Obituaries

Billy Conrad

Jul 22, 2024

Billy James Conrad, 85, of Aurora, WV, passed away on July 22, 2024, at Garrett Regional Medical Center. Born on August 31, 1938, in Orlando, WV, he was the son of the late Emmett Conrad and Rethe (Vankirk) Conrad.

Billy graduated from Burnsville High School in 1958, he then served in the United States Army until 1961, and was married to...

Martha Masters

Jul 21, 2024

Martha Louise Masters, 86, of Oakland, passed away on July 21, 2024, at Garrett Regional Medical Center. Born on March 9, 1938, in Hoyes, MD, she was the daughter of the late Montell and Grace (Fike) Friend.

A graduate of Northern High School, Martha was a homemaker who worked several years in housekeeping for Uno's restaurant. She spent...

Kathleen Tasker

Jul 18, 2024

Kathleen Leone Tasker, 85, of Suffield, OH, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 18, 2024. She was born in Laurel Dale, WV, on March 21, 1939, to the late Gilbert B. and Margaret E. (Shepherd) Brown.

In April 27, 1957, she married Jimmie D. Tasker Sr. They moved from Maryland to Akron, Ohio, where they began...

David Scott Messenger

Jul 17, 2024

David Scott Messenger, 55, of Davis, passed away unexpected on July 17, 2024 at his residence. Born on May 5, 1969, in Weston, he was the son of Larry Messenger and Donna Blake.

Scott was a graduate of Tucker County High School and was a lifelong resident of Davis. He was a skilled carpenter and owned his own business that he...

Diane Thayer

Jul 13, 2024

Diane S. Thayer, 90, of Oakland, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, at Goodwill Retirement Community in Grantsville. Born on December 19, 1933, in Sudbury, Canada, she was the daughter of the late George and Margaret Senior. 

Diane was a graduate of the College of Wooster where she met and married her late husband Fred Thayer. After graduation she and...

Russell Alexander

Jul 7, 2024

Russell Broze Alexander, Jr., 67, of Oakland, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at his home. Born on December 11, 1956, in Oakland, MD, he was the son of the late Russell Broze Alexander Sr. and Daisy Jean (Paugh) Alexander.

 Russ attended Southern High School and graduated in 1974. He was a jack of all trades who knew a little...

Cynthia Gaither

Jul 6, 2024

Cynthia Cleda Gaither, 54, of Bayard, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family. Born on August 9, 1969, in Oakland, she was the daughter of the late William J. Gaither and Linda A. (Gay) Gaither whom survives.

Cyndy was a graduate of Union High School. She was a Christian by faith. Cyndy enjoyed listening...

Michael Ackley

Jul 2, 2024

Michael Lynn Ackley, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather peacefully departed us on the morning of July 2, 2024. His family is especially grateful to the staff at Mon Health in Morgantown, West Virginia for their kind and compassionate care in this most difficult time.

Mike Ackley was born in 1948 in Columbus, Ohio to Autmer Ackley and Phyllis Halbirt Ackley....

Shirley Thomas

Jul 2, 2024

Shirley Faith Thomas, 76, of Aurora, passed away on July 2, 2024, at Cortland Acres. Born on August 15, 1947, in Horseshoe Run, she was the daughter of the late Frances H. Starr and Avelue Jean (Harsh) Starr.

For most of Shirley's adult life she lived in Akron, OH, briefly attended Akron University, and for many years worked as a sales...

Walter Helmick

Jun 30, 2024

Walter "Junior" Helmick, Jr., 75, of Davis, passed away on June 30, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on July 7, 1948, in Benbush, he was the son of the late Walter S. and Sharlene M. (Carr) Helmick.

Junior started working for Milkint's garage as a young man; moving on to the Kingsford Charcoal Plant and then tug boat service in...

Daniel Bray

Jun 28, 2024

Daniel "JR" Dwight Bray, Jr., 44, of Kitzmiller, passed away unexpectedly on June 28, 2024, at his home. Born on January 23, 1980, in Cumberland, he was the son of the late Daniel and Janet (Logan) Bray, Sr.

He was a graduate of Southern Garrett High School. He enjoyed playing video games, listening to music, especially Metallica, and spending time with...

Donald Matthews

Jun 27, 2024

Pastor Donald D. Matthews, 91, of Oakland, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Peace Healthcare Dennett Road. Born on July 9, 1932, in Sand Patch, PA, he was the son of the late John and Susan E. (Sines) Matthews.

Don served the Lord as a Pastor for the Church of the Brethren. He...

Eleanor Arnold

Jun 25, 2024

Eleanor Mae Arnold, 80, of Oakland, passed away on June 25, 2024, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Born on December 21, 1943, in Deer Park, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ruth (campbell) Broadwater.

After graduating Southern High School, she worked for Cuppett & Weeks Nursing Home for over 44 years as a nurse's aid. She was a...

Ronald Meadows

Jun 24, 2024

Ronald Edward Meadows Sr., 79, passed away on June 24, 2024, at his home in McHenry, MD. Born on January 23, 1945, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Edward Meadows and Geraldine (Taylor) Meadows.

Affectionately known as "Ronnie" and "Big Ronnie" by loved ones, he was raised by his grandmother Dora Taylor known as Grandma Taylor. While working...

Robert Smith

Jun 23, 2024

Robert Sams Smith, 97, of Oakland, MD, passed away on June 23, 2024, at his home. Born in Illinois, he was the son of the late Rolla and Dorothy (Sams) Smith.

Mr. Smith was a former military intelligence officer, spending most of his adult life in the Washington D.C. area, until he moved to the Oakland area in 1994. He was...

Dennis Riley

Jun 21, 2024

Dennis Glen Riley, 79, of Oakland, passed away on June 21, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born on November 12, 1944, in Oakland, he was the son of the late Audley Sr., and Ethelwyn (Otto) Riley.

Dennis attended Southern Garrett High School. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He worked for Consol Energy...

Hugh Kendall

Jun 20, 2024

Hugh Rogers Kendall, 85, of Clarskville, MD, and Thomas, WV, passed away on June 20, 2024, at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. Born on October 2, 1938, in Olney, MD, he was the son of the late Charles Nicholson and Mary (Pue) Kendall.

After graduating from Howard High School, Hugh served in the U.S. Army National...

Christopher Sterling

Jun 19, 2024

Christopher Scott Sterling, 61, of Oakland, passed away unexpectedly on June 19, 2024, at Garrett Regional Medical Center. Born in Bethesda, MD, he was the son of the late Charles William and Sarah Christine (Dunbar) Sterling. 

Chris attended E. Peary High School, he served in the United States Army receiving the rank of Sergeant. After college, he became an LPN, and...

Ronald Henderson

Jun 17, 2024

Ronald Gwynn Henderson, 83, of Washington, D.C., passed away on June 17, 2024, in Oakland, MD, with family by his side. Born on December 23, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Mack and Ethel (Jones) Henderson.

Ron was charismatic with an engaging humor and wit. He was generous, and cherished moments with family and friends. Ron...

McKenzie Wilt

Jun 15, 2024

McKenzie Wilt, 21, of Oakland, passed away unexpectedly on June 15, 2024, in Hebron, ND. Born on November 13, 2002, in Oakland, she was the daughter of Brian and Trisha (Marple) Wilt.

McKenzie graduated from Southern Garrett High School where she was a Distinguished Honor Roll student and an inductee of the National Honor Society. She was a...