Person Page - 2025

     Helen Louise Conner was born on June 16, 1942 at Polemic, Braxton Co., West Virginia.² She died on August 5, 2015 at Ohio at age 73.² She Helen Louise Conner, 73, of Atwater, Ohio, left this earthly home to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. Helen was born to Isham Conner and Irene McLaughlin Conner on June 16, 1942 in Polemic, West Virginia. Helen lived most of her life in Braxton County, West Virginia until moving to Atwater, Ohio in 2012 to be with her brother. She enjoyed embroidery and liked to work in the garden and can the vegetables that it produced. Her father, mother and younger brother Marvin are in Heaven to welcome her home. She is survived by her brother James (Mae) Conner of Atwater, Oh. Surviving also are nephews: Michael (Shanna) Conner, Bryan Conner, Bruce (Michelle) Conner, all of Atwater, Oh., and his niece Tracy (David) Stewart of Deerfield, Oh. Left also are great-nephews: Robert Conner, David Conner, Bruce Conner II, Brandon Stewart and great-nieces: Jamie Stewart and Allison Conner. Family will received friends on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Stockert-Paletti Funeral Home 378 Flatwoods Corner Road, Flatwoods, WV, 26621, from 1-3 p.m. Interment will follow visitation in the Tinney Cemetery in Herold, WV. on August 11, 2015.²

     His Social Security Number was 191-09-4780.⁴ John Branisel was born on October 12, 1893 at Yugoslavia; His WWII Draft Registration card has a birth date of Oct 10, 1893.^4,5 He married Cloe Dorie "Dove" "Frances" Mullens, daughter of John Mullens and Iva May Conner, circa 1920.^1,2,3 John Branisel died in March, 1977 at Pennsylvania at age 83.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 175-14-1866.⁶ John Branisel Jr. was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.² He was born on September 14, 1920 at Richwood, Nicholas Co., West Virginia.^7,6,2,4 He married Rosalind "Rose" Mitchell in 1946 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.³ John Branisel Jr. died on August 1, 1982 at Alameda Co., California, at age 61.^7,2

     Julius Emmell Branisel was buried at Saint Marys Cemetery, Crucible, Greene Co., Pennsylvania.⁵ He was born on May 9, 1922 at Widen, Clay Co., West Virginia; His obit and the SSDI have a birth date of May 19, 1922.^3,6,5 He married Bena J. Juliani on November 27, 1941.^2,5 Julius Emmell Branisel died on December 23, 2012 at Waynesburg, Greene Co., Pennsylvania, at age 90.^6,5 He Julius E. Branisel, 90, of Carmichaels, formerly Nemacolin, died Sunday, December 23, 2012, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg. Mr. Branisel was born May 19, 1922, in Core, W.Va., a son of the late John and Ivy Mullen Branisel. On November 27, 1941, he married Bena Julian, who died in 2004. Mr. Branisel is survived by three daughters, Frances "Janie" Kowalewski (Henry) of Marengo, Ohio, Donna Oplinger of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Darlene Micozzi (Albert "Butch") of Carmichaels; nine grandchildren, Angela Plavi, Henry Allen and Anthony (Tony) Kowaleswki, Kimberly Hipps, Jeanine Stillion, Heather Oplinger and David, Jason and Christopher Whipkey; 16 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Virginia Griffith and Betty Fast. A brother, John, and a son-in-law, Leslie C. Oplinger, also are deceased. Mr. Branisel worked as a coal miner at Nemacolin Mine for 20 years; he retired as a foreman from Consol's Blacksville Mine. He was a member of United Mine Workers of America. He was a member of St. Hugh Church in Carmichaels and Knights of Columbus. Mr. Branisel enjoyed fishing and camping in his younger days. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Paul M. Lesako Funeral Home Inc., 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels. A prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 28, in the funeral home, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Hugh Roman Catholic Church, Carmichaels, with the Rev. John Bauer as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Crucible. on December 27, 2012.⁵

