Steve Ryan
September 12, 1943 – May 22, 2023

Live, Laugh, Family…
Three perfect words to describe the celebration of the life of Steve Ryan, who was born in Alkol, WV on 9/12/43 and passed away in the arms of loved ones in Superior Township, MI on 5/22/23.

Family

Lawrence Stephen Ryan was the loving husband to the late Beverly (2008) and is survived by his daughter Stephanie, son Marc; Paw to grandsons Stephen and John, and great grandson Killian.

Steve was the son of the late James Earl and Cidella (McClure) and brother to Arvil Gay, Earl Jr., Victor, and Phyllis.

The familial roots started deep and strong in rural West Virginia where he and his siblings worked long and arduous days on the family homestead growing and raising all of family’s sustenance. Steve acquired his masterful culinary skills from his mother who he admitted was a great, great cook!

The early years molded the adult Steve Ryan into the man, husband and father he became. Three older brothers made sure of that! Protecting his baby sister also taught him to become the soft, loving and nurturing father and grandfather he was.

Live

Steve’s thirst for life was as big as the mountains and as deep as the oceans. Steve’s humble and hardworking beginnings provided the courage to move to Vermilion, OH, where he began his career at the bottom rungs of Ford Motor Company and after 37+ years, retired in 1999 as a Plant Manager. What an achievement! Steve’s success let him to not only raise his family, but enabled him to help many other extended family members in return. Other than these personal awards, Steve was also granted 2 maximum Certificates of Commendation from Ford resulting in 2 automobiles as a prize! Wow, and what a blessing, thanks, Steve!

From rural West Virginia, to Ohio, to Michigan, Steve also had the blessing to travel and work in Mexico City, Australia, and even Russia. Steve experienced more of the world than many will ever have the chance to do in their lifetime.

And did Steve love sports? Boy, did he ever! Steve excelled and lettered in football, baseball, basketball, track and if golf were a high school sport, we are sure he would have lettered in that as well. Steve’s natural leadership abilities enabled him to be the BMOC star quarterback, lead the BB team as the point guard, excel in multiple track events (4×100, hurdles, long jump), and play multiple positions on the baseball diamond. All this being said, the most special was coaching his little girl in softball.

It didn’t matter if on the playing field, in the backyard playing cornhole, or sitting around the kitchen table playing board games, Steve was a true competitor wanting to compete at the highest level (maybe stretching the rules a bit, lol).

Woodworking was another joy for Steve. From building treasure chests to furniture, from tinkering in the shop to turning art on the lathe, Steve could do it all! It was a pleasure to turn to him for assistance with any project and he was always willing and able to help!

We will always remember how much Steve loved to cook. Not only was his cooking impeccable, but the presentation needed to match! All entrees and appetizers were amazing and would qualify for ‘Bon Appetite’ magazine. Steve was also willing to coach. If he thought you were cooking something wrong, he would be sure to step in to assist.

Laugh

All of his personal achievements wouldn’t mean anything to Steve if it wasn’t for his time with his family. Story telling was an artform for Steve and he loved it. He loved to talk about his family, WV, Ohio, sports and his travels.

But spending time with his children and grandchildren and holding each in his arms were the most special times for Steve. The most cherished memories of Steve from his family include 4 wheeling in the Lorain mud and hanging out at the diner afterwards whooping it up. Golfing under the blue skies all while fixing a slice was a definite favorite pastime. Then there is teaching a 9-year-old boy how to drive while he worked the pedals. Once he got his Thunderbird, he turned the same small boy loose in the parking lot all by himself while he cheered and watched the T-Bird turn circles around him. Most of all, there were several times Dad would rescue his little girl from peril just to keep her safe. We all remember the precious times just hanging out during happy hour to hear stories at his favorite watering hole, Aqua.

This is a CELEBRATION and remembrance of the life of Steve Ryan. GOD BLESS YOU AND WE WILL LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!

Visitation for Steve will be held Thursday, May 25th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton, Michigan.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Clint Craddock officiating. Burial will follow at Forks of Coal Cemetery, Alum Creek. Friends and family will gather 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jason Scott Gillispie, 40, of St. Albans, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023, at home.

Jason was a tattoo artist and jack of all trades. He enjoyed outside work like landscaping and flowers and loved the beach.

He was preceded in death by his father, John W. Gillispie.

Jason is survived by his son, Jacoby Gillispie; mother, Teresa Gillispie; sister, Lisa Gillispie (Rich Brown); brother, John Gillispie, II; and ex-wife, Amber Keener.

Services will be 1:00PM Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Emmons Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Gillispie officiating. Burial will follow at Gillispie Family Cemetery at Emmons. Family and friends will gather one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions towards funeral services be made to Curry Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Alum Creek, WV 25003.

Mark Dewayne Pauley, 63, of Cross Lanes passed away Monday, May 8, 2023, at Hubbard Hospice House.

Mark graduated from Herbert Hoover High school and retired from Columbia Gas with over 25 years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Odie C. and Teresa E. Pauley; brother, Odie C. Pauley, Jr.

He is survived by sister, Myra Pauley (Jay Frye); daughter, Bethany Pauley-Smith; granddaughter, Lilly Smith.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

Special thank you for the love and support given during Mark’s last days by Lynnie Wade, Becky Wade-Ford, and Micky Blackwell.

Also, a special thank you to the staff at Hubbard Hospice House for their care and compassion.

Julia A. Quintrell “Judy”, 81, of Alum Creek, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, May 7, 2023, at home. She was born March 9, 1942, daughter of the late Kelly B. and Athalene Pauley Tackett.

Judy was a Christian. She retired with 20 years of service from Lincoln County Schools as a bus driver.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Tommy; her son, Kenny Marker; grandson, Timmy Marker; sister, Sue Kingery; and brother, Ted Tackett.

Judy is survived by children, Teresa and Russel Breedlove, Melinda and Tracy Stewart, Jimmy Marker, Jeff and Jennifer Quintrell, and Michael and Annie Quintrell; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Minister Teddy Tackett officiating. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens.

Billy Ray and Arvilla Jo Hale, of Charleston, WV, who were married for nearly 70 years, passed away within hours of each other on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Bill was born on May 28, 1932, to the late William and Lilly Hale. He was a 1950 graduate of Duval High School where he met the love of his life Jo.

Jo was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mabel Nelson. She was born on September 15, 1933, and attended Duval High School and South Charleston High School where she graduated in 1951.

The two were born and raised in Lincoln County and moved to Charleston after their marriage in 1953. Bill was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and worked for 37 years at Union Carbide. Jo retired after 25 years with Traveler’s insurance company.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, golf, tennis, and volleyball. Jo enjoyed many of the same things as Bill. She loved her flowers and taking walks around the neighborhood with her dog. She was a long-time member of the Angel Terrace Garden Club and enjoyed golfing and bowling. They attended Grace Church of the Nazarene in South Charleston for several decades.

Bill and Jo were loving parents to their only son Michael (Margie) Hale. They were proud grandparents of Rebecca (Travis) Shamblin, Jessica (Larry) Holstein, Joshua (Adrianne) Hale, and Nicholas Hale. They were greatly loved by their great-grandchildren Anneliese, Jack, and Noah Shamblin and Gideon and Eden Holstein.

They are also survived by Bill’s sister Wynona Babers and Jo’s sister Kim (Jody) Coleman brother Nick (Rachel) Nelson, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Along with their parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister Inez Currance, while Jo was preceded in death by her sister Diana Garnett and brother Rodney Nelson.

Service will be held 7:00pm, Friday, May 12, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home on what would’ve been their 70th wedding anniversary with family members and friends sharing memories. Private burial will follow at a later date at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens, Yawkey, WV. Family & friends will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., West, Charleston, WV 25387.

On May 5th, 2023, Susan Callahan, wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 58. She went peacefully surrounded by loved ones. She enjoyed gardening, shopping and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lemuel & Norma Jean Ashworth Adkins, and sister, Norma Adkins.

Susan was married to her husband of 30+ years, Barry Paul Callahan, Sr. They loved each other very much and together they raised three sons.

From there her family grew including daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren. These include James & Amanda Adkins, their daughters, Chelsea Adkins and Cadence Adkins. Jeffrey & Alicia Callahan with four children, Eric Noonan, Chloie Callahan, Bentley Callahan, and Hunter Callahan and Barry Callahan, Jr., with daughter Haylee Callahan.

She is also survived by her siblings, Polly Adkins, Gertrude Adkins, Lemuel Adkins, Andrew Adkins and Eva Wills.

A memorial service will be at a later date.

Gary Vaughan Zickefoose, 81, of Julian passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023, at home after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Chilo Michele Zickefoose, brother, Noble Wayne (Sonny) Zickefoose, and parents, Carter Vaughan & Hallie Morris Zickefoose, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Henry & Odessa Holley.

Gary was a teacher and coach at Scott High School, and also worked as a coal miner.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah, daughter, Jessica Adams, and three grandchildren, Ridge, Guner, and BoAvery Flores.

There will be a private graveside service and he will be laid to rest at Hill Cemetery, Julian, WV.

Special thanks to all the boys that Gary first coached at Ieager High School, McDowell County, WV to which he had many fond and loving memories.

Special thanks to all the boys that Gary first coached at Iaeger High School, McDowell County, WV, to which he had many fond and loving memories.

Virginia Louise “Ginny” Brogan, 66, of Charleston, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, April 28, 2023, at CAMC General.

She recently retired from Kroger after 35 years of service. She was an avid reader and collector of books. Her artistic abilities ranged from sketches on paper to her meals that appeared to be works of art and tasted just as delicious. She also loved to dance. She so loved being a mom and grandma.

Ginny was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Moore; son, Kevin Brogan; stepson, Paul Shanklin, Jr.; and sister, Vickie McCoy.

She is survived by her fiancé and partner of 22 years, Paul Shanklin, who swept her off of her feet. Also, her mother, Janis Moore; brother, Virgil Lee (Meredith) Moore; stepdaughter, Danielle Shanklin; Paul’s siblings; grandchildren, Nikki (Justin) Dunlap, Logan (Brittany) Cantley, Devin (Merri) Brogan, Griffin (Maitlyn) Taylor, and Hailie Brogan; great grandchildren, Hudson Taylor; loving nieces & nephews; great nieces & nephews; and Destiny Taylor, whom she loved like a daughter.

Service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek with Pastor Richard Ruby officiating. Burial will be at Moore Cemetery, Sumerco. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Dennise “Ruth” Duvall, 87, of South Charleston passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, surrounded by her family at Hubbard Hospice House West. Ruth was a homemaker and caregiver for many children throughout the years.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 67 years, William “Bill”. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis and Caroline Blake Pauley; a sister, Mary Alice Hess; and a daughter in law, Cindy Duvall.

Left to cherish her memories are her 3 children, Michael (Debbie) Duvall, Patty (Mike) Ratcliff, and Billy “BJ” Duvall (Ruth); her 7 grandchildren, Kelley (Elizabeth) McDerment, Lindsey Duvall, Kevin (Kayla) Duvall, Blake (Dee Dee) Ratcliff, Matthew Duvall, Justin Duvall (Amber), and Bethany (Adam) Huffman; her 6 great grandchildren, who brought her so much joy, Branson, Wyatt and Sawyer Ratcliff, Eleanor and Cecilia Duvall, and Katherine McDerment; siblings, Eula Pauley, Monna Jean Griest, Lowell Pauley, Elmer Pauley, Amy Griffith, and Betty Ann Pauley; many nieces and nephews.

Service will be 1:00 pm, Monday, May 1, 2023, at Graceland Memorial Park Mausolem with Pastor Gene Pauley officiating. Family and friends will gather from 10:30-12:30 at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Union Mission Ministries, PO Box 112, Charleston, WV 25321.

Echo Virginia Duncan, 89, of Charleston, WV, passed away on April 24, 2023, with her daughters by her side. She attended Clear Fork High School in Raleigh County where she had fond memories of being a cheerleader. She also completed classes at Charleston Center College.

Echo was employed by the State of WV – Department of Motor Vehicles and the WV State Tax Department. She retired from the WV State Auditor’s Office with 27 years of service in Data Processing.

She was a member of the Charleston Creative Arts Club where she served as the Devotional Leader, and a member of St. John United Methodist Church in South Charleston where she was a Sunday School Teacher, Pianist and Choir Member. She was later a member of Darlington United Methodist Church serving as both Choir Director and Pianist.

Echo was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 60 years, Nile Duncan, and her mother, Virginia Buskirk. She is survived by her three daughters, Sherry Miller (Kevin), Sonja Davison (Bob) and Sheila Midkiff (Rick), and grandchildren, Monica Tompa (Becky), Rick Ramsey (Morgan), Robbie Davison (Katie), Christy Yatagan (Bora), Cody McCormick (Emily), Austin McCormick, Jacob Miller and Taylor Miller. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Among her favorite things were playing the piano and sewing. She made beautiful quilts which she loved gifting to family and friends.

Service will be held 11:00am Friday, April 28, 2023, at Curry Funeral Home with Pastor George Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Forks of Coal Cemetery in Alum Creek. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The daughters would like to offer a special thank you to ALL of the caregivers at Meadowbrook Acres Nursing Home for their compassionate and loving care of our Mother.