Obituary of Francis "Yosie" James Figler

Francis James “Yosie” Figler, 88, of Fairmont, passed away Wednesday, March 23, at the Tygart Center in Fairmont. He was born Jan. 30, 1934, in Brady, WV, the son of the late Esther (Juhos) and George Figler. Yosie was raised in Francis Mines and was proud of it. He attended Shinnston High School, where he starred in baseball and graduated in 1953. He served in the Korean War as a welder in the United States Army’s 1903 Engineer Battalion and received an honorable discharge. He worked at Westinghouse-North American Phillips as a machine attendant from 1957 until Jan. 30, 1994. It was while working at Westinghouse that he met his loving wife Neva Levonne Cottrill. They married Feb.14,1958, and remained together until Neva’s death Nov. 13, 2015. They were blessed with four children: James Lee Figler (deceased Dec. 4, 2020) of Clarksburg; Catherine and Ronald Eagle of Bridgeport; Connie and Tom Howes of Fairmont; and Karen Waller Chastain of Gastonia, NC. Grandchildren are Michael Waller of Fairmont; Stephanie (Eagle) and Kyle Whisenhunt of Nutter Fort; Justin Waller of Fairmont; and extra grandson Zachary Linn of Fairmont. Yosie is survived by sisters Helen Rife of Akron, OH; Barbara Stutler of Bridgeport; and Susan and David Fleming of Fairmont. He was preceded in death by brothers John and Richard Figler and brothers-in-law Charles Rife and John Stutler. Yosie’s beloved dog Kobe also preceded him in death. Yosie loved fishing, hunting, playing baseball and fast pitch softball, where he excelled as a pitcher. He also loved to take his family camping in West Virginia, Ohio, Ocean City, and Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed watching a variety of sports on television and also helping others by cutting grass. Woodworking, electrical work and plumbing were other interests of his. Mainly, he loved spending time with his family and friends. In 2018, he had the honor of being selected to participate in the Sept. 15 Veteran’s Honor Flight to DC. While there, not only did Yosie visit the memorials throughout the city, but he also had the opportunity to meet friends of some former soldiers with whom he had served in Korea. Participating in the Honors Flight was one of the momentous and proudest occasions in his life. The family would like to thank the loving and caring staffs of the Tygart Center, Fairmont Regional Medical Center, and WVU Medicine United Hospital Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation in honor of Yosie’s son. Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM. The funeral service will be celebrated in the funeral home on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Larry Murphy presiding. The interment will follow in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Fairmont, WV. The United State Army and the Marion County Honor Guard will provide full military honors. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. The Figler family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, R. C. Jones Chapel.