Obituaries
Phyllis L. Neshem
Nov 4, 2023
MARS HILL – Phyllis L. Neshem, 87, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023. She was born in Glens Falls, NY on April 27, 1936 to the late Earl and Alberta Baker Anderson. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, D.J. “Stephen” Neshem; and her brother, Earl Anderson.
For 20...
Dr. Calvin Porter Claxton, Jr.
Oct 27, 2023
WEAVERVILLE - Calvin Porter Claxton, Jr. died peacefully at the age of 88 at Mission Hospital, where he spent endless hours during his career as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Porter was born April 20, 1935 in Knoxville, TN to the late Calvin Porter Claxton, Sr. and Laura Evelyn Mabry Claxton. His sister, Claire Presley and brother, Brooks Claxton predeceased...
Penelope "Penny" Drennan
Oct 26, 2023
WOODFIN – Penelope “Penny” Drennan, age 75, of Woodfin, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Riverbend Healthcare in Asheville. Penny was born on October 17, 1948, in Cuero, Texas. She was the daughter of the late Carl Willis Sample and Annette Chambers Sample.
Penny attended Smiley High School and then Sam Houston University, graduating with a degree in...
Robert Hunter Van Wagner
Oct 25, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Robert Hunter Van Wagner, 93, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Solace in Asheville.
The son of the late Harold Lewis Van Wagner and Gertrude Tompkins Van Wagner, Robert was a Sargent in the Tank Corp of the US National Guard. He was a Board Member for Eliada Home and did Mission work with Salem Methodist...
Francis Philip "Phil" Hritzak
Oct 24, 2023
ALEXANDER – Francis Philip Hritzak (Phil/Papa Philly), born on November 24, 1964 in Wichita, Kansas passed away on October 24, 2023 at the age of 58 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Phil was an incredibly hardworking man with a Bachelors Degree in Communications. It was no secret that Phil was highly intelligent. He amazed the kids with his witty responses and fast answering...
Billie J. Penland
Oct 23, 2023
LEICESTER – Billie J. Penland, age 85 of Leicester died Monday, October 23, 2023, in Hendersonville.
Miss Penland was born February 14, 1938, in Buncombe County to the late James Virgil & Claudia Chandler Penland. She retired from American Enka Corporation after working in the Accounting Department. Billie was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Leicester. She...
Nathan Mark Moore
Oct 22, 2023
Weaverville – Nathan Mark Moore, age 55, passed into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
Nathan was born in Raleigh, North Carolina to Eileen S. Moore and the late Gordon E. Moore. Nathan grew up in Cary, North Carolina and Sellersville, Pennsylvania. He was an over-the-road truck driver and then a...
Linda Maney Shope
Oct 19, 2023
ARDEN – Linda Maney Shope, 65, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at her home in Arden under Hospice care and surrounded by family.
Linda was born on May 26, 1958, in Buncombe County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Buron Maney and Myrtle Bradley Maney. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Lee...
Aarion Corlette Talbert
Oct 19, 2023
LEICESTER – Aarion Corlette “Toot” Talbert, 24, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was the daughter of Rick and Amie Talbert.
Along with her parents, she is survived by her daughter, Izzy Talbert; a sister, Jasmine Shivers and her husband, Marcez and her nephews, Taeden, Tyson and JoJo; a brother,...
Gloria Marie Hewitt
Oct 13, 2023
SYLVA – Gloria Marie Hewitt, 67, of Sylva, passed away on October 13, 2023, at Mission Hospital. Gloria was born on April 9, 1956, in Buncombe County. She was the daughter of the late Arthur Joseph and Marie Etta Trantham. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Charles Wills.
Gloria worked at Square D for many years, and...
Carol Duncan Sweet
Oct 12, 2023
ASHEVILLE – Carol Duncan Sweet, age 77, of Asheville, passed away on October 12, 2023, at Stonecreek Health and Rehab. Carol was born on April 16, 1946, in Oregon City, Oregon. She was the daughter of the late Fred Denham Patton and Melba Hinshaw Patton.
Carol was a writer. She wrote creatively, and also in her career in non-profits, securing...
Dennis Dean Tesner
Oct 12, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Dennis “Denny” Dean Tesner went home to God’s Kingdom on October 12, 2023, at age 67.
Denny was born to the late Juanita Tesner on June 9, 1956, in Buncombe County, North Carolina where he was a lifelong resident. In addition to his mother, he was also preceded in death by brothers, Edmond and Richard Tesner.
He is...
Claude Lester Edwards
Oct 12, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Claude Lester Edwards, age 81, died on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
Mr. Edwards was born on March 20, 1942, in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He enjoyed playing softball at the Beech Community Center and gardening. But nothing topped the love he had for his children and grandchildren. Claude never met a stranger...
Doris Sorrells
Oct 8, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Doris Priscilla Sorrells, age 98, of Weaverville, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Doris was born on July 24, 1925, in Buncombe County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Sorrells, Sr. and Margaret Davidson Sorrells. She is also preceded in death by her twin sister, Dorothy Sorrells Joyner (and husband, Joe Joyner);...
James Doyle Ward
Oct 7, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – James Doyle Ward, Age 87, of Weaverville, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Mr. Ward was born on June 3, 1936, in Yancey County and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life. He was the son of the late Howard “Dooley” and Pauline Boone Ward.
He was an independent truck driver and...
Jason Michael McLamb
Oct 3, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Jason Michael McLamb passed away unexpectedly on October 3, 2023, at Mission Hospital.
Jason was born on November 7, 1971 in Lumberton, North Carolina. He worked as a chef, most recently at Givens Highland Farms.
He is survived by his children, Molly Lucinda McLamb and Jack Wilton McLamb; parents, Jenny McLaurin and James Wilton McLamb; sister, Jennifer Wallace...
Eleanor Lee O'Donnell Starnes
Oct 2, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Eleanor Lee Starnes, 91, passed away on October 2, 2023 at her home in Weaverville, NC.
Eleanor was born on December 9, 1931, in Buncombe County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Mae Ledford O’Donnell and Edward O’Donnell. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Guy Vaughn Starnes, Jr.; her daughter, Patricia Mundy...
James Franklin Eller
Sep 26, 2023
CANDLER - James Franklin Eller, 79, died on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at his residence.
Mr. Eller was born on October 19, 1943 in Buncombe County where he lived all of his life. He was the son of the late John A. Eller, Sr., and Anna Lee Franklin Eller. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by...
Billy Ben Spangler
Sep 25, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Billy Ben Spangler, age 85, died on Monday, September 25, 2023, under Hospice care at the Elizabeth House.
Dr. Spangler was born February 28, 1938, in Peterstown, West Virginia to the late Ben and Truth Dexter Dunn Spangler. He was raised by his maternal grandparents.
Dr. Spangler graduated from Greenbrier High School in Ronceverte, West...
Fern Eileen Kelch
Sep 25, 2023
HENDERSONVILLE – Fern Eileen Kelch passed away on September 25, 2023, at her home in Hendersonville, NC.
Fern was born on July 20, 1935 in Fargo, North Dakota. She was the daughter of the late Freida Marie Weller and Andrew George Kaastad. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Bentley; son, Joseph Bentley; father of...
Subscribe
Get alerts when new obituaries are posted
HeartLight offers a variety of support groups, education, resources, and special programming related to grief and loss.
