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First Name: Last Name:

Charles A. Thompson Jr.
RONCEVERTE - Charles A. Thompson Jr., 84, of Ronceverte died Feb. 7, 2003. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.

Marion J. Wood
ARNOLDSBURG - Marion J. Wood, 66, of Arnoldsburg died Feb. 7, 2003. Service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Orma Cemetery.

Willard A. Wooten
BLAIR - Willard A. Wooten, 73, of Blair died Feb. 8, 2003. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at White Oak Cemetery, Blair. There will be no visitation. Evans Funeral Home, Chapmanville, is in charge of arrangements.

Maurice "Dutch" Bernstein
Maurice "Dutch" Bernstein, a hardworking entrepreneur who co-founded Furniture and Appliance Discount, commonly known as FAD Furniture, and a U.S. Army captain in World War II who served for seven years in both Germany and the Philippines, died April 7, 2003. He was 86. Mr. Bernstein, a native of Oil City, Pa., made his home in Charleston for more than 50 years. A determined man, Dutch had a love of learning and a zest for life that led him to enthusiastically pursue many interests in business, travel and charity to the community. He was also a man with a full heart who quietly helped so many people and touched so many lives with no fanfare at all. Dutch worked tirelessly to launch a number of business endeavors throughout his life. Most notably, he and his partners built FAD Furniture into a successful business for more than 30 years. FAD was known throughout the area for its high quality and fine discounts as much as for its slogan: "When FAD has a sale, FAD has a sale!" A pilot and avid traveler, Dutch enjoyed seeing the country with his family and friends by air, car and motor home, heading as far as Alaska on three occasions. He also enjoyed a good gag. A favorite prank of his was a time he took his dog, Sam, flying with him. Sam was as excited to fly as Dutch and would eagerly rest his paws on the yoke to get a better view of the flight. On one occasion, as Dutch was zooming down the runway for takeoff, he decided to duck just as his plane passed the air traffic control tower. He was rewarded for his prank with the shouts of the air traffic controller, who yelled across the airwaves, "Holy cow! There's a dog flying that plane!" - a memory that sent Dutch into peals of laughter each and every time he recalled it. Dutch was an active philanthropist in the community and was recognized as a "Distinguished West Virginian" by Gov. Gaston Caperton. He actively participated in many charitable organizations including the Beni Kedem Shrine, which supports Shriners' hospitals for children and burn institutes and was a charter member of the Flying Fezzes within the Shrine. Mr. Bernstein supported the Scottish Rite Language Disorder Center, was an associate life member of Hadassah and a member of B'nai Jacob Synagogue and B'nai Brith. He enjoyed his membership in the Royal Order of Jesters and was appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky. Dutch was devoted to his family who loved him very dearly. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth; his sons, Joseph of Harrisburg, Pa., Benjamin and wife, Wendy, of New York, N.Y. he will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Inez and Eric, also of Harrisburg; his sister, Libby Magdowitz of Titusville, Pa., and many others who have viewed him as a father, mentor and friend. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marian; and brothers, Herman, Isadore and Leo. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia St. East, Charleston, with Rabbi Victor Urecki officiating. Interment will follow in B'nai Jacob Eternal Home, Ruthdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to B'nai Jacob Synagogue, 1599 Virginia St. East, Charleston, WV 25311; or to the Shriners' Children's Hospitals, c/o Beni Kedem Shrine Center (Flying Fezzes,) 100 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25301. Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.

Emily F. Booth Chaney
Emily F. Booth Chaney, 87, of St. Albans died April 7, 2003, at the home of her caregiver, Brenda Smith of Jefferson. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Brenda for her kind and gentle care of their mother over her long illness. Emily was a member of Highlawn Baptist Church, St. Albans, and lived most of her life in Nitro and St. Albans. She was a former seamstress for Henry's Men's Shop, St. Albans. Surviving Emily are her children: daughters, Bonnie Morrison of St. Albans, Ruth Hanshaw of Charleston; sons, Tom Chaney of Nitro, Ralph of Biddle, Mont., Henry Jr. of St. Albans; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, with the Rev. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be in Culloden Cemetery, Culloden. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro, is in charge of arrangements.

Steve A. Crank
HICKORY, N.C. - Steve A. Crank, 48, formerly of Whitman, died April 7, 2003. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at James Funeral Home, Logan. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens.

