Obituaries for Thursday, July 1, 1999

Donald M. Carrico

GRAFTON ó Donald Monroe Carrico, 81, of Beckley, formerly of Grafton, died Monday, June 28, 1999, at the VA Medical Center in Beckley.
He was born Oct. 21, 1917, in Preston County, a son of Elmer and Maude Carrico.
His wife of 57 years, Mary Alice Linn Carrico, preceded him in death.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, David L. and Jane Carrico, Ghent; two brothers, Lantz Carrico, Parkersburg, and Ralph Carrico, Morgantown; one sister, Ruth DeMoss, Akron, Ohio, and five grandchildren, Lisa Williams, Clarksburg, Amy Krieger, New York City, and Timothy Carrico, Matthew Carrico and Adam Carrico, all of Ghent.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Lee Carrico, and one sister, Dorothy Montgomery.
Mr. Carrico was the owner of Don's Hot Dogs in Grafton.
He was employed by the B&O Railroad in Grafton and the Chessie System Railroad in Cumberland, Md., before his retirement.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Grafton, a founding member of the Grafton Fire Department and a 50-year member of Grafton Lodge No. 15, A.F. & A.M..
Mr. Carrico was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.

Virginia P. Ervin

BELINGTON ó Virginia Pearl Ervin, 74, of 310 Old Morgantown Pike, died at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at her home following an extended illness.
She was born March 28, 1925, in Elkins, a daughter of the late A.B. and Arie Moore Lantz.
On May 22, 1948, she married Otis John Everson, who preceded her in death on April 2, 1988. On April 28, 1993, she married Charles Eugene Ervin, who survives at 310 Old Morgantown Pike.
Also surviving are one daughter, Lenna Dawn Everson, Belington; one son, Timothy Earl Everson, Columbus, Ohio; one granddaughter, Lindsay Dianne Everson, Newark, Ohio; four sisters, Geraldine Combs and Mrs. Earl (Emma Jean) Sines, both of Dunnellon, Fla., Natalie Shomo, Junior, and Leona Doerr, Elkins.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Bernice Bohan, Beatrice Rexrode and Opal Harris, and three brothers, Bernard Lantz, Randolph Lantz and Thomas Bradford Lantz.
Mrs. Ervin was a graduate of Elkins High School.
She was a former employee of Martin Aircraft in Baltimore, Md., Kane & Keyser Hardware in Belington, and retired from Valley Supply in Elkins.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Laurel Mountain Post No. 410, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Belington, the Belington Federated Women's Club, and a member of Westside United Methodist Church.

Lewis J. Kirby

FRONT ROYAL, VA. ó Lewis James Kirby, 73, of Manassas, Va., died Tuesday, June 22, 1999, at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg.
He was born July 18, 1925, in Clarksburg, a son of Elsworth Floyd and Ella P. Stark Kirby.
His wife, Irene Stamper Kirby, preceded him in death.
Surviving are two daughters, Katrina Mae Kirby, Front Royal, and Amber Janine Bachand, Winchester, Va.; three sons, Noble Lynn Kirby and Mark S. Kirby, both of Manassas, and Jim Kirby, Phoenix, Ariz.; their mother, JoAnn Lipscomb Kirby Poland Brown, Front Royal, and 10 grandchildren.
Mr. Kirby was a self-employed painter who created custom interiors.
He attended St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Manassas.
Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal handled the arrangements.

Lucy M. Mace

Lucy Merandi Mace of Pembroke Pines, Fla., died Saturday, June 26, 1999.
She was born in Clarksburg on June 7, 1921, the daughter of the late Frank and Anna Marie Iaquinta Merandi.
Her husband, John P. Mace, preceded her in death.
Surviving are four brothers and their wives, John and Anna Merandi and Albert and Jane Merandi, all of Clarksburg, Eugene and Krista Merandi, Coral Springs, Fla., and Tom and Cecilia Merandi, Pembroke Pines; two sisters, Mrs. Rose Malfregeot and Ann Marie Merandi, both of Clarksburg; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Merandi, Davie, Fla., and Mary Merandi, Clarksburg, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one sister, Martha Virginia Merandi, and two brothers, Samuel and Jack F. Merandi.
Mrs. Mace was a member of St. Davids Catholic Church, Davie. She had formerly resided in Baltimore, Md., where she had been employed by Western Electric.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Cesidio J. Federico as celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peoples Hospice, P.O. Box 1680, Clarksburg, W.Va. 26302. Arrangements were by Davis-Weaver Funeral Home.

