Gertrude Zirkle Smith, 85, formerly of Cassity and of Mabie since 1999, where she had made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Eva and Ron Markley, died at 4:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, in Davis Memorial Hospital emergency room. She had been in failing health for the past two years.
Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 4, 1916, in Cassity, a daughter of the late Gordon and Blanche Chewning Zirkle.
On May 22, 1937, she married Delpha E. Smith, who preceded her in death on Sept. 16, 1979.
Surviving are three daughters, Eva Markley and husband, Ronald, Mabie, Virginia M. Cutright and husband, Edward, Belington, and Janice G. Markley, Coalton; three sons, Carol R. Smith, Elkins, Leonard P. Smith and wife, Connie, Rootstown, Ohio, and James D. Smith and wife, Mary, Cassity; two sisters, Leota Metzbower, Baltimore, Md., and Zelda George, Norton; two brothers, Gordon French Zirkle and wife, Eleanor, Coalton, and Clatus Zirkle and wife, Louise, Norton; 25 grandchildren 35 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Doris G. Arnold; two sisters, Lorce Zirkle and Irene Wotring; five brothers, Narl, Ralph, Harley, Ben and Ira “Boots” Zirkle; and four great-grandchildren, James and Sarah Young and two infants, Stephanie and Tiffany Arnold.
Mrs. Smith was a homemaker and a member of Harrison Community Church. She was a Methodist by faith.
Funeral Arrangements: Friends will be received at F.E. Runner Funeral Home Wednesday after 6 p.m. Funeral services will be in the funeral home chapel Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Frank Long, pastor of Mill Creek Memorial Mission Church officiating. Interment will follow in Elkins Memorial Gardens in Elkins.
