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

Jim “Ike” Johnson

Obituary Ike Johnson

On Saturday, March 6, 2021, Jim “Ike” Johnson, loving husband and father, of Buckhannon, W.Va. passed away at home at the age of 78.

Jim was born December 25, 1942, in Boone, N.C., to Ike and Lola Hedrick Johnson. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jayson Johnson; one brother, Dick Johnson; one sister, Janet Rader and step grandchildren, Ronald Bud Simmons and Dakota Nelson.

He leaves behind his wife Mary Johnson; three stepdaughters, Debbie Davis and husband Eric, Sandra Rooney and husband Vince and Amy Bryant and husband Corey; his brother, Jerry Johnson and wife Diane; two sisters, Margaret Carter and Sandra Roby and husband Ron; one granddaughter, Adra; one great grandson Sagan and five step granddaughters, Michelle, Hilary, Taylor, Elaina and Harlie and ten step great grandchildren, Bailie, David, Achaia, Addison,  David, Ava, Sophie, Shawn, Jase and Maci.

Jim worked various jobs in different states but retired as a welding inspector at Green Bank Observatory, working on the Greenbank Telescope. He had a passion for life, people and had the ability to fix anything.

One of his greatest passions was woodturning. He was a member the Mt. Rupert United Methodist Church in Buckhannon and the W.Va. Wood Turners Association, where he was able to develop his skills.

In honoring Jim’s wishes, he will be cremated.

Friends will be received for a memorial gathering Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Mt. Rupert UMC. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to WV Hospice 6 Hartman Plaza Buckhannon, WV 26201.

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

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists area high school and West Virginia Wesleyan schedules, including multiple football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, tennis, and golf events running Oct. 13–19.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: October 13-17, 2025

Buckhannon announces public meetings, yard waste pickup, farmers market, arts and theater events, holiday parades and celebrations, safety reminders, and upcoming community dates through 2026.

Daniel William “Danny” Kasten

Daniel William “Danny” Kasten, 67, of Pinnell Street, Buckhannon, a longtime construction and maintenance worker, devoted fisherman and cook, died October 13, 2025, and is survived by his wife Colleen, two sisters, nieces and nephews.

Wesleyan’s Niland named MEC Runner of the Week

West Virginia Wesleyan’s Kent Niland and Glenville State’s Natalie Barr were named MEC Cross Country Runners of the Week after strong showings at the Carnegie Mellon Invite, with Niland posting Wesleyan’s second-fastest 8K and Barr breaking her school 5K record.

Wesleyan X-C teams run at CMU Invitational

West Virginia Wesleyan’s cross country teams posted strong results at the CMU Invitational, with the women finishing fifth (163 points) and the men taking third (130 points) amid competitive regional fields.

Bunker scores early for soccer ‘Cats but they earn a 1-1 draw with Point Park

Casey Bunker’s third-minute goal gave West Virginia Wesleyan an early lead, but after a 51st-minute red card they played shorthanded and conceded in the 61st minute to settle for a 1-1 draw with Point Park.

Wesleyan women earn hard-fought 2-2 with Point Park

Wesleyan rallied twice to erase early deficits and earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Point Park at Culpepper Stadium, outshooting the Pioneers in the second half before Nicole Kuchinski’s saves preserved the tie.

Football ‘Cats tumble to Fairmont State, 45-10

Fairmont State routed West Virginia Wesleyan 45–10 as Nino Marzullo connected on multiple touchdown passes and the Falcons led 35–0 at halftime before Wesleyan scored late.
WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan volleyball knocks off West Virginia State, 3-1

West Virginia Wesleyan defeated West Virginia State 3-1, paced by balanced offense with four players recording double-digit kills and Emily Denison’s 11 kills and 11 digs, improving to 11–5 (3–1 MEC).

Upshur Parish House collecting holiday meal, student break-bag items

The Upshur Parish House is collecting food donations for Holiday Packages and Break Bags to support Upshur County families and students.

Twenty-one WVWC students present summer research at WV‑INBRE symposium

Twenty-one West Virginia Wesleyan College students presented research at the INBRE symposium after summer internships at WVU and Marshall. Projects included diabetes effects on heart mitochondria, retinal gene therapy and IBD studies.

The streak ends at 16 games as B-U beats Lewis County in Homecoming game, 10-7

Buckhannon-Upshur snapped a 16-game losing streak with a gritty 10-7 Homecoming win over Lewis County, paced by senior QB Dawson Tenney’s 177 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.