Obituary of Leroy Vernon Humberston

Leroy Vernon Humberston, 95, of Fairmont, died on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the Pierpont Center at Fairmont Campus. He was born November 13, 1928 in Markleysburg, PA, a son of the late Hobart and Iva (Frazee) Humberston. A 1946 graduate of German Township High School, McClellandtown, PA, he moved to Clarksburg shortly afterwards. He married the former Carolyn Lee Sinsel on July 21, 1951 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Clarksburg, and was preceded in death by her on August 23, 2021 after 70 years of marriage. They moved to Fairmont in 1973. Leroy served in the US Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later was a Master Sergeant in the US Army Reserves. He retired from the military in 1988 after a distinguished career in which he earned several awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Leroy spent his career with Sears Roebuck Department Store and was the manager of the Auto Service Center at Middletown Mall. After retiring from Sears, he owned and operated Select Pastries in Fairmont, and later, Leroy worked for Ford Funeral Home. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont and a past member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Clarksburg. Leroy served as a lay preacher, assisting minister, and held many positions within the church. In his retirement, he attended the Lay School of Theology program at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg for additional training in lay ministry. He enjoyed fellowship with his church family, and they meant the world to him. Additionally, he was a member of the Fairmont Lions Club and enjoyed traveling with his wife Carolyn. He was a kind soul, and a proud, loving father and grandfather. Leroy is survived by his daughters, Rev. Bonnie (Rev. Brian) Peltomaa of Dayton, OH, and Barbara Leatherman (Dave Campbell) of Tacoma, WA; his grandchildren, Reed Leatherman, Anastasia (Clint) Rodgers, and Neal (Bre) Leatherman, and his great-grandsons, Camden and Ezekiel Rodgers. In addition to his wife and parents, Leroy was preceded in death by his son, Karl Humberston; and his siblings, Grace Jones, Ann Hartge, Glenn Humberston, Harold Humberston, Hilda Taylor, Leonard Humberston, and an unnamed infant brother. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 300 Gaston Avenue, Fairmont, WV. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. Friends and family may visit the funeral home on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 6PM until 8PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at the Grace Lutheran Church from 10AM until 11AM. The funeral will be held in the church on Wednesday at 11AM with Reverend Matt Holbert officiating. Military rites will be held in the church following the service. Cremation services will take place following the funeral and inurnment will occur at a later date in the Sinsel family plot at Bridgeport Cemetery in Bridgeport, WV. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.