Howard Dillon Marstiller, 86, a resident of Laurel Mountain Road, passed from this life Tuesday, November 20th, 2012, in Davis Memorial Hospital. He had been in declining health for several years. Howard was born March 2, 1926, at Elkins, a son of the late Earl and Mabel Given Marstiller. On October 31, 1953, at Oakland MD he was married to Wanda Elaine Ware who preceded him in death September 30, 2012. Howard was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Surviving are two sons, Clifford and wife, Sherri, and H. Nicholas and wife, Savannah, both of Elkins; two daughters, Jeanette Kerr of Elkins and Sandra Chittenden and husband, Thom, of Boyds, MD; two grandsons, John Kerr and wife, Shannon, of Davis and Garrett Marstiller of Elkins; three granddaughters Jessica, Holly, and Rebekah Chittenden, of Boyds, MD; one foster granddaughter Krystal Powers of North Carolina; one great-grandson, Kevin Kerr of Davis; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews; one nephew, Kenny Myall whom he helped raise; five brothers-in-law Donald (Viola) Ware of Ray, ND, James (Diane) Ware of Pine City, MN, Shelly Ware of Casper, WY, Claude (Doris) Ware of Douglas, WY, and Paul Shaffer of Elkins. Besides his wife and parents, Howard was preceded in death by one brother Rolland Marstiller, one sister Audrey Marstiller Davis and one grandson Dillon Marstiller; one brother-in-law Elmer Herzog; four sisters-in-law Betty Marstiller, Virginia Herzog, Shirley Shaffer and Mary Ware. Howard attended the schools of Randolph County and graduated from Elkins High School in 1943. After graduation he served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 and during this time he attended Emory and Henry College in Virginia. After discharge from the military he worked as a meat cutter at the A&P store for several years before he and his wife Wanda owned and operated The Snack Shoppe for 18 years in Elkins. In 1973 he closed the restaurant and went to work as a plumber for Eldon Goddin and retired from Davis Electric in 1991. Howard was a member of the WV Highlanders Bagpipe Band for over thirty years where he served in the color guard for a short time and then became the drum major. He was also a long time member of the American Legion Post 29 where he served as a Post Commander as well as calling bingo for several years. He belonged to the VFW, Elks Club, Moose Club and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He was known for his patriotism, his sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his friends at the American Legion. Howard also enjoyed astronomy, travelling with the WV Highlanders Bagpipe Band, had an interest in politics and government, aviation, gardening, hunting, fishing, and bird watching. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Orlena United Methodist Church. Friends will be received from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm Sunday, November 25th at the funeral home chapel. Pastor David Fisher and the Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley will officiate. Interment will follow in American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery where full military rights will be accorded by members of the United States Navy, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Howard’s name to H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion, 326 Railroad Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 or the Orlena United Methodist Church, c/o Milford Jones, Rt. 1, Box31, Mill Creek, WV 26280. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Howard Dillon Marstiller.
