Junior D. Helmick

Junior Dale Helmick, 42, a resident of Holly Meadows, died Jan. 28, following a sudden illness while driving across the bridge at St. George. Death was attributed to a massive heart attack.

He was born April 29, 1960, at Parsons, the son of the late Raymond James Helmick and Eva Mae Parsons Helmick, who survives at Hendricks.  On Sept. 16, 1979 at Hendricks, he was married to Helen M. Wilfong, who survives at Holly Meadows.

Also surviving are one son, Junior Dale Helmick II, Holly Meadows; a daughter, Amber Lee Helmick, of New Martinsville; four brothers, Jackson L. (and AnnaLee) Helmick of Parsons, James R. Helmick, Ralph W. (and Carol) Helmick, all of New Martinsville, and Keith S. (and Teresa) Helmick of Bretz; two stepbrothers, Homer F. Parsons, Jane Lew and Russell Parsons, Parsons; two stepsisters; Wanda Trader, Parsons, and Crystal Bolyard, Grafton; and several nieces and nephews.

He ws preceded in death by his stepfather, Homer M. Parsons. 

He attended the schools of Tucker County. He had worked for the Bolyard Construction Company of Parsons, the Nelson Construction Company of Hendricks, and at the time of his death was employed by the Asplundh Tree Company. 

The family received friends at the Barb & Greenlief Funeral Home where final rites were conducted Feb. 2.  The Rev. Harley DeLeurere officiated and interment followed at the Bethel Cemetery at Holly Meadows. 

'Ben' Pennington
Berdette Lee “Ben” Pennington, 44, a resident of Blackman Flats, Parsons, died Jan. 29, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, while awaiting an organ donation. Death was attributed to a fibrosis disease of the lung.

He was born Oct. 15, 1958, at Parsons, a son of the late Douglas Grant Pennington and Hilda Charletta DeMoss Pennington.

Surviving are three sons, Benny Dale Pennington, Parsons, Daniel Allen (and Marlena) Pennington, Elkins, Shane Earl Pennington, Anville, Pa.; two brothers, Dale Earl “Cub” (and Norma) Pennington, and Gerald Wayne “TC” Pennington, both of Blackman Flats; a sister, Dian Pennington, Blackman Flats; three half brothers, Martin Starlipter, Lansing, MI., Michael S. (and Dina) Bates, Montrose, and Doug Grant (and Christine) Pennington, Cassidy; three half sisters, Tina Phillips, Montrose, Crystal Lea Pennington and Deanna Dawn Pennington, both of Montrose; four grandchildren, Tallagada “Charlie” Pennington, Dacie Blake Pennington, Katheryn Elizabeth Snyder and Lakeisha Jade Prichard, all of Elkins; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ben was a 1977 graduate of Parsons High School. He was a mechanic, a logger, a heavy equipment operator, a trucker and a farmer. He was known for his gentleness, compassion and his avid outdoor and hunting skills. He never met a stranger. He was a member of Riverview Chapel Church at Porterwood.

The family received friends at Barb & Greenlief Funeral Home. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home parlor on Feb 3, with the Pastor Dick Gadd officiating and cremation will follow. Interment will take place at the Pennington Memorial Cemetery on the family farm. 

Diana L. Dibacco
Diana Lucia Dibacco, 76, of Keyser, and formerly of Thomas,died, Jan.29, at Winchester Memorial Hospital, Winchester, VA.

She was born May 23, 1926, in Thomas, a daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Tocci Presutti.

She is survived by her husband, Tony Dibacco; three brothers, Steven A. Dibacco, Huber Heights, OH, David M. (and Peggy) Dibacco, Lapeer MI., and Matthew G. (and Joni) Dibacco, Thomas; one daughter, Rita Ann (and John) Johnson, Thomas; two brothers, Roger Presutti, Sheboygan, and Frank Presutti, Commerce, MI; one sister, Patricia Ann Hoffner, Thomas; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, one son and five brothers.

Mrs. Dibacco was a homemaker. She was a member of Assumption Parrish of Keyser and St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Friends were received at Hinkle Funeral Home in Davis and at St. Thomas Catholic Church.  A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Thomas Catholic Church Feb. 3, with Father Lino Ebejer and Father Ivan Lebar as celebrants.  Interment followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Thomas. 

'Crenny Lee' Phillips
Luther Lee “Crenny” Phillips, 49, of Parsons, died Jan. 31 at his home. He had been in his usual health and death was attributed to seizure disorder.

He was born Aug. 15, 1953, in Parsons, a son of the late Luther Phillips and Wavie Martha Mick Phillips, who survives at Parsons.

Also surviving are one brother, Charles Kenneth (and Eva) Phillips, of Parsons; five sisters, Alice J. Lucas of Belpre, OH, June Ann (and Brian) Swecker, Elkins, Linda J. (and husband) Kittle, of Belington, Shirley P. (and Baker) Tyson, Steven City, VA, Carolyn Sue (and Michael) Roy, of Auburn, IN; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Allen Jack Phillips and Michael Ray Phillips.

He attended the schools of Tucker County. He was a construction worker and a former security guard for the East Liverpool Power Plant in Ohio.

The family received friends at Barb & Greenlief Funeral Home Tuesday where final rites will be conducted today Wednesday Feb. 5 at  11 am.  Pastor Pat Cassidy will officiate and interment will follow at the Parsons City Cemetery. 

Mary Margaret Owens

Mary Margaret Owens, 91, formerly of Rt. 6, Clarksburg, died Feb. 1 in United Hospital Center.

Born in St. George, she was a daughter of the late James S. and Agnes Mae Shahan Owens. 

