Margaret Pantoplus

Margaret "Margie" Pantoplus

Surrounded by her faithful daughters, Margie Pantoplus passed peacefully into eternity on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017. Margie would have been 94 years of age on July the 9th.

Affectionately known as Margie all her life she was christened Margaret Marie Wilities. Born in 1923, she was the youngest of nine children born to Pennsylvania natives, John Anthony and Barbara Gray Wilities. Her brothers, John Jr. and Frank and sisters, Mary Cole, Joan Duncan, Rose Smith, Agnes Sandusky, Frances Farley and Stella Pireson have all preceded her death. The Wilities family grew up at Wickham and worshiped at St. Francis de Sales Church.

When we think of Margie Pantoplus we recall Tom Brokaw's words, "That Greatest Generation." Margie was definitely one of those people. She grew up in the time of the Great Depression. These men and women gave back to their country, whether on battle fields or the home front working nonstop to keep our country together. They did it not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. Margie Pantoplus is one those unique individuals of that time frame in our country. And now they are leaving us quickly.

This week, as news of her passing spread though out the parrish community, of St. Francis de Sales Church, you heard over and over the words, "Oh what a great lady. What a hard worker. What a great giver to the church with her constant service to others."

Whether it be her involvement in the Ladies of St. Francis, the St. Sebastian Cemetery Committee, the countless bereavement meals she helped to create for other families at their time of loss; her public service with the Democratic Women of Raleigh County, as an elected official of the Democratic Executive Committee, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Beckley Women's Club and the Beckley Homemakers ; Margie was always giving back.

Margie was married to Clarence Pantopus. They owned and operated for countless years, Fair Deal Market on Eisenhower Drive. For those who traded there, all you have to do is close your eyes and recall the old time produce store. The Pantoplus work ethic is legend with people who traded there.

Clarence passed on April 12, 1999. Margie carried on with her life and continued with church and civic activities way into her 90's. Always at mass, the left side, fourth pew from the back, she and her "sister of the heart," Lena Conte would be sitting together.

At the end of the day, Margie's greatest legacy is her devoted family who will forever cherish her memory. They are her loving daughters, Victoria Lubliner of Beckley and her children, Jason Lubliner and his wife, Denise and their son, Nicholas aged 5 of Tampa, Florida and Nicole Lubliner of Los Angles, California; Kathryn Galanti and her husband, Anthony of Bradenton, Florida and Dema Cole and her husband, Richard of Richmond, Virginia and their daughter, Anne Littlepage of West Hills, California.

There is a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and many many friends.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, July 10 at 11:00 am at St. Francis de Sales Church, 614 South Oakwood Avenue, Beckley . The Very Rev. Fr. Paul Wharton,V.F. will be the celebrant assisted by Rev. Mr. William Donald Wise. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Garden of the Crucifix at the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The honor of carrying Margie has been given to Sam Interdonato, Mike Kosco, Andy Moscarito, Dana Cole, Rusty Rappold, and Johnny Sutyak. The family will be receiving friends at 10:00 am at the church.

Online condolences: www.meltonmortuary.com