Obituaries
The Putnam Standard daughters-in-law, Steven and Michelle Koontz of Ripley and Chris and Meredith Koontz of Kenna; former daughter-in-law, who he still considered as a close member of the family, Lori Lanier; sister, Francis Harrison of Swansboro, N.C.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Koontz, Andrea Koontz Barr and her husband, Joey, and their daughter, Zoie, Isaac, Ethan and Eli Koontz and Daniel and Samuel Parsons; nephews, Larry Fisher, Richard Crank, Greg Koontz, Travis Koontz and James Harrison; and niece, Catheryn Brooks. Services were held Sunday, February 19, 2012 at Goldtown Community Church with the Rev. Al Mendez and the Rev. Aaron Jones officiating. Burial followed in Floral Hills Gardens of Memories, Pocatalico. Good Shepherd Mortuary, South Charleston was in charge of arrangements. The family asks that donations are made to Goldtown Community Church, 17549 Charleston Road, Kenna, WV 25248.
AARON RAY LILLY Aaron Ray Lilly, 33, of Scott Depot passed away. He was a salesman for Teays Valley Hardware, Scott Depot. He was a music lover, and played guitar. He will be remembered for his honesty and trustworthiness. He was a loving father of three; a cherished and loved son; a wonderful brother; and a friend to many. Aaron is survived by his children, Griffin Edward, Reece Aaron and Macheala Sidnee Lilly; mother, Pamela R. Lilly; sister, Sara Elizabeth Lilly; uncles, Tom and John Miller; aunts, Beverley Murdock and Pam Miller; nieces, Kaitlyn Mae and Savannah Nicole Lilly; and multiple cousins. A celebration of Aaron's life was held Sunday, February 19, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans. Burial followed in Forks of Coal Cemetery, Alum Creek. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.casdorphandcurry.com.
W.E. "BILL" McELFISH W.E. "Bill" McElfish, 84, of Hurricane passed away at his home February 15, 2012, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Kate McElfish; and granddaughter, Cassi Joanna McElfish. He was retired from Union Carbide; a member of Hurricane First Baptist Church; and a member of Putnam Masonic Lodge AF&AM 139. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lu McElfish; sons, Brad (Ellen) McElfish and Dr. Charles E. McElfish, both of Hurricane; five grandchildren, Michel Alan Dixon, Jacquelyn Simokat, Briana McElfish, Kendrick McElfish
and Kathryn Lee Chaffin; three great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Becky Ryan, Sandy Cripps and Ron Oxley; two step-grandchildren, Jennifer Porter and Kelly Cripps; and two step-greatgrandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 18, at Allen Funeral Home with the Rev. James McGehee officiating. Burial followed in Valley View Memorial Park with Masonic rites conducted by Putnam Lodge AF&AM 139. Condolences may be sent at allenfuneralhomewv.com.
ANTHONY RINGEL Anthony Ringel of St. Albans passed away unexpectedly at home February 14, 2012, from a heart attack. Anthony was born October 7, 1963, at St. Francis Hospital, Charleston. He graduated from St. Albans High School, and attended West Virginia State University. He served as an employee of the West Virginia House of Delegates for many years. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Matthew, in 1984 and his father, Robert A. Ringel, in 2010. Anthony was a well-known drummer, and played in several bands during the 1980s and 1990s. They included The Shock, Reverend Blues and the Apostles and Blue Dogs. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins, WVU Mountaineers and the St. Albans baseball teams, which he loved to watch sitting on lounge chairs in the back of a pickup truck with his dear friend "Mr. White." Anthony was a kind, gentle, sweet man who spoke ill of no one, and was most dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cassidy and Chris Sauvageot; grandson, Christopher Matthew, and granddaughter, Chloe Jean Sauvageot; mother, Eleanor Ringel; brother, Robert J. Ringel; and aunts, April Bersin of Louisiana, Alice Kerner of California, Murel Mabe of South Charleston, Nancy Ringel of Charleston and Alice Melbourne of Connecticut. A Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, February 18, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Albans with Father Patrick McDonough officiating. Burial followed in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. The family suggests donations are made to Anthony's favorite charity, Manna Meals, 1105 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25301. Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans assisted the Ringel family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.casdorphandcurry.com.
ANTHONY RICHARD ROMERO Anthony Richard Romero, 56, of St. Albans passed away February 15, 2012, at home. He was born May 10, 1955, in Wichita, Kan., and was a son of Esubio James and Carolyn Cooper Romero, who preceded him in death. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Lee Townsend; and a sister, Tina Marie Romero. Anthony is survived by his sons, Jason Anthony Romero of Morgantown, Joshua Brock Collins of St. Albans and Andreas Cook of St. Albans; his daughters, Toni Marie Cook of St. Albans and Toni Rae Pentatol; brothers, Casimiro Joe Romero of St. Albans and Micheal Romero of Brockway, Pa.; sister, Antonia Romero Edens of Sissonville; grandchildren, Ricky Cook, Matthew Cook and Andreas Cook Jr.; nieces, Cassandra Romero Tobia, Jessica Romero Brown and Fran Romero; nephews, Justin Romero, Casimiro Jose Romero and James Michael Romero; five greatnephews; and four grand-nieces. A gathering of family and friends was held Saturday, February 18, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.casdorphandcurry.com.
IDA KATHRYN KING ROSS Kathryn has left to join her son, Robert L. Sidebottom II; and her parents, Madeline and Dewey King. She was born in St. Albans, W.Va., and lived there most of her life. Her home on Coal River was always welcoming and warm. Many memorable times were spent there with family and friends and will surely be recalled as the days pass. In 1992, she decided it was time to move to Pensacola to be nearer to her family. She left her beloved WestVirginia and became a fixture at the Park Place Apartments in Pensacola. She will be fondly remembered with the stylish single curler propped in her snow-white hair. She was mother to Thomas K. and Michael B. Sidebottom, grandmother (nanny) to Ben, Meika and Matthew Sidebottom and Amy Hinson (Clint) and greatgrandmother to Denver, Ella and Seth. She was Aunt Kathryn to Steve Sidebottom and Ada Carol McLane (Don). She will always be in the hearts of lifelong friends Mary and Bill Rose and the Austin family of St. Albans. We will miss her. A service for family and friends is being planned. A special thanks is extended to the staff of Consulate Health Care for providing comfort in her final days. Please donate to a favorite charity in her name.
Tuesday,February 28,2012 – Page 11 LARRY “DOC” SLATER Larry “Doc” Slater 63 of Hurricane went to be with the lord at his home on February 14, 2012 after long illness. “Doc” was a retired Truck Driver from Ralph H Burns and Sons and a Computer Tech with P C Medic Computer Service. He was a member of Sheppard’s Chapel Ministry in Arkansas. Surviving: Wife Deborah; Daughters: Jennifer Rose of Sissonville, Tammy Slater of Sissonville and Kelly Harper of Sod; Stepdaughter: Lisa Buglehall Caddo Mills TX. A Celebration of Life was held Friday February 17, 2012 with Rev. Barry Eplin and Rev. Paul Benson officiating. Allen Funeral Home, Hurricane, was in charge of arrangements. His body was cremated after the service. Donations, in memory of Larry Slater, may be made to Shepherd’s Chapel, PO Box 416, Gravette AR 72736.
HOWARD H. STEWART Howard H. Stewart, 82, of Nitro entered into heaven's gate February 10, 2012. Born March 14, 1929, to Homer and Grace Stewart of Whitesville. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn and Delphia; brother, Roy Stewart; and grandson, Jeffrey Scott Hayes. Howard was a Korean War veteran. He was a Bell Lines driver for many years, and Teamster, before retiring from Smith Transfer. Howard was a former member of the Clown Unit with Beni Kedem Shrine, and a volunteer driver, transporting children to the Shriner's Hospitals. Howard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty; loving father to son, Jeff of Nitro; son, David and wife, Sandy, of Nitro; daughter, Robin and husband, Jeff Hayes, of Scott Depot; granddaughters, Cassie and Katie Stewart of Nitro and Jennifer Stephens of Hurricane; and brother, Ronald Lyons of St. Albans. Howard was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Nitro where he enjoyed Sunday school, apple butter days and the men's fellowship breakfast. A Celebration of Christian Life memorial service was held Saturday, February 18, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Nitro with the Rev. Nancy White and
retired Pastor Paul Baldwin officiating. Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans assisted the family. Contributions may be made, in memory of Howard, to St. Paul's UMC Roof Fund, 2008 20th Street, Nitro, WV 25143.
MARSHA J. THOMAS Marsha J. Thomas, 62, of Powhatan, Va., passed away peacefully February 16, 2012, after a long battle with acute renal failure and related health issues. She was born March 11, 1949, in South Charleston. Marsha attended St. Albans High School, and graduated from Marshall University in Huntington. She loved reading, music and her dogs and cats, but most of all her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, David; daughter, Sara Beth; and her brother, John Young of St. Albans. Marsha requested no funeral service, and the family has honored those wishes. There will be a memorial service for her in West Virginia at a later date. Please consider a donation to The Powhatan Animal Control Center, 4000 Old Plantation Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139.
NEAL "BUD" WALTERS JR. Neal "Bud" Walters Jr., 79, of Eleanor passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston. Born June 9, 1932 in Mount Hope, Bud was a son of the late Lonnie Neal Sr. and Grace Miller Walters. He was owner, operator and developer and CEO of Real Estate Equity Corporation, DBA, Camelot Village; a member of Minerva Masonic Lodge 13, Barboursville, A.F. & A.M. and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Neal was a pilot and loved flying his airplanes as well as restoring classic automobiles. He is survived by his wife, Anita Walters; daughter, Michelle Walters Robinson (David) of Eleanor; son, L. Neal Walters III of Oak Hill; sisters, Janice Beaver (David) of Altamonte, Fla., and Patricia Brock of Mount Hope; three grandchildren, David Jr., Isaiah and Isabella Robinson; and his beloved dog and companion, Toby. There will be no services at this
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