James Leroy Michael, Sr.

James Leroy Michael, Sr., 59, of Berkeley Springs WV died Tuesday, March 4, 1997 at Valley View Nursing Home, Berkeley Springs. Born December 8, 1937 in Ridersville, Morgan County WV, he was the son of the late Robert Darwin and Carrie Delores Weber Michael. He was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and faithfully attended Calvary United Methodist Church, Great Cacapon WV where he served as a trustee and was a Sunday School teacher for many years. He graduated from Berkeley Springs High School, Class of 1955. Just after graduating from high school, he worked at Funk's Feed Store in Hancock MD. He started working with Potomac Edison in 1958 and retired as a Corporate Billing Analyst in August, 1996, after 38 years of service. He was a Boy Scout leader in the late 1960s and 1970s. He had served as President of the Morgan County Planning Commission. He was a member of A.A.R.P. He was Past Master and Past Secretary of Deford Lodge No. 88 A.F.&A.M., Berkeley Springs, Past Venerable Master of the Martinsburg Lodge of Perfection, Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, Martinsburg Scottish Rite Consistory, and Assistant to the Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Mary Jane Hofe Michael, at home; one daughter, Pamela G. Gloyd, Berkeley Springs; three sons, James L. 'Mike' Michael, Jr. and Jeffrey B. Michael, both of Berkeley Springs, and Gregory A. Michael, Sterling VA; six grandchildren; Meredith Michael, Nathan Gloyd, Emily Michael, Carrie Michael, Jacob Michael and Joseph Michael, all of Berkeley Springs; four sisters, Ruby Kerns and Hilda Cole, both of Berkeley Springs, Beatrice Davis and Lois Hamilton, both of Warren OH; one brother, Robert D. Michael, Martinsburg WV; and many nieces and nephews. Services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, 306 Union Street, Berkeley Springs with Pastor Roger E. Burtner officiating. Interment with Masonic graveside rites conducted by Deford Lodge #88 A.F.&A.M. were in Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery. Master Masons assembled at the lodge hall at 1 p.m. on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Morgan County Chapter, American Red Cross, 404 S. Green Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 779, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0779. (Obituary from The Morgan Messenger)