John J. Merricks
(Hurley)

  John J. Merricks, 82, of Hurley, died Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at his home following an extended illness.
  Born in Williamson, WV, he was the son of the late John J. Merricks, Sr. and Yantus Payne. He was a veteran of World War II, a 50-plus year member of the Odd Fellows, a member of the UMWA and a Kentucky Colonel. He was also a member of Vansant Church of Christ.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Dow Merricks, Doyle Payne and Harold "Turk" Payne.
  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Magdalene "Mag" Merricks; one son, John Merricks III and wife, Cynthia, of Hurley; three daughters, Mrs. Harry (Phyllis) Scott of Vansant, Mrs. Rickey (Mary Elizabeth) Stiltner of Hurley and Ruth Ann (Squirrel) Selfe of Roanoke; two sisters, Billie Justus of Bristol, VA and Betty Fugle of Rochester, MI; one brother, Jack Payne of Bristol, VA; two granddaughters, two step-grandsons, one great-grandson.
  Services were held Friday, February 10 at Vansant Church of Christ with Evgs. Bill Neely and Mike Rife officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Grundy IOOF Lodge #17 conducted rights Thursday at the church. Military graveside rites were conducted by John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
  Active pallbearers were family and friends.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Clinton Sutherland, Ricky Adkins, Bob Adkins, Tommy Adkins, Jerry Lester, Lloyd Lester, James Blankenship, Jim Lockhart, Bob Lester, Lonnie Brown, Harold Gillespie and elders and deacons of Vansant Church of Christ.
  Virginia Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Robert "Frank" Goff, 53, of Council, died Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, following an automobile accident.
  Born in Richlands, he was a son of Ermma Joyce Pack Goff of Doran and the late Landrum Franklin Goff. A lifelong resident of the Southwest Virginia area, he was a 1971 graduate of Richlands High School and attended Southwest Virginia Community College where he earned an associates degree in applied science in mining. He held several certifications in various electrical capacities. He was an employee of Dominion/Jewell Smokeless Coal Corporation since 1976, serving his last four years as a supervisor in the electrical department. He was of the Baptist faith and attended Corinth Baptist Church at Council.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Evelyn Compton Goff; two daughters, Jennifer Suzanne Goff and Sara Elizabeth Goff, both of Richlands; one son, Jesse Franklin Goff and wife, Carrie, of Richlands; four sisters, Patsy Shortt and husband, Wendell, of Shortt Gap, Kathy Hagy and husband, Roy, of Paintlick, Pam Reedy and husband, Keith, of Pounding Mill, and Peggy Goff of Doran; one brother, James Goff and wife, Patty, of Richlands; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Sunday in Honaker with the Rev. Jim Huffman officiating. Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were Cody Jennings, Roy Hagy, Michael Hagy, Wendell Shortt, Wendell Shortt, Jr., Keith Reedy, Adam Reedy, Loman Sullivan, Michael Thompson and Jim Oscar Goff.
  Honorary pallbearers were Lacy Robinette, James Stacy, J.P. Richardson, Wayne Pruitt, Gary Prater, Larry Lowe, Casey Sayers, Larry Spark-man, Steve Lyons, Dennis Goodman and William Cole.
 

Joseph Keene
(Grundy)

  Joseph "Joe" Keene, 52, of Grundy, died Tuesday, February 7, 2006 following an automobile accident.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Ed Keene and Nancy Thornsbury Keene. He attended Penn State University and Southwest Virginia Community College, where he received a National Electronics Certification. He was an employee of Jewell Smokeless Coal Corp. and a member of Maple Grove Church of Christ where he served as a deacon. He was a member of Willowbrook Country Club, Dismal River Hunting Club and was a member of the Masonic Lodge #17 AF & AM.
  He was the Board of Supervisors member for the North Grundy District and served on various other boards. He was presently a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Coalfields Economic Development Authority, the Buchanan County Disability Service Board, People Incorporated Board of Directors and was also serving on the board of trustees of the University of Appalachia. He was a member of the Slate Creek Fire Department and was an avid supporter of the Buchanan County Technology and Career Program and was chairman of the General Advisory committee. He was a former member and chairman of the Buchanan County School Board and former vice-chairman of the Buchanan County Democratic Electoral Board.
  He was one of the founders and chairman of the Buchanan County Public School Educational Foundation.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Hufford Keene.
  He is survived by his wife, Veronica Jean Stacy Keene; one daughter, Amanda Paige Keene of Grundy; one son, Dr. Anthony Paul Keene of Dayton, OH; mother-in-law, Nora Stacy, of Grundy; three sisters, Audrey Matney of Grundy, Kansas Cole of Pilgrim Knob and Alice Justus of Jolo, WV, three brothers, Jack Keene, Earl Keene and Willie Keene, all of Grundy; four sisters-in-law, Rita Matney of Grundy, Linda Chancy and Mona Anderson, both of Abingdon and Kimberly Ratliff of Rosedale; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Saturday, February 11 at Short-ridge-Ramey Funeral Home, Grundy, with Evgs. Burb Riffe, Michael Trent, Hobert Kennedy and the Rev. Jerry Wilson officiating. Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill. Full Masonic rites were conducted at the funeral home Thursday by Grundy Masonic Lodge #17 AF & AM.
  Active pallbearers were Sonnie Matney, Terry Matney, Steve Hurley, Carl Street, James Stacy, Jimmy Stiltner, Keith Kennedy, Darrell Cantrell, the Rev. Jerry Wilson and Robert Rife.
  Honorary pallbearers were Billy Looney, Donnie Mullins, Eugene Anderson, Dickey Chaney, Willie Keene, Donald Matney, Rick Waddell, Gary Prater, James Keene, Tim Ratliff, Gerald Kendrick, Carl Evans, Willard Wagner, Lonzo Ward, nephews and the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.
  Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to Maple Grove Church of Christ, P.O. Box 70, Jolo, WV 24880.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Elsie Viola Compton
(Council)

