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

DATE: FRIDAY, January 6, 1995                   TAG: 9509220017
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BERRY, Melvin Ardine, 79, of Bassett, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday in the Collins Funeral Chapel, Bassett.

BORASKI, Stanley B., 75, of Maplewood Drive, Charlton, N.Y., died January 4, 1995. Born in Schenectady on August 20, 1919, he was the son of the late Steve Boraski and Josephine Cerwinski Boraski. He was employed at the General Electric Company for over 40 years, serving from the plant in Roanoke, Va.(1956-65), two years in Saudi Arabia (1978-79), retiring in 1983 as logistics manager in the G E Power Systems Office in Schenectady. A World War II Army Veteran, he served in the 1340th Army-Air Force; Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations, and China-Burma-India Theatre (CBI).He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge. He married the former Stella Trojan on June 13, 1943. A communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville, Mr. Boraski was involved deeply with the CBI(China-Burma-India) Albany Basha. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 201, Schenectady and member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Stella Trojan Boraski, Charlton, N.Y.; one son, Stephen J. Boraski, Roanoke; daughter, Sharon A. Helm, Bluegrass, Iowa; sister, Helen Smith, Clearwater, Fla.; four grandchildren; one great-grandson. Funeral Saturday, 9:15 a.m., from Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial,10 a.m., Church of the Immaculate Conception. Visitation 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial in St. Anthony's Cemetery. Contributions may be made, in Stan's name, to either the Church of Immaculate Conception (Glenville), or to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 778 Eastern Ave., Schenectady, N.Y., 12308.

BRANCH, Gardenia Alford (``Deanie""), 59, of Natural Bridge Station, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, at home. Mrs. Branch was born January 27, 1935, in Rockbridge County a daughter of Ermine Hunt Alford and the late Arthur Monroe Alford. She was a member of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church and worked 27 years in the Rockbridge County School System as a bus driver. She was also a member of the Lexington Women of the Moo se. Mrs. Branch was preceded in death by a brother, Henry M. Alford and a sister, Norma Jean Flint. Surviving in addition to her mother is her husband, Jerry M. Branch, Natural Bridge Station; six daughters, Joyce Tomlin, Buena Vista, Wanda Rogers, Natural Bridge Station, Patsy Wines, Glasgow, Carol Martin, Lexington, Connie Beverly, Buena Vista, Bonnie Clark, Buena Vista; two sons, Michael Wines, Glasgow, Scott Wines, Glasgow; four stepsons, Jerry Lynn Branch, Lexington, Kevin Branch, Buena Vista, Franklin Branch, Buena Vista, Gregory Branch, Buena Vista; one sister, Paula A. Neil, Glasgow; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 1995, at the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jessie Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial donations should be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, Va. 24450 or the Glasgow First Aid Crew. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. Friday at the Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington.

BURCHETTE, Mary Mabe, 70, of Ivanhoe, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 1995, Grubb Funeral Home Chapel, Wytheville.

BURKS, Natasha Leigh, 9, of Clifton Forge, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995 .Graveside service 11 a.m. Saturday, Red Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

COCHRAN, Norman Wesley, 59, of Salem, died Thursday, January 5, 1995. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son, Salem.

CRAIGHEAD, Earsie Faye 75, of Roanoke, died Thursday, January 5, 1995. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, George D. Craighead; six sons, Dennis L. Craighead, G. Arthur Craighead, David O. Craighead, Dewey E. Craighead, Carless E. Craighead, Bobby R. Craighead; six daughters, Earsie C. Proctor, Donna C. Church, Kathy C. Maddox, Deborah C. Fontaine, Mary C. Jefferson, Susan C. Huffman; one sister, Madgline Irwin; one brother, Jay Bowling; 32 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bible Baptist Church by the Rev. Jeff Gardner, with burial to follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

FLETCHER, William B., 72, of Harrisonburg, former resident of Waynesboro, died Thursday, January 5, 1995 at the Sunnyside Health Care Facility. He was born at Pampa, Va. on March 31, 1922, a son of Robert W. and Myrtle Fletcher. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Constance Fletcher, and a son, Michael A. Fletcher. He is survived by his won, Frank M. Fletcher, Waynesboro; one sister, Alice New, Richmond; one brother, Herman S. Fletcher, Newport News; four grandchildren, Allison Fletcher and Eric Fletcher, Waynesboro, Adam and Emily Fletcher, Knoxville, Tenn.; and his mother-in-law, Kathleen R. Smyth, Radford. A graveside service will be held at Augusta Memorial park, Waynesboro, Va., at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 1995. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Lung Association, P. O.Box 2517, Richmond, Va. 23260-5177. Arrangements by McDow Funeral Home, Inc.

