September 2014 - West Virginia Funeral Directors Association

September 2014
From Your President, Tom Nichols, Jr.
I would like to take a minute and thank the WVFDA,
its members, and the executive officers for giving me
the opportunity to serve as your president this year.
Since joining the WVFDA as an officer, I have made
many friends throughout West Virginia, as well as in
other states, that I would not have had the
opportunity to meet if I had not taken the role as an
officer. I would like to thank Susan Mace for asking
me to take a position on the state association board,
along with Ira Handley, who had been after me for
years to go through the chairs as an officer. I thank
you both very much for your encouragement.
I have learned a lot over the past few years by attending events like the NFDA
Conventions in Chicago and Austin, the Leadership Conferences in Salt Lake City
and Napa Valley, and the Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. It has been an
educational experience observing what is going on not only in other areas of West
Virginia but also in other states.
My role as your president for the coming year is to ensure that we stay focused on
the goals of the Association. These goals include keeping our focus on important
events that may come up in the legislature in the near future and keeping the best
interest of the WVFDA in mind.
The Association has come a long way over the last few years. Due to considerable
hard work, both the Mid-Winter Advocacy Summit and the State Conventions
have been running in the black, not the red, over the last several years. We have
profited from the help of the new executive director, Rob Kimes, and the executive
officers.
I would again like to thank all of our preferred providers for their continued
support as well as our supplier members and other vendors who came to
Morgantown to support the WVFDA.
Additionally, I would like to congratulate Jared Jenkins on a job well done during
his year as president of the WVFDA, as well as the past few years serving on the
executive board. This year, we had the WVFDA’s First Annual Motorcycle Ride.
Weather played a role in the small turnout, but those of us who came out to ride
had a blast. As Jared stated, we are making memories. A portion of the
proceeds from the ride went to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, and I can’t
wait until this year’s Second Annual WVFDA Motorcycle Ride. The golf
tournament also had a wonderful turnout, and I would like to thank you all for
your support. For those of you who missed the tour of the West Virginia
Mountaineers Basketball Coliseum and Football Stadium, you missed a good
time!
In July, I attended the Greenbrier District meeting at Smokey’s on the Gorge in
Fayetteville, and there was a great turnout of about thirty people. The speaker
was David Hicks with Wilbert/Pierce Chemical Company. What a great program
he put on for the Greenbrier District. I want to thank the district president, Nick
Rine, and the other district officers for allowing me to attend your meeting
because the hospitality shown to me was outstanding. Keep up the excellent
work in your district.
This is one thing I would like to work on this year—strengthening the districts
and working to gain more participation from our members.
Steve Leavitt and I attended the leadership conference in Napa, California in
July. This was a great learning experience, and it was well attended by
colleagues from across the country. The NFDA does a great job in keeping us
informed on what is new in our industry, and we enjoyed the opportunity to
represent the WVFDA in Napa.
In closing, we have several issues coming up on our agenda for discussion. One
of these issues is working with the State Medical Examiner’s Office about
pending death certificates. Gary Thompson is going to attend the meeting in
September and provide us with updated information on the electronic filing of
death certificates. In addition, Jeff Fraley is working hard to finalize the updates
of West Virginia Funeral Trust contracts. I will keep you posted on these
matters as the information becomes available.
Thank you again for your support.
Tom Nichols, Jr.
Congratulations!
Corbin Fredeking
Brianna Wood
Alyssa Morris
120th
Annual
Convention
Morgantown
WV
2014-2015 Officers
Thomas Nichols, Jr. – President
Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, LLC
P. O. Box 1112
St. Albans, WV 25177
Telephone: 304-727-4325
Fax: 304- 727-6003
Stephen Leavitt – President Elect
Leavitt Funeral Home
403 7th Street
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Telephone: 304-422-6459
Fax: 304- 422-4313
Fax: 304-296-0226
Anthony M. Paletti – Vice President
Hardman-Paletti Funeral Home
730 N. Main Avenue
Weston, WV 26452
Phone: 304-269-5005
Fax: 304-517-1096
Fred Kitchen – Secretary/Treasurer
Henson Mortuary
6357 East Pea Ridge Road
Huntington, WV 25705
Telephone: 304-736-8986
Jared S. Jenkins – Immediate Past
President
Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, Inc.
10 South High Street
Morgantown, WV 26501
Telephone: 304-296-6446
Upcoming Meetings:
Trust Board and Board of Directors Meeting
September 4, 2014
1:00PM Trust Board Meeting/ BOD
WVFDA Office, Charleston WV
Tygart District Meeting
September 16, 2014
6:00pm, Monroe's Restaurant
110 East Main Street, Kingwood WV
Keith Garren and Dave Rouse from Aurora
Casket Company will be presenting CE
Greenbrier District Meeting
September 18, 2014
6:00pm, Chuck Mathena Center, Princeton,
WV
CE Presented By: David Martin
$45.00 includes meal, dessert, non-alcholic
beverage, gratuity, 2CE Hours and donation to
the scholarship fund.
