Obituary & Life History

HERBERT ESTEL, JR., age 84, of RR 6, Fairmont, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Grafton City Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Fairmont,...

HERBERT ESTEL, JR., age 84, of RR 6, Fairmont, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Grafton City Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Fairmont, WV, May 31, 1925, he was the son of the late Herbert Estel, Sr. and Eunice (Ford) Estel.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Manuella “Betty” (Alvarez) Estel, whom he married on September 21, 1949. Also surviving are two sons, Larry Phillips and wife Betty, of Fairmont and Nathan Estel and wife Mary, of Grafton; two brothers, Carl Estel, of Michigan, and Dale Estel, of Fairmont; seven grandchildren, Doug Mills and wife Melissa, of Grafton, Stephanie Dean and husband Shawn, of Virginia Beach, VA, Jeff Mills and wife Rebecca, of Atlanta, GA, Gene Estel and wife Robyn, of Scott Depot, WV, Shawn Phillips and wife Heather, of Grafton, Nathan Estel, of Princeton, NJ, and Sunny Brumage and husband Jeremy, of Fairmont; sixteen great grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Velda Phillips, of Fairmont, and Jeanie Lough, of Fairmont; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by two sons, Daniel Estel and Paul Estel; three brothers, George Estel, Wayne Estel and Lawrence Estel; and one sister Betty Tatar.

Mr. Estel was a veteran of WWII who served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater. A member of the VFW Taylor County Post #3081, he was an active member of the Taylor County Color Guard having participated 554 military funerals in honor of his fellow departed veterans. He was also a member of the Hebron Baptist Church. To many beloved friends and family, he will be remembered as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking and making apple cider with his family.

Friends may call at Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave., Grafton, on Monday from 2-8 p.m., and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 9th 2010, at the funeral home. Pastor David W. Knotts will officiate. Interment at the WV National Cemetery. Full military graveside rites will be accorded by the VFW Taylor County Post #3081, D.A.V. Chapter 24, American Legion Post #12 and the Army National Guard Honorguard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Taylor County Hospice Care Corporation, 7 Harman Center #203, Grafton, WV 26354.

Online condolences may be sent to the Estel family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com.