James G. Keffer

James G. Keffer son of Henry and Delila Keffer was born June 6, 1857in Boone County, West Virginia. At the age of 16 he moved with his parents to Rush Run of Henry?s Fork where he remained with his parents working on their farm until he was 24 years of age, at which time, Aug. 18, 1881, he was united in marriage to Alice Clarkson.

They at once moved to Mudfork of Poca, purchased a farm, and brought up their children. After the death of his father, he with his family moved back to Rush Run into the old home to take care of his aged mother, after which he bought the most of the heir?s interest in the home farm and lived on the farm where he and his parents first located, when coming to Roane county, until his death came Nov. 3, 1929.

He was 72 years, 4 months, and 27 days old. To the above union were born 11 children; eight of which survive, as follows:

L.O. Keffer, Looneyville; Esta M. Smith, wife of Rev. I.N. Smith of Parkersburg; Ollie B Davis, Pigeon, Fannie Keffer, Vienna; Glennie Davis, Vienna; Marshall D. Keffer, Clover, W.Va.; Dewey Keffer, Clover.

The children who have preceded him to the great beyond are as follow:

Henry D. Keffer, who was killed during the late war in France; Earl Keffer and Othel Keffer.

He also leaves a twin brother, John Keffer of Holidays Cove, besides a host of relatives and friends.

In his demise, the community loses a good citizen; and tactful businessman.

The church loses one of its best members; the home loses a loving companion of 48 years, a father who was a real guide and stay.

He was converted and united with the Baptist church of Flat Fork about 44 years ago.

After moving into the community where his father?s church was, (The Methodist Episcopal church) he united with the Methodist church and remained a faithful member until death, attending church on the Sunday before he passed away.

Funeral services was conducted by Rev. D. H. Anderson, his pastor, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Parsons and Webb.

(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)

Fred Epling

Fred Epling was born March 27, 1899, and died May 1st, 1921, aged 22 years, 7 months and 4 days. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Epling of Otto, Fred was a boy will liked and respected by all who knew him. His death came as quite a shock to his friends as he was only sick a few days. Death followed an operation for peritonitis at St. Joseph?s Hospital in Parkersburg.

The deceased was one of the most popular and promising of the young men of our community with a bright future before him, but in a very short time the dark mantle of death was thrown around him and all had fled. How sad it is to have our loved ones taken from us, but it is so decreed that we must all die, but after death the Judgment. His sister, Upha, told the writer, that she witnessed his last moments and that he died happy, being at peace with God. His last testimony was to all his friends and comrades to prepare and get ready for death, not to put it off until the last moments of life. It was a sad and sorrowful place to be to see the grief-stricken family so overcome by the unwelcome quest coming in and claiming their only boy as its victim. But death will be no more. There is left father, mother, and five sisters, Upha, Letha, Ura, Stacel and Oshie, to mourn their loss of a loving son and brother.

Herbert Spencer

(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)

Mrs. Merton Osborne Died Here Monday

FORMER BASKETBALL STAR OF S.H.S SUCCUMBS AT HOME OF PARENTS HERE

Mrs. Merton Osborne (nee Eva Runnion) died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Runnion of this city, Monday morning at en o?clock, death resulting from tuberculosis.

Mrs. Osborne was one of the most popular young ladies in this city and her friends and associates who will greatly miss her, will never forget the many kindnesses shown to them by her when she lived on this earth. Her kind deeds will never be forgotten.

The deceased was married January 5, 1924, to Merton Osborne, of Clendenin, and made her home at Akron, Ohio, until this dreaded disease came into her body and she returned to her home in Spencer. To this union was born one child who lived but a short time.

Mrs. Osborne was a member of the graduating class ?23 of Spencer High School and the first of this class to depart from this world to the Great Beyond. She is mourned by her many class mates who for four long years labored so earnestly together for the honors bestowed upon them at the __ting from that high school. But many class mates will never forget her, never forget the cheerfulness she brought to the class room, of the high respect she had for the class.

She was a member of the Girls Basketball team of Spencer High school and her ability of playing this game was never excelled. It was she who the victory of the school depended. For four years she played on the basketball floor winning both friends and popularity through her clean and respecting playing. She was member of the famous Runnion Quartet, known over the United States for their basketball ability. And now she leaves behind her three sisters to mourn the loss of one who they had so earnestly fought to bring Spencer high school to the front in basketball.

The deceased leaves a great number of friends to mourn her loss and she is survived by the following, her husband, her father and mother, four sisters, Elsie and Geraldine Runnion, and Mrs. W. W. Farmer, of Spencer, and Mrs. Burl Holland, of Akron, Ohio. Another sister, Ethel, preceded her to the grave may years ago.

The Reporter joins in with the many friends expressing their sympathy for the bereaved family.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist Protestant Church Wednesday afternoon at two o?clock with the Reverend G.H. Snyder being in charge and internment made in the Spencer cemetery.

(Eva Esta Osborne passed away on October 15, 1924)
(Submitted by Evelyn Bissell Starcher)

Charles C. Miller

Charles C. Miller, 78, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Carper, Sunday, December 17 after a long illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 20 at the Vandale Funeral home with the Rev. O H. Logan officiating. Burial was made in the Spencer Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Hosey Miller, one son Thurl Miller, three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Hoskins, of Parkersburg, Mrs. Oleta Carper, of Spencer, two sisters, Mrs. Catherine Hosey of Grantsville, Mrs. Tillie Fry of Detroit, Michigan, and one brother, Mr. C. Miller of Cowen.

(Submitted by: Denver Miller)
Spencer Times Record - December 21, 1944

IN MEMORIUM

Mrs. Mary A. Miller, the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany, Jan. 6th, 1829, died of paralysis, at the home of her son, J.C. Miller, who resides on Island Run in Roane county, March 24th, 1913 aged 84 yrs., 2 months and 18 days.

The home in which she was reared was one of those nurseries of young life, in which religion, duty and love made the daily life practical and devout; so that good sentiments, and good deeds distilled their best results in her young soul from its birth. She had a cheerful, sympathetic and affectionate nature, which naturally took to all that was good and beautiful about her and made them promotive of her inner life. The very scenery about her became dear to her and taught her of God and harmony and love.

Her associations were the good, partly by home influence and partly by her own attractiveness, which won the best of people to her.

She came to America, when she was 12 years old, finding a home in Pennsylvania. In 1850, she married John Miller, a German, an industrious, trustworthy man. They lived together 15 years in the State of Pennsylvania. In 1865, they moved to Washington county, Ohio. In 1867, they moved to Burning Springs, Wirt County. In 1875 they came to Island Run, Roane county. By industry and economy they managed to secure themselves a neat home with comfortable surroundings, and were ever ready to welcome their children, friends, and neighbors.

To them were born nine children, five boys and four girls. The youngest son, Willie, died 1893, Joseph 1907; and in 1901, the father died. These three preceded the mother to the "Spirit World."

Disease was preying on her nervous system, slow but sure, slowly death came at last. She bore her sickness as she had born life, patiently. She was willing to go but for her loved ones, were an anxious.

Her remains were followed by her loved ones and many friends to the Wilson cemetery where the burial service was conducted by the writer, after which her body was laid to its final resting place.

"Old age serene and bright,
And lovely as a Laplazal night,
Has led thee to thy grave,
Loving friends! Be wise and dry."

(Submitted by Denver Miller)
Newspaper unknown, Date: about March 25, 1913