     Bena J. Juliani was buried at Saint Marys Cemetery, Crucible, Greene Co., Pennsylvania.¹ She was born on October 22, 1922 at Monongahela, Washington Co., Pennsylvania.¹ As of November 27, 1941,her married name was Branisel.¹ She married Julius Emmell Branisel, son of John Branisel and Cloe Dorie "Dove" "Frances" Mullens, on November 27, 1941.^1,2 Bena J. Juliani died on March 19, 2004 at Masontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania, at age 81.¹ She Bena J. Juliani Branisel, 81, of Carmichaels, Pa., died at 6:45 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2004, in Cloverdale Personal Care Home, Masontown, Pa. She was born October 22, 1922, in Monongahela, Pa., daughter of Nicholas Juliani and Gemma (Kelli) Juliana. Mrs. Branisel was a member of Saint Hugh Roman Catholic Church in Carmichaels and Catholic Daughters of America. On November 27, 1941, she married Julius E. Branisel, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters: Frances "Janie" Kowalewski and husband Henry of Westerville, Ohio, Donna Oplinger and husband Leslie and Darlene Micozzi and husband Butch all of Carmichaels, Pa; nine grandchildren: Angela Plavi, Henry Allen Kowalewski, Anthony "Tony" Kowalewski, Kimberly Hipps, Jeanine Stillion, Heather Oplinger, David Whipkey, Jason Whipkey, Christopher Whipkey; 12 great grandchildren; and a sister, Dena Juliani Reale of New Eagle, Pa. She was predeceased by three brothers, Deno, Beno and Leno Juliani, sisters, Rena Augustine and Lena Evangelista, and parents. Friends will be received in the PAUL MICHAEL LESAKO FUNERAL HOME INC., Paul M. Lesako, Funeral Director, 204 Dowlin Avenue, Carmichaels, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. where a Prayer Service will be held Monday, March 22, at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. in Saint Hugh Roman Catholic Church, Carmichaels, with Rev. Fr. John Bauer as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, Crucible, Pa. Parish Wake Service will be held in the Funeral Home today at 3 p.m. Visitation was also held Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 22, 2004.¹

     Thomas Coleman "Tom" Newman was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 231-64-8053.⁷ He was born on December 5, 1946 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,5,8,7 He married Judy Elaine "Judith" Whitlock, daughter of Eldridge Lincoln Whitlock and Nettie Marie Lorraine DeWeese, on March 14, 1969 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2 Thomas Coleman "Tom" Newman died on July 12, 2009 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 62.^3,4,7,8,6 He Surrounded by those who loved him most, Thomas Coleman Newman lost his battle with cancer on July 12, 2009, at age 62. He served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam. Tom was also a member of First Church of the Brethren. He was an avid race fan and enjoyed his part in the Roanoke Valley Shag Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Newman Jr. and Inez C. Newman; and two brothers, Robert H. Newman III and William Gray Newman. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Judy Newman; daughter and son-in-law, Leigh Ann Odenwelder and husband, Rob; son, Jason Newman; special granddaughter, Megan Odenwelder; very special nieces and nephews; two brothers-in-law, Ronald Whitlock and wife, Margaret and Jim Whitlock; and a special sister-in-law, Dr. Ann Newman. The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Daniel Temeles and the 10th floor Oncology nurses of Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Inurnment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. on July 14, 2009.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 230-38-0359.⁹ Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Sr. was buried at Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery, intersection of Rt. 643 & Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia; His tombstone reads "Pfc US Army WWI."^10,11,5,12,6 He was born on February 27, 1894 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^{2,3,9,10,11,5,12,7,8} He married Tillie Haven Shockey, daughter of Giles William Shockey and Mary Geraldine King, on November 18, 1920 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,4 Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Sr. died on May 23, 1976 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 82.^{10,11,5,12,6,7} He Charlie Lee Bowles, age 82, of Rt. 1, passed away Sunday morning. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Tillie S. Bowles; two sons, Leo Bowles, Bent Mountain; Charlie Lee Bowles, Jr., Boones Mill; two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Hylton, Flora, Indiana; Mrs. Betty Austin, Martinsville; four brothers, Paul, Johnnie and Odie Bowles, all of Boones Mill; Woodrow Bowles, Callaway; also 3 grandchildren, Margaret Bowles, Leola Smith and Rodney Bowles. Interment will follow in Fairmount Baptist Church Cemetery. on May 24, 1976.⁶

