On Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, after a life dedicated to helping those troubled in mind and spirit, F. Joseph Whelan, MD, MS, of Barkers Ridge Road, Corinne, died in the Charleston Area Medical Center following a long illness. He was 68 years of age.
Christened Francis Joseph Whelan, Dr. Whelan was born on Feb. 21, 1938, in Ft. Warren, Wyo., he was the son of the late Joseph Francis Xavier and Helen Sankot Whelan.
Dr. Whelan spent his childhood in Irving and Belle Plaine, Iowa. Dr. Whelan completed his pre-medical course at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University Of Iowa, College Of Medicine. A recipient of a Master of Science degree from the University of Iowa, his internship and residency was Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Boston, Mass.
Dr. Whelan served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, during which he served in numerous capacities.
Dr. Whelan became a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in 2002. The Distinguished Life Fellowship of the American Psychiatric Association was conferred on Dr. Whelan on Jan. 1, 2003.
Licensed to practice medicine in the states of Alaska, Virginia, Hawaii, Iowa and West Virginia, Dr. Whelan was the founder of the Whelan Medical Clinic in Beckley with branches in Oceana and Hinton. His last position was as a psychiatrist at Mari Sullivan Walker Inc. in Pineville. He also served as an associate faculty member of the medical schools at WVU and Marshall University.
He held numerous positions with the WV Psychiatric Association, including Delegate to the American Psychiatric Association. He was a life member of Phi Rho Sigma Fraternity as well as a member of the American and WV Psychiatric Association, Raleigh County Medical Society, the International Biometeorological Society and he was a life member of the DAV.
He was a founding member of the Wyoming County Vietnam Veterans of America and a member of the Princeton VVA. He also was Commander of the Wyoming County Civil Air Patrol 1999-2002 and WVCAP Lt. Colonel, WV Wing Medical Officer, Squadron.
Dr. Whelan was a Roman Catholic. In later years he has worshiped at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill.
His children would like you to remember him as a “True Viking” in spirit. He loved his family, adventure, and was dedicated to his patients. Dedicated, almost to a fault, he would never turn someone down that needed help and was unable to pay for their medical needs, often putting himself in a difficult situation.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Michael.
He is the beloved father of Joseph Floyd Whelan of Corinne; Benjamin Neal Whelan and his wife Melanie of Oak Hill, and David Alexander Whelan of Beckley; a daughter-in-law, Sally Whelan of Beckley; dear grandfather of Danielle Alaska, Connor Dante and Riley Darwin Whelan; and the nephew of Hope Rogers of Vinton, Iowa. Numerous friends, colleagues and patients also survive.
Friends may call at the Melton Mortuary Chapel, 1200 Harper Road, Beckley, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday evening. A Vigil Prayer service will be conducted by Fr. Paul Yuenger of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish at 7:30 p.m.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Bonnie Ethel White
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Bonnie Ethel White, 90, of 648 E. Main St., died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at her home.
Born Aug. 29, 1916, in Layland, WV, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Edith Liveley White. She was a graduate of Concord College in Athens, WV, and Holmes Bible College in Greenville, SC, and a member of Fairforest Church of God.
Survivors include a sister, Lillian Wade of Spartanburg, SC; a nephew, Larry Mullins of Spartanburg, SC; and a niece, Priscilla Morgan of Stanton, VA.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Randall, Roy, and Ray White.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel conducted by the Rev. John H. Petty, III. The family will receive friends following the service at the Chapel. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals Service, P.O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.
The family is at the home of her nephew, Larry Mullins, 508 Brian Drive, Spartanburg, SC.
Arrangements by The J.F. Floyd Mortuary, Spartanburg, S.C.
James Woodrow Wyatt
CLEVELAND, Ohio — James Woodrow Wyatt, 74, formerly of Stover, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, in Cleveland following a short illness.
Graveside rites will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Miller cemetery at Rock Creek with military honors by the VFW, Oak Hill Post 3110.
Those wishing to attend the services are asked to meet at the cemetery by 12:30 p.m.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Howard Wayne Stanley
WHARNCLIFFE — Howard Wayne Stanley died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006.
Service will be noon Friday at Wharncliffe Church of God, Wharncliffe. Friends may call 6 to 10 p.m. today at the church.
Arrangements by Mounts Funeral Home, Gilbert.
Glen Mason Thorn
NEW RICHMOND — Glen Mason Thorn, 77, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, in a Welch hospital following a long illness.
Born April 17, 1929, at Dott, he was the son of the late Grover C. and Vernie Bailey Thorn.
