ROBERT “BOB” BAILEY
Robert “Bob” Delano Bailey, 74, of Winfield, passed away on July 31, 2021 peacefully at his home.
Bob was a member of the Buffalo United Methodist Church, where he was the official bell ringer and loved serving others at the Food Pantry. He was a member of several gun clubs, an avid gun and knife collector, and a dog and horse lover. He was a Harley-Davidson Motorcycles enthusiast. He also owned and loved his Whizzer bicycle. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army, based in Korea.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Leonard Ivan Bailey, his beloved dog Tiny and his adopted horse Flash.
Bob is survived by his wife and special friend, Belva Bailey; his faithful companion dog, Bailey; his step children, Jeff (Leshia) Hescht and Jennifer (Michael) Kidd; mother, Dorothy Johnson Foster; brother, Jim (Janie) Bailey; sister, Marlene Black; grandchildren, Lucreshia (Mike) Phillips, JC Hescht, Kelsi Kidd, Emma Kidd; great grandchildren, Holden Phillips and Sawyer Philips. Bob is also survived by nephews and many friends that loved him dearly.
Funeral service was Thursday August 5, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor with Rev. Mark Harris officiating. Burial was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
KATHLEEN CASTLE
Kathleen Denise Castle, 67, of Teays Valley, went home to be with the Lord on July 27, 2021.
Kathleen is the youngest of 12 children. She is a member of Teays Valley Church of God and retired from Mardi Gras Casino.
She is preceded in death by her husband Leslie Castle.
She is survived by her three children Tracy (Kenneth) Frederickson, Patrick Loveland and John Loveland; sister Geraldine Collins; 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Kathleen Castle was held Thursday July 29, 2021 at Teays Valley Church of God with Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt officiating.
REBECCA JUNE HUTCHISON
Rebecca June Hutchison, 63, of Red House, passed away July 30, 2021, at home.
June is a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband H. Robert Hutchison; parents Gerald and Rebecca Martin; sister Lisa Winters and brother Jerry Martin.
June is survived by her three children Geneva Ann Hutchison, Amy Jo and husband Brett Silvester and Robert Edward and wife Michelle Hutchison; grandchildren Abigail and Keely and her siblings Brent and wife Karen Martin, Vickie and husband Gary Rhodes, Bart Martin, Melinda Fox and Mandy and husband Dale Casto.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Rebecca June Hutchison was held Monday, August 2, 2021 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Burial as in Schowen Cemetery, Bancroft.
RONALD PAUL JUSTICE
Ronald Paul Justice, 82, of Scott Depot, passed away Tuesday July 27, 2021, at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, after a brief illness.
Ronald was born August 24, 1938, in Logan, to the late James Haskell Justice and Gladys Lorraine Hill Justice. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 59 years, Glenna Marie Curry Justice, and his son, James Steven Justice.
Ronald, a lifelong attendee and Church of God member for over 65 years, passionately performed various roles in the church including Sunday School Superintendent and Youth Leader, as well as Clerk, a position he proudly held for over 55 years. Often, Ronald pridefully reflected on his service in the United States Air Force, traveling to the Philippines as a telephone installation specialist. True to his values, while in the Philippines, Ronald faithfully performed mission work outside of his military duties.
After completing his military service, Ronald worked professionally in the communications sector throughout Appalachia for over 50 years as an engineer and contractor for companies such as C&P, Bell Atlantic, AT&T, and Verizon. While he prioritized faith, service, and a dedicated work ethic throughout his life, Ronald will notably be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend.
He is survived by his children Ronald Paul Justice Jr. (Jennifer) of Morgantown, Bryan Scott Justice of St. Albans, and Kristi Ann Justice of Charleston; and grandchildren, Ross Justice of Morgantown, Makayla Justice of Madison, Matthew Leaseburg of Boston, and Christopher Leaseburg of Charlotte.
Funeral service was Friday, July 30, 2021, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Rev. Rod Justice, Pastor Leonard May, and Pastor Scotty Dingess officiating. Burial was in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Logan.
