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Obituaries for Friday, September 18, 1998

Rose M. Angotti

Rose Marie Angotti, 77, of 108 South Linden Ave., Clarksburg, died at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, in the Meadowview Manor Health Care Center following an extended illness.

She was born May 5, 1921, in Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Paul A. and Catherine Iaquinta Romano.

Her husband, Frank Thomas Angotti Sr., whom she married Sept. 2, 1944, preceded her in death on Oct. 26, 1989.

Surviving are four sons, Mark Angotti, Raleigh, N.C., Frank T. "Chunki" Angotti Jr., Clarksburg, Marshall Angotti, Hanover, Pa., and Michael Angotti, Virginia Beach, Va.; two brothers, Paul Romano, Clarksburg, and Sam Romano, Cocoa Beach, Fla.; four sisters, Mrs. Sam (Lenora) Colombo and Mrs. Argie Fetchero, both of Clarksburg, Mrs. Loretta Mazza, Cocoa Beach, and Mrs. John (Edith) Oliverio, Fairfax, Va.; seven grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Erma Loria, Angela Oliverio and Mary Colombo, and three brothers, Orlando, Russell, and Melvin Romano.

Mrs. Angotti was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a homemaker.

There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Cesidio J. Federico as celebrant. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Eugene R. Batten

GLENVILLE -- Eugene Rae Batten, 56, of Route 1, Walker, died at 2:08 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1998, in University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa., following an extended illness.

He was born April 16, 1942, in Gilmer County, a son of Pauline Radcliff Batten, Linn, and the late Foster C. Batten.

His former wife, Mary Pritt Batten, whom he married on Dec. 7, 1963, survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Christopher Rae Batten and Clayton Lee Batten, both of Parkersburg; two sisters, Macel Carr, Sand Fork, and Marsha Skolnik, Bedford, Ohio; five brothers, Warren Batten and Fred Batten, both of Bedford, Ohio, Lytle Batten, Clendenin, Ronnie Batten, Mineral Wells, and Gary Batten, Weston.

Mr. Batten was an operator for Dupont Denemours and Company, Washington Bottom. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Vietnam Conflict, a member of the Wood County Flywheelers, Feist Breeders Association, and the National Rifle Association. He was Methodist.

Robert W. Brown

BUCKHANNON -- Robert W. Brown, 34, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998, at Wishard Hospital, Indianapolis.

He was the son of Stanley Brown and Mary Brown, who survive.

His wife, Patricia A. Welsh Brown, survives.

Also surviving are two sisters, Rhonda Goss and Patricia Bennett; one brother, Donald Brown; one stepson, James Huff; one stepdaughter, Shiloh Kensinger; one stepbrother, Paul Biser; one stepsister, Kelley Malcomb, and one granddaughter, Jessica Karstetter.

Mr. Brown was a barber for 17 years in Indianapolis. He was a member of the Lawrence Apostolic Church.

Robert V. Gaston

Robert Vance Gaston, 65, of 1638 Gould Ave., Clarksburg, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998.

He was born July 24, 1933, in Clarksburg, a son of the late Orlet Vance Gaston and Reva Lucille Craig Gaston.

His wife, Clara A. Emerson Gaston, survives.

Also surviving are two daughters and one son-in-law, Deborah Kay and Donald Joseph Navarini and Robin D. Gaston, all of Clarksburg; two brothers, Alva H. and Donald B. Gaston, both of Clarksburg; one grandson, Donald Joseph Navarini II; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was also preceded in death by one brother, Charles Lee Gaston.

Mr. Gaston was associated with the Word of Life Assembly of God Church. He was a member of Clarksburg Lodge 155, A.F.&A.M. and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite mason with membership in the Wheeling and Clarksburg Bodies. He also was a member of Clarksburg Lodge 52, Loyal Order of the Moose and the Barbour County Sportsman Club and Local 569, AFL-CIO.

He had 36 years of service as a tank operator for Anchor Hocking and recently was employed by Harrison County Parks and Recreation.

Friends will be received from 2-9 p.m. today at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 East Main St. in Clarksburg. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. John Masto and the Rev. George Masto officiating. Interment will follow in Stonewall Park Cemetery, Stonewood.

David C. Griffith

David Clinton Griffith, 84, of Gilbert, Ariz., and formerly of Clarksburg, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1998, in Chandler Health Care Center, Chandler, Ariz.

He was born Oct. 29, 1914, in Sissonville, a son of the late Sparrel Andrew Griffith and Dora Myrtle Vance Griffith.

