Wirt County Journal September 8, 1999 Obituaries James Lovell Sr. James K. Lovell Sr., 80, of Parkersburg, died August 31 at his residence. He was born Nov. 29, 1918, in Kingston, Fayette County, a son of the late Samuel Wade and Anna Little Stone Lovell. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Beckley College. He was a 50-year member of the I.B.E.W. 968 of Parkersburg. In 1963, he was hired as a senior field engineer and technical advisor for the design, construction and operation of the NASA Mission Control Center, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. He also assisted in the data installation of the NASA Flight Acceleration Laboratory at Sam Houston NASA Facility. He was later assigned as superintendent of the NASA Mississippi Test Facility, Data Handling Center near Gulfport Miss., In 1970, he was employed by Service Technology Corp. at Houston NASA site and was obliged to have been assigned to Mission Control during the Apollo XIII flight to the moon and give technical support to the Apollo XIII investigating team, following the astronauts safe return back to Houston, following the aborted flight to the moon. He was a member of the Edgelawn United Methodist Church, where he served as Boy Scout master, official board member, Sunday school teacher and annual Methodist conference delegate, building committee and lay leader. He was a charter member of the Fort Neal Kiwanis Club, where he served as board member, international, delegate, state chairman of the Childrens Miracle Network Telethon. He has been honored as a distinguished president and lieutenant governor of Kiwanis. He helped with the Parkersburg Safety Town program for preschoolers. He was a member of Gideons International, Parkersburg camp. He is a member of the National Eagle Scouts Association, Mount Olivet Masonic Lodge 3, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Royal Arch Masonry, Jerusalem Chapter 3, Calvary Commandry 3, Knights of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, Knights of Malta, Knights of Templar, Nemesis Temple of the Shrine, Ohio Valley Shrine Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1212, DAV and American Legion Post 15. He served in the Army, U.S. Infantry, 457 Reinforcement Battalion during World War II, landing at La Havre, France, during the Normandy Allied Invasion. He is survived by his constant companion and close family friend of many years, May Belle Frazier; children, James K. Lovell Jr. of Morgantown, Joyce Suzanne Tewes of Pearland, Texas, Michael D. Lovell of Elizabeth, Robert L. Lovell, Rodney D. Lovell and Lynford C. Lovell, all of Parkersburg; three sisters, Betty Prillaman of Martinsburg, Va., Lena Darnell of Sophia, W.Va., and Martha McMillion of Blacksburg, Va.; one brother, Frank Lovell of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Margaret Lovisia Walker Lovell; an infant brother, William Carliss Lovell; one brother, Wade Dudley Lovell; and two infant grandchildren. Services were held Sept. 2 at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with the Rev. Carroll McCauley officiating. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Parkersburg, with military graveside services by American Legion Post 15 and Masonic services by Mount Olivet Blue Lodge 3. H. Olan Thompson Harry Olan Thompson, 79, of Parkersburg, died August 30 in Parkersburg. He was a son of the late Harry and Viola George Thompson. He is survived by one sister, Cloris Hickel; one brother, Donald; 12 nieces; four nephews; and several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Thompson; one sister, Vera Buck; and one infant sister. Services were Sept. 2 at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg, with Pastor Kenny Welch officiating. Burial was in Buffalo Cemetery. Edith E. White Edith E. White, 68, of Weirton, died Sept. 2 at Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born April 21, 1931, in Elizabeth, a daughter of the late John and Daisy Connolly Wilson. She was a homemaker and a member of Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church of Weirton. She is survived by her husband, Victor A. White; one son, Mark V. White of Weirton; and one daughter, Vicki J. Knotts of Weirton. She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Delma Wilson. Funeral liturgy with mass was Sept. 3 at Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church. Burial was in Saint Paul Cemetery, Weirton. Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton, was in charge of arrangements.