HAROLD BRENT GRAY
Harold Brent Gray, 74, of Flemington passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
He was born on December 19, 1942, in Rosemont, a son of the late James L. and Rebecca Lucille (Sterling) Gray. His wife, Adra Anna Gray, of 54 years survives.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gray is survived by two children, a daughter, Kathleen Anne Cooper and husband, Carl Robert, of Harmony Grove, and son, Jeffrey Alan Gray, and wife, Crystal, of Flemington; four grandchildren, Joshua Robert Cooper of Grafton, Evan Brent Gray of Bridgeport, Ryan Alexander Gray of Grafton and Courtney Rose Gray of Flemington; two great-grandchildren, Brentley Alan and Logan Charles Gray; one sister Cheryl McCray and husband, Tom, of Rosemont; one brother Randy Gray and wife Rita of Rosemont; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents Harold was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Gray.
Harold was a graduate of Flemington High School, class of 1960, and then he served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He was a sheet metal worker, retiring from Loudon Sheet Metal in Chantilly, VA. In his younger years, Harold played basketball at Flemington High, played on a softball league and enjoyed coaching youth sports. He loved to fox hunt, NASCAR racing and watching sports of any kind. Harold was Methodist by faith.
JEFFREY ALLEN STIER
Jeffrey Allen Stier, 51, of Shinnston, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at his residence.
He was born in Fairmont on December 21, 1965, a son of Martha E. Lowe Stier of Ohio and the late Charles W. Stier II.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Jean Matheny Stier, whom he married on May 21, 1989.
Also surviving are two sons, Justin Allen Stier and Dakota Matthew Stier; his siblings, Kathy Long and her companion, Bill, OH, Becky Bunnell, Wiley, WV, Ronald D. Stier and his wife, Angel, Heather Stier and her companion, Rick, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
Jeff was employed as a salesman for Parcs Equipment and had served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He was a member of Jewel City Church, where he assisted with the sound ministry. Jeff was a hard worker and a dedicated and devoted husband and father. He loved his dog, “Bella,” and was very kind and compassionate. He will be sadly missed.
EDNA MAE SIMMONS BUTCHER
Edna Mae Simmons Butcher, age 95, of Jake Run Road, Lost Creek, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Phillip and Connie Hobbs. She was born May 24, 1921, in Valley Head, WV, a daughter of the late Amos Allman Simmons and Lucy Ann Channell Simmons.
Her husband, Clellie Cleo Butcher, whom she married in Jackson’s Mill on November 8, 1937, preceded her in death on March 6, 1987.
Surviving are one son and four daughters, Clifford “Linn” Butcher and his wife Barbara of Mt. Clare, Carolyn M. Romine of Mt. Clare, Patricia S. Blankenship of Meadowbrook, Mary E. Summerfield of Milton, and Connie L. Hobbs and her husband Phillip of Boothsville. Edna has 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren and two on the way. Also surviving are her two brothers, Verl Simmons and his wife Carolyne of Elkins and Arnett Simmons of Valley Head, along with several extended grand and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, including special nephew Carl Butcher of Ohio.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Edna was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Lee and Larry Kent Butcher; one grandson, Ernest Romine; one granddaughter, Nancy Blankenship Lough; two infant grandchildren; one brother and four sisters, Troy Simmons, Myrtle Gay, Ruth Channell, Rella Tucker, and one who passed away in infancy; and three sons-in-law, Kenneth Blankenship, Ray Summerfield and Albert Romine.
At the age of 13, her mother died and her whole life changed. Being the oldest of four children, she had most of the responsibility for caring for her brothers and sisters. Her dad hired a housekeeper part time to help out; she was from Jackson’s Mill. When the housekeeper returned home, her family sent a letter to Edna’s father asking if she could come to Jackson’s Mill to help care for their family and her dad let her go. She was 16 years old and that’s when she met and married her husband of 49 years.
