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

Denzil S. “Chub” Alkire

Obituary Denzil Alkire

Denzil S. “Chub” Alkire, 91, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston, W.Va.

He was born August 23, 1929, in Upshur County, W.Va., a son of the late Earl and Josephine Queen Alkire.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Alkire; daughter, Brenda Alkire-Bennett and sister, Betty Paul.

He is survived by his former wife, Barbara L. Jack-Alkire of Buckhannon; four daughters, Susanne Gompers and husband Bobby of Buckhannon, Marilyn Alkire-Moore and husband Chuck of Rosedale, W.Va., Shirley Hyre of Gassaway, W.Va. and Rhonda Turner and husband Mike of Weston, W.Va.; two grandsons, Tyler Bennett and wife Allaina of Buckhannon and Chuck Moore, II of Troy, Ohio; four granddaughters, Whitney Marsh and husband Derek, Haley, Lauren and Sarah Gompers all of Buckhannon; several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Collins and husband Jarvis and special cousin, LaDonna Ware-Smith of Ohio.

Mr. Alkire served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. During his time in the military, he also served as the chauffeur for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Alkire was a Christian by faith and owned several trucking businesses in Buckhannon.

Friends will be received Wednesday, February 3, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Holly J. Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in the Rock Cave Cemetery in Rock Cave, W.Va. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the graveside.

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.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Webster Springs man arrested on strangulation charge after allegedly spitting on and choking victim

Police arrested a man on a felony strangulation charge after he allegedly admitted to spitting on, slapping and choking another person, according to a criminal complaint.

Volga man arrested after threatening officer at Upshur County Courthouse

A 59-year-old Volga man was arrested after allegedly threatening a deputy during processing at the Upshur County Courthouse following a DUI stop. He faces charges including DUI, possession of marijuana and retaliation against a public official; bail is $19,500.

WVWC’s first Master’s in Counseling students set to graduate

WVWC marks a milestone Friday as the first six graduates of its new Master of Arts in Counseling program cross the stage, bolstering West Virginia’s mental health workforce.

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney

Robert “Bob” Linville Chaney, 90, a retired oil and gas supply worker, Air Force veteran, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather from Fairmont and formerly of Buckhannon, died December 9, 2025.

West Virginia Board of Education approves Rock Cave Elementary closure

The West Virginia Board of Education approved the closure of Rock Cave Elementary School on Wednesday, ending months of community efforts to save the southern Upshur County school. The closure was one of several school consolidations approved across the state.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital opens mental health program for older adults

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital has partnered with Senior Life Solutions to help older adults experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges often associated with aging.

Basketball ‘Cats fall on the road to Pitt-Johnston, 113-84

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — West Virginia Wesleyan put five players in double figures and shot a solid 41% from the field,…

Deputies: Teen driver left baby in Jeep that rolled into apartment during dispute

Deputies say an 18-year-old is charged with child neglect, DUI and underage consumption after leaving his 3-month-old in a Jeep that rolled into a Buckhannon apartment during a dispute, then running off.

Special Olympics of Upshur County competes at state bowling tournament

Twenty-two athletes from Special Olympics of Upshur County competed in the Special Olympics West Virginia state bowling tournament in Charleston, winning gold, silver and bronze medals.

Upshur Parish House and Chapel Hill UMC to host free Christmas Day dinner

The annual community meal will be served December 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with carryout and home delivery available.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: December 11, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting December 11, 2025, with an agenda outlining items to be considered by commissioners.

Buckhannon City Council opts not to fill Thomas vacancy ahead of 2026 election

Buckhannon City Council will leave Dave Thomas’s vacant seat unfilled and let voters choose his successor in the May 12, 2026, municipal election. Candidates can file Jan. 12-31 to run for city recorder and two at-large council seats.