PRINCETON —
Charles “Ralph” Marcum, 92, of 715 Highland Avenue in Princeton, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Crestview Manor in Jane Lew, W.Va. Born April 14, 1920 in Logan, W.Va., he was the son of the late Wayne Marcum and Grace Damron Marcum.
He married Roxie Lee Campbell on August 24, 1940 and they celebrated over sixty years of love together until her death on May 11, 2001. Ralph served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged. He began his career as a 14 year old teenager, working as a coal miner in both Logan, W.Va. and Grundy, Va. Ralph always had a strong interest in the history and continued development of coal mining in West Virginia as well as surrounding areas. He relocated to Princeton in the 1950s and for the next three decades, he developed a local reputation of being an honest, hard-working businessman. He first operated the Green Tree Texaco and motel before purchasing and starting his own business, Marcum's Texaco in Princeton. In the 1970s he transitioned to owning and operating Marcum's Car Wash until his retirement.
In accordance with his commitment to family and community, Ralph was also very dedicated to the First Christian Church. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Princeton Elks Lodge No. 1459, and Princeton Moose Lodge No. 1521. Ralph will be remembered for his zest for life, his fondness of conversations and most of all his love of family and relished in the joy of having them around him at special occasions and holidays.
He relocated to his son Jack's home in Horner, W.Va. in December 2011, suffered a stroke in June 2012, and the following month he was transferred to Crestview Nursing Home in Jane Lew where he resided until his death.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Myrtle Marcum Gillespie; two brothers, Willard Marcum and Curtis Rowe; and two daughters, Harriett Allen and Becky Taylor.
Wonderful memories of Ralph will live on and be shared by many surviving members of his family including his daughter, Anita Sweeney and husband Tim of Sherrills Ford, N.C.; his son, Jack Marcum and wife Brenda of Horner, W.Va.; his grandchildren, Kim Gunkel, Rob Allen, Josh Sweeney, Ben Sweeney, Julie Malcolm, Hannah Marcum, and Jonah Marcum; seven great-grandchildren; special son-in-law, Ed Allen; and five nieces and nephews, Bob Gillespie, Mary Stiltner, Harold Gillespie, Joann Viers, and Jean Hess.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Bill Pollack officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council conducting military graveside rites. Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Bailey, Rob Allen, Josh Sweeney, Ben Sweeney, Ed Allen, and Jonah Marcum.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 2, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to the First Christian Church, 805 Straley Ave., Princeton, WV 24740.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.seaverfuneralservice.com.
Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Marcum family.
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