Smyth County obituaries for Aug. 9, 2008

Gillespie

Doris Winebarger Gillespie, 76, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 in Abingdon.
She was born in Smyth County to the late Sherman and Georgia Plummer Winebarger. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex E. Gillespie, two brothers, Charles and Randolph Winebarger, and three sisters, Genevive Jones, Lucille Lilly and Lynda Winebarger.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Karen H. Gillespie, of Chilhowie; one daughter and son- in-law, Mary Ann and Jay Hubble of Marion; two grandsons, Brandon Lee Gillespie of Denver, Colo., and Christopher Ryan Gillespie of Chilhowie; one brother, William “Bill” Winebarger and wife, Judy, of Marion; five sisters, Susan Ratcliffe and husband, George, of Atkins, Nancy Smith and husband, Bill, of Roanoke, Marie Ashby and husband, Don, of Arizona, Phyllis Harris and husband, Pete, of Mendota, Wanda Thomas and husband, Raymond, of Marion; one sister-in-law, Rose Gillespie of  Marion; and one special aunt, Madge Powell of Marion.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Mike Sage, the Rev. Neville Mozingo, the Rev. Gary Trout and Dr. Jack Garland officiating.
Interment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery.
The family received friends Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is in charge of arrangements.

Heldreth

Kirk Darce Heldreth, 45, of Rural Retreat died Monday evening, Aug. 4, 2008 in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
He was born in Wythe County on Aug. 24, 1962.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Luemma Lee Sult Heldreth.
He was a graduate of Rural Retreat High School, class of 1981, Ferrum College, class of 1983, and Virginia Tech, class of 1985. He was a prominent dairy farmer in the Rural Retreat community, a member of the Rural Retreat Youth League, president of the Rural Retreat Athletic Boosters, had taught agriculture at Rural Retreat High School for some time and was a member of the Wythe County School Board. He was active in Rural Retreat High School youth sports, past president of the Wythe County Farm Bureau and had won the Southeastern Division Young Farmer Award.
Survivors include his wife, Laura E. Heldreth; two sons, Matthew Kirk Heldreth and Chase Taylor Heldreth, all of the home; father and stepmother, Don M. and Nancy P. Heldreth; sister and brother-in-law, Eddie and Rita Heldreth of Marion; two stepbrothers and spouses, Curtis and Karen Porter of High Point, N.C., Chadwick and Julie Porter of Bland; mother-in-law, Shirly H. Eversole; brother-in-law, Jeffery Eversole, both of Rural Retreat; several special nieces, nephews, one great-niece, one great-nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family.
A celebration of his life was conducted Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Jonathan Hamman officiating. Interment followed in the Mountain View Cemetery.
The family received friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Grace Lutheran Church or at the residence at any time.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial may be the Rural Retreat Youth League, P.O. Box 1087 Rural Retreat, VA 24368 or the Cancer Outreach Foundation, 206 Abingdon Place, VA 24211.
Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, was in charge of the arrangements.

Poston

Daniel Poston, 78, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 at his home with his friends and family by his side.
He was born in Tazewell County on July 27, 1930 to the late Charles William and Goldie Poston.
He resided in the Walker’s Creek section of Smyth County for many years. He retired from Virginia House Furniture after many years of service.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Tebah Blevins, and three brothers, William “Billy” Poston, Ronnie Poston and Luther Poston. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Gertrude Poston; two daughters, Regina and husband, Kenny Schultz, of Martinsville, and Toby Preston of Marion; one son, Vincent Poston of Marion; four grandchildren, Jeffery Evans Jr. of Martinsville, Amanda and husband, Josh Wells, of Martinsville, Austin Preston of Marion, and Zachary Poston of Marion; his sisters, Louise and husband, Carl Terry, of Missouri, Kay and husband, Bill Brooks, of Marion, Carol and husband, Robert Firestone, of Marion, JoAnn and husband, Eugene Gates, of Tazewell, GloriaLynn and husband, Jerry Gates, of Ceres, Judy Crigger of Chilhowie; sister-in-law, Cathy Poston of Marion; his brothers, David Poston of Marion, Dickey Poston of Missouri; brother-in-law, Howard Blevins of Chilhowie; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, from Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Leroy Blizzard officiating.
The family received friends from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
A graveside service was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the Walker’s Creek Cemetery. 
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Ritchie
 
