James Vernon Abner, Sr.
James Vernon Abner, Sr., 79, of Leon, passed away Monday, March 1, 2021, following a short illness. He was a life-long farmer, and enjoyed spending time outdoors and working on the farm.
Born May 31, 1944, he was the son of the late James D. Abner and Melvina Smith Abner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen M. Abner; and daughter, Peggy Shropshire.
He is survived by his first wife and companion, Carolyn Dockham; children, Lisa Abner, James V. Abner, Jr., Larry Abner, Brian Burdsall, Anthony Abner, Anthony Lee Abner, Douglas Abner, Corbett Halterman, Bill Barnett, and Michael Halterman; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at the Abner Family Cemetery, with Pastor Pete Cobb officiating.

Lyra Cochran
Lyra Marie Higginbotham Cochran, 72, of Red House, passed away March 5, 2021.
She is survived by her children Peyton “Doc” Johnson, Darrell L. Higginbotham and George P. Higginbotham; stepchildren Loretta Deal, Steve Cochran and Richard Cochran; brother Jay Johnson; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; six step grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Lyra Cochran was held Monday, March 8, 2021, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Burial was in New Antioch Cemetery

Stanley Edwards
Stanley Curtis Edwards, 68, of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on March 4, 2021, after a short illness. He was a retired heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineer Local 302 also running his own business. He was preceded in death by his parents Delmer and Mammie Edwards and brother Jimmy Edwards, brother-in-law Joe Vance.
He is survived by his son, Michael Edwards; daughters, Nancy Ball, Kristie Edwards all of Hurricane and Sierra Edwards of Buckhannon; 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; brothers Roger (Brenda) Edwards, Chad (Heather) Edwards; sisters Wanda (Richard) Womack and Cindy Vance and his significant other Joan Thomason.
Funeral service was Sunday, March 7, at Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Keith Torman officiating. Burial was in Edwards Cemetery.
Ronnie McClaugherty
Ronnie Eugene McClaugherty, 73, of Hurricane, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington.
He was born February 9, 1948 in Pearisburg, VA, a son of the late Albert Eugene McClaugherty and Edna Virginia Hodge McClaugherty James. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Obie and Notie McClaugherty and Thomas J. and Edna Hodge; his brother, Johnnie Dale McClaugherty.
Ronnie was a loving husband, father and grandfather. A Christian, he was a member of Teays Valley Church of God and was the business owner of Ron’s TV Service, Inc., Hurricane. He was also formerly employed by ADT. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1969-71 in the 1st Marine Division, Da Nang, Vietnam. He loved horseback riding, traveling with his children and grandchildren as well as reading his Bible. He was a member of the Milton VFW Post 9796.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Elaine; children, Steven McClaugherty (Carla) of Knoxville, TN, April Tanner (Larry) of South Charleston; grandchildren, Jacob and Rylie McClaugherty, Emma and Luke Tanner. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Larue of Peterstown as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Teays Valley Church of God, with Pastors Melissa Pratt, Ken Toler and David Bowen officiating. Burial was in Peterstown Cemetery, Rich Creek, VA.

Adam “Fruity” Mullins
Adam Corey “Fruity” Mullins, 33, of Hurricane, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021, after a short illness. He was a 2006 graduate of Hurricane High School and was attending WV Junior College and formerly employed at CAMC Teays Valley.
He is survived by his parents James and Katherine Mullins and sister Elizabeth Henderson. Grandparents, Judith Spencer Warner and Richard Spencer.
A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends.

Judith Ann O’Neil
Judith Ann O’Neil, 71 of Teays Valley, born August 9, 1949, passed at 1:54 AM on March 3, 2021.
She was a beautiful soul who made everyone around her feel loved and special. She was a very feisty woman who knew what she wanted and would not take no for an answer. She was a home health nurse for many years and retired 6 years ago.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and most importantly friend. She lived a long, wonderful life full of laughter, smiles, tears and love.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 39 years Thomas P. O’Neil; son Brian Sharpe; uncle Russel “Bunny” Eskins; grandson Danny O’Neil; sister Elizabeth Bane; sister Elaine Symuleski; brother Voughn Bane; mother Crystal Mills and father Carl Bane.
She is survived by her children Larry Newberry, Bryan Newberry, Megan Newberry, Shirly O’Neil, Kathryn O’Neil, Thomas P. O’Neil, Jr., Joseph O’Neil (Nancy), William “Billy” O’Neil and Theresa Knop (Jeff); siblings Rick Mills (Wanda), Lovena Hager, Yvonne Davis and Carl Bane, Jr. and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Judith O’Neil was held Saturday March 6, 2021, at Teays Valley Church of the Nazarene with Pastors Charles V. Williams and Roger Eskins officiating. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Archie Lewis Oxley
Archie Lewis Oxley, 85, of Hurricane, died on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Teays Valley Hospital after a short illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Garnet Oxley; sisters, Madeline Oxley and Lula Bell Oxley. Surviving are his wife, Lillian Oxley; daughter, Deborah Oxley and son, Bart Oxley all of Hurricane.
Funeral service was Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Allen Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Mallory officiating. Burial was in Culloden Cemetery.

