Hardy County, West Virginia - Obituaries K index ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by Suzanne W. Whitson (suzanne.whitson@home.com) EUNICE H. KAUFFMAN THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, July 16, 1997 Eunice Heltzel Kauffman, age 65, of Wardensville, WV, died Sunday, July 6, 1997 at the Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, VA. She was born April 27, 1932 in Wardensville, WV and was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lena Heishman Heltzel. Mrs. Kauffman was a lifelong resident of Wardensville and was a homemaker and a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church. Surviving are her husband, Lawrence A. Kauffman, Wardensville, WV and a daughter, Barbara Kauffman, Eustis, Florida. A funeral service was conducted Wednesday, July 9 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Wardensville, WV, with Pastor R. Don Prange officiating. Burial was in the Wardensville Cemetery. Pallbearers were Grady Bradfield, Rollin Garrett, Alvin Smith, Jeff Kerr, David Rudy and William Anderson. Memorials may be made to the Wardensville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 2, Wardensville, WV 26851. Arrangements were under the direction of the Loy Funeral Home, Wardensville, WV. ************************************************* GOLDIE V. KELLER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 14, 1996 Goldie Viola Keller, 74, Route 1, Timberville, died August 1, 1996, at her home. She was born December 1, 1921, in Lost City, WV and was the daughter of the late Theodore and Pammie Thomas Strawderman. Mrs. Keller retired after 33 years at Shen-Valley Meat Packers. She was a member of Timberville Church of the Nazarene, where she was a charter member and a Sunday school teacher. On Sept. 6, 1934, she married her first husband, Robert Orebaugh, who died Oct. 28, 1965. On Sept. 6, 1969, she married her second husband, Edgar Keller, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Arlene Wimer, Timberville, and Juanita Sites, Linville; three sons, Guy B. Orebaugh, Timberville, Charles Orebaugh, Stanley and Harold Orebaugh, Lacey Spring; three brothers, Omer Strawderman, Staunton, Wilbert Strawderman, Timberville, and Beverly Strawderman, New Market; four sisters, Arvesta Taylor, Broadway, Velma Burgandine, Deerfield, Shirley Matheney, Visalia, Calif., and Margaret Ritchie, Timberville; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was conducted on Sunday at the Timberville Church of the Nazarene by the Rev. Richard Shomo. Burial was in the Timberville Cemetery. ****************************************************** KARL LLEWELLYN KELLER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, April 3, 1996 Karl Llewellyn Keller, age 78, of Fisher, WV passed away Friday afternoon, March 29, 1996, at the Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV. Born November 7, 1917 in Hardy County, he was the son of the late Annie Gapp Keller and the late William Keller. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers. Mr. Keller is survived by his wife, Leona Garrett Keller of Fisher; one son, Karl "Jeff" Keller, of Martinsburg, WV; and three sisters, Ann K. Heishman of Fisher, WV, Helen Ours of Dorcus, WV, and Mary Alice Ruckman of Moorefield, WV. Mr. Keller was a retired Post Master of Fisher, and Owner and Operator of William Keller & Sons General Merchandise and Farm Equipment of Fisher, a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Fisher, a 1936 Graduate of Moorefield High School, and attended Bridgewater College, served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII, a member of the Moorefield VFW, a member of the American Legion for 51 years and past Post Commander, and a member of the 40 & 8. A memorial service was held by the Moorefield Veterans Honor Guard on Sunday. Funeral services were held on Monday at the Elmore-Chambers Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ron Bowyer officiating. Burial followed at the Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield with military graveside rites accorded by the Moorefield Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Ralph Keller, Bill Keller, Chris Keller, Rodney Keller, John Riggleman and Teddy Garrett. Honorary pallbearers were Branson Keller and Bob Keller. Memorial donations may be made to the Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Elmore Funeral Home. ***************************************************** NELLIE CARMEN KELLER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, April 14, 1999 Nellie Carmen Keller, age 71, of Fisher, WV, passed away Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999 at the Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV. She was born October 11, 1927 in Hardy County, to Anton Matthew Keller and Trixanna (Vance) Keller. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an invalid Aunt whom she took care of for many years. Nellie was a longtime member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church and a Charter Member and Historian of the Riverside Homemakers Club. Surviving are one sister, Phyllis Michael and husband Darwin of Petersburg, WV and one brother, Robert A. Keller and wife Mary Jo of Fisher, WV; several aunts, nieces, nephews an cousins. Funeral services were held on Wednesday at the Elmore- Chambers Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Osgood officiating. Burial followed at the Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield. Pallbearers were Jimmy Vance, Charlie Vance, Harman Vance, Michael D. Michael, Robert A. Keller, II, Christopher Keller and Eric Keller. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Elmore- Chambers Funeral Home. ******************************************* CARMEN I. KENNEDY THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 7, 1996 Carmen Ireland Kennedy, age 89, formerly of Charleston, WV, died August 5, 1996 at Lynchburg, VA. She had been living at the Westminster-Canterbury Resident All Care Home in Lynchburg. Mrs. Kennedy was a sister of Mrs. Virgie I. Gamble and is survived by one son, one daughter, three grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Also several nieces and nephews that include M. W. Gamble and Carmen G. Silliman of Moorefield. Graveside services will be held in Charleston, WV. **************************************************** MERNIE S. KESNER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, October 15, 1997 Mernie S. Kesner, 79, of Franklin, WV, passed away Monday, Oct. 6, 1997 at the Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV. Born January 7, 1918 at Mozer, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late James and Lucy Bergdoll Kesner. A graduate of Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee and the West Virginia Institute of Technology, Miss Kesner taught in the Pendleton County Schools for 44 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of the South Mill Creek Church of the Brethren and also attended the Franklin United Methodist Church. Miss Kesner is survived by a sister, Edna Fisher of Harrisonburg, VA; a brother, Samuel L. Kesner of Upper Tract, WV; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin with Rev. Walter Mullins and Pastor Otis "Buzz" Weatherholtz officiating. Burial was in the Kline Cemetery at Upper Tract, WV. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin. ********************************************* ROGER A. KEPLINGER, SR. THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, October 1, 1997 Roger Allen Keplinger, Sr., age 50, of Moorefield, WV died Monday, Sept. 22, 1997 (DOA) Grant Memorial Hospital, Petersburg, WV. Born September 30, 1946 at Petersburg, WV, he was the son of the late Carl E. Keplinger and Willard (Mayle) Keplinger. Mr. Keplinger was employed by Wampler Foods, Inc. of Moorefield, WV and graduated from Hampshire High School Class of 1967. Surviving is his wife, Shelia (Nixon) Keplinger. They were married November 15, 1980. Also surviving are one son, Roger, A. Keplinger, Jr., at home; two daughters, Tyra Lynne Keplinger, Jacksonville, FL and Nikole Lynn Keplinger, at home; two sisters, Sandy Keplinger of Short Gap, WV and Vicky Keplinger of Cumberland, MD. Funeral services were held at the Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg with Pastor Ted Osgood officiating. Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Petersburg, WV. Memorials may be made to the family c/o Shelia Keplinger, P.O. Box 877, Moorefield, WV 26836. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schaeffer Funeral Home. ********************************************** CHARLES ROBERT KESNER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, September 10, 1997 Charles Robert Kesner, age 61, of Augusta, West Virginia, formerly of River Road, Romney, WV, died Wednesday, September 3, 1997 at the Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, VA. He was born in Hardy County on December 7, 1935, and was the son of Casper William and Irene M. (Combs) Kesner, both of Augusta and formerly of River Road, Romney. Mr. Kesner served in the US Army and was a member of the Romney Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by one brother, Virgil C. Kesner. Besides his parents, Mr. Kesner is also survived by 11 brothers, James Russell Kesner, Omaha, Nebraska, E. LeRoy Kesner, Augusta, WV, Casper Junior Kesner, Shanks, WV, Ernest H. Kesner, LaVale, Maryland, Richard G. Kesner, Romney, WV, J. Blaine Kesner, Winchester, VA, A. Brooks Kesner, C. Eugene Kesner, G. Allen Kesner, all of Romney, WV, Ralph Stephen Kesner, Augusta, WV and Don F. Kesner, Springfield, WV; three sisters, Elizabeth B. Whitacre, Romney, WV, Patricia Riggleman, Augusta, WV, and Dorothy A. Pratt of Falls Church, VA; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held on Sunday, September 7 at the Romney Assembly of God Church, with Rev. Ivan Ackerman officiating and assisted by Rev. J.B. Ellis. Interment was at Ebenezer Cemetery, Romney. Arrangements were under the direction of the Shaffer Funeral Home, Romney, WV. ********************************************** NELLIE ADALINE KESNER THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, July 23, 1996 Nellie A. Kesner, age 86, of Rough Run, died Saturday, July 19, 1997 at the Grant County Nursing Home where she had resided since September 18, 1991. Born March 8, 1911 at Rough Run, WV she was the daughter of the late George and Clara Adaline (Bond) Kesner. Nellie was a member of Hedrick Chapel Church at Dorcas, WV. She was preceded in death by three sisters; Myrtle Kesner Mongold, Lena Kesner Westfall, and Beulah Kesner Sites; five brothers, Austin Kesner, William O., John Kesner, Lester Kesner and Fred Kesner; 4 infant brothers and sisters, and several nieces and nephews preceded, including a nephew, Oliver Ketterman. Surviving are one brother and one sister-in-law: Samuel and Stella Kesner of Dorcas, WV, with whom she made her home until Sept. 1991; several nieces and nephews, including Doug and Melda Kesner of Dorcas, WV and Allen and Kim Kesner of Cabins, WV. Funeral services were held on Tuesday at the Schaeffer Funeral Home with Rev. Richard L. Longbon officiating. Interment was in the Kesner Family Cemetery at Rough Run, WV. Memorials may be made to Hedrick Chapel Church or Grant County Nursing Home or Charity of Choice. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schaeffer Funeral Home of Petersburg, WV. ************************************************* LUCY C. KETTERMAN THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, November 18, 1998 Mrs. Lucy C. Ketterman, age 77 of Bethany Healtplex in Richmond, widow of Luther Lee Ketterman and beloved mother and mother-in-law of Kathy and Buddy Stultz, went to be with the angels Saturday night, November 21, 1998. Mrs. Ketterman died at the Health South Medical Center in Richmond. She was born October 27, 1921 near Mathias, WV and was the daughter of the late James Franklin and Rosa Shipe Cullers. Mrs. Ketterman was formerly of Mathias and had worked in food service for several companies. She was also a homemaker and a member of the Mathias Church of the Brethren. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers, Wade and Ottis Cullers and two sisters, Gladys Whetzel and Minnie Cullers. Surviving besides her daughter and son-in-law are two brothers, Carlton Cullers of Mathias, where the family may be contacted and Marvin Cullers of Broadway, one sister, Delna Hoyer of Life Care in New Market, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service was conducted by the Revs. Lewis McDorman and Wayne Miller on Wednesday at the Mathias Mennonite Church. Burial was held in the Jenkins Chapel Cemetery. Funeral services were under the direction of the Grandle Funeral Home. ***************************************************** W. ROCKY KILE THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, April 24, 1996 W. Rocky Kile, Harrisonburg, VA, died April 11, 1996 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital following a long illness with cancer. Mr. Kile was born July 22, 1966, in Harrisonburg, VA and was