FULCHER, John S., 84, of Hillsville, a retired banker, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995, at Twin County Regional Hospital, Galax, Va. He was born April 13, 1910, the son of the late William Spencer Fulcher and Annie Cruise Fulcher. Mr. Fulcher, a Hillsville native, began his banking career in 1929 in The Citizens Bank of Carroll, and except for periods of employment in banks in West Virginia, First National Bank in Norton, Va. and Peoples National Bank in Pulaski, Va., he has been with the successors of the bank where he was initially employed. Returning to the Carroll County Bank in 1945, he instituted modern banking, which benefitted both the bank and the people of Hillsville and Carroll County. He was a leading promoter of the business and industrial growth of the area. Mr. Fulcher served as Vice President and cashier of the bank until 1955, when he was elected President, a position he held until the bank merged with Virginia National Bank. He retired in 1975 after 45 years of banking. After retiring, he served as Chairman of The Advisory Board of Virginia National Bank. Mr. Fulcher was active in different banking organizations. He served as Chairman of Group V of the Virginia Bankers Association and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Bankers Association. he served two terms as State Vice-President of the American Bankers Association. He was a past President of the Rotary Club of Hillsville and a member of the Blue Ridge Country Club. He was an elder in the Hillsville Presbyterian Church and a past moderator of The Abingdon Presbytery. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ella DeHaven Fulcher; two daughters and son-in-law, Mary Fulcher Hulen and Elmer Hulen, Potomac, Md., Nancy Fulcher Riva Palacio., Raleigh, N.C.; two sisters, Sudie Welch, Mt. Airy, N. C. and Georgia Shunk, Mt. Airy, N. C.; four grandchild ren, Natalie Hulen Diana, Sarah Hulen Eckard, Anne Hulen and Henry John Riva Palacio; and two great-grandchildren, John Spencer Diana and William Edwards Diana. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 1995, 2 p.m. at the Hillsville Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. James Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery, Hillsville. Mr. Fulcher will be placed in the church Friday afternoon, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, is in charge of arrangements.

GIVENS, Helen Farrier, 67, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, in Roanoke Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Miss Givens was born in Pearisburg on February 27, 1928, and was a daughter of the late John H. Givens Sr. and Winnie Johnston Givens. She was a retired nurse at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She is survived by three sisters and brothers-in-law, Mildred and Chapman I. Johnston, Bluefield, W.Va., Anna Lee and Ferrell (``Snag"") Williams, Pearisburg, Jean G. Owen, Virginia Beach; one brother and sister-in-law, John H. and Perk Givens, Pearisburg; special nephews and niece. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday,

January 7, 1995, at 2 p.m. in the Given Funeral Chapel, Pearisburg, with the Rev. Freddrick Long and Rev. Judy Long officiating with interment in Birchlawn Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home, Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

HOBACK, Hattie Victoria Bowels, 77, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Dorothy and Alfred Dillon of Roanoke; son, Curtis Hoback of Roanoke; also four grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, January 6, 1995, at Sherwood Memorial Park Chapel. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem.

HORNE, Clara Agnes Huffman 81, of Troutville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 5, 1995. She was a lifetime member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and she was preceded in death by beloved husband, Norman H. Horne and step son, Harlan Horne. Survivors include, her step children, Norman Ryland and Connie Horne, Troutville, Sheldon W. and Mary Horne, Fincastle, Maynard D. and Georgia Horne, Vinton, Gerald ""Chipper"" and Patricia Horne, Roanoke, Dreama H. Shelton, Blue Ridge, Doreene and Will Cundiff, Hardy, Joyce and David Goad, Troutville; one brother, Leo W. Huffman, Troutville; three sisters, Lillie Haymaker, Troutville, Stella Gusler, Roanoke, Mamie Tinnell, Salem; 24 step grandchildren; 17 step great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 1995, at 11 a.m. in Rader Troutville Chapel with the Rev. Bob Hutchins officiating. Interment will follo w in the Mt. Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home, Troutville.

