Marilyn Kay Snyder, 85, loving mother, grandmother, friend and educator passed away July 16, 2015 in her home in Morgantown, WV. She was born October 24, 1929 to Elizabeth Elenor (Walls) Hartman and Donald Kelly Hartman in Kingwood, West Virginia. Marilyn, a lifelong resident of Preston County, had a passion for education. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in counseling from West Virginia University. At the start ...

Ridgly Brand Sr., 62, of Kingwood, WV, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at Ruby Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. Ridgly was born April 27, 1953, in Morgantown, a son of the late Thomas Harry and Syreta Mae (Wilson) Brand. He had worked in the coal industry for many years as a heavy equipment operator. Ridgly enjoyed time with his family and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tammy R. Brand; two sons, Ridgly K. Brand Jr., of Reedsvill...

John William “Bill” Kelly, 55, of Albright, WV, passed away tragically in a mining accident on Sunday, June 28, 2015. Bill was born January 7, 1960, in Kingwood, a son of the late Glenn Robert and Mary Elizabeth (Cale) Kelly. He was a coal miner for 4 West Mine, Dana Mining Company. He was a coal miner for over 38 years. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and he loved animals, especially his dog Dusty. Bill loved playing horseshoes, being back in Preston County and loved his wif...

Franklin D. Soccorsi, “Franco”, 78, of Morgantown, WV, was born on November 30, 1936 and passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015, at the home of his sister Eleanor, in Morgantown. Franklin was a son of the late Guido and Tressa (Pegley) Soccorsi of Masontown, WV. He was a driver for Freedom Ford Lincoln and enjoyed driving across the country doing dealer trades. Franklin also enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and was an avid Nascar fan. He is survived by four sons and spouses, Frank a...

William Richard “Bill” Gowan was born in Morgantown WV on October 9, 1924, and was raised by his grandparents William H. and Victoria Taylor and his aunt Nancy Cassell at the Homeplace in Dunmore. Audrea Katherine Sheets Gowan was born in Cass WV on July 28, 1928; she was the daughter of Henry and Velma Sheets and granddaughter of David and Addie Sheets and Jim and Lena Galford and was raised on the Sheets family farm in Green Bank. Bill and Audrea were married on July 30, 1947, and were ...

Edward George MacKenzie died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home, River Hill, on June 12, 2015. He was born in New Castle, PA on December 31, 1930, the son of James Rees and Bess (Evans) MacKenzie. Edward is preceded in death by his parents, his brother James, sister Florence, and granddaughter Avery. Ed graduated from Beaver Falls High School and Geneva College, both of Beaver Falls, PA. In 1951, Ed enlisted in the Navy for the Korean War and served as a hospital corpsman and f...

Bernice McGinnis, 88, of Arthurdale, WV, died on Friday, May 29, 2015, at Preston Memorial Hospital. Bernice was born June 17, 1926, in Austin, WV, a daughter of the late Oscar and Bess (Spangler) Burgoyne. She is survived by one son, Joey McGinnis of Arthurdale; three grandchildren and spouses, Michael and Dawn McGinnis of Arthurdale, David and Sonja McGinnis of Mechanicsville, VA, Tracy McGinnis of Reedsville; three great-grandchildren, Shane, Logan and Torin McGinnis; two step-great-...

Nola Jean (Sherman) Wolfe Chappelle, 79, of Kingwood, WV, died on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Heartland of Preston County. Nola was born April 18, 1936, in Petersburg, WV, a daughter of the late Theodore Sherman and Goldie (Sites) Sherman Savage. Nola was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She loved to cook and was a very special caregiver to all in need. She is survived by her husband, James C. Chappelle Sr.; one son, Frankie Ray Wolfe of Reedsville; one step-son, James C. ...

Robert Edward Shrout, 74, of Rowlesburg, WV, died on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Preston Memorial Hospital. Robert was born September 6, 1940, in Kingwood, a son of the late Harry Glennville Edwin and Cecile Virginia (Teets) Shrout. He was a heavy equipment operator for Marquette Cement and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Robert loved fishing, hunting, and camping especially at Smoke Hole and he loved spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by two sons, William “Scot...

Ruth Eileen (Zinn) Harris, 86, of Newburg, WV, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood. Eileen was born December 28, 1928, in Tunnelton, a daughter of the late Homer Harrison and Hazel (McGinnis) Zinn Shaw. She was a 1947 graduate of Newburg High School, was the Secretary for the Newburg Alumni Association for over 30 years, worked as a clerk in the Preston County Assessor’s Office for many years before retiring in 1989. Eileen was a member of the ...