Leonard Harrison McIe, age 91, of the Alexander Road, French Creek, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at his home.
He was born on August 11, 1931, at Desert Fork, WV, a son of the late Thomas Franklin and Elsie Eliza Currence McIe. On June 6, 1955, he was united in marriage to Dorthie Gay Peck McIe, who preceded him in death on March 2, 2016. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by four sisters: Luvada Croucher, Bula Howard, Bessie Browning, and infant Lena May McIe; and six brothers: Lonnie, Raymond, Robert, Russell, and infants Junior and James McIe.
He is survived by one daughter Connie and husband Gary Cutright of Rock Cave; three sons: Leonard McIe, Kenneth McIe and wife Kathleen, and Steve McIe and wife Becky, all of the Alexander Road; five grandchildren: Michelle McIe and companion Mike Fidler, Kenny McIe and wife Ciearra, Steve McIe, Jr. and wife Sara, Amanda McIe and fiancé Chris Hungerford, and Autumn Cutright; 8 great grandchildren: Alyena, Jax, and Zoni McIe, William Earls, Heather Fidler, and Zeb, Jaydens, and Tapanga Hungerford; one brother Ronald McIe and wife Kay of Lodi, OH; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. McIe genuinely enjoyed working; at age 16, he entered the timber-cutting industry, where he began logging with horses, and had stories to tell from his time spent living in logging camps. He eventually retired at age 62 as a skidder operator for Harper Lumber, but soon found that retirement did not suit him and he was back to work until his final retirement at age 75.
In his spare time, he worked as a farrier for many horse-owners in Upshur and surrounding counties and trimmed his last hooves at age 88. His family was dear to him and a new baby in his arms always made him smile as he serenaded them with his lullaby, “Bye-o-bye Baby.”
Time spent on his or his family’s farms was cherished, whether he was working in the hayfields, pitching for a family baseball game, or simply watching the children play in the yard. Most of all, he taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work and many other skills from life experience.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 5-8:00 PM, at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel. A funeral will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the funeral chapel with Cristine Hull and Pastor Terry Gower officiating. Interment will follow in the Canaan Cemetery.
Online condolences may be extended to the McIe family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The McIe family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