Mary Charlotte (Newman) Ritchie, 78, died  Sunday, July 27, 2008, at her home in Swea City, Iowa.
The daughter of Henry and Margaret (Adam) Newman, she was born April 13, 1930, in Chicago, Ill.
She received her education in the Chicago school system and graduated from high school there.
She was united in marriage to Herbert O. Ritchie.
She was employed as a nursing assistant and worked at Southwestern State Hospital in Marion. She also worked as a physical therapy assistant at Arlington Hospital in Arlington. Later she was employed as the tax collector for Wise County. She retired in 1987 and moved to Swea City. In her leisure time she enjoyed sewing, gardening and cooking.
Preceding her in death were her husband, one daughter, Barbara Reed of Marion, her parents, and one brother, Robert Newman, of Chicago, Ill.
Survivors include her children, Rebecca A. Studer and husband, Leslie, of Swea City, Bonnie Lee Madaras and husband, Robert C. of Tampa, Fla.; four grandchildren, Karen Anne Todd and husband, Derek, of Hawaii, Oleg Frolov of Tampa, Fla., Stacey Reed of Houston, Texas, and Daniel Reed of Swea City, Iowa; and two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Derek Todd of Hawaii.
Henry-Olson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Troutman

Norma Lois McIntyre Troutman, 86, died on Aug. 6, 2008 in Independence, Mo.
Until recently, she was a resident of Saltville.
She was born at home in Allison Gap, Saltville, on July 16, 1922, to John Martin and Fannie Mae (Myers) McIntyre. After her mother’s death in 1925 and her father’s marriage to the Rev. Mayo Moses in 1927, she accepted and loved Mayo as her mother.
She was a 1939 graduate of R.B. Worthy High School. She married Verne Clinton Troutman on May 4, 1940, spent the early years of her married life a homemaker and mother at Broadford, and Winside and Stanton, Neb. She attended Norfolk Junior College, Norfolk, Neb. (1958-59), and Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon.
She assisted her husband in his work as a Moorman Feed Salesman in Daytona, Fla., where they moved in 1960, and in his Western Auto business, first in Raytown and then Glasgow, Mo., 1962-67. In 1967, the couple moved to Saltville, where she assisted her husband in his furniture and appliance business at Plasterco and later in Saltville until his death in 1991. She continued to live in Saltville until May when she was moved to The Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care Center, Independence, Mo.
She dearly loved God and her church family at the various places she lived, especially at the First Church of God, Allison Gap. At church, she was active in WCG and as a youth leader. Through the years, she enjoyed entertaining guests in her home, as hospitality was her gift. She found joy in large family gatherings, especially family reunions. She had a heart for children, and through the years, she reached out to classmates of her children who needed clothing or loving care, even taking one into her home for a time. Also, she enjoyed reading, writing, working crossword puzzles, sewing, and needlecrafts.
Her grandchildren, nieces and nephews enjoyed her stories, crafts, and especially, her tradition of decorating gingerbread boys and girls with them at Christmas.
Survivors include four children, Vance Gordon (Annette) Troutman, Bloomfield, Conn., Verna Lois Troutman (John H. Shepard), Blue Springs, Mo., Zola Mary Troutman (Myron E.) Noble, Anderson, Ind.; and Regina Gwen Snowden, Brookline, Mass.; 13 grandchildren, Teri Troutman (Andy) McCall, Rural Retreat, David (Cara) Troutman, Crawfordsville, Ind., Sonya Troutman (Steve) Wert, Huntersville, N.C., Linda Troutman, Beverly, Mass., Joe Bolz, Bonner Springs, Kan., Jeff (Patricia Savaadra-Terrazas) Bolz, Basehor, Kan., Bret (Gina) Bolz, Knoxville, Tenn., John Paul (Alicia) Shepard, Arlington, Nina Shepard, Overland Park., Kan., Jay S. Noble (Heidi Leitzke), Lancaster, Penn., Sarah Noble (Christopher Drinkut), York, Penn., Lee Noble, Tofte, Minn.; Meghan Snowden (Mark) Ostrander, Somerville, Mass.; 13 great-grandchildren, Cassie McCall, Brandi McCall, Justine Troutman, Joshua Troutman, Alex Wert, Christian Wert, Josie Wert, Daniel (Amanda) Bolz, Davinia Bolz-Savaadra, Nathaniel Bolz-Savaadra, Bret Bolz Jr., Autumn Fryer, and Eliot Shepard; one great-great-grandchild, Lily Arwin Bolz; two sisters, Bernice Berquist Falls (Dr. R. Glenn Falls), Anderson, Ind., and Zenobia Hammond, Saltville; two brothers, Dr. Woodrow W. McIntyre, St. Charles, Mo., and John Martin McIntyre Jr., Philadelphia, Penn.; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Fleer) Troutman, Omaha, Neb.; brother-in-law, Leo Nelsen, Ballwin, Mo.; special cousins, Shirley Rexroad and Vicki Everhart, Saltville; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and caretakers, and her “special friend” Deborah at The Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care Center, Independence, Mo.
Proceeding her in death were her husband, parents and stepmother, brother, Gerald McIntyre, son-in-law, Ronald J. Bolz, brothers-in-law, Maurice Berquist, Harold Hammond, James G. Troutman, Carl J. Troutman, and Max Lamson, and sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Pitchford) McIntyre, Ruth (Schindler) Troutman, Virginia (Troutman) Nelsen, Neville (Troutman) Lamson, and many friends, especially Aretta Roberts.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God, Allison Gap, Saltville, or to the WCG at First Church of God, Allison Gap.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at the First Church of God in Allison Gap with the Rev. Elmer Cardwell officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Rose Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday evening at Henderson Funeral Home.
Henderson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Weithman

