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Obituaries for Saturday, September 19, 1998

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 Carol Biser, who survive.

His wife, Patricia A. Welsh Brown, survives.

Also surviving are his stepmother, Mary Brown; stepfather, Edward Biser; 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 stepgranddaughter, Jessica Karstetter.

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

Walter Bumgardner

BRIDGEPORT -- Walter R. Bumgardner, 65, of South Third Street, Clarksburg, died Friday, Sept. 18, 1998, at United Hospital Center.

He was born in Clarksburg, Aug. 2, 1933, a son of the late Walter R. Bumgardner II and Velma V. Quinet Bumgardner Perri.

His wife of 29 years, Janet A. Bumgardner, survives.

Also surviving are one son, Ronald Wayne Bumgardner, at home; one brother, Donald F. Bumgardner, Clarksburg and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Bumgardner retired from construction. He was a member of Labor Local Union No. 984 for 20 years. He was a member of the Stealey Assembly of God Church.

Friends will be received from 12-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 South Virginia Ave., Bridgeport. The body will lie in state from 12-1 p.m. the funeral hour, Monday at Stealey Assembly of God Church, with the Rev. Larry Green officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Garden.

 

Opal Cooke

WESTON -- Opal Cooke, 93, of 124 Oak St., Weston, died at 4:10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 1998, in Crestview Nursing Home, Jane Lew, following an extended illness.

She was born March 31, 1905, in Weston, the daughter of the late Homer L. Bright and Phoebe Ann Skidmore Bright.

Her husband, John Harold Cooke, preceded her in death.

Surviving are two grandchildren, John E. Cooke, Alpharetta, Ga. and Robin Doldan, Carrolton, Ga.; four great-grandchildren, and two nieces, Helen Bright and Regina Hutchison.

She was also preceded in death by one son John Lee Cooke; three sisters, Goldie King, Vivian Hacker, and Bernice Price, and four brothers, Jay Bright, John Dorr Bright and two infant brothers.

Mrs. Cooke was a librarian for the Lewis County Board of Education for 23 years and a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Weston.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today, at Floyd Funeral Home, 402 Main Ave., Weston. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Joseph Shreve officiating. Interment will follow in Machpelah Cemetery.

 

Jeffrey P. Kutcher

BRIDGEPORT -- Jeffrey Philipp Kutcher, 56, of 159 West Pike St., Clarksburg, died at his residence.

He was born Nov. 1, 1941, in Washington, D.C., a son of the late Frankie D. Kutcher and Lavon Floyd Kutcher.

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Michelle Lavon Richards, San Antonio, Texas, Melanie L. Kutcher, Clarksburg, Mrs. Cynthia Sue Robinson, Sugar Land, Texas and Mrs. Kimberly S. Mullens, Daytona Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Ann Mullens and Stephen Mullens, Daytona Beach, Britney Robinson and Samatha Robinson, Sugar Land, Texas, Brucie Watson and Robie Watson, Clarksburg, and Alicia Hope Richards, San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Kutcher was an oil field rigger.

There will be no visitation. Following cremation, services will be held at the convenience of the family.

 

James E. Payne

SHINNSTON -- James Edison Payne, 62, of Route 1, Wallace, Big Rock Camp community, died at 5:28 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 1998, at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg following a brief illness.

He was born June 24, 1936, in Clarksburg, a son of the late Sylvester S. Payne and Helen Marie Terry.

His wife, Pastor Vera May Payne, whom he married Sept. 1, 1957, survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Gary Lee Payne, Rock Camp, Richard Leo Payne and Michael Lyn Payne, both of Clarksburg, and Shane William Payne, at home; one daughter, Mrs. John (Tammy Marie) Barker, Big Rock Camp; two stepsons, William Wayne Mick, Lumberport, Tommy Aldridge, Rock Camp; three stepdaughters, Lois Ann Mick, Florida, Kimberly Ann Victor, Clarksburg, and Nina Burns, North View; one brother, Robert Dwain Reid, Roanoke, Va.; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one son, Ronald L. Payne, and his stepfather, Howard Doy Terry.

Mr. Payne was formerly employed by Nuzum Trucking in Shinnston as a truck driver for 18 years, a member of the Marshville Coon Hunter's Club, and a member of the Church of God of the Bible at Dola.

Friends will be received from 3:30-9 p.m. today, at Dorsey Funeral Home, Shinnston. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Wayne DeHart officiating. Interment will follow in Sardis Cemetery.

 

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.