a son of the late Bobby Ruddle Kile and Opal Virginia Shreve Mitchell. He was a carpenter and attended the Light House Community church, Maysville, and the Ray of Hope Pentecostal Church in Harrisonburg. He was a volunteer at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. Survivors include his wife, Karen Lynn Bland Kile; one son, Jordan Shadrach Rocky Kile, Harrisonburg, VA; one step-daughter, Courtney June Vest, Harrisonburg, VA; two sisters, Penny Carpenter Luker, Harrisonburg, VA, and Judy Arbaugh, Franklin; two half sisters; and one brother, Dwight A. Kimble, Upper Tract. The funeral was held on Sunday at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin by the Rev. Joseph Eversole. Burial was in Cherry Hill Cemetery in Upper Tract. A memorial was held Sunday at Ray of Hope Church, 1450 Reservoir St., Harrisonburg, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Kile, Jr. Education Fund, 915 Northfield Court, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. **************************************************** WALTER L. KIMBLE THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 6, 1997 Walter Luzier "Buster" Kimble, age 78, of 126 Hilltop Farm Lane, Strasburg, died Wednesday, July 30, 1997 at his home. The funeral service was conducted Friday at the Stover Funeral Home in Strasburg by the Rev. James Baseler. Burial was in the St. Stephens Cemetery, Strasburg. Mr. Kimble was born Oct. 4, 1918, in Macksville, WV, a son of the late Walter Henry and Rosetta Nelson Kimble. He was a retired dairy farmer. Surviving are his wife, Annabelle Ours Kimble; five daughters, Nancy Cosner of Moorefield, WV, Rose Shariff of Winchester, Mary Kimble and Juanita Neff, both of Strasburg, and Helen Everly of Inwood, WV; seven sons, Jacob Kimble of Shepherdstown, WV, Walter J. Kimble of Star Tannery, John Kimble of Maurertown, Frank Kimble and Richard Kimble, both of Winchester, Donald Kimble of Strasburg and Henry Kimble of Rippon, WV; one sister, Ada Kimble Wright of Nutter Fort, WV; one half brother, Dwight Hartman of Elwood, IN; twenty grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were his sons, Walter, Jacob, John, Frank, Henry, Richard and Donald. Honorary pallbearers were his grandsons, Timothy Neff, Kevin Neff, Walter Getts, Dwight Getts, Ray Getts, III and Jeff Everly. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kimble Family, 126 Hilltop Farm Lane, Strasburg, VA 22657. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Stover Funeral Home of Strasburg, VA. **************************************************** JULIAN O. KNISLEY, SR. THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 27, 1997 Julian Oliver Knisley, Sr., age 93, of Taylors Island, MD and a former resident of Laurel, died Thursday, August 14, 1997 at Dorchester Hospital, Cambridge, MD. He was born December 19, 1903 at White Post, VA and was a son of the late James F. and Leola Knisley. Mr. Knisley was a maintenance worker for the U.S. Government. Surviving are three sons, Julian O. Knisley, Jr., Charles F. Knisley and Robert M. Knisley; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Lee Knisley and one son, Vance Knisley. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 18 at Donaldson Funeral Home, PA. Officiating was Pastor Harry Biles of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial was in Savage Cemetery, Savage, MD. The Donaldson Funeral Home of Laurel, Maryland was in charge of arrangements. This obituary is compliments of the Fraley Funeral Home, Moorefield, WV. *************************************************** MARY E. KOHNE THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, July 28, 1999 Mary Ethel Kohne, 92, of Route 1, Box 28, Mathias, WV died on Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at the Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. Mrs. Kohne was born on November 12, 1906 in Mathias, WV a daughter of the late Lemuel A. and Minnie Whetzel DeLawder. She was a waitress. She attended the Mt. View Church of the Brethren in Lost city, WV. She was married to Darley G. Kohne in Baltimore, MD. Mr. Kohne died in 1976. She was previously married to Alston Williams. Surviving are two sons: Ordale Williams of Everett, WA; Richard Kohne of Herndon VA; three daughters, Janet Wilson of Wardensville, WV; Patricia Huffman of Claremont, NC; Jacklyn Kohne Eaton of