HOTCHKISS, Isabel Thompson, 70, of Savannah, Ga., died Wednesday, January 4, 1994. She was a native of Front Royal, Va., and former resident of Blacksburg and Piney River, Va. She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Hotchkiss; a daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Michael Garrett, Pooler, Ga.; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Connie Hotchkiss, Hilton Head, S.C.; three grandchildren, Michael and Erin Garrett, Dustin Hotchkiss; sisters, Lillie Bailey, Rockville, Md., Verna Weaver, Saratoga, Calif.; a brother, Charles Thompson, Hawthorne, N.J.

JACKSON, Lawrence E. ( ""Balday""), 41, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995, in Asbury Park, N. J., formerly of Bedford. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 7, 1995, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bedford Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Fairmont Cemetery, Bedford. Family will receive friends at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Ethel Crenshaw, 618 East Federal Street, Bedford. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.

KINSLEY, Helen Southern, 69, of Route 1, Goodview, passed away Thursday, January 5, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

LAWSON, Benjamin Lloyd Sr., (``Benny""), 89, of Pulaski County, formerly of Washington, D.C., passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

McROBERTS, Walter Dewey Sr. 89, of Ivanhoe, died Wedesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Saturday, Liberty Hill Pentecoastal Holiness Church, Wythe Co. Arrangements by Reese Funeral Home, Austinville.

MERCHANT, Richard Lewis, 83, of Lexington, formerly of Route 3, Moores Creek, Lexington, died peacefully in a local hospital on Wednesday, January 4, 1995. He was born on February 17, 1911, in Rockbridge County, a son of the late Richard Isaiah Merchant and Lucy Isabelle (Empy) Merchant. Mr. Merchant was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a retired self-employed carpenter. He was a poet and a friend to many. Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews, including John and Ruth Harris, Lexington, also Lewis Atkinson; and great-niece, Anita Atkinson, both of Richmond, Elizabeth Jones, Mary Nowlin, and Richard Merchant, all of Lexington. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, January 6, 1995, in the Williams Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Barton L. Hellmuth officiating. Interment will follow in the Deacon Family Cemetery, Rockbridge County. Memorial donations ma y be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, P. O. Box 948, Lexington, Virginia 24450.

MIZE, Virginia H., 86, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. She was the widow of Ernest Mize and was a member of Belmont Baptist Church. Surviving is a son and daughter-in -law, Bobby R. and Meryle B. Mize of Roanoke; a daughter, Betty M. McCormack of Salem; grandchildren, Michael C. McCormack of Amherst, Patricia M. Spencer of Salem, Pamela M. Whitlow of Denver, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy H. Dillon of Roanoke; a niece, Rebecca Ann Dillon of Roanoke. Services will be at 0akey's Roanoke Chapel 12 noon Friday, January 6, 1995. The Rev. Wayne Harrison will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

NIMER, Sherlene Kincer, 49, of Troutville, passed away Thursday, January 5, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

PATSELL, Flossie F., 91, of Vinton, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral noon Friday, Lotz Vinton Chapel. Burial Mountain View Cemetery.

PERDUE, Minnie Robertson, 75, of Rocky Mount, died Thursday, January 5, 1995, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born December 2, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Emmie Hudson Robertson. She was the wife of the late Everett Lester (Shorty) Perdue and was preceded in death by her grandson, Greg Perdue, Rocky Mount, Va. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Buddy Perdue, and Danny and Bonnie Perdue, all of Rocky Mount; her granddaughter, Deanna Perdue, Buies Creek, N.C.; two sisters, Mary Lynch, Vinton, and Verlie Ellis, Roanoke; three brothers, Elliott Robertson and Clyde Robertson, both of Roanoke, and J. D. Robertson, Moneta; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held a t 2 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 1995, at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Luther Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Friends may call at Lynch Funeral Home after 3 p.m. Friday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Burnt Chimney United Methodist Church. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, Va., is in charge of arrangements.

