VONDA BOLYARD
Vonda Bolyard, age 69, passed away on August 20, 2024 in Winston Salem, NC after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Norma Cooper. Surviving are her son, William Ratliff (Kaitlyn) and daughter Christina Ratliff and step-daughter Michelle Summers; sisters Marcia Smith (Jim) and Clara Clay (William); grandchildren Carmen, Ian, Adelynne, Harper and Haley.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend, businesswoman, and caregiver. She loved the beach and listening to music. Vonda will be missed by her family and many friends.
Funeral service was August 29 at Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, with Pastor Denver Stephens officiating. Vonda was laid to rest at Forest Memorial Park, Milton.
THOMAS EUGENE CALABRESE
Thomas Eugene Calabrese known affectionately as ‘Tom” or ‘Tommy”, passed away on August 24, 2024 with his beloved daughter by his side at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston.
He was born on August 2, 1942 to the late Ralph and Ernestine Calabrese. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dawn Day Knight Calabrese and sister, Cecelia Buckner.
Tommy was a resident of Teays Valley and a pillar of the community that he so dearly loved. Tom was a real estate broker for many years in Putnam County.
He was born in Clarksburg and moved to Charleston as a young child and grew up on the West Side in a large Italian family. He was a Roman Catholic. He graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1960, where he was the ring leader of his best friends who was commonly referred to as ‘The Corner Gang’.
Tom met his soulmate and beloved wife, Dawn Day Knight of St. Albans in 1960 and they were married for 44 years until her passing in 2010. He moved to the Teays Valley area in 1975 to help develop and design the area while working for Estil and Greenlee Realty. Later, he began to manage his own real estate firm, Marathon Realty and later ERA The Property Centre on Teays Valley Road until shortly before his retirement in 2017 from Real Estate Central. During his career in real estate, he was a member of the Putnam Country Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Planning Commission and the Kanawha Valley Board of Realtors.
He held many titles in his life, from real estate agent to James Brown impersonator, but his favorite role was being a father and grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending time with his daughter, Missy and granddaughters: Lexi and Brooke. He was always there with support, direction and encouragement for them. Tommy was beloved by so many, he never met a stranger. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. He was always ready to help anyone who needed a hand.
During the past few years, even as Tommy’s health declined, he never forgot to make people smile. He cracked jokes, made silly faces and even pulled some light-hearted pranks on his friends. He was always ready to dance and listen to his favorite singer, James Brown. He had the great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor will be missed. He loved his daily lunch of grilled cheese with no crust and French fries with his sister, Joan and close friends at Tudor’s in Teays Valley. Tommy will be best remembered for his many contributions to the Putnam County Area and for his steadfast dedication to his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Melissa Milam (Michael Johnston) of Hurricane; grandchildren: Alexis Milam (Austin) of Dallas, TX, Brooklyn Milam of Morgantown, and Christopher Milam of Hurricane; great nephew: John Charles Bush of Dallas, TX; brother: Rocco Calabrese (Connie) of Charleston; sisters: Joan Spradling of Hurricane, and Debbie Tignor (Carl) of Sissonville; and brother-in-law: Wayne Buckner of Baton Rouge. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, close friends and relatives
A Mass of Christian Burial was conducted at Catholic Church of the Ascension on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Scott Depot.
Wanda Faye Casto
Wanda F. Casto, 72, of Leon, passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at her home following a short illness. She was a 1970 graduate of Buffalo High School and was a lifelong homemaker. She loved camping and enjoyed watching NASCAR.
Born April 15, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Ralph R. Rhodes and Lucy A. Bailes Rhodes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Denver Keith Casto; son, Bradley Casto and brother, Ralph G. “Dickie” Rhodes.
Survivors include her son, Denver K. (Tina) Casto Jr. of Leon; brothers, Darrell Rhodes of Grimms Landing and Guy Rhodes of Grimms Landing; sisters, Donna “Sue” (Richard) Nease of Robertsburg and Brenda Rigsby of Nitro; grandchildren, Kristen (Travis) Payne, Andy (Courtney) Harrison, Devin Keith (Savannah) Casto and Kevin “Mikey” Casto; great grandchildren, Addy Payne, Reagan Harrison and Cami Harrison.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Given.
