Person Page - 1487

     Charity Victoria Jenkins was buried at Craighead Cemetery, 10065 Patterson Drive, Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² Her married name was Craighead.¹ She married Peter Everett "Pete" Craighead, son of Lewis Crawford Craighead and Mary E. Funk.¹ Charity Victoria Jenkins was born on December 25, 1892.² She died on June 5, 1983 at age 90.²

     Ernestina Marie Conner was buried at Green Acres Memorial Park, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Maricopa Co., Arizona.^2,9 Her married name was Estrada.¹⁰ She was born on April 30, 1930 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana.^3,2 As of September 29, 1947,her married name was Smith.⁸ She married Warren Hathaway Smith on September 29, 1947 at Boone Co., West Virginia.^2,7,8 Ernestina Marie Conner married Rafael Gonzales "Ralph" Estrada on June 28, 1958 at Clark Co., Nevada.^2,11 Ernestina Marie Conner died on June 23, 2017 at Mesa, Maricopa Co., Arizona, at age 87.² She CONNER, Ernestina M., 87, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017 in Mesa, AZ of a long battle with medical conditions from a stroke in 2010. Burial will follow services at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale. Ernestina was born April 30, 1930 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Ernest M. Conner and Elsie M. Peyton. During her summer breaks as a child, she would stay with her paternal grandparents, where she learned about the Christian Faith and life. There she attended church, under the preaching and teaching of her grandfather, Rev. Wilton E. Conner in Spurlockville, West Virginia. She went to school in Freedytown, WV, before coming to Phoenix due to asthma conditions she suffered in the mountains of West Virginia. Once in Phoenix, she lived with her uncle, Dr. S. K. Conner, M.D. and attended Phoenix Union High School. After High School, two marriages that inspired eight children, as a full-time mom, she decided to return to school full-time during her second marriage. She worked full-time at Motorola in Scottsdale, AZ and attended Scottsdale Community College full-time. She later transferred to Arizona State University acquiring her Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Education, plus additional coursework in Education at the post-graduate level. She started her career teaching Kindergarten at St. Daniels the Prophet School in Scottsdale, AZ. She later taught ESL and spent many years as a Reading Specialist in the Phoenix Union High School District, as well as a Reading Instructor for Rio Salado Community College. She always inspired her children and students to get an education and go to college. After retiring and moving from Tempe to Phoenix, she attended Laveen Baptist Church, before suffering two strokes in 2010. She was always giving to everyone and wanting to make sure everyone was “OK” even up to her last days. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed by all. Ernestina is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest M. Conner and Elsie M. Peyton, also her first husband Warren H. Smith and her daughter, Sonja M. Smith and granddaughter, Addie J. Clark. She is survived by her son Ernest K. Smith, along with seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Ernestina was also preceded in death by her second husband Ralph G. Estrada and her son, Zachary C. Estrada. She is survived by her children, Raphaela T. Bell, Ralph G. (Laurie) Estrada Jr., Phil A. (Renee) Estrada, Peter C. Estrada and J. Eric (Tammy) Estrada, along with 17 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way. on June 28, 2017.²

     His Social Security Number was 527-28-6259.³ Rafael Gonzales "Ralph" Estrada was buried at Green Acres Memorial Park, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Maricopa Co., Arizona.^4,5 He was born on March 29, 1928 at Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona.³ He married Ernestina Marie Conner, daughter of Ernest Marion Conner and Elsie Marie Peyton, on June 28, 1958 at Clark Co., Nevada.^7,6 Rafael Gonzales "Ralph" Estrada died on October 28, 1987 at Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona, at age 59.^2,8,5 He Ralph G. Estrada, 59, of Chandler, a truck driver for Garrett Turbine for seven years and a former drivers-license examiner for the state of Arizona for 22 years, died Oct. 28, 1987, at Good Samaritan Medical Center. He was born in Tempe and was a Korean War Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Ernestina M; daughter, Raphaela Conner-Estrada; sons, Ralph Jr. Phil, Peter, Zachary and Eric; and four grandchildren. on October 31, 1987.⁵

