PAUL BLANKENSHIP
Paul Blankenship, 90, of Eleanor, passed away Monday, August 5, 2025, at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran serving for eight years during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Paul loved to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping. He also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time.
Born September 12, 1934, in Branchland, he was the son of the late Lark and Pansy Blankenship. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Paul Anthony Blankenship; daughter, Sherri Lea Blankenship; grandsons, Brian Hopkins and Corey Alexander; sister, Pauline Adkins; brothers, Forrest Blankenship, Earl Blankenship, Frank Blankenship and Anthony Blankenship.
Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years Judy Frazier Blankenship; daughters, Paula (David) Compston of Athens OH, Mary Eplin of Grove City OH, Laura Jo (Brian) Casto of Liberty, Cheryl Lively of Hurricane, Leisa (Mike) Young of Kernersville NC; son, Mike (Brenda) Hopkins of Hurricane. Paul is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Funeral service was Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Raynes Funeral Home, Eleanor, with Rev. Randy Parsons officiating. Burial with military honors was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
RODNEY ‘BUTCH’ BUCK
Rodney Wayne “Butch” Buck, 76, of Buffalo, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025 at his home following a long illness. He was a 1966 graduate of Point Pleasant High School. Butch served his country in the U.S. Army, 25th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated veteran, including two Bronze Star Medals for heroism in action, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, and two awards of the Army Commendation Medal.
Following his service in Vietnam, Butch worked at the Quaker Oats plant in Marion, Ohio, before moving back home to West Virginia and working many years and retiring from Ravenswood Aluminum Corp. In his spare time, he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He taught many members of his family how to bow hunt. He also enjoyed woodworking, and was a car enthusiast, known to tinker around on cars quite often. Most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandkids, and all kids in general.
Born September 9, 1948, he was the son of the late Clodus and Audren Riffle Buck. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death in 2021 by his wife of 50 years, Ava “Donna” Buck; his son, Jesse Buck; and his siblings, Burdell Buck, Barbara Barnette, Darrell Buck, Fred Buck, and Ronnie Buck.
He is survived by his daughter, Tonja Klingler of Buffalo; grandchildren, Courtney Klingler (Austin Hissom), Chad Klingler (Breanna Chapman), Hunter Buck, Bradeon Buck, and Jacob Buck; great-grandchildren, Baileigh Rose Hissom, Addison Hissom, and Atticus Klingler; sisters, Ilean (Mickey) Hurst, and Karen Buck; brother, Gary Owen Buck; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, with Military honors presented by the United States Army Honor Guard. Private family burial will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Buffalo.
ROY WALLACE HARPER
Roy Wallace Harper, 81, was born in Putnam County on July 9, 1944, and passed away August 3, 2025, at his home in Liberty.
He was the son of Walter Gordon Harper and Sylvia Mae Williams Harper. Roy worked as a block mason and construction from the 1960’s until he retired. He helped build numerous buildings in Charleston and surrounding areas. He also worked for Sonny Smally Construction and Dave Hobba Construction in his later years until he retired. He loved fishing, gardening and working on lawn mowers and small machinery. He lived in Cross Lanes for many years but decided to move back to his hometown of Liberty to be near his family.
He is preceded in death by his second wife, Stachie Harper, his brother Ronald Harper, and sister Rosalee Brown.
He is survived by his daughter Robin Dillon (Kenneth Stover); grandson Hunter Dillon; granddaughters Morgan and Madison Dillon all of Liberty; brothers Sherden Harper of Liberty, Donald (Missy) Harper of Liberty, and Danny (Tammy) Harper of Poca; sisters Arlene Gay (DT) of Florida, Ruth McCoy of Liberty, Nancy Rollyson of Leon, Doris Thomas of Poca, and Beverly Adkinson of Red House.
Roy was a hardworking, caring and loving father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was loved and will be missed by many.
Burial was in the Brown Cemetery, Liberty.
DANELLE MCCRAY
Danelle Jeanne McCray, of Hurricane, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 2, 2025, after a brief illness. She was only 52 years old, born on March 25, 1973. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by her passing.
Danelle was the daughter of the late Daniel W. “Danny” Cline and Donna Jean Gandee. She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Holbert E. and Dona A. Drake, and her paternal grandparents, Jimmy E. and Doris J. Cline.
She is survived and greatly missed by her husband, Russ McCray, her daughter, Taylor McCray-Hair, son-in-law, Dylan Hair, and granddaughter, Kennedy Hair. She also leaves behind her half- brother, Brandon Cline (Megan), nephew, Lincoln Cline, half-sister Whitney Williams (Nathan), and niece, Brooklynn Williams.
Danelle had a deep love for travel, and she cherished the memories made with her family in Indian Shores, Florida and Turks and Caicos. She loved the sunshine and ocean breeze. She also enjoyed her many years at the softball field, supporting her daughter in her endeavors.
Memorial service was held Saturday, August 9, at Allen Funeral Home, with Pastor Robin Crouch officiating.
CHERYL LYNN NULL
Cheryl Null, 77, of Winfield, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2025 surrounded by her family.
She was born on January 17, 1948, to the late Reba Gladys Hartman and Orlando Hartman of Hurricane. In addition to her parents, Cheryl was also preceded in death by her stepmother, Evelyn and stepsister, Sherry Hutchinson.
She attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church throughout her childhood and teen years, then attended Midway United Methodist Church. She retired from the Putnam County Circuit Clerks Office after more than 30 years of service.
Cheryl enjoyed opening her home to all family and friends, and she really enjoyed celebrating all holidays, especially Christmas.
She is survived and greatly missed by her sons: Greg (Rhonda) of Hurricane, and Brian (Jennifer) of Fort Myers, FL; sister, Debbie Hanna of Scott Depot; stepsister, Diana Sharp of St. Albans; grandchildren: Dustin Null of Winfield, Madison (Brandon) Null of Milton, Amber (Ian) Donohoe of Barboursville; and three great grandchildren.
Funeral service for Cheryl was Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Jeff Pitchford officiating. Entombment was in Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House.
CHARLES LEE ‘CHUCK’ THOMPSON
Charles Lee “Chuck” Thompson, 82, of Scott Depot, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston.
He was born on September 16, 1942, in Charleston, to the late Grover Cleveland and Imogene Evelyn Snyder Thompson. He is also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Dr. Marshall L. Burke.
Chuck was an electrician by trade, retiring from Union Carbide Corporation, Institute Plant, with 40 years of service. He served his country in the United States Army in communications. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, St. Albans where he was a regular online participant. To know Chuck, was to love him. He treasured his family. A true example of a family man. He enjoyed reading, puzzles, gardening, gospel and bluegrass music and talk radio.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Bonnie A. Thompson; son, Scott Rogers; grand-dog, Rocky; brother, Bob Thompson (Susan); nephews, Robbie Thompson (Courtney) and Jordy Thompson (Denise); sister, Betty Burke; nephew, Jonathan Burke (Kristy); nieces, Jennifer Moeschberger (Scott), Mary Auxier (Jonathan) and Christina Cudney (Steven); and several great nieces, great nephews and a host of family and friends.
Funeral service was Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor Darick Biondi officiating. Entombment was in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, with military honors.
