Charles W. Yeager
Charles W. Yeager, age 81, of Summersville, died during a visit to Louisville, Kentucky, on October 27, 2002.
He has been publisher, owner and editor of The Nicholas Chronicle since 1991, inheriting it from his cousin, Betty Kincaid Dilley, formerly of Marlinton. The newspaper was previously owned by her sister, Jane Kincaid Eib, and Charlie Eib.
Yeager was born in Frederick, Maryland, September 18, 1921, the son of the late Ina Nuckles and Ralph Arbogast Yeager. His early years were spent in Pocahontas County, where his ancestors lived; his father was mayor of Durbin.
After graduating from West Virginia University, he was an Air Force officer in World War II. After the war, he earned his law degree from WVU and joined the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson. He was in the process of retiring when he inherited the newspaper.
He was a member and officer of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Surviving him are his wife of 44 years, Charlotte Matthews Yeager; daughters, Gretchen Murphy, of Charleston, Kristin Bridge, of Fayetteville, Tennessee; sons, Charles Yeager, Jr., of Richmond, Virginia, and Matthew Yeager, of Summersville; and eight grandchildren.
His brother, Ralph A. Yeager, preceded him in death.
Memorial services were held Friday at the Summersville Presbyterian Church.
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Leonard Combs
Leonard Combs, age 87, of Huntersville, died Monday, November 4, 2002, at his home.
He was born in Kistler on February 15, 1915, the son of the late John and Emmer Burgess Combs.
He was raised in Man, where he and his father operated The Man Smokehouse, a family restaurant. In 1941, Leonard signed with the U.S. Army and was sent to the Philippine Islands to fight in World War II. After returning home in 1945, Leonard had various jobs throughout his life including working for International Shoe Company and retiring as a coal miner for S.S. Joe Burford, Inc. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Huntersville.
In addition to his parents, a son, Leonard (Lenny) Combs, II, and brothers Andy and Sturgal, preceded him in death.
Surviving him are his wife, Hallie Abdella Combs; daughter, Laura Ann Combs, of Huntersville; a son, John Michael Combs, also of Huntersville; and a sister, Edith Combs Thompson, of Man. Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 6, at 2 p.m. at VanReenen Funeral Home by the Revs. Jerry Moore and Randy White. Burial with military rites followed in the Beaver Creek Cemetery, Huntersville.
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Nelle McElwee East
Nelle A. "Nana" East, age 90, of Charleston, died Friday, October 25, 2002, at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a short illlness.
She was born November 16, 1911, in Marlinton, a daughter of the late Richard Howard and Edna Buzzard McElwee.
She was a devoted member of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church for 41 years, and an active member of the Women's Club of Charleston and Shadowlawn Garden Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon East; her parents; two brothers, Ted and Dick McElwee; and three sisters, Norma Ralston, Glenna Booth, and Elizabeth Richardson.
Mrs. East is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Garred, of Charleston, and a son, Richard East, also of Charleston; one brother, Robert L. "Bay" McElwee, of Marlinton; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Bartlett Burdette Cox Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston on October 29 by the Rev. A. D. Ellison. Entombment followed in Elk Hills Memorial Park, Big Chimney.
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Leonard Scott Howell
Leonard Scott Howell, son of Leonard and Lyla Howell, of Elkins, and formerly of Green Bank, died on November 1, 2002, at his home in Naples, Florida. His death was unexpected.
Scott was born March 5, 1965, in Elkins and graduated from Pocahontas County High School in 1983. He had worked as a service manager for Sheets Garage in Green Bank and for several dealerships in Ft. Myers and Naples, Florida.
On November 28, 1992, he married the former Nancy Malcolm, who survives in Florida. Also surviving are a sister, Laura Law; two nieces and two nephews in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and his paternal grandmother, Ethel Parncutt, of Elkins.
A memorial service will be held in Naples on November 10 and at a later date in Green Bank.
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Stella G. Pyles
Stella G. Pyles, age 96, of Seebert, died Tuesday at the home of her son, Curtis, at Seebert.
No arrangements had been made at VanReenen Funeral Home at time of printing.

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