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Elber E. Allen
SPENCER -- Elber E. Allen, 66, of Spencer died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Huntington Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was born at Newton, Roane County, retired from General Electric, was a truck driver, an Army veteran, member of the VFW and Newton Baptist Church. Surviving: sons, Steve Allen of Indianapolis, Ind., Jeff Allen of Albany, Ky.; daughters, Linda Moffett of Indianapolis, Becky Bailey of Athens, Ohio; brother, Waldo Allen of Sebastian, Fla.; sisters, Vonnie McDaniel of Parkersburg, Mazie Andrick of Palestine; several grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Busch Funeral Home, Elizabeth, with the Rev. David Armentrout officiating. Burial will be in Palestine Cemetery, Thorne Addition, with military graveside rites. Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

Ira Atkinson
MABSCOTT -- Ira Atkinson, 76, of Mabscott died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, is in charge of arrangements.

Argie L. Baker
OCALA, Fla.-- Argie Lowell Baker, 64, of Ocala, formerly of Branchland, W.Va., died Monday, April 13, 1998, in Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala, after a long illness. He was a shipping clerk with International Harvester, a member of McClarity United Baptist Church, Branchland, and an Army veteran. Surviving: wife, Tennessee Baker; daughter, Barbara Cyrus of Ocala; son, Randy L. Baker of Ocala; sisters, Goldie Smithson of Fort Wayne, Ind., Mary Beckelheimer and Eula Mae Baker of Branchland; brothers, Arnold S. Baker of Bridgeview, Ill., Arvin C. Baker of Branchland; three grandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at McGhee-Handley Funeral Home, West Hamlin, W.Va., with the Rev. Archie Frazier and the Rev. Argy Davis officiating. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery, Branchland. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ernest Balazs
Ernest Balazs, 77, of St. Albans died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Riverside Nursing Home, St. Albans. He was a chef and a Presbyterian. Surviving: sons, James Whittaker and Thomas Whittaker of Charleston; sisters, Helen Smith and Gladys Neu of Charleston, Irene Daigel of Florence, N.J., Margaret Halstead of Cross Lanes; two grandchildren. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, with the Rev. A.D. Ellison officiating. Friends may call 45 minutes prior to service at J.E. Johnson Funeral Home, Kanawha City.

Jimmy H. Ball
HUNTINGTON -- Jimmy H. "Skeeter" Ball, 60, of Huntington died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington. He was a retired CSX clerk, president of the board of directors of the Huntington C&O Railroad Federal Credit Union, a member of the state, county and Huntington PTA association, a former softball coach at League 1, assistant girl's softball coach at Vinson, head coach of golf at Ceredo-Kenova, member of Izaak Walton League, former local chairman of TCU and a stock car driver on dirt and asphalt tracks. Surviving: wife, Mary Sammons Ball; daughters, Pamela Hodge and Robin Suzanne Ball of Huntington; mother, Lucy Ball Russe Sutphin of Charleston; brothers, VanBuren Ball Jr. of Huntington, Johnny Ball and Danny Joe Ball of Madison; sisters, Emma Cobourn and Tenna Nora Ball of Florida, Jeanette Bias of Madison, Laura Monk of Charleston; one grandchild. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Reger Funeral Home,Huntington. Burial will be in Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Rose E. Beam
RAINELLE -- Rose Evelyn Beam, 87, of Rainelle, formerly of Rupert, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Heartland of Rainelle after a long illness. She was a former worker in the Baptist church and a homemaker. Surviving: sisters, Macel Beam and Muriel Cook of Rupert; brothers, A.L. Collins of Reno, Nev., Clyde Collins of Rupert. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, with the Rev. Chris Hanshew officiating. Burial will be in End of the Trail Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Richard Blankenship
PRICHARD -- Richard Blankenship, 82, of Prichard died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington. He retired from Island Creek Coal Co. and was a member of Lily of the Valley Freewill Baptist Church, Trace Creek. Surviving: sons, Curtis and Kermit of Prichard, Emmett of Ceredo, Cebern of Holden, Thomas of Swiss; sister, Mae Hunt of Williamson; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at James Funeral Home, Logan, with the Rev. Gene Goodman and the Rev. Isaac Sturgill officiating. Burial will be in Vance Cemetery, Holden. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Frederick T. Burns Sr.
ASBURY -- Frederick T. Burns Sr., 47, of Asbury, Greenbrier County, formerly of Fort Spring, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was an eight-year resident of Asbury, a loader operator for RBS Inc., Caldwell, a member of Fort Spring Missionary Baptist Church and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Surviving: companion, Brenda Patterson of Asbury; sons, Frederick T. Burns Jr. of Fort Benning, Ga., Jason B. Burns of Williamsburg; mother, Agnes V. Burns of Trout; sisters, Nora Judy of Williamsburg, Dorothy Fisher and Mary Johnson of Trout, Virginia Francisco of Greenville; brothers, Howard Burns of Organ Cave, Bill Burns of Caldwell, Alvin Burns of Dewey, Okla., Larry Burns of Ronceverte, Lewis Burns of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Fort Spring Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald Cobb officiating. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Fort Spring. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Longanacre Funeral Home, Fort Spring, and one hour prior to service Friday at the church.

