Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 6, 1994                   TAG: 9503240012
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BALARZS, Ernest, 71, of 115 Orchard Drive, Narrows, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 1994, in the Giles Memorial Hospital, Pearisburg, Va., after a long illness. He was a graduate of Concord College, Athens, W.Va. He did graduate work and received his Master's Degree from Long Beach State in California. He was a veteran of World War II and was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and served in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded twice and received the Purple Heart, two bronze stars and various ribbons. He was a former part owner of ``The Web'' which was a restaurant and truck stop in Narrows. He left Narrows in 1959 and worked for Martin-Marietta Corporation at Vandenburg Air Force Base in Vandenburg, Calif., on the placement of underground Titan missiles. Moving to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in 1965, he was instrumental in the development of the Space Shuttle from mock up to completion with NASA. Relocating with the Army Civil Service to Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, he worked on weapons systems doing extensive work on the multiple launch rocket system and the hawk system that was used successfully in Desert Storm. He always returned to Virginia yearly for Trout fishing on Big Stoney Creek, so he chose to move back to his favorite place in the world for the last two years of his life. He was born in Everettsville, West Va., on March 27, 1923 and was the son of the late Sigmond and Barbara Bodnar Balarzs. He grew up with seven brothers and sisters in Powhatan Point, Ohio. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Rene' Balarzs in 1984. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Kinney Balarzs, and an adopted grandson, Aaron Cody Balarzs, both of Narrows; two brothers, Bill Balarzs, Narrows and Fred Balarzs, Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Gizella Fazekas, Cleveland, Ohio and Barbara B. Evans, Richmond. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Riffe's Funeral Chapel in Narrows with the Rev. Ralph Kidd officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg, Va., with graveside rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post #6000 of Narrows, Va. The family wil l receive friends at Riffe's in Narrows, Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.

GALLAGHER, Mary Ellen, 88, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, May 4, 1994, in a local hospital. She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick B. and Bridgett Gallagher; two brothers, Daniel and Francis Gallagher. Surviving are a sister-in-law, Pluma Gallagher, Roanoke; many other friends and relatives. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Monday in St. Andrews Diocesan Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

GRUBB, Mary Elizabeth, 18, of New River, died May 4, 1994. She was the daughter of James Allen Grubb and Beverly Casey Grubb. She was a graduate of Pulaski County High School 1993. She was a member of First Missonary Baptist Church, New River. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Gladwynn Casey and Janie P. Smith. Also surviving are one brother, Randy Llewellyn Grubb, New River; grandparents, Elizabeth M. Casey, New River, Mary F. Grubb, Wytheville, Harry Smith Jr., Wytheville; great-grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. James Manns Sr.; special friends, Lyle L. Morton, Radford, Janel L. Sheffey, Radford. Funeral services will be held at First Missonary Baptist Church Sunday, 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ronald E. Brown and the Rev. Lyle E. Morton officiating. Burial at Sunrise Cemetery. The family will receive friends at First Missonary Baptist Church, New River, Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by Claytor-Dean Funeral Home, Radford.

HAMM, Robert Ancil, 64, of Galax, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel.

HARRIS, Henry R., (Hank), 61, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Tuesday, May 3,1994. Graveside services 5 p.m. Saturday, Green Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service, Buena Vista.

HARRISON, Lula A., of Roanoke died Monday, May 2, 1994, at Raleigh Court Health Care Center. Surviving are one daughter, Anita L. Burnett, Roanoke; grandson and wife, Abram D. and Pennie Burnett, New Cumberland, Penn.; also three great-grandsons. Graveside services will be conducted at noon Saturday, May 7, 1994, East Hill Cemetery, Salem with the Rev. David W. Peterson officiating. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

HARRISON, Robert Henry, 68, of Dublin, passed away Thursday, May 5, 1994 at the Mountain Home Veterans Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in both the Army and Navy. He was a retired employee of Hercules, with 25 years of service. Survivors include one daughter, Ms. Diane H. Lytton, Christiansburg; one sister, Mrs. Audrey Orren, R adford; two half sisters, Mrs. Elsie Forbes and Mrs. Annie Robinson, Dublin; two grandchildren, Cynthia Lytton and Victoria Lytton; three stepsons, Sam and Rob Riffey, both of Woodlawn, and Ron Williams, Marietta, Ga. Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 7, 1994 at 2 p.m. in the Hickman Cemetery in Pulaski County, with the Rev. Enos Griffith officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home

HOWERY, Ada D., 88, of Blacksburg, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.