Trust Board and Board of Directors Meeting
December 1, 2014
1:00PM Trust Board Meeting/BOD
WVFDA Office, Charleston WV
Please let me introduce myself to you. My name is Bo Vandall and I own a local southern WV
company, Sound Solutions, which installs audio and video equipment. We have worked with
local funeral homes and know there is a need in this area for our services.
We can design a system that will allow you to offer families the options of viewing DVD’s,
slideshows and presentations on a digital projection screen. We install cameras that can be used
for overflow, to be viewed on televisions throughout your facility. You can also videotape
services for the families as well as offer to webcast services for viewing over the internet. We
can also upgrade your existing sound system with wireless microphones, replace or add speakers
and other components. An audio or video matrix switcher/mixer can send audio or video
independently to any combination of rooms.
The trend for personalization in final tribute is gaining momentum, and often includes new audio
visual technology.
Your ability to blend the traditional, comforting services with the tasteful use of today’s audio
visual technology will position your establishment as one which honors the past, keeps pace
with the present, and embraces the future. This will be important to the next generation of
families.
We can help you integrate technology into your services, for the experience your clients want.
Please call me so we can set up an appointment to discuss your audio visual needs.
Thank You, Bo Vandall
304-763-4654
Cell# 304-228-9604
Website: soundsolutionswv.com
Email: [email protected]
References available on request.
From the Desk of Rob Kimes…
Since our last newsletter we had our 2014 annual convention. It was
held in Morgantown at the Waterfront Place. The convention featured
our first annual motorcycle ride to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project
and we were able to make a donation of $250 towards this cause. The
PAC golf tournament netted $800 for the PAC fund. Overall it was a
nice convention and we had several take a way's for future events in
hopes of increasing attendance and interaction with the vendors during
our display years. It was also a nice conclusion for our out going
president. Speaking of our out going President Jared Jenkins....I would
like to say that Jared held the position with honor and professionalism
and we are lucky to have him around for another year as immediate
past president.
Our next Mid Winter Advocacy Summit will be held February 10-12,
2015 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston. Please make note of the
location change from previous years. The 2015 convention will be held
June 8-10 2015 and as soon as the location is confirmed we will
announce where it will be held.
On the Advocacy front we will be keeping an eye on and working to
improve the indigent burial fund, electronic death certificates and
issues with the state medical examiner (timeliness of death certificates
in that office along with cremation permits).
The Association will be working towards increasing membership...so if
you know of a funeral home that would make a good member ask them
to join or let me know and I will approach them. We also will be
looking to increase our supplier members and preferred providers
during the 2014-2015 association year.
On a personal note...I spent some time in the hospital this summer and
I would like to thank all the Association members who called to check
in on me and offered help. Thank You.
Respectfully,
Rob Kimes
WVFDA Executive Director
In Loving Memory
Terry Lee Payne, 72 of 411 Miller Ave. Hinton was called home at
3:30 p.m. Monday August 11, 2014 at Bowers Hospice House in
Beckley following a short illness. Born May 26, 1942 in Hinton, he
was the son of the late Robert Lee Payne and Ruth Stennett Payne
Conner.
Terry was a 1960 graduate of Hinton High School, attended Beckley
College and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary
Science in 1966. He began his career in funeral service at E.M.
Meadows Funeral Home in Hinton. He managed the former Hunter &
Hunter Funeral Home in Madison, West Virginia from 1967 until
1970 and was also a former employee of Ronald Meadows Funeral
Home in Hinton.
He managed the former Hunter & Hunter Funeral Home in Madison, West Virginia from 1967 until
1970 and was also a former employee of Ronald Meadows Funeral Home in Hinton. In the early
1970’s, he pursued a career with the railroad, and retired with 33 years of service as a conductor for
CSX Transportation Corporation. Terry’s greatest calling was helping people, and after retirement
from the railroad in 2002, he resumed his calling of service to his community as a funeral director. He
became an associate director at Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton, serving in that capacity for the last
12 years. Terry was a member of Central Baptist Church in Hinton and faithfully attended Miller
Memorial Methodist Church in Hinton until his illness. He was a member and 20 year President of the
United Transportation Union Local 118 in Hinton, and was a former representative of Operation
Redblock for the railroad. A devoted and loving husband, father, son and brother, Terry will be sadly
missed by all who knew him.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a special cousin, Jimmy Sims.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Kay Keaton Payne. Three daughters, Kimberly Payne
Sallada & husband Don of Hurricane, WV, Leisa Payne Robinson & husband Todd of Beckley and
Shannan Payne Preston & husband Greg of Mt. Pleasant, SC. Five grandchildren, Drew & Neil Sallada,
Austen & Mckinlee Robinson and Payne Preston. Three sisters, Becky Payne Dillon of Hilldale and
Bobbi Payne & Kay Cochran, both of Roanoke, VA.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday August 14, 2014 at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in
Hinton with Pastors Butch Honaker and Robbie Merritt officiating. Burial will follow in Greenbrier
Burial Park in Hinton. The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at the
funeral home.
