Elk Funeral & Cremation Service

11/06/2026

Ranson Jordan Stuck, 41, of Charleston, West Virginia, was born to Craig and Kathy Stuck on May 28th, 1985. Ranson passed away from asthma-related medical complications on October 30th, 2026.

Ranson was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Charles and Betty Stuck of Mink Shoals, WV, maternal grandparents Bill and Norma Jordan of Lake George, Florida (formerly St. Albans, WV), and maternal uncle Roger Jordan of Lake George, Florida.

Ranson was a 2003 graduate of Capital High School and a former drafting student of WVU Tech. After helping to build and establish his family’s restaurant, Ranson found his career path through his passion for helping others, as he could fix, build, or create anything anyone asked of him. Ranson had a unique talent when it came to designing, remodeling, repairing, and constructing homes and businesses around the area, making his services highly sought after by others for his craftsmanship and quality of work. Ranson, a die-hard Mountaineer fan, had a passion for snowboarding, fishing, cooking, boating, and floating down the Elk River. To his family, Ranson was known as the “hostess with the most-est” and “Official Peanut Butter Pie Maker”. Ranson was the family jokester, friend to all, and never met a stranger. One of the family’s fondest memories of Ranson was his infectious smile, kind heart, and never walking away or ending a phone call without saying I love you. In his spare time, Ranson loved attending his children’s activities and playing board games with his little girls. The family is at peace knowing Ranson now flies high with the angels in Heaven and is surely showing off his inherited talents to his grandfathers - as we are certain they are all fishing and fixing things together.

Ranson is survived by his beloved children; Aeson Jordan Stuck, Braelynn Reese Lilly-Stuck, and Adaleigh Monroe Lilly-Stuck of Charleston, WV; parents Craig and Kathy Stuck of Mink Shoals, WV; sisters Rachel Lovejoy (Mike Guthrie) of Swansboro, NC and Rilee Stuck (Heath Johnson) of Charleston, WV; Nieces Kierstan Ellis, Brittanie Nusspickel (Andrew), and Kilee Stuck and Nephew JR Ellis (Kailey); great-nieces Karina, Mirabella, Sophia, and Kinley, great-nephew Luca and his daughters’ mother, Brooke Lilly. Uncle Steve Stuck (Mink Shoals, WV), aunt Cheryl Ellison (Lake George, Florida); aunt and uncle Ed & Debi Tinsley (Sissonville, WV) with a slew of cousins and extended family who loved Ranson dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Elk River Church of the Nazarene, located at 143 Dutch Rd. Charleston, WV 25302, on Saturday, November 14th, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Service arrangements provided by Elk Funeral & Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made for Ranson’s children via a box for cash & checks the day of the service or via the "make a payment" section under "resources" on elkfuneralservice.com. Please have all payments made via the website by December 1, 2026 to ensure the money gets to the family.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting Ranson's family.

View Ranson Stuck's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/02/2026

James "Jim" Lee Kemplin Sr., 83, of Spring Hill, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2026, after a short illness at the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, West Virginia.

Jim was born on April 3, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ira Oscar "Buster" and Hellen Louise (Rogers) Kemplin.

Jim was co-owner of the Exxon Gas Station in Dunbar, West Virginia, in the 1980s for many years. Jim also owned and operated a painting contractor business.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Martha "Marty" Louise (Keller) of Spring Hill, West Virginia. They were childhood sweethearts and were married for 63 years. Son, Mark Allen Kemplin, of Cross Lanes, West Virginia; brothers Ira Richard Kemplin (Jane) of Kenna, West Virginia, and John Allen Kemplin (Beverly) of St. Albans, West Virginia.

Predeceased by his parents Ira Oscar "Buster" and Hellen Louise (Rogers) Kemplin; son, James Lee Kemplin Jr.; brothers, William "Bill" Edward Kemplin of Arizona and Charles Franklin Kemplin of Florida.

Jim was a 58-year member of L.U. 970 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).

Jim loved his GTO and had several over the years.

A story was never far away when talking with Jim and usually resulted in a lesson learned.

Jim will be missed by all.

A private family service will be held as per Jim's request. Entombment will be at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hubbard Hospice House of Charleston, West Virginia, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, West Virginia 25311.

The family would like to offer their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff and volunteers of the Hubbard Hospice House for the kindness and compassion they showed to Jim (and Marty), and thank them for taking such wonderful care of him while he was in their care. Jennifer made the emotional situation into a calm, stress-free time. A special thank you to his nurse, Ally, for being so sweet and caring to Jim while he was in your care. Our family appreciates you all more than you will ever know.

Please keep Marty and our family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God watch over our family until we meet again.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting Jim's family.

View James Lee Kemplin Sr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from all of us here at Elk! 🎃
For everyone going out trick-or-treating tonight please be safe! Please remember it is Saturday, and if you are doing another kind of trick or treating please be responsible and safe with your decisions!

10/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out helped pass out candy and got candy! We can’t wait till next year to see all the new fun, scary, and cute costumes!

10/27/2026

We are so excited to update that our (now former) apprentice is our newest funeral service licensee!!

