Obituaries

RALPH HEPLER Ralph Layne Hepler, 83, of 212 Broken Arrow Lane, died, Wednesday, March 05, 2014 at Lewis gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. He was born August 1, 1930 in Alleghany County , a son of the late Henry Madison "Matt" and Virgie Terry Hepler. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by two sister, Raynelle Detamore and Doris Simmons. Mr. Hepler served with the United States Marine Corps. during the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1986 as a Conductor with the CSX Railroad. Surviving are his wife, Christine Campbell Hepler of Covington; two brothers , Freddie Hepler and his wife Ellen and Carlos Hepler and his wife Ruth, all of Covington; two sisters, Barbara Acosta of Covington and Bonnie Burrows and her husband Jack of Jacksonville, FL and several nieces and nephews....

DALE TYSON Dale Commander Tyson, 19, of 409 S. Royal Avenue, left this world Tuesday , March 4, 2014 to dance with the Angels in Heaven. He was born December 18, 1994 in Austell, GA a son of Dale Johnson of Austell, GA and Barbara Tyson of Covington. Dale was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Edward Johnson and a cousin Phillip Johnson. He was a student at Covington High School. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Tanesha Tyson of Austell, GA; five half sisters, Alanna Johnson of Charleston, SC; Angela Johnson and Lashay Johnson both of Decatur, GA ; Priscilla Williams of and Cynthia Johnson of Charleston, SC ; Maternal grandparents, Daniel and Ruth Tyson, Sr. of Covington ; Paternal grandmother, Madlyn Johnson of Charleston, SC; uncle, Daniel Tyson, Jr. of Covington; aunt, Nicola Tyson of Covington; aunt, Carol Green of Stanford, CT; uncle, Carl Johnson of Elmyria, NY, aunt, Diane Gibbs of Fayetteville, NC; aunt, Alanna Steeple of Tallahassee ,FL; un...

KENNETH DILLEY Kenneth Lawrence Dilly, 82, of Covington, died Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mr. Dilley was born November 4, 1931 in Covington, a son of the late Lawrence and Ruth Eggleston Dilley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris McDaniel Dilley in 2005. He had retired in 1997 as a Security Guard with MeadWestvaco Corp. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Tammy Dilley and Kenny and Lisa Dilley all of Eagle Rock; his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Roger Brown of Roanoke; grandchildren, Randall and Ivy Brown; Andrea and Chris Frame; Chad and Ashleigh Nickell; Linsey Dilley; Chase Mills and Joshua Barger; four great grandchildren, his sister, Shirley Saville of Covington; his brother-in-law, Billy and Addie McDaniel of Covington; his sister-in-law, Patty and Gene Breeden of Covington; April Dilley, Aaron Dilley and Andrew Dilley; special friends, Troy Gillespie and Janice Scott and the 10th...

ETHA ALTIZER Etha Stalnaker Altizer, also know as E., Nana and Grand Nana, left her earthly cares behind on February 24, 2014, surrounded by family and friends. She was born March 25, 1937 in Alleghany County to Gideon and Elsie Ryder Stalnaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of her children, Herman D. "Buzzy" Altizer; two brothers, Charles Stalnaker and Lewis Stalnaker and a sister Jeraldine Farley. Etha was employed for 23 years as a CNA for the former C & O Hospital in Clifton Forge and retired form Alleghany Regional Hospital. Surviving are her children, a son Douglas W. Altizer and his wife Barbara of Clifton Forge; two daughters, Julie L. Altizer and her partner Paula Lindsay of Buena Vista and Susan M. Altizer of Covington. Susie along with her son, Ian , lived with and provided special care for their mother and grandmother. Other grandchildren are Doug Altizer, Jr. and his wife, Heidi of Covington and Mary Beth Altizer of Charlottesville...

GERALD WOLFE, SR. Gerald Milford Wolfe, Sr., 81, of Covington, died, Saturday, February 22, 2014. He was born in Alleghany County, a son of the late Sam and Gracie Tucker Wolfe. In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry Wolfe in 2003 and Dennis Wolfe in 1989. Mr. Wolfe retired in 1993 as a mechanic with Hercules, Inc. after 29 years of service. He was member of the Cliffdale Christian Church. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Juanita Bowen Wolfe; three daughters, Nancy Glasheen and her husband Thomas of Powhatan; Rita Tucker and her husband Jesse and Janet Linkenhoker and her husband Ronnie, all of Covington; two sons, Gerald Wolfe, Jr. and his wife Gail and John Wolfe and his wife, Linda all of Covington; 13 grandchildren, Lex Glasheen; Andrew Glasheen;,Carey Glasheen; Jay Vest and his wife Luci; Burton Vest ; Christina Vest; Eric Linkenhoker; Jason Linkenhoker and his wife Brandy; Carol Linkenhoker; Marie Wolfe; Sam Wolfe; Katherine Wolfe and ...

LESLIE BRITT Leslie Anderson Britt, 95, of 317 E. Trout Street, died, Saturday, February 22 at his residence. He was born January 15, 1919 in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Charles and Myrtle Bush Britt. In addition to his parents, Mr. Britt was preceded in death by an infant son and a sister. Mr. Britt served during World War II with the United States Navy. He retired as a Millwright for MeadWestvaco after 43 years of service. He was member of Calvary Christian Church; a Life member of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 , Veterans of Foreign Wars; a Member of Local 675 Hall of Fame; Member of the Jackson River Technical Center Advisory Board ; Charter member of the Alleghany Bass masters and former member of the Civil Air Patrol. Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Mary Cales Britt of Covington; three daughters, Cheryl Marshall and husband Barry of Covington; Judy Nay of Midlothian and Nancy Kessler and her husband Stephen of Roanoke; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a...

