Fred Lower Jr., 86, a resident of Hambleton and more recently a resident of Good Samaritan Nursing Home at Belington, departed this life Monday, Feb. 9 at Davis Memorial Hospital at Elkins.

He was born Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1922, at Coalton, a son of the late Fred Earnest Lower Sr. and Margaret Ellen Smith Lower.  On May 5, 1948, at Elkins, he was married to Mary Maxine Bailey Lower, who preceded him in death Jan. 31, 1990.

Surviving are one son, Edward Dale Lower and wife Cecelia of Parsons; one sister, Dorothy Waters of Virginia; one grandson, Jeremy Dale Lower and wife Ryan; and one great-grandson Jacob Lower.

Preceding him in death were two brothers, Gale Lower and Charles Robert "Sonny" Lower; and three sisters, Betty Varner, Irene Cissel and Alice Carmen Lower.

He attended the schools of Randolph County. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II. He was a truck driver for many years and retired from Kingsford Charcoal Co. in 1997.

A graveside service was conducted at the Pennington Family Cemetery at Blackman Flats on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. Pastor Pat Cassidy officiated. Presentation of the American flag was presented and interment followed.  The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements for Fred Lower Jr.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Ira J. Sturm, 81, a resident of 607 Johnson Ave. in Belington departed this life Thursday, Feb. 12 in the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center at Clarksburg, following a short illness. He had been in his usual health.

He was born May 8, 1927, at Porterwood, a son of the late George Dewey and Edith Phillips Sturm.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife the former Helen Roselee Shahan; one brother Jack Sturm; and one sister Betty Sturm.

On Nov. 2, 1979, he was united in marriage to the former Margery Ethel Thompson, who preceded him on death on Jan. 10, 1995.

Surviving are two sons, Robert Sturm and wife Catherine of Annadale, Va. and Thomas Sturm and wife Cindy of Belington; one daughter, Gale Stilley and husband Dennis of Chapmanville; and six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; four brothers William Sturm of Rhode Island, Kenneth Sturm and Jerry Sturm of West Virginia, and Larry Sturm of Virginia; and one sister, Mildred Teamen of Michigan

Mr. Sturm was a graduate of the Parsons High School and worked as an independent taxi cab driver in Washington, D.C. for many years. He served in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a member of the Macon Ware Masonic Lodge #192 of Falls Church, Va. and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a Methodist by faith.

Friends were received at Talbott Funeral Home, 210 Brandenburg St. in Belington from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, and again on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., the funeral hour.  Final rites were conducted from the Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Arden Beck officiating. 

Interment followed in the Fraternal Cemetery near Belington where ritualistic graveside rites were conducted by the Belington Masonic Lodge #125 AF & AM. Military rites were also accorded by the American Legion Post #44 of Philippi. 

The Talbott Funeral Home in Belington was in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Ira J. Sturm. Condolences can be made to the family at www.talbottfuneralhome.com.