JONES, William Howard, 79, of Rt. l, Mouth of Wilson, the Pine Branch Community, passed away Thursday, May 5, 1994 at his home. He was born August 24, 1914 in the Major Community of Grayson County to William Rush and Rosa Delana Sparks Jones. He was a retired machinist at Washington Mills, Fries, Va. and a self-employed farmer. He was a member of Pine Branch Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, William David Jones. Surviving are his wife of sixty-two years, Lena Carrico Jones, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruby and Jim Worley, Woodbridge, Donna and Charles F. Austin, Independence; three sisters, Georgie Anderson, Mouth of Wilson, Lillian Hash, Madeline Hash, both of Galax; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 1994 in the Reins- Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel, Independence, with the Rev. Ford Phillips and the Rev. Eddie Patton officiating. Interment in Pine Branch Cemetery. The body will remain at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, there will be no visitation at the funeral home Friday night. Friends may call at the funeral home during the day Friday and Saturday, or at the home at anytime. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, is in charge of arrangements.

KENT, Thomas William, (Tom), 79 of Roanoke, died Thursday, May 5, 1994 in a local hospital. He was a member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church and was a retired Terminal Manager for the Mason-Dixon Lines. Surviving are his wife, Mary Elizabeth Kent; five step children, Robert H. Graybill and wife Delores, Salisbury, Md., Ann G. Woodson and husband Rick, Brenda G. Mitchell and husband Richard all of Roanoke; William P. Graybill, Dade City, Fla., Mary Beth Rosenberger, Roanoke; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday at Oakey's North Chapel by Dr. Alton M. Washington. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, at Oakey's North Chapel.

McCLOUD, Gladys Porter, 81, of Rt. 1, Ivanhoe, died Tuesday, May 3, 1994, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She was born in Wythe County, a daughter of the late James Orville and Margaret ``Maggie'' Rebecca Bralley Porter. She was a very hard worker and a faithful devout christian. She loved her family and friends and was willing to lend a helping hand to others. She was a kind, gentle lady, and was with her husband, William J.B. ``Bill'' McCloud, for 53 years, who preceded her in death. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Cloyd (Patricia McCloud) Arnold, of Nashville, Tenn., Lana Lou McCloud, of Roanoke; seve n grandchildren, Michelle A. Gossard, Victoria Arnold, Shana Arnold and Jerry Holt, Tiffany Arnold, Keith Arnold, Lance Arnold, Chad Arnold; three great-grandchildren, Zane Gossard, Zachary Holt, Logan Holt; one sister, Magdeline Porter Crockett, of Ivanhoe; nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 1994, at 1 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Alex Gravely and the Rev. Earnest Chinault officiating. Interment will follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

MILLER, Ruth Fields, 58, of Rt. 1, Kimberling, in Bland, formerly of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 1994 after a long illness. She was born in Bland County, the daughter of the late David Clint and Alverta Cox Fields. She was a member of the Bastian Union Church and was preceded in death by a brother, Earl C. Fields. She is survived by her devoted husband, Vaden H. Miller; daughter, Cheryl A. Miller, Bland; sons and daughter-in-law, Norman Miller, Oilville, Eric S. and Jane Miller, Montvale; four grandchildren, Michelle Sutliff, Frederick Payne, Kristen Miller, Christopher Miller; one great-granddaughter, Devin Sutliff; one sister, Mrs. James H. (Wanda) Miller; one brother, David C. `` D.C."" Fields Jr., both of Ceres. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 7, 1994 at 11 a.m. in the Barnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. David Wall officiating. Interment will follow in the Morning Star Cemetery in Bland. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Bland Rescue Squad or to the Wythe-Bland Hospice. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of arrangements.

OWEN, Hurst, Jr., 34, born in Pulaski, VA, was the son of the late Hurst Owen and Margaret Clark Owen. He attended V.P.I., Blacksburg, VA, Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va., and N.C. State University, Raleigh, N.C. A veteran of World War II, U.S. Army, stationed i n Germany. He was a member of First Baptist Church, past president of Executive Club, Friends of the College and the English Speaking Union, a former member of the Rotary Club, a member of the Carolina Country Club, as well as being in other civic organizations. He retired in 1974 as Vice-President Comptroller of Norfolk Southern Rwy., Raleigh, N.C. Surviving are his wife, Mary (Nell) Rickman Owen; a daughter, Kay Sears and her husband, James T. Sears of Richmond, Va; a step-daughter, Carolyn Stratton Forlines of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandsons, James Hurst Sears of Colonial Heights, Va., Matthew Thomas Sears, Richmond, Va; step-grandsons, William Rickman Forlines and Edwin Ray Forlines, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Va; a step-granddaughter, Susan Tuck Forlines; two great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Rowe and her husband, John H. Rowe, Roanoke, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a favorite charity. Memorial services will be held 10 am Saturday, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, St. Mary's St. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va. at 3 pm Saturday.

