Susie Mae Thompson, 71, of Riverton, W.Va., passed away Monday, March 30, 2026.

Born May 4, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Roy Thompson and Iva Jane Bennett Thompson. She had fond memories of attending the Dixie Schoolhouse and was a 1972 graduate of Circleville High School. Susie was a farmer, enjoyed having pets and was a member of the Pendleton County Farm Bureau. She treasured the time she spent and the friends she made while dining at The Gateway Restaurant and Golden Lanes. She had a passion for helping others.

On March 6, 2018, she married John E. Hicklin, who preceded her in death on September 13, 2021.

She is survived by nieces and nephews and her fur baby, Sarah Grace.

Family and friends will be received Tuesday, April 7 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, Franklin. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in the chapel of the Kimble Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Lambert offi ciating. Interment will be at North Fork Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome. com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home, Franklin, W.Va. (4-7-26)

Orville Lee Whetzel, age 82, of Stafford, Va., passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, in Bowling Green, Va.

He was born on May 15, 1943 in Moorefi eld, W.Va., the son of the late Harold Crossland and Vernie Whetzel. Orville was a member of the Stafford Church of God and as a Christian, he was always spreading the Good News with everyone he met. He was employed with Lockhead Martin and General Electric for several years, until his retirement.

He is survived by three sisters, Helen Baker of Moorefi eld, Kathy Parsons of Fisher, W.Va. and Betty Carroll of Montgomery; one brother, Tony Crossland of Moorefi eld; two sons, Billy Reed of Petersburg, W.Va. and Clint Whetzel of Stafford; one daughter, Buffy Farber of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Orville was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Whetzel; two sisters, Mary Alt and Arvella Crist; and two grandsons.

In honoring Orville’s wishes, his body has been cremated and a funeral service will be held at a later date at Found and Sons in Frederick, Va.

Obituary compliments of Basagic Funeral Home, Petersburg. (4-7-26)

Richard Wayne Arbaugh, age 78, of Circleville, W.Va., entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. While he passed away following an accident on the mountain he loved, his family rests in the profound peace of the Savior he served so faithfully throughout his life.

Born March 22, 1947, he was a son of the late Willie David and Regana (Wimer) Arbaugh. On November 1, 1968, he married the love of his life, Reva Alice Dice. Their 57 years of marriage was the cornerstone of a beautiful 63-year journey together. A man of steady hands and a tireless work ethic, Rich worked for Inter-State Hardwoods Inc. for 45 years. Beyond his professional life, his greatest passion was his faith. He was a trustee and a pillar of the North Fork Church of the Brethren, where he loved expressing his joy through music, playing on Sunday mornings for the congregation he loved so dearly. Alongside his brothers and later his sons, Rich was an avid men’s slow-pitch softball player for over 20 years, serving as captain of the team. He was known for his encouraging spirit, his love of the outdoors, and the deep, lifelong friendship he shared for many decades with Henry Bennett.

In addition to his beloved wife, Reva, he is survived by two sons, Ronnie Arbaugh (Maggie) and Sheldon Arbaugh (Lauren Michelle); one daughter, Amanda Rexrode (Tim); and four grandchildren, Sierra, Austin, Lauren Brooke (Tyler), and Hannah. He is also survived by his siblings, Regana “Olive” Thompson (Nathan); Larry Arbaugh (Jean); Billy Arbaugh (Gae); Kermit Arbaugh (Helen); Dwight Arbaugh (Linda); Johnny Arbaugh (Debbie) and Galen Arbaugh (Bonnie); sister-in-law, Betty Arbaugh; sister-in-law, Loretha Vandevander; and several special nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Lonnie Arbaugh; sister-in-law, Shirley Dice-Sites; and brother-in-law, Delbert Vandevander.

The family received friends on Wednesday, March 25 at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin. A funeral service was held on Thursday, March 26 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Dan Arbogast offi ciating. Interment was at the Richard Arbaugh Family Cemetery, 1042 Dice Warner Rd., Circleville.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Pastor Dan Arbogast for his years of love, guidance and service to the family. In lieu of fl owers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the North Fork Church of the Brethren, the Circleville Volunteer Fire Department or the North Fork Rescue Squad.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www. kimblefuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, West Virginia.

(4-7-26)

Richard Glenn Ayers, 82, of Rivesville, West Virginia, passed away on March 27, 2026 in the Genesis Healthcare, Fairmont, West Virginia.