Jeffrey David Diehl
Mr. Jeffery David Diehl, 54, of Scott Depot, passed away suddenly at home Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Jeff had a personality about him like no other. He showed passion in the way he interacted with each and every person he met. His personality was infectious to all of those around him. Jeff and his wife Veronica are owners of the Dairy Queen in Scott Depot and Diehl’s Pig Shack. Serving customers at each of these locations was one of the reasons that Jeff woke up in the morning. Rather it was to serve an ice cream cone or a BBQ sandwich, Jeff was ready to greet each and every customer with his out of this world personality.
He graduated from North Myrtle Beach High School and never shied away from being the center of attention. Jeff enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, boating, and especially his family. His hobbies and his family were who made Jeff the man people knew and loved. While many people always knew him as the man behind the counter, his personality and life passions go much deeper than that. Jeff will also be remembered as “Chef Jeff” for his excellent cooking skills. Not only were his skills his day-to-day career, but a passion that he carried out until the very end of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Veronica Cochran Diehl; parents Larry and Karen Diehl of Scott Depot; sons Heath and his wife Rachel Diehl of Scott Depot and Harris Diehl of Scott Depot; papaw to granddaughter Waverly Faye; sisters Stephanie Diehl of Little River, SC and Kelly Hedrick of Charleston, SC; best friend and cousin Forest Diehl; and a host of other family and friends.
A tribute to the life of Jeff was held Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Teays Valley Church of God with Pastor Melissa Pratt officiating.
Phillip Edward Driggs, Jr.
Phillip Edward Driggs, Jr., of Hurricane, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024 after a short illness.
Born on December 5, 1959 in South Charleston, Phillip is preceded in death by his parents Phillip Edward Driggs, Sr. and Nancy Eleanor Driggs.
A 1978 graduate of St. Albans High School, Phillip was a loyal employee of Derrick Music Company of Charleston.
Phillip is survived by his daughter, Donna Driggs; son, Daniel Driggs (Sarah); grandson, Victor Driggs; brothers, Bill Bagby (Debbie), Jeff, Chris, Jamie (Michele), and Jody Driggs (Rachel); as well as many nieces, nephews, family, friends, and his dear friend Angie Fizer.
Phillip loved all things with a motor, spending time at his camp in Erbacon, WV, his cats Buddy and Blondie, his record collection, and spending time with his friends and family.
A celebration of life will be held at later date at Angela’s on the River, St. Albans.
Elizabeth Ann Wick
Elizabeth “Betty Ann” Wick, 95, of Bancroft, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Betty Ann was a graduate of Poca High School and a member of Poca Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir and women’s ministry. She loved to cook and spend time with her family and friends, especially while sitting on her porch. Betty Ann was always helping her husband in the ministry.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Mickey Wick.
She is survived by her son Paul Daniel Wick; grandson Eric and wife Lindsey Wick; great grandchildren Taylor Wickline, Tanner Wick, Maya Wick, Brady Wick, and Asher Wick; and great-great granddaughter Amelia Rose Wickline.
A tribute to the life of Elizabeth “Betty Ann” Wick was held Monday, August 26, 2024 at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jim Butcher officiating.
Jeffrey Allen Wilcoxen
Jeffrey Allen Wilcoxen, 62, of Fraziers Bottom, passed away on August 21, 2024 at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice in Huntington.
He was born on October 11, 1962 to the late Lesley J. and Nancy F. Akers Wilcoxen. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Joshua Wilcoxen; wife, Lesley Ann Wilcoxen; and longtime companion, Gail Ball.
Jeff graduated from Winfield High School and retired with over 25 years of mechanic service with Dana Transport. He enjoyed fishing and hunting but loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, often on the farm and in the barn at home around other family members.
He is survived by his siblings: Larry (Wendy) Wilcoxen and Beverly (Dayton) Milhoan both of Fraziers Bottom, Janet (Ronald) Tilley of Hiddenite, NC, and Lisa (Mike) Shuler of Gordonsville, VA; as well as an uncle who was like his brother, Rick Wilcoxen of Fraziers Bottom; as well as many other family members and friends.
In accordance with Jeff’s wishes, he will be cremated and a private Graveside Service in Evergreen Cemetery alongside Josh at a later date.
