Wendell H. Barnett

Wendell went home to be with the Father May 8, 2022 after a short illness.  He was born February 6, 1933 near Erbacon, Webster County, WV to the late Harley and Gustava (Good) Barnett Bodkins. He attended Nicholas County High School.  He married his high school sweetheart, Helen Lusher, on October 24, 1952 and 6 months later received his "Greetings" from Uncle Sam. Wendell completed Basic and Heavy Weapons Training with the U. S. Army 101 ^st Airborne Division at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky.  Just before his deployment to Korea hostilities ceased and he was reassigned to the 4 ^th Army in Wiesbaden, Germany. He served with the 4th as a heavy weapons company vehicle mechanic until he was honorably discharged from active duty in May of 1955 with the rank of Corporal.

Wendell's working career included employment with Elk River Coal and Lumber Company in the Widen deep mines as a Joy loading machine operator; automotive mechanic for Perry Motors of Summersville, WV and Hewitt Motors of Richwood, WV; Sewell Coal Company at the No. 1 Deep Mine at Marybill, WV as a shuttle car operator and No. 19 Deep Mine at Holcomb, WV as electrician/mechanic.  He became co-owner/proprietor with Helen of the Mountaineer Hotel in Richwood, WV in 1974 and after leaving the deep mines simultaneously drove truck for P&R Trucking of Craigsville, WV until his retirement. They left the hotel business in 2007 and he made his home with Helen in Craigsville until his death.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Carol Sue and brother Eugene. He is survived by his brother, Joshua Kyle Barnett, his wife of 69 years, Helen (Lusher) Barnett, his son Anthony "Tony" and daughter Pamela "Kay" Riddle; his grandson Timothy Riddle, granddaughters Phoebe Riddle, Sarah Barnett-Bruel, Karen (Barnett) Jarvis and great-granddaughter Maggie Bruel.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday May 21, 2022 at St. Lukes Methodist Church in Craigsville, WV with Reverend Brandon Moll officiating.

Wendell liked to hunt, fish and camp.  He provided for and loved his family.  He will be sorely missed by all except, the trout on Williams River and the squirrels and big buck deer everywhere.

The Waters Funeral Chapel in Summersville was in charge of arrangements.

www.watersfuneralchapel.com