Gary Joseph Toothman, age 72, of Plum Run, Mannington, WV passed away on Monday, September 28, 2015 at his residence. He was born December 1, 1942 at Plum Run, WV son of the late William Russell Toothman and Georgia Alice Fluharty Toothman Potts.
He is survived by his of 49 years, Judy Glover Toothman of Plum Run; 2 children, Amanda Leigh Toothman McVey of Palestine, WV and Mark Joseph Toothman and wife Stephanie of McGhayesville, VA; grandson Levi Joseph McVey of Palestine, WV and granddaughter, Maggie Marie Toothman of McGhayesville, VA; a brother, Samuel and Sharon Toothman of Apex, NC; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Gary Joe’s nieces and nephews for all their help during his illness in the last 4 years.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Toothman was predeceased by 5 siblings, Dewey Toothman, Rosina Toothman, Ben Toothman, Sara Hendershot, and Genelda Toothman who died in infancy.
Mr. Toothman was the owner and operator of Skyline Farms in Plum Run. He enjoyed farming and farmed all his life. He also enjoyed hunting. He was employed by Fairview Bit Company for 25 years, also by the Marion County Board of Education as a School Bus Driver for 21 years.
The family would like to thank Amedysis Care, Marion County Senior Citizens for compassion and care to Gary Joe during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mannington Food Pantry in Mannington, c/o Collen Morris. Gary Joe’s wish was for Direct Cremation as his final disposition. There will be no public viewing. A visitation will held on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 from 2-8:00pm at Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main St, Mannington, WV. Funeral services will be held in the Funeral Home at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 with Reverend Richard Fluharty officiating. Online condolences may be left at www.mastersfuneralhomewv.com
Condolences
My heart is breaking for you. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in prayers. Lean on God for the peace that only He can give. Love you so much!
I'm so sorry for your loss. You and the family are in my prayers. Lean on God to give you the peace that only he can give. Love you all so much
Dear Judy and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I did not realize that Gary was so ill. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry we cannot be there in person to express our condolences. Hopefully we will get to West Virginia sometime in October and would like to see you then. Please give hugs to your children and grandchildren and know that I am thinking of you.
Fondly,
Diane
So sorry to hear about the loss of Gary Jo.....I sure missed him when he retired from bus....may God give you all comfort and strength
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Toothman family during this time of loss.
My deepest condolences to Gary Joe's family. As his funeral notice reminds us, Gary Joe has taken a journey we must all take. Please allow me to share some personal memories of Gary Joe. I met Gary Joe for the first time in 1984 in the kitchen of his mother, Gram-Georgie. I was dating his niece Rebecca who later became my wife and who is still my wife these 31 years later. I have a lot of memories of Gary Joe during family gatherings discussing life in general. I remember my very first conversation with Gary Joe when we discussed telling the difference between sheep and deer hoof prints. I remember Gary Joe checking on Gram-Georgie each morning and staying for a visit to keep her company, I remember the honor I felt in being a poll bearer at his mom's funeral, a lady I cared very deeply for, I remember Gary Joe at the funerals of his siblings which included my mother-in-law Sara, I remember him coming to help Rebecca untangle our horse from the fence while I was away at work, I remember Gary Joe mowing our meadows for us, I remember him lending me his tiller when we were putting in a backyard pool, I remember Gary Joe giving me firewood and then sharing a hotdog roast with us as he burned some of the leftover wood, I remember him plowing my drive the year we had a monster snow storm, I remember him coming to my aid with his tractor when a cement truck got hung up on my farm, I remember countless times seeing Gary Joe working on the farm, which included brush hogging a field that I wouldn't stand on not alone drive a tractor on, I remember his accident on his 4-wheeler when I was surprised he hadn't been killed, I remember our very first discussion about his illness when he shared that he had lost a lot of his strength and it made driving the tractor difficult, I remember Gary Joe letting me keep my son Shawn's new car in his garage so we could surprise Shawn when he got home and showing interest in our excitement, I remember Gary Joe offering his hay ladder and then his barn for my hay, I remember him lending me his rototiller for my son Shane's garden and his encouraging Shane by taking an interest, I remember the many subsequent discussions we shared during his long illness which included his courage of coming to grips with his own immorality, but most of all, I remember Gary Joe's kindness to my wife Rebecca and to my family. He seemed to give them a "buy" as the children and grandchildren of his late baby sister Sara. Gary Joe professed before men that he was a (born again) Christian and so he is in a better place. He has taken a trip that he did not bemoan but instead showed courage in accepting as part of life. We will all miss Gary Joe and the place he held in our lives will be empty except for the memories we cling too and share in his absence. May God bless and give you peace and may you take comfort in knowing that "absent in the body, present with the Lord." And what more glorious place to be, and what a solace for you to know that Gary Joe is today "in paradise."
We are so sorry for the loss of your husband, dad and grandpa. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Chuck and Carol
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Marion County Senior Citizens.