Michael Claude Shafer, 52, of Kissimmee, FL, formerly of Morgantown, died unexpectedly Sunday, November 15, 2009 at his home. He was born July 19, 1957 in Morgantown, a son of Evelyn Cathleen Springston Shafer of Morgantown and the late Marshall Claude Shafer.
Michael loved computers and was a student at Devry University in Orlando where he was working toward his BA degree in computer networking. Michael was a Methodist by faith who loved his family, his cat, Abby, beaches, and the warm Florida weather.
In addition to his mother, Michael is survived by eight sisters, Rebecca Lawson and husband James of Pt. Pleasant, Deloris Kinsley and husband John of Morgantown, Sharon Kinsley and husband James of Morgantown, Linda Broyles of Lindside, WV, Lois Schiffbauer of Morgantown, Connie Reese and husband Karl of Peterstown, WV, Joann Musgrave of Morgantown, and Darlene Hylton and husband Frank of Morgantown, two brothers, George Shafer of Morgantown and David Shafer and wife Estelle of Alton, NH and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00-2:00 PM. A memorial service celebrating Michael’s life will be held at 2:00 PM with Pastor Dewey Broyles and Rev. James Lawson officiating.
Thomas “Tom” Lee Shaffer, 68, of Springville, UT, formerly of Dellslow, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones, after complications from a long illness.
He was born January 11, 1942, in Morgantown, son of Betty Jane Shaffer. He was raised and cared for by his grandparents, Lovell and Hazel Shaffer.
He was a member of I.O.U.E. Local 132 as a heavy machine operator. Thomas served in Babehausen, Germany, in the U.S. Army from 1962-1968. He was a private 1st class and a sharpshooter.
He is survived, loved and always remembered by his strong-willed wife of 34 years, Donna J. Shaffer; three sons, James L. Shaffer and wife Michelle of Morgantown, Greg Dunn and wife Jamie of Provo, UT, and Casey J. Shaffer of Morgantown; and four grandchildren, Matthew, Jamie, Morgan and Jordan, who loved him dearly.
Friends may call at McCulla Funeral Home from 3-5 and 7-9 PM Thursday. Services will be at Nicholson Chapel Church, Summers School Road, at 11 AM Friday, February 26, with Rev. Elmer Nicholson. Burial will be in Nicholson Chapel Cemetery.
Flowers welcomed. Contributions may be made in his memory to any national or local Hospice for the help we received in our time of need.
Alton Guy Shahan Sr. 83 of Morgantown, WV, died peacefully Sunday, November 16, 2008 at Monongalia General Hospital with his wife and children by his side.
He was born at St.George, Tucker County on August 10, 1925, the son of Ernest and Lula Jane Robinson Shahan.
He was a proud graduate of Tucker County High School receiving a diploma as a Veteran of WW II.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church on High Street, Morgantown. As a former member of Sabraton Baptist Church he helped build the church and served as a trustee. He grew up attending Macedonia Methodist Church in St. George.
Corporal Alton Shahan served with pride with the 69th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II. He was drafted in 1943 and had basic at Fort McClellan, Anniston, AL. Then he trained with the 69th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Biloxi, Mississippi. He was shipped to England and awaited the call to Germany. The capture of Fortress Ehrenbreitstein was historic as it was here the last American Flag was lowered after the occupation of the WW I in 1923 and he was there when the same flag was raised again on April 6, 1945 with General Bradley, Major General Reinhardt, and General Patton. The 69th captured Liepzig, the third largest city in Germany. It was on May 5, 1945 that General Bradley passed through the regimental zone that linked up with the Russians. The military courtesy and bearing displayed by the troops guarding the road resulted in a commendation. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with two battle stars, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns, Occupation Germany, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and Qualification Badge for M-1 Rifle. After Christmas of 1944 he carried the BAR rifle. After victory in Europe he went to Italy to train to ship to the Pacific, because he didn’t have the points to come home. When Japan surrendered he was transferred to a labor company in Belgium as a supervisor crating and loading military equipment and supplies to be returned to the States. He was at La-Louviere POW Camp #9 and escorted prisoners to the Nuremberg Trials. He served his full time in the military with his twin brother Allen. He spent three Christmases away from home, one stateside, one in England when the 69th had a Christmas party for bombed out children and when they called out many of his buddies to go to the front lines at the Bulge, and one in Belgium.
Alton was a proud member of the 69th Infantry Association and also a member of the VFW Post 548 and American Legion #2.
Alton retired with 39 years as a tester at Sterling Faucet. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. His favorite pass time was knitting.
Alton is survived by his wife of 59 years Beulah Myers Shahan. The couple was united in marriage October 2, 1949 in a double wedding with his twin brother Allen and Beulah’s sister Beryl in Parsons, WV He is survived by his two children, daughter Jeanette Shahan, a teacher, and son Alton Guy Shahan Jr., a Union Carpenter.
Three sisters also survive him, Millie Carlson, of Edmonds, WA, Edith Koob, Shoreline, WA and Annetta Creekmore, Leesburg, VA and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Ernest (1969) and his mother Lula Robinson Shahan (1997) a stillborn brother, and nine other brothers, Ira (1987), Gay Ross (2006), Everett (1996), his twin brother Allen (1998), Wilson (1990), Virgil (1974), Gerald (1989), Walter (2000), and Darl (2001).
Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Wednesday at the McCulla Funeral Home in Westover. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM at McCulla Funeral Home with Pastor Al Cooper officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery with graveside military honors conferred by the Westover VFW Post # 9916 and the Honors detail of the WV National Guard.
Ruby Dolores Sickle, age 94 of Morgantown passed away Sunday, November 16, 2008. She was born on July 10, 1914 in Buckhannon a daughter of the late Henry Brannon and Ina Cutlip Golden.
She was a homemaker and a Methodist by faith but Ruby’s greatest joy was being around and loving her family.
Ruby is survived by one son and spouse, Tom and Mary Lou Sickle of Fairmont, one daughter and spouse, Janice and Samuel Runner of Morgantown, one son-in-law and spouse, Richard C. Owens and Vivian, one sister, Betty Jean Knotts of Texas, one brother, Edward Chapman of Barrackville, grandchildren, Thomas L. Sickle, Michael Sickle, Lynne Murphy, Timothy Runner, Todd Runner, Jodie Runner, Vicki Daltorio, Richard B. Owens, and Bradley Owens and 19 Great grandchildren.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Harry H. Sickle, one daughter Constance Sue Owens, three sisters, Geneva Tate, Wanda Beck, and Virginia Chapman and three brothers, Blaine Golden, Henry Golden, and Paul Chapman.
Friends may call from 3-5 & 7-9 PM Tuesday at the McCulla Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday at the McCulla Funeral Home with Pastor Timothy Runner officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
Nellie Jane Simonds passed on to eternal life on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at her home in LaCrescenta, California. She was born on May 7, 1919 in Wheeler, West Virginia, and was the daughter of the late Homer and Melissa Roby Brown.
She moved to California in the late 1950’s, and she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Glendale Adventist Hospital. She loved to travel, and she especially cherished the time spent with family and friends when she attended the annual Brown family reunion at Holly River State Park in West Virginia. Her Christian faith was strong, and she enjoyed attending church every Sunday at Foothill Christian Church in LaCrescenta until her failing health prevented her from attending service. Nellie will be remembered for her zest of life, her outgoing personality, and her good sense of humor. She was kind, giving to others, and did not know a stranger. You could often find her singing songs with her granddaughter Robin and her daughter Myrna; her favorite songs were of West Virginia and old Christian hymns.
In addition to her parents, Nellie was preceded in death by her brothers Alton, Camden, Carl, Cecil, Edward, Floyd, Harlan, and Roscoe, and her sisters Media, Ona Gay, Opal, and Vada. She was also preceded in death by her daughter Betty Joann Cassidy and her grandson Jimmy Cassidy. She is survived by her daughter Myrna Loy Ortiz (Duelley) of LaCrescenta, California, a son James Harold Duelley of Medford, Oregon, and 36 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
Nellie’s granddaughter Robin, her “adopted” granddaughter Allis, and her daughter Myrna, who lovingly cared for Nellie the last 6 years of her life, were by her side when she passed. She was loved dearly and the memories of her will be kept close to our hearts forever.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home 770 Fairmont Road, Morgantown on Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the McCulla Funeral Home with Rev. Junior Koon officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
Rev. Luther Dale Sims, age 84 of Wades Run Road, Morgantown went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at his home. He was born January 31, 1926 in Clarksburg a son of the late Earl and Eliza Collins Sims.
Dale had been a minister for years with churches in Romney, Shinnston and other areas of West Virginia. He enjoyed talking about the Bible, sharing his faith with others, and being a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Dale had also been employed by the Towers of WVU.
