BARBARA JUNE WARE STURM, age 77 years, a resident of Jobs Run in Porterwood, W.Va., departed this life Saturday afternoon, December 14, 2019, at her home. She was in her usual health and death was unexpected.
She was born on Wednesday, December 9, 1942, in Philippi, W.Va., a daughter to the late Howard Ware and Kermith Browning Ware. On June 3, 1982, she was married to Jerry Sturm, who preceded her in death on November 25, 2019. They celebrated 37 years of marriage together, residing on the land on which they both loved dearly.
She is survived by one son, Jerry Howard Sturm of Porterwood; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Lancaster and husband Scott of Porterwood; two grandchildren, Jacob Wilson Lancaster, and Hannah Marie Evans and husband John Logan, both of Porterwood; one beloved great-granddaughter, Annabeth June Evans of Porterwood; mother- in -law, Faitha N. Flanagan of Thomas; brother –in- law George B. Loar of Alliance, Ohio; nephew Gary P. Ware and wife Linda of Belington; niece Melissa K. Hunt and husband Michael of Radford, Va.; niece Terri Loar of Alliance, Ohio; great nephew Tyler Hunt and wife Ashley of Christiansburg, Va.; great-niece Mckenzie R. Hunt of Radford, Va.; great-niece Missy Battishill and husband Glenn of Delaware, Ohio; great-nephew Joshua Loar and wife Jicole of Louisville, Ohio; and many beloved cousins, friends and family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ann Loar; brothers, Leo P. Ware and William H. Ware; sisters- in -law June Ware and Dorothy Ware, and nephews Mark Ware and Steve Loar.
She was a graduate of Belington High School with the Class of 1960. After graduation she spent time in Ohio with her sister and brother -in -law. She later returned to Belington to reside and care for her parents. She worked for a short time at Good Samaritan nursing home in Belington and later became employed by Valley Supply Company in Elkins. A coworker introduced her to his best friend and three months later she became Mrs. Jerry Sturm. She continued to work at Valley Supply for many years, while helping her husband build his logging business, Sturm Construction. Eventually, she decided to pursue a new career at Mountain Valley Bank. After the birth of her beloved grandson, Jacob, she happily gave up her career to stay home and care for him while his parents worked. She was ecstatic when she learned the next grandchild was to be a girl, whom she loved dearly. She always referred to the time she spent with her grandchildren by saying, “these were the best years of my life.” She loved to sew and was a master seamstress. She enjoyed spending time outside, always working to make everything beautiful, and inside she loved to decorate, especially with her treasured baskets. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining. She was an avid Mountaineer fan, and enjoyed watching games on TV. She loved to fish and spent many hours on the lake with her husband, family, and friends.
She was an active member of Moore United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer. Even though the last year of her life left her bound to a wheelchair due to hip complications, she never lost hope, and held fast to her faith and belief she would walk again. Her latest joy was the birth of great-granddaughter Annabeth June, whom she and her late husband loved dearly. She always remembered to say, “I love you more,” and lived her life reminding loved ones, “It’s always about making memories.”
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons on Wednesday, December 18, from five to seven p.m., On Thursday, December 19, 2019, Mrs. Sturm, will be moved to the First United Methodist Church of Parsons, where friends may call from 12:00 until 1 p.m. the funeral hour. The Rev. William R. Brown will officiate. Interment will follow at the Sturm Family Cemetery on Jobs Run in Porterwood. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Moore United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. William R. Brown, 101 First Street, Parsons, WV 26287. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for BARBARA STURM. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.