Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507280106
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
BECHT, Joseph Edward, 78, of Lexington, died Thursday, July 27, 1995, in Stonewall Jackson Hospital. He was born on February 13, 1917, in Webster, S.D., a son of the late Albert Anton Becht and Anna (Gruber) Becht. Mr. Becht was a retired district sales manager with the Tractor Implement Supply Company, St. Paul, Minn. He was a U.S. Army Air Corp. veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Lexington. Survivors include his wife, Regina (Cogan) Becht; three sons, Joseph E. Becht Jr., and John P. Becht, both of Richmond, and Paul C. Becht, Atlanta, Ga.; four daughters, Mrs. Anne R. Kavanaugh and Mrs. Mary C. Blalock, both of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Mrs. Clare E. Semler, Lexington, and Mrs. Rosemarie R., Jowdy, Crozier; and seventeen grandchildren. Mr. Becht was the last surviving member of his immediate family. A Funeral Mass will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 1995, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Lexington, with Father J. Morton Biber officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 28, 1995, at Williams Funeral Service, Lexington, where a Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The cremains will be interred at a later date. Williams Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
BUCHANAN, Hazel Weisiger, 100, of Meadowview, died Wednesday, July 26, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Chilhowie.
CHISOM, Otha W., 76, of Roanoke, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Vinton Chapel
CONWAY, Donald, 70, of New York City, N.Y., died Monday, July 24, 1995, at a local hospital. He is survived by a devoted friend, Joan Banks; five children; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law; one sister; four brothers; nieces; nephews; and a host of friends, all of New York City, N.Y. Services will be Saturday, July 29, 1995, at 12 noon at Fizer Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services. The Rev. R.K Ingram will officiate. The remains will be shipped to New York after the services. Arrangements by Fizer Funeral Home.
COVERT, Alice Elizabeth Robertson, of Morris County, N.J., died Sunday morning, July 23, 1995. She was born in Penargyl, Penn. in 1909 and was raised in Newton, N.J. She was the daughter of the late John (b. Franklin Co., Va., ca. 1876) and Elizabeth Travers Robertson (b. Yorkshire, England) and resided since 1924, in Morris County, N.J. She had worked many years with Jersey Central Power and Light. She was also an LPN and Pharmacist before retiring and devoting herself to her church work. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Covert II; and her brother, Charles Travers Robertson. Survivors include her daughters, Margaret Elizabeth, Janet Marie, Mary Claire of Roanoke; a son and daughter-in-law, William Charles and Catherine; son-in-law, David; six grandchildren and their spouses; two great-grandc hildren; three sisters-in-law; four nieces and nephews; and host of cousins. The interment is to be July 28, 1995, in Morris County, N.J. In lieu of flowers, commemoratives may be sent locally to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Ball, c/o St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church, Roanoke, Va.
EMERSON, Irvin Sr., 74, of Ridgeway, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Saturday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel.
FRITH, Eric Matthew, (""Matt""), of Roanoke, departed early Wednesday, July 26, 1995, during his slumber, at the age of twenty-three. Like a comet, Matt etched a streak of awe deeply in every heart-woven canvas of those who knew him. He was truly a kind, intriguing, and wonderful man. Though he has moved on to the waiting arms of his brother, Michael Earl Frith; his mother, Ganilla H. Frith; his grandmother, Rena Hammond; and Almighty God, he is not forgotten. Matt is painfully missed by his father, F. Earl Frith; his sister, Lisa Michele Szabo-Frith; his brother, Mark Alan Frith; and his numerous friends and relatives. Matt, go bravely into your new world and remember, we are all with you. For it is true indeed: love never loses its own. Funeral arrangements by Oakey's Downtown.
FRITH, Eric Matthew, (``Matt""), of Roanoke, departed early Wednesday morning, July 26, 1995, during his slumber at the age of 23. Like a comet, Matt etched a brilliant streak of awe deep in the heart-woven canvas of all those privileged to know him. He was truly a most kind, genuine and inspiring human being. Though he has moved on to the waiting arms of his grandmother, Rena Hammond, his mother, Ganilla H. Frith, his brother, Michael Earl Frith, and grace of Almighty God-he is not forgotten. Matt is painfully missed by his father, Floyd Earl Frith, his sister, Lisa Michele Frith-Szabo, his brother, Mark Alan Frith, and his numerous friends and relatives. Matthew, go bravely into your new home and remember we are always with you. For it is true: Love never loses its own. Friends and relatives wi ll be received Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. with services being held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 29, 1995, with the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Stansell officiating. All proceedings will be held at Oakey's Downtown Chapel. Burial will follow at the Frith Family Cemetery in Floyd Co.
GRUBB, Houston Lee, (""Zack""), 93, of Salem, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. He was retired from the Virginia State Highway Department with 49 years service. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Irene W. and Bill Brown, Salem; son and daughter-in-law, Melvin Lee and Connie Grubb, Roanoke; three grandsons and their wives, William III and Nancy Brown, Salem, E. Lee and Karen Brown, Forest, and Matthew Grubb, Roanoke; three granddaughters, Sarah Grubb, Roanoke, Karen Douglas, Tifton, Ga., and Ivy Allen, Mobile, Ala.; one great-grandson, Connor Lee Brown; one sister-in-law, Emma Stewart, Salem; nieces and nephews. Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 29, 1995 at 10 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park, with the Rev. Tom Poland officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Lotz Salem Chapel.
HOLDAWAY, Steven Ira, 40, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, July 26, 1995. He is survived by two sisters, Tammy P. Weikle, and Judy Mills, both of Roanoke; grandmother, Alice Martin, Salem; three nephews; one niece. Graveside services will be held Friday, July 28, 1995 at 12 noon, Sherwood Memorial Park, with the Rev. Paul Braisted officiating. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel.
JOHNSTON, Stella Munsey, 95, of Bland, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate.
LUTHER, Mary Lee Woods, 57, of Fieldale, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.
McDANIEL, Various Bell, 79, of Dublin, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Graveside service 11 a.m. Saturday at Westview Cemetery, Radford. Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons.
MOORE, Shafter Holston, Jr., 68, of Riner, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 1995 at Radford Community Hospital. He is a son of Edna Chinault Moore of Pulaski and the late Shafter Holston Moore Sr. Mr. Moore was a retired area mechanic for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant with 37 years service. He was preceded in death by one son, Mark ""Wolfman"" Moore. Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife, Mary ""Poochie"" Neal Moore; two sons and daughter-in-law, Miles Holston and Louise Moore, of St. Paul; Donnie Holston Moore of Riner; two daughters, Loretta Ann Keith of Buchanan, Wendy Danielle Moore of Riner; one brother, James Leonard Moore of Pulaski; four sisters, Martha Moore Cox, Mary Jane Mason, Faye Meade, all of Pulaski, and Eula Mae Jones of Dublin; five grandchildren, Amanda Louise Moore, Christopher Derek Keith, Amber Michelle Keith, Larry Herndon and Stacey Herndon. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 29, 1995 at 10:00 a.m. at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford with the Rev. Carl Ratcliffe officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.
MORAN, Carl Oscar, 63, of Hollyberry Acres, Gretna, died Thursday, July 27. 1995, at the University of Virginia Hospital. Born June 13, 1932 in Rocky Mount, he was the son of Alfred Oscar Moran and Margaret Ware Moran. Mr. Moran was the president of Colbert-Moran Funeral Home. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Gretna and Anderson Lodge A.F. & A.M. 258. He was a member and former director of the Gretna Lions Club, the Gretna Merchants Association, and a past director of the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. He was a past president and director of the Gretna Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Moran was a charter member of the Gretna Rescue Squad and was on the board of trustees for the Ramsey Memorial Medical Center. He was a member and past president of Southside Virginia Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Mr. Moran graduated magna cum laude from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tenn., where Moran also served as president of the Epsilon Chapter Pi Sigma Eta, a national embalming fraternity. He is survived by his wife, Fran Mattox Moran, of the residence; two sons, Kenny Moran and Bruce Moran, both of Gretna; one daughter, Susan M. Price of Kannapolis, N.C.; one brother, A. Ray Moran of Richmond; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 1995, at First Baptist Church of Gretna by the Rev. Glenn Graves and the Rev. W. D. Lilly. Entombment will follow in the Gretna Burial Park. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Gretna Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 14, Gretna, Va. 24557. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 to 8:30 at the Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna, is in charge of arrangements.
MOUGHTON, John Michael, stillborn son of Richard and Virginia Carlton Moughton, of Christiansburg, passed away Saturday, July 22, 1995. Funeral services will be private. Funeral arrangements by Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home, Radford.
OLIVER, Kenneth Lee, 45, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, July 27, 1995. He was a former employee for Overhead Door Co. and was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Beatrice Oliver. Surviving are his fiancee, Rose M. Black, Roanoke; his family pet, Snowball; a brother, Mark A. Oliver, Roanoke; nephew, Eric Oliver; several aunts and uncles; his special friends, Charlie Cole and his co-workers at Overhead Door Co., Luther Cox, Bill Brammer, Ricky Adams, Kathy Johnston, Debbie Hull, Alice Ring, Bonnie Adams, Brenda Hill, Bonnie Mabry, Gary Schilling, Danny Thomas, Larry Gibson, Charlie Polumbo, Marie Dull, Eddie Payne, Trish Dish and Tootie. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Saturday, July 29, 1995, 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. L. E. Humrich. Interment in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
PEAK, William Harold, 69, of Marion, died Wednesday, July 26, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Newberry Funeral Home Chapel, Chilhowie.
