Hursel "Jack'' Carroll Riffe
(Grundy)

      Hursel "Jack'' Carroll Rife, 82, of Grundy, died Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the Golden Age Retirement Home, Claypool Hill, VA, following an extended illness.
      Born in McDowell County, he was a son of the late Lewis L. and Ida Pearl Lewis Riffe.
      In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Ann Looney Riffe, December 31, 1998; one brother, Charles Herman Riffe; his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Mona McClanahan Looney; and three brothers-in-law, Cline Childress, Sparell Ratliff, Jr. and Percy Ratliff.
      He was a graduate of Grundy High School, Emory and Henry College, and Milligan College, a member of the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign War Post #7360. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, serving as a Radioman Third Class V6 USNR SV, Naval Supply Depot Navy #3149 on the USS YMS 138. He was awarded the Victory World War II Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal. He was a member of the Ratliff Chapel Church, Little Prater, VA. He was a retired Athletic Director and teacher for Buchanan County Public Schools, where he was employed for 41 years. In addition to teaching, he coached football, basketball and girl's softball.
      He is survived by one son, Timothy and wife, Sandy Riffe, of Grundy; three sisters, Delores Childress, of Grundy; Marlene Ratliff, of Big Stone Gap; and Leona Ratliff, of Grundy; one granddaughter, Vanessa Ann and husband, Richie Waddell, of Watauga, TN. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
      Funeral services were held Saturday, June 27, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Rick Ellis and Jason Ratliff officiating. Burial followed in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Full Military Rites were conducted at the cemetery by Childs Gentry Post #7360 of the Veterans of Foreign War, Grundy.
       Active pallbearers were Mike Childress, Larry Deel, Donnie Ratliff, Randy Ratliff, Richard Ratliff, Bill Kilgore, Ferdie Bowman, Courtney Ratliff and Nick Ratliff.
       Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Keene, Mikie Waddell, Richard Waddell, Roy Clanton, Ervin Deel, Larry Riffe, Winfield Dellinger, Darrell Justus, Jim Looney, Employees of Golden Age Retirement Home, Members of Garden High School Athletic Department and the staff of Legacy Hospice and Total Home Care.
       Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
       Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

Mark Anthony Keen
(Grundy)

       Mark Anthony Keen, 35, of Grundy, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, VA, following a brief illness.
       Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Thomas Glen and Ruby Vandyke Keen. He was formerly employed as a driller for Excel Well Services before becoming disabled.
       He is survived by his wife, Amanda Joy Phillps Keen, of Grundy; three step-children, Hannah Shrader, J.J. Bonds and Everett Bonds, all of Bastian, VA; two sisters, Dianna and husband, David Sage, of Grundy; and Barbara and Husband, Johnny Blankenship, of Jolo, WV; two brothers, Thomas Keen, of Grundy, and companion, Jeanetta Blankenship, of Pikeville, KY; and Michael and wife, Jennifer Keen, of Grundy. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
       Funeral services were held Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Elders George Baker, Phillip Estep and Gary Estep officiating. Burial followed in the Hibbitts Cemetery, located in the town of Grundy.
       Active pallbearers were Danny Bennett, Randy Lester, Marshall Vandyke, Bo Stiltner, Rufus Mullins, Chuck Vandyke, Matthew Blankenship, Thomas Blankenship, Jeff Jewell, Bill Stiltner, Shorty Lee Barnes and Boone Lester.
       Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
       Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

Mary Marinda Justus Blankenship
(Hurley)

        Mary Marinda Justus Blankenship, 70, of Hurley, died Saturday, June 27, 2009 at her home following an extended illnes.
        Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Mary Lester Justus. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the Church of God in Jesus Name. She was a former employee of Eastern Isles sewing factory for 13 years and a former employee of Hilton's Grocery, and a homemaker. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother.
        In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Blankenship on September 17, 1997. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Kathy Jo Blankenship on November 10, 2001; one sister, Dora Blankenship and five brothers, Earl, Ed, Billy, Bobby and Jack Justus.
       She is survived by one daughter, Patsy and husband, Donnie Stevens, of Hurley; three sisters, Dottie and husband, Kenneth Wolford; Marie Smith and Ora Hilton, all of Hurley; two brothers, Dan and wife, Gail Justus; and Harold and wife, Pauline Justus, both of Hurley; and one grandson, Richard Crumb.
       Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Curtis Stacy officiating. Burial followed in the J.C. Lester Cemetery on Pounding Mill, near Hurley.
       Active pallbearers were family and friends.
       Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
       Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

