GARY F. ADKINS
Gary F. Adkins, 66, passed away on October 7, 2023 at home from a massive heart attack.
He was born on April 19, 1957, to the late James Edward and Loreda Loftis Adkins in Charleston. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters: Carolyn S. McCallister and Rebecca L. Stowers; his brother: Jonathan E Adkins and nieces of the heart: Lori Jo Turley Neubert and Kimberly Alison Turley.
Gary was a 1975 graduate of Hurricane High School, the 1978 AAU and Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion of WV and once was asked to fight professionally for Joe Frazier’s camp. He retired from AEP’s Central Machine Shop in South Charleston after 44 years of service as a Class A Motor Winder. He was also an award-winning West Virginia State Fair Blue, Red and White ribbon winner for his woodworking, canning and other talents.
Gary survived by his brothers: Mike (Cindy) Adkins of Charleston, David (Jheng) Painter of Metro Manila of The Philippines, and Pat Adkins of Ona; niece of the heart: Leslie Anne Turley Southern; nieces and nephews: Chris Painter, Jonathan Adkins, Dusty Sowards, Mike Adkins, Chuck Adkins, Greg Adkins, and Marleigh Adkins.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later date.
LORETTA BURDETTE
It is with great sadness that the family of Loretta Jean Jarrell Burdette announces her passing on October 21, 2023. She was born on July 13, 1935, to Ralph Jarrell and Esperance Sutphin Jarrell in Boone County, West Virginia.
On September 26, 1953, she married the love of her life, Allen Press Burdette, and they were happily married for 59 years until his death in 2012. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and aunt to her extended family, welcoming all into her home with generosity and love. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, brothers Ray, Roy, Jess, and Ellis “Chubby” Jarrell, and sisters Dorothy Mae King, Lavlet Adkins, and Zelma Adkins. She is survived by her son, Randall (Linda) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, her daughter, Sheila (Bill) Lewis of St. Albans, grandchildren William K. (Elizabeth) Lewis of Dayton, Ohio and Brandi (Allen) Edens of St. Albans, great-grandchildren William and Abigail Lewis and Allen Lee and Tori Edens, two sisters, Rosie Lett of Red House and Nelda (Victor) Keathley of Cross Lanes, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by her dear pet companion, Nikki.
Service was Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Gatens-Harding Funeral Home, Poca, officiated by Reverend Victor Keathley.
ROSITA MAXINE CASTO
Rosita Maxine Casto, 81, of Buffalo, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023.
She was born on March 30, 1942, to the late John E. and Maxine Higginbotham. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1960. Rosita spent her career working for several companies, including Coca-Cola, Parkline, and Rite-Aid. She enjoyed working.
She is preceded in death by her brother Johnny Higginbotham, brother-in-law Dempsy Casto, and grandson Phillip Casto.
She is survived by her lifelong partner and husband of 63 years, Harold David Casto; three sons David (Tracie) Casto, Joey Casto, and Tim (Renee Chapman) Casto; sister Kathy Casto; brother Ralph Higginbotham; grandchildren Samantha (Jay) Martin, Hannah Suttles, Haleigh Casto, and Harleigh Casto, and great grandchildren Alec Richardson, Cooper Martin and Davy Martin.
A celebration of life was held Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at her lifelong home in Buffalo.
Sheila Dailey
Sheila Renee Dailey, 55, passed away peacefully October 17, 2023 at St. Marys Hospital in Huntington. She Born August 29, 1968 to the late Floyd (Toy) and Reba Black. Sheila is survived by her husband of 30 years James Dailey, her heart and soul; son Caleb Dailey, daughter Miranda Moore, sister Rhonda (Larry) Parsons, nephew Kyle Odell (Tiffani) , grandchildren Seth, Lucas and 2 step-grandchildren. A host of many more family and friends.
Funeral service was Monday, October 23, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in Lower Hodges Cemetery.
Rudolph Falbo, II
Rudolph Valentino Falbo, II, “Rudy,” born on August 2, 1970, passed away at the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV on October 22, 2023 from a two-year journey with colorectal cancer. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and friends. Rudy met his diagnosis with hope, bravery, and integrity – much like how he lived his life.
After graduating from Valley High School in Smithers, WV, Rudy served in the United States Army from 1989 until 1996. He was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, Fort Benning in Georgia, Fort Sam Houston in Texas, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Carson in Colorado, and Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona. He received specialized training in crane operations and radiology technology while serving in the Army. Rudy left the military and served in the medical field as a radiology technologist in West Virginia, Virginia, and South Carolina. He completed his career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Beckley, WV.
Rudy is survived by his wife of 31 years, Robin Robinson Falbo, their three children, Joshua Franklin Falbo (spouse, Shealyn); Kaitlyn Marie O’Bryant (spouse, Cory); and Adrianna Michelle Pralley (spouse, Tyler); five grandchildren: Tatum, Rhett, Holden, Riggs, and soon-to-be Rudolph Valentino Falbo, III (due December 2023) who will continue his namesake. Rudy was the only son of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Valentino Falbo formerly of Montgomery, WV. Rudy is also survived by his mother, Mary Falbo Ackerman, and six sisters, Maria, Valerie, Rebecca, Delanea, Vanessa, and Kathryn, two brothers-in-law (Todd and Bryson), one sister-in-law (Heaven), seven nieces and five nephews, and his mother-in-law, Sandy Whitt-Wade. Rudy is preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Valentino Falbo (2008); stepfather-in-law, Mike Wade (2014); maternal grandfather, Arby Franklin McCoy (1998); maternal grandmother, Kathryn Sybil McCoy (2000), and paternal grandparents, John and Mary Falbo.
