Byron Birdsell’s father-in-law passes away

Clacy Clevenger, father-in-law of long-time Monongah mailman Byron Birdsell, now 87, passed away Saturday, April 4. Byron’s wife is Fairmont West graduate Carol Clevenger Birdsell.

When I was at Monongah High, so were brothers Bill and Byron Birdsell, Class of 1947.

Clacy Clevenger

Bill, Class of 1950, married Fairmont Field Club pro Reggie Spencer’s daughter, Barbara, and became a golf course maintenance guru in Florida where Bill’s son is in charge of the greenkeeping at the University of Florida.

Byron and Zelda Birdsell’s grandson, North Marion grad Jim Birdsell, recovered nicely from quadruple bypass heart surgery nearly a year ago. Jim’s dad is Edwin Birdsell, Bill and Byron’s brother.

Jim, married to Angela Birdsell, is one of Monongah’s Company 10 Volunteer Fire Department members. He works in parts at Leslie Equipment and lives in Millersville, West Virginia.

Clacy Clevenger’s obituary:

Clacy Woodrow Clevenger went to be with the Lord Saturday (April 4, 2015) at Ruby Hospital, Morgantown.

He was born Oct. 6, 1914, in Clay County, the son of Hiram and Martha Dobbins Clevenger.

Clacy is survived by his wife, Cellesteen Clevenger, of 57 years. Also, his children and step-children, Patricia Reed of Fairmont, Betty Holbert of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Carol Birdsell and her husband Byron of Fairmont, Roger Johnson and his wife Carole of Fairmont, Sharon McCutcheon and her husband Gary of Fairmont, and Karen Bergeson and her husband Bill of The Villages, Florida; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alma Bourne of Ohio.

Clacy worked for many years at Westinghouse and enjoyed his years of retirement. One hundred years strong, Clacy was truly one of the strongest men we’ve ever known. His mind was sharper than most men half his age. He knew every name and birthday of all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and gave all of them nicknames when they were born. He and Cellesteen share a lifetime of love most can only dream about. They enjoyed camping and traveling, their large family and many, many friends. His family celebrate his life and his legacy.

Clacy was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Robert Clevenger; two grandchildren, Joe Holbert and Dwayne Vandergrift and a great-granddaughter, Stacy Halbrook; two sons-in-law, Billy Holbert and Willard Reed; three sisters, Catherine Seibert, Chlora Yates, Floda DeVault; seven brothers, Dorsey, Raymond, Lester, Arkie, Robert Jr. and Corley Clevenger.

 Friends and family may call at the Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home 209 Merchant St. from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at the funeral home with Pastor Larry Buckland officiating. Interment services will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.

 Online condolences may be sent to www.carpenterandford.com