Obituaries for July 22, 1999

Helena V. Bunner

FAIRMONT -- Helena Virginia Bunner, 84, of Bunner Ridge Community, Fairmont, died Wednesday, July 21, 1999, at the home of her daughter, Luella Robe.
She was born July 29, 1914, in Pickens, Randolph County, a daughter of the late French D. and Maude Shaw Travis.
Her husband, Raymond Harry Bunner, preceded her in death on Sept. 20, 1971.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph F. and Alice Bunner, Fairmont; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Bunner and J. Ervin Waters, Temple, Texas, Luella Bunner and Lowell Robe, Fairmont, and Della Bunner and Dean Huffman, Fairmont; one sister, Norma Travis Cowger, Shinnston; one sister-in-law, Wandalea Travis, Dola; 11 grandchildren, Ramona Waters Burnett, Sherri Waters Durham, Jayna Waters Ash, Connie Robe Hayhurst, Mary Joyce Robe Brady, Raymond "Ray" Robe, Kevin Bunner, Trina Bunner Carpenter, Karla Bunner Carpenter, Samantha Huffman, and Christian Huffman; 17 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by one brother, Thomas Travis; and one great-grandson, Charles Adam Hayhurst.
Mrs. Bunner was a homemaker.
She was a devoted member of the Church of Christ Bunner Ridge.
Mrs. Bunner was a faithful volunteer in the Bunner Ridge Community.
Among her hobbies were gardening, bird watching, tending flowers, and traveling. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Harry E. DeWitt

FAIRMONT -- Harry Edward DeWitt, 84, of Fairmont, died at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, 1999, at his residence.
He was born Jan. 20, 1915, in Deer Park, Md., a son of the late Thomas A. and Harriett Louella Shaffer DeWitt.
His wife of 63 years, Mary Josephine Shaffer DeWitt, whom he married on Sept. 14, 1935, survives.
Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Sharon DeWitt, Morgantown; four daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Bob Young, John Conaway, and Judy and Warren Compton, all of Fairmont, and Kathy and Gregg Mooney, Suwanee, Ga.; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Mervin DeWitt, John DeWitt, and Foster DeWitt; and one sister, Pearl DeWitt, in infancy.
Mr. DeWitt had retired as Vice President and General Manager of Morgantown Machine and Hydraulics.
He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church.
Mr. DeWitt was a graduate of the Terra Alta High School.
His interests were fishing and camping.

Greg Esquer

BUCKHANNON -- Greg Esquer, 34, of Route 1, Box 57, Weston, died Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the United Hospital Center.
He was born Nov. 9, 1964, in Compton, Calif., a son of Ralph and Barbara Snively Esquer.
His wife, Rebecca Ours Esquer, whom he married on Dec. 14, 1985, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Ariel Esquer, Weston; two sons, Gregory Esquer Jr. and Andrew Esquer, both of Weston; two sisters, Kim Esquer and Anna Esquer, both of California; and two brothers, Chris Esquer, Buckhannon, and Ralph Esquer, California.
Mr. Esquer was an Assistant Manager of the Donut Shop.

Rena Griffith

GLENVILLE -- Rena Griffith, 94, a lifelong resident of Cedarville, Gilmer County, died at 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston following a short illness.
She was born Dec. 6, 1904, in Cedarville.
Her husband, Joseph G. Griffith, whom she married in February 1942, preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 1967.
Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn and Wayne Woodyard, Cedarville; two granddaughters, Katrina Jo and Rebecca Lynn Woodyard, both of Clarksburg; and five sisters, Lovenna Berry and Hilda Skidmore, both of Parkersburg, Edith Markley, Urichsville, Ohio, Emogene Mrvalijevich, Dani, Fla., and Bonnie Sumpter, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers and one granddaughter, Kathy Annette.
Mrs. Griffith was a homemaker.
She was a local seamstress for over 50 years.
Mrs. Griffith was a Protestant.