Rudy is most known for being a man of his word, standing up for what he believed in, and his Patriotism. He prioritized his family and spending quality time with the people he loved most. His favorite pastimes included taking his grandchildren out for ice cream, weightlifting, hiking with his dog, Bourbon, and riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed all of these activities throughout the majority of his life. He maintained a positive attitude and uplifting spirit, even while undergoing a rigorous regimen for cancer. All who knew Rudy were impressed by his courage and strength, especially during challenging times.
Rudy was a member of the Ascension Catholic Church in Hurricane and regularly attended mass while raising his children. Most recently, he also attended the First Baptist Church in Hurricane.
A wake service at Allen’s Funeral Home in Hurricane was held Wednesday, October 25. Christian Mass was Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Ascension Catholic Church in Hurricane with celebrants Father Dean Borgmeyer and Pastor Jeff Davenport.
Jeannie Higginbotham
Mary Regina “Jeannie” Higginbotham, 78, of Eleanor, went Home to be with the Lord on October 22, 2023 and is now singing in the heavenly choir.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Ernest “Ray” Higginbotham; son: Brian Smith; step-children: Teresa McCormick and Glen Higginbotham; and parents: Woodrow and Kathleen Hanshaw.
Jeannie is a graduate of WV State University and retired from the Putnam County Board of Education. Jeannie was an avid reader, loved music and singing in the church choir at First Baptist Church of Eleanor, where she was a faithful member for many years.
She leaves behind her son: David (Beth) Smith; daughter: Cindy (Paul) Seiler; step-daughter: Cindy Johnson; seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service for Jeannie was October 26, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Eleanor with Pastor Greg Johnson officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memorial Gardens, Red House.
Terry Hodges
Terry Dewayne Hodges, 72, of Charleston, passed away peacefully October 21, 2023 at CAMC Memorial Hospital.
Terry was a retired long haul truck driver and a 1969 graduate of Hurricane High School where he excelled in football, track and baseball. He attended both Marshall and WV State Universities.
Terry is survived by his son Nathen Hodges of N.C.; brother Carlos Dean of Jacksonville FL, and a host of many more family and friends.
Noel Moles
Noel Moles, 87, of Scott Depot, passed away on October 17, 2023 at Hubbard Hospice House West at Thomas Hospital.
He was born to the late Noel and Icy Turley Moles on November 10, 1935. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter: Alice Yvonne Moles.
Noel was retired from the WV DOH and served his country in the US Army.
Noel is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Virginia P. Thomas Moles; his children: Sandra Spears of Scott Depot, Donna Burks (Monty) of Sutton, and Mark A. Moles of Scott Depot; grandchildren: Christopher Shaun Spears, Jason Andrew Spears, Amanda Vaughn, Anthony Burks, Dakota Moles and Brittany Johns; 9 great grandchildren; sister: Brenda Tolley of PA and brother: Michael Moles (Sharon) of Spring Hill.
Funeral service for Noel was Monday, October 23, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.
ERIC VAUGHN RITCHIE
Eric Vaughn Ritchie, 54, of Scott Depot, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2023, at his home. He was born October 9, 1969.
Eric was a coal miner and an avid outdoorsman spending much of his free time exploring the woods and riding side-by-sides, four wheelers, and motorcycles.
He is preceded in death by his father, Hurshel Ritchie, and his only son, Brandyn E. Martin.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Stacy Jo Ritchie; daughters Amber Henry and Jessica Fields; mother Ruby Gail Ritchie; sister Natalie Laliberty; brother Michael Ritchie; two grandsons; two granddaughters; and a host of extended family and many friends.
There will be a private service for immediate family at a later time.
James ‘Randy’ Steele
James Randall “Randy” Steele, 68, of Hurricane, died on October 14, 2023.
He was born in Logan in 1955 to John and Jean Steele. He grew up playing ball throughout McConnell Bottom with kids who became lifelong friends. Randy graduated from Logan High School in 1973, and after studying at Marshall University, left to work in the coal industry where he worked his entire career as a business owner.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Steele, and mother, Jean Steele. He is survived by his loving wife, Vickie, who was his closest companion and biggest admirer. Their love and care for each other was evident to all who knew them. He is also survived by his children, John Ryan and Kelli Steele (Jeff Brown); sister, Karan Grimes; grandchildren, Mason and Sydney Dailey.
Randy’s Christian faith was very important to him, and he was involved in various churches throughout the years and devoted time and resources to many community service projects. He was a generous supporter of Logan County athletics, and his grandchildren’s extracurricular activities.
Randy never met a stranger and was known to run into people he knew wherever he traveled. He had dozens of lifelong friends, including John Dardi, his best friend for nearly 40 years. In his free time, Randy enjoyed golf, working in his yard, and spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his unfailing generosity, sense of humor, meticulous care of all that was entrusted to him, entrepreneurial work ethic, and unfailing effort toward the betterment of his community.
Funeral service was Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel, Chapmanville, with Greg Dalton officiating. Burial was in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby.