Mr. Thorn was a former employee of Deerfield Tipple and a member of the New Richmond Chapel.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three sisters, Ada and Nina Thorn and Addie Rhodes; four brothers, Harry, Earl, Clyde and Herbert Thorn.
Those left to cherish his memory include a sister, Viola O’Donnell of Princeton; a brother, Carl Thorn and his wife, Fern, of New Richmond; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Tankersley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ronald Adkins and the Rev. Larry England officiating. Burial will follow in the Bailey cemetery at Rock.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.
Grace Marie Meador Rabb
MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — Grace Marie Meador Rabb, 88, of 403 Jeffrey Court, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, at her residence.
She was born in West Virginia, a daughter of the late William and Maude Meador.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Rabb; and a daughter, Oketa Jane Graham.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Suttle and husband, Ivan of Flint, Mich., Paula Rowe and husband, Reuben, of Mt. Holly; three sons, Robert Earl Graham of Spartanburg, S.C., William Edward Graham and Billy Arnold Graham, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including a special grandson, Jessie Rowe.
A graveside service conducted by the Rev. Bruce Bradley will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Gaston Co., P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, N.C., 28053.
Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mt. Holly is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Joseph Whelan
OAK HILL — Dr. Francis Joseph Whelan, formerly of Mullens, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, in the Charleston Area Medical Center following a long illness. He was 68 years of age.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Leonard E. VanDuyne
HILTON HEAD, S.C. — Leonard E. VanDuyne, 78, formerly of East Orange, N.J., died Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006.
Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Wallace & Wallace Chapel, Rainelle. Friends may call one hour before service at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.
Roszetta Neal Willis
MCROSS — Roszetta Neal Willis, 81, died early Monday morning, Dec. 4, 2006, at her home following a long illness.
Born March 7, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Oscar C. Neal Sr. and Madge Pridemore Neal.
She was a former member of Duo Community Church and a homemaker.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Willis Sr., in 1999; two sisters, Levada Hall and Lorena Barton; and a brother, Oscar C. Neal Jr.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda Barker of Rupert, Elizabeth Sloane of McRoss and Athylene Grimmett of Victor; five sons, John Franklin Willis Jr. of Rupert, Billy Edward Willis of Rainelle, Lewis Ray Willis of Rainelle, William Oscar Willis of Mount Olive and Ronald Lee Willis of Summersville; a sister, Geraldine Stuart of Portsmouth, Va.; two brothers, Stanley Neal of Hopewell and James Neal of Hico; special buddy and great-grandson, Travis Tyler Jr.; 30 grandchildren; and several great-grrandchildren.
Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Wallace & Wallace Chapel, Rainelle, with Pastor Dana Gatewood officiating. Burial will follow in Willis cemetery, Graydon.
Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Paul Chirka, John Willis III, Jesse Willis, Matt Willis, Anthony Willis and Kenny Barker.
Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle.
Alleen M. Furrow
WAITEVILLE — Alleen M. Furrow, 103, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at Greenbrier Manor following a long illness.
Arrangements by Groves Funeral Home, Union.
Glen Donald Grose
On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006, Glen Donald Grose of Hudson Street, Mabscott, died of an apparent heart attack at his home. He was 68 years of age.
Glen was born June 17, 1937, in Tamroy, the son of the late Glen Granville and Mary Meddings Grose.
Glen spent his childhood at Maple Fork. A 38-year resident of Mabscott, he was a salesman for W.C. Hydraulics. He attended Oak Grove Christian Church and was a devoted family man; Glen especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a fan of WVU and Marshall University sports.
He was the loving husband of Linda Browning Grose and devoted father of Larry Grose and his wife Amy, of Lorton, Va., and Devin Grose, Lindley Hanson and her husband, Robert, and Lorynne Billings and her husband, Dwight, all of Beckley. He was the dear grandfather of Kailyn, Kregg and Kendyl Hanson, Molly and Mason Grose; a brother to Bradley Grose and his wife, Debbie, and David Grose and his wife, Pam, all of Vinton, Va., and Jim Grose of Roanoke, Va.; and by his mother-in-law, Nola Puckett of Mabscott. Many loving relatives and friends also survive.
Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Melton Mortuary Chapel, Beckley, with the Mr. Ken Overdorf officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Beckley.
Stanley C. Humphreys Sr.
RONCEVERTE — Stanley C. Humphreys Sr., 80, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2006.
Service will be 2 p.m. today at Longanacre Funeral Home, Fort Spring.
Arrangements by Longanacre Funeral Home, Fort Spring.
Steven K. Lafon
Steven K. Lafon, 50, of Beckley, died Monday, April 17, 2006, in Knoxville, Tenn.