Raymond V. Eye
SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. - Raymond V. Eye, a native of West Virginia living in Sun City Center expired April 6, 2003, at his home in the Kings Point Section. His second wife, Jo Anne Eye, preceded Mr. Eye of cancer in June 2002. Mr. Eye was also preceded in death by his first wife, Joane, and their daughter, Mary Deb, in 1956; and later by their son, Raymond Douglas Eye in 1983; and their other daughter, Carolyn Denise Knapp, in 1997. Raymond Eye was a career employee of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and served as colonel of the Law Enforcement Division of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Later, he served as assistant to the director of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, a position he held until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure as "chief law enforcement officer," Col. Eye held a voluminous number of regional and national posts in conservation law enforcement and was the recipient of many honors and awards. He was appointed to the Coast Guard Advisory Board by President Reagan and was appointed to other boards and commissions by other presidents. He was honored as "Distinguished West Virginian" by Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. and received numerous awards and commendations from governors Underwood, Smith and Rockefeller. Mr. Eye is survived by brothers, Rollie Eye of Fairmont, W.Va., Billy Eye of Elkins, W.Va., and their spouses; grandchildren, Matt Knapp and family of Atlanta, Ga., Amy Kotula and family of Charleston AFB, S.C., J.B. Knapp of Sarasota, Fla.; son-in-law, Glen Knapp of Sarasota; and three great-grandchildren, Abby and Jack Knapp of Atlanta, Danny Kotula of Charleston AFB. Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Lewers Funeral Home, Ruskin, Fla. Interment will follow in Florida National Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Naaman W. Fox
SUMMERSVILLE - Naaman W. Fox, 92, of Summersville died April 7, 2003. Service will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville.

Stephanie A. Gilkerson
CRAB ORCHARD - Stephanie A. Gilkerson, 18, of Crab Orchard died April 6, 2003. Service will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley. Friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Kidwell Cemetery, Table Rock.

Gladys Eva Gray
OAK HILL - Gladys Eva Gray, 90, of Oak Hill died April 5, 2003, in Plateau Medical Center. Born May 17, 1912, in Corliss, she was the daughter of the late Hefner D. and Carrie Carr Adams. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, William Howard Gray; her son, Kerry Dee Gray; two sisters, Faye Kosnoski and Iris Walton; and six brothers, Wilbur, Chester, Phillip, Aubrey, Owen and George Adams. Mrs. Gray was baptized as a child by her grandfather, the Rev. William Henry Harrison Adams, the first president of the West Virginia Southern Baptist Association. She graduated from Rainelle High School. Upon marriage, she joined the Methodist Church in Rainelle. She was a retired director of the Commission on Aging for Fayette County and was a member of the Oak Hill Garden Club and Daughters of the Confederacy. She is survived by one son, William Franklin Gray of Ashland, Ky.; two brothers, Retired Cmdr. Don Adams of California, Gerald Adams of Dunbar; five grandchildren, Sheryl Kraft, Lisa Schafer, Christina Haberman, Teresa Gray and Kerry D. Gray II; and 15 great-grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Rainelle United Methodist Church, Rainelle, with the Rev. James E. Shepherd II officiating. Burial will follow in End of the Trail Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call one hour prior to service. There will be no evening visitation. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, 301 RHL Boulevard, Suite 6, Charleston, WV 25309. Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Michael Houchins
Joseph Michael Houchins, 38, a lifelong resident of South Charleston, passed away April 8, 2003. He was employed by Prime Incorporated and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Charleston. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Hill Houchins; daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Houchins; father and mother, David and Edna Houchins; brother, David Lee Houchins; sisters, Melissa Knuckles and Mary Katherine Houchins, all of South Charleston; and several nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by many friends and family. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with Father David Green officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Beulah I. Kiser
COAL CITY - Beulah I. Kiser, 83, of Coal City died April 7, 2003. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Johnny Ray Knight Jr.
Johnny Ray Knight Jr., infant son of Johnny Ray and Tammy Sue Lanham Knight of Hansford, was stillborn April 4, 2003, in CAMC Women and Children's Hospital. He was preceded in death by his maternal, loving Maw-Maw, Mary Sue Lanham; and his paternal great-grandfather, Billy Knight. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandfather, Charles Lanham of Gallagher; paternal grandparents, William "Buggs" and Sue Knight of Crown Hill; great-grandmother, Mary Sparkman of Crown Hill. Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank, with the Rev. Cheyenne Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in the Green-Castle family cemetery on Paint Creek. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank, is in charge of arrangements.

