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

Gail Lovel Zickefoose

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gail L. Zickefoose, of Pinellas Park, Florida, who died peacefully on December 25, 2019, at the age of 83 after a long illness with Alzheimer’s.

Gail was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life was marked by service, dedication, and quiet strength.

He touched many lives through his career in education, his deep involvement in the community, and his unwavering commitment to family.

He was preceded by his parents, Lieutenant Colonel Marble L. Zickefoose and Marguerite Hodges Zickefoose; his brothers Neil and Gary Zickefoose; and his sister-in-law Lois (Neil) Zickefoose.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Dotty Gould Zickefoose; daughter Jan (Vladimir) Kapustin of Dublin, OH; son David L. (Lisa) Zickefoose of Clearwater, FL; grandchildren Ryan (Brittaney) Zickefoose of Canton, OH, Kati (Joe) Payne of Port Charlotte, FL, Alexandra Kapustin of Dublin, OH, and Nikolas Kapustin of West Point Military Academy, NY; and great-grandchildren Arabella Zickefoose and Maximus Payne of Port Charlotte, FL.

He is also survived by sister-in-law Jeanne Ellis Zickefoose of Bridgeport, WV, and nieces and nephews Michelle (Phillip) Sharp of Brentwood, CA; Deborah (Juan) Maisterrena of Oakley, CA; Greg (Sara) Zickefoose of Alexandria, VA; and Brian (Kimberly) Zickefoose of Lancaster, PA.

Gail graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and West Virginia University. He began his career in education as a teacher and football coach. In 1963, as assistant football coach at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, his team won the West Virginia State Big 10 Championship. After earning his master’s degree, he served as a school counselor in Canton, Ohio, until retiring in July 1995.

Gail was deeply engaged in public service throughout his life. He served in the West Virginia National Guard for nine years and held leadership roles in several organizations, including president of the Canton Professional Education Association, financial chairman and president of the Stark County Retired Teachers Association, and longtime board member of the CSE Credit Union.

He was also president of the Wally Bryan Travel Trailer Club, worked for Sears Appliance and Hardware after retirement, and was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Canton.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Gail will be remembered for his kind heart, steady leadership, and lifelong devotion to helping others. His legacy lives on in the many people he guided, supported, and loved throughout his life. He will be deeply missed.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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

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