All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Allen Kent Strader

Allen Kent Strader, age 71, of French Creek, WV, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2024, surrounded by his family, after battling an extended illness.  

He was born on February 9, 1953, in Buckhannon a son of the late Rupert R. “Ted” and Leonore Talbott Strader.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Joseph Strader.  

He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Deborah Gorrell Strader, whom he married on May 11, 1975.  He is also survived by one son Jeremy and wife Marcia Strader of French Creek and one daughter Casey and husband Rob Frazier of Shenandoah Junction, WV;  grandchildren:  Ryan and Ian Strader, Jordan and Riley James all French Creek; four sisters:  Bonnie and husband Leonard DeRico, Cindy and husband David Tenney, Teresa and husband Terry Andrews and Krystal and husband Lew Kelley;  two brothers:  Rodney and wife Luann Strader, and Brian and wife Rebecca Strader;  numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Strader was a 1971 graduate from Buckhannon-Upshur High School and graduated from Glenville State College in 1975. 

Mr. Strader left a positive impact on countless students and athletes in his over forty-year career as a teacher and many years of coaching. He never considered teaching a job, as he enjoyed working with children so much. His life revolved around his family, especially his grandkids, who would like to thank him for being the best grandpa anyone could ask for who was there for them no matter what and loved them “more than mostest.”

Friends will be received at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 3-8 PM.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with Pastor Brandon Kelley officiating.  Interment will follow in the Center Chapel Cemetery.  

Online condolences may be extended to the Strader family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Strader family has entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services with funeral arrangements. 

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Ripley, Weston and Buckhannon

A state-of-the-art mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will offer low-dose CT scans in Ripley, Weston, and Buckhannon (Jackson, Lewis, and Upshur counties) on Nov. 18, 20 and 21 with insurance billing and grant-supported coverage for eligible uninsured patients.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Isabella Bowers and Joey Nolte

Buckhannon-Upshur cross-country standouts Isabella Bowers and Joey Nolte are this week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars. Bowers placed 15th in 22:03.8 to earn Second Team All-Conference, while Nolte finished seventh in 17:14.5 to make First Team at the Big 10 Conference Championships.

Appalachian Impact prepares to open new downtown space for youth and families

Appalachian Impact will open a new downtown location on Main Street in Buckhannon next year, adding a children’s museum and interactive learning spaces for ages 0–10. The move aims to expand programs, deepen community partnerships and offer more accessible services.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: October 20-24, 2025

Here’s what’s on Buckhannon’s calendar for Oct. 20–24: Public meetings at City Hall, curbside recycling, yard waste pickup, and the Friday Farmers Market. The city also announced dates for Halloween festivities, the Veterans Day parade, and upcoming holiday events.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital to host November 10 blood drive — Donors entered to win $10,000 shopping spree

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and Vitalant will hold a community blood drive Nov. 10 at The Event Center at Brushy Fork, with November donors entered to win one of two $10,000 gift cards.

Engineers say building new Buckhannon water plant more cost-effective than continued upgrades

Engineers say Buckhannon’s 1960s water plant is past its prime. A feasibility study concluded that building a new facility near the current site will be cheaper in the long run than repeated retrofits.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports schedule lists local high school and college football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, swimming and tennis events at Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan from Oct. 20–26.

Soccer Lady ‘Cats get blanked at home by Frostburg State, 2-0

West Virginia Wesleyan fell 2-0 at home to Frostburg State as Mary Greco and substitute Rayiah Davis scored, while Wesleyan pressed late but couldn’t convert against goalkeeper Kayla Doty.

Soccer ‘Cats suffer rough 5-0 road loss to Concord

ATHENS — The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s soccer team faced a tough test on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 5–0…

WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan women’s tennis knocks off East Stroudsburg, 6-1

West Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s tennis team beat East Stroudsburg 6-1, with singles wins from five players and doubles victories by Jansen van Vuuren/Pozzobon and Sakurai/Sundaraneedi.
WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan volleyball stumbles in 3-0 loss to West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan fell in straight sets to West Liberty, 25–12, 25–16, 29–27, dropping to 13–6 (5–2 MEC) despite strong efforts from Bhrooke Axe and Emily Denison.
WVWC Football Feature Image

Football ‘Cats drop 35-11 decision to West Liberty

West Virginia Wesleyan fell 35–11 to West Liberty as Hunter Patterson rushed for 247 yards and three TDs while the Bobcats’ late rally, keyed by freshman Logan Landers, fell short.