Bruce Stalnaker, Jr., age 83 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Saturday morning, May 25, 2013 at the Valentine Personal Care Home at Elkins, WV. He had been in declining health for the past two years and death was attributed to cancer.
He was born Monday, July 1, 1929 at Dailey, WV a son of the late Bruce Stalnaker, Sr., and Hilda Daniels Stalnaker. On February 2, 1954 at Oakland, MD he was married to the former Eva Manolidis, who survives. Also surviving are one daughter, Debra Ellen Fortney, of Elkins; two brothers, Roy F. Stalnaker and wife Margaret, of Elkins; Gerald L. “Jerry” Stalnaker, of East Dailey; one sister, Barbara “Bobbie” Hinkle and husband Charlie, of East Dailey; two grandchildren, Melissa Anne Rowan and husband Steve, of Morgantown; Marcia Denise Myers and husband Toby, of Elkins; four great grandchildren, Emily; Jeremiah; Talia; and Christa and two sisters in law, Sharon Snyder Stalnaker, of FL; Opal Manolidis Menear, of Bridgeport.
Preceding him in death is one son in law, Lewis James “Lou” Fortney;
He was a graduate of Beverly High School with the Class of 1947, where he was a member of the basketball squad. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and had worked as the Airport Manager at the Elkins – Randolph County Airport for many years and later as an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA at the Elkins Airport from which he retired. He was a member of the Beverly High School Alumni Association, the Elkins Lodge # 1135, B.P.O.E., the Senior Golf League, the Elkins – Randolph County Senior Center, the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29, American Legion, the Board of Directors for Land of Canaan, the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels, the First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Men. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed West Virginia University Basketball and Football.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 7:30 PM, Thursday, May 30, 2013. On Thursday at 7:30 PM a funeral service will be held with the Rev. Barry R. Moll officiating. Cremation will follow. A graveside service will be held, Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM at the American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery at Cravensdale, WV, where the H. W. Daniel’s Post # 29 American Legion will present the American Flag. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Elkins Randolph County Library, 416 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241; the Backpack Program, in care of First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241; or to the Randolph County Humane Society, P. O. Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241.
