Hastings Funeral Home Inc of Morgantown, WV

08/28/2026

Have you decided to preplan for your funeral wishes but aren't sure how to talk to your family about it? This article discusses tips and talking points for sharing your funeral wishes with your children and loved ones.

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08/26/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Dr. Amanda Acord-Vira.

Dr. Amanda Acord-Vira, beloved daughter of Frank and Cathy Acord of Beckley, WV, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2026 surrounded by the love she so freely gave throughout her life. Amanda was a bright, generous soul whose compassion touched everyone she met. Her family and friends knew her as someone who led with her heart — a woman whose spirit was unmistakably kind, sincere, and devoted.

Amanda dedicated her career to helping others as a teacher specializing in brain injury rehabilitation and occupational therapy. Her work was not just a profession but a calling. She poured her energy, patience, and empathy into every student she taught, offering hope, dignity, and encouragement to those facing profound challenges. Her commitment to her field reflected the same unwavering devotion she showed her family.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 24 years, Michael T. Vira and their son, Connor Vira.

She was the cherished granddaughter of Delma Boram of Beckley, WV, and was preceded in death by her grandparents Elbert Justice of Fairdale, WV, Chrisabelle Acord, and Frank Acord.

Those left to forever cherish her memory include her siblings, Jennifer Park, husband Dave Park, and niece Jocelyn Park; Aaron Acord, wife Andi Acord, and nieces Reagan and Emmy Acord, and nephew Micah Acord, and her dear friend Tracy Rice.

She is also survived by her mother and father in-law, Mike and Debby Vira, who they loved like their own daughter.

Amanda’s presence was a gift — gentle, generous, and full of light. Her family takes comfort in knowing that everyone who crossed her path saw her true spirit and felt the warmth of her kindness. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WVU Medicine Hospice, 12 Rousch Drive, Morgantown, WV 26501.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements. Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Friday, August 28th from 4:00 PM until the time of the memorial service at 6:00 PM with Pastor Roger Sealey officiating.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.

08/26/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Nancy Turner.

Nancy Hanks Fortney Turner, 86, passed away on Saturday, August 15th, 2026. She was born on August 13th,1940 in Shinnston, West Virginia, the daughter of the late James and Thelma (Shreve) Fortney.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Rita Lorraine Church; as well as her grandchildren, Amber Dawn Pigott, Marcus David Slauer and Molly Ryan Slauer; and 6 great-grandchildren ( James, Zaiden, Jack, Evelyn, Harper and Arthur).

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Peter Yost Turner, and her son, Christopher Leon Pigott.

Mostly remembered as a teacher, Nancy still wore many hats throughout her lifetime and always declared she was a "hillbilly and proud of it!"

Originally from Shinnston, WV, Nancy made her home in Morgantown, WV for many years before retiring in Bruceton Mills, WV. Nancy loved her WV mountains, was an avid reader, and remained a loyal WVU fan her entire life.

She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star until illness prevented her from attending in person, but she never let her membership drop and missed participating with her many friends.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation services have been provided.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Wednesday, September 2nd from 5-7 PM. At the conclusion of the visiting, the Order of the Eastern Star will perform ritualistic services. A committal service will take place at the W.V. National Cemetery, 42 Veterans Memorial Lane, Grafton, WV 26354 (Pruntytown location) on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 at 11:00 AM

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Nancy's memory to the Laurance Jones, III Childhood Language Center, 1313 Quarrier Street, Suite A, Charleston, WV 25301.

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

08/25/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Alan McKendall III.

Alan Robert McKendall III, affectionately known as “Bigg Man”, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, due to complications from a seizure.

Alan was known and loved by many. Apart from being a beacon of positivity to all, his life’s testimony was marked by sincerity, kindness, and love. He would routinely greet even strangers with friendliness and curiosity, and was never judgmental or biased. However, he had a very special relationship with his immediate family and will be known and remembered by his loving nature and joy, which he shared profusely with those around him.

He loved spending time with his family by traveling, watching movies/eating popcorn, and watching his favorite shows on T.V. Land (i.e., Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith, and Everybody Loves Raymond). One of his favorite things to do was to listen to music and watch music videos and he enjoyed getting on swings as well. After graduating from Morgantown High School, Alan partook in a variety of extracurricular programs and activities around the city, making a name for himself. Alan worked at Goodwill as a book processer, which involved scanning, pricing, and organizing donated books. He enjoyed attending physical/occupational and speech therapy as well as weekly training sessions at the West Virginia University Student Recreational Center. He also participated in Stepping Stones and Special Olympics swimming, track, and bowling.

Alan III took life at his own pace and thought about others frequently. While doing tasks, he often asked where people were by name, highlighting his compassion for others. Even when he was quiet, his presence made a statement, but now that he is not physically present, the memories that he left will be etched into the hearts and minds of his loved ones and friends.