Ira S. Collins
SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. -- Ira S. Collins, 62, of Satellite Beach, formerly of Charleston, W.Va.,died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Carnegie Gardens Nursing Center, Melbourne, Fla. She was a Protestant. Surviving: daughter, Nancy Collins of Indiana; sons, Ira S. Collins Jr. and Dwight Moody Collins of Indiana; sisters, Shirley Cooper and Alice Short of Palm Bay, Fla., Mary Williams of Bradenton, Fla.; one grandchild; several nieces and nephews. There will be no service. South Brevard Funeral Home, Melbourne, is in charge of arrangements.

Patsy S. Cook
ASHFORD -- Patsy Sue Cook, 49, of Ashford died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at home after a long illness. She was a member of Rumble Baptist Church. Surviving: husband, Thomas J. Cook Jr.; daughters, Kimberly Cook of Cross Lanes, Terri Barker, Peggy Cook and Brenda Cook of Ashford; son, Mark Cook of Peytona; mother, Martha Lutsy Little of Ashford; sister, Rue Teague of Madisonville, Ky.; brothers, Buzz Little and Bobby Little of Ashford; one grandchild. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Rumble Community Baptist Church, Rumble, with the Rev. Richard Harold and the Rev. Fairley McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Pineview Cemetery, Orgas. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Armstrong Funeral Home, Whitesville, and one hour prior to service at the church.

Eloise T. Cottle
ELIZABETH -- Eloise T. Cottle, 79, of Elizabeth died Saturday, April 4, 1998, in Camden Clark Memorial Hospital, Parkersburg. She was a graduate of Wirt County High School, a 1939 graduate of Glenville State College with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education, did undergraduate studies at West Virginia University and retired in 1975 from the Wirt County Board of Education with 33 years of service. She was a member of Wirt County Retired Teachers Association, a former member of the board of directors of Dora B. Woodyard Library and Wirt County Scholarship Fund, a member of Elizabeth Beauchamp Chapter, Daughters of the Pioneers, Wirt Chapter 113 Order of the Eastern Star, former curator at Beauchamp-Newman Museum, Elizabeth, member of Bethesda Baptist Church, Palestine, and for many years, the Eloise Cottle Award has been presented to an outstanding member of Wirt County High School Council in her honor. Surviving: husband, Lester Cottle; son, Gil Cottle of Falls Church, Va.; daughters, Ann Garges of Indiana, Pa., Terry Hardlan of Vienna; seven grandchildren. Service was April 6 at Busch Funeral Home, Elizabeth, with the Rev. Mark McCloy officiating. Burial was in Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Elizabeth. The family suggests memorial contributions to Wirt County Scholarship Fund, c/o Busch Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Elizabeth, WV 26143.

Daniel Dress
LOGAN -- Daniel Dress, 48, of Logan died Monday, April 13, 1998, in Cabell-Huntington Hospital. He was a musician and Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Surviving: father, Joe Dress Sr. of Logan; brothers, Joe Jr. and Albert of Logan. The body has been cremated. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Honaker Funeral Home, Logan.

Joann A. Eiseman
SUMMERSVILLE -- Joann A. Eiseman, 64, of Summersville died Monday, April 13, 1998, in Summersville Memorial Hospital after a short illness. She was a member of the Moose Lodge, Akron, Ohio. Surviving: son, Boyd Wolf of Guin, Ala.; daughter, Karen Davis of Cliffton; stepson, Bruce Eiseman of Akron; stepdaughter, Barbara Golec of Akron; sister, Anna Beth Linger of Craigsville; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild. There will be no service. The body has been cremated. Simons-Coleman Funeral Home, Richwood, is in charge of arrangements.

