On November 7, 2006 after seventy-seven years of a meaningful life and forty-nine years of fulfilling his calling, Pastor James Poe left this world to enter into the presence of his Lord. He spent the majority of his life preaching and teaching people about the God he loved. The many people who were impacted by his life thru the years are too numerous to count. He will be missed by a host of friends, but his absence will be especially felt by the family he cared so much about. They include his wife and best friend of fifty-six years, Conna Poe; his children- Alan Poe, Steve Poe, Annitta Robinson and Annette McLeod; those who joined the family through the years and were treated as his own – Darcel Poe, Nancy Poe, Steve Robinson, Tom McLeod and A. J. Hanson; his grandchildren that meant so much to him – Sarah Poe, Stephen Poe, Benjamin Poe, Allison Poe, Lauren Poe, Chelsea Poe, Leanne McLeod Hanson, Andrea McLeod and his great-grand daughter, Haley Monet Rawlings. Also, he will be missed by his brothers – Ted Poe and David Poe.

Service will be conducted 11:00 am Friday, November 10, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV. Burial will be in the Bryan Family Cemetery. Friends may visit from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Wilda W. Breedlove, 87, of Yawkey, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 6, 2006 at home after an extended illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband Emmitt “Pete” Breedlove and was a Navy veteran of WWII..

She is survived by her:

Sons:
Emmitt W. Breedlove
and Steven & his wife, Lisa of Yawkey;

Daughter: Margaret Poling & husband, Ken of So. Charleston.

Sisters: Betty Holestin of Morrisvale
Rena Adkins & Dixie Sloan of Hamlin

Brothers: Paul & Teddy Weaver of Hamlin

Grandsons: Joshua & Cody Breedlove

Services will be conducted Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 1:00 PM at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with Pastor Oshel Bell officiating. Burial will be at the Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey. Friends may call from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

Barbara Ellen Holstein, 63, of Ashford passed away Friday, October 27, 2006 at CAMC Memorial Division after a long illness.

She was a member of the Kingdom Hall In Madison; and a wonderful Mother.

She is survived by:

2 Daughters: Mechelle Weymes & Husband, Greg
Mary Holstein & husband, William “Punkin”

3 Sons: Earl Jr., & wife, Wanda Holstein
Terry & wife, Tonya Holstein
Chad & wife, Alicia Holstein

Grandchildren: Nyoka, Bobbie, Natasha, Sandra, Levi, Ethan, Joshua, Zoey & Andrew

2 Brother: Joey & Charlie Stone

Friends and Family will gather at the Ashford Rumble Grade School on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, October 30, 2006 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek. Burial will be in Barker Cemetery, Ashford. Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service.

Marcus Alan Manns, of Peytona, given to us on January 27, 2006.

Returned to Heaven Wednesday, October 25, 2006.

He still has a loving mother and father, Stephanie Chandler and Thomas Manns, he also still has a loving sister, Mikayla and loving brother Michael.

Grandparents that still do and always will love him, Donna and Sammy Kirk, Tom and Tera Manns, Steve and Sally Chandler, uncles Stephen Chandler, Chris Manns, Aunts, Lacy and Cora Manns, Great Grandparents, Gene Maloskey, Bertha and Joe Chandler, Ray and Dola Kinder, Fran and Junior Payne and A. J. Manns. There are many cousins, great aunts and great uncles that will love him forever.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday October 29 at Rumble Community Baptist Church with Pastor Richard Harold officiating. Burial will be at the Barker Cemetery at Ashford. Friends may call from 7 to 9 pm Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, family request donations be made to the Rumble Community Baptist Church 43 Fairlawn Dr. Ashford, WV 25009.

Curry Funeral Home Alum Creek is in charge of arrangements.

Lester William Shanklin, Jr., 82 died October 25, 2006 with his family at his side after a brief illness at CAMC Memorial Hospital, Charleston, WV.

Lester was born in Lexington, KY and his family moved several times during his childhood to Ohio, Illinois, New York and West Virginia. As a youth of 14, Lester made a 217 mile bicycle trip alone from Marion, Ohio to Charleston, West Virginia to visit his grandparents taking 28 ½ hours. Also, as a boy, he was a newspaper carrier in Ohio winning a trip sponsored by his newspaper to the Chicago World’s Fair. In high school he ran track and had the lead male roll in his junior class play. He graduated from North High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1942. After meeting Mary L. Hicks in a Woolworth’s Department Store he married her in 1947 in Greenup, Kentucky. Early in his marriage he moved to Dunbar, West Virginina, first taking a job as an appliance repairman at the Diamond Department Store and later as a highway postal clerk with the US Postal Service.

Lester retired from the US Postal Service in 1978 and was an US Army Air Corps veteran of WWII having served in India during the war with a rank of Tech Sergeant. Lester was proud to have circled the world during his military service. He trained as a radioman at Fort Bragg, North Carolina boarded a troop ship in Norfolk, Virginia that later landed in Egypt where he saw the Pyramids. From there his ship went thru the Suez Canal to his post in India. Returning home from India after the war, his ship went to Seattle, Washington where he boarded a train home, thus completing his trip around the globe. Lester was awarded many medals and was proud of his military service to his country.

Lester retired at age 55 and enjoyed traveling, gardening, telling jokes and spending time with his family. He especially loved reading books, watching movies about WWII and was an avid WVU Mountaineer fan. His travels took him to Canada, Mexico, Ireland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Romania, Czechoslovakia and Scotland, as well as all over the United States. Since 1948, he attended the Southridge Freewill Baptist Church and lived in Ruthdale. His faith in the Lord never wavered.

His greatest joy was his family and he set a wonderful example as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He’s survived by Mary, his wife of 59 years. Son, Lester W. “Bill” Shanklin, II and his wife Debbie and Bill’s daughters Kara and her husband Brett Cole, Jessica and her husband Mike Hopp, Amanda and Kristen. Daughter, Vicky and her husband Virgil Lacey and their daughters, Cindy and her husband Travis Maze and their children, Lacey Cale, Aiden, Kayla and Paige Maze; Jennifer and her husband Derrick Shearer and Jamie and her husband, Chad Walters and their son, Bodee. Son, Robert “Bob” Shanklin and Bob’s son, Lee and daughters, Amy and Loren. Daughter, Ruth Ann (Smith) Bowe and her husband, Terry Bowe and daughters, Alisha and her husband, Scott Dumrongkietiman, Emily and Audra Smith and sons, Nathan and Michael Bowe. Son, Mark and his sons, Preston Shanklin and Dustin Fields and his wife, Jennifer and their daughter, Laci. Vickie and Elizabeth Russell. Brother Charles “Chuck” Shanklin of Niceville, FL and sister, Jean Favero of Bakersfield, CA.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Lester William Shanklin and Charlotte Alberta Mayer Shanklin; sister, Billie Metzger and brother, Reginald “Denny” Shanklin; one grandson and one great grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 29, at the Southridge Freewill Baptist Church at Ruthdale with the Rev. David Cooper officiating. A military service conducted by the Benny Padilla VFW Post 4768 will be held at the church following the service. Burial will follow at the Holmes Family Cemetery, near Charleston. Friends may call from 6 to 9 on Saturday at the church. Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, is in charge of the arrangements.

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.