David Luke Stiltner
(Grundy)

      David Luke Stiltner, 51, of Grundy, died Monday, June 29, 2009 at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness.
      Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Algie Kermit and Nina Mae Wilkenson Stiltner. He was a member of the Garden Creek Church of Christ and was employed as a general laborer before becoming disabled.
      In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark and Algie Paul Stiltner; and one half-brother, Matthew Stiltner.
      He is survived by four sisters, Virgie Mae Stiltner, Bernice Faye Stiltner, Mildred Charliece Stiltner and Linda Anne and husband, Willie Mayhorn, all of Grundy; two brothers, Charlie Anthony Stiltner and John Marlin Stiltner, both of Grundy; special friends, Kathy Scammell, Jamie Rife, Mervil Lester and Frankie Withrow; and two nieces and five nephews.
       Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Matney and Elders of Little Freedom Old Regular Baptist Church, Roger Keen and Evangelist William (Bill) Neeley officiating. Burial will follow in the Stiltner Family Cemetery on Dave Branch, Grundy.
       Services were held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel.
       Active pallbearers will be Eric Mayhorn, Derek Mayhorn, Sammy Mayhorn and Anthony Mayhorn, Josh Stiltner, Billy Justus, Donnie Stiltner, Darrell Stiltner, Tommy Riddle, Chris Riddle, Mark Stiltner, Gary Dawson and Bernard Fleming.
       Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Farmer, Willie Mayhorn, Buster Stiltner, Jessie Owens, Staff of Buchanan General Hospital, Staff of Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Steve Riddle, John Mullins, Clayton Stevens, Junior Sexton, Sid Dunford, James R. McClanahan, Jr., Jim Bob Smith, J.W. Smith, Curtis Mullins, Sr., Jimbo McClanahan, Barney Stiltner, Adam Stevens, Jeremiah Stevens, Timothy Stevens, Josh Stevens, Mack Hall, James Hall, John Hall, Lawrence Dawson, Greg Dawson, Lawrence Howard, Brian Howard, Steve Farmer, Pleas Stiltner, Andrew Stiltner, Sam Stiltner, Danny Barr, Eddie Viers, Ervin Barr, Erby Owens, Billy Justus, Rusty Owens, John Munsey, Sandy Munsey, Roscoe Rife, Linda Rife, James Marvin Swiney, Charliece Swiney, Jonathan Mullins, Anthony Quinley, Casby Bowman, David Glen Bowman and Lloyd Sexton.
       Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
       Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Bruce Ward Owens
(Birchleaf)

        Bruce Ward Owens, 55, of Hurricane Branch, died Friday, June 26, 2009 at his residence.
        Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Ruth J. Owens and the late James M. "Jim'' Owens. He was a retired coal truck driver.
        In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Walter Owens; and grandparents, Walter and Barbara Owens and Walter and Hazel Adkins.
         In addition to his mother, he is survived by a daughter, Shanna (Brad) Blankenship, of Breaks; granddaughters, Jade, Gina and Lexie Blankenship; two sisters, Nancy (Ralph) Edwards, of Birchleaf, and Dianna (Samuel) McNutt, of Bristol, VA; a brother, Blaine (Donna) Owens, of New Castle, VA; and three nieces.
         Funeral services were held Monday, June 29, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Haysi Funeral Home and graveside services were conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Walt Owens Cemetery where burial followed.
         Active pallbearers were Blake Deel, Mike Edwards, Bobby Edwards, Billy Duty, Jessee Looney and Billy Blankenship.
         Honorary pallbearers were Ray Edwards and Robert McNutt.
          Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

Billy Ray Deel
(Grundy)