Born May 2, 1943, in Petersburg, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Glenn Emory Ayers and Hattie Frances Borror Ayers.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Kimble Ayers of Rivesville, West Virginia; one son and daughter-in-law Barry and Brenda Ayers of White Hall, West Virginia; one granddaughter and her husband, Chelsea and Tyler Wentz; two great-grandchildren, Ava Wentz and Carter Wentz; one stepson and his wife Craig and Darlene Yokum of Petersburg; one stepdaughter and her husband Alicia and Mike Reel of Petersburg; three stepgrandchildren, Melody Yokum, Matthew Stump and Brandon Reel and his wife Brittany Reel; one stepgreat-grandson, Keith Stump; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by fi ve brothers, Ernest Kyle, Raymond Borror, William Ayers, Emory Ayers, and James Ayers.

Richard was the proud owner and operator of R.G. Ayers & Son Trucking Company, which he founded in 1974. Throughout his career, he faithfully drove over 8 million miles accident free which included 46 states traveled. Richard was proud and honored to help serve the Osiris Shriners by delivering onions for their annual fundraiser for 26 years. He was an active member of the Winfi eld Community Church, a recipient of many safe driving awards from the West Virginia Motor Truck Association, and enjoyed working on his truck collection. Memorial contributions may be made to the Winfi eld Community Church, P.O. Box 14, Fairmont, WV, 26555-0014, or American Cancer Society, 270 Peachtree Lane, NW Suite 1300, Atlanta, GA, 30303.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford Funeral Home, DeGarmo Chapel, 207 Second Street, Rivesville, WV 26558. Friends will be received today, Tuesday March 31, from 2 - 8p.m. and again on Wednesday April 1, from 10 - 11a.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 11a.m. with Pastor William Masters and Pastor Randy Vincent offi ciating. Graveside services will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens in Westover, West Virginia. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes. com. (3-31-26)

Jo Riggleman Miller, 88, of Virginia Beach, Va., passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026.

Born on June 12, 1937, in Cumberland, Maryland, Jo was raised in Petersburg, West Virginia. Given the name Fanny Joe Riggleman at birth, she chose to go by her middle name, Jo, dropping the “e” from her parents’ unusual spelling for a female—a refl ection of her independent spirit that would defi ne her life.

Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles David Miller, whom she married on June 12, 1968. Their years together, though far too short, were fi lled with love and partnership. She is survived by her devoted children, Chuck Miller (spouse, Christina Whitlatch) and Tammy Schubart (spouse, Ryan Schubart); her cherished grandchildren, Maxwell Schubart and Harrison Schubart; and her treasured late granddaughter, Ruby Miller, who remained forever in her heart. She is also survived by her brother, Oscar Hampton Riggleman II (spouse, Jennifer Gerstell Riggleman); her niece, Rebecca Shakespeare (spouse, Aaron Shakespeare) and their daughters, Bailey and McKenzie; and her nephew, Brian Riggleman (spouse, Erin Riggleman) and their children, Roman and Vena. Jo was the daughter of Vistaola (Shobe) Riggleman and Oscar Hampton Riggleman, both of whom preceded her in death.

A proud graduate of Petersburg High School, Jo continued her education at James Madison University (then Madison College), where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in business education and her master’s degree in education. She dedicated her professional life to teaching, working in school systems across Baltimore, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia; Bridgeport, West Virginia; and Shinnston, West Virginia.

She later served as an administrator at the Adult Education Center at Salem University. Throughout her career, she taught subjects such as business accounting, typing, and shorthand—equipping generations of students with practical skills and confi dence. Jo was a woman of deep faith and service. She was an elder at Bridgeport Presbyterian Church and later at Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church. She also volunteered with the Clarksburg Mission, quietly giving her time and energy to those in need.

She will be remembered for her kindness, quick wit, and remarkable resilience. Jo had a distinctive voice and a contagious laugh that could brighten any room. She had a rare gift for connecting with others, never hesitating to strike up a conversation with a stranger and making them feel genuinely seen and heard. Above all, Jo was most proud of her family. She devoted her life to her children and grandchildren, who were the center of her world and the source of her greatest joy.

A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at a later date. In her spirit, we remember the words she held dear: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Jo’s warmth, strength, and love will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her. (3-31-26)