John Jacob “Johnnie” Ours, 83, formerly of Cabins, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Pendleton Manor in Franklin, W.Va.

Born June 19, 1941, in Cabins, he was a son of the late Ocie Ours and Minnie Florence (Moyers) Ours. 

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine (Turner) Ours in 2002; one daughter, Julie Ours Swick in 2023; and five brothers, Orlando Ours, Merl Ours, Ocie Ours, Eston Ours and Clyde Ours.

John is survived by one son, Brian M. Ours of Fredericksburg, Va. and wife Karen; two daughters, Sandra Ours Paz and husband Felix of Harrisonburg, Va. and Fallon Ours Hedrick and husband Wes of Maysville, W.Va.; nine grandchildren, Faythe Ours, Jeremy Swick, Jeremy Paz, Rochelle Paz, Priciliana Paz, Nick Paz, Michaela Johnnie Paz, Tenley Hedrick and McKenley Hedrick; numerous great grandchildren; four sistersin- law; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

John was a lifelong farmer. He retired from Southern States in Petersburg, W.Va. where he was a truck driver and delivered propane gas. He was a member of Corner United Methodist Church in Cabins. He was an avid hunter and gun collector and enjoyed working in his garden.

A celebration of life service was Saturday afternoon in the chapel of the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, with Pastor Joseph Gerstell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ours family, c/o Brian Ours, 33 Sheffield Cove, Ruther Glen, VA 22546.

Condolences to the family may be left at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.

(9-10-24)

 Melva Jean Turner Cornette, 87, of Petersburg, W.Va., passed away Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg.

Born July 20, 1937, in Upper Tract, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Gabriel Harrison Turner and Edna Jane (Carr) Turner.

In addition to her parents, Melva was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. “Jack” Cornette in 2001; two sisters, Eleanor Turner Thompson and Ruth Turner Simmons; three half sisters, Martha Mongold, Bertha Turner and Nellie Smith; one brother, Paul Turner; and two half brothers, Harman Turner and infant Glenn Turner.

Melva is survived by one stepdaughter, Vivian Leigh Bagwell of Norfolk, Va.; two stepgrandsons, Matthew Bagwell and wife Tracy and Danny Bagwell; stepgreat-granddaughter, Olivia Bagwell; three sisters, Kathryn Van Meter of Petersburg, Rebecca “Becky” Miller of Petersburg and Virginia “Jenny” Pancake and husband Brad of New Creek, W.Va.; one brother, Evers Turner and wife Nancy of Upper Tract; half brother, Ralph Turner of Roanoke, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melva retired from American Woodmark Corp. in Moorefi eld, W.Va. She was a member of the Petersburg Church of God. Melva had a special love for her cats.

Funeral services were Monday afternoon in the chapel of the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, with Pastor Stephen Noel and Pastor Matt Smith officiating.

Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery, Petersburg. 

Melva’s family suggests that memorials may be made to Petersburg Church of God, 13 Myrtle Avenue, Petersburg, WV 26847.

Condolences to the family may be made to www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.

(9-10-24)

 Denise Ann (Pennington) Pendergast of LaVale, Md., passed away suddenly on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

Born June 19, 1961, in Petersburg, W.Va., she was a daughter of Mary Etta (McGuinness) Pennington of Scherr, W.Va. and the late Orlie Maurice Pennington Jr.

In addition to her father, Denise was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Pennington; and two nephews, Logan and Benjamin Pennington.

Denise was a 1979 graduate of Petersburg High School. She was an employee at Super Shoes where she was an account executive and was responsible for 43 stores. She was a member of the Cumberland Seventh Day Adventist Church.

She is survived by her mother, Mary Etta (Mc-Guinness) Pennington of Scherr; her husband of 23 years, Kevin Pendergast; three sisters, Debra Smith (Robert), Donna Feaster (Gregory Helmick) and Diana Duling (Grover); one brother, David Pennington; as well as her fur babies, Tilley, Nellie and Willie.