Our mother was a role model, loving, giving, sharing and putting others before her own needs. She was a modest and faithful woman. Her life was not easy by any means, but she never complained. She was a very strong woman and instilled that in her children. Her pride and joy were her family. She fulfilled a life-long commitment to impressing upon her children and grandchildren the tremendous value of faith, honesty, courage, hard work, pride and, most of all, her love. Her compassion, elegance, love of life, wisdom and wit are her legacy.
She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, canning, cooking for her family and friends. She always enjoyed having her family together for holidays and Sunday dinners. She loved caring for her animals and spending time with her grandchildren, who were her greatest joys in life. She spent her whole life as a loving homemaker for her family.
Our mother always told stories about those hard but happy days. Now our mother rests and lives in peace in the beautiful clouds she used to dream about when she was young. She was the heart of our family and will be dearly missed. She was a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church, a 55-year member of Continuing Education Outreach Service, Red Hats Society, Lost Creek Senior Citizens, was a volunteer at the Lost Creek Nutrition Center and Queen of the Lost Creek Fall Festival.
A special thank you to People’s Hospice for their dedicated and compassionate care. Thank you to nurses Jennifer Kaufman and Emily Ramsey for all their love and support.
JOHN THOMAS MAYLE II
John Thomas Mayle II, 59, of Flemington, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. He was born on September 27, 1957, in Clarksburg, a son of John Thomas Mayle and wife Roxie of Fairmont, and the late Mary Jane Mayle.
In addition to his father and stepmother, John is survived by his three children: daughter Christina Marie Zinn and husband Mark of Flemington, son John Thomas Mayle III “J.T.” of Huntington and daughter Amanda Lynn Mayle of Clarksburg; one sister, Tina McDonald and husband Charles of Laramie, WY; one brother, Shawn Mayle and wife Beth of Simpson; and three grandchildren: Sawyer and Draven Zinn and Audrey Mayle.
John was a graduate of Flemington High School and then served his country honorably in the United States Navy. He was a crane operator for Well Service Group and enjoyed working there. John loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was a hard worker and liked doing projects around the house. One of his greatest joys, though, was being a grandpa.
DEBRA KAY “DEBBIE” WELCH
Debra Kay “Debbie” Welch, 63, of Flemington passed away on Monday, March 6, 2017, at home with her family by her side.
She was born on June 22, 1953, in Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Goff and Nellie (Tirney) McKinney.
Her loving husband of 46 and a half years survives, Jerry Lee Welch.
In addition to her husband, Debbie is survived by her two children, Lee Welch and wife, Marsha, of Flemington and Angela Zannino and companion, Joeby Phares, of Flemington; five grandchildren, Kaylee and Kortney Welch, and Brandon, Travis and Anthony Zannino; two brothers and two sisters, Paul McKinney and wife, Sandra, of Grafton, Tom McKinney and wife, Donnice, of Flemington, Madge Hennen of Good Hope and Annabelle Hostler of Grafton; her mother-in-law, Betty Welch of Flemington; and her chocolate lab “Lacey,” as well as several nieces and nephews.
Debbie was a graduate of Flemington High School and worked as the office manager for Dr. Weinstein’s office for many years, and then as the office manager for Medbrook Medical Associates. She loved making stained glass, gardening and working in her yard and pond. Debbie also enjoyed camping and traveling with her husband Jerry. She loved her family, especially her grandkids.
MILDRED IRENE WOLFORD
Mildred Irene Wolford, 91, of Bridgeport, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017.
She was born in Sutton on December 16, 1925, a daughter of the late William C. and Ida B. Whytsell Coffman.
She is survived by her husband, Bernard “Jack” Arthur Wolford, whom she married on September 8, 1946. Also surviving are one daughter, Prudence Collins and husband, Donald, of Summit Park; two grandchildren, Donna Ann Collins and Deanna Collins-Allevato and husband, Jimmy; four sisters, Ertha Carder of Belpre, OH, Louvilla Medina of Spelter, Aurellia Bilyard and husband, Ron, of Petersburg and Sandra Gonzalez and husband, Ron, of Shinnston; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, James, Wilmer and Audice Coffman; and one sister, May Sue Jackson.