     Mary Mabel Elizabeth Bowles was buried at Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery, intersection of Rt. 643 & Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia.¹⁰ She was born on June 20, 1923 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,4,10,6 As of December 14, 1946,her married name was Altice.³ She married Henry Wesley Altice on December 14, 1946 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,5 Mary Mabel Elizabeth Bowles died on October 2, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 28.^10,5,6 She Mrs. Mary Mabel Bowles Altice, 28, of 1707 Church Ave., S.E., died yesterday morning in Memorial and Crippled Childrens Hospital. Surviving are: her husband, Henry W. Altice, Roanoke; four stepchildren, Ralph E. Altice, Roanoke; Ruby C. Altice, Roanoke; Remona L. Altice, Roanoke; and Rachel E. Altice, Roanoke; and two brothers, Charlie L. Bowles, Jr., Franklin County; and Leo M. Bowles, Copper Hill. on October 3, 1951.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 224-09-0016.⁶ Henry Wesley Altice was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,7,5 He was born on November 11, 1913 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Mary Mabel Elizabeth Bowles, daughter of Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Sr. and Tillie Haven Shockey, on December 14, 1946 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,8 Henry Wesley Altice died on April 14, 1982 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 68.^2,3,7,5,9 He Henry Wesley Altice, age 68, of 1219 Dale Ave., S.E., died Wednesday in a Salem hospital. Mr. Altice is survived by his wife, Mabel Altice; two daughters, Mrs. Remona Owens, Rachel Webb, both of Roanoke; one brother, Joseph B. Altice, Chesapeake; one sister, Mrs. Walter (Marie) Trent, Troutville; also 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Interment in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. on April 15, 1982.⁷

     Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Jr. was buried at Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery, intersection of Rt. 643 & Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia; His tombstone reads "Cpl US Army Korea."^2,6,7,8,9 His Social Security Number was 226-40-4858.¹⁵ He was born on March 25, 1933 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^{2,5,6,7,8,10,15,11} He married Judy Ann Kessler on March 24, 1956 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,4 Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Jr. died on October 28, 1980 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 47; Died in a tractor accident.^2,6,7,8,9,10 He Charlie Lee Bowles, Jr., age 47, of Rt. 1, passed away Tuesday night. Surviving are his wife, Judy K. Bowles; one son, Rodney Lee Bowles, Boones Mill; his daughter-in-law, Janice W. Bowles, Boones Mill; his mother, Mrs. Tillie Bowles, Bent Mountain; one brother, Leo Bowles, Bent Mountain. Funeral service will be conducted Friday in the Fairmount Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. on October 30, 1980.⁹

     Leo Merrit Bowles was born on October 17, 1921 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,5,6 He married Viva Pauline Stump on November 21, 1947 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3 Leo Merrit Bowles died on January 6, 2016 at Virginia at age 94.² He After a long and faithful life, Leo Merrit Bowles, 94, of Bent Mountain, Va., was called home by the Lord on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Leo was born on October 17, 1921, in Callaway, Va., where he learned how to farm. During World War II, Leo served as a staff sergeant in the 319th Regiment, 80th Division, and received a bronze star for meritorious bravery in combat. After returning home, he worked for Salem Frame and Rowe Furniture companies for 29 years, and farmed at home his whole life. Leo was known for the great love he had for his family, for sharing his farm's harvest with friends and neighbors, and for sharing clean jokes and good stories. He was a founder of the Bent Mountain Fire Department and lifetime member. He attended Mount Union Church of the Brethren for nearly 70 years. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Lee Bowles Sr. and Tillie Shockey Bowles; his brother, Charlie Bowles Jr; sister, Mary B. Altice; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cleophas and Junie Stump; and brother-in-law, Alvin Stump. Leo is survived by his wife of 68 years, Viva Stump Bowles; his daughters, Margaret B. Shepherd (Les) and Leola Gail Hoback (Isaac Holden); his grandchildren, Tara Shepherd, Whitney Hoback (Nick Samuels), Kelly Malloch (Zach), and Brian Hoback; great-grandchildren, Hayleigh Samuels, and Drake, Scarlett and Deacan Malloch; friend and caretaker, Kim Whitlock; and special cousins, William and Janet Bowles. on January 9, 2016.²

     Viva Pauline Stump was born on July 7, 1922 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of November 21, 1947,her married name was Bowles.² She married Leo Merrit Bowles, son of Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Sr. and Tillie Haven Shockey, on November 21, 1947 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,2

     Judy Ann Kessler was buried at Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery, intersection of Rt. 643 & Rt. 739, Franklin Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on October 17, 1934 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of March 24, 1956,her married name was Bowles.² She married Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Jr., son of Charles Lee "Charlie" Bowles Sr. and Tillie Haven Shockey, on March 24, 1956 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^5,2 Judy Ann Kessler died on September 23, 2019 at Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 84.¹ She Judy Kessler Bowles, 84, of Boones Mill, Va., died Monday, September 23, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Lee Bowles Jr. on September 26, 2019.¹