Alvia E. Kidwell
1932-2020
Alvia Eugene “Gene” Kidwell, age 88, of Great Cacapon, W.Va., died on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family and while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle.
Born May 21, 1932 in Morgan County, W.Va, he was the son of the late Dayton Victor and Grace Virginia Peck Kidwell.
He was a Christian and attended several churches in the area. Gene served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He was a 1951 graduate of Berkeley Springs High School. Gene worked at U.S. Silica as a laborer, after leaving U.S. Silica, Gene went to work with the Morgan County School Systems in the maintenance department, then as a mechanic and lastly as a bus operator until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked with his timbering and sawmill side jobs. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and four wheelers, cutting wood, carrying on conversations with everyone, listening to Bluegrass music, going to festivals, and spending time with his family.
Gene is survived by his children, Kenneth E. Kidwell and his wife Bette, Ronald D. Kidwell and his wife Debra, Joyce K. Puffinberger and her husband Dave, Gregory L. Kidwell, Michael T. Kidwell and his wife Sandy, Alvina L. Keller and her husband Craig, Jr., Deanna S. Steiner and her husband Raymond, and Thomas M. Kidwell, all of Great Cacapon, Lori A. Fox and her husband Spencer of Hedgesville, W.Va., one sister, Mary Ellen Bly of Great Cacapon, one brother, Carl “Petie” Kidwell of Great Cacapon, fifteen grandchildren, Chester Kidwell, Leah Kidwell, Alec Kidwell, Vanessa Paul, Arnold Puffinberger, Benjamin Puffinberger, Rosetta Puffinberger, Isaac Puffinberger, Bradley Kidwell, Brandi Creek, Jacob Fox, Helen Steiner, Susan Steiner, Clara Steiner, and Bruce Steiner, two step grandchildren, Glenn Hall and Brad Hall, three great grandchildren, Dalton Kidwell, Josie Kidwell, Carter Creek, six step great grandchildren, Ayla Hall, Alec Hall, Lily Hall, Aryana Hall, Emma Dowler, and Hannah Dowler, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Deloris Helen Whisner Kidwell on January 26, 1989, his second wife, Irma Irene Whisner Kidwell on March 9, 2008, two daughters, Connie Sue Kidwell and Amy Jo Kidwell, one grandson, Preston Fox, two sisters, Nellie Stotler, and Alta Johnson, and three brothers, Wilbur Kidwell, Robert Kidwell and Earl Kidwell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., with Rev. William C. Swope officiating. Burial with graveside military honors provided by the Tri-State Honor Guard will be in Mt. Nebo Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s memory may be made to Wesleyan Chapel, 75 Vernon Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, or Mt. Nebo Cemetery Association, c/o Stuart Gloyd, 672 Orleans Road, Great Cacapon, WV 25422, or Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Online condolences may be expressed at www. helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