Alan III will be cherished and eternally loved by his parents (Alan Jr. and Sherron McKendall) and siblings (Zacharius, Maya, and Belicia McKendall). Alan III will also be deeply missed by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jennie Williams McKendall and Leslie Benson Sr.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Special Olympics and Stepping Stones communities, the Greater St. Paul AME church members as well as our neighbors and friends for the outpouring of support and love received during this difficult time.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Alan III’s homegoing services honoring his life at the Greater St. Paul AME Church, 61 Beechurst Ave., Morgantown, on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am with Elder Clarence Benson officiating. A private interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Monongalia County Special Olympics, Stepping Stones, or an Autism Advocacy Organization of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.

08/24/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Anna Lynn Stasick.

Anna Lynn Stasick passed away peacefully the morning of August 6th, 2026, with loved ones by her side.

Anna was born to Sue VanPutenVink and Henry “Andrew” Stasiuk in Paterson, New Jersey, on March 16th, 1950. Anna was preceded in death by her older sister, Judith “Judy” Beavan, and their parents. Anna is survived by her younger brother, Arthur Stasiuk, whom she cherished; Arthur’s wife, Nancy; and her nieces and their families. Anna was dearly beloved by her close companions and honored in her community.

Anna Lynn was a deeply sensitive person who saw beauty in life exemplified through the arts and the natural world. She was a talented musician who sang and played the guitar true to her spirit. Anna was also a proud craftsperson; she could build and fix most anything. She possessed an extraordinary memory and would often, in the midst of conversation, recite song lyrics or poems by heart, as easily as she could recall dates, names, places, and the histories attached to them. She was an exceptional preservation historian. Anna was quick-witted, innovative, intelligent, dedicated, and strong-willed.

In 76 years, Anna had enough adventures for many lifetimes. As a young adult, she left home and traveled through parts of Europe, including France and Spain. She returned briefly to the East Coast before heading west to California, where she worked selling musical instruments and performing auto maintenance. Following this journey, she settled in West Virginia where she made a lifelong home.

Anna was a “back-to-the-lander.” In the 1970s she moved to Hundred, West Virginia, built her own cabin, and grew her own food. After several years, she traded rural living for a more social existence in Morgantown. In downtown Morgantown, she was contracted to perform maintenance and repair for many businesses and apartment buildings. She was also a member of the steelworkers’ union. In 1987, Anna Lynn purchased her home in the Greenmont neighborhood where she joined a community that celebrated and treasured her.

At the turn of the millennium, Anna returned to West Virginia University and earned her Regents Bachelor of Arts degree and later continued studies in pursuit of a PhD. She went on to work for the Preservation Alliance throughout West Virginia, bringing together her craftsmanship, knowledge of history, and appreciation for the places around her.

As her health declined in the last decade, her day-to-day life grew quieter and more familiar. She continued to find joy in the people, animals, and home that she loved. She enjoyed time with her basset hound, Hanky Doodle Dandy, playing dominoes, deep and immersive intellectual conversations, dinners out with friends, evenings at Gene's, and hosting small gatherings filled with song and laughter.

Anna Lynn was tender, passionate, and rather theatrical. If you expressed your love for her, she would reciprocate honestly. She called it “a meeting of the Mutual Admiration Society.” As a point of ceremony, she would animatedly act out the exchange: “I love you. I love you, too. Okay, meeting adjourned.” She will be dearly missed.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Saturday, September 5th from 3-5pm. A Celebration of Life will continue at Gene’s Beer Garden, 461 Wilson Ave., Morgantown, beginning at 7pm.

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

Do you have questions about green burial? Do you know what it is or what makes a burial "green"? Check out this informative article that answers these questions and many others!

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08/21/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Donald William Porter.

Donald William Porter, 69, of Morgantown, West Virginia, went to heaven on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026, while surrounded by his family. He was born on The Fourth of July, 1957, in Morgantown, West Virginia, as the youngest of four boys. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlene Hunter Porter; daughters Whitney Dawn Porter Lenhart (DJ) and Courtney Porter Riley (Nick); grandsons William and Weston Lenhart, and Oliver Riley. He is also survived by his brother Dexter Porter (Dickie Lee), sister-in-law Shelia Porter, many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mildred (McMillen) Porter, as well as two of his older brothers, Douglas and David Porter.

Don graduated from University High School in Morgantown in 1975 where he earned All-State Honorable Mention in football and lettered all 3 years. He started working at a very young age with a paper route, janitorial jobs, delivery driver, and on pipelines. His most notable occupations were as a skilled carpenter at Walls Cabinet Company for 22½ years and at Mylan Pharmaceuticals for 19 years, demonstrating his strong work ethic and loyalty. As a long-time member of the Forks-of-Cheat Baptist Church, Don was both a Deacon and Church Cemetery Director.

