, Trooper First Class Larry Hacker.
Mr. Riffle was retired from the Ford Motor Co. of Lorain, Ohio, where he had 33 years of service in the assembly plant for Thunderbirds and Cougars.
He was a graduate of Burnsville High School with the class of 1951 and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany.
Mr. Riffle was a member of the Cedar Creek Baptist Church.
WESTON -- Thomas Eugene Rogers, 59, of Route 1, Box 19A, Weston, Smith Run community, died at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, following a 10-month battle with cancer.
He was born May 30, 1940, in Weston, a son of the late Lawrence and Pearl Oldaker Rogers.
His wife of 37 years, Evelyn Moneypenny Rogers, survives.
Also surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Gary Weaver, Weston, and Paula and Mark Fetty, Bridgeport; five grandchildren, Philip Thomas and Hannah Fetty, Nathan, Courtney and Michaila Weaver; two stepbrothers, Edward Garrett and Richard Mattson, both of Weston; two stepsisters, Judy Reed, Salem, and Phyllis Slaughter, Chicago, Ill.
In 1971, Mr. Rogers began his own business, Rogers Plumbing. Then in 1979 he expanded the business into Rogers Plumbing and Hardware when he and his wife purchased Cox-Hall Hardware in Weston.
The Rogers served the community of Weston for 25 years until illness forced them to sell the business.
In the 1970s, he served as fire chief for the Weston Volunteer Fire Department and was an honorary member of the Lewis County Emergency Squad.
He was a member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Weston where he participated in the United Methodist Men's organizations, the Men's Prayer Group and was a member of the Men's Choir.
Friends may call at the Floyd Funeral Home, 402 Main Ave., Weston, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Broad Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Clifford West officiating. Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Jane Lew. His body will lie in state two hours prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Broad Street Memorial Fund or one's local Hospice agency.
PENNSBORO -- Robert Spiker, 73, of Route 1, Lost Creek, Good Hope community, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at his residence.
He was born Dec. 30, 1925, in Oxford, Doddridge County, a son of the late Jacob and Gay Zinn Spiker.
Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Willa Dean Bonnell Spiker.
Also surviving are three daughters, Cathy Gregis, Lake Floyd, Melanie Fouse, Inwood, and Bobbi Jo Conley, Seymour, Ind.; one son, Jeffrey Spiker, Lumberport; three sisters, Geneva "Jean" Haught, Pennsboro, Delane King, Harrisville, and Delene Larew, Ballard; a special friend and caregiver, Debra Novotny, Lost Creek; five grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bradford Z. Spiker and Lynn Spiker and three sisters, Dorothy Summers, Kitty Miller and Marjory Spiker.
Mr. Spiker was a retired division manager at Equitable Gas Co. in Clarksburg for 30 years.
He was a graduate of Pullman High School, Pullman, with the class of 1944 and attended West Virginia Institute of Technology at Montgomery.
Mr. Spiker was a veteran of World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was a member of the Haleville Union Mission Church in West Milford. He had taught Sunday school for 37 years at the Nutter Fort Baptist Church, Nutter Fort; West Milford Baptist Church, West Milford; and the Evangelical Congregational Church, Clarksburg.
FAIRMONT -- Betty B. Taylor, 76, of Charlottesville, Va., formerly of Fairmont, died at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000, at Evergreene Meadows-The Alzheimers Facility, Stanardsville, Va.
She was born in Weston, April 26, 1923, a daughter of Willis A. and Beatrice Wilson Burrows.
On June 21, 1947, she married E. Murray Taylor, who preceded her in death.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Martha Bea and David Goshaw, Charlottesville; one son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Lynn Taylor, Alpharetta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Melissa Ann Clutter Rogers and her husband, Steve, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Matthew A. Clutter, a student at West Liberty College, Mark A. Clutter, Ocoee, Fla., and Lauren A. Taylor, Alpharetta; one great-grandson, Taylor Michael Rogers, Fort Walton Beach; one stepgrandson, Brian Goshaw and his wife, Tammy, Lancaster, Pa.; and one sister-in-law, Bettie M. Wakenight, Frederick, Md.
Mrs. Taylor graduated from Weston High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. She also graduated from West Virginia Business College in Clarksburg.
She came to Fairmont in 1942 when she was employed as a secretary at the new Westinghouse plant until 1948. She was later employed in the office of the Wishing Well Health Care Center for several years.
She was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Charlottesville and had previously been a member of the Central Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church, Fairmont. She was a treasurer of the Fairmont Concert Association and a member of the Fairmont Covinette Club.
She held numerous church related positions for her Sunday school and women's work.
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