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.