Beach vacations, camping, and trips to Canaan Valley with his family were important to Don, as he wanted to create lasting memories for everyone. His famous Fourth of July parties have been a long-standing tradition in which he reveled in spending time with family and friends, highlighted with homemade ice cream and epic fireworks. He was an avid NASCAR fan and Mountaineer Football season ticket holder for decades. In his later years, his favorite times were spent with his grandsons, as he proudly held the title “Pap.”

The family would like to sincerely thank everyone for all the support and love we have received and for the people involved in Don’s care, specifically at Fresenius Kidney Care and Mon Health Medical Center. We are blessed by how much Don was truly loved.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St. Morgantown, on Sunday, August 23rd from 1-5 PM. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Monday, August 24th from 1 PM until the time of the funeral service at 2 PM with Pastor Chuck Bowers officiating. Burial will follow at Forks-of-Cheat Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Don has requested that donations be made to Forks-of-Cheat Baptist Church Cemetery, mailed to Daniel Lenhart at 42 Bruce Sliger Road, Morgantown, WV, 26508.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.

08/21/2026

We are honored to serve the family of Paul Henneberger.

Paul Keefer Henneberger, 73, of Morgantown, WV, died at Ruby Memorial Hospital on May 28, 2026.

Paul was born in Hamilton, Ohio., on August 27, 1952, the son of Marc W. Henneberger and Mary K. Henneberger. He is survived by his wife, Linda Durfee, of Morgantown, and their daughter, Katherine Henneberger, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his siblings, James Henneberger (Charlotte), of Tampa, Fla., and Nancy Riesgo (Tom), of Belfast, Me.; ten nieces and nephews; and three great-nieces.

A 1974 graduate of Beloit College, Paul earned a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University in 1980 and a Doctor of Science degree in Epidemiology and Occupational Health from Harvard University in 1988. Paul’s public health career began in New York City, where he worked first in infectious disease surveillance for the NYC Department of Health and later as an epidemiologist for the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Following completion of his ScD, Paul spent four years as an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., teaching epidemiology to medical and nursing students and conducting research in occupational health, especially the respiratory health of pulp and paper workers. In 1993, he moved to Morgantown to work at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), where he would spend the remainder of his career.

During his 32 years at NIOSH, Paul became known worldwide for his contributions to the understanding of occupational respiratory disease, including work-related asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition to being a prolific author in the field, Paul served as a peer reviewer for numerous professional journals, and he was a highly regarded presenter, moderator, and facilitator at professional conferences. Paul’s colleagues valued his expertise, thoughtful perspective, and talent for asking insightful questions that deepened scientific discussions. He was also known for mentoring early-career scientists, generously sharing his time and wisdom to encourage newcomers to the field.

As a long-term member of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), Paul held multiple leadership positions within that society over the years, including serving a term as Environmental, Occupational and Population Health (EOPH) Assembly Chair and member of the ATS Board of Directors. In addition, he served for a number of years as a board member of the American Lung Association of West Virginia and the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic, as well as of the Community Kitchen in Morgantown.

Following his 2025 retirement, Paul still remained active professionally, staying on as a guest researcher at NIOSH, maintaining adjunct faculty status at West Virginia University, and continuing his collaborative work with international investigators. He shared his expertise with the community, working with local activists to highlight how recent administrative changes affect West Virginia health care. Driven by his passion to improve the lives of others, Paul also recently joined the Friday morning volunteer crew at the Community Kitchen.

An enthusiast of English country dancing, Paul met his beloved Linda at Pinewoods Camp. The couple married in 1994 and soon welcomed their daughter, Katherine, who became her father’s greatest source of joy and pride. Paul enjoyed traveling with his family, and two career opportunities offered them notable travel experiences: a ten-week collaborative research position in 2003 at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and a ten-month Visiting Scientist position in 2008 at the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, Spain. In retirement, Paul revived his interest in the German language, finding great satisfaction in improving his fluency through dedicated daily practice. Paul savored his early-morning neighborhood walks, relished every opportunity to cross-country ski, and loved hiking in the woods. He was a lifelong Episcopalian.

A memorial service will take place at St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church, 75 Old Cheat Rd. Morgantown, on Saturday, August 29, at 10 am, with the Rev. Michael L. Delk officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to the American Lung Association; Episcopal Relief & Development; Community Kitchen, Inc.; or Pinewoods Camp, Inc.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

08/20/2026

School is just around the corner, and it means kids across the nation will be discovering timeless classics for the first time. What were some books you loved as a kid and maybe even still enjoy to this day?