Mary V. Mathers

WESTON ó Mary V. Harris Mathers, 88, of 124 1st St., Weston, died at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston, following an extended illness.
She was born June 18, 1911, in Tanner, Gilmer County, a daughter of the late J. D. "Jeff" and Ida V. Webster Harris.
Her husband, Joseph Clarence Mathers, whom she married on Oct. 29, 1943, preceded her in death on Aug. 20, 1972.
Surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Mathers was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, a member of the Women's Circle of the church, a member and treasurer of the Golden Age Club of Lewis County, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary No. 1976 and a member of the Lewis County Senior Citizens.
Friends will be received at Floyd Funeral Home, 402 Main Ave., Weston, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Clifford West officiating. Interment will follow with graveside rites at 2 p.m. in Mt. Liberty Cemetery in Tanner.

Mary J. Neal

WESTON ó Mary J. Neal, 91, of Route 4, Weston, died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, in United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
She was born Jan. 10, 1901, in Lewis County, a daughter of the late Lash and Stella Duelly Metz.
Her husband, John Francis Brockleman, preceded her in death in 1938.
Surviving are one daughter, Catherine Taylor, Weston; two sons, John and James Brockleman, both of Weston; two foster daughters, Linda and Becky Aklire, both of Weston; three sisters, Maxine Hefner and Jean Taylor, both of Weston, and Cora Musser, Jane Lew; three brothers, Harley Metz, Clarksburg, Lash Metz, Weston, and Andrew Metz, Garrettsville, Ohio; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Donald Brockleman, and three brothers, Claude, John and George Metz.
Mrs. Neal was a homemaker and a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church, Loveberry. She also raised 68 foster children.
Friends may call at Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Ave., Weston, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Father John Ralph officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Bernards Catholic Church Cemetery.

Gerald L. Ruble

WESTON ó Gerald L. Ruble, 74, of 401 Town Run Road, Weston, died at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, in United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born Dec. 7, 1924, in Cumberland, Md., a son of the late Lewis C. and Pearl V. Snyder Ruble Sr.
Twice married, his first wife, Genevieve Carpino, preceded him in death, and his second wife, the former Laura Ernestine Harbert, whom he married on Dec. 30, 1960, survives.
Also surviving are three brothers, Lewis C. Ruble Jr., Arthur A. Ruble and Walter R. Ruble, all of Weston; two sisters, Alice Marie Gillespie, Weston, and Eloise McRobie, and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Laura Ann; one sister, Florence Jeffries, and one brother, John W. Ruble.
Mr. Ruble retired from the Louie Glass Factory in 1987 with over 40 years of service.
He was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church.
Mr. Ruble was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Friends will be received at Floyd Funeral Home, 402 Main Ave., Weston, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Joseph Shreve officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 5131, both of Jane Lew, D.A.V. Chapter No. 51, and Central West Virginia Chapter No. 697, Military Order of the Purple Heart. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Clarence Shepherd Sr.

CHARLESTON ó Clarence Shepherd Sr., 73, of Boomer died Monday, June 28, 1999, in St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, following an extended illness.
Surviving are two sons, Clarence Jr., Boomer, and Ulerssee, Clarksburg; three daughters, Sarah Anderson, Highland Park, Mich., Dora Hopkins, Southfield, Mich., and Eula Hanson, Walnut, Calif.; one brother, Robert, Wilmington, Del.; one sister, Ella Mae Lee, Williamson; 14 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Shepherd was a retired miner and a deacon of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Harewood He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the United Mine Workers.

John W. Shields

LANTANA, FLA. ó John Wesley Shields, 94, of Lantana, formerly of Clarksburg, died Sunday, June 27, 1999, following a brief illness.
He was born Feb. 9, 1905, in Gem, Braxton County, a son of the late Newton Shields and the late Clara Belle Singelton, Nutter Fort.
His wife of 72 years, Clara Myrtle Crawford Shields, survives.
Also surviving are three sisters, Macel Inez Rollyson, Clarksburg, Lulu Ruth King, Columbus, Ohio, and Rose Madeline Elliott, Grafton, and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Edgar Grant Shields, and two sisters, Mary Irene Skinner and Myrtle Mae Williams.
Mr. Shields was employed by the B&O Railroad Company for 44 years in Clarksburg.
Upon retiring, he moved to Lantana.
He was a member of the Moose Club of Clarksburg for many years.

Estalene Tenney

BUCKHANNON ó Estalene Tenney, 77, of Tallmansville died Wednesday, June 30, 1999, at her residence.
She was born Jan. 8, 1922, in Cubana, a daughter of the late William Jefferson and Flora Rowan Kelley.
Her husband, Harold Dayton Tenney, whom she married on Feb. 25, 1939, preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 1980.
Surviving are four children, Kenneth Tenney and Emma Jane Koon, both of Tallmansville, Ketha Simmons, Frenchton, and Erma Hanline, French Creek; one brother, Rex Kelley, Georgia; two sisters, Helen Lee and Virginia Talbott, both of Buckhannon; 13 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Verlin Kelley, Ernest Kelley and Donnie Kelley.
Mrs. Tenney was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was a homemaker.

