Harry Raymond Ankrom, Sr.

Harry Raymond Ankrom, Sr., 87, of Washington, went to be with His Lord on Saturday, March 13, 2010, following a six-month illness. He was born in Grafton, West Virginia, on September 4, 1922, the son of the late Pearley Lloyd Ankrom and Edith Mae Efaw. Mr. Ankrom was a World War II veteran, having served in the Army from April 8, 1943, until October 15, 1945. He was involved in battles and campaigns in Rome, Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, Southern France, Northern France, Rhineland and the Balkans. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Distinguished Unit Badge with one Oak Leaf Cluster. Mr. Ankrom was a tractor-trailer driver for Browser Dairy out of Sistersville, West Virginia. In Washington, he also drove for Suwak, Lightning Express and Overnight Trucking, as well as for Amwell, Buffalo and South Franklin Townships. Mr. Ankrom was a member of Lone Pine Christian Church, American Legion Post 175, Sunshiners, Teamster Union 585, Washington Senior Citizens, and Buffalo Grange. He loved listening to country music, playing darts, traveling, hunting, fishing, playing the guitar and harmonica, singing with his wife, and spending time with family and friends. On Sunday, June 19, 1983, he married Jeanette Loraine Hillberry RIggle, who survives. They enjoyed their wonderful 26 years of life together by traveling and seeing many parts of the country. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Harry (Karen) Ankrom, Jr., of Tionesta; two daughters, Carol Sue Hewitt of Washington and Grace (Bill) Bardella of Banetown; a step-son, Michael (Jeannie) RIggle of Washington; a step daughter, Tammy (Dan) Dyer of Deland, Florida; a step daughter-in-law, Nancy Sayre Riggle of Youngsville, North Carolina; 12 grandchildren, Brenda (Mike) Rohaley, Laurie “Toby” (Doug) Weiss, Harry (Miranda) Ankrom, all of Washington, J.R. (Amber) Ankrom of Toronto, Ohio, Jason (Nicole) Ankrom of Washington, Chad (Amber) Ankrom of Williamsport, Maryland, Christina Ankrom of Claysville, Larry (Carrie) Ankrom of Lone Pine, Stacy (Doug Novotney) Ankrom of Washington, Ashley (John) Burnsworth of Amity, Amanda (Adam) Cox of Washington and Abby Donkin of Banetown; seven step-grandchildren, Anthony Dyer, Kaylee Dyer, Courtney Dyer, all of Deland, Florida, Michael Riggle and Shayla Riggle of Washington, Zachery Riggle of Youngsville, North Carolina, and Chelsey Polewski of Slippery Rock; and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four sisters, Emma Jean Ankrom, Patty Smith, Nancy Runion, and Mary Lou Barnhart, all of Sistersville, West Virginia; two brothers, Pearley (Maxine) Ankrom of Sistersville, and Kenneth (Loretta) Ankrom of Parkersburg, West Virginia; several nieces and nephews, Mary (Delmas) Marks of Buckhannon, West Virginia, Patty (Bill) Umble of Smithfield, Marrietta (Jim) Phillips of Buckhannon, Virginia Hymes, Joan (Terry) Biller of Elkins, West Virginia, Eugene (Tippi) Keene, Opal (Tim) Sturn, Truman (Emogene) Keene, Nellie (Paul) Davis, all of Belington, West Virginia; several step nieces and nephews; two brothers-in-law, Larry (Linda) Hillberry of Amity and Sonny (Donna) Hillberry of Washington. Deceased are seven sisters, Nina Keene, Mary Keene, Betty Ebert, Helen Price, Joanna Moore, Dorothy Ankrom and Elizabeth Ankrom; a great-grandson, Michael Morris; a step-granddaughter Adrianna Riggle; a step-son, Mark Richard Riggle; a son, Larry Ankrom; and a daughter, Debbie Donkin. Friends will be received 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 17th, in Church of Christ, 700 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Rev. Joshua Sonoga, Rev. Harry Ankrom and Bob Davison officiating. Interment in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will take place at a later date. Military rites will be accorded at the church by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.