His wife, Wanda Geroski Griffith, preceded him in death on Oct. 1, 1982.

Surviving are three sons, Walter Ward, Clarksburg, James Ward, Charleston, and Jack Ward, Florida; five daughters, Mrs. Edwin (Joanne) Rodriguez, Gilbert, Ariz., Lydia Johnson, Clarksburg, Betty Fruci, Alabama, and Jean Means and Mary Ann Gazivoda, both of New York; one brother, Chester Griffith, Charleston; 23 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.

Mr. Griffith previously attended the Light House Church in New Jersey. He had been a textile mill machine worker.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 East Main St. in Clarksburg. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Wayne DeHart officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Simon R. Haught

PINE GROVE -- Simon Ray Haught, 76, of Smithfield, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, in the Wetzel County Hospital, New Martinsville.

He was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Smithfield, the son of the late William W. and Margaret Stout Haught.

His wife, Violet Hayhurst Haught, preceded him in death on June 20, 1993.

Surviving are one son, Jerry G. Haught, Vine Grove, Ky.; two daughters, Dorothy Shaw Barker, Smithfield, and Naoma Stackhouse, Pine Grove; four brothers, Richard Haught and James Haught, both of Smithfield, Everett Haught, Folsom, and William "Pete¨ Haught, East Liverpool, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Jones "Agnes¨ Fluharty, Folsom; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one brother, Samuel Haught, and one sister, Flossie Marie Haught.

Mr. Haught was a Baptist and worked for Pennzoil Company in Smithfield. He also worked for Cook Lumber Company for several years.

Wilmer H. Mathias

BUCKHANNON -- Wilmer H. Mathias, 78, of HC 36, Box 55, died at 10:12 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998, in Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins.

He was born Sept. 3, 1920, in Mathias, a son of the late John R. Mathias and Essie See Mathias.

His wife, Chloe West Mathias, whom he married Oct. 9, 1945, survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Sheila Brockleman and Judy Tenney, both of Buckhannon; one sister, Yonnie Cook, and one brother, Ervin Mathias, both of Timberville, Va.; one grandson, Todd Brockleman, Buckhannon; two granddaughters, Lori Pugliso, Chicago, Ill. and Kristi Goff, Buckhannon; two great-grandsons, Luke Brockleman, Buckhannon, and Joseph Puglise, Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Mathias was a radio technician for West Virginia Department of Highways. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Tallmansville Baptist Church.

Jeanette Smith

WESTON -- Jeanette Smith, 82, of Route 3, Berlin community, died at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998, in Braxton County Memorial Hospital, Gassaway, following an extended illness.

She was born April 21, 1916, a daughter of the late Andrew A. Blake and Vesta Susan Clark Blake.

Her husband, David L. Smith, whom she married Oct. 21, 1933, preceded her in death March 7, 1987.

Surviving are one daughter, Linda Dobbins, Weston; one grandson, David P. Smith, Lewisville, Idaho; three great-grandchildren and three stepgreat-grandchildren; one sister, Hazel Marsh, Weston, and two brothers, Doyle and Donald Blake, both of Ohio.

She was also preceded in death by one son, Stephen Smith, and two sisters and four brothers.

Mrs. Smith was retired from the West Virginia Glass Speciality Company with 24 years of service. She was Methodist.

Friends will be received from 2-9 p.m. Saturday at Boyle Funeral Home, 322 Main Ave. in Weston. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Clyde Crites officiating. Interment will follow in the Friendship Cemetery at Berlin.

Ruth A. Starkey

BRIDGEPORT -- Ruth Ann Starkey, 60, of Glen Avenue, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, following an extended illness.

She was born May 16, 1938, in Webster Springs, a daughter of Rosa Chabut Townsend and the late Marion "Sport¨ Townsend.

Her husband, Joseph R. Starkey, survives.

Also surviving are one son, Adam J. Starkey, Bridgeport; one daughter and son-in-law, Julie Ann and Robert Liston, Conyers, Ga.; one grandson, Joseph Liston, and one stepgranddaughter, Bobbi Renea Liston, both of Conyers, Ga., and one brother, Robert Townsend, Bridgeport.

Mrs. Starkey was a 1956 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School. She worked for C&P Telephone, AT&T, and Bell Atlantic where she was a senior office traffic clerk. She was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and was Baptist.

There will be a private family visitation. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bridgeport Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Hopkins officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1777 Reistertown Road, Suite 175, Baltimore, Md., 21208.

Geraldine M. Stout

SALEM -- Geraldine Miller Stout, 71, of Route 1, Greenbrier community, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1998, at her residence following an extended illness.

