Jack L. Davis, age 85, of 346 S. Florida St. died Friday, Oct. 13, 2006 at St. Josephs Hospital. He was born Oct. 21, 1920 in Alton, WV, a son of the late Leslie and Sadie Wamsley Davis. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sons, Eddie, Roger and Jacob Davis; and two sisters, Jessie Bennett and Maggie Rechel. Surviving are three sons, Sandy Davis of Buckhannon, WV, Ross Fred Davis and wife Sharon of Helvetia, WV and Kerry Grey Davis and Wife Joyce of Buckhannon; one daughter, Deborah Davis Bennett and husband Richard of Beverly, WV; one step son, Leonard Ken Spotloe of Tallmansville, WV; one step daughter, Laquita Bartee of Fort Worth, TX; four sisters, Victoria McClain of Canal Fulton, OH, Mildred Lewis of Buckhannon, WV, Donnas Koon of Salem, OH and Louise Hamner of Buckhannon, WV; Six grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 2 PM Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Indian Camp Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Lewis officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family of Jack L. Davis at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Violet Gadd Coonts
Violet Gadd Coonts, formerly of Buckhannon, died January 18, 2007 at Friends Nursing Home in Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland. She was born September 23, 1913, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of the late Lundy John Gadd and Vada Cart Gadd. She was married to Gilbert Gray Coonts on July 15, 1941, a local attorney of the Law Firm of Hymes and Coonts, who predeceased her. Mrs. Coonts was a graduate of Charleston High School and West Virginia University. She also attended Mason School of Fine Art, Morris Harvey College (now known as the University of Charleston). While a teacher for over 25 years in Kanawha and Upshur Counties high schools, she also served as advisor to the yearbook and newspaper at Buckhannon-Upshur. In 1963, she was awarded a journalism scholarship to Penn State University by the Wall Street Journal. During her last several years at Buckhannon-Upshur, she taught art, which was her life-long hobby. An artist all of her adult life, she went on to teach creative expression at West Virginia Wesleyan College for three years after leaving Buckhannon-Upshur. She was also a teacher of oil painting in the local adult education program. Mrs. Coonts had "one woman shows" at the University Medical Center, Gibson Memorial Library, Stonewall Jackson Library and West Virginia Wesleyan. Mrs. Coonts moved to Buckhannon in 1948 when her late husband entered the practice of law as an associate of the late Myron B. Hymes. She resided on Highland Drive from 1954 until 1998 when she moved to Howard County, MD to be closer to her sons. Mrs. Coonts was active in the local community and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and of the United Methodist Women. She was also a life member of the National Education Association and a member of the Buckhannon PEO, where she served as secretary. She was a member and past president of the Alumni Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta of West Virginia Wesleyan. She belonged to the Upshur County Visual Arts Guild, was a member of Eastern Star and a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Coonts was well-known locally as an artist who loved to paint seascapes, flower studies and landscapes. She also was recognized as a portrait painter. Many of her paintings are owned by local residents and several of her portrait paintings are on display at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She faithfully entered the Strawberry Festival Art Exhibit for many years and was a strong proponent of educating people of all ages about the beauty and inspiration of art. Over the years, she received several "First Place" and "Best of Show" awards in various West Virginia art exhibits. Mrs. Coonts is survived by her two sons, Stephen Coonts of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and John Coonts of Fulton, Maryland, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 from 6-9 PM at the Poling-St Clair Funeral Home in Buckhannon. Funeral Services will be at the First United Methodist Church on Wednesday at 10 AM with the Rev. Damon Rhodes and the Rev. Dr. Charles Godwin officiating. Interment will follow in the Lambert Chapel cemetery near Belington, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Violet, to the First United Methodist Church, 52 South Florida St., Buckhannon, WV 26201. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Verna Jane Chidester