SANBORN, Michael Edward, (``Mike""), 31, of Roanoke, formerly of Machias, Maine, died unexpectedly as a result of an accidental drowning on Wednesday, December 28, 1994. He was employed by Gulf Coast Marine Diving in Morgan City, La. He was born in Camden, Maine on March 19, 1963. He was a graduate of Main Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering. Mike was a very brilliant person and through his intelligence and perserverence he received his Chief Engineering License for unlimited steam vessels in 1992 and his Chief Engineering License of unlimited motor vessels in November 1994. These were such significant achievements for such a fine young man. Mike was a friendly person who was well liked by everyone. He greatly respected his elders; was good-hearted; and was always considerate of others. Those who are surviving him in Roanoke are his fiance and best friend, Michelle ``Mickey"" Alderman; his ``second"" family, Carlos and Brenda Alderman of Roanoke; Brian and Kim Slaughter of Daleville. Surviving him in Maine are his beloved two year old daughter, Arianna Sanborn; his mother, Nancy Sanborn; sister, Terry E. Sanborn; brother, Martin E. Sanborn; a favorite niece, Brooke T. Sanborn; a nephew, Tyler Prout; and family friend, Timothy Look; his maternal grandparents, Elmer and Edith Wardwell; a special aunt and uncle, Jerry and Bill Bartok; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He will also be missed by his three best friends, ``Dougie"" Lord, Danny Heald, and Phillip Whitney. Mike one shared his father's epitaph with me and stated that it really meant a lot to him regarding life and death. On his tombstone was a picture of a ship and under it the message: Life is a Voyage; Homeward Bound. As I search for comfort in my sorrow, Id remember that the Bible States that there's a time to be born and a time to die. As his fiance and best friend, I would like to thank God for bringing us together for the six months that we shared, during which we lived a lifetime of fun, love and friendship. Funeral services were held Monday, January 2, 1995 at 11 a.m. at the Interchurch Parish of Castine. Interment was in Castine Cemetery next to his father.

SHELTON, James C., 83, of Durham, N.C., formerly of Roanoke, died Thursday, January 5, 1995, in Durham. Mr. Shelton was a native of Pittsylvania County, and educated in the county schools. He retired, in 1975, from Appalachian Power Co. Mr. Shelton was a member of First Baptist Church of Roanoke. Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Shelton, Durham, N.C.; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Wilmer and Mrs. Virginia Arthur, both of Lynchburg; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Evergreen Cemetery, with the Rev. Charles Fuller officiating. Arrangements by Hall-Wynne Funeral Service., Durham, N.C.

STANLEY, William Arthur, 58, of Rocky Mount, died Thursday, January 5, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Flora Funeral Chapel, Rocky Mount.

STEELE, Watson Allen 79, of Covington, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Late father of Mrs. Wilma Martin, Romana Ervin, Allen Steele. Funeral Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel, Covington.

THOMPSON, Frank Lee, 77, of Buffalo Junction, died Thursday, January 5, 1995, at Danville Regional Medical Center. He was born in Lunenburg County on December 21, 1917. He was the son of Mr. Hardaway Thompson and Mrs. Glendora T. Thompson. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Lexington, was a captain in the US Army during World War II and a retired principal from Lexington High School. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jean Snead Thompson, Buffalo Junction; one son, John H. Thompson, Roanoke; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Carol Tabor Thompson, Roanoke; two beloved grandchildren, Karen and Laura Thompson, Roanoke; one brother, Mr. Herbert N. Thompson, Kenbridge; two sisters, Mrs. Dor a T. Lewis, Lawrenceville, Mrs. Dorothy T. Cothran, Lawrenceville. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joseph Sayblack conducting the service. Burial will take place in Clover Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and other times at their home, Buffalo Junction. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home, South Boston.

VIERS, Grover Pierce, 84, of Christiansburg, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, in the Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was a retired farmer. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, January 6, 1995, from the Richardson-Horne Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Richard H. Horne with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call at the Richardson-Horne in Christiansburg.

WILSON, Lula Julia, 95, of Stuart, died Thursday, January 5, 1995. Funeral Sunday, 6 p.m., New Hope Church of the Brethren. Arrangements by Howell Funeral Home.

WILSON, Onie Compton, 74, of Ridgeway, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Highland Baptist Church. Arrangements by Tomlinson Funeral Home.

YOUNG, Edwin M., 83, of Chesapeake, died Monday, January 2, 1995. Graveside services 2 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 1995, Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg.

YOUNG, Karen L. 10 1/2 months, of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Surviving are her parents, Michael B. Young and Patricia D. LeMasters of Fredericksburg; paternal grandmother, Sandra Lester, Roanoke; great-grandmother, Edith Murphy, Roanoke; maternal grandmother, Mildred Spicer, Woodsfield, OH. A memorial service will be held, Monday, January 9, 1995, at 2 p.m. in the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, Chapel, Richmond.