John W. Landis

PHILIPPI -- John W. Landis, 82, of Volga, died at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the United Hospital Center.
He was born April 20, 1917, in Flat Rock, Upshur County, a son of the late Andrew Peter and Sophronia Mae Perry Landis.
His wife, the former Virginia E. Champ, whom he married on April 25, 1942, survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Mike (Hilda) Maxwell, East Brady, Pa., and Mrs. Gerald (Wilma J.) Haddix, Route 4, Buckhannon; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, William Landis; and one sister, Sally Hinzman.
Mr. Landis retired in 1979 with 34 years of service as a shuttle car operator at Badger Coal Company.
He was a member of the United Mine Workers, District 31, a 28 year member of the Moose Lodge No. 598 of Buckhannon, and a life member of the Laurel Mountain Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 410 of Belington.
Mr. Landis served with the 82nd Airborne of the Army-Air Force from 1942-1945 where he was awarded the Silver Star.
He was Methodist.

Stanley R. Louk

PHILIPPI -- Stanley Ray Louk, 84, of Broaddus Long term Care, Philippi, died at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the Broaddus Hospital following an extended illness.
He was born May 1, 1915, in Rosemont, Taylor County, a son of the late William and Harrett Smith Louk.
His wife, the former Rachel Elizabeth McCrobie, preceded him in death.
Surviving are five sons, Garrett Elwood Louk, Mt. Olive, Carl Wayne and John Martin Louk, both of Lakin Hop Lakin, Robert Lee Louk, Parsons, and Ronald Louk, Morgantown; one daughter, Mabel Victoria Louk, Aurora; and several grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one son, Jerry Allen Louk.
Mr. Louk was Pentecostal.

Genevieve H. O'Kelly

PAINESVILLE, OHIO --Genevieve Helen O'Kelly, 84, of Painesville, died Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio.
She was born Nov. 16, 1914, in Clarksburg, the daughter of Elmer and Jessie Hawkins.
Her husband, Jabez O'Kelly, survives.
Also surviving are one brother, James; three sons, Michael, Gary and Dennis; one daughter, Sharon; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. O'Kelly was a resident of Painesville for the past 12 years. She resided in Dunbar for over 40 years.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. O'Kelly was a homemaker and bookkeeper for her husband's business, O'Kelly Sign Company.

Linda C. Peak

BUCKHANNON -- Linda C. Peak, 45, of 41 Hampton Rd., Buckhannon, died Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the United Hospital Center.
She was born March 16, 1954, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of the late James and Marguerite Wallace.
Her husband, Ronald J. Peck, whom she married on Dec. 7, 1998, survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Patricia Peck, Buckhannon; one son, Larry Bruce Robinson, Buckhannon; and two sisters, Peggy Jolly, Cleveland, and Patty Penich, Wheeling.
Mrs. Peak was a homemaker.

Harry R. Simpson

Harry R. Simpson, 86, of Davis Street, Clarksburg, died at 3:50 p.m. Monday, July 19, 1999, in United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following an extended illness.
He was born on Dec. 22, 1912, in Bradywine, a son of the late Joseph and Cora Keister Simpson.
On July 2, 1935, he married Charlotte Marie Kiser, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Margaret Jo Rogers, Clarksburg, and Anne K. Shelton, Fredricksburg, Va.; one son, James R. Simpson, Clarksburg; one granddaughter, Cynthia Ann Henson, Lexington, Ky.; four grandsons, Terry A. Rogers, Clarksburg, James Randolph Rogers, Lexington, Clifford A. Shelton, Alexandria, Va., and Craig Allen Shelton, Fredricksburg; several nieces and nephews.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been also preceded in death by four sisters and three brothers.
Mr. Simpson was noted for his outstanding athletic abilities and was said to have been one of the best football quarterbacks ever to have played for Franklin High School.
He was a member of the Central Christian Church in Brandywine. He had worked in the International and GMC truck business for over 50 years with his brother, Earnest, and his nephew, Bill Simpson. He was the parts manager for Simpson Truck Sales.
Friends will be received from 6-9 p.m. today at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 East Main St., Clarksburg. A private funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Dr. Charles R. Echols conducting the service. Interment service will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Carl B. Snyder

