Donald Lee “Chicken” Arbogast, 87, a resident of Valley Head, passed from this life Monday, January 6, 2014 at Nella’s Incorporated in Elkins. He had been a resident there for three months and had been in declining heath. Don was born Sunday, December 5, 1926 in Valley Head, a son of the late Myrtle Louk Arbogast and Calvin G. Arbogast, and stepmother Tressa G. Murphy Arbogast. Left to cherish Don’s memory are three brothers, Joe G. Arbogast and wife Diana of Valley Head with whom he resided, John C. Arbogast and wife Edna of Elk Water, and Jim Arbogast and wife Becky of Tuscaloosa, Alabama as well as many nieces and nephews. Closest to him was his nephew Joseph Arbogast and wife Aleisha and their son Drew of Valley Head, nephew Shawn Arbogast and wife Bethany of Elk Water and nephew Steve Arbogast who remained in regular contact with Don from Montgomery, Alabama. Preceding him in death besides his parents were two brothers, Melvin Arbogast and Gerald Ware and three sisters, Ruby Flanagan, Reba Sparks and Gladys Daniels. Don was an avid farmer and raised cattle with his brothers Joe and John. As with all farmers, Don had a sincere compassion for the animals he helped raise and a great love of the land. He was a proud Veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Don had also been employed at the Beckwith Lumber Company and with the WV Department of Highways. Visitation will be held at the Valley Head Methodist Church on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 3:00 PM. The funeral with Reverend Verle Simmons officiating will follow. The inurnment will follow in the Valley Head Cemetery where members of HW Daniels Post #29, American Legion, the Tygart Valley Post #3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the WV Honor Guard will conduct full military honors. A dinner will follow at the Valley Head Methodist Church. To honor Don’s memory donations can be made to the Valley Head Cemetery Fund HC 67 Box 15A Huttonsville, WV 26273.
