JONATHAN EVERETTE DUNBAR
Jonathan Everette Dunbar, 41, of Winfield, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Hubbard Hospice House. He was 2000 graduate of Winfield High School and served in the United States Marine Corps reaching the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of Scott Depot Christ Fellowship and Bridge Church. Jonathan worked as a field representative for Frazier Engineering in Denver NC for 18 years. He was an avid outdoorsman with an adventurous spirit who loved fishing, skiing, mountain climbing and sky diving. His general love of nature and the outdoors led him to many places and many great people. Anyone that knew Jonathan knew him as a true friend with a compassionate heart. He had a honest love and dedication to his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Everette Dunbar, Betty Dunbar and Barbara Beheler; great grandfather, Frank Beheler; great uncle, Gene Beheler; great aunt, Phyllis Beheler Meeks.
He is survived by his parents, Richard J. Dunbar and Susan F. Beheler Dunbar of Winfield; sister, Leah Dunbar Surface; niece, Reagan Surface and nephew, Reuben Surface.
Funeral service was Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Bridge Church in Scott Depot with Dr. Rodney Taylor, Pastor Larry Hammett and Pastor Matt Davis officiating. Burial with military graveside honors was in Beech Grove Cemetery, Eleanor.
COL. STEPHEN S. KAPPA
After a long battle with congestive heart failure, U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Stephen S. Kappa completed his earthly mission on Thursday, April 25, 2024. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Col. Kappa was born on December 1, 1946, in War, WV, to the late Margaret and Stan Kappa.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim; daughters: Monica Centers (Dick) of Evansville, IN and Kelly Pashke (Nate) of Ashburn, VA; grandchildren: Aaron Centers (Jessica) of Herndon, VA, and Megan Ettensohn (Keil) of Evansville, IN. He is also survived by Kim’s sons: Brandon (Andrea) Isaacs of Falls View, WV, Matthew (Brandie) Isaacs of Twenty Mile, WV and Michael Isaacs of Winfield, WV; and Kim’s grandchildren: Emma, Lilly, Emily, Ayden, and Dylan; and his sister: Margaret Pudlo of Bethel Park, PA. He’ll also be missed by many extended family members, friends, and their dear friend, Janice, who was more like family and helped in many capacities of his care. His cherished fur babies will also miss him greatly.
He graduated from Big Creek High School in War; earned a Bachelor of Arts from Regents College; and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from West Virginia University. In addition to his military service, he served the community through involvement with Ascension Catholic Church of Hurricane, and the Knights of Columbus.
He enlisted in the U.S Army in 1966 and attended Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, SC. Col. Kappa was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA, Class 95-67, on 31 October 1967.
Prior to his illness, Col. Kappa enjoyed being outdoors boating, fishing, hunting, traveling with his wife, Kim and grew to enjoy antiquing and collecting with her. We have heard rumor that his vintage rooster collection is legendary.
Funeral service was Monday, April 29, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, followed by military honors conducted at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar.
Emma Jane Mynes
Emma Jane Mynes, 89, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter in South Charleston, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
She was born on January 24, 1935 to the late Ralph Randolph and Opal Jane Ashworth Ruby. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Charley Clyde Mynes; brother, John Randolph Ruby.
Emma was a homemaker, Christian by faith and attended Pleasant View Church of God. She enjoyed family gatherings, crafts, plastic canvas, puzzles, knitting, cooking, decorating cakes, along with feeding and watching the birds.
Emma is survived by her children, Brenda Haynes (Ken) of South Charleston and Derrick Mynes (Peggy) of Milton; sister, Eva Jo Ashworth; brother, Forrest “Dale” Ruby (Connie) of North Carolina; grandson, Mason Mynes (Jordan Roberts); and other family members and friends.
Funeral service was Monday, April 29, 2024 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor Samuel Pierson, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Earl Oldham
Earl Paul Oldham, age 59, has passed away peacefully in his home residing in Hurricane, surrounded by his family and friends on 04/22/2024. Paul was born on 06/06/1965 In Charleston,. He was a bright light in his family. He is reunited with his father Robert Keith Oldham and two sisters Alma Louise Oldham and Ruthie Oldham. He was survived by his wife of 39 years, Vonnie Elaine Oldham, his mother Ruth Jean Oldham, his children Earl W Oldham, Alma L Oldham, Peter Paul Oldham & Vanessa “BK” Oldham. His caretakers were his two sons Earl W. Oldham and Peter Paul Oldham whom handled him with great care. His Grandchildren Khloe J. Oldham, Emma Jean Oldham and Gracie Saunders. He was also survived by his siblings Robert K. Oldham, Brenda Jean Perry, Clifford Parker and Lisa Jordan, sister-in-law Ilena Adkins, brother in-laws David W Kilian, Greg Perry and Jeff Joseph. He will be missed by many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Phyllis Arlene Pullen
Phyllis Arlene Pullen passed away on April 21, 2024 at the age of 87.