She was born July 21, 1927, at Walkersville, a daughter of the late Harry and Olena Simmon Cooper.

Her first husband, Lloyd Miller, preceded her in death in May 1960. Her second husband, Thurman Stout, whom she married on Aug. 24, 1963, survives.

Also surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Janet) Gallup, Taylor, Mich., Jo Eldridge, Salem, Mrs. David (Helen) Eldridge, Brownstown, Mich., and Donna Blansett, Inkster, Mich.; one son, Thurman (TJ) Stout, Ellenboro; six stepdaughters, Mrs. Roger (Lola) Bowen, Salem, Mrs. Richard (Barbara) Stuart, Philippi, Mrs. Thomas (Linda Kay) Wrightman, Stuart, Fla., Corena Trent, Romulus, Mich., Jean Horan, Trenton, Mich., and Vicki Anderson, Salem; three sisters, Ernestine Giarino, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nancy Lou Barnett, Beltsville, Md., and Helen Marie Yaegle, Warren, R.I.; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, 11 stepgrandchildren and 21 stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two sons, Paul Miller and Ralph Miller; one grandson, Joey Gallup; one stepgrandson, Bradley Trent, and one brother, Herbert Eugene Cooper.

Mrs. Stout was a member of the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9151, Salem. She was Protestant.

James C. Swinler

BRIDGEPORT -- James C. "Hop" Swinler, 87, of 712 James St., formerly of Grand Avenue, died Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16, 1998, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg.

He was born Oct. 30, 1910, in Phoenix, Ariz., a son of the late George Clayton Swinler and Ethel Alice Boyles Swinler.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Anna Mary Wells Swinler.

Surviving are two sons, James C. Swinler Jr. and his wife Janet, Morgantown, and George Stephen Swinler and his wife Diane, Williamstown; nine grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, five great-grandchildren and nine stepgreat-grandchildren, and one cousin, Ruth Reger Muntzing, Clarksburg.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been also preceded in death by one brother, Alan Eugene Swinler, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Hamrick.

Mr. Swinler was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg. He was retired from the Carbon Products Division, Union Carbide, Anmoore Plant, where he last served as head of the store's department. He was a member of Mt. Anthony Lodge 13, A.F.&A.M. in Bennington, Vt. He was a graduate of Victory High School and had attended West Virginia University.

Friends will be received from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Allen Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Eric M. Faust officiating. Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.

Gloria E. Washburn

BECKLEY -- Gloria E. Washburn, 66, of Bradley, died Monday, Sept. 14, 1998, at her residence following a sudden illness.

She was born Dec. 6, 1931, in Beckley, a daughter of Lila Gunnoe Francisco, Beckley, and the late Charles Francisco.

Her husband, Hayward C. Washburn, preceded her in death.

Surviving are two sons, Lyle R. Washburn and his wife, Angie, Princeton, and Ernest Francisco, Pax; one daughter, Ellen Pond and her husband, James, Grass Valley, Calif.; three stepchildren, Gerald Washburn and his wife, Patty, Oak Hill, Larry Washburn and his wife, Shirley, Fayetteville, and Sandra Bowman and her husband Jim, Fort Thomas, Ky.; three brothers, J.C. Francisco and his wife, Charlene, Stanford, Bob Francisco and his wife, Sue Ellen, Beaver, and Herb L. Francisco and his wife, Washington; five grandchildren, 12 stepgrandchildren and 17 stepgreat-grandchildren.

Mrs. Washburn was a homemaker and a former member of St. Mary's United Methodist Church.

Services will be held in Beckley.

Grace Wilfong

BUCKHANNON -- Grace Wilfong, 92, of 300 High St., Stafford, Va., died Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, at her residence.

She was born Feb. 7, 1906, in Sago, a daughter of the late Irvin Strader and Olie Tenney Strader.

Her husband, Asa David Wilfong, preceded her in death.

Surviving are three daughters, Margie Markley, Montana, Mont., Norma Sinsel, Buckhannon, and Phyllis Strader, Stafford; four sons, Loye Wilfong and Junior Wilfong, both Ashtabula, Ohio, Gerald Wilfong and Dannie Wilfong, both of Buckhannon; 27 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, and two half brothers, Harry Strader and Cletus Lemons, both of Buckhannon.

She was also preceded in death by two sons, Coye Wilfong and Denver Wilfong; one daughter, Lillian Zirkle, and one half brother, Harold Strader.

Mrs. Wilfong was a homemaker.