Sherwin Dale Kimble, 75, of Upper Tract, W.Va., passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, Va. 

He was born October 6, 1949, in Harrisonburg, the son of the Elma Violet Roberson of Upper Tract, and the late Roosevelt Kimble (1991).

Mr. Kimble was a 1969 graduate of Franklin High School and a member of the Cornerstone Family Fellowship Church in Petersburg, W.Va. He was a professional painter and owned and operated Kimble’s Painting, where he painted numerous homes in Virginia and West Virginia. Sherwin had a passion for sports, especially softball, basketball, and shooting pool. He had a zest for life and he loved making his friends smile and sharing and making memories with them. He leaves behind a legacy to be treasured.

In addition to his mother, Sherwin leaves behind to treasure his memory: a daughter, Stephanie Kimble of Upper Tract; a son, Steven Kimble of Upper Tract; a sister, Cindy Klane of Winchester, Va.; two brothers, Ronald “Ronnie” Kimble of Upper Tract and  Kirk Kimble of Virginia Beach, Va.; and the mother of his children, Shirley Davis Hoover of Franklin, W.Va. 

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his companion of 38 years, Brenda Louise Humphreys.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 12, 5-7 p.m., at the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 13, at 11 a.m., in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor PJ Landis officiating. Interment will be in Ruddle Cemetery, Ruddle W.Va. 

Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com. 

(3-11-25)

Rev. Roger Alan Harrison Sr. died at his home in Petersburg, W.Va. on Saturday, March 1, 2025.  

Roger was born at 706 Beech St., Grafton, W.Va. June 17, 1939, to Winifred Dunham Harrison and JoAnne Harrison. 

He was predeceased by daughter, Kelley Jo Harrison Clarke in 2015; brother, George Michael Harrison and wife Dina Kay Harter Harrison; and mother-and father-in-law, William Wallace Welker and Eloise Sandbower Welker.

He is survived by Rev. Ann Wallace Harrison, his wife of 64 years; son Roger Alan Harrison Jr. and wife Rachel Kose Harrison of Broomfield, Colo.; daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Loise Harrison Day and husband, Jamie Day of Petersburg; grandchildren, Kylie Harrison Ebert (Caleb), Ana Harrison, Noah Harrison, Peyton Day and Addison Day; great-grandchildren, Olivia Lewis, Melanie Ebert, Abriella Ebert and Hayden Blosser; nephew, Michael Dunham Harrison (Trish); son-in-law, Jeffrey Clarke (Valerie); and cousins, Jane Cost (Jared), Dr. Todd Gerkin and Eric Gerkin

Roger attended Fairmont State, West Virginia Wesleyan and graduated with a BA in religion and philosophy from Salem College.  He attended Asbury Seminary, Methodist Theological School of Ohio and Princeton Theological Seminary. He was an associate member and ordained deacon of the United   Methodist Church. He began ministry in 1963 and retired in 2001 from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Oakland, Md. after serving a total of 24 churches in West Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland.

Roger was Pastor of the Year in 1988 in the Weston District of the UMC. Later his church in Weston would also be the Church of the Year. Roger served as a parish coordinator and was selected as an approved interim pastor of the West Virginia Conference.

He was a member of the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Grant Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and formerly served on the GMH Board of Trustees. His hobby was gardening, which was commended for his skill by quite a few Tri-County Fair blue ribbons.

Visitation at Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, WV will be on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Graveside services were Sunday afternoon at Lahmansville Cemetery, Lahmansville, W.Va., with the Rev. Larry Hakes officiating. The funeral followed at St. Paul United Methodist, Williamsport, W.Va., with the Rev. Cheryl George, Kristian Yeager and Joyce Stewart officiating. Pianist was Cyril Price.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be presented to St. Paul United Methodist c/o Treasurer, Lucille Stewart, 200 Lemon Drop Kid Dr., Lahmansville, WV 26731.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg. Condolences to the family may be left at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com

(3-11-25)

Earl David Armentrout, 82, of Seneca Rocks, passed away Sunday, March 2, at Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center in Petersburg.  

Born July 14, 1942, in Harrisonburg, Va., he was a son of the late Foster and Viola (Stonesteet) Armentrout.  

