Mr. Robert L. Wharton passed away peacefully on November 15, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. Mr. Wharton was born on September 12, 1921 in Elba, Ohio, to Clarence and Mollie Wharton and was the seventh of eight children. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Wharton and daughter Lisa Wharton, of Buckhannon, West Virginia; brother William Wharton and his wife Mary Wharton of Marietta, Ohio; Nieces: Betty June Huck of Marietta, Ohio: Thurma Thomas of Davenport, Florida; JaneAnn Lutz of Lewis Center, Ohio; Beverly Dennis of Massilon, Ohio, Marilee Walker of Terrace, California, and Sherry Arnoth of Santee, California; Nephews: Jim and Tim McKee of Zanesville, Ohio, Mark Wharton of Marietta, Ohio, Craig Wharton of Crownsville, Maryland, Paul Wharton of Coppell, Texas, Keith Wharton of Hollister, California and Jim Wharton of Miami;, Florida and many great nieces and nephews. Mr. Wharton had worked in the oil and gas industry in West Virginia for the past 60 years. He was the President of R. L. Wharton Enterprises and partner in Ross and Wharton Gas Company. He served as a sergeant in the 169th Engineer Combat Battalion in the United States Army during World War II. During the war, he was a heavy equipment operator in northern Africa and Italy and was involved in several battles including the battles of Po Valley, Naples-fossin, Rome-arno and North Appenines. He was awarded the Theater Ribbon with Four Bronze stars and the Good Conduct Ribbon for his service. Mr. Wharton contributed to many non-profit organizations throughout the community and served on the board of directors of the West Virginia University Hospital and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Buckhannon, the Aurelius Masonic Lodge #308 in Macksburg, Ohio, the Knights Templar of Washington, Pennsylvania, and the Moose Lodge 1344 in Mannington, WV. He enjoyed traveling with a special affection for train travel, loved animals, music and the theater, was a great storyteller and always welcomed friend and visitors. He was a loving a husband, wonderful father and friend to many. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Buckhannon Church of Christ or St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. Friends will be received Monday, November 19, 2012 from 5-9 PM at the Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Tuesday at the funeral home with Evang. Darell Toothman officiating. A graveside service will be held 1 PM Wednesday at the Lower Salem Cemetery in Lower Salem, OH with Roger Rush officiating. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