CLAYTON STEELE Clayton Steele, 92, of 216 216 W. Persinger Street, died, Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Berkshire Nursing Home in Roanoke. Mr. Steele served with the United States Navy during World War II. He retired as a Lime Kiln Operator with MeadWestvaco after 40 years of service. Following retirement he was employed by the former Woody's Inc. in Covington. He was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church and he loved to hunt and fish. In addition to his parents, Mr. Steele was preceded in death by his wife, Beullah Hooke Steele in 2002; two sons, Richard Wayne Steel and Jerry Clayton Steele and also by three brothers and two sisters. Surviving are a son, Robert Steele of Covington, GA; three daughters, Patty Bowles of Covington, VA; Sandra (Teeny) Martin and her husband Billy of Covington, GA and Judy Wray and her husband Herbert of Vinton; seven grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside rites will be...

JAKE HINKLE Jacob Bertrand Hinkle, Jr., 62, of 1014 Hattie Street, died, Thursday, February 20, 2014 at his residence. He was born October 29, 1951 in Covington, a son of the late Jacob B. Hinkle, Sr. and Ruth Cox Hinkle. In addition to parents, Jake was preceded in death by his brother William Edward Hinkle in 2008. Mr. Hinkle retired February 1, 2014, as a dispatcher for the Covington Police Department after 41 years as a Patrolman and Dispatcher. He was a member of the Covington Lodge #610, Loyal Order of Moose and was an honorary member of the Covington Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Surviving are his Wife, Frances Thompson Hinkle of Covington; one Daughter, Christa Cornwell and her Husband, Tracy, of Lexington, VA; two step sons, Joe Sparks and his Wife, Sarah and Timothy Sparks, all of Covington; one grandson, Derik Lonas of Lexington and one granddaughter, Ainsley Sparks of Covington. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be fellow off...

CHARLOTTE HUBBARD Charlotte Davis Hubbard, 85, of New Castle died Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Hubbard was born October 24, 1928, in Craig County a daughter of the late Ballard J. and Mary Etta Switzer Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Ferald Hubbard in 1996, and also by seven sisters and brothers. Surviving are three Daughters, Charlene Wilhelm and her Husband, Gary, of New Castle, Glenda Thorp of Buckingham and Gayla Mantlo and her Husband, William, of Richmond; seven grandchildren; two great grandsons; one Sister, Ruby Wolfe of Gladys; one Brother, Harry Davis of New Castle and several nieces and nephews. Interment will be made in the Paxton Chapel Cemetery at New Castle....

Warren Cole Richard Warren Cole, 73, of 100 Nicholas Drive in Clifton Forge died Saturday, February 15, 2014, in Lewis Gale - Alleghany Hospital at Low Moor. Mr. Cole was born January 10, 1941, in Summers County, West Virginia, a so on Edna Bennett of Covington and the late Arleigh Cole. In addition to his Father, he was preceded in death by a Son, Mike Cole in 2008. Surviving in addition to his Mother, are two Sons, Richard "Roscoe" Cole and his Wife, Heather, of Thaxton and Daniel "Boone" Cole of Covington; one Daughter, Melanie Reed and her Husband, Scott, of High Point, NC; three grandchildren, Will Cales of Florida, Phillip Wheeler of Fort Mill, SC and Allysa Cole of Thaxton; three Sisters, Barbara Grimmett of Hinton, WV, Rosemary Richards and her Husband, Oliver, of Covington, and Becky Reed of Covington; one Brother, Jerry Cole and his Wife, Melissa, of Winfield, WV, and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. Interment will follow ...

JANICE HALL Janice Faye Damewood Hall, 67, of 413 Center Court , died, Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Brian Center in Low Moor. She was born April 15, 1946 in New Castle in Craig County, a daughter of the late Joseph O. and Virginia Beckner Damewood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Connie Damewood. Janice was a homemaker and a member of the Covington Wesleyan Church. She was an avid bowler and bingo player. She loved crafting such as sewing, painting and home decorating. She was a very loving grandmother. Surviving are her husband of 50 years, Roy E. Hall, Jr. of Covington; three daughters, Debra Botkin and her husband Todd; Karen Hall and Tammy Harmon and her husband Daniel, all of Covington; seven grandchildren, Joshua Botkin ;Aaron and Ashley Osborne and Meghan Hall all of Covington; Paige Donovan of Roanoke; Sarah Donovan; Robbie Harmon and Janie Harmon, all of Covington; three great grandchildren, Deliah Osborne; Hunter Osborne and Sophi...

THOMAS AUSTIN Thomas Lear Austin, 73, of 5212 Hays Gap Road, died, Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born September 1, 1940 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Aaron and Lula Rose Austin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas E. "Gene" Austin in 1994. Mr. Austin had retired as a truck driver with Bennett Logging and Lumber, Inc. He was a member of Mountain Valley United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife, Mary Bailey Austin of Covington; a daughter, Lisa Downey and her husband Brad of Ft. Wayne, IN; four grandchildren, Chris Unroe, Cathryn Danielle Roe, Matthew McAllister and Peyton Downey; five great grandchildren; one brother, Edward Austin and his wife, Janet of Covington; one sister, Julia Ann Underwood of Covington and a nephew, Timmy Austin and his wife, Diane of Covington. The interment will follow in the Humphries Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jim Bailey, Carroll Lee Smith, Chris Unroe,...