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis (Nelson) Armentrout on January 20, 2021.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rose Rohrbaugh.

Mr. Armentrout was a 1961 graduate of Circleville High School and was a member of the former Pleasant View United Methodist Church. He was a certified welder, a professional concrete finisher, and retired from American Woodmark.

He is survived by step-daughter, Goldie Pearl Teter of Daytona, Fla.; two stepsons, Dan Kisamore of Seneca Rocks and  Craig Kisamore of Circleville; a one brother, Carl Armentrout of Seneca Rocks; and five stepgrandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday morning at the Basagic Funeral Home, Petersburg, with Pastor Theodore Bennett officiating.  

Interment followed in North Fork Memorial Cemetery, Riverton.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.   

Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.       

(3-11-25)

Ralph “Buddy” Kesner, a cherished member of the Grant County community, passed away after a life filled with love, service, and dedication February 27, 2025. 

Born May 20, 1934, in Petersburg, Buddy was the youngest of three children. 

He is survived by his spouse of 66 years, Nan Phillips Kesner, and his children, David “Scott” Kesner and Julia “Julie” Rollins.

Buddy’s journey began in Grant County, where he met his lifelong love Nan, during their school years. After graduating from Petersburg High School in 1953, Buddy served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Alaska and earned numerous awards for his marksmanship. On June 14, 1959, Buddy married Nan, and they built a beautiful life together, raising two children, Julia and Scott.

Buddy’s professional life was marked by his unwavering commitment to his work. He spent 43 years at Southern States, never taking a sick day, and retired in 1995. His dedication extended to the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for over 62 years.

Buddy was a man of many passions, including hunting, fishing, and restoring antique furniture. He was also an active member of the Main Street United Methodist Church and enjoyed volunteering at community events.

Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2005, Buddy faced his illness with courage and determination, supported by his friends and family. He was known for his sense of humor, kindness and love for helping others.

Buddy’s legacy of love, service, and dedication will be remembered by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the community he served so faithfully. 

In lieu of flowers a donation in memory of Buddy to the Grant Rehabilitation and Care Center would be appreciated. 

A celebration of life will be held at a time and place to be announced later.

Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences to the family may be left at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com.

Mary Franklin Knotts Van Meter, 88, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on March 2, 2025. She was a devoted and deeply-loved daughter, teacher, wife, mother, Gaga and friend.

She was born on September 15, 1936 in Rowlesburg, W.Va., daughter of the late Nancy Locke Franklin and Harold Milton Knotts. 

She was also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years John G. Van Meter. They met at West Virginia University. Dad was immediately smitten. He insisted she have some money in the bank and a good winter coat before marrying. 

She will forever be lovingly remembered by her son John C. and wife Mary Jane Van Meter, Spraggs, Pa., son Scott and wife Robin Van Meter, Beckley, W.Va. and daughter Jennifer and husband Mark Hatala, Binghamton, N.Y. Gaga’s greatest joy were her grandchildren, Beth and husband Jim Swords, Lori Fox  and Carly White, Waynesburg, Pa., Jacob and wife Tiffany Van Meter, Madison and husband Shane Thompson, Beckley, W.Va., Lauren Hatala and fiancé Jarred Santoni, Boston, Mass., Dr. Molly Hatala, Rochester, N.Y., Grace and husband Jacob Daniels, Philadelphia, Pa., Samuel Hatala, Buffalo, N.Y. and Rose Hatala, Binghamton, N.Y.; great-grandchildren Megan Swords, Nathan and Sydney Fox all of Waynesburg, Pa., Lily and Jack Thompson, Taylee and Navee Van Meter all of Beckley, W.Va. 

She was “The Go To” for unconditional love, warmth and fun! Gaga was thoughtful, kind and had a special way of laughing that made us all want to join in. She was always playing games and singing around her table with her grands. 

Mary Frank spent her early years in Rowlesburg where she attended elementary school. She was salutatorian of her class at The Rowlesburg High School. She once played a mean saxophone and was a majorette for The Rowlesburg River Lion Marching Band. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at West Virginia University in 1958. She taught first grade in the public school system in Morgantown, W.Va. and later taught kindergarten in Petersburg, W.Va. Her love for education did not stop in the classroom. Much to their dismay, she required John, Scott and Jenny to read and discuss a book and to memorize and recite a poem monthly. 

Mary Frank helped establish Girls Scouts and Brownies in Petersburg. She taught Children’s Sunday School and worked on the Christmas Eve Children’s Pageants for many years. She served as Deacon, and Elder and a Shepherd at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church. She was a faithful member of her church serving on the fellowship, church school and worship committees for several years.

She served on the Library’s Book Selection Committee since the library was in the basement of the Potomac Valley Bank. Mary Frank was an artist, painting for over 30 years. She opened the Water Street Gallery in 2001. She and John loved traveling to see many wonderful works of art in galleries from NYC to Washington, DC.

Mom was a fantastic cook. Famous for her crab cakes and Gaga’s Shrimp which were everyone’s favorites on our many Sandbridge Beach weeks. Known also for her Viking Varsity Basketball pre-game dinners, chocolate chip cookies and tutoring sessions all lovingly provided to the team. 

Mary loved gardening, antiquing and bird watching. She was a loyal member of The “Bookies” her monthly book club, “The Virgos,” a special group of ladies with much more than their astrological sign in common and her beloved Pioneer Bridge Club.

We are grateful for her amazing caring team of ladies, Danielle, Sue, Chris, Vanessa, Kay, Libby, Tanya and Roxanne. Thank you also to special friend Jan Hinebaugh as well as Dr. Ben Leslie and staff and Grant Memorial Hospice Care.

Mom never knew a stranger. She was outgoing friendly, treating everyone as if she had known them for a long time. She was always ready to chat and share a story. Her memory, stories and words of advice will be cherished by everyone who knew and loved her.

She often encouraged us to live our lives with “Enormous Acceptance and a Sense of Humor”.

A private burial will be held for the family at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church at 12 noon. Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 12 noon, followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. 

Memory Eternal Mrs. Eggbeater...Frank...Mom...Gaga!!

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Petersburg High School Scholarship Fund, 89 Riverview Drive, Petersburg, WV 26847 or to the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, 20 N Main Main Street, Petersburg, WV 26847

“The sun does not always shine in West Virginia, but the people always do” ~ John F. Kennedy

Online condolences www.schaefferfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Petersburg.

Mary Beth Ndlazi, 42, of Petersburg, passed away Tuesday, February 25, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown.  

Born January 13, 1983, in Winchester, Va., she was the daughter of Greg George (Melissa) of Moorefield and Mary Elizabeth Blair of Dorcas. 

On August 20, 2011, she married Zizi Ndlazi who survives in Petersburg.

Mary Beth was a 2001 graduate of Petersburg High School and attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown. She worked at Grant Memorial Hospital in the maternity ward and at Burlington Children’s Home before her illness. She attended South Branch Baptist Church, Petersburg.

She is also survived by one daughter, Mya Ndlazi; one son, Zian Ndlazi; two sisters, Rebecca Shoemaker of Fisher and Jocalynn George of Moorefield; one brother, Jonah George of Moorefield; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was Saturday afternoon at South Branch Baptist Church, with Pastor Matt Perrine officiating. 

Memorials may be made to the family, c/o Basagic Funeral Home, POB 400 Petersburg, WV 26847. Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.

Donald “Wayne” Harris, 77, of New Creek, passed away Sunday, February 23, at his home.  

Born March 23, 1947, in Antioch, he was the son of the late Otto Fisher and Irene Mildred (Leatherman) Harris.   

On March 15, 1965, Wayne married  Barbara Ann (Keplinger) Harris, who survives in New Creek.

Mr. Harris was a 1965 graduate of Petersburg High School and was a member of the Knobley Covenant Brethren Church, New Creek. He began working for Allegheny Mines and later retired from the W.Va. Department of Highways as a surveyor.  He began farming after retirement.              

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Tammy Hesse of Petersburg; Julie Kesner of Cabins, Malinda Turner of Petersburg and Beth Dayton of Petersburg; three sisters, Mildred Messinger, Viola Weaver and Hazel Bream, all of Pennsylvania; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.  

Wayne’s body was cremated and a celebration of life service was Saturday afternoon at the Knobley Covenant Brethren Church with Pastor Chris Leatherman officiating.  

Memorials may be made to the Knobley Covenant Brethren Church c/o Pastor Roger Leatherman, 324 Feaster Lane, New Creek, WV 26743.  

Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.

Livonia, NY: Mildred “Milly” Annis was born September 29, 1932, at home in Perry, N.Y. to Clair and Laura (Johnson) Chaffee.  She died on February 23, 2025, at the age of 92. She was one of four children raised on a farm which cultivated her lifelong love of animals.  

Milly enjoyed a colorful life full of diverse experiences.

At age nine Milly worked her first job on the pea stack at the Curtis Burns Canning Factory in Mt. Morris for three summers. Her dad used a 40-year-old man’s Social Security number to get her the job. She started work at 4:00 a.m. feeding and watering the mules before she could hook them up to the carts.  She would place the carts underneath the shoot to catch the pea vines after the men had pointed long pitchforks to indicate where to put the cart. She was paid $0.50 per week and most days worked 12-13 hours. She always worked barefoot because she only owned one pair of shoes a year and did not want to get them dirty. 

When she was 16, Milly worked at JJ Newberry’s, a Five-n-Ten store on Main Street in Perry, until she graduated from Perry High School in 1951. 

After graduation she became a bookkeeper for the GLF Farm Store (Grange League Federation which later became Agway), as well as a switchboard operator for Duracraft (Champion Products).

Once married, Milly was a stay-at-home mom for many years until she returned to the workforce. In her early years she worked for Finocchario’s sorting potatoes, followed by jobs at the Penny Saver, Eagle Crest Winery, Kemp’s Bus Service and as an Election Inspector. Her all-time favorite job was her five years as a licensed Real Estate Broker with Nothnagel Gallery of Homes, which allowed her bubbly, friendly personality to shine.  She will most likely be remembered for her 19 years as a Rural Carrier with the US Post Office, delivering to over 600 residents each day within the Livonia area. Everyone on her route knew her by name!

Milly loved to volunteer! In the late 1940s she volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol which had a glass building satellite office on top of the fire department building on Main Street in Perry. Her job was to spot planes and then notify the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters in Buffalo as to the type, size and location of the plane.  It was after WWII when the Civil Air Patrol would monitor planes within the US to ensure there were no unfriendly planes. She did this for many years until the Civil Air Patrol did not perceive any threats.

As a teenager Milly owned a 1947 Cadillac limo and volunteered with the local funeral home to take pallbearers from the funeral home to the cemetery. 

Milly delivered Meals-on-Wheels for Livingston County, was the Salvation Army coordinator/fundraiser in Livonia for 10 years, and a regular volunteer for the Livonia Food Pantry, Foodlink, the Genesee Rural Preservation Council, Livonia Historic Society and Livingston County Hospice. She was a Brownie leader and assisted with Girl Scout troop functions. She was one of the chairpersons for the Forrest Vosler Park and the secretary and groundkeeper for the Oakridge Cemetery in South Livonia. In 2006, she was named Livonia ‘Senior of the Year.’ 

Milly was a proud member of the Harrison Lee American Legion Auxiliary and would have marked her 50th year membership celebration this year.  

Most of all Milly’s colorful life centered around the love she had for her family, friends and a good outing or party, especially if it involved playing cards and board games. She brought the fun wherever she went!

Milly was predeceased by her husband Almon “Gus” Annis and her siblings. She is survived by her stepson James (Joan) Annis and children Elizabeth (Don) Thorne, Barbara (Bob) Lemen and Jeffrey (Brenda) Annis, as well as grandchildren Patty Years, Molly Hammond, Briania (Jeff) Bennett-Colavecchia, Brittney Bennett, Toni Bennett (Daryl Martin), Chelsea (Eric) Castle, Amanda and Holly Thorne, step-grandchildren Allyse (Tyler) Brant and Colin Lemen along with several great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.    

Special thanks to the staff at the Conesus Lake Nursing Home for the amazing care they provided her.  

A memorial service was Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 21 Big Tree Street in Livonia. Burial followed at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Livonia, N.Y. Following the cemetery service there was  be a reception at the Harrison Lee Post 283 American Legion Hall in Livonia Center.  

Memorial contributions can be made to the South Livonia United Church of Christ, 5087 South Livonia Road, Livonia, NY 14487. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.