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

Elbert Leon Linger, MD

Elbert Leon Linger, MD, 93, of Bridgeport, W.Va. (formerly Buckhannon) died on September 14, 2020 in his apartment at Elmcroft after a steady decline in sight and body.

He is a son of the late Rev. Dr. Ross Linger and Ruby Edith Chewning Linger.

On September 3, 1947 he married Melba June Smith, his loving and devoted wife, who died in 2015. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carol Annette Linger, and a sister, Lorna Aletta Linger Black.

Surviving are one daughter, Aletta Marie Linger Moffett and husband Robert of Fairmont, W.Va.; two sons, Garrett Leon Linger and wife Brenda of St. Leonard, Md. and Timothy Ross Linger and wife Kathy of Clarksburg, W.Va.; seven grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; eight great-granddaughters; and one sister, Leoma Ernestine Linger Straight of Ohio.

Leon graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School (1945) and enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947, serving in the Army Occupation in Japan at the end of WWII. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant (T-4).

He earned a BS degree from W.Va. Wesleyan College (1950), an MD degree from Temple University (1953), and an Anesthesiology Residency at Ohio Valley General Hospital in Wheeling, W.Va. (1959 & 1960).

He was licensed to practice medicine in West Virginia (1954) and opened a general practice of medicine in Clarksburg, W.Va. from 1954 to 1958. He practiced anesthesiology in Clarksburg from 1960 to 1987, where he was a Member of the staff of Union Protestant Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, and United Hospital Center, serving several staff positions including Staff President and Chief of Staff.

Leon was a founding member of the Board of Directors of People’s Hospice in Clarksburg and served as Director of the School for Nurse Anesthetists at United Hospital Center. He held certifications in Anesthesiology and served on many boards.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, W.Va. for many years, serving in many positions. Leon served as a member of the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan College.

He was a long-time member of the Middle Fork Club in Upshur County, serving as secretary, vice-president, and president for several years.

Leon was well known by his family and friends for the many God-inspired poems that he wrote and compiled into 12 self-published books of poetry. He was also known to joke and kid with his family and friends on a regular basis.

Leon was at peace with going home to be with God and those who went before him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Melba J. Linger Nursing Scholarship at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

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

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.

Ketha Pearl Simmons

Ketha Pearl Simmons, 83, of French Creek, died at home on June 30, 2025, is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and will be remembered at a Frenchton Community Church service.
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council to meet July 8

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the center, focusing on career and technical education programs.

Man faces new charge related to stolen UTV from Barbour County

Travis Medina, 41, of Buckhannon, faces a new charge of receiving or transferring stolen goods after authorities found a UTV reportedly stolen from Barbour County.