Ira Dawson Alkire, 93, former Mayor of Hendricks and a resident of the Rosendorf Community, departed this life Thursday, April 30, at his home.

He was born Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1915 at Arlington, a son of the late Albert Dawson Alkire and Judie Woods Alkire.

He was twice married, first on Dec. 5, 1936 at Oakland, Md., he was married to the former Madeline G. Plaugher, who preceded him in death Feb. 26, 1994 and on Oct. 4, 1997 at Red House, Md., he was married to the former Opal M. Sponaugle, who preceded him in death Feb. 10, 2006.

Surviving are two stepsons Mike Mobley and Bill Carr and wife Faye; and several nieces and nephews. Ira was known to be called Dad by many Sue, Diane, Pam, Donna and Nancy and granddad to Walter, and Dr. Michael, who called Ira ‘Uncle’.

He is the last surviving member of his immediate family having been preceded in death by four brothers Albert, William Dewey, Earl Jackson and Emory M.J. Alkire; and three sisters Susan Elizabeth Ware, Dora M. Marple and Laura J. Smith.

He attended the schools of Tucker Co. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II on the Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Pacific Ocean. He was at Okinawa when the war ended, working in every terminal on this division, and honorably discharged at Bainbridge, Md. He was a former councilman and mayor of Hendricks. He worked in the coal mines, in the woods, ran heavy machinery, worked for the West Virginia Dept. of Highways, was a farmer and retired from CSX Railroad as an Engineer. He was a lifetime member of The Moose, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion.

I’m Free? – Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God laid for me. I took God’s hand when I heard the call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full; I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me- God wanted me now, God set me free.

The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Saturday, May 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home parlor on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. The Reverend Eli Hostetler officiated and interment followed at the Parsons City Cemetery at Parsons, where the H.W. Daniels Post #29 American Legion presented the American Flag. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Mary Lou O’Dell, 75, of Stanley, Va. died Wednesday, April 29 at Life Care Center of New Market, New Market, Va.

She was born May 26, 1933 in Parsons, a daughter of the late Blennice Blair Wilfong and Lula Jane (Strawderman) Wilfong. She was married on Dec. 26, 1954 to James Willard O’Dell, who preceded her in death on May 10, 2001.

Survivors include a daughter Cynthia Elaine (O’Dell) Tomney of McGaheysville, Va; a son James W. O’Dell Jr. of Stanley, Va.; brothers Forrest Wilfong, Keith Wilfong, David Wilfong and Craig Wilfong, all of Parsons; sister Kathie Dellinger of Mount Jackson, Va.; two grandsons Ross Tomney of Stanley, Va. and Dylan O’Dell of Stanley, Va.; and a granddaughter Lacey O’Dell of Stanley, Va.

In addition to her parents and spouse, she was preceded in death by a brother Scotty Wilfong.

She worked for Page County School System as a Teaching Assistant and was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Parsons.

Friends were received at the Bradley Funeral Home, Inc. from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 1. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 by Doug Gochenour with interment following at Leake’s Chapel Cemetery, Stanley, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stanley Fire Department or Stanley Rescue Squad.

Barbara Ann Gutshall Roy, 62, a resident of the Blackman Heights Community, Parsons, departed this life Sunday, May 3 at her home. She had been in her usual health and death was unexpected and attributed to cardiac arrest.

She was born Thursday, Dec. 12, 1946 at Philippi, a daughter of the late Rev. Meade L. Gutshall and Lorena Matthews Gutshall. On Feb. 17, 1983 at Parsons, she was married to Harold D. Roy, who survives.

She is survived by several cousins. She is the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She was a graduate of Parsons High School with the class of 1964, of which she was a member of the cheerleading squad. She attended Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. She was a former employee of Mon Power for thirty-two years as a clerk. She was a former member of Parsons Chapter #91 Order of the Eastern Star and the Ruritan Club. She was a member of the Riverview Chapel Church at Porterwood. Barbara was known for her compassion and love for others. She was a devoted and loving wife and a lifelong Christian.

The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Tuesday, May 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor on Wednesday, May 6 at 1 p.m. The Reverend Dick Gadd will officiate and interment will follow at the Elkins Memorial Gardens on the Airport Road, Elkins. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Vonda Rose Moore, 66, a former resident of Tucker Co, and a resident of Rockville, Md, departed this life Monday, May 4 at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and are under the direction of the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.

Jimmie Lee Stemple, 70, of Aurora passed away April 27 at his home. He was the husband of Elsie Miller Stemple, his wife of 30 years.

He was born Feb. 14, 1939, a son of the late Elmer and Mina (Wotring) Stemple. He is survived by a son; a daughter; a stepdaughter; twograndsons; one granddaughter; five step-grandchildren; one sister; four nieces; one aunt and one uncle.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 1 at the Aurora United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Radford officiating. Interment followed in Aurora Cemetery. Hinkle Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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2001, Janet Cooper

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