Obituary of Doris Jane Garvin Whetzel
On February 9, 2017, Doris Jane Garvin Whetzel died following a brief illness. She passed away in Morgantown, WVa, the city where she was born on March 30, 1926. She was the daughter of the late William Garvin and Lillian Aitken Garvin.
In 1946, while working as a telephone operator for the C&P Telephone, she met Vernon Whetzel. They married on September 27, 1947, and their 57 year union lasted until his death in 2004. Sadly, she was also preceded in death by her son, James G. Whetzel, in 2013. Yet, even this heartbreaking loss did not shake her faith. An active member of Central United Methodist Church in Fairmont for 57 years, Mrs. Whetzel served on many committees, taught almost every level in Sunday school and prepared countless dishes for potluck dinners. In recent years, she enjoyed the prayer shawl ministry, the Young at Heart luncheons, and the monthly meetings of the Lydia Ruth Circle. Doris served her community in a variety of ways: She previously was active in the Homemakers Club, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and for the Boy Scouts. Mrs. Whetzel worked as a switchboard operator at Fairmont General and retired in 1990. She was a wonderful wife and loving mother. An avid reader, Mrs. Whetzel was also a talented seamstress and enjoyed making baskets, but her greatest joy came when she became “Granny”. She loved her grandchildren and attended football games, tennis matches, plays, Eagle Scout ceremonies, and graduations with pride. A few days after her ninetieth birthday, she had what she called the best weekend of her life: Saturday all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with her in her home, and the next day she celebrated with her wonderful church, her family and close friends.
Mrs. Whetzel is survived by two daughters, Rebecca and her husband Tom Corder of Bridgeport, W.Va., and Mary and her husband Mark Ransom of Winchester, Va.; two sons, Bill and his wife Gayle Whetzel of Wilmington, N.C., and Jonathan and his wife Mary Theresa Whetzel of Fairview, W.Va.; daughter-in-law, Juanita Whetzel of Covington, Ga.; her very special brother Bill and his wife Sharon Garvin of Morgantown, W.Va.; and her loving sister, Nancy Hahn of Moultrie, Ga. Her grandchildren include James Whetzel (Sara), Josh Battistone (Kelly), Matt Whetzel, Kate Bringardner (Ryan), Liz Corder (Jake Howse), Nathan Whetzel, Jenna Whetzel, Seth Eddy (Laura), and Logan Moore. Her great grandchildren are Garvin, Olivia and Annabelle Whetzel; Charlotte and Mary Louise Bringardner; Sally Howse, and Abigail Battistone. She is also survived by a large extended family including sisters-in-law (The Aunts), many nephews and nieces and close friends, all whom she loved dearly.
The family would like to thank Joe Selby, M.D., and the staff of WVU Family Practice and Mapleshire Rehabilitation Center for their kindness and wonderful care. They would also like to thank Mrs. Whetzel’s caregivers especially Renee Chaney, an exceptional woman with whom she shared many laughs and wonderful conversations.
Memorial donations may be made to the Central Methodist Food Pantry Fund, 301 Fairmont Avenue, W.Va., 26554.
Friends and family may visit the Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont, on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 2PM until 4PM and 6PM until 8PM. Mrs. Whetzel will lie in state on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Central United Methodist Church, 301 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont, W.Va., from 10AM until 11AM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11AM in the church with Reverend Junius Lewis and Pastor Mark Ransom officiating. A private committal service will be held at the WV National Cemetery in Pruntytown, W.Va. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
