James Elroy Fancher 1920-2002 Obituary
Rev. James Elroy Fancher, 81, a resident of 1104 S. Kerens Ave., where he had made his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Pauline “Sue” and Rev. Charles Herron, since 1985, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at 6:40 a.m. in the Davis Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient since Oct. 8. He had been in failing health since suffering a severe stroke.
He was born Oct. 19, 1920, at Leon, N.Y., a son of the late Ralph Dennison and Lula Belle Reed Fancher.
He was thrice married. His first wife, the former Blanche Elizabeth Scott, passed away on Christmas Day in 1970. He then married the former Edna Marie Shiflett, who also preceded him in death. His third wife, the former Orphie Goldsmith, preceded him in death on March 11, 1995.
Rev. Fancher is survived by four daughters, Rev. Miriam Ruth Bass and husband, Rev. Joseph Bass, of Bladenboro, N.C., Grace Elizabeth Dickerhoof and husband, Willard, of Ravenna, Ohio, Esther Mae Brown and husband, R.C., of Statesville, N.C., and the Rev. Pauline “Sue” Herron and husband, Rev. Charles Herron, of Elkins; two sons, Larry James Fancher and wife, Lynn, of Portland, Ore., and Johnny Ray Fancher and wife, Linda, of Elkins; one sister, Laura C. Fancher of Rochester, N.Y.; and one brother, Lowell Fancher of Fillmore, N.Y.
Also surviving are 57 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren that go back to the fifth generation of the Fancher family and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was a daughter, Mary Ann Fancher; a son, David Paul Fancher; a sister, Lillis Mear; a brother, Lester Fancher; and a granddaughter, Faith Ruth Bass.
Rev. Fancher was a veteran having served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from the Houghton Academy in Houghton, N.Y. The building in which he graduated from was named the Fancher Hall after his family.
He worked for White Rubber Company in Ravenna, Ohio. He was a minister for 42 years, having founded and ministered at the Dailey Revival Center from 1961-1966. He also preached at the Brethren Church on the Ward Road and was assistant pastor of the Full Gospel Mission in Ravenna, Ohio. He was a minister at the Our Lord’s House of Prayer in Akron, Ohio.
Friends will be received at F.E. Runner Funeral Home Friday after 6 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted from the Runner Chapel Saturday at 1 p.m. The Rev. Larry Bailey of Philippi will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. State Memorial Gardens. The Tygart Valley Post 3647 VFW and the H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion will conduct full military rites at the gravesite.
James Elroy Fancher 1920-2002 Obituary