Mrs. Wolford was a member of the Lucinda Rose Auxiliary No. 573 VFW, American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 13 and Chapter No. 409 Women of the Moose. She was also a member of the Anmoore United Methodist Church. Mrs. Wolford loved crocheting, taking care of her family and working at the church with the ladies.
MARY LOU GARRETT
Mary Lou Garrett, 77, of Clarksburg, passed away Monday, March 6, 2017, at Clarksburg Nursing and Rehab surrounded by her family.
She was born November 27, 1939, in Alexandria, IN, the daughter of the late Charles Barth Sr. and Margaret (Goodnight) Barth.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Leah L. Lawson and husband, James, of Clarksburg; a granddaughter, Lou Ann Grant and husband, TJ, of Clarksburg; two grandsons, Justin Lawson and Ryan Lawson, both of Clarksburg; seven great-grandchildren, Casey Messenger, Christian Jenkins, Caleb Jenkins, Camden Jenkins, Cananna Talarico, TJ Grant and Conner Grant; two brothers, Charles Barth, Jr. of Anderson, IN, and James Barth of Clarksburg; a sister-in-law, Wilma Barth and husband, Jim, of Clarksburg; a brother-in-law, Roger of Clarksburg; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her ex-husband, Glenn Edward Garrett; a brother, Kenneth Booth; and a sister, Matilda Booth.
Mary worked for three years at Martin’s Grill. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church. Mary also enjoyed taking care of and setting with the elderly.
LINDA LOU CUMBERLEDGE
Linda Lou Cumberledge, 71, of Wallace, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.
She was born February 1, 1946, in Smithfield, the daughter of the late Osty Arnett and Lucy Elizabeth Price.
Linda worked as a baker at USA Steakhouse and Western Steer in Clarksburg. She also worked at Target in Bridgeport and Paymaster in Chicago, IL.
Linda is survived by her husband of 26 years, Allen Dewayne Cumberledge; two sons, Junior Santos and wife, Michele, of Wallace, and Richard Cumberledge of Crestline, OH; three daughters, Elizabeth Santos and Ana Marie Santos of Morgantown and Debbie Cabrera and husband, Luis, of Chicago, IL; her two sisters, Emma Poling of Steubenville, OH, and Betty Shaw of Wallace; one brother, John Arnett and wife, Darlene, of Wallace; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Linda was also preceded in death by her parents, Osty Arnett and Lucy Elizabeth Price; her first husband, Dionisio M. Santos; two brothers, Jimmy Arnett and Clarence Arnett; one sister, Shirley Owens; and her son, Randy Cumberledge.
Linda was Pentecostal by faith.
KATHERINE ANN ROWH
Katherine Ann Rowh, 53, of Bridgeport, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born in Clarksburg on July 3, 1963, a daughter of the late Michael DiMaria and Sharon Gordon DiMaria, who survives in Nutter Fort.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Rowh, whom she married on November 20, 1981; two sons, Jonathan Rowh and his companion, Katie, of Nutter Fort, and Adam Rowh and his companion, Anna, of Clarksburg; granddaughter, Harper Rowh; brothers, Michael Richard DiMaria of Bridgeport and Michael Anthony DiMaria II of Clarksburg; sisters, Melissa DiMaria of Columbus, OH, Cindy Reaser of Newark, DE, and Amy DiMaria Blake and her husband, Frank, of Clarksburg; niece, Katelyn Reaser; and nephew, Anthony Helm.
Katherine was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and her family was first and foremost in her life. She was deeply rooted in her Christian faith.
JOHN HANS GERLACH
John Hans Gerlach, age 77, of Lost Creek, WV, lost his brief but courageous battle with leukemia and diabetes with his family by his side while at UHC. He passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017.
A German immigrant christened Joachim Hans Gerlach and the eldest of two sons, John was born in West Berlin in 1939, months before the start of World War II. Son of the late Hans Friederich and Charlotte Roesler Gerlach, his father was taken captive during the war, held in a Siberian prison camp and was only one of a handful of survivors to be liberated from the camp at the end of the war.
Immigrating to the U.S. at age 14, the family settled in Michigan with no English language skills.