PAISLEY, Donald Conner, 63, of Blacksburg, died Wednesday, May 4, 1994, at Lewis-Gale Hospital. Having retired in 1987 from the Brunswick Corporation, he continued to serve as a consultant for the Defence Division of Brunswick in Marion, Va. Preceded in death by his father, Hillary W. Paisley, and his brother, Ted, he is survived by his wife, Ann G. ``Penny'' Paisley; two sons and a daughter-in-law, David and Laurie Paisley, Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen Paisley, Blacksburg; two grandchildren, Courtney Ann and Michael David; his mother, Elen B. Paisley, Christiansburg; one brother, Lewis Paisley, Rocky Mount; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Eugene Wilson, Newport News; several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be noon Saturday, May 7, 1994, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Hal Eaton. In lieu of flowe rs, the family requests memorials be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Rockville, Md. Arrangements are being handled by the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg.

PLASTER, Elva Gilbert, 80, of Collinsville, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Graveside services 11 a.m. Saturday, Roselawn Burial Park, Martinsville. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.

QUESENBERRY, Bevalene Phillips, 75, of Indian Valley passed away Thursday, May 5, 1994. Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd.

QUESENBERRY, Bevalene Phillips, 75, of Indian Valley, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Thursday, May 5, 1994 at Radford Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, McKinely and LuVenia Phillips, two brothers, Marvin and Roscoe Phillips, three great-grandchildren, Misty Jo Cox, Cindy and Sandy Quesenberry. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Evelyn Quesenberry Phillips, Willis, Mary Helen and Rev. Vinton Quesenberry, Indian Valley; granddaughters and husbands, Vicki and Danny Belcher, Becky and Lloyd Cox, both of Willis; grandsons and wives, Andrew Phillips, Willis, Douglas and Carm Quesenberry, Darryl and Lisa Quesenberry, both of Friendsville, Tenn., Danny and Rhonda Quesenberry, Mascot, Tenn., Duane and Valorie Quesenberry, Cincinnati, Ohio; nine great-grandchildren. Fune ral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd with Elder George Flippin officiating. Burial will be in the Layman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Maberry Funeral Home.

RAKES, Enos, 70, of Narrows, died Thursday, May 5,1994 at his residence. He was born at Clintwood, Va. on July 21, 1923 and was the son of the late Robert Charlie and Lillie Mae Mullins Rakes. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U. S. Army. He is survived by a son, Coy L. Rakes, Narrows; a brother, Marvin Rakes, Green Cove Springs, Fla.; a grandson, Duane Rakes, Narrows; and a great-granddaughter, Shanna Marie Rakes, Narrows. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Riffe's Funeral Chapel in Narrows, with the Rev. Jack E. Musick officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg. Graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Post of Giles County.

RAMSEY, D. Woodson Jr., of Sydnorsville, died January 23, 1994, in Delray Beach, Fla. Memorial services 11 a.m. Sunday, May 8, Antrim Chapel, Roanoke College. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.

SIGMON, Erma Moran, of Roanoke, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Funeral services 11:30 a.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel.

VANCE, Mattie Wilson, 73, of Thaxton, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Graveside service 2 p.m. Saturday at Maple Wood Cemetery. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

WOOD, Lloyd Lee, 61, of Buchanan, died Wednesday, May 4, 1994. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and is survived by his wife, Betty Louise Wood; four daughters, Deborah Simpson of Fincastle, Sandra Montgomery of Eagle Rock, Kathy Young of Natural Bridge Station, Annette Clark of Fincastle; one brother, Alvin A. Carrol of Milwaukee, Wis. ; six sisters, Elise J. Church of Santa Cruz, Calif., Fontella W. Spratley of Garner, N.C., Vivian M. Morris of Ivy, Jessica Breeden of Charlottesville, Gertrude Oliveras of Newport News, Alise Bryant of Grand Junction, Colo.; six granddaughters; one grandson. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 6, 1994, 11 a.m. at the Rader Buchanan Chapel with the Rev. Mike Woody and the Rev. Stephen Creech officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home