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Calvin H. Shifflett

SHIFFLETT

Calvin Hansbrough Shifflett, 86, owner of Shifflett’s Store in Bemis, passed away Tuesday evening, Aug. 13, 2019, in the Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Maryland. He had been in failing health, but his death was unexpected.

Calvin was born Jan. 4, 1933, in Bemis, Randolph County, the youngest of six sons of the late Joseph and Rosa Belle Hansbrough Shifflett.

On Feb. 22, 1952, in Baltimore, Maryland, Calvin was married to Mary Frances Hedrick, who preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 2017. They had celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Calvin is survived by six of his seven children: Cathy Susan (DeNeal) Phillips, David Kevin Shifflett, Kimberly Kaye (Lanny) Thompson, Sherry Leigh (Dave) Bonner, Patricia Anne (Don) Thompson and Sandra Dee Shifflett. Eight grandchildren: Christopher Phillips, Casey (Mark) Eichler, Christa and Derek Shifflett, Cody Thompson, Adam and Travis Bonner and Brandon Sipe. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Morganne and Macey Phillips, Olivia, Emma and Anthony Eichler, Haley and Hayden Shifflett, Zayden Dodd and Gunner Bonner, Kage Bonner, Chase Bennett, Landyn and Nevaeh Sipe. Calvin is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family. The family wants to recognize one special nephew, Don Shifflett, who was always a big help to Dad at Bemis. Dad said, “Don could read the phone book and have you laughing.”

Besides his wife and parents, Calvin was preceded in death by one son Bradley Calvin Shifflett, a granddaughter Tara Brooke Sipe and his five brothers: Joseph Medford, Ronald Lee, Maynard Elwood, Orval Ray and Clarence Edward Shifflett.

Calvin enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 15, 1948, at Elkins, at the age of 15 years and nine months. Calvin was honorably discharged on Oct. 22, 1951 in Fort Gordon, Georgia. After being discharged from the Army, he and his brother Clarence headed to Baltimore, Maryland where their three brothers were working. In Baltimore, Calvin worked as a brakeman on the B & 0 Railroad and at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co. However, he missed Bemis and he and Frances moved back home. Calvin worked stacking lumber for Frank Wilson at Wildell, as a scaler-mixer at Dutch Oven Bakery in Elkins, cutting a road up East Fork for Hope Gas Co., as a salesman at Wrought Iron Range Co., as a cabinet builder and foreman at Metalab Labcraft Co. in Beverly, and from 1977 to 2006 as assistant to his wife Frances who was the postmaster at the Glady Post Office. In 1961, Calvin became a small business owner. The Post Office in Bemis closed and was moved to Glady leaving the town of Bemis without a store. Calvin built his store and opened for business on April 22, 1961. From 1977 to 2006, he worked seven days a week. Monday thru Saturday he worked at the Post Office and Friday and Saturday nights and Sundays at his store. His last visit was during this past Memorial Day weekend. So many people would hear that Calvin was at the store and would stop in to visit with him. Most people who visit feel like they have stepped back in time and have said to “never change this place.” Calvin loved his family and his many friends and liked anyone who ever grew up there, he loved Bemis.

Friends may call from 5 until 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in the Elkins Memorial Gardens on the Country Club Road. Full Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by members of the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard Program, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Calvin Hansbrough Shifflett. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.