     William Henry "Will" Prater Sr. was buried at Bays Cemetery, Summerlee, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^5,8 He was born on September 28, 1887 at Montgomery Co., Virginia; His WWI Draft Registration card has a birth date of Sep 28, 1888.^1,2,5 He married Margaret Priscilla "Maggie" Gilbert on October 8, 1910 at Fayette Co., West Virginia.^9,3,4,7 William Henry "Will" Prater Sr. died on June 13, 1936 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 48.^5,8 He Will Prater, 48-year old Summerlee miner, died in Pinecrest Sanitarium yesterday after a seven-months illness of pulmonary tuberculosis. He is survived by the widow, and the following children: Condit Prater, Acme; and Elmer, Earnest, George, William jr., Frank and Gladys Prater, and Mrs. Freda Simms, all of Summerlee. Three brothers, Dewey Prater, Minden; Sam Prater, Clifftop; and James Prater, Fayetteville; and a sister, Mrs. Cora Wilshire, Oak Hill, also are living. Burial will be made in Bays cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from members of UMWA local 6C48, of which he was a member. on June 14, 1936.⁸

     George S. "Sam" Prater was buried at Restlawn Memory Gardens, 1 Memory Garden Road, Victor, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^5,6 His Social Security Number was 235-09-5877.¹⁰ He was born on October 5, 1889 at Montgomery Co., Virginia; His death certificate has a birth date of Oct 6, 1889.^1,10,3,6,9 He married Minnie Carter on October 5, 1912 at Sun, Fayette Co., West Virginia.⁴ George S. "Sam" Prater died on December 14, 1967 at Spencer, Roane Co., West Virginia, at age 78.^10,6

     His Social Security Number was 232-12-7884.¹³ James Washington "Ty" Prater was buried at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^14,15 He was born on September 18, 1891 at Montgomery Co., Virginia; His WWI Draft Registration card has a birth date of Sep 18, 1892.^{1,13,3,9,10,6,7,15,12} He married Nona Hearl Fisher on September 23, 1917 at Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^10,16 James Washington "Ty" Prater married Wanda Evelyn Skaggs on January 3, 1948 at Hilltop, Fayette Co., West Virginia; James and Wanda were both widowed when they were married.^9,5,17 James Washington "Ty" Prater died on October 4, 1962 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 71.^4,5,6 He James W. (Ty) Prater, 71, died Thursday morning in a Beckley hospital. He was a retired miner. He was a member of the Fayetteville Baptist Church and a World War I veteran. Survivors include his wife, Wanda; three sons, Raymond A. of Greensboro, N.C., Lowell A. of Washington, D.C., and E. Howard of Winston-Salem, N.C; two brothers, Sam of Oak Hill and Dewey Prater of Marion, Ohio; a sister, Mrs. Cora Wilshire of Fayetteville; and nine grandchildren. on October 5, 1962.⁵

     Cora Lee Prater was buried at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.⁷ She was born on September 19, 1894 at Fayette Co., West Virginia.^8,9,7 As of October 31, 1914,her married name was Wilshire.⁸ She married Robert Isaac Wilshire on October 31, 1914 at Concho, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,8 Cora Lee Prater died on February 13, 1964 at Fayetteville, Fayette Co., West Virginia, at age 69.^3,4,7 She Mrs. Cora Lee Wilshire, 69, of Fayetteville died Thursday in a Fayetteville nursing home after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Fayette County and a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons, Robert of Cleveland, Ohio, and James of Columbus, Ohio; seven daughters, Mrs. Patsy Wood and Mrs. R. C. Hamrick, both of Adrain, Mich., Mrs. Irene Jones of South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Mary Ann Dunlap of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Margaret Rhoades of Charleston, Mrs. Sarah Childers of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Fay Sproles of Oak Hill; a brother, Sam Prater of Oak Hill; 23 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. on February 14, 1964.⁴

     Harry McKinley Prater was buried at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.⁶ He was born on June 4, 1899 at West Virginia.^1,2,6 He married Zelva Iris Lavinder on May 24, 1924 at Garten, Fayette Co., West Virginia.³ Harry McKinley Prater died on July 8, 1931 at Minden, Fayette Co., West Virginia, at age 32.⁶