Pallbearers will be; Lee Pivont, Bill Wallace, Bill Seaver, Zivo Walkup, Ray Pivont, Coleman Leslie Jim
Willis and Keith Bowling.
Honorary pallbearers will be; Wayne Ellison, Melvin Turner, Junior Walters, Vivian Lilly, Jim Clark,
Tony Williams, Dick Edwards, Steve Duncan, Bobby Basham, Harry Keffer, Gene Davis, Jack Ashley,
Tom Woodrum, Tommy Keaton, Floyd Canterbury, W.C. “Poody” Ballard, Jr. Curt Messer, John Wood,
Junior Ball and Joe Blankenship.
Online condolences & guest register at www.pivontfuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, WV
In Loving Memory
of
Charles E. Hess
Charles Edwin Hess, 90, of Danville, formerly of Williamson passed away on
Friday, August 22, 2014 at Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison.
He was born January 14, 1924 at Clendenin, WV and was a son of the late
Claude and Belle Holland Hess. In addition to his parents he was preceded in
death by his wife, Othell; son, Rev. Dr. C. David Hess; granddaughter, Jill Hess;
brother, Earl Hess; and sisters, Marian Andrews and Frances Humphreys.
He was a licensed funeral director for 67 years and employed by Handley
Funeral Home for 37 years. He was a member of Madison United Methodist
Church, Madison.
He is survived by son, Gary and Marsha Hess of Madison; grandchildren, Jan
and Derek Miller of Poca and Chad and Tiffany Hess of Madison; greatgrandchildren, Lacey and Charlie Miller and Sawyer and Waylon Hess; brothers,
Jimmy and Gennie Hess of Clendenin and Robert and Patsy Hess of St. Albans;
and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2014 at Handley Funeral Home,
Danville with the Rev. Rick Swearengin officiating. Burial will follow in Danville
Memorial Park, Danville.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers you may make a contribution to the New Pew Fund in c/o
Madison United Methodist Church, PO Box 216, Madison, WV 25130.
WVFDA - PAC
Please contribute to the PAC now,
so we can continue the successes
we have had in the past.
Your contribution should be sent
to:
WVFDA—PAC
400 Allen Drive
Suite 20
Charleston, WV 25302
All contributions should be in the
form of a personal check as
corporate checks are not allowed.
(This information is intended for
Association members only, and all
contributions are voluntary. Nonmembers, please disregard.)
Death Notice Policy
It is the policy of the Association to send
a notice of death of a member or their
immediate family (spouse, child, parent)
by email immediately after we are
contacted and the necessary information
is provided to us.
All death notices received by the
Association are placed in the next
newsletter and each person is
remembered at our annual “Service of
Remembrance.” Notices received after
our Annual Convention Program goes to
print will be remembered the next year.
We need your help since we are not
always contacted regarding the death of a
member or their immediate family. There
have been instances where we were told
three to six months later in some cases
and it has created hard feelings . It is
much better for us to receive several calls
as opposed to none.
Please help us by calling the Association
office as soon as the information is
available for us to send out.
WVFDA Mission Statement
WVFDA’s mission is to serve its members and the public by
furthering the profession of funeral service through enhanced
educational opportunity, involvement in the public and private areas,
and development of communications with its membership and all
involved with the profession.
Mid Winter Advocacy Summit Meeting
February 10-12, 2015
Embassy Suites
Charleston, WV
**Note New Location**
121st Annual WVFDA Convention
June 8-10, 2015
Athletic Outfitters
Cole and Lindsay Waybright, Owners
332 S. Church Street – Ripley, WV 25271
304-372-9385
[email protected]
Charleston Mortuary Service
1101 Bigley Avenue
Charleston, WV 25302
1-304-344-8792
Lamcraft, Inc.
4131 N. E. Port Drive
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Phone: 816.795.5505
1.800.821.1333
FAX: 816.795.8310
E-Mail: [email protected]
Funeral Director looking for employment in the following counties. Grant,
Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Monongalia, Preston or Tucker. Please call the
Association office for more information.
Four funeral homes seeking Funeral Director/Embalmer. Please contact Rob at the
Association office for more information.