Wanda L. Bush

Wanda L. Bush, 86, a lifetime Weirton resident, educator, and part of the Edie Family, who were early settlers in the area on a land deed granted by Patrick Henry, died Monday June 1, 2009 in the Laurels at Steubenville, OH. Wanda was born on July 21, 1922, in Weirton, WV, a daughter of the late Samuel A. and Mary Pearl Anderson Barkhurst. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life her husband, Merle L. Bush, whom she married on March 23, 1939, and who passed away on March 28, 2002; her beloved only son, Merle A.”Bucky” Bush; and her two brothers, Alton “Sonny” Barkhurst, and Harold Barkhurst, her sister, Lois Finch Goresh. Wanda helped organize and administrate the first private preschool in Weirton. She was a Kindergarten and Pre School Teacher for 30 years, teaching at the Weirton Christian Center, First Baptist Church, and the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church before her retirement in 1984. Most of all, Wanda loved her husband, home and family. She enjoyed teaching, dancing, playing cards, arts and crafts, and spending time with her family. She was a member of the Weirton Heights Memorial Baptist Church for 68 years, Daughters of the American Revolution Fort Steuben Chapter, Ohio Cameo Society, National Council Extension Homemakers Hancock County, Weirton Heights School Neighborhood Alumni, Dip and Dive Square Dancers of Steubenville, Spinning Gears Square Dancers of Weirton, Weirton Senior Center, Pleasant View Drive 500 Card Club, Barkhurst Family 500 Card Club, Past President of the Liberty School PTA, and was awarded a PTA Lifetime Membership Award in Hancock County. Wanda is survived by her three daughters, Denese R. White and her husband, Dale of Steubenville, OH, Sandra L. Briggs and her husband Ronald of Weirton, WV, and Darla M. Anderson and her husband James of Colliers, WV; a sister, Dollie Brown and her husband Hillman of Weirton; a sister in law, Wanda Barkhurst of Weirton, WV; eight grandchildren, Randy Anderson, Robyn Vendetta, ReNee Spindler, Mary Ann Jeter, Sean Alton Bush , and his wife Susan, Denese Nicole Balakos, and her husband Nick, Eric Brown, and his wife Heidi, and Tara Warrick, and her husband Mickey; twelve great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and a grand dog, Edie. Visitation will be Wednesday 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV, where funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday. Rev William Stout will preside. Interment will follow at the Chapel Hill Memorial Garden, Weirton, WV. D.A.R. services will be held 6:30 PM Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Wanda for a memorial to be chosen at a later date. Thanks to Dottie Keister who always helped with her care, her three daughters, who made sure she had the best care possible, and to the staff at the Laurels, and the Weirton Geriatric Complex. A special thanks to her granddaughter, Tara Warrick, who went above and beyond in giving loving care for her grandmother for the past six months. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com