Verna Jane Chidester, age 88, of Rock Cave, WV died Monday, January 29, 2007 at her home. She was born July 25, 1918 in Braxton County, WV, a daughter of the late James Luther and Martha Didema Knicley Brown. On September 29, 1941 she married Wellington Filbert Chidester who preceded her in death on December 30, 1991. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Junior Chidester; one daughter-in-law, Barbara Sue Chidester; one sister, Madgie Casto; two brothers, Estel and Elbert Brown; one grandson, Danny Orick and one great-grandson, Anthony Friend. She is survived by five daughters, Jessie Friend and husband Henry of Rock Cave, Betty Friend and husband Don of Amherst, VA, Martha (Tiny) Shaw and husband Clifford of Buckhannon, WV, Marcella Tinsley and husband Junior of Lynchburg, VA and Kathleen (Kathy) Chidester of New Bethlehem, PA; two sons, Gary Lee Chidester and wife Judy of Blue Creek, OH and David Henry Chidester and wife Marilyn of Springfield, OH; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; several step grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Fitzgerald of Aliquippa, PA and Pauline Drake of Elyria, OH; one brother, Paul Brown of Elyria and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Chidester was a homemaker and a member of the Canaan Church and attended the Rock Cave Baptist Church. Friends will be received Friday, February 2, 2007 from 5-9 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Junior Harris and Pastor David Jesse officiating. Burial will follow in the Canaan Church Cemetery at Canaan, WV. In lieu of flowers friends may make a donation in Mrs. Chidesters name to the Canaan Cemetery or the Rock Cave Family Life Center. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Anna Mae Currence
Anna Mae Currence, age 78, of Lorentz, WV died Thursday, February 01, 2007 at the Barbour County Good Samaritan Center in Belington, WV under the care of Mountain Hospice of Belington. She was born February 24, 1928 in Adolph, WV, a daughter of the late Sterling and Mary Alice Lanham Tenney. On December 29, 1952 she married Stanley Clair Currence who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Rick Currence of Buckhannon, WV and David Currence and wife Brenda of Volga, WV; five daughters, Linda Hinzman and husband Arnold of Buckhannon, Lana Cutright and husband Boyd of Hacker Valley, WV, Lois Tenney and husband Ivan of Buckhannon, Zella Cogar and husband Tim of Hacker Valley, WV and Stella Wright and husband Mark of Buckhannon; three sisters, Ellen Samples of Buckhannon, Clara Scott of Huttonsville, WV and Martha Cochran of Lorentz; eighteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Dexel Currence; a grandson, Sam Cutright; two granddaughters, Sarah and Sabrtina Wilfong; a great grandson, David Austin Currence; and a sister, Mary Tenney. Friends will be received Sunday, February 4, 2007 from 4-8 PM at the Poling-St.Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Mike Westfall, Rev. Jeff Cochran and Preacher Tim Cogar. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Church Cemetery at Hemlock, WV. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruth Lee Crites
Ruth Lee Crites, age 94, of Rt. 6 Buckhannon, WV, died Saturday, March 3, 2007 at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, WV. She was born February 16, 1913 at Imperial, WV a daughter of the late Emmett and Mamie Loudin Lewis. On December 10, 1926 she married Raymond Crites who preceded her in death on February 25, 2000. She is survived by two daughters, Ruth Tenney and husband Charles of Virginia Beach, VA and Patty Mayo and husband Robert of Williamstown, WV; two sons, Darell Crites and wife Betty of Inwood, WV and Carrol Crites and wife Imogene of Buckhannon; five granddaughters, Brenda Mohile and husband David of Leesburg, VA, Myra Roberts and husband Richard of Inwood, Denise Keeley of Norfolk, VA, Kimberly Persico and husband Michael of Franklin Square, NY and Teresa Ferguson and husband Hoy of Elkins, WV; one grandson, Christopher Mayo of Williamstown; three great grandsons, Patrick Mohile of Leesburg, VA, Michael Persico of Franklin Square and Andrew Persico of Franklin Square; two great granddaughters, Crystal (Roberts) Zaccaris and husband Larry of Inwood, Kristy Mayo of Williamstown; one great-great grandson, Austin Zaccaris of Inwood; one great-great granddaughter and Emily Ashton of Sterling, VA; one sister, Jean Blake of Falls Church, VA. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by one great grandson, Cory Roberts and two sisters, Aleta Burke and Elda Lewis. She was a homemaker, member of the Tennerton United Methodist Church and the Floral Rebekah Lodge # 183 of Buckhannon. Friends will be received at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home, Wednesday, March 7, 2007 from 4-8 PM. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Sue Lowther officiating. Burial will follow in the Upshur County Memorial Park. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Jean McKinley Carden