WESTON -- Carl Burton Snyder, 92, of 124 1st St., Weston, died at 3:55 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, 1999, in the Holbrook Nursing Home in Buckhannon following a brief illness.
He was born Nov. 8, 1906, in Weston, a son of the late Benjamin "Frank" and Eva Bush Snyder.
Twice married, his first wife, the former Mabel Knicely, preceded him in death on April 4, 1980; and his second wife, the former Lucille Reed, also preceded him in death on Jan. 20, 1996.
Surviving are five sons, Bernard Neil Snyder, Massillon, Ohio, Robert G. "Jerry" Snyder and Denny Snyder, both of Weston, John Snyder, Wooster, Ohio, and Terry Snyder, Charleston, S.C.; one daughter, Mrs. Randy (Carol) Chapman, Weston; two stepsons, Bob Reed, Tallmadge, Ohio, and Rev. Ben Reed, Niles, Ohio; two stepdaughters, Linda Reed Kyser, Akron, Ohio, and Rita Reed Wasilko, Chardon, Ohio; one brother, Frank Snyder Jr., Baltimore, Md.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one son, Burton Snyder; three brothers, Earl, Jack and Robert Snyder; and two sisters, Nell Shaver and Dorothy Smith.
Mr. Snyder was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron for several years and later retired from the Weston State Hospital with 18 years of service.
He was a member of the Brown Street Baptist Church in Akron.
Friends will be received at the 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. Jeffrey M. Reed officiating. Interment will follow in the Machpelah Cemetery in Weston.

Louie R. Spagnuolo

SHINNSTON -- Louie Ralph Spagnuolo, 74, of Gypsy, died Tuesday, July 20, 1999, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg, following a extended illness.
He was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Gypsy, a son of the late Antonio and Lucy Moschella Spagnuolo.
He married his wife, Alice M. Spagnuolo, who survives, on March 11, 1944.
Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Pam Spagnuolo, Haywood Road; one daughter, Beth Spagnuolo, at home; two sisters, Mrs. Tom (Mary) Minear, Ripley, and Mrs. Jack (Carmella) Ewart, Good Hope; six brothers, A.A. "Roger" Spagnuolo, Gypsy, Neil Spagnuolo, California, Pete and Manuel Spagnuolo, both of Florida, Ralph and Antonio "Dody" Spagnuolo, both of Shinnston; two grandchildren, Kaleb and A.J. Spagnuolo; several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Edrick Spagnuolo, an infant brother, and one sister, Anna Mae Spagnuolo.
Mr. Spagnuolo was the former owner and operator of Crawford Door Sales and retired from the M&H Zinc plant in Spelter with 28 years of service. He was a veteran of the Army. He was a member of the American legion Post 31 in Shinnston, the Clarksburg Lodge 482 B.P.O Elks. He was a Catholic.
Friends will be received at the Dorsey Funeral Home, Shinnston, after 2 p.m. today. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Friday. Interment will be in the Shinnston Masonic Cemetery.

Evelyn S. Weaver

PHILIPPI -- Evelyn Skidmore Weaver, 79, of Route 4, Mt. Liberty Community, Philippi, died at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1999, in the United Hospital Center.
She was born Dec. 29, 1919, in Barbour County, a daughter of the late Adam R. and Francis Phillips Sinsel.
Twice married, her first husband, William Skidmore, preceded her in death in Sept., 1949; and her second husband, Oliver "Duke" Weaver, whom she married on April 18, 1952, also preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 1998.
Surviving are one daughter, Linda Kimble, Franklin; two stepdaughters, Jean Jones, North Madison, Ohio, and Beverly Ann Pyles, Fairmont; six sons, Ronald Skidmore, Kasson, Perry Weaver, Jack Weaver, Mark Weaver, and Jeffery Neil Weaver, all of Mt. Liberty Community, Philippi, and Donald Weaver, Fairmont; 27 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Carl, Earl, Fred and Kenneth R. Sinsel; three sisters, Winferd Irene "Winnie" Thompson, Emma Snider, and Thelma R. Holbert; one son, Eddie G. Skidmore; two grandsons, Jackie Lynn Weaver and Ronald Skidmore Jr.; and one stepgrandson, David Jones. Mrs. Weaver was a homemaker.
She was a member of the Corley United Methodist Church.