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

Rodney “Murph” Murphy

Rodney “Murph” Murphy, age 89, of Buckhannon, WV, died Friday, June 7, 2024, at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, WV.

He was born June 14, 1934, in Watertown, NY, a son of the late John and Blanche Murphy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Ray Klock.

Surviving are his beloved companion, Doris Broscius of Buckhannon; two children, Tim Murphy and wife Angie of Barrackville, WV and Lea Ann Rohr and husband Richard of Buckhannon; three grandchildren, Gunner Murphy of Barrackville, Tori Rohr of Sacramento, CA and Drew Rohr of Buckhannon and one sister, Joann Klock of Little Falls, NY.

Mr. Murphy graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School, class of 1954.  He then served in the U. S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Following his military service, he worked for Mountaineer Gas and retired after 36 years. “Murph” attended Chapel Hill United Methodist and Lorentz United Methodist Church.

He was also a member of the Buckhannon Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge 1736, and Franklin Masonic Lodge #7 AF&AM. “Murph” was honored and proud to help with the building of the new masonic facility in Buckhannon. He also worked on several Habitat for Humanity projects.

In addition to his work and membership in community organizations he had several hobbies including autobody repair, woodworking and drawing. In his final act of service, “Murph” donated his body to the WVU Human Gift Registry.

Friends will be received for a memorial gathering Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 1PM to 4PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility Staff for their loving care.

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

Mountain CAP Family Support Center, Red Cross to host free fire safety training in Buckhannon

Mountain CAP Family Support Center and the American Red Cross will host a free fire safety and emergency preparedness training Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. at 30 E. Main St. in Buckhannon.

Applications open for Governor’s School for the Arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College

Applications are open for West Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College, running June 21–July 11, 2026. Theatre arts takes the spotlight alongside tracks like digital media, creative writing, dance, music and studio art.

Upshur County Special Olympics director updates Rotary on how their funding assists the organization

Special Olympics director Dion Wamsley told the local Rotary Club that rising travel, facility and accreditation costs are stretching the budget. He’s doubled athlete participation and is asking the community for fundraising ideas ahead of the Feb. 28 Polar Plunge.

David Leroy Baxa

David Leroy Baxa, 72, of Buckhannon, WV, a longtime contractor and skilled tradesman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening and beekeeping, died December 28, 2025, and is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Caraline, two grandchildren, siblings and nieces and nephews.

Paul Ronald Linger

Paul Ronald Linger, 94, a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime West Virginia Wesleyan College master electrician and Upshur County jailer who loved rock collecting, hunting and fishing, died December 19, 2025; he will be cremated.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: January 8, 2026

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on January 8, 2026, with an agenda outlining the topics and business to be addressed by the commission.
High Voltage Power Line

Equipment failure on transmission line causes widespread Upshur County power outage

An equipment failure on a transmission line feeding a French Creek substation knocked out power to about 4,000 Upshur County customers, with residents reporting bright flashes and loud booms.

Basketball Lady Bucs come up short at home against North Marion in 48-40 setback

Buckhannon-Upshur rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to cut the gap to five in the final minute but fell 48-40 at home to North Marion, with freshman Emma Pingley leading B-U with 13 points.

My Buckhannon kicks off 2026 with a new login system, more updates to come

My Buckhannon is kicking off 2026 with a smoother, password-free login: enter your email, get a six-digit code, and you’re in. More account and backend upgrades are coming soon, alongside the same sharp focus on local stories that matter.

Stockert Youth and Community Center eyes funding opportunities for new technology learning facility

Buckhannon residents are being asked to prioritize how a $1 million Weyerhaeuser THRIVE grant should be spent. Local leaders hope community support will steer the funds toward a new regional STEM center.

Senator Robbie Morris named chairman of Committee on Government Organization

Senate President Randy E. Smith has appointed Sen. Robbie Morris to chair the Senate Committee on Government Organization, citing its key role in overseeing agencies, regulations, and reforms for a more efficient, accountable state government.

Record-breaking year for labor and delivery at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital celebrated a record-breaking 2025 in labor and delivery, welcoming 373 babies—the most in its history for the critical access hospital.