Friends will be received at the Cumberland Seventh Day Adventist Church, 12235 Williams Road, Cumberland, Md., on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 2 - 3 p.m. A service will begin at 3 p.m. with Pastor Jim Buchanan officiating.

Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A. in Cumberland, is assisting the family.

(9-10-24)

Phyllis Ann (Clark) Harman died on May 10, 2024, at her home in Woodstock, Va., after a long illness under hospice care.

Born June 22, 1947, in Sweeney, Texas, she was an only child, and preceded in death by Lloyd “Bill” Clark, and Mary (Moomau) Clark.

Phyllis graduated from Shenandoah University with a master’s degree in music education. 

While living in Petersburg, W.Va., she was a member of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church and served as handbell choir director.  After moving to Virginia she taught piano lessons, being very passionate about working with her students. She composed a piano piece titled “Shenandoah.”

Phyllis is survived by two aunts, Sara “Sally” (Moomau) King of Warsaw, Va. and Jennie Moomau of Silver Spring, Md.; and many Moomau and Taylor cousins and friends from Woodstock, including caretaker Carrie Whetzel.

Interment will be held in Maple Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Petersburg Presbyterian Church, or Blue Ridge Hospice.

(9-10-24)

Aaron Matthew Judy, 28, of Moorefield, W.Va., passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Born Oct. 8, 1995, in Frederick, Md., he is survived by his parents, George Kessel Judy and Mary Catherine Smith Judy; as well as his brother and best friend, G. Kevin Judy II, of South Fork, W.Va.  

In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his girlfriend, Natalie Gray; grandmother, Ila Smith; uncles, David Judy (Debbie), Bill Judy, and David Smith (Amy); and numerous cousins.  

He was preceded in death by grandparents, William and Ruth Judy, and Robert Smith.

Aaron was a 2014 graduate of Moorefield High School, a May 2018 graduate of WVU College of Business and Economics with a B.S. in business administration, and a May 2021 graduate of WVU Law School.  At the time of his death, Aaron was a partner in the law firm of Judy & Judy in Moorefield.

Aaron was a Fellowcraft in Moorefield Lodge #29 A.F. & A.M.

Aaron was active in 4-H throughout his life as a member at county and state camps. He was a 4-H Allstar and also was an adult counselor at Camp Pinnacle whenever his work schedule allowed. 

Funeral services were Thursday afternoon in the chapel of the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, with Pastor Chris Whetzel officiating. 

Burial was private in the Judy Family Cemetery in Peru, W.Va.

Memorials may be made to the Hardy County 4-H Camp Association, 144 Emergency Lane, Moorefield, WV 26836 or charity of choice.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.                    (9-10-24)

Vance William “Sonny” Bensenhaver Jr., 90, of Petersburg, W.Va., passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center in Petersburg.

Born June 4, 1934, in Rig, W.Va., he was a son of the late Vance William Bensenhaver and Goldie Elizabeth (Riggleman) Bensenhaver. 

In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Ours) Bensenhaver in 1986; one daughter, Christina Bensenhaver Cook; two sisters, Vista Jean Bensenhaver Ours and Carol Lee Bensenhaver Leeson; an infant brother; half sister, Ila Louise “Petey” Bensenhaver Kemp; infant stepgranddaughter; and infant stepgreat-granddaughter.   

Sonny is survived by his wife, Shelby J. (Mongold) Ratcliff Bensenhaver; one son, W. Craig Bensenhaver of Petersburg; three grandchildren, Jamie Cook, Jessica Moreno Salinas (Alex), and Sterling Bensenhaver; six great-grandchildren, Alexis Cook, Christopher Cook, Ana Hernandez, Jayden Cook, Alex Moreno Salinas and Layla Moreno Salinas; one great-great-granddaughter, Fia Cook; stepchildren, Greg Ratcliff of Nottingham, Md., Sherry Zamudio and Pam Amato of Precott, Ariz.; nine stepgrandchildren; 11 stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, John C. Bensenhaver (Margaret) of Virginia Beach, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

Sonny was a 1952 graduate of Petersburg High School. He was a truck driver for various companies in Pennsylvania for several years and later retired from Petersburg Oil Company. Sonny was a member of Petersburg Memorial Covenant Brethren Church. Sonny enjoyed traveling, especially to Canada and California.  He cherished the time he  spent with family and friends.

