Howard E. Janney

Howard E. Janney, 80, of Oak Hill, WV died on Friday, July 18, 2008, at his residence. Born November 9, 1927 at Pax, WV, he was a son of the late John W. and Mollie Lou Souder Janney. Howard served in public service for 35 years in Fayette County. Among his many jobs held were: in 1952 - youngest Deputy Sheriff ever appointed; in 1953 - youngest Chief of Police in Oak Hill for 10 years; in 1960 - one of the founding members to open the Oak Hill Swim Club; in 1963 - Blackburn - Janney Ford Car lot was started; in 1970 - founder of Jan-Care Ambulance, the first private ambulance service started in WV; in 1972 - appointed to the Sheriff's Office as Chief Deputy, also served as Civil Defense Director of Fayette County; and in 1976 - elected and served 14 years as the County Clerk of Fayette County. After that time, he was nominated as Fayette County Democrat of the Year where he was personally recognized by Senator Robert Byrd in Charleston - along with many others. Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Bannister Janney on July 26, 2005. Survivors include his daughter, Paige Kerby and her husband, Fred of Fredericksburg, VA; his son, John G. "Jap" Janney and wife, Diana of Oak Hill; his four grandchildren, Erin Kerby Bowling and husband, Adam, Tiffany Kerby, Katie Janney and Jeffrey Janney; a great grandchild, Parker Bowling; a brother, O. D. Janney of Crab Orchard; a sister, Athylene Bergendahl of Beckley; and two sisters-in-law, Jane Lawson of Oak Hill and Eunice Janney of Conway, SC. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, July 21, 2008, at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel, Oak Hill, with Pastor Jerry Bush officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Friends may call from 12 Noon until the service hour at 2:00 PM Monday. Pallbearers will be Timmy Richardson, Bill Hannabass, Dickie Rogers, Jack McClung, Steve Kessler, and Mike Whisman. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Howard E. Janney to Hospice of Southern WV, P. O. 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.