       Billy Ray Deel, 66, of Grundy, died Monday, June 29, 2009 at his home following an extended illness.
        Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Willoughby and Bessie Jane Boyd Deel. He was a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1962, and the Virginia State Police Academy and was a member of the Vansant Church of Christ. He was a retired police officer of 31 years in law enforcement, serving the Town of Grundy, Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
        In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Callie Deel.
        He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lois Ann Brown Deel, of Grundy; one daughter, Kyra Rae Deel Lester and husband, Jeff, of Vansant; one son, Jamison Ray Deel, of Johnson City, TN; one sister, Irene Deel, of Grundy; three brothers, Jackie and wife, Judy Deel, of Grundy; Thomas Deel, of Grundy; and Percy and wife, Evelyn Deel, of Vansant; three grandchildren, Dylan Tate Lester, Dalton Tyler Lester and Lindsay Rhea Lester, all of Vansant.
        Funeral services will be held today (Thursday), July 2, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Paul Potter officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands, VA.
       Active pallbearers will be Zack Cochran, Robbie Brown, Roger Brown, Gary Cochran, Corbett Ratliff and Nathanael Cochran.
        Honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Lester, Dalton Lester, Tobe Rife, Paul Smith, Clinton Ratliff, Hearl Shortridge, Henry Deel, Mike Wimmer, Lonnie Brown and special nurses: Chasity Smith, Kathy Boyd, Debbie Lester and the staff of Total Home Care & Hospice.
       Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com.
       Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Carl Douglas (Doug) Matney
(Hurley)

       Carl Douglas (Doug) Matney, 45, of Hurley, died Monday, June 29, 2009 at his home.
        Born November 28, 1963 in Buchanan County, he was the son of Imogene Burks Matney of Hurley, and the late Anderson Matney. He was a disabled coal miner.
        In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Carl Douglas Matney, Jr., and one sister, Melissa Sue Matney.
        In addition to his mother, Imogene Matney, he is survived by his wife, Wanda Kay Matney, of Hurley; one daughter, Misty Ann Matney, of Hurley; one son, Justin Todd Hurley, of Hurley; one grandson, Tomothy Douglas Lee Matney; three brothers, Kevin Matney, of Gastonia, NC; and Alvin Matney and Craig Matney, both of Hurley; one sister, Deloris Hall, of Elyria, OH. He is also survived by three nephews and one niece.
        Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12 noon at the Stopover Freewill Baptist Church at Stopover, KY, with Reverends Larry Rife, Tommy Conn, Otis Blankenship, Paul Rife and Jonas Trent officiating. Burial will follow in the Hurley and Matney Cemetery at Hurley.
        Friends may call after 6 p.m. at the church where a service will be held tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m.
       Active pallbearers will be Roger Hurley, Frank and Frankie Matney, Brian and Simon Matney, Arthur and Dustin Blankenship, Tommy and Mark Smith and Lonzo Rife.
        Honorary pallbearers will be special friends Doug knew who rode horses with him.
        Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of arrangements.

Terry Allen Rasnake
(Chesapeake, VA)

         Terry Allen Rasnake, 41, of Tapgallant Quay, Chesapeake, VA, formerly of Page, VA, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 in Portsmouth, VA.
         Born in Tazewell County, VA, December 20, 1967, he was the son of Jonas C. (J.C.) Rasnake and Edna Mae Hale Rasnake. He was employed at the Outer Banks Cancer Center, Nags Head, NC, as a medical physicist. He was a member of Higher Life Ministries, Chesapeake, where he served as Pastor Assistant and was actively involved in the young adults ministry.
        He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Linkous E. and Lucy Harris Hale and paternal grandparents, James "Jim'' and Laura Fuller Rasnake.
        In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Janice Ward Rasnake, of Chesapeake; two daughters, Courtney Leigh Rasnake and Kaitlin McKenzie Rasnake; one son, Jacob Braxton Rasnake, all of the home; one sister, Nancy Horne and husband, Roy, of Cedar Bluff, VA; two brothers, James Rasnake and wife, Kimberly, of Abingdon; and Brian Rasnake and wife, Suzanne, of Vansant. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, whom he greatly loved.
        Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 30 at 1 p.m. at the Community Heights Church, Richlands, VA, with Rev. Hans Hess, Rev. Mickey Hale and Rev. Larry Lane officiating. Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Garden, Claypool Hill, VA.
        Active pallbearers were Nathan Horne, Jonathan Horne, Gabriel Rasnake, Alex Rasnake, Jason Ward, Jeremy Ward, Steve Hackney, Justin Hinkle, Alex Lockhart and Joshua Ward.
        Honorary pallbearers were Ricky Woods, David Fletcher, Lamont Dawson, Tery Wilkins, Benny Gonzalez, Wilbur Alston, Donnie Evans, Dr. David Cyr, Dr. William Delacey and Tim Minor.
        A memorial service will be held at Higher Life Ministries, Chesapeake, at a later date.
        Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.grahamfuneralhome.com and www.shortridgeramey.com.
        Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Tina Sparks Hagerman
(Jolo, WV)