According to Sonny’s wishes, his body was donated to the West Virginia University Human Gift Registry in Morgantown, W.Va. 

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later time.

Arrangements were by the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.                    (9-10-24)

Gary Wayne Riggleman, 75, of Westernport, Md., passed away on Sept. 3, 2024.

Born Sept. 14, 1948, he was a son of the late Ruby (Wolfe) Riggleman of Moorefield, W.Va., and Glen Riggleman of Petersburg, W.Va. 

He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Ruth (Stahl) Riggleman.

Gary was a member of the Piedmont Church of God where he was a former adult Sunday school teacher. He proudly served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Gary was a 1967 graduate of Bruce High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in education at Frostburg University. He was an educator at the Maryland Department of Justice System Backbone Mountain Youth Center in Swanton, Md., for 20 years, and he was loved by all of the kids. 

Gary was an avid fan of the Steelers and the Orioles and enjoyed history, especially World War II history.

Gary is survived by his sister, Beverly Riggleman of Cumberland, Md.; brother Kevin Riggleman of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and his special friend, Charlotte Grim of Frostburg. 

Funeral services were Monday at noon at the Boal Funeral Home, Westernport, with the Rev. Garrett Carskadon officiating. 

Interment followed in Maryland Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap, Flintstone, Md., with military honors by the Cumberland Post 13 American Legion Combined Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Family 4Life Church of God, 114 Ashfield Street, Piedmont, WVa.                   (9-10-24)

Janis Dawn (Smith) Cook, 79, of Cabins, W.Va., went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at her home. 

Born Sept. 5, 1944, in Portsmouth, Va., she was a daughter of the late William Clyde Smith and Mildred Jeanettie (Cotton) Smith

In addition to her parents, Janis was preceded in death by two sisters, Joy Austin and Lynette Nelligar; and son-in-law, J. Andrew Frederick.

Janis is survived by her husband of 58 years, William F. Cook. They were married on Feb. 13, 1966, in Portsmouth. They taught us what a marriage based on faith, love and devotion looked like. 

Also surviving is one daughter, Melinda Cook Judy (Darin) of Moorefield, W.Va.; one son, William Jonathan Cook and wife Jenna of Kannapolis, N.C.; four grandchildren, J. Austin Frederick and wife Amanda, Jacob R. Frederick, Mason Cook and Madeline Cook. Her children and grandchildren knew that they were loved and shared many moments with her humor, making their days with her ones to remember with a smile. Also surviving is her sister, Sandra Minter of Suffolk, Va.

Janis was a member of the Petersburg First Baptist Church and sang on the praise team and enjoyed being a part of local singing group, One Way.  When living in Portsmouth, she was a part of the Sonshine Trio with her sister, Sandra Minter. She taught Sunday school for many years and considered the ladies in her class to be special friends.  She worked at the former Ben Franklin Store in Petersburg for several years.

Janis showed us how to enjoy life to the fullest, laugh a lot, and live in confidence that her Savior guided her steps and that she would spend eternity with the Lord.

Honoring Janis’s wishes, her body was cremated.

A celebration of life service was Saturday morning at Petersburg First Baptist Church with Pastor Shannon Earle and Pastor Rick Bergdoll officiating.

Memorials may be made to Cancer Center Comfort Fund, 117 Hospital Drive, Petersburg, WV 26847. (Checks payable:  Grant Memorial Hospital Auxiliary with Comfort Fund in memo line).

Condolences to the family may be made at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.                    (9-10-24)