We couldn’t be more proud and excited for this new development and cannot wait to watch her grow, continue to learn, and become the very best funeral director she can be!

10/27/2026

Did you know that tonight is the night that according to Mexican traditions our pets who have passed come to visit us?
Below we have an example of an altar and why the specific things are placed on them along with a picture explaining who they believe returns on which days!

10/27/2026

David Wayne Crowder, 71, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away on September 23, 2026. David was born on April 13, 1955, to Leo Crowder and Wynoka Keeling.

There are no services planned at this time.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting David's family.

View David Crowder's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/27/2026

David Warren Greene, 87, of Evans, West Virginia, passed away on October 26, 2026. David was born on March 1, 1939 to the late Delbert Greene and Pauline Moore.

David is survived by his wife Brenda Greene; son Richard Greene, of Columbus, Ohio; and sister Charlotte Halsted (Tom).

Per David's wishes he was cremated and family will be planning a memorial service at a later date.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting David's family.

View David Greene's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/27/2026

Richard Lee Kerns, 77, of Charleston West Virginia, passed away on October 6, 2026. Richard was born to the late May Hazeline Kerns on May 2, 1949.

There are no services planned at this time.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting Richard's family.

View Richard Kerns's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/12/2026

Mary Christina Trent (Hatfield), age 63, leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, perseverance, and faith that will continue through the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, and a woman whose determination helped shape the people who knew and loved her most.

Born on May 13, 1963, in Welch, West Virginia, Mary was the daughter of Jessie Layton Hatfield and Shelvy Jean Hatfield. A descendant of the Hatfield family of the historic Hatfield–McCoy feud, she came from a heritage deeply rooted in the mountains of Appalachia. Her own life reflected the strength and endurance so often associated with the place she called home.

Life was not always gentle with Mary. She faced many hardships and carried burdens that were not always visible to others. Yet, through the struggles, she kept going. When circumstances were difficult and the way forward was uncertain, she found the determination to take another step. She was a true fighter all the way to the end, and that fighting spirit became one of the most lasting gifts she gave her family.

Mary was capable and resourceful, with a willingness to take on whatever life placed before her. To her children, it seemed there was nothing she could not do when she put her mind to it. During her marriage to Leonard Trent, she shared in the demanding life of a coal miner’s family and helped run a car dealership alongside him. She understood hard work and the effort it took to keep moving forward when life offered no easy answers.

For her son, Pastor Christopher Lee Trent, her example helped shape the man he became. Through watching his mother face adversity, he learned lessons that would stay with him throughout his life: never give up, give your best, and do not let difficult circumstances have the final word. Those lessons were lived out before him in the way she continued on, even when continuing was hard.

She helped teach him that strength does not mean life never hurts. Sometimes strength means getting up with a hurting heart and doing the best you can with the day in front of you. Sometimes it means trying again after disappointment, putting in the work when you are tired, and refusing to surrender simply because the road has become difficult. Her perseverance gave him an example he could carry into his own challenges.

The determination Christopher carries today is part of her legacy. Whenever he chooses to keep going, to give his full effort, or to meet a difficult moment with courage, he carries something of his mother with him. Her influence reaches into his life as a father and a pastor, reminding him of the value of perseverance and the importance of giving his best to the people and responsibilities entrusted to him. He will forever be grateful for the mother whose strength helped him find his own.

In her later years, Mary gave her life to Jesus and spent those years drawing closer to Him. Her growing faith became a deeply meaningful part of her life. After all she had faced, she placed her trust in a Savior who knew her burdens, understood her heart, and loved her completely. Her family treasures the knowledge that she turned toward Him and found hope in His love and grace.

Mary is survived by her beloved son, Pastor Christopher Lee Trent; her daughters, Christy Lynn Trent and CC Huff, maiden name Trent; her sisters, Carol Browning, Judy Cline, and Tracy Castle; and her brother, Ricky Hatfield.

She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Christa Trent, Carrissa Trent, Christina Trent, Shealee Trent, Christian Trent, Katie Trent, and Halle Trent. Each one held a special place in her heart. Her love for them is a precious part of the legacy she leaves, and they will always have a place for her in their own hearts.

For her children and grandchildren, her passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot fully express. They will miss her presence and the familiar comfort of having her in their lives. In the days ahead, they will remember her in family stories, in quiet moments, and in the times they find themselves drawing on the same determination she showed them.

Mary’s life cannot be measured only by the hardships she endured. It must also be remembered through the people she helped shape, the love she gave, and the courage with which she continued. Her children and grandchildren are part of her living legacy. The lessons she taught will continue to matter long after this goodbye.

Her son will carry this truth with him always: “Mom, you helped make me who I am. You taught me to never give up and to always give my best. Every time I find the strength to keep going, I will remember the strength I saw in you.”

Mary will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of her family. They hold close the promise of Jesus: “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25), looking forward in faith to the hope of the resurrection and a reunion free from pain and sorrow.

Her fight is over, but the strength she gave her family remains. Her love will live on in her children and grandchildren, and she will forever be in their hearts.

Mary’s family would like to thank her best friend, Diana Robinette for being by her side throughout her sickness.

Elk Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to be assisting Mary’s family.

View Mary Trent's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.