PAUL KNAPP
Paul Gordon Knapp, 85, of Midway, passed away Saturday July 31, 2021 at Hubbard Hospice House. He was a 1954 graduate of Poca High School where he excelled in both football and basketball. Paul attended WVU for a short period of time before joining the U.S. Navy in 1955 and received an honorable discharge in 1959. During his military service he reached six out of seven continents, including Antarctica. He served on Operation Deep Freeze 2. Upon returning to West Virginia, he attended WV Tech where he graduated in 1962 with a BA in Electronic Engineering. While working for the Harris Corporation in both PA and FL he served on both the Gemini and Apollo Projects. Paul ultimately returned to WV to teach electronics at the Putnam County Vocational Center. He later became Principal of the center where he was able to triple the size of the building and the program. He later left the center to become the Director of the Putnam County Votech program. One of Paul’s proudest accomplishments was when he saved Buffalo High School while serving four years on the Putnam County School Board. He was a member of the Red House Bible Church. In his free time he was an avid golfer and ultra flight pilot.
Born January 19, 1936, he was the son of the late Herfa Deering Knapp and Ada Marie Knapp. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Vandall Knapp and Kervin “Tiny” Knapp.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Libby” Knapp; daughters, Amy (Donnie) Newman, Kristi (Mark) Roehl; son, Tracy “TD” Knapp; brother, Kenneth (Phyllis) Knapp; sister, Donna (Harry) Wolford; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Thursday August 5, 2021 at Red House Bible Church with Matt Conn officiating.
MIKEL LUIKART
On Sunday, August 1, 2021, Mikel Glenn Luikart suddenly passed away from a medical emergency at his home in Leon, WV. Mike was born November 11, 1959 to Reba & and the late Glenn Luikart.
Mike’s love for Jesus & his family was extraordinary. He was a member of Faith Christian Fellowship for 25 years. He loved spending time with his 3 grandkids & was always up for some outside fun with them. He spent numerous hours in his garage piddling with any type machinery he could with his son,who was also his best friend. His love for his wife of 37 years was like none other and he would do anything for her, they were very best friends as well. He enjoyed his animals, tractors, riding ATV’s, motorcycles, Nascar, football and almost any outside activity he could find.
Mike always had a smile on his face & brought happiness to everyone he knew. Whether it be a simple joke or sharing a funny memory he always brightened the day. Everyone that met Mike knew he was a good-hearted man.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; his daughter Melody (Carl) Bruer; his son Shane Luikart; 3 grandkids, Caiden Bruer, Brentley Luikart & Carmela Bruer; his mother, Reba Luikart; brother, Tim Luikart & sister, Teresa Milam.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Faith Christian Fellowship Church, Buffalo, with Pastor Paul Boggess officiating. Burial in Walker Chapel Church Cemetery, Robertsburg will take place at a later date.
REBECCA ANN MARTIN
Rebecca Ann Martin, 82, of Black Betsy, went home to be with the Lord on July 28, 2021 at home.
Mrs. Martin was a homemaker, member of Elizabeth Baptist Church and a mother to so many.
She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald Martin, Sr., daughter Lisa Winters, son Jerry Martin, brothers Sambo and Beano Smith and sisters Elizabeth Shue and Martina Simmons.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her six children June Hutchinson, Brent (Karen) Martin, Vickie (Gary) Rhodes, Bart Martin, Melinda Fox and Mandy (Dale) Casto; brother Uncle Smith; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Rebecca Martin was held Saturday July 31, 2021 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Arthur officiating. Burial was in Schowen Cemetery, Bancroft.
JAMES “JINK” MCCALLISTER
James Franklin “Jink” McCallister, 80, of Hurricane, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2021 at CAMC-Teays Valley.
Born August 5, 1940 in Hurricane, he was a son of the late Norman Lee and Virgie May Shelz McCallister. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Frona Ryan and Lillian Thomas; brothers, Willard “Bill”, Virgil and Junior McCallister; granddaughter, Ariana Scott.
Jink was retired from the City of Hurricane and was formerly employed by Red Cooper Building Construction. He was a member of Sycamore Baptist Church. He enjoyed coon hunting, music and story-telling.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen Marie McCallister, children, Vickie Lynn Parkins (Gary) of Culloden, Willard McCallister (Melanie) of Hurricane, Kathy Clagg (Steven) of Lesage; grandchildren, Neve (Chris), Chelsee (Ryan), Shaylee (James), Jarett (Alyssa) Alyssa, Maximus and Zai. His first great-grandchild, Baby Wells, is due to arrive December, 2021. He will also be missed by neighbors, friends and family.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane with Pastor David Vickers officiating. Burial was in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane.
VELEAIR COURTLANDT SMITH, II
Veleair Courtlandt “Cort” Smith II, was born on June 13, 1931, in Charleston, and passed away at age 90 on July 27, 2021 at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Hurricane. An only child, he was preceded in death by his parents Veleair C. Smith and Dea M.Smith. He was also preceded in death by his son Collett V. Smith. He is survived by his three children Courtlandt L. Smith (Elizabeth), Christian V. Smith (Jennifer) and Caroline K. Smith. Cort is survived by his four grandchildren Courtlandt L. Smith Jr., Wilson C. Smith, Lauren Claire Smith and Oliver Classen as well as his former spouse and mother of his children Kemp Littlepage McElwee.
Cort spent his early years growing up in Charleston primarily in the Edgewood area where he made many lifelong friends. As his father’s various business interests became more concentrated in the Putnam County area, they purchased a farm and built a home on the Kanawha River near Winfield that they named Valdeacort Farm. For his high school education, he enrolled at the Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana. It was here that he fell in love with horsemanship and began his association with the Black Horse Troop.
After high school, Cort earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Duke University. Following graduation, he served his country in the United States Air Force as an agent in the Office of Special Investigations. At the conclusion of his active service, he took graduate studies at Lehigh University before returning to West Virginia to join the family businesses.
Cort was exposed to all aspects of the natural gas business under the Veleair C. Smith Management umbrella. With Teavee Oil & Gas, Inc. and Putnam Natural Gas Company, he was active in drilling gas wells and providing industrial gas service to the various industries in the Nitro area. With Well Service, Inc, he was involved with contract well and cement work for the natural gas industry over a multi-state area. With Union Oil & Gas, Inc, he was involved with providing gas utility service. They also developed several other gas production and utility companies in Ohio during this period.
While visiting relatives in Cali, Colombia en route to review a mining venture in Bolivia with his father, Cort seized an opportunity to purchase a used drilling rig and begin a well drilling company to provide water irrigation for sugar cane operations. Over the next years, he primarily lived in Colombia where he was active in polo. After marriage in 1963, he and his family spent the next decades dividing each year by living for several months in Cali, Colombia and the remainder on the farm in Winfield while simultaneously running companies in both countries.
Although his business interests were primarily in drilling and natural gas, he was active in either starting or providing investment money to endeavors ranging from an early chain of ice cream parlors in Colombia, hovercrafts capable of being driven on land or water, chicken processing, jet engines, electronic gas measurement, industrial lighting, and computer contractor service. While he engaged in various agricultural endeavors on Valdeacort Farm, hay was always his main focus and its improvement, operation and production remained a priority amongst his many activities.
Cort was a founder and served on the Board of Directors of the Teays Valley National Bank from 1973 until it was acquired by Kanawha Banking & Trust in 1984. After it was acquired by United Bank, Inc. in 1987, he served on the Board of Directors of United Bank, Inc. until 2006. He was the 1980 President of the Charleston Rotary Club and long time Parliamentarian on its Planning Committee. He was an active member of the West Virginia Small Public Utility Association and Cosmos Club. Cort was a member of Edgewood Country Club and former member of Downtown Athletic Club in New York City, Club Campestre and Club Colombia Clubs in Cali, Columbia as well as many professional organizations.
Throughout his life, Cort was an active traveler. Whether accompanying his father on engineering projects from Nova Scotia to Central and South America or with his mother as a competitive golfer from the Bahamas to Hawaii, it set a pattern which took him to virtually every point on the globe. Although there are too many stories to include, his presence with his former wife Kemp in Prague, Czechoslovakia during the 1968 Russian invasion was indicative of the extent of travel which was a constant throughout his life.
In his later years, he returned to his true passion of horsemanship at Culver Academies. Concerned that it might be eliminated for budget reasons, he spearheaded a campaign to save the program by creating an impressive endowment. As an active instructor and staff member of the Culver Summer School program, he spent many years as an unparalleled cheerleader for the equitation and rough riding programs where he touched the lives of countless campers.
Following health setbacks, Cort made his home for the last several years at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Hurricane. While it may have slowed him down, he remained a constant presence on the roads with the assistance of drivers Dean, Keith and Chris. With their invaluable assistance, he was able to stay active with his hay farm, travel on the back roads in search of land to purchase, and even able to make several rewarding trips back to Indiana.
Funeral was August 3 at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston.
PAMELA THOMPSON
Pamela Yevette (Comstock) Thompson of Hurricane, passed away July 27, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Pam was born May 15, 1955, to the late David and Eileen Comstock.
Pam is survived by her husband, Eddie, her brother Bill Comstock (Debbie Zegeer), Aunt Patricia Jones, nephew Dave Comstock (Jane), great nephews Dave IV, Emmett and Bastian, and stepdaughter Krissy Thompson. She is also survived by her friend Cyndie Vance Pepson as well as numerous other friend and family.
Pam graduated from Nitro High School and attended Marshall University. She worked at Union Carbide and was the owner/operator of Ridgeview Kennels.
Pam was hard working and adventurous. She had a flair for decorating and being a good hostess. She loved having fun with family and friends, nature, the outdoors, country living and all animals especially dogs and birds. Hundreds of hummingbirds flocked to her porch every summer.
It was Pam’s wish to be cremated and to have no funeral service.
MICHAEL RAY WHITTINGTON
Michael Ray Whittington Sr, 71, of Eleanor, passed away Monday, July 26, 2021 at his home. He was a 1969 graduate of Buffalo High a proud U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran. He retired from AEP John Amos plant with 35 years of service. He loved camping, gardening, playing with his grandchildren and hanging out on the riverbank with his dog Buddy. He will always be remembered as a jokester and the best husband, father and papaw anyone could ask for.
Born April 6, 1950 in Midway, he was the son of the late Alfred and Iva Whittington. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Michael R. Whittington II and brother, Thomas “Tom Boy” Whittington.
Survivors include his loving wife, Karen Joan Whittington; daughter, Brandy N. Whittington of Charleston SC; step son, Wesley (Jessica) Velasco of Tampa FL; step daughter Christina (Gino) Montague of Justin TX; brothers, Larry A. Whittington of Eleanor, Gary W. Whittington of NV, Rodger D. Whittington of PA; sisters, Ellen L. Osborne of FL and Marlyn K. Evers of Teays Valley; grandchildren, Alex Whittington, Cameron Whittington, Carl Montague, Alexis Roderick, Keelie Montague, Gabriele Valasco and Kayla Valasco; great grandson, Brently Roderick.
A memorial service will be held.
KEVIN DUANE WIGGINS
Kevin Duane Wiggins, 59, of Buffalo, passed away Sunday July 25, 2021 at CAMC General. He was a 1980 graduate of Buffalo High School and served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He spent many years working as a truck driver. He loved to hunt, fish, camp and work on the farm.
He is survived by his parents Ronald D. Wiggins and Linda G. Wiggins of Red House; son, Grant D. Wiggins of Buffalo; daughter, Lacy Riggs of Hurricane; brother, Robert A. Wiggins of Eleanor; grandchildren, Carson Wiggins, Anastasia Riggs, Remington Riggs and Colt Riggs. Kevin is also survived by his companion Patty Bordine.
Funeral service was Friday, July 30, 2021 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with David Haynes officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