  Elsie Viola Smith Compton, 81, of Council, died Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at her home.
  Born in Council, she was a daughter of the late Walter Cleveland Smith and Armen-die Lester Smith. A lifelong resident of Council, she was a member of Corinth Baptist Church at Council for 64 years, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and song leader for 30 years.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Clarence Robert Smith; two sisters, Hattie Mae Smith and Carmie Alice Keen; and one brother-in-law, Ralph Compton.
  She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Claude B. Compton; one son, Roger and wife, Sharon Compton, of Council; two daughters, Jeanie and husband Guy Fletcher of Honaker and Rita and James Mcvey of Charleston, WV; one sister, Margie Compton of Rosedale; one sister-in-law, Libby Boggs Smith; five brothers-in-law, Jack Smith, Curtis Compton and wife, Pauline, Walter Compton, Jr. and wife, Ada, Kenneth Compton and wife, Virginia and James H. Keen; three granddaughters, three grandsons, two great-grandsons, three great-granddaughters, several nieces and nephews.
  Services will be held today (Thursday), in Honaker with the Rev. Jim Huffman officiating. Interment will follow in the Frank Smith Cemetery on Big A Mountain.
  Pallbearers will be Ben Vanover, Byron Cook, Alex Compton, Darrian Compton, David Bostic, Dan Presley and Dax Bostic.
  Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Compton, Kenneth Compton, Walter Compton, Jr., Carlos Blankenship, Herman Compton, Herman Bostic and Melvin Mullins.
 

Julia Lester Viers
(Rt. 2, Vansant)

  Julia Lester Viers, 81, of the Warfork section of Rt. 2, Vansant, died Monday, February 13, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late James Harrison and Betty Lee Lester. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County, was a member of Little Martha Old Regular Baptist Church for 32 years and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Carson Viers, April 18, 1983; one sister, Alpha Stiltner; two brothers, Ferrell and Burlin Lester; and one infant brother, Ira Lester.
  She is survived by one daughter, Paulette and husband Paul Sullivan of Vansant; one step-son, Bobby Earl Viers of Virginia; four sisters, Liz Compton of Vermillion, OH, Okie Owens of Cleo, MI, Joyce Sykes of Columbus, OH and Pam Mays of Abingdon; one brother, Jeff Lester of Grundy; two step-sisters, Shirley Stiltner of Wolford and Bertha Jean Tinsley of Cocoa, FL; three step-brothers, Billy Owens of Harman, Jerry Owens of Sandwich, IL and Doug Owens of Rogersville, TN; two sisters-in-law, Melba Lester and Gertrude Lester; five nieces and two nephews.
  Services will be held Friday, February 17 at 12 noon at Little Martha Old Regular Baptist Church at Leemaster with Elders Carson Wright, Jerry Overstreet, Frank O’Quinn, Roger Coleman, Mark Justice and Howard Daniels officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Services are also scheduled at the church Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.
  Active pallbearers will be Dale Cox, Dalton Cox, Danny Stiltner, Neil Harmon, Henry Stiltner, Sammy Stiltner, Raymond Webb, Jeff Lester and Billy Owens.
  Honorary pallbearers will be Brothers of Little Martha Old Regular Baptist Church.
  Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

Patty Louise Rowe
(Georgetown, DE)

  Patty Louise Beckner Rowe, 75, of Georgetown, DE, died Saturday, February 4, 2006 at her home.
  Born in Halifax, she was the daughter of the late Robert Beckner and Rosa Dove Beckner. She attended Pilgrim Wesleyan Church and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Harrison Rowe; one brother, Sonny Beckner; and one sister, Violet Nelubovich.
  She is survived by one daughter, Faye Hardt of Wilmington, DE; one son, Larry Douglas Rowe of Georgetown; one sister, Yvonne Addair of Bradshaw, WV; and three grandchildren.
  Services were held Sunday, February 12 at Garland Pentecostal Church of God in Garland, WV with Sister Johnnie Mae Stanley officiating. Burial followed in the Rowe Ceme-tery, Bradshaw.
  Active pallbearers were family and friends.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.