        Margaret Tina Sparks Hagerman, 42, of the Wolfpen section of Jolo, WV, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at her residence.
        Born in Shelbyville, IN, December 24, 1966, she was the daughter of A.C. Sparks of Jolo, WV, and the late Sarah Jane Cole Sparks. She enjoyed camping, fishing and riding horses. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister and grandmother.
        She is survived by her husband of 10 years, Stanley (Eddie) Hagerman, of Jolo, WV; two daughters, Sarah Cornelia Sparks and Jody Deann Sparks, both of the home; two sons, Carl Cody Sparks and wife, Arlena, of Jolo, WV; and John Matthew Harter and wife, Ashley, of Iaeger, WV; four step-daughters, Della Hagerman, of the home; Melissa Lena Day, of Columbus, OH; Georgia Lynn Bailey, of Yukon, WV; and Selena Hagerman, of Charleston, WV; four step-sons, Clayton Edward Jewell, of Salisbury, NC; Delmas Ray Day, of Columbus, OH; Christopher Scott Weiner and Delmas Robert Weiner, both of Columbus, OH; three sisters, Lori Ann Gardner and husband, Jerry, of Iaeger, WV; Karen Kaye Hicks and husband, Eulas; and Angel Rife and husband, Donnie, all of Jolo, WV; four brothers, A.C. James Sparks and wife, Heather, of Bradshaw, WV; Dicky Ray Sparks and wife, Gerlene, of Jolo, WV; Roger Glenn Sparks and wife, Brenda, of Bradshaw, WV; and Timothy Gene Sparks and wife, Vickie, of Jolo, WV. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, including God sent baby Angel and Logan Trey Sparks.
        Funeral services will be held today (Thursday), July 2, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the residence of A.C. Sparks on Wolfpen, Jolo, WV, with Rev. Herman Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Blessing Cemetery on Wolfpen, Jolo, WV.
        Family and friends will serve as active pallbearers.
       Memorial consolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com.
       Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, of Grundy, is in charge of arrangements.

Maggie Viers Singleton Rasnake
(Haysi)

        Maggie Viers Singleton Rasnake, 89, of Backbone Ridge, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 following a long and courageous battle.
        Born February 1, 1920 to the late R.D. and Vada Turner Viers, she was last employed at Jim Robins and Elicon. She was a homemaker, farmer and an avid quilter.
        In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Sidney Elmer Singleton; her second husband, Clyde Rasnake; a son, Robert Dan Singleton; two brothers, Walter Lee and Charlie Viers; and three sisters, Trula Viers Colley and Edith and Patsy Viers.
        She is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Norman) Carico, of Haysi; Margaret (Marion) Durnil, of Lewiston, MI; and Carolyn Green, of Commerce Township, MI; one son, Kevin Singleton, of Walhalla, SC; two brothers, Pridemore and Johnny Viers, of Haysi; four sisters, Olive Watson, of Bristol; Elsie Compton, Fannie O'quin and Mary Sue Woods, all of Haysi; five grandsons, five granddaughters, three step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; loving and devoted caregiver, Kathy Edwards; and special nurse, Missy O'quinn and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
         Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Shawn Dotson, Jeff Dotson and Roger Rose officiating. Burial followed in the R.D. and Vada Viers Family Cemetery, on Backbone Ridge.
        Active pallbearers were grandsons, Curtis, Timothy and Walter Jackson, Sidney Carico and Robert Allen Green; great-grandsons, Dustin Jackson, Joshua and Blake Hill; and nephews, Keith and Kent Woods.
        Honorary pallbearers were grandson Rick Green and Clinchco Senior Citizens attendees.
         Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.