ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, February 25, 1997             TAG: 9702250124
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-2  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: NEWS OBIT 

FORMER TIMES COPY CHIEF DIES

Michael J. Dundore, a former chief copy editor and city editor of the Roanoke Times & World-News, died Monday of cancer. He was 59.

Dundore was a professional newspaperman for more than 35 years, first in Staunton and, starting in 1968, at the Roanoke World-News.

He was the consummate newspaper editor, demanding before his death that his obituary correctly have an apostrophe in St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, where his services will be held.

He insisted on straightforward language, using "cremation" instead of "inurnment."

"He was a real professional and that's why he was the chief copy editor," said James Echols of Vinton, a longtime associate.

Co-workers liked to test Dundore's knowledge of trivia, asking off-the-cuff questions about the capitals of obscure countries. He always had the answer.

- Staff report

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