Fortner daughter passes away at age of 96

Ireta Jean Fortner Levine, whose brother Harold C. “Bud” Fortner, Jr. is Class of 1967, passed away Wednesday, October 30 in Spartansburg, South Carolina.

She was born in Monongah to Harold Campbell Fortner, Sr., who ran the pool hall across from Monongah High in the same building as Carlot’s Grille, and Winifred Grace Fleming Fortner, whose Fleming family settled in Marion County centuries ago.

Bud Fortner passed away in 1999. Bud’s widow, Bernice Evangeline Fortner, passed away in 2017.

We had played hookey from Monongah High and went across the street (yes!) to the Fortner pool hall in the same building as the Carlot Grille. It didn't take long for Monongah High principal Paul Michael to show up and take us back to school. We weren't very smart at that age.

Ireta’s obituary:

Ireta Jean Fortner Levine, 94, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at Spartanburg Medical Center.

 Born February 16, 1925, in Monongah, WV, she was the daughter of the late Harold Campbell Fortner Sr. and Winifred Grace Fleming Fortner and widow of Max Levine. She and Max were married for more than 40 years. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and a descendant of the Fleming family who settled Marion County West Virginia.

 

A graduate of West Virginia Business College, Mrs. Levine was the former owner/operator of Price’s Ladies Clothing Store in downtown Fairmont for over 40 years. She was a longtime Fairmont resident and made her home with her daughter’s family in Spartanburg, SC for the last 28 years.

Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Beth E. Levine-Ringel and husband, Dr. Robert A. Ringel of the home; grandchildren, Aaron M. Ringel of Charleston, SC, Joseph A. Ringel and Jonathan I. Ringel of the home; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a son, Nathan E. Levine; sister, Laura Lee Fortner; and brothers, James Fortner, Harold C. “Bud” Fortner Jr. and Jack G. Fortner.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 PM Friday, November 1, 2019, in Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, 1290 Fairmont Rd., Morgantown, WV 26501, by Mr. Benny Allison.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com

Arrangements in West Virginia are being handled by Domico Funeral Home.