Billie G. Herndon
Billie G. Herndon, 67, of Belle died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Belle after a long illness. She was a retired licensed practical nurse from CAMC, Memorial Division, a member of St. John Catholic Church, Belle, and a member of Charleston Lodge 1444 Loyal Order of the Moose. Surviving: husband, Lewis Edward Herndon Jr.; daughter, Pat Hodges of Frankfort; sister, Remona Gayle Fogg of Barberton, Ohio; brother, Leland Massey of Taveres, Fla.; grandchildren, Tim Thompson of Tampa, Fla., Andy Hodges of Knoxville, Tenn., Nora Smith of Boca Raton, Fla. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John Catholic Church, Belle, with Father Albert Alexandrunas officiating. Entombment will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Stevens-Grass Funeral Home, Malden, where a scriptural wake service will be held 7:30 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. John Catholic Church, 325 E. 10th St., Belle, WV 25015 or Jack Thompson Memorial Scholarship, c/o University of Charleston, 2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE., Charleston, WV 25304.

Stephen M. Hopkins
BECKLEY -- Stephen Michael Hopkins, 6, of Beckley died Monday, April 13, 1998, at home after a long illness. He was a student at Bradley Elementary School and attended Mabscott United Methodist Church. Surviving: parents, Michael and Tammy Gregg Hopkins; sisters, Becky Hopkins and Kasey Hopkins of Beckley; brother, John Hopkins of Beckley; paternal grandmother, Edith Hopkins of Bluefield; maternal grandparents, Dearl and Becky Gregg of Fort Pierce, Fla.; several aunts and uncles. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Melton Mortuary, Beckley, with the Rev. Roger Pauley officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Women and Children's Hospital, CAMC, Charleston, WV 25301.

Jaunita S. Hopper
ATTALLA, Ala. -- Jaunita Strickland Hopper, 73, of Attalla died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at home. She was a homemaker. Surviving: husband, Arthur Hopper; stepsons, Donald Hopper of Michigan, Danny Hopper of Arkansas; stepdaughters, Dian Holmes and Priscella Pergeson of Arkansas; brothers, Harold Strickland and Darold Strickland of Elkview, W.Va.; sisters, Opal Rose of Clendenin, W.Va., Pauline Humphreys and Retha Auxier of Elkview, Helen Taylor Jones of Orlando, Fla.; 10 stepgrandchildren. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Hafer Funeral Home, Elkview, with the Rev. James A. Gunnoe officiating. Burial will be in Melton Cemetery, Elkview. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Wilson B. Hunter
Wilson Brooks Hunter, 88, of Charleston died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Meadow Brook Acres Nursing Center, Charleston. He was a retired operator from DuPont with 32 years of service and a Methodist. Surviving: wife, Elsie Marie Hunter; sons, James Edward Hunter of Manning, S.C., William Brooks Hunter of Paramount, Calif., Robert Lee Hunter of Charleston, Ernie Wilson Hunter of Elkview; daughter, Hazel D. Withrow of Scott Depot; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Service was to be 1 p.m. today at Hafer Funeral Home, Elkview, with the Rev. Ronald Hunter officiating. Burial was to be in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney.

John G. Komorowski
RICHWOOD -- John Grover Komorowski, 54, of Richwood died Friday, April 10, 1998, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown. He was a retired coal miner and former construction worker. Surviving: sons, John W. of Angiorgo, N.C., Gregory A. of Cowen; daughters, Bridgette Nichols and Crystal Nichols of Kansas City, Kan.; mother, Mabel Sutton Komorowski of Triangle, Va.; brothers, Chester S. of Huntington, Joseph D. of Raleigh, N.C.; sisters, Sophia A. Rollins of Triangle, Della J. Clemens of Sandusky, Ohio, Victoria K. Alemis of Elgin, Ill.; six grandchildren. Graveside service was Wednesday at Calvin Memorial Gardens, Calvin. Hastings Funeral Home, Morgantown, is in charge of arrangements.

Ada F. LaFon
BEAVER -- Ada Florence LaFon, 99, of Beaver died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital after a long illness. She was a homemaker, a life member of Beaver Baptist Church, member of the church choir and a piano teacher in Raleigh County with more than 60 years of service. Surviving: daughters, Elsie M. Jarvis of Charleston, Elnora Hall of North Ridge, Calif.; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Beaver Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Hersom, the Rev. J. Clair Jarvis, the Rev. Patricia A. Jarvis, the Rev. James J. Jarvis and the Rev. Julian G. Sulgit officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Rose-Quesenberry Funeral Home, Beckley, and one hour prior to service Friday at the church.

Ruth S. Lewis
BECKLEY -- Ruth Spade Lewis, 86, of Beckley died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Appalachian Regional Hospital, Beckley. She was a secretary for the Beckley Chamber of Commerce and Beckley Business Bureau with 10 years of service and an administrative assistant at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. Surviving: daughters, Benita Jo Biggs of Beckley, Carol Patricia Ameling of South Bend; brother, Charles E. Spade of Daniels; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. Service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley, with the Rev. Randy Warden officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Andrew L. Lindsey Sr.
SMITHERS -- Andrew Lee Lindsey Sr., 64, of Smithers died Monday, April 13, 1998, in Heartland of Charleston Nursing Home after a long illness. He was a former employee of the U.S. Postal Service, an Army veteran, attended Simmons High School, Montgomery, and Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md. Surviving: wife, Gwen Lindsey; daughters, Pamm Moore of Rand, Patricia Lindsey of Charleston; son, Clinton of Smithers; brothers, William and Phillip of Columbus, Ohio; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at First Missionary Baptist Church, Smithers, with Elder Ron Smith officiating. Burial will be in Meadow Haven Memorial Park, Ingram Branch. Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Anderson-Hairston Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge of arrangements.

Terrence J. Pearson
DAYTON, Ohio -- Terrence J. "Terry" Pearson, 50, of Dayton died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, after a short illness. He was a retired policeman from the Dayton Police Department with 29 years of service and was employed by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, Dayton. He was member of FOP Lodge 44. Surviving: wife, Cay Pearson; daughter, Cathleen Pearson of Dayton; son, Jack of Dayton; sisters, Delina Varney of Ripley, W.Va., Jean Droz of Winter Park, Fla., Joan Ryan of Peru, Ind.; brother, Frank of Madison, W.Va. Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Tobias Funeral Home, Beavercreek, Ohio, with Pastor Gary Favor officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Muscular Distrophy Association or the Guy E. Roherer Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Dayton Foundation, 1 Kettering Tower, Dayton, OH 45423.

Floyd Rickman
ALDERSON -- Floyd Rickman, 72, of Alderson died today, April 16, 1998, at home after a long illness. Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, is in charge of arrangements.

Lillian L. Russell
GRAFTON -- Lillian Lyle Vaughan Russell, 86, of Grafton, formerly of Alderson, died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Rosewood Health Care Center, Grafton, after a long illness. Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, is in charge of arrangements.

Murhl M. Slaven
RAVENSWOOD -- Murhl M. Slaven, 83, of Ravenswood died Wednesday, April 15, 1998, in Ravenswood Village Health Center, Ravenswood. She was a homemaker. Surviving: sons, Bill of Sherman, Thomas L. of Creedmore, N.C.; daughters, Gladys Kay Freeman of Ravenswood, Judith A. Patterson of Cottageville; sisters, Marie Lutz of Stow, Ohio, Gladys Preston of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Roush Funeral Home, Ravenswood, with the Rev. Darrell Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Ravenswood Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Virginia D. Somerville
POINT PLEASANT -- Virginia Dunn Somerville, 90, of Point Pleasant died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Pleasant Valley Hospital. She was a homemaker and member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Point Pleasant. Survivivng: son, Paul R. Jr. of Point Pleasant; daughter, Mary Ingles of New Haven; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home, Point Pleasant, with the Rev. George C. Weirick officiating. Burial will be in Kirkland Memorial Gardens, Point Pleasant. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Peter's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 28th Street and Parrish Avenue, Point Pleasant, WV 25550.

Mike Sutyak
SOPHIA -- Mike Sutyak, 77, of Sophia died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in a Charleston hospital after a short illness. He was a retired miner, member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, and an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the UMW, Loyal Order of the Moose 1606 and American Legion Post 0032. Surviving: wife, Marie Martin Sutyak; son, George Michael Sutyak of Beckley; daughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Richmond of Beaver; brother, Joseph Sutyak of Taylor, Mich.; sisters, Mary Liloia of Boca Raton, Fla., Vera Vest of Princeton; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Beckley, with the Rev. William E. Matheny Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia, where a rosary will be held at 8:30 p.m.

Cleo G. Taylor
NEWTON -- Cleo G. Taylor, 78, of Newton died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division. She was a homemaker, member of Newton United Methodist Church and Linden Chapter 152 Order of the Eastern Star. Surviving: sons, Cecil C. Jr. of Dumfries, Va., Ronald K. and Allan K. of Newton; sister, Freda Keen of Sterling, Colo.; brother, Russell Hensley of Newton; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Newton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Jones officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Point Cemetery, Newton. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, and one hour prior to service at the church.

Ray R. Woodall
BUFFALO -- Ray R. Woodall, 78, of Buffalo, Putnam County, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness. He retired from Monsanto, Nitro, with 34 years of service, was an Army veteran of World War II, a lifelong resident of the Buffalo area and a Christian. Surviving: wife, Ruby Williams Woodall; four nieces; one nephew. Service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Haven of Rest Mausoleum Chapel, Red House, with the Rev. William "Bud" Hatfield officiating. Entombment will be in Haven of Rest Mausoleum. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo.