BELVA BECKNER
Belva “Bunny” King Beckner, 96, of Red House, went home to be with the Lord on July 29, 2023, at home.
Bunny is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Mr. Andrew “Andy” Beckner; sisters Ethel Bonnett and Elsie Finney; brothers Perry, Doyle, Thomas, and Herbert King; and grandson Caleb Beckner.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter Janet Beckner Hanna and husband Cecil; three sons Michael Beckner and wife Anna, Richard Beckner and wife Angie, and Roger Beckner and wife Gina; brother Thomas “Tom” King; sister Wanda Wallace; 8 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and one great grandchild on the way.
Bunny enjoyed sewing, anything outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved her church Riverside Baptist Church where she attended for 70+ years.
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Belva “Bunny” Beckner will be 11:00 AM Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Hanna officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Memorial Park, Milton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
NICHOLAS SCOTT BUCK
Nicholas Scott Buck, 45, of Leon, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023 following a sudden illness. He was a 17-year employee of Bullock Construction where he worked as an equipment operator. Nick loved to fish and play his guitar. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Born April 6, 1978 he was the son of James Denver Buck and Beverly Kay Buck.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife, Tabitha Buck; sons, Tyler Wade Buck and Brayden Scott Buck both of Leon, along with his granddaughter, Chloe Isabella Buck.
A memorial service will be held at a future date.
ELEANOR CHAPMAN
Eleanor Ratliff Chapman, 86, of Hurricane, passed away July 26, 2023 at her home with her family by her side.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Eunice Archey Ratliff; husband, Jacob Leo Chapman Sr; daughter, Christine Chapman; sons, Kevin Chapman and Phillip Chapman and granddaughter Linsey Jane Hinkle; siblings Maxine Riley, Glen Roy Ratliff, Roger Ratliff, Williee Senters, Claude Russell Ratliff.
She is survived by her sons, Jacob Leo Jr ( Vickie), James, Christopher, Matthew (Katrini) Chapman and daughters Diana Torman, Connie (Steve) Burgess, Kathy (Sal) Ketchem, Peggy Davis, Terry Scharton, Sherry (Mark) Bradford, and Vicki (Richard) Marion, 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren and sister Patty Moore.
Funeral service was Friday, July 28, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Russell officiating. Burial was in Chapman Cemetery, Trace Creek, Hurricane.
Betty Lou Cooper
Betty Lou Cooper, 86, of Hurricane, formerly of Minden, passed away on July 26, 2023. She was an active member of Springdale Free Will Baptist Church for 61 years. Betty served many years as a Sunday school teacher for small children, and enjoyed congregational singing and singing in small group arrangements.
Betty was a retired cook from the Putnam County Schools. She enjoyed preparing meals for the students, and laughing and joking with children passing through the lunch-line.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years William Ezra Cooper, parents Roy and Virginia Howard, and her sisters Margret Sue Dunn and Kay Frances McMurray. Betty is survived by her sons James H. Cooper (Jill) and Larry E. Cooper (Anita), granddaughter Allison B. Carpenter (Daniel) and great-grandchildren Jovie and Riley Carpenter.
Funeral service was Saturday, July 29th at Allen Funeral Home in Hurricane with Dr. James H. Cox officiating. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery in Hurricane.
James O’Connor Sr.
James Edward O’Connor Sr., 78, of Hurricane, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Hubbard Hospice House surrounded by his family and friends.
Jim was born December 29, 1944 in Charleston to the late Nona and John O’Connor. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, John Pat O’Connor, Donald O’Connor, and Myrtle “Kitty” Baldwin.
Left to cherish his memory are loving wife, Shirley Ann O’Connor; children, Kimberly Starsick and James O’Connor Jr.; and grandchildren, Olivia Moore, Abigail Moore, Dylan O’Connor, and Lilly O’Connor.
Jim was a 1963 Stonewall Jackson High School graduate. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 where he served his country as a welder. He was honorably dicharged in 1968. Jim worked as an electrician and welder at Union Carbide until 1991 and was known by his colleagues as “Archie”.
Jim married Shirley Ann Stone on September 24, 1966. They were blessed with a lifelong companionship of 56 years. They had a beautiful life full of singing, dancing, and raising their children and grandchildren. Jim’s favorite past time was to work on many projects in his garage. Everyone always said “if papa can’t fix, no one can”. When you were Jim’s friend, you were a friend for life. He could talk for hours and always knew the right thing to say. Jim was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone.
Service was Friday, July 28th, 2023 at Cunningham-Parker-Johnson Funeral Home, Charleston. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, with Army Military Honors.
Tom G. Sawyer
Tom G. Sawyer, 87, of Hurricane, passed away on July 27, 2023 at his home.
He was born on August 2, 1935 to the late Tom and Kathryn Totman Sawyer in Lancaster, OH. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother: John Sawyer and his sister: Sandy Mandeville.
Tom was retired from Western Publishing, where he was over sales of the Golden Books distributed to children, he also worked tirelessly at the Community Cupboard, not only assisting with food but many needs for the community. Tom enjoyed playing golf and was a former member of Sleepy Hollow Golf Course for many years, he was also instrumental in the Winfield Football Boosters to help build Winfield Middle School Stadium and active in the Buffalo Booster Program as well. Tom was an avid fan of Marshall University and West Virginia University sports and enjoyed attending games until he was no longer able.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Phyllis M. Chapman Sawyer; his children: Glenna (Kenny) Ragle, Mike Sawyer and Joan Turner all of Hurricane, WV; his grandchildren: Derek (Brittany) Ragle, Kendra (Chris) White, MacKenzie Sawyer and Tessa Turner; great grandchildren: Dawson, Cooper, Duke and Briggs; and his sister: Dixie Sawyer of Columbus, OH.
Funeral Service will be 11:00am August 4, 2023 at St. John United Methodist Church, Scott Depot, with Rev. Jim McCune officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Hurricane.
Treasure Wiblen
Treasure Wiblen, of Hurricane, died unexpectedly, July 26th, 2023 at home. He was born October 1, 1939, In Gallipolis City, Ohio.
He was the son of Treasure T. and Bonnie (Atkinson) Wiblen.
Treasure graduated from South Charleston High School, Class of 1957. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Army in Germany. After his return he graduated from West Virginia State College. He then moved to California to work for Columbia Gas. After retiring, Treasure was Owner/Personal trainer at Treasure Bodies in Apple Valley, California. Treasure moved back to West Virginia about fifteen years ago to be with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Claudia Godby and Karen Greshman.
He has many nieces and nephews.