Patricia L. Weithman, 75, of Bucyrus, Ohio, died in her home Tuesday morning, Aug. 5, 2008 following a yearlong illness, her children and grandchildren were with her at her bedside.
She was born in Marion, the daughter of the late Conley L. and Myrtle “Momal” (Martin) Rowland.
In her early teens, her family moved to Bucyrus. She was a 1952 graduate from Bucyrus High School, was homecoming queen, a cheerleader, and involved in many school activities and clubs. In January of 1959, she married Bernard J. “Bernie” Weithman, her childhood sweetheart. He preceded her in death on Aug. 26, 2007.
She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and a benefactor to other churches and charities throughout the community. She was one of the founders and instructor of the C.Y.O. tennis and drill team program at Holy Trinity School. She was a member of the Y.M.C.A. and was instrumental in establishing a competitive volleyball program. She was an avid tennis player and many times city champion and a member of the Lexington Racquet Club. She was able to continue her love for tennis and volleyball with her children, grandchildren and family at her home. She was also a member of the Bucyrus Country Club and in addition to tennis, volleyball and golf, she enjoyed racquetball, bowling and running. She enjoyed interior decorating and loved to collect antiques, attend auctions, and keep in touch with her high school classmates.
Survivors include six children, Wendy and Bob Craner of Cincinnati, Ohio, Amanda and Bob Eads and Amy and Chris Veith, all of Tampa, Fla., Bernard “Ben” and Lora Weithman II of Bucyrus, Ohio, Scarlet Weithman and fiancé, Neil Rosenberg of Tampa, Fla., Tyrone “Ty” and Angela Weithman of Bucyrus, Ohio; 10 grandchildren, Jasmine and Quinton Craner, Jordan and Brandon Eads, Lily and Eliot Veith, Bernard “Justin” III and Luke Weithman, and Brynn and Jade Weithman; one brother, Paul and Barbara “Bim” Rowland of Alabama; four sisters, Beatrice “Sis” Blevins of Bucyrus, Ohio, Wilma Hoffman of Mansfield, Ohio, Peggy Freshwater of Dayton, Ohio, and Belle and Chuck White of Naples, Fla.; two sister-in-laws, Florice Rowland of Crestline and Maxine Rowland of North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by three brothers, Conley “Junior” Rowland, Waldo “Buck” Rowland and Bill Rowland, four sisters, Maxine Blankenbeckler, Elizabeth “Tommie” Musser, Doris Ann Rowland, and Ima Jean Rowland, along with five brother-in-laws, Moody Blevins, Bill Musser, Marvin Blankenbeckler, Bill Hoffman, and Roger Freshwater.
A public Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Ronald J. LeJeune as celebrant. No public calling hours will be observed and a private family interment will be conducted in the Catholic section of Oakwood Cemetery. 
Memorial contributions may be given to John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation and HomeCare Matters Hospice through Wise Funeral Service. Expressions of sympathy may be left at http://www.wisefuneral.com. 
Wise Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.