James Allen Rogers
James Allen Rogers, 82, of Eleanor, went home to be with the lord on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at Hubbard Hospice House West at Thomas Memorial Hospital. He served his country honorably in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. He retired from Bayer Corporation in Institute and was a member of the Buffalo Church of the Nazarene.
Born September 26, 1938, he was the son of the late Herbert and Ruby Rogers. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Janet L. Rogers and daughter, Drema Roberts.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary McCoy Rogers; grandchildren, Holly (William B.) Deweese of Buffalo, Tara Morgan Mays of Buffalo, Seth E. Roberts and Haley Jane Roberts both of Fraziers Bottom; great grandchildren, Harper Deweese and Addison Lewis, son in law, Harvey Roberts Jr. of Fraziers Bottom; brother, Lawrence (Janet) Rogers of Hurricane; sister, Jenny (Kenneth) Cantley of Shelbyville KY; step-children, Steven McCoy of Eleanor, Sheila McCoy of Eleanor, Bart McCoy of Rochester MN and Travis McCoy of Greer SC; seven step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Friday March 5, 2021, at Buffalo Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Chris Stevens officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park, Buffalo.

Larry Arnold Stover
Larry Arnold Stover, 72, of Winfield, went join his parents in Heaven on February 28, 2021.
He was a Christian, a wonderful father to his two sons, husband and soul mate to his “Sweetie” for 56 years and CPA in profession.
Larry was humble man of few words who has received many professional accolades and helped many many people throughout his life. He was a hunter and avid fisherman but most importantly he was a farmer at heart and had a special love for the family farm on 18 Mile Creek.
Preceded in death by his parents Hollis and Maxine Stover and his brother Monte Stover.
Survived by his wife Emily Summers Stover; their sons, Clayburn A. Stover (Breanna), and John A.M. Stover, both of Eleanor; grandchildren, Callie Anne and Cash Archer “Archie” Stover and Chloe Dawn Browning all of Eleanor, sister/sister-law Nancy E Reishman of Hurricane and her children Allison and Wade of California; sister, Linda Canterbury; nieces, Gretchen Craddock, Julie Craddock, Jacqueline Fisher, Misty Lanier, Mendy Fiori and Michelle Stover.
Burial was at the Stover farm.

Caryl Sue Toth
Caryl Sue (Butterbaugh) Toth, 84, of Hurricane, died peacefully at home on Thursday, February 18th, 2021.
She is preceded in death by her parents Eugene E. Butterbaugh and Nancy L. Meyers and by her husband, Dr. Powell E. Toth. In addition, she was preceded in death by her sister Patricia Kyle and grandson, Bryce Toth.
She earned her BA in 1972 and her MA in 1974, both from Marshall University.
She began her teaching career as a part-time art instructor in 1973 at Marshall University and as an art teacher for Putnam County Elementary Schools. As her teaching career progressed, she became the teacher of the intellectually gifted for Putnam County Schools and then became the teacher of the Artistically Gifted for Putnam County Schools until her retirement in 2002. Her professional career also included other positions such as designer/planner of the West Virginia Permanent Collection Exhibition at the West Virginia Cultural Center and co-founder of the Museum in the Community.
She is well known in the art community in West Virginia and beyond for her many accomplishments, exhibits, and awards in art. She has held several solo exhibits at the Art Store in Charleston, and elsewhere in West Virginia along with solo exhibits at Maxine Gold Gallery in Mill Valley, CA and Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts in Wilmington, DL. She also participated in numerous juried shows and won several awards for her work, including the Governor’s award in 1985 and 1993 as part of the WV Juried Exhibition at the WV Cultural Center. Other juried exhibitions she participated in were in several states across the country.
She had a passion for life and remained active in the art community very late in life.
She is survived by her children Matthew Toth (Debra) of Atlanta, GA, Amy Booth of Hurricane, and Carrie Dugan (Jerry) of Copley, OH; grandchildren, Logan (Greg), Cassidy (Julia), Skylar, Emma, Anna (Stuart), Samuel, Jerry, and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Camden, Ryland, Elliot, Pia, and Poppie; sister, Nancy Liffick of Waynesville, OH, and brother, Eric Butterbaugh of Waynesville, OH.
A graveside service will be held later in the year when she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Powell.