Jean Carden of Maplewood Drive, Bridgeport, WV died at her home Tuesday, May 1, 2007. She was born in Weston, WV, a daughter of the late Clyde and Blanche McKinley McKinley. She was married to John Dana Carden who Preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. M. W. Steele. Surviving Jean are a niece, Mrs. Charles (Nancy) Voelkl of Kettering, OH; a great nephew, Ted Voelkl and wife Susan of OH; a great niece, Carla Howley and children of OH and four cousins, Mary Ellen and Lynn Nehoda of Nitro, WV and Bill McKinley and wife Jo Ann and Elizabeth Mooney all of Weston. Jean was a graduate of Fairmont State College, attended WVWC, was involved in Upshur County Girl Scouts, was a past member of Upshur Co. Red Cross. She also worked tirelessly for many years for the Buckhannon Community Concert Association, was a Life Member of ST. Josephs Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the Buckhannon Arts Alliance and the Upshur County Historical Society. Jean worked with the Area Crippled Childrens Clinic co-sponsored by the Buckhannon Rotary and the State Dept. of Welfare. She was a proud member of the Emeritus Club of WVWC, P.E.O., D.A.R. Elizabeth Zane Chapter, American Assoc. of University Women, WV Hills Chapter of American Colonists and the Buckhannon Country Club. She served as Administrative Assistant to President Martin at WVWC and was a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Weston. Visitation will be Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 1-2 PM at Poling St. Clair Funeral Home and the funeral service will follow with Dr. Herbert Coston officiating. Burial will follow in the Weston Masonic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to West Virginia Wesleyan Scholarship Fund. Poling-St.Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
William Canter
William Canter, age 69, of Volga, WV died Sunday, May 13, 2007 at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, WV. He was born August 25, 1937 in Richwood, WV, a son of the late Denny and Elizabeth Riffle Canter. On August 22, 1973 he married Connie Beckner who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Betty Lemons and husband Bobby of Buckhannon, WV and Beverly Canter of Buckhannon; one grandson, Bobby Lemons, II of Buckhannon; three brothers, Jack, Doc and Gay Canter all of Buckhannon and four sisters, Josephine Fitzgerald of Georgia, Betty Bowman of Buckhannon, Jean Claypool of Hackers Creek, WV and Trecia Lowther of Buckhannon. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter, Becky Canter and several brothers and sisters. Mr. Canter was an Auto Mechanic for WV Department of Highways. Friends will be received Tuesday, May 15, 2007 from 4-8 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10 AM Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Church Cemetery at Hodgesville, WV. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Edwin Milton Chase
Edwin Milton Chase, age 57, of Buckhannon, WV died Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Louis A. Johnson Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV. He was born March 21, 1950, a son of the late Paul Edwin and Thelma May Lantz Chase. Edwin is survived by three sisters, Cindy Long and husband James of Buckhannon, Jane Austinson and husband Butch of California and Faye Hart and husband Richard of Saudi Arabia; a niece, Melanie Moreno of Florida; a nephew, Jamie Hart of Texas; several great nieces and a great nephew. Ed was a skilled carpenter and was masterful when working with his hands and had a skilled patience for detailed work. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. A graveside service will be held 2 PM on June 21, 2007 at the Heavner Cemetery with Rev. J. Edward McDaniels officiating. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Opal E. Coberly
Opal E. Coberly, age 88, of Century, WV died Friday, June 15, 2007 at St. Josephs Hospital. She was born August 24, 1918 in Czar, WV, a daughter of the late Boyd Willis and Pearl Ellen Loudin Herron. On May 5, 1934 she married Burley T. Coberly who preceded her in death on March 29, 1981. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Helen Ancell and husband Frank and one sister and four brothers. She is survived by one daughter, Lena Cook and husband Frank of Midlothian, TX; two sons, Clarence L. Coberly and wife Pauline of Felton, DE and Burley G. Coberly and wife Pat of Buckhannon; one sister, Dessie Harris of Buckhannon; four brothers Leonard Herron of Buckhannon, Lester Herron of Ashtabula, OH, Roy Herron of Ivanhoe, VA and Elmer Laurial Herron of Spartansburg, PA; six grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Coberly was a homemaker and a member of the Turkey Run Community Church and attended Century Community Church. Friends will be received Sunday, June 17, 2007 from 3-8 PM at the Good Hope Tabernacle. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday at the Good Hope Tabernacle with the Rev. Junior Harris and the Rev. Holly Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Virgie Fae Casto
Virgie Fae Casto, age 100, of the Hodgesville Community died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at St. Josephs Hospital in Buckhannon, WV. She was born September 9, 1906 in Upshur County, WV, a daughter of the late Luther and Elta Strader Mick. On September 14, 1929 she married Harold Anthony Happy Casto, who preceded her in death January 17, 1968. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Junior and Oral Mick and three sisters, Ada Romine, Hilda Maxwell and Madeline McKinney. Surviving are a sister, Hellen Easterday of Buckhannon and several nieces and nephews. Fae was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and taught school in Upshur County for ten years. She and her husband were the owners and operators of Happy Castos Store for many years. Mrs. Casto was a member of the Heaston United Methodist Church, the Pringle Tree CEOs, and was active in many church and community organizations. Friends will be received Friday, June 29, 2007 from 6 to 9 PM at Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home in Buckhannon. Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Billee Scott Mick officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Archie Neil Casto
Archie Neil Casto, age 67, of French Creek, WV died Friday, June 29, 2007 at St. Josephs Hospital in Buckhannon, WV. He was born June 15, 1940 in French Creek, WV, a son of the late Archie O. and Ada Mable Hyre Casto. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Loy Casto. He is survived by two daughters, Shelia Casto of PA and Elizabeth Burk of Buena Vista, VA; two sisters, Barbara Coe and husband Virgil of Bellsville, OH and Nancy Stinner and husband Paul of PA; three brothers, Darreld Casto and wife Debbie of PA, Dent Casto and wife Glenna of Rochester, PA and Terrie Casto and wife Rita of PA; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Casto was a steel worker at a Crucible. He was a member of the French Creek Methodist Church and the American Legion. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Edward Corder
Edward Corder, age 76, of Buckhannon, WV died Thursday, September 6, 2007 at his home. He was born July 27, 1931 in Barbour County, WV, a son of the late Piatt Bryan and Gladys Virginia Goldsbourgh Corder. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Corder. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy Wheeler and husband William of Buckhannon; two sons, Danny Corder of Buckhannon and Stephen Corder and wife Glenda of Buckhannon; seven grandsons; Christopher Corder of Buckhannon, Patrick and Jason Corder both of Zanesville, Ohio, Cameron Corder of Buckhannon, Drew Wheeler of Buckhannon. Matt Wheeler of Buckhannon and Tyler Corder of Buckhannon; three great grandsons; Tanner Corder of Zanesville, Ohio, Caleb Corder of Buckhannon, and Ethan Corder of Buckhannon; three great granddaughters ; Emilee Corder of Zanesville, Ohio, Haley Corder of Zanesville, Ohio and Emma Corder of Buckhannon; two brothers, Alfred Corder and Piatt B. Corder, Jr. of Buckhannon; three sisters, Alma McCulty of Buckhannon, Lucy Perkins of Orlando, Florida and Mary Alice Corder of Buckhannon; his former wife Patty (Grogg) Corder of Buckhannon and special friend, Evelyn Hinkle of Buckhannon. He was owner-operator of Corder tractor for 28 years and owned the Kanawha Theater for 12 years. He served with the US Army during the Korean War and is a lifetime member of BPOE #1736, a member of the Buckhannon Moose Lodge # 598 and a volunteer for the Salvation Army for many years. He was an avid card player and a die hard sports fan of the WV Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and BUHS. Friends will be received 6-8 PM, Wednesday September 12, 2007 at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home with a memorial service at 8:00 PM . Rev. William C. Eskew, Jr. and the Rev. David Fisher will be officiating. Buckhannon Elks Lodge # 1736 will provide funeral rites. As a final humanitarian act, he has donated his body to the gift of life registry at WVU. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