Broadway, VA; twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by one daughter, Wanda Williams and two sisters, Laura McDonald and Anna Jeffries DeLawder. A graveside service was held on Sunday, July 25, 1999 at the Strawderman Cemetery in Mathias. Officiating was Rev. Orson Hensley. Memorial contributions can be made to the Shelter for Abused Women, P.O. Box 14, Winchester, VA 22604 or to the Servants Heart Ministry, c/o the Bank of Romney, WV 26757. Arrangements were under the direction of the Loy-Giffin Funeral Home in Wardensville, WV. ************************************** DENNIS LANE KOONTZ THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 20, 1997 Dennis Lane Koontz, age 43, of Tannery Hollow, Moorefield, WV, passed away Thursday morning at the Richmond Community Hospital in Richmond, VA. Born November 14, 1953 in Petersburg, WV, he was a son of the late Charles S. and Ruth C. (Southerly) Koontz. Surviving is one sister, Debbie Koontz of Moorefield, WV. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, August 17, at the Fraley Funeral Home with the Rev. Andy Agnew officiating. Burial was at the Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to the family at P.O. Box 105, Moorefield, WV 26836. Arrangements were under the direction of the Fraley Funeral Home in Moorefield, WV. ************************************************* RUTH CATHERINE KOONTZ THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, April 3, 1996 Mrs. Ruth Catherine Koontz, age 81, of Tannery Hollow Road, Moorefield, WV died Monday, March 25, 1996 at her residence. Born December 10, 1914 in Rough Run, Grant County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Loss Southerly and Mary (Hinkle) Southerly. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charley S. Koontz and one sister. Surviving are one son, Dennis Koontz of Moorefield, WV; one daughter, Debbie Koontz of Moorefield; two sisters, Wilda Hatfield of Huntington, WV and Bertha Young of Webster, FL. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, March 27, at 2 p.m. at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ron Bowyer officiating. Burial was at the Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Fraley Funeral Home, Moorefield, WV. ****************************************************** CHARLES B. KUYKENDALL THE MOOREFIELD (WV) EXAMINER, Wednesday, August 13, 1997 Charles "Charlie" Britton Kuykendall, age 79, of Elm Street, Moorefield, WV passed away Tuesday morning, August 5, 1997 after a long illness. Born July 10, 1918 in Hardy County, WV, he was a son of the late Michael and Hattie (Wratchford) Kuykendall. Mr. Kuykendall was the Owner/Operator of Kuykendall's Radio & TV in Moorefield, a member of the Moorefield Church of the Brethren, a US Army Veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific, a member of the John M. Golliday Post #64 American Legion, a member of the Denny-Pratt-Moyers Post #9606 V.F.W., a member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, an honorary member of the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company 46, a Founding Board Member of Valley TV Co-Op, and a former Operating Engineer for WELD Radio Station in Fisher, WV. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen (George) Kuykendall; one son, Larry Kuykendall of Moorefield, WV; two sisters, Blanche Koontz of Romney, WV and Mary Sions of Harrisonburg, VA; and one granddaughter, Pastor Renee Kuykendall-Scholten of Harrisonburg, VA. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, August 7, 1997 at the Moorefield Church of the Brethren with Pastor Renee Kuykendall-Scholten and Pastor Buzz Weatherholtz officiating. Burial was at the Olivet Cemetery where military graveside rites were accorded by the Moorefield Veteran's Guard. A Veteran's Memorial Service was held Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers were Russell Wratchford, Dwight Kuykendall, Steve Scholten, Robert Hefner, Willard Earle and Alan Yokum. Honorary pallbearers were Owen Kitzmiller, Harlan Liller, Billy Vetter, Zag Pownell, Don Helmick, Kenny Liller, Bi Southerly, Edgel Liller, Gene Sites, and Norman Barb. Memorials may be made to the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company 46 or the Moorefield Church of the Brethren Building Maintenance Fund. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Fraley Funeral Home, Moorefield, WV.