Obituary

Death Claims L. Vandal, County’s Oldest Citizen

Following a joyous occasion a week ago today when Leander (Jess) Vandal, Wirt County’s oldest resident, celebrated his 101st birthday, sorrow struck the five generation widely known family when Mr. Vandal passed away at his home three days later at 6:40 a.m. Sunday, April 21, following a short weekend illness.

Besides the visits of relatives and friends on his birthday, April 18, he was recipient of many greeting cards and well wishes, including birthday greetings from President Lyndon B. Johnson. Personal birthday greetings from Mr. Robert M. Ball, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, were delivered on that day by Avard N. Skeen, Field Representative, of Parkersburg.

Born on Crane Nest Run, Wirt County, on April 18, 1867, a son of the late William Floyd and Mary Ann Dobson Vandal. Mr. Vandal was a member of the Center Valley Methodist Church. He had spent his entire life in Wirt County, and he and his wife Mrs. Fannie Fern Nuzum Vandal would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary tomorrow (April 26).

Mr. Vandal was a retired farmer and earned Social Security credit after the 1954 amendments that permitted agricultural earnings to be credited. Social Security records are confidential, and information about his earnings could be given only with his consent, which both he and Mrs. Vandal had given Mr. Skeen regarding their $82.50 receipts each month. This helped make it possible for them to remain in their own home which they greatly appreciated, and they wanted others to understand the importance of reporting their earnings for credit, which can give feelings of security and greater freedom from worry in advanced years.

Mr. Vandal had a friendly and cheerful personality and a keen sense of humor. He had retained a sound memory through his advanced age. It had become rather customary for him to greet every car passing his home on Garfield Road during pleasant weather months when he was outside with a vigorous wave of the arm accompanied by a ready smile. No doubt this friendly gesture has warmed the hearts of both friends and strangers and will be remembered and spoken of by generations yet to come.

Surviving Mr. Vandal in addition to his widow are three daughters, Mrs. Delbert (Virginia) Crew of Leroy, Mrs. Lawrence (Carrie) Warren of Waterford, Ohio, and Mrs. Walker (Cecile) Morgan of Mineral Wells; 10 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Celia.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Center Valley Methodist Church, with the Rev. Noble Crew of Cowen, W. Va., a grandson officiating. He was assisted by the Rev. Ezra Higgins, Rt. 2, City, pastor of the Center Valley Church. Interment was made in the Church cemetery. Pomroy Funeral Home, City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Vandal is at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, the Delbert Crews, in the Peewee Community, where she expects to remain at least for a few days.

Correction

In the obituary story of L. Vandal last issue, we erred in the wedding anniversary which would have been celebrated on Friday. It would have been the 72nd.