Clyde Clifford Leslie Jr.
COWEN - Clyde Clifford Leslie Jr., 53, of Helen Avenue, Cowen, died April 6, 2003, at his residence after a brief illness. Born Nov. 14, 1949, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Clyde C. Sr. and Margaret Young Leslie. He was also preceded in death by a son, Clyde Clifford Leslie III. Mr. Leslie was a Protestant by faith. Survivors include a son, Jacob Scott Leslie of Westbury, N.Y.; a daughter, Jamy Anne Leslie of Westbury; two brothers, John and Larry Leslie, both of Cowen; and a sister, Patricia Fields of Wanchese, N.C. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at Adams Funeral Home, Cowen, with the Rev. Robert Bondurant of Huntington officiating. Burial will follow in Handschumacher Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Jon Eric McClure
SOUTH POINT, Ohio - Jon Eric McClure, 35, of South Point, formerly of Huntington, W.Va., husband of Angela Harrah McClure, went to be with the Lord April 5, 2003, in Bremo Bluff, Va. He was born Sept. 8, 1967, in Charleston, W.Va., a son of William "Bill" McClure of Huntington and Martha L. Pauley McClure, also of Huntington. He was a pipe layer with Reynolds Inc. Construction Company, based in Orleans, Ind. He was a graduate of Huntington East High School and was a Little League coach for both football and baseball leagues in Rock Hill, Ohio, as well as a district umpire in Southeast Ohio. Additional survivors include two sons, Stephen and Drake McClure, both at home; three brothers, Michael D. McClure and wife, Kammi, of Barboursville, W.Va., Scott E. McClure of Huntington, Ryan W. McClure of Barboursville, W.Va.; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Boyd McClure of Alkol, W.Va.; two nephews, Chad and Joshua McClure, both of Barboursville; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Donald and Marian Harrah of South Point; and many other family and friends. Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10, at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, with the Rev. Basil R. Hudson officiating. Burial will be in the McClure Cemetery, Alkol, Lincoln County, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jon E. McClure Family trust fund, 401 10th St., Suite 500, Huntington, WV 25071.

Edwin H. McCoy
RUPERT - Edwin H. McCoy, 75, of Rupert died April 6, 2003. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Wallace Memorial Cemetery, Clintonville.

B. Marie Childers Mozzetti
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - B. Marie Childers Mozzetti, 54, of Port Charlotte died April 5, 2003, in Port Charlotte. She was born Dec. 6, 1948, in Charleston, W.Va., and was a daughter of Beatrice Irene Childers of Charleston and the late Benjamin Avril Childers. In 1995, she moved to Port Charlotte from Roseville, Calif. She was a former administrative assistant for Tesdata Computer, Reston, Va. Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her loving husband, Dr. Michael D. Mozzetti; sons, Richard Ford of Charleston, Kirk Bishopp and Michael Dugan Mozzetti, both of Port Charlotte; sisters, Brenda Priddy of Scott Depot, W.Va., Rosemary Sias of Alum Creek, W.Va., Frances Pauley of Sod; adopted special sister, Robin Hunter of Elkview, W.Va.; and a special niece, Jessica Testa of South Charleston, W.Va. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston, with the Rev. Terry Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Memorial Park, South Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary.

Ves Polen
Ves Polen, 70, of St. Albans departed this life April 7, 2003, at home and found ultimate peace. He was born in Bulgaria to Steve and Penny Polen and spent his childhood there. Coming to America as a teen, he and his family settled in the Charleston area where he attended Charleston High School. He later attended Bethany College, Morris Harvey College, West Virginia State College and West Virginia Tech. He was a Coast Guard veteran and proudly served his new adopted country. He was a master carpenter and, in 1955, founded Polen Home Builders. In his later years, he was the assistant building inspector for the city of St. Albans. Ves was a member of Washington Masonic Lodge 58, Scottish Rite bodies of Charleston, Beni Kedem Shrine where he was a retired clown and Loyal Order of the Moose 868, St. Albans. He was an avid outdoorsman and dearly loved spending time at his camp in the mountains of Pocahontas County. He worked tirelessly toward promoting the improvement of handicap facilities at Buffalo Lake and was a generous supporter of Buffalo Lake Children's Fishing Derby. The only friend Ves didn't have was the person he had not yet met. Always willing to help others, he gave freely and often anonymously of his talents and resources. He was among the first to give someone the benefit of the doubt and among the last to conclude otherwise. He is survived by his wife, Betty Polen; three sons, Linny and his wife, Barb, Greg and and his wife, Sharon, and Mickey, all of St. Albans; a daughter Debbie White and her husband, Joe, of Charleston; and seven grandchildren, Steven, Timmy, Kristen, Kilian, and Rezja Polen and Seth and Beki White. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Dr. Boyd Purcell officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call one hour prior to service at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, 409 6th Ave., St. Albans. Condolences may be sent to bartlettchapman@charterbn.com. We commend Ves' spirit to the haven of the mountains he so truly loved. Mountains represent physically the closest earthly parts to Heaven and to many of us, spiritually, the closest way Home. Ves, may you rest well in your mountains and save us a spot by your fishing hole for when we see you again.