Susen F. VanGilder

BUCKHANNON ó Susen Florence VanGilder, 87, of Route 1, French Creek, died Tuesday, June 29, 1999, in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston.
She was born July 4, 1911, in Upshur County near Czar, a daughter of the late Edward J. and Cora Mae Tenney Cutright.
Her husband, George Finney VanGilder, whom she married on Jan. 14, 1933, survives.
Also surviving are two children, Carolyn A. Carpenter, Route 1, French Creek, and Bernard VanGilder, Fayetteville, N.C.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Maxine Hofer and Shirley VanGilder; one sister, Gordie Freeman; and two brothers, Rubin Cutright and Mason Dutch Cutright.
Mrs. VanGilder attended Pine Grove United Methodist Church.
She was a homemaker.

Thomas E. Walls

GRAFTON ó Thomas Edwin Walls, 46, of Martinez, Calif., formerly of Grafton, died Monday, June 21, 1999, at his residence.
He was born May 16, 1953, in Grafton, a son of Betty Lou Walls, Grafton, and the late Charles Edwin Walls.
Surviving are one brother and sister-in-law, Charles Guy and Janice Walls, Ernul, N.C.; two nephews, David Michael Walls and Christopher Edwin Walls; one aunt, Mrs. Chuck (Eleanor) Gehlbach, San Jose, Calif.; one uncle and his wife, Philip and Dottie Brown, Grafton; a very close cousin, Mrs. Ken (Linda) Croll, Louisville, Ky., and a very close friend of 20 years, Damiano Iocovozzi, Martinez.
Mr. Walls was a product development coordinator at Shaw Medical Management for 10 years.
He was a 10-year resident of Martinez and a prior San Francisco resident.
Mr. Walls was a member of the Rosarain Society and the Martinez Community Garden Club.
He was a member of Blueville United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed computers and flying planes.
Mr. Walls graduated from Grafton High School.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Blueville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Edgar Suite and the Rev. James E. Kerr officiating.
Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave., Grafton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence R. Williams

SHINNSTON ó Lawrence R. Williams, 85, of Route 2, Enterprise, died at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, in St. Barbara's Nursing Home, Monongah, following a brief illness.
He was born Sept. 18, 1913, in Braxton County, a son of the late George and Lucy Allen Williams.
His wife, Mildred Davis Williams, preceded him in death on Feb. 18, 1976.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Bradford and Mary Ellen Williams, Enterprise; two granddaughters, Lynn Williams and Carrie Williams; three brothers, Gordon Williams, Carolina, Denzil Williams, Worthington, and Warren Williams, Auburndale, Fla.; one foster daughter, Beverly Davisson, Fairmont; three foster grandchildren, Michael Bombard, Ian Davis and Melissa Davis, and two foster great-grandchildren, Jade Bombard and Hunter Davis.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Beulah Blue and Mable Pyle.
Mr. Williams was a coal miner, having retired from Consolidation Coal Company, Four States Mines, with 31 years of service.
He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Local No. 4060, Four States, and was a lifelong farmer.
Friends will be received at Dorsey Funeral Home, Shinnston, after 2 p.m. today. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Gail Carson officiating. Interment will follow in the Shinnston Masonic Cemetery.

John E. Winans

ELKINS ó John Edward Winans, 80, of 33 Fifteenth St., Elkins, died at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 1999, at Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins. He had been declining in health for the past year.
He was born July 13, 1918, in Crystal Shannon, Pa., a son of the late John Milton and Della Katherine Kesling Winans.
His wife, the former Mary Leona Shreve, whom he married on March 15, 1947, in Elkins, survives.
Also surviving are four sons and two daughters-in-law, Roger Lee and Bernetta Winans, Ridgely, and Robert B. and Tonya Winans, Edward R. "Peanut" Winans and Richard D. Winans, all of Elkins; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Charles Lee "Dink" Winans, Elkins, and James Milton and Teresa Winans, New York; one sister, Ocie Daniels, Mill Creek; six grandchildren, Katrina, Travis, Renatta, Chad, Justin and Dylan, and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Winans attended the schools of Elkins.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Winans worked as a carman for the Western Maryland Railroad for 38 years.
He was a member of Tygarts Valley Post No. 3647, Veteran's of Foreign Wars.
He was also a member of Hart's Chapel Church at Chenoweth Creek.