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

Charity M. Manspeaker

Charity M. Manspeaker, 59, of Meade Street, Buckhannon, died Friday, June 26, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  

She was born on January 6, 1961, in Erie, Pa., a daughter of John Edward “Jack” and Charity Margaret “Peggy” Young Dedrick, who survive in Centreville, Md.  

Charity grew up in Bowie, Md., and on September 3, 1983, she was united in marriage to Richard David Manspeaker, II, who survives.  In addition to her parents and husband, she is also survived by her four loving children:  Andrew John “Andy” Manspeaker of the home, Anthony Peter “Tony” Manspeaker and wife Kelley of Buckhannon, Matthew Augustine Manspeaker and wife Stephanie of Jessup, Md., and Mary Rose Manspeaker of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three grandchildren:  Ethan, Leigha, and Molly Rose Manspeaker; one brother James Dedrick and wife Kelly of Port Deposit, Md.; two sisters:  Colleen and husband Michael Cimba of Monroeville, Pa. and Kathy and husband Todd Davis of Mount Airy, Md.; one sister-in-law: Vicki Dedrick of Annapolis, Md.; father- and mother-in-law:  Richard and Patricia Manspeaker of Hagerstown, Md.; numerous nieces and nephews; and her three beloved cats:  Lucy, Muffin, and Snoopy, and dog Bacon.  

She was preceded in death by one brother Joseph “Joe” Dedrick.

Charity was a parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where she served in various music ministries. Many students received the gift of music from her during her 32-year teaching career with Upshur County Schools, and she loved each of them. Charity was a talented violinist and guitarist and was especially fond of caring for her cats. 

At the request of the deceased, the body will be cremated. A private memorial mass will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Edward Tetteh, S.V.D. as celebrant.  

Online condolences may be extended to the Manspeaker family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Manspeaker family entrusted the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service with 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.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Mountain CAP Family Support Center, Red Cross to host free fire safety training in Buckhannon

Mountain CAP Family Support Center and the American Red Cross will host a free fire safety and emergency preparedness training Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. at 30 E. Main St. in Buckhannon.

Applications open for Governor’s School for the Arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College

Applications are open for West Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College, running June 21–July 11, 2026. Theatre arts takes the spotlight alongside tracks like digital media, creative writing, dance, music and studio art.

Upshur County Special Olympics director updates Rotary on how their funding assists the organization

Special Olympics director Dion Wamsley told the local Rotary Club that rising travel, facility and accreditation costs are stretching the budget. He’s doubled athlete participation and is asking the community for fundraising ideas ahead of the Feb. 28 Polar Plunge.

David Leroy Baxa

David Leroy Baxa, 72, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime contractor and skilled tradesman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening and beekeeping, died December 28, 2025, and is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Caraline, two grandchildren, siblings and nieces and nephews.

Paul Ronald Linger

Paul Ronald Linger, 94, a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime West Virginia Wesleyan College master electrician and Upshur County jailer who loved rock collecting, hunting and fishing, died December 19, 2025; he will be cremated.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: January 8, 2026

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on January 8, 2026, with an agenda outlining the topics and business to be addressed by the commission.
High Voltage Power Line

Equipment failure on transmission line causes widespread Upshur County power outage

An equipment failure on a transmission line feeding a French Creek substation knocked out power to about 4,000 Upshur County customers, with residents reporting bright flashes and loud booms.

Basketball Lady Bucs come up short at home against North Marion in 48-40 setback

Buckhannon-Upshur rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to cut the gap to five in the final minute but fell 48-40 at home to North Marion, with freshman Emma Pingley leading B-U with 13 points.

My Buckhannon kicks off 2026 with a new login system, more updates to come

My Buckhannon is kicking off 2026 with a smoother, password-free login: enter your email, get a six-digit code, and you’re in. More account and backend upgrades are coming soon, alongside the same sharp focus on local stories that matter.

Stockert Youth and Community Center eyes funding opportunities for new technology learning facility

Buckhannon residents are being asked to prioritize how a $1 million Weyerhaeuser THRIVE grant should be spent. Local leaders hope community support will steer the funds toward a new regional STEM center.

Senator Robbie Morris named chairman of Committee on Government Organization

Senate President Randy E. Smith has appointed Sen. Robbie Morris to chair the Senate Committee on Government Organization, citing its key role in overseeing agencies, regulations, and reforms for a more efficient, accountable state government.

Record-breaking year for labor and delivery at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital celebrated a record-breaking 2025 in labor and delivery, welcoming 373 babies—the most in its history for the critical access hospital.