     Robert Isaac Wilshire was buried at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^2,5,4 He was born on December 22, 1885 at Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania.^1,2,5,3,4 He married Cora Lee Prater, daughter of James Edward Prater and Sarah Jane Carr, on October 31, 1914 at Concho, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^6,7 Robert Isaac Wilshire died on August 6, 1949 at Welch, McDowell Co., West Virginia, at age 63.^2,5,4 He An illness of 11 years claimed the life of Robert I. Wilshire, 64, who died in the Welch Emergency Hospital yesterday. A member of the United Mine Workers of America, the former miner resided in Oak Hill. He was born in Pittsburgh on December 22, 1885. Burial will follow in the Highlawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Cora Wilshire, of Oak Hill; two brothers; Ben Wilshire, of Oak Hill; and Bill Wilshire, of Pittsburgh; nine children: James, Buddy and Mary Ann, all of Lewisburg; Eloise, of Adrian, Mich; Mrs. Sara Childers and Mrs. Faye Sproles, both of Oak Hill, Mrs. Marg Rhoades, Charleston; Mrs. Patty Benchooter, of Adrian, of Adrian, Mich; and Mrs. Irene Harvey of South Bend, Ind. on August 7, 1949.⁴

     James Francis Wilshire SMSgt James Francis Wilshire, USAF (Ret.), 86 years old, passed away at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on March 31, 1935 in Oak Hill, WV to the late Robert Isaac and Cora Lee (Prater) Wilshire. He has lived in Mishawaka since January of 1982, moving from Eliot, Maine. On June 30, 1984 in Mishawaka, Jim and May Thompson were united in marriage. Along with May, his loving wife of 37 years, Jim is survived by his children, Jeff (Vonda) Wilshire of Apollo Beach, FL, Robert (Alana) Wilshire of Riverview, FL, Ted (Rose) Thompson, Jr of Mishawaka, Gena (Jeff) Peebles of Mishawaka, and Stacy (Joe) Kronewitter of Clare, MI; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Wilshire of Yorba Linda, CA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and one sister, Maryann Dunlap of Morton Gap, KY. Along with his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his son, James Wilshire; son-in-law, George Peebles; and six sisters and his twin brother. Jim proudly served his country with the United States Air Force for 22 years. He graduated from Indiana University, South Bend in 1986 and then worked for Madison Center as a mental health technician. Jim enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, his dog Millie, telling stories of his early days in the children’s home and long phone calls with his sons. He was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and spent his life showing that love to others. Military graveside services will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.³ He was buried at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.³ He was born on March 31, 1935 at Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^1,3,5 He married Loretta June Reed on August 22, 1959 at Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., West Virginia.¹ James Francis Wilshire married Donna D. Butler on December 31, 1977 at Maine.⁸ James Francis Wilshire married Mae Belle Copp on June 30, 1984 at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.^2,3 James Francis Wilshire and Mae Belle Copp were divorced in May, 1991.² James Francis Wilshire married Violet Marie Stoops on November 27, 1992 at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.² James Francis Wilshire and Violet Marie Stoops were divorced on January 6, 1998.² James Francis Wilshire married Mae Belle Copp on October 8, 1998 at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.² James Francis Wilshire died on December 18, 2021 at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana, at age 86.³

     Loretta June Reed Loretta J. Theobald, age 78, passed away during the early hours of Wednesday morning, October 18th. She was born August 30, 1939 in Grafton, West Virginia to the late Edna K Reed. Loretta spent many years as a homemaker and was married to Joseph C. Theobald, who preceded her in death in 1996. She was also preceded by one son, James Dunn Wilshire, USMC Ret. on November 11, 2003. Loretta is survived by two sons, Jeffrey (Vonda) Wilshire and Robert P. (Alana) Wilshire, both of Apollo Beach, Florida. She is also survived by a sister, Delores Moats of Vermillion, Ohio.² She was born on August 30, 1939 at Grafton, Taylor Co., West Virginia.^1,2 As of August 22, 1959,her married name was Wilshire.¹ She married James Francis Wilshire, son of Robert Isaac Wilshire and Cora Lee Prater, on August 22, 1959 at Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., West Virginia.¹ Loretta June Reed died on October 18, 2017 at Indiana at age 78.²

     Master Sgt. James Dunn Wilshire was buried at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, Riverside Co., California.¹ His Social Security Number was 007-68-0340.⁵ He was born on September 13, 1960 at Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio.^5,6,3,7,8 He married Jana L. Fahrnen on June 12, 1983 at Munich, Germany.⁸ Master Sgt. James Dunn Wilshire and Jana L. Fahrnen were divorced on August 5, 1991 at Spokane Co., Washington.⁸ Master Sgt. James Dunn Wilshire married Bonnie Unknown in 1997.¹ Master Sgt. James Dunn Wilshire died on November 11, 2003 at Baghdad, Iraq, at age 43.^1,5,2,7 He Iraq ambush claims Corona security man. Protector: James D. Wilshire, 43, made a life of helping others. Services are Friday. Corona resident guarded American embassies around the world during a 22-year career with the Marines before he retired in 2001. Once a Marine, always a Marine -- the retired Master Sgt. James Wilshire wanted to stay in the action and face a new challenge. The tax-free income of a civilian security job lured him to the Middle East, where he wanted to help make a secure Iraq. Master Sgt. Wilshire, 43, was shot to death Nov. 11 south of Baghdad when his vehicle was ambushed, according to his family and a co-worker. An Iraqi translater was killed, and his Iraqi bodyguard was injured. He worked in security in Kuwait before joining Erinys International, a South African security company that trained Iraqi guards to protect the country's oil facilities. After celebrating his birthday in Corona in September, he and a co-worker, Bruce Mathis, started the new job in Baghdad to train guards. "We're there to create a better Iraq because that's how the country is going to come out of what it's in now," Mathis said by phone from the Wilshire family home. He described his co-worker as "a highly organized, time management-oriented, family-loving man -- those were the three most important things." Bonnie Wilshire raised her children in Corona and eight years ago turned down dates with the Camp Pendleton Marine for six months. Once they dated, they were inseparable, daughter Vanessa Sephton said by phone. They married in 1997, and she went with him on an 18-month assignment to South Africa. They bought their Corona home three years ago. Master Sgt. Wilshire served with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement and Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medals. He was a native of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his wife and daughter, his survivors include three other daughters, Alexis and Nichole, both of Corona, and Sarah of Colorado; two grandchildren; his father and stepmother, James F. and Mae of Indiana; his mother, Loretta Theobald of Wisconsin; and two brothers, Jeff of Florida and Robert of Texas. Burial services will be at the Riverside National Cemetery amphitheater. on November 20, 2003.¹

     His Social Security Number was 235-03-8949.⁹ Dewey Prater was buried at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^6,7 He was born on June 6, 1901 at Hilltop, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^9,4,5,6,7 He married Olive Lee Lewis on February 22, 1925 at Oak Hill, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^4,6,10 Dewey Prater died on June 5, 1963 at Marion, Marion Co., Ohio, at age 61.^11,6,10,7 He Dewey Prater, 61, of 613 Sugar St. was dead was dead on arrival at General Hospital after being stricken ill about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. He was employed as a laborer by the Marion Power Shovel Co. Born June 6, 1901, in Oak Hill, W. Va., he was a son of James E. and Sara Jane Carr Prater. A Marion resident seven years, he came here from been Prairie, Tex. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Olive L. Lewis Prater; three daughters, Mrs. Coletta Jean Morris of Richmond, Va., Mrs. Lawana June Sides of Grand and Miss Sharon Lee at home; eight grandchildren; a brother, Samuel of Oak Hill, and a sister, Mrs. Cora Wilshire of Fayetteville, W. Va. A daughter preceded him in death. Burial will be in the High Lawn Cemetery at Oak Hill. on June 6, 1963.⁶