Don Gilkeson

Don Keith Gilkeson, 81 of Webster Springs, passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Webster County Memorial Hospital. He was born February 2, 1931 in Ansted to the late Lacy E. and Hallie Kirk Gilkeson. He graduated from Ansted High School in 1948. Among the jobs he held early in life were those of driver for Elite Dry Cleaners, tipple worker at Nuttallburg, a telegraph operator, and agent and freight agent for the C & O Railroad. In 1958 he became a Conservation Officer for the then Conservation Commission of West Virginia, serving in Webster County. He held the position of Reclamation Inspector for the Department of Natural Resources from 1968 until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of Elk Valley Soil Conservation District and was voted Farmer of the Year in the 1970’s. He loved raising gardens, raising cattle, putting up hay on the family farm, and weaving reed chair seats. He was a member of the Bergoo Baptist Church, where he served in several positions through the years. Don was preceded in death in October 2009 by his wife of 60 years, Doris G. Barker Gilkeson. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Haynes; brothers John and Gene Gilkeson, and an infant grandson Skye Star McCoy. Surviving are his four children: Donna (Bradley) McCoy of Ravenswood, Debbie Minnich of Webster Springs, David (Glenda) Gilkeson of Webster Springs, and Dale Kirk (Alesia) Gilkeson of Cowen; 9 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gary (Tommie) Gilkeson of Charleston; sisters-in-law Eva Gilkeson of Ansted and Judy Gilkeson of Elyria, OH; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may join the family for visitation on Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Bergoo Baptist Church with Rev. Bennie Cowger officiating. The family invites friends to join them for Chapel Services on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Restlawn Memory Gardens in Victor with Rev. Bennie Cowger officiating.