She was born to parents Ruby and Ray Pullen and was a lifetime resident of Hurricane.
After graduating from Hurricane HS in 1954, Arlene earned nursing and anesthesia degrees from St. Mary’s and the University of Cincinnati. She also earned a BA from WV State.
A legend in nursing and anesthesia, her career spanned nearly 60 years, serving as Chief Anesthetist at Thomas Memorial for over 30 years.
Arlene had close relationships with her friends, colleagues, and nephew Brian and his wife Susan. She loved eating at new restaurants and sporting the latest fashion trends.
Arlene is survived by her nephew Brian Andrews (Susan), cousins Mark, Chyrl, and Amy Connor, and cat Victoria.
Preceding her in death were her parents Ruby and Ray, sister Illa, and brother Jimmy.
Funeral services will begin at 11am on Monday, May 6, at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, Hurricane. Visitation starts at 10am. Interment will follow in Valley View Cemetery, Hurricane.
Robin Denise Searls
Robin Denise Searls, 65, of Hurricane, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, after a courageous battle with a short illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Lee and Janet Gaye Scites.
Robin had a beautiful and gentle soul who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was a 1976 graduate of Hurricane High School, then she attended Marshall University where she earned a Master’s in Education.
During her 44 years in the school system, she enhanced the lives of those who taught next to her and especially the minds of her students. She will be remembered for the years she spent in the classroom. While she kept her students close to her heart, her greatest pride and joy came from being “Nene” to her grandchildren. Her legacy and caring spirit will live on through those four young boys who loved their Nene beyond belief.
Robin is survived her loving husband of 43 years: William “Junior” Searls; daughter: Haley Stowers; son: Parker (Jessica Faraco) Searls of Salem, WV; four grandsons: Carter Ryan Stowers, Kaiser James Searls, Kolter Joseph Searls and Elliott William Searls; beloved friend: Cheryl Foster and her daughter Chantil Foster; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral Service for Robin was Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Rebekah Jarrell officiating. Burial was in Valley View Memorial Park Hurricane.
Sandra Kaye Sprouse
Sandra Kaye Miller Sprouse, 78, of Hurricane, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
“Sandy”, as she was affectionately known, was a 1963 graduate of Dunbar High School and went on to earn her Associates Degree in Nursing from Morris Harvey College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from West Virginia University. She was a veteran of the United States Navy where she served as a nurse in Norfolk, VA during Operation Desert Storm and had a distinguished 35 year career as a nurse where she eventually retired from Thomas Memorial Hospital.
Sandy was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed vacations with her family. Her favorite place to be was at the beach, dancing to beach music.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Glendon P. “Bud” Sprouse, parents Olie E. & Lillian Miller and stepmother Beulah Miller.
Surviving Sandy is her daughter; Kathryn Bagley Blust, stepson; Scott (Teri) Sprouse; grandchildren: Paige Blust, Ethan Blust, Zachary Sprouse and Zayden Sprouse.
A gathering of friends and family was held Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 9, 2024 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Hurricane.
Jackie Marie Stewart
Jackie M. Stewart, 76, of Scott Depot, passed away on April 24, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.
Jackie Marie Stewart was born February 19, 1948, in Charleston, and was the daughter of Charles Monroe “Pete” Whidby and Betty Mae Fizer Whidby. She was a 1966 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School and retired from White Dodge Kia in 2014. Jackie loved the Lord, and Jesus took her by the hand on April 24, 2024, while surrounded by her loving family.
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Monroe “Pete” Whidby and Betty Mae Fizer Whidby; her brother, Paul M. Whidby; and her sister, Sharon L. Vanatter.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Larry Stewart of Scott Depot; daughter, Wendy (Mark) Thomas of Winfield; sons, Larry (Millie) Stewart of St. Albans and Brian Stewart of Scott Depot; grandsons, Andrew (Gabby) Thomas of Poca, Matthew Thomas of Winfield, and Zach Stewart of St. Albans; great-grandson, Sebastian Thomas, due this July; brother, David (Evelyn) Whidby of St. Albans; sister, Debbie (Bill) Koontz of Winfield; and sister-in-law, Phoebe Whidby of St. Albans.
A service to Honor the Life of Jackie M. Stewart was held Monday, April 29, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Pastor Greg Hudson officiating. Burial was in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