POWELL, Beverly Wilkinson, 81, of Lynch Station, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Graveside service 2 p.m. Saturday at the Powell Mausoleum, Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Finch & Finch Funeral Home, Altavista.
PUGH, Harold Lavard, 61, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, July 26, 1995, in Eldercare Nursing Home, Rocky Mount. He was a charter member of Calvary Tabernacle. Mr. Pugh was preceded in death by his mother, Cornelia Wade Pugh; and his father, Andrew J. Pugh; three sisters, Elizabeth Pugh, Reba P. Karr, and Gladys P. George; two brothers, Zeb G. Pugh and Herman V. Pugh. He is survived by one brother, Rev. Oscar T. Pugh, Roanoke; two sisters, Ola P. Spickard, Salem, Ruby F. Wisemiller, Roanoke. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 1995, at Lotz Roanoke Chapel, with Rev. Ben M. Peyton officiating. Burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Lotz Roanoke Chapel.
SMITH, Lawrence W., 75, of Rich Creek, VA., died Tuesday, July 25, 1995, at the home of his son in Supply, N.C. He was born July 9, 1920 at Ripplemead, Va., and was the son of the late Walter W. and Vida L. Fisher Smith. Mr. Smith was a retired fireman for the N&W Railroad, was a U.S. Army WWII Veteran, was a member of the First Baptist Church at Rich Creek, Va., was a member of the Moose Lodge in Roanoke, Va., and was very active in square dancing in the Ro anoke area. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Scott Smith, and his second wife, Thelma Blankenship Smith. Surviving is a son; Wayne B. Smith and his wife Trudy of Supply, N.C.; one daughter; Mrs. Bob ""Brenda"" Smith Ransom of Birmingham, Ala.; three stepdaughters; Becky Ganoe and Betty Jean Pillow, both of Narrows, Va., and Bonnie Hawley of Christiansburg, Va.,; two stepsons; Dexter Blankenship of Richmond, Va., and Ronnie Blankenship of Bristol, Tenn.; one brother; Walter J. ""Applepie"" Smith of Rich Creek, Va.; one sister; Mrs. Frances Morgan of Fairlawn, Va.; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 28, 1995, at the First Baptist Church at Rich Creek, Va., with Rev. Alan Wilder officiating. Burial will follow in the Birchlawn Burial Park at Pearisburg, Virginia. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 1995 at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home in Peterstown, W.V., and at the church one hour prior to the services.
THORNE, Melvin E. Sr., 63, of Narrows, died Wednesday, July 27, 1995 in a Pearisburg, Va. hospital. He was a former employee with the Town of Narrows, and had served in the United States Army and Marines. He was born in Giles County on May 30, 1932 and was the son of Clarence C. and Ethel Wilkerson Thorne of Narrows. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Bernice Fleeman, Betty Farmer, and Janice Ratcliffe, and a brother, Arnold Lee Thorne. He is survived by his wife, Joan E. Thorne, Narrows; four sons, Melvin E. Thorne Jr., Rich Creek, Mike Thorne, Mark Thorne and Chris Thorne, all of Baltimore, Md.; three daughters, Roxanne M. Daniels, Cathy Gurley and Tammy Piechocki, all of Baltimore, Md.; three brothers, Lawrence E. Thorne, Aubrey N. Thorne and Rocky A. Thorne, all of Narrows; a sister, Patricia A. Barnette, Narrows; and fourteen grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 1995 in the Chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service, Narrows, with the Rev. Larry Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Narrows, with full military honors by the V.F.W. Post #6000. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
TILSON, Harold E., 54, of Marion, died Thursday, July 27, 1995 in Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Joanna Faye Tilson. He is survived by his wife, Marie Davis Tilson, Marion; three daughters and sons-in-law, Julie A. Tilson, Wytheville, Kaye and Steve Guy, Jennifer and Tommy Moore, all of Marion; his mother, Nettie Tilson, Marion; two brothers, Mack A. Tilson and Arnold Tilson, both of Marion; two grandchildren, Heather Faye Guy and Ben Moore; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 29, 1995 at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Sage officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
YOUNG, Odessa Spencer, 82, of Bassett, died Thursday, July 27, 1995. Funeral 3 p.m. Sunday, Collins Funeral Chapel.
by CNB