Dale is survived by his wife of 44 years Leona Sims, they have two children, Kathy and Ed Kerns of Morgantown and John and Carrie Sims of Morgantown. Dale is also survived by four step-children, Anthony and Susie Fletcher of Paw Paw, David and Crystal Fletcher of Smithfield, PA, Charles and Kaye Fletcher of Core, and Deborah and Virgil Nicholson of Morgantown, three grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Ashby and Katherine Abe, great-grandson, Aiden Gibson and step-son, Glenn Fletcher.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the hospice staff of Gennie, DeRonda, Stacy and Ron.
Friends may call at the Riverside Apostolic Church on Tuesday from noon until the 1 PM service with Pastor David Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Tender Loving Care Hospice, 246 Cheat Rd. Suite 3, Morgantown, WV 26508 or Riverside Apostolic Church, P.O. Box 2069, Morgantown, WV 26502. McCulla Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
Richard A. “Rick” Sites, 54, of Dellslow passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. He was born August 26, 1953 in Morgantown a son of the late Sanford Benny and Dorothy Marie Bittinger Sites.
He had been employed as a stock clerk at Lowes. Rick loved spending time with his dog, Sassy.
He is survived by two sisters and spouses, Brenda and Gary Tinney of Morgantown and Barbara and Butch Cogar of Preston County; and three brothers, Michael Sites of NC, Sanford Sites and spouse Susan of Morgantown, and David Sites and spouse Faye of Dellslow.
He is preceded in death by two sisters, Rosemary Sites and Delsie Sharp.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-7:30 PM. Funeral services will be at McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday at 7:30 PM with Rev. Junior Koon officiating. Graveside committal services will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Pleasant Hills Cemetery.
Logan William Slater went to be with the Lord on February 17, 2010. He was born at Mon General Hospital at 1:07 am. He will be deeply missed by his parents, Kristina Garrett and Wayne Slater of Morgantown; grandparents Debra Garrett and Shane Bequeath of Cheat Lake, Lilly and George Slater of Level Green, PA; his great- grandmother Jane Garrett, of Cheat Lake; Aunt Kaylea Bequeath and many more aunts, uncles, and cousins will continue to love him forever.
In honoring the wishes of the family, private services were held. McCulla Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Logan’s parents at Wayne Slater, 1098 Kingwood Pike, Morgantown, WV 26508.
Daisy S. Slonaker, age 75, of Cottonwood Street, Morgantown passed away Thursday, December 4, 2008 at Monongalia General Hospital. She was born May 30, 1933 in Bedford, OH a daughter of the late Scott Elwood and Ethel Cashmore Shaner.
Daisy was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church. She enjoyed the outdoors and crafts, was an avid bird watcher and loved camping with her family at Big Bear Lake.
Daisy is survived by her husband of 52 years, John F. Slonaker of Morgantown; two sons, Daniel F. Slonaker of Morgantown and John G. Slonaker of Bowie, MD; one daughter, Mary K. Slonaker of Virginia Beach, VA; four grandchildren, John E. Slonaker, Lena K. Slonaker, Anna L. Slonaker, and Michael L. Slonaker; one sister, Rose Riggins of Washington, PA; and four brothers Gerald Shaner of West Alexander, PA, Theodore Shaner of Benwood, WV, Stanley Shaner of Washington, PA, and Carl Shaner of West Alexander, PA.
One sister, Rachel Burrows and one brother, Harold Shaner, preceded Daisy in death.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Saturday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM and on Sunday from 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM Funeral service with Rev. Rick Howard officiating. Graveside services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the West Alexander Cemetery in West Alexander, PA.
Elizabeth J. Smith, 60, of Morgantown passed away on January 28, 2010 at home. Elizabeth was born March 5, 1949 in Morgantown, a daughter of Marjorie Schultz Lee of Star City.
She was a homemaker who loved her family and was a Christian by faith. She found enjoyment in crafts, arranging flowers, and baking.
In addition to her mother, Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 43 years, Ronald H. Smith Sr., two sons Ronald H. Smith, Jr and Thomas S. “Fusser” Smith, both of Morgantown, two sisters, Rebecca Sue Ferguson, of Texas and Judy Simmons, of Morgantown, one brother, James Miller, of Morgantown, and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call at McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday, January 31 from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 1 at 11:00 a.m. at McCulla Funeral Home with Rev. Joseph Condulucci officiating. Interment will follow at the Beverly Hills Cemetery.