Neil Ross
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Neil Ross, 69, of Washington Township passed away April 7, 2003. He was a retired fire chief at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Glenna Ross; sisters, Carol Hall and Karen Wolfe; and special nieces, Verna and Kelli. Survivors include his wife, Tanya; daughter, Debbie; sons, Scott and Brian; three grandchildren; sisters, Eloise Myers of Roseville, Ohio, Thelma Graury of Bluff City, Tenn., Arlene Robertson of Charleston, W.Va., Susan Brown of Staunton, Va., Sherry Harper of Hull, Texas, Forrest C. Loudin of Wallback, W.Va., Jenny Cutshaver of Palacios, Texas, Sandy Hinkle of Alkol, W.Va.; three special brothers, Carl Brown and Randy and Michael Isble; special sister-in-law, Mikki Dent; special mother-in-law, Carleen Isble; and several nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and "nephews. Service will be 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home, 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Road (State Route 725,) Dayton, Ohio, with the Rev. Ray Allen Tate officiating. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

Carl Lee Shawver
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Carl Lee Shawver, 77, formerly of Charleston, W.Va., died April 5, 2003, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at Grand Strand Medical Center of heart failure. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He worked most of his life for several neon sign companies in Charleston, W.Va. He was born Nov. 13, 1925, in Charleston, W.Va., a son of the late George and Ruby Todd Shawver of Indian Creek, W.Va. He is survived by two daughters, Priscilla Shawver Shirey, now of Myrtle Beach, Diana Shawver Rucker of Charleston, W.Va.; two sons, Mike Shawver of St. Albans, W.Va., Jerry Shawver, now of Myrtle Beach; two sisters, Dorothy Kennedy of Coco, W.Va., Katherine Ide of Redding, Calif.; one brother, Howard Shawver of Gridley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The family has requested a private graveside service Saturday evening. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will be placed to rest in Griffins Cemetery, St. Albans, W.Va. Grand Strand Funeral Home, Myrtle Beach, S.C., is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Eugene Smith
Paul Eugene Smith passed away April 4, 2003. He was born July 19, 1931, in Clendenin, the son of the late U.L. and Nona Osborne Smith. He is survived by his wife, Erma Davis Smith; daughters, Debbie Hayes and Sue Warner; sister, Phyllis Mayfield; and brother, Dr. C. Harold Smith. Graveside service was n Poplar Ridge Cemetery, Sutton.

William J. Smith
CLAY - William J. Smith, 38, of Clay died April 6, 2003. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Sunset Cemetery, Fola. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Pennington Funeral Home, Gauley Bridge.

Dana Stowers
BLAIR - Dana Stowers, 75, of Blair died April 6, 2003, in Catawba Community Hospital, Hickory, N.C. He was a retired miner from Island Creek Coal Mine with 30 years of service and a member of UMWA and Blair Freewill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Pearl Elkins Stowers; wife, Daisy Stowers; brothers, Cody and Billy Dean; and sister, Reba Aldridge. He is survived by one daughter, Mary Jo Hoosier of Crown; three sisters, Earnie Dackery, Lillian Adkins and Anna Lou Miller; three brothers, Lester, Richard and Darrell; four grandchildren, Vicky Bailey and her husband, Pete, of Omar, Billy Ray Hoosier of Taylorville, N.C., Terry Lee and Teddy Joe Hoosier of Crown; eight great-grandchildren, Billy Hoosier and his wife, April, Cary Chaffin and her husband, Billy, Perry D. Bailey, Shan Hoosier and his wife, Kelly, Jessica Bailey, Casey Joe Hoosier, Vicky Lynn Hoosier and T.J. Hoosier; six great-great-grandchildren, Brandon Hoosier, Tanner Hoosier, Tyler Chaffin, Jacob Chaffin, Griffin Hoosier and D.J. Moore. Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Handley Funeral Home, Danville, with the Rev. Elmer Nelson Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Danville Memorial Park, Danville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Cora B. Stricklin
HURRICANE - Cora B. Stricklin, 78, of Hurricane died April 7, 2003, in Putnam General Hospital, Hurricane, after a long illness. Born Sept. 26, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Sherdan and Eliza Jane Trent Thacker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul William Stricklin. She was a member of Young's Chapel, Bridge Creek, Hurricane, and the Southern States Homemakers. She was a lifelong resident of Putnam County and was a personal caregiver. Surviving are daughters, Sue Stowers and Patsy Ann Stevens, both of Hurricane; son, Ernest Paul Stricklin of Hurricane; sister, Violet Leadmon of Hurricane; brother, Dewey Thacker of Hurricane; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Service and burial were private. You may e-mail condolences to the family at chapmanfuneralhome@charter.net. Chapman Funeral Home, Teays Valley, was in charge of arrangements.