Elmer Harsh

Elmer Morris "Smokey" Harsh, 87, a resident of Ohio Valley Health Care, Parkersburg, and formerly of Buckhannon, passed away 3:15 a.m. May 26,  at the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Parkersburg.

Smokey was born Aug. 12, 1918, at Parsons, a son of the late Aldine and Clara Ethel McDonald Harsh.  He was united in marriage Nov. 10, 1940, to Kathleen Virginia Dawson Harsh who preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2005.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary Elizabeth and husband, Tom Stark, of Parkersburg; four sons Harold Lee Harsh of Buckhannon, Ronald Maurice and wife Sharon Harsh of Charleston; David Lynn and wife Kim Harsh of Glade Springs, and Timothy and Paula Worden of Dry Fork; one sister Gladys Harsh Dumire of Parsons; ten grandchildren, Kathleen B. "Kassie" Harsh, Maurice L. "Buddy" Harsh, Douglas A. Harsh, Jeremy H. Harsh, R. Lynn Harsh, Carla M. Harsh Griekspoor, Michelle L. Harter Ward, Richard B. Harter, Veronica L. Harsh and R. Todd Harsh; nine great-grandchildren, Maurice L. Harsh II, Jacob Harsh, Justin Hayhurst, Nathan Griekspoor, Marin Griekspoor, Sydney Harter, Peyton Ward, Brittany Taylor and Marissa Harsh; one great-great-grandchild, Bailey Harsh; and one daughter-in-law, Joyce Ann Harsh and husband Dan Brown of Buckhannon.

He was preceded in death by one son, Robert Eugene Harsh; two sisters, Eve Ruth Harsh and Ruby Madge Harsh; one granddaughter, Stefanie Harsh; and one great-grandson, Curtis Harsh. 

He owned and operated “Smokey’s Grocery” in Parsons. He retired in 1980 from the WV Department of Natural Resources after 30 years of service. He began his park service as a ranger at Droop Mountain Battlefield in 1952-54, was superintendent of Audra State Park from 1954-68; was first superintendent of Twin Falls State Park, from 1968-79; and retired from Blackwater Falls State Park, where he worked from 1979-80. He was a World War II veteran assigned to 211 Army Air Force Unit, Squadron D, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 485 Bomb Group; 831 Bomb Squadron of the 15 Air Force 1944-45, where he served as tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber out of Genoa, Italy, flying Missions in support of five different battle Campaigns resulting in the award of the Air Medal.

In 1939, he was a member of the CCC camps started as the “Work Act” under President Roosevelt. In 1999, “Smokey” was inducted into the Parsons High School Hall of Fame. To meet this requirement, one must have graduated 50 years before being nominated. He was nominated on the basis of what he had given back to the state of WV during the 60 plus years after graduating. He was a registered official for the WV Secondary School Activities Commission for both football and basketball for 25 years. He was chosen to officiate the AA State Football Championship game in 1967 between Monongah and Ceredo-Kenova. He was a Methodist by faith.

Friends were received at the Wright Funeral Home, Philippi from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday May 29 and Tuesday, May 30 from 8 a.m. until 2 pm. the funeral hour.  Pastor Jon Lands of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Vienna officiated and interment followed in the Concord Cemetery with the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post 44 conducting Military Rites.  West virginia Parks Superintendents served at Honor Guard and Pall Bearers.

Ronald W. Parsons

Ronald Willard Parsons, 94, of Eglon, died May 24, 2006 at Harford Memorial Hospital at Havre de Grace, Md., where he was visiting his grandson.  He was born June 11, 1911, in Shaffertown.  

Survivors include one son, John and wife Shirley Parsons of Aurora; one daughter Jean and husband Carlton Skipper of Kingwood; one daughter-in-law. Evelyn parsons of Hedgesville; one step-son, Gary Roth of Eglon; six grandchildren, four step great-grandchildren and four step great-great-grandchildren.  

Interment was in  the Aurora Cemetery.  Hinkle funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.  

Georgia Poe

Georgia B. Poe, age 76 years old, a resident of Belington, departed this life 8:55 a.m. Sunday, may 28, 2006 int he Ruby Memorial Hospital at Morgantown. She had been in declining health for quite some time.  

She was born Oct. 30, 1929 at St. George in Tucker county, a daughter of the late Andrew J. and Lizzie Cumberledge Harsh.  In 1949, she was married to her former husband the late Willard Carl Caldwell Sr.  Then on Feb. 14, 1982, she was married to Thurman Junior Poe who preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 1999. 

Mrs. Poe is survived by three sons Willard Cardwell, Jr. and wife Becky of Oklahoma City, Ok., David Caldwell of Junior and Richard Caldwell of Lexington park, MD.; one daughter Elizabeth "Suzie" Copper and husband Robert of Parsons; two step-children Micahel Poe of Florida and Pamela Dianne Lehr of Alderson; one brother Clyde Harsh of Florida; one brother-in-law Charles Poe; two sisters-in-law Martha Elwanda Gouer and Justine Kelley; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She attended the schools of Tucker county and was a 1948 graduate of the parsons High School.  She was formerly employed as a ward secretary and nurse's aide at the Parsons Hospital, and along with her husband in the later years was a volunteer camp host at Trout Pond Campground in hardy County.  She had worked as a volunteer at the Barbour County Good Samaritan in Belington and attended the Faithway Baptist Church near Belington. 

Friends will be received from the Talbott Funeral Home, 210 Brandenburg Street in Belington from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday May 31 and on Thursday, June 1 until 11 a.m. the funeral hour when final rites will be conducted from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Downing Gregory and Rev. Norman Hawkins officiating.  Interment will follow in the Fraternal Cemetery at Belington.  The Talbott Funeral Home of Belington is in charge of the Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Georgia B. Harsh Poe.   

Shawn P. Shahan

Shawn Patrick Shahan, 35, a resident of Saint George, departed this life Sunday evening, May 28, 2006. He had been in his usual health and death was sudden and unexpected.  He was born Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1970, at Parsons, the son of Randy Gene Shahan and Jane Elizabeth Jones Shahan, who survive at Parsons.

Also surviving are one sister, who he loved very much, Shannon Rechelle Shahan of Parsons; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, David and Elloween Shahan and Carlos and Lena Jones.

He was a 1988 graduate of Tucker County High School where he played football his freshman year. He was a graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science. He was an employee of Dominion Generation as an Operator at Mount Storm. Shawn was a kind loving person and a good son, who loved the outdoors. He enjoyed shooting his bow, riding his four-wheeler, playing the guitar, hunting, especially bow hunting, and fishing. He lied to write songs and poetry. Shawn was very well liked by all. He was a loving, caring, very good and generous son and brother. He will be missed deeply by all.

The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor Friday, June 2, 2006, at 11 a.m. Pastor Allen Dale Crosten and Pastor Jeff Anderson will officiate and interment will follow at Parsons City Cemetery. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Shawn Patrick Shahan. 

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2001, Janet Cooper

This Page was last updated -- Saturday, 03-Jun-2006 15:26:06 MDT.