Bill M. Whittington
Bill M. Whittington, 91 of Buffalo, passed away Sunday March 7, 2021, at Hubbard Hospice House West at Thomas Memorial Hospital. Bill had a quote that he told everyone “I’ve lived a good life.” He attended the Buffalo Church of God. He was a U.S Army veteran and retired from Ravenswood Aluminum (Constellium Rolled Products). Bill served as Mayor of the Town of Buffalo and was a town councilman for many years. He enjoyed cooking, farming, gardening and spending time in the outdoors. He loved watching sports especially the Cincinnati Reds, WVU football and WVU basketball.
Bill was the son of the late Otis Whittington and Edith Helen (Johnson) Shonkwiler. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jackie Whittington and Raymond Whittington.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Sophia Grimes Whittington; daughter, Melody (Bill) Matthews of Buffalo; son, Billy (Brenda) Whittington of Buffalo; grandson, Anthony (Rebecca) Whittington; great grandchildren, Bryson, Kelsey and Braylea, all of Wayne county; nephews, James Otis Whittington, Phillip Whittington and Nyle Whittington.
An outdoor funeral service was held Wednesday March 10, 2021, at the Buffalo Church of God with Rev. Mitchell Burch officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Memorial Park, Buffalo.

Helen Winter
Helen Bush Winter, 95, of Hometown, died on March 4, 2021, peacefully at CAMC Teays Valley ICU following surgery for colon cancer. She was surrounded by family both in person and virtually. Helen was born on Feb 4, 1926, to Harry J. Bush and Mary (Black) Bush in East Stroudsburg PA., the last of six children all of whom have preceded her in death. She was a graduate of St. Matthew’s Catholic School, East Stroudsburg High School and Lackawanna Business School in Scranton PA in 1945. She went to work at the Veteran’s Administration in Washington DC where she met her husband Lewis J. Winter and they were married on September 14, 1946 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in East Stroudsburg PA. They were married just shy of 50 years when Lewis died in January of 1996.
Helen worked for the Telephone Company and for several Clark University Professors in Worcester MA supporting her family while Lewis was in graduate school. They moved to Providence and then Warwick Rhode Island where Helen was active with many educational efforts including the Governor’s Council on Education as well as her children’s’ local school PTA’s often serving in leadership. She was an adult leader for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America and when she moved to WV in 1971 she continued her work with youth as a Girl Scout leader and member/secretary of the Berkely County Youth Fair. In 1978 Helen moved to Hometown working for 13 years at Century Cable Company until retirement.
Helen and Lewis had four children: Nicholas Winter (Candy) of Bellingham MA, deceased; The Rev. Cheryl Ann Winter of Hurricane; Catherine Grant (William) of Canton MA; Lewis Hervey Winter (Susan) of Hometown. She is survived by 7 grandchildren: Kevin Winter; Erin Rymer (Bill); Andrew Winter; Phillip Winter; Kenzie Winter; Anna Winter; Martha Albright (Doug): and four great grandchildren; Antonio Millican, Michael Millican, A.J. Rymer and Elizabeth Rymer; and many nieces and nephews from coast to coast.
Helen was a devoted Roman Catholic who was active in every parish where she lived. She raised her children faithfully and was a mentor and teacher to many children and youth as they grew up in the church. Since 1978 she has served in ministry at St. Patrick’s in Bancroft as an Extraordinary Minister, Faith Formation Teacher, Pastoral Council Member, and participated in the Women’s guild, Gabriel Project and Bowling League, and a wise advisor to many.
Helen’s presence in the lives of her church, her community, her friends, and family will be missed but the memories of her fun-loving ways, wit, storytelling, and unconditional love will fill the void.
Burial Mass was held Thursday, March 11, 2021, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Bancroft with Father Chapin presiding. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens.