Eugene “Gene” Miller, 89, of McCorkle, died Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, after a short illness.

He was a retired coal miner, co-founder and deacon of Ely Community Church, a devout Christian, a loving father, and grandfather.

Gene was born April 23, 1917 at Woodville. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Samuel “Sammy” and Nettie Mae McKinney Miller; wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Hughes Miller; one infant daughter, Cynthia Beth Miller.

He is survived by his sons, Donnie, Jerry and Jackie (Margo) Miller; daughters, Carol (David) King, Patsy (Orville) Keeling all of Ely Creek; brother Cline S. Miller of Little Horse Creek; sisters-in-law, Elsie Legg and Ermal “Betty” Miller; 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

Services will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Dwight McClure officiating. Burial will be held in the Miller Cemetery, McCorkle. Friends may call on Friday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Hospice Care 1143 Dunbar Ave. Dunbar, WV 25064

Estel G. Kessel, 94, of South Charleston passed away Monday, October 23, 2006.

He was retired from Owens-Illinois Glass Co., and owner of Kessel Coffee Shop in Spring Hill. Mr. Kessel was born May 1, 1912 in Ripley, WV. A son to the late, Walter & Mary Kessel. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Sam, Floyd & Tony Kessel and one sister, Irene.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda G.

2 Sons & daughters-in-law: Tom & Nancy Kessel of South Charleston
Al & Maryanne Kessel of Elm Grove, Wisconsin

1 Sister: Faye Ruth Young of California

5 Grandchildren: Tom II, Jerry, Daniel & Graham Kessel
Chad Barthlow

3 Great Grandchildren: Tom III, Katie & Colton Kessel

Services will be 2:30 PM Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Rev. Chuck Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Kenneth Paul Whitten, beloved son of Donald and Charlotte Whitten of Griffithsville, born May 21, 1970, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2006 at home after a three year illness.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Kenneth Whitten, maternal grandparents, Paul and Carlie Cummings, and his aunt, Sharon Baisden.

Kenny was a Baptist and believed in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a gifted musician and an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He was a 1988 graduate of Duval High School where he excelled as an athlete. After graduation, he went to work for his father at Whitten’s IGA and for the U.S. Postal Service. In 1993, he began working for the WV State Tax Department as a criminal investigator. He remained employed for the state until October 2004 at which time he became totally disabled because of a faulty surgical procedure performed on his neck at Putnam General Hospital.

Besides his parents, Kenny is survived by one sister, Sue McComas of Griffithsville; a twin brother, Donnie and his wife, Shawnda of Yawkey; a brother, Michael of Griffithsville; and his loving paternal grandmother, Hazel Whitten of Woodville. He is also survived by nephews and nieces who adored him and affectionately called him Kenny Bob: Nicholas, Brady, Carson and Carly McComas; Michael, Wade, and Joe Whitten; Alex Prince; Annie Pauley and Garrett Whitten who was Kenny’s little G-Man. Additional survivors include several aunts and uncles: Barry and Chiquita Whitten of Woodville; Ronnie and Kay Cummings of Alkol; Roger Whitten of Woodville; Ronald and Katherine Whitten of Griffithsville; Huey “Mickey” and Marilyn Cummings of North Ridgeville, Ohio; and Sharon and Garry Greene of North Ridgeville, Ohio and by many cousins and good friends, in particular, Robin Dingess who was his ex-wife and remained his lifelong friend.

Kenny was a very special person, with a great sense of humor and an outgoing personality. During his life he made many friends, none of which will ever forget Kenny, his guitar in his hands and a smile on his face. He shared a great love with his family and he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful man.

Services will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastor Rick Cooper and Rev. Kenton Cecil officiating. Burial will be held in Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends may call on Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.

Mayward E. McClure, 82, of Elkview went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at the Oak Ridge Center, Charleston.

He was a painter for Carbide with 37 years of service, and a member of Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Sod where he served the Lord faithfully for 41 years.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glennis; sons, Gary and (Sandy) of Elkview, Adrian and (Angela) of Griffithsville; daughter, Renee and (Mike) DeBord of Canal Winchester, Ohio; brothers, Herbert of Winfield and Clifford of Sumerco; sister, Esther Midkiff of Alum Creek; six grandchildren, Jeff McClure, Andrea Snyder, Heather Wood, Michael McClure, Aimee McGrady, Jim DeBord; four great grandchildren, Emma Snyder, Hannah Wood, Owen Snyder, and Isaac DeBord.

Services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2006 at Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Sod with Pastors Phil Suiter and Mike Kordusky officiating. Burial will be held in Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends may call on Saturday from 6 to 8 PM at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek and on Sunday one hour prior to the services at the church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Oak Ridge Center for their loving care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Gideons International, PO Box 731, St. Albans, WV 25177.

Julia Catherine Cassell of MacArthur, WV departed this life Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at the home of her daughter in Alkol, WV surrounded by her loving children. She was in her 98th year.

Julia was born and raised in Green Island, NY, the daughter of the late Stefan and Mary Malciak Melicherik. The last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John J. Cassell, Sr.; son, John (Bud) Cassell, Jr.; infant daughter, Frances; grandson, Brian Hopkins; granddaughter, Margaret Vickers; great-grandson, Thomas F. Vickers III; great granddaughters, Lilly Rhode and Samantha Workman; sisters, Mary Speron, Anna Taulty, Eva Bohn, Irene Aquirre; brothers, Stephen and Joseph Melicherik.

Mrs. Cassell was a nurse, who retired from Pinecrest State Hospital. She worked preciously at Beckly Hospital, Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, Raleigh General Hospital and had worked as a private duty nurse. She enjoyed crocheting, had made many Afghans for most of all her children and grandchildren. A terrific cook, she enjoyed preparing Sunday dinner for all her family. She would always greet her family and visitors with a big hug and a smile, “Honey, you must be hungry! What would you like to eat?” Her family specials included homemade bread, cabbage rolls, fried chicken and homemade noodles followed by fried pineapple pies or cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed singing. A Roman Catholic, she began each morning and ended each night with a prayer. Julia is survived by 135 direct decendants.

She leaves behind her children: Virginia (Ginny) Vickers Adkins of Alkol; Irene Rorrer Cantley & husband, John Floyd of Beckley; Patty Hall and husband, John of Columbus, OH; Larry
Cassell and wife, Carol of Strongsville, OH; Judith Cassell of Cleveland, OH; Antoinette Hatcher, husband, Ron of Shady Spring; Julia Catherine Blair & husband, James Sr., of Brunswick, OH;
& Susan Matheny of Beckley.

Julia was a loving, unselfish and caring Mother and grandmother who always put her children first. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Fr. Samuel Sacus as celebrant. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Highlawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill. Visitation and tribute to our precious Mother will be from 6 to 10 pm today at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. 1200 Harper Road, Beckley, WV 25801.

Judy A. August, 64, of Charleston passed away at Hubbard Hospice House on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, after injuries received in an auto accident.

She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, and adoring great grandmother, dependable sister, supportive friend and consistent Christian. Constantly praying that all she loved would meet her in heaven someday. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and church.
Preceding her in death, but meeting her in her heavenly home are her son, Gary W. August, Jr.; her father, Luther Crum; and her friend, Reba M. Smith.

She leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Gary W. August. She is also survived by her daughters: Kimberly Campbell-Dean of Charleston, South Charleston; and Becki Chambless of Charleston, West Virginia. Grand-Children: Chaz Campbell and Janessa Campbell of South Carolina, Melissa D. Campbell of South Carolina, Savannah Chambless of West Virginia. Great Grandson, Zachary Campbell of South Carolina. She will be deeply missed by her mother, Marie Crum and each of her three sisters and four brothers, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks goes to the “special” caring doctors and nurses of Charleston General Hospital; the caring and supportive staff of Hubbard Hospice House; the prayers from the South East Bible Missionary Church and the unfailing support of their new pastor and his wife, Rev. And Mrs. Steven Yancy; and to her brother, Pastor Ron Crum and his church family for food and support from the King’s River Church. A special thanks also to Regina Shaffer, whose meals came without fail and to those that came to stay the long nights.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Thursday, October 19, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastors Steven Yancy & Ron Crum officiating. Final resting place will be Pineview Cemetery, Orgas, WV. Friends may call from 7 to 9 Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV 25311 or the South East Bible Missionary Church, 5701 Chesterfield Ave., Charleston, WV 25304.

Ethel Z. Carrier, 80, of St. Albans, formerly of Alum Creek, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Hubbard Hospice House Charleston after a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt Joseph Carrier, parents William and Leela Pauley and 11 brothers and sisters.

She attended the Independent Baptist Church at Alum Creek.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lynn Cook of Dunbar and Karla Arcy of Dublin, Ohio and two sons, James Carrier of Nitro and Dwayne Carrier of Deland, Florida.

11 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 1:00 PM at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek, with Pastors Frank Chapman, Bill Egerdahl and Jason Carrier officiating. Burial will be at the Orchard Hill Memory Gardens at Yawkey. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

James W. Hess, 80 of So. Charleston, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at home after a short illness.

He went to heaven to be with his mother Etha Lee Tayloe-Hess, father Charles Edward Hess, brothers Fred ,Charles, Glenn Eugene Hess and his daughter Donna Jean Hess.

He was a WWII Army veteran and former owner of the Hess Brothers Service Station at Alum Creek and was a natural storyteller and gifted mechanic, loved spending time with his family and his beloved grandchildren. He also enjoyed his two little dogs, Pepper and Tiger.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia. Daughters Linda and husband John Skrobak, Kay and husband Martin Minske. Son, Mike and wife Cindy Hess.

Stepchildren, Terri Mollohan and husband Mike and Jerry Lee Wood.

Grandchildren, Dr. Jocelyn Kelly Bockelmann and husband Andreas, Joshua Ian Holley and wife Sara, Jamie and Jessi Hess, Stephanie Mollohan and one great grandchild Sai Holley.

Brothers, Kenneth, George and Joe Hess.

Funeral service will be 8:00 PM Thursday at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will be at 11:00 AM Friday at the Hess Family Cemetery in So. Charleston with Military Rites conducted by the Benny Padilla VFW Post 4768 . Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Kanawha Hospice Care 1143 Dunbar Ave. Dunbar, WV 25064 or Kanawha-Charleston Humane Assoc. 1248 Greenbrier St. Charleston, WV, 25311.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice, Barbara Wilson and Sandra King for their care and assistance.

Maurice Monroe “Pete” Murphy, 90, of Cape Coral, FL formerly of St. Albans, WV passed away Monday, October 9, 2006 in New Port Richey, FL., after an extended battle with cancer.

He retired from FMC Corporation, So. Charleston on March 1, 1978 after 42 years of service.
He was a founding member of the East End Church of Christ, St. Albans, WV.
He was preceded in death by:

Wife: Marie Murphy; Parents: Hugh & Della Murphy; Brother, Lester Murphy; Sisters: Margaret Murphy & Mildred Hirst.

He is survived by:

1 Daughter: Marguerite Buckalew, Cape Coral, FL

2 Sons: Hugh Murphy (spouse Bobby), New Port Richey, FL
Michael Murphy (spouse: Sally), Cape Coral, FL

1 Sister: Madge Lore, St. Albans, WV

7 Grandchildren
11 Great Grandchildren
3 Great -great Grandchildren

Service will be 1:00 PM Friday, October 13, 2006 at the East End Church of Christ, 2235 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans, WV with Minister Sean McCallister officiating. Burial will be at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at the East End Church of Christ, 2235 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans. Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek is in charge of arrangements.

Thurman “Fat”Stickler, 93, of Yawkey went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday October 3, 2006 at Meadow Brook Assistance Living Home at Camp Creek after a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his wife Muriel Hill Stickler, twin brother Kermit, brother Cyphas, sister Bessie and parents James and Stella Stickler.

In the early 50’s he started to Morris Harvey College to get a teaching degree and began teaching grade school. Married Muriel Hill in December 1958. He did carpentry work, worked hard in the fields, fox hunted on the hills and never gave up.

His dad told him after his leg was amputated-now you’re not going to be able to do what other boys do now-but that spurred him on, he worked, played ball, fox hunted lived a great life and always had a positive attitude.

Ask him how he was and he would always answer, “fit as a feddle”.

He was a Christian all his life, Loved music, knew the musical notes and taught at many churches. Led singing and was a member at the Porter Fork Baptist Church all his life where his mom and dad were charter members.

He lived all his life on the Stickler farm in Yawkey, except for a short time in Griffithsville while he built his house.

He is survived by his Niece, Joan and her husband Kenneth Mitchell of Yawkey and many friends and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, October 6, at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek with Minister Kenneth Mitchell officiating. Burial will be at Orchard Hill Memory Gardens at Yawkey. Friends may call from 7 to 9 PM Thursday at the funeral home.