Survivors include a niece, Joyce, of South Carolina; two great-nieces, Tonya Kay and Julie Ann Warner, Clarksburg; two aunts, Ruby Tomlinson, Vero Beach, FL, V. Arabelle Barnovsky, Hilliard, OH and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Fowler and Ruth Warner; a nephew, David Warner and an aunt, Dora Shahan. 

She attended Calvary United Methodist Church in Adamston, Clarksburg.  She had retired after 54 years with Parsons-Souders / Stone & Thomas Department Store.

Services will be held in Davis-Weaver Funeral Home, 329 E. Main Street, Parsons, at 11 am today, Wednesday, Feb. 5 with the Rev. Olen Robertson presiding.  Preceding the service, friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 am.  Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Association, 300 Scott Ave., Morgantown, WV  26508. 

Elva Calcamp

Elva M. Calcamp , 83, of Eglon, died Jan. 28, at Cuppett Weeks Nursing Home, Oakland MD where she had been a resident.

She was born April 17, 1919 in Horse Shoe Run, a daughter of the late Alpha and Berta Knotts Slaubaugh. 

She is survived by a stepson John W. Calcamp, Jr. of Luray, VA; a brother, Joseph Frank Slaubaugh, Lodi, OH; three sisters, Julia Faye Scott and Bessie Sell of Horse Shoe Run, and Shirley Lanting of Aieu, HI; a stepgrandchild; two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband John W. Calcamp in 1975, eight brothers and three sisters. 

Mrs. Calcamp was a member of the Mt. Grove Brethren Church and the Ladies Aid of that church, a member of the Mt. Top Hunt club, and the Ladies Auxiliary FOE 936, having served as past president. 

Friends were received at Hinkle Funeral Home where services were held at Hinkle Funeral Chapel, Friday Jan. 31, with the Rev. Jeff Winter officiating.  Interment followed in the Eglon Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Mt. Grove Fire Dept.  

Harriet White 
Harriet White, 82, of Thomas, died Jan. 27 at Davis Memorial Hospital, Elkins. 

She was born June 14, 1920, in Red Creek, a daughter of the late Harry Clay and Ada Elizabeth Raines White.

She is survived by two sisters, Betty Marzullo, Butler, PA, and Marge Conley of Cortland Acres Nursing Home, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.

Mrs. White was a registered nurse, having served with the US Army during World War II and then retiring from St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, DC.  She was a member of the Thomas Presbyterian Church and served on the board of directors for Cortland Acres Nursing Home from 1981-87 and then was active with the Friends of Cortland Acres for many years.

At the request of the deceased, her remains were cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to Cortland Acres Nursing Home or the Thomas Presbyterian Church.  The Hinkle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

James E. Adams 

James E. Adams, 67, of Cleveland OH, died Jan 30. 

He was born in Pierce Feb. 17, 1935, a son of the late Clarence and Pearl Adams of Thomas.

Survivors include two sons, Jimmy and Kirk Adams of Cleveland; three grandchildren; a sister Barbara Stieringer of Aurora; a brother, Ronald Adams of Cleveland; and three half-sisters and a half-brother, Elsie DeWalt, Cleveland, Leona Miller of Gardens, PA, Leora Benford of Cleveland, and Claude Luzier of Cleveland; seven nieces and nephews.

He was a veteran, having served during the Korean War.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  

'Charley' Reed

Charles "Charley" Edgar Reed, 81, of Edgewater, FL, formerly of Canaan Valley died Jan. 28, at home. 

He was born Dec. 13, 1921 in Marble Rock, IA and grew up there on the family farm. 

Charley is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy" Gratz Reed.  Charley and Betsy Reed married Dec. 26, 1945.  Charley is also survived by a brother Max Reed of Seattle, WA; a son Cary Reed of Canaan Valley; two daughters Gail Reed Meigs of Remington, VA, and Patsy Reed Nestor, Elkins; two grandchildren, Virginia "Jenny" Reed, a senior at Shepherd college and Spencer Reed, a sophomore at Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.

Mr. Reed graduated with a BS degree in engineering from Iowa State University.  Following his graduation, Charley spent two years in the Pacific during World War II serving first as a navigator, chief engineer and then commanding officer of a US Navy refrigerated cargo ship.  At this time he was 23. 

Charley and Betsy Reed first came to Canaan Valley in 1963 and purchased a 55 acre farm in what is now Canaan Valley State Park.  When their farm was absorbed by the state park in 1977, the Reeds purchased a smaller parcel from M.L. "Red" Cooper of what Charley described as "swamp, underbrush and woods."  In 1969, Charley took a leave of absence from his refrigeration business in McLean, VA to build Mirror Lake in Canaan Valley.  Charley and a great crew of local men worked in the swamp ten hours a day, seven days a week for four months with chain saws, axes, shovels, and dozers constructing the five acre lake.  Upon completion of the lake, Charley made the decision not to return to the city.  he sold his refrigeration business to his employees and started over again at the age of 48 in Tucker County.

While serving an apprenticeship as a real estate broker, Charley worked two years as a construction engineer at VEPCO's power plant on Mount Storm Lake.  He obtained his real estate broker's license and started Canaan Realty, the first real estate office in Canaan Valley.  Charley and Betsy contracted to build vacation homes and pioneered the vacation rental market when they opened Canaan Realty in 1970. 

Charley served as president of Tucker county Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Blackwater Civic Club and Thomas Davis Lions club, director of the Alpine Festival and chairman of the Tucker county Planning Commission. 

Charley and Betsy Reed retired to Edgewater, FL, in 1985, selling the real estate business to their son, Cary Reed.  The business has operated at the location of Charley's Mirror Lake for 32 years. 

At the request of the deceased, the remains have been cremated and will be taken to the Buena Chapel cemetery in the spring.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Boys Scouts of America.  

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2001, Janet Cooper

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