Robert James “Bob” Schoonover, age 74 years, a former resident of Tucker County, a resident of Elkins and former President and C.E.O. of Citizens National Bank, departed this life early Sunday morning, July 13, 2014 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. He had been in declining health.
He was born Wednesday, August 2, 1939 at Junior, WV a son of the late Doyle Ward and Genevieve Marie Kenney Schoonover. On July 4, 1982 at Elkins, he was married to the former Emma Lee Crawford who survives at Elkins.
Also surviving are two daughters, Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Holliday and husband Roger and Debra Lynn “Debbie” Sullivan and husband Mike, all of Elkins; one son, Herbert Lee Schoonover and wife Debbie of Parsons; one brother, Dennis W. Schoonover of Uniontown, OH; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was a graduate of Parsons High School with the Class of 1957. He served as class president for four years, co-captain of the football squad, and was active in 4-H. He was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a Radiological Technician until 1965. He worked for Sears Roebuck and Co., of Chicago, Illinois until 1973, at which time he began employment at Citizens National Bank. He served as President & CEO of Citizens National Bank from 1994 until his retirement in 2005. In 2007 he was inducted to the Parsons High School Hall of Fame.
Mr. Schoonover was a member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank of West Virginia from 1994 until present and Citizens Financial Corp.’s Board of Directors from 1998 until present.
Mr. Schoonover served as Chairman of the Board of the West Virginia Bankers Association (WVBA) in 2006 thru 2007, and was a twelve year member of its Board of Directors. He also served on the WVBA Legislative Committee.
Mr. Schoonover was a former member of the Elkins Rotary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, BPOE Elkins Lodge, Pythagoras Lodge #128 A.F & A.M., Osiris Temple of Wheeling, Tygarts Valley Shrine Club, Elkins Chapter #35 R.A.M., and Pilgrim Commandery #21. He is a past commander of American Legion Post #29, and a former color guard sergeant of the West Virginia Highlanders. He received the Outstanding Businessman of Elkins Award by Beta Alpha Beta Honorary Business Fraternity of Davis and Elkins College and recipient of the Gordon E. Hermanson Service Award . In 1998, FEMA awarded him with an Outstanding Local Business Person Award and in 2005 Sigma Beta Delta, International Honor Society of Davis and Elkins College bestowed him with a business Honorarium. He received the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Manchin in 2005.
In keeping with Mr. Schoonover’s wishes there will not be a public viewing or funeral service. A private family gathering will take place at the funeral home. Interment followed at Little Arlington Cemetery at Cravensdale. The family suggests that expression of sympathy be in form of contributions to the Randolph County Humane Society, 195 Weese St, Elkins, WV 26241, the Tucker Country Humane Society, 586 Brooklyn Heights Road Parsons, WV 26287 or to the church or charity of your choice.
The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Robert James “Bob” Schoonover. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com