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

Pansy Hinkle

Pansy Hinkle of Buckhannon, WV, died on December 30, 2023, at the West Virginia Caring Hospice Facility in Elkins, WV. She was one week short of being 102 years old.

Pansy was the third of four children born to Harley Van Camp Tenney and Stacie Snyder Tenney. Her siblings, also deceased, were Requa Tenney of Buckhannon, June Wright of Port Angeles, WA, and Laurel Flynn of Stone Mountain, GA. Pansy was born in Upshur County, WV, attended local schools, took a few hours at WV Wesleyan College, and graduated from Bowling Green Business College in Kentucky.

She was married to Lonnie J. Hinkle, whom the Death Angel took from her after 57 years. Lonnie and Pansy had two daughters who survive: Carol Hinkle of Buckhannon, and Karen Plautz of Buckhannon and Henderson, NV. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Jeremy McGowan (Edith) of Las Vegas, NV; Merrily Cheek of Chapel Hill, NC; Kathryn Hinkle of Buckhannon; Krista Schuenman (Spencer) of Lindon, UT; Regan Peterson (Joddy) of Henderson, NV; Paige Nicols of Henderson, NV; Lance Plautz of Henderson, NV; and Arley Downs (Brandon) of Kaufman, TX. One infant grandchild Kerry Jo Plautz predeceased her. Pansy had 24 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.

Pansy began her working career as secretary to the Superintendent of Upshur County Schools. As the family residence changed, she held responsible positions in several states, retiring from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where she was assistant to the Dean. She joined Sand Run Baptist Church at an early age, but otherwise was not a joiner. She looked on her family as her closest friends and the source of her social life. Pansy held a deep appreciation for her good neighbors, doctors, teachers and all other honest work persons, and said she felt a kinship with them.

There will be a private family committal service, with burial in the Buckhannon Memorial Park cemetery in Buckhannon. A celebration of life will be held in the spring for Pansy and Lonnie.

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

WVWC Volleyball

Top-seeded Wesleyan volleyball falls to West Virginia State in MEC semis

Top-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan saw its season end at 20–9 after falling 3–0 (19–25, 28–30, 19–25) to West Virginia State in the Mountain East Conference semifinals.

Wesleyan nursing students collect more than 500 hygiene items and shoes for Upshur County students

A two-week drive organized by West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Nursing Department and Upshur County Schools collected more than 500 hygiene products and shoes for local students and families in need.

Charles Rodney “Rod” Godwin

Charles Rodney “Rod” Godwin, a beloved Buckhannon pharmacist, dedicated family man, avid outdoorsman, and longtime community servant known for his favorite chairs and warm hospitality, died peacefully at home November 14, 2025, aged 77.

From church to celebration space: Hampton Venue opens its doors for weddings, reunions and more

A renovated church in Hampton has reopened as the Hampton Venue, ready for weddings, reunions and other events. Owner Gary Connell held a ribbon cutting Nov. 21 and is taking bookings now — with a limited-time offer waiving rental fees if you serve food through Jaws BBQ.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 13: A lot of blowouts in the first-round of high school playoffs

The first round of the high school playoffs featured mostly blowouts and few upsets — only five lower seeds advanced, with Robert C. Byrd’s No. 14 win the biggest surprise. In Class AAAA, the top four seeds won by an average of 49 points.

Wesleyan volleyball wins tournament opener over Glenville State, 3-1

West Virginia Wesleyan defeated Glenville State 3-1 (25-23, 26-28, 25-22, 25-20) behind strong hitting from Emily Denison and balanced setting from Claire Wheeler to advance to the Mountain East Conference semifinals.

U.S. Attorney says dozens of defendants sentenced during government shutdown

United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced that his office facilitated more than 70 sentences during the 43-day government shutdown, including several defendants from Buckhannon, Clarksburg and Fairmont.

State superintendent approves Rock Cave Elementary closure; final vote set for Dec. 10 in Charleston

In a brief meeting Thursday night, a state-appointed official approved the closure of Rock Cave Elementary School on behalf of State Superintendent Michelle Blatt. The decision now moves to the West Virginia Board of Education for a final vote. The five elected Upshur County Board of Education members had no say in the decision.

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Green Bank, Elkins, Buckhannon and Rowlesburg

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will visit four West Virginia locations in December offering low-dose CT scans. Appointments must be made at least 14 days in advance.
WVWC Football Feature Image

WVWC announces change in football leadership as Martin and staff will not return for 2026 season

West Virginia Wesleyan College said its entire football coaching staff will not return for the 2026 season. The school now begins a search for new leadership amid the program’s 34-game losing streak.

Raising the Jolly Roger With… Sidney Hollen

Buckhannon-Upshur senior soccer standout Sidney Hollen reflects on her varsity career, memorable sectional win, tough conditioning practices, Buccaneer spirit, college soccer plans and aspirations to become an environmental engineer.

Three Lady Bucs earn Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur placed three players on the 2025 Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball Team, with senior Reagan Mason on the First Team and juniors Alivia Cogar and Avery Harmer on the Second Team.