LEWIS JAMES “LOU” FORTNEY, age 55 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Saturday afternoon, April 6, 2013 at his home. He had been in in his usual health and death was attributed to cardiac arrest.
He was born Monday, July 29, 1957 at Elkins, WV a son of the late Fredrick Dow and Winiferd Venora Harris Fortney. On January 2, 1993, at Elkins, WV he was married to the former Debra Ellen Stalnaker, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Melissa Anne Rowan and husband Steve, of Morgantown; Marcia Denise Myers and husband Toby, of Elkins; two brothers, Loren Dow Fortney and wife Anita; Lynn Fredrick Fortney, all of Elkins; two sisters, Linda Kay Ferguson; Lenora “Pug” Channell and husband Nick, all of Elkins; four grandchildren, Emily; Jeremiah, Talia; and Christa and special in laws, Bruce and Eva Stalnaker, Elkins.
Preceding him in death are one brother, Larry Fortney; one brother in law, Thomas Lynn Ferguson; and one sister in law, Betty Ware Fortney.
He was a graduate of Elkins High School with the Class of 1975. He worked for various IGA grocery stores as a Manager, was a Meat Cutter by trade, owned and operated Lou’s Gas Station at Gilman and retired from the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. In his 20’s and 30’s, he played on many softball and basketball teams. He was a member of the Elkins Lodge # 1135, B.P.O.E., he very much enjoyed golfing, and he faithfully worked out at the YMCA. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men where he helped prepare many meals for the church, and always helped the Women of the Church with the annual Bazaar. He was a noted jokester, and lived for his family and grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday. On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, Mr. Fortney will be moved to the First United Methodist Church at Elkins where final rites will be conducted at 1:30 PM. The casket will remain closed in the church. The Rev. Barry R. Moll will officiate and interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman, WV. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
