Gordon Edward Bittler, 60, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2020. He was born in Canada, on June 4, 1960, a son of the late William Bittler and Hazeltine Lawhorn Pike. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Samantha Bittler. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Overstreet Bittler; sons, Grant and wife, Larryn, Seth and wife, Sarah, Z.J. and Angel; grandchildren, Lucas, Isaac, Sebastian, Dixie, Americus, Brandon, and Willard; brother, Greg Bittler; sister, Lisa Russell and husband, Jack; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Morris Parker Hodnett, 76, son of the late Walter and Beulah Hodnett passed away December 26, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; sons, Michael Hodnett, Todd Hodnett (Amy), Steven Crawford II (Sharon Clark), and John Hodnett (Sarah); his sister, Carolyn Hollie (Buddie), and ten wonderful grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Keith Hollie, his uncle, Bernard Hodnett, and his sister, Gloria Joy and her husband Rex. In his life he enjoyed many careers such as builder, salesman, accountant, truck driver, and a school bus driver. He was also the proprietor of Pop’s Pizza, a video store, and two country stores. Mostly he loved to be around people. He will be missed. A private funeral service will be held at New Chapel Church cemetery. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Elena Mae Mason Burch, age 92, went to be with her almighty father on Christmas Day 2020. She was born on March 7, 1928 to Charles Arie Mason, Sr and Annie Clark Mason. She was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Garland “Mutt” Burch; her son, Harry Hope Sheltman, Jr.; grandson, Scott Arie Burch; brothers, Matthew Mason, Charles Mason, Jr., Graham Mason, Ashby Mason Sr, Orie Mason, sisters, Lee Anna Massie, and Vealy Mason. She is survived by her daughters, Judith Haviland, Donna Otey (Warren) and son B. Kevin Sheltman (Heidi); her grandchildren, Chris Burch (Betsy), Michael Cochran, Renee’ Dunford (Wade); great- grandchildren, Connor Dunford, Ryleigh, Cullen and Romie Cochran, Caid and Levi Burch; and many nieces and nephews. Elena lived to serve the Lord and our almighty God. She was a founding member of Calvary Brethren Church in Buena Vista where she worshipped until she became ill. A private family burial will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360. 
Bartholomew “Bart” John Starkey, 89, of Westlake, VA, passed from this life Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Bart was born November 26, 1931, in Kearny, NJ, the youngest of three children of James Francis and Marie Katherine (Delaney) Starkey. After graduating Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, he attended Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1953. While at Villanova, he met the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Anne Gallagher, from nearby Chestnut Hill College. They began their 65-year marriage on June 18, 1955. He was a Navy veteran, serving in the Navy at bases in Norfolk, VA, and Cleveland, OH, from 1955-1957. He remained in the Navy Reserve until 1967, when he left the service as a First Lieutenant. Bart began a career with E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company in Wilmington, DE upon graduation from Villanova. His DuPont career spanned 37 years, during which he secured several patents, including a process for the production of polyethylene. From Wilmington, DuPont transferred Bart, Pat, and family to Orange, TX (Sabine River Works), and finally to Vienna, WV (Washington Works). He retired in 1991 as an Engineering Fellow. After his retirement, he was devoted to Parkersburg (WV) Catholic Schools, investing countless hours installing the initial IT systems for student use; he was awarded the Bishop’s Cross for this work in 2002. Bart always enjoyed travel, and in retirement he and Pat traveled extensively both domestically and abroad, many times with his beloved sister, Mary Beth Purcell. He always wanted to see over the horizon, and so in 2003, he and Pat moved to Mariner’s Landing on Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake. He delighted in hosting numerous family and friends at the lake and on his pontoon boat. Bart was a devout, earnest, and humble family man. In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by his six loving children, Mary Beth (Joe) Dickey, of Clover, SC; John (Nancy McKitrick) of Snellville, GA; Katherine (Brad) Rings of Wirtz, VA; Neal (Stacy Hodges) of Roswell, GA; Thomas of Richmond, VA; Theresa (John) Moritz of Charlotte, NC; 12 grandchildren; and many dear nephews, nieces, and other close family members. He was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Margaret Mary, and one grandson, Joshua Neal Starkey. There will be a family funeral on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at Resurrection Catholic Church, Moneta, VA, with interment immediately following in the church cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, VA; condolences may be left at Burch-Messier.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Bart’s behalf to Resurrection Catholic Church Wednesday Women’s Group (resurrectioncatholic.org), Lake Christian Ministries (lakechristianministries.org), or Parkersburg Catholic Schools (parkersburgcatholic.com). A memorial mass and reception will be held once Covid-related restrictions ease. The family would like to express their appreciation to Runk & Pratt Senior Living Community in Westlake, VA, for the compassionate care provided to Bart over the last years of his life.