At age 18, after acquiring his pilot’s license, he joined and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1968 in both Korea and Vietnam. Sergeant First Class John Gerlach became the youngest recipient of the Department of Defense’s Joint Service Commendation Medal award by the US Secretary of Defense.
In 1969, John started a new career as an air traffic controller for the FAA, which brought him in the early 70s to Benedum Airport in Bridgeport, WV. In 1979, he moved his family to Lost Creek, WV. In 1984, he transferred to Morgantown Municipal Airport, retiring twice, once after 30 years of federal service only to return five years later as control tower manager, giving an additional 21 years of service before his second retirement in April 2016 at age 76. With over 50 years of service, John held the record for the longest servicing tower manager in history.
John embraced the 2nd Amendment and his right to bear arms. His passions included hunting, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, flying, camping, hunting, model airplanes, cars, landscaping, animals and barbecuing.
Having just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, John is survived by devoted wife, Charlotte Catlett Gerlach; sons, Philip Gerlach of Washington, D.C., and Thomas Gerlach of Kearneysville, WV; daughter, Deborah Gerlach Klaus of Winston-Salem, NC; granddaughters, Ashley Gerlach and Brittany Gerlach Miller of Clarksburg, WV; grandsons, Jacob Klaus, Stephen Dockney, Jr. (Mercedes Dockney), Richard White, Jr.; great-grandson, Ashton Sendling; several great-grandchildren; and his brother, Bernd Gerlach (Mary Gerlach) of New Baltimore, Michigan. John will be gravely missed by family, coworkers, friends, dog and cats and fondly remembered as an extraordinary man.
DENVER RAY “MUGGS” STARKEY
Denver Ray “Muggs” Starkey 70, of Clarksburg, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at home.
He was born on September 4, 1946, on Little Rock Camp in Wallace, a son of the late Denver Ray Layfield and Levada June Starkey.
Muggs is survived by his children, Tina and Joe Nusser, Adam and Virginia Starkey, Matthew Starkey, his stepchildren, Torey Mathias, Curtis Mathias, James Campbell; brothers, Roger Starkey, Terry and Donnie Layfield; his sister, Dianna Bartlett; his grandchildren, Michelle and Dave Pfeffers, Aaron, Amber, Tony, Zachary Gompf, AAliyah Starkey, Connor; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Madison, Nevaeh, Kandice, Hayliegh, Malichi, Lilyanna, Ava; his aunt, Emma Clevenger; uncles, Lawrence Starkey, Charles Starkey, Paul Starkey, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Freda Stier Starkey and Charles Starkey; his brother, Anthony Fransico, and his wife, Llewella Jayne Starkey.
Muggs was an avid book reader and a former truck driver at Simm’s brothers in Marion, Ohio.
JOHN “BUB” JORGENSEN JR.
John “Bub” Jorgensen Jr., 46, of Clarksburg, went home to be with the Lord March 12, 2017, with his family by his side.
He was born July 3, 1970, in Clarksburg, to Jeanie Boyce Jorgensen and John Jorgensen Sr.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Wellington Lester Boyce and Marjorie Maude Maxson Boyce; and his paternal grandparents, Sylvia Blanche McNurlen Jorgensen and Lillian Ermenia McNurlen Phillips and Fred Phillips.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his children, John Jorgensen III and Rebecca Jean Jorgensen, both of Clarksburg; and a sister, Lorie Jorgensen Brown, and husband, Shawn, of Flatwoods. He is also survived by his best friend since kindergarten, Dennis Mazza II and his furry companions, Angel and Molly. Finally, he is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was an avid sports fan and loved the Mountaineers, Steelers and Penguins. If you knew Bub, he was never serious about anything. He hated the Pitt Panthers with a passion, so he more than anyone would find it ironic that he died in a University of Pittsburgh Hospital. He played football and track at Liberty High School.
He attended North View United Methodist Church since he was a child and knew the Lord as his Savior. He loved spending time with his camping buddy, Angel, at Big Bear Lake. More than anything, he cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children who were the light of his life.