Alfred Timothy “Tim” Duff, 62, of Rustburg, died Saturday, December 19, 2020 in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on May 13, 1958 a son of the late James Preston Duff, Sr. and Loretta Moore Duff. Tim served his country in the US Marines. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his family and work family. Tim enjoyed motorcycles and going to Myrtle Beach. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Wilson Duff; his children, Amanda Duff, Shawn Duff, Selina Crank and Kenneth; Lawrence Crank, III and wife, Jenny; Chere Franklin; his grandchildren, Kayla, Chloe, Lily, Jax, Savannah, Ethan, Ella, Kai, Faith, Dilan, Ryan, Liam, Haley and Brandon; his great-grandchildren, Josie, Onyx and Ostin; his siblings, Jim Duff, Tommy Duff and wife, Susan, Mary Duff; his nephews, Jimmie Duff, Preston Duff and Andrew Vanderheyden. As per his wishes Tim was cremated and there will be no services. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Bedford, 540-586-7360. 
Blanche McConchie Andrews, 97, of Evington, VA went to be with her Lord Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Oakwood Manor. She was born in Appomattox, Va. September 9, 1923. Blanche was preceded in death by her Parents; first husband, Lathan L. Page and her second husband, Clarence Gordon Andrews, Jr.; daughter, Connie Mitchell. Blanche was a Lifetime member of First Baptist Church, Lynchburg, VA. She is survived by daughter, Bonnie Lewis; granddaughters, Tonya A. Dalton, Shannon Mitchell-Newhouse; grandsons, Jon P. Lewis, Greg Mitchell; great-grandson, Dillon J. Dalton; great-granddaughter, Scarlett M. Lewis; great-great-granddaughter, Madisyn S. Eagle and Four Other great-great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Fort Hill Memorial Park Lynchburg, Virginia. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Marcel Flavin “Mars” Ranger, age 97 passed away peacefully December 17, 2020 in Lynchburg, Virginia due to the Covid Virus. He was born May 9, 1923 to Roaul and Hortense Ranger in Coteau Station, Quebec, Canada. He and Jeannine Richer were married for 64 years till her passing in 2016. They shared a life on the ranch in the community of Redland, Oklahoma raising their family of three children. Mars was a true frontiersman! At the age of 34, married with 2 young children and expecting a third child, he left his large family of 10 siblings in Alberta, Canada and took his new family to Los Angeles, Ca. via Greyhound. Not knowing a soul in the United States, he carved out a successful life for his family. He was a carpenter with a farming background. At the age of 40, he picked up his belongings and family and headed east on Route 66 with no destination in mind. Idabel, Oklahoma became his new life. He owned and operated a cattle ranch and ag lime spreading business for several years. He enjoyed traveling with his RV and volunteering on Canadian wheat harvest for his brother in Saskatchewan, Canada. He truly enjoyed carpenter work. He helped his son build poultry buildings and a custom home. Dad’s passing has saddened the family but he lived a long productive healthy life. So that brings smiles. Mars and Jean spent several retirement years in Nevada. They built a large rabbitry and raised rabbits for butchering. The last few years was spent in Virginia near David’s family. Survivors include two sons, David Ranger and wife Denise of Lynchburg, Va., and Norman Ranger and wife Lallee of Idabel, Oklahoma and a daughter Elaine Redel and husband Murray Redel of Eaglesham, Alberta, Canada; 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Graveside services are December 23, 2020 at 11am at his final resting place at St. Thomas More Catholic Church Columbarium in Lynchburg, Va. “RIP DAD” Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, VA 24523
Jeffrey Michael Haletsky of Lynchburg, VA passed away Dec. 16, 2020. Jeff was born Oct. 25, 1969 in Manassas, VA to his parents Andrew & Mary Haletsky of Kill Devil Hills, NC. Jeff is preceded in death by his brother Michael Aaron Haletsky. Jeff traveled to the Philippines & England with his family. He grew up in Manassas and graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School. Jeff worked many years at Navy Federal Credit Union in the mailing dept. which he enjoyed very much. In addition to his parents, Jeff is survived by his wife of 15 years Suzan Vanover Haletsky of Lynchburg, VA,; 3 sisters, Andrea Morgan & husband David, Michelle Brittigan, Lisa Horton & husband Steve; and many nieces & nephews. A private graveside service will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.