When you wake up in the Ohio Valley and grab a coffee, checking the Wheeling WV obituaries today is a ritual for many. It’s not about being morbid. Honestly, in a place like Wheeling, life is deeply interconnected. Everyone knows someone who knows someone.
Losing a neighbor or a former coworker hits differently here. You might find yourself looking at the names—Denise Elaine Carras, Carol Sue Garten, or Regis Martin—and realizing a piece of local history just shifted. These aren't just names in a digital feed; they are the people who built our schools, worked the local hospitals, and sat in the pews at Washington Lands United Methodist.
Finding Recent Wheeling WV Obituaries Today
If you're looking for someone specifically, you've probably noticed that the information is spread out. Gone are the days when you only had to wait for the paper boy. Now, you’re checking The Intelligencer and News-Register online, or scrolling through funeral home websites.
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For Sunday, January 18, 2026, the list includes several members of our community.
- Denise Elaine Carras, 78, who passed away recently. She was a daughter of the late George and Ida Carras, and her roots in Parkersburg and Wheeling ran deep.
- Carol Sue Garten, a name many might recognize from local circles.
- Regis Martin, whose passing was noted by Altmeyer Funeral Homes.
Finding these notices isn't always a straight line. Most people start with the legacy sites, but the real details—the stuff about who they loved and where they worked—often live on the funeral home pages themselves.
Why the Source Matters
Usually, people just "Google it." But different sources give you different things.
The Intelligencer remains the "paper of record" for the Northern Panhandle. If it’s in there, it’s official. However, places like Altmeyer Funeral Homes or Kepner Funeral Home often have tribute walls. That’s where you see the "real" stuff—the stories about someone being "mouthy" in a funny way at work or how they loved to dance at the American Legion.
Take Carolyn J. Burkle, for instance. She was a receptionist at Wheeling Hospital for over 25 years. Her obituary mentions she passed at WVU Wheeling Hospital on January 5th. But the tribute wall is where her friends call her "Queenie," an inside joke from years of working the front desk. That’s the kind of human detail you don’t get from a cold list of names.
The Role of Funeral Homes in Our Community
In Wheeling, funeral homes like Kepner, Altmeyer, and Grisell aren't just businesses. They've been around for generations. They hold the records, and honestly, they're the ones helping families navigate the worst days of their lives.
- Altmeyer Funeral Homes: They have several chapels, including the Wheeling Chapel on Eoff Street and the Elm Grove Chapel. Recently, they've handled services for folks like Vicki C. Oshie and Dolores "Dee" McCormick.
- Kepner Funeral Home: A staple in the Elm Grove and Woodsdale areas. They recently posted notices for Robert "Rob" Andrew Beck and Rebecca Ann Ungemach.
- Grisell Funeral Home: Often serving the Bethlehem and Moundsville areas. They recently shared the story of John T. Norman, a retired locomotive engineer for CSX who apparently loved to dance.
It’s these specific details—like John being a veteran and a member of the American Legion Post 3—that remind us of the varied lives led right here in the valley.
Dealing With the Digital Shift
Let’s be real: searching for Wheeling WV obituaries today can be frustrating if you aren't tech-savvy. Everything is moving behind paywalls or getting lost in social media feeds.
Back in the day, you’d just flip to the back of the first section of the paper. Now? You have to navigate pop-ups and "cookies" settings. But there’s a benefit to the digital shift. You can now send flowers directly from a link, or plant a memorial tree with one click.
For example, for Shirley Anne Jones, who passed on January 5th, her family specifically asked for contributions to help with funeral expenses. In the old days, you’d have to mail a check. Now, there’s a direct link on the funeral home’s tribute page. It’s faster, sure, but it also allows people from out of state to help out immediately.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that if a name isn't in the paper today, they haven't passed away. That’s not how it works anymore. Sometimes there’s a delay. Sometimes the family opts for a private service and doesn’t post a public notice until days later.
If you’re looking for someone and don't see them, check the "Recent Obituaries" sections of the major funeral homes directly. They update their sites way faster than the aggregate news sites do.
Honoring the Names We See
It’s worth pausing when we see these names. Rebecca Ann Ungemach requested no services, wanting her interment at the convenience of the family. Instead, her legacy continues through memorial contributions to the Ohio County Animal Shelter. That tells you something about who she was. She cared about the companions we leave behind.
Then there’s Francis "Eugene" Misch, who passed away at 92. Think about that for a second. He lived through nearly a century of Wheeling’s history. He saw the mills at their peak and the city change through the decades.
Actionable Steps for Locating Information
If you are looking for a specific notice or trying to stay informed about local passings, here is how you should actually do it:
- Check the Funeral Home First: If you know which part of town the person lived in, go straight to the website of the nearest funeral home (Altmeyer, Kepner, or Grisell). They are the primary sources.
- Search Legacy.com for "Wheeling, WV": This site aggregates many of the local newspaper listings and is usually updated by mid-morning.
- Look for "Death Notices" vs. "Obituaries": A death notice is a short, factual statement (name, date, funeral home). An obituary is the longer story of their life. Some families only publish the notice to save on costs.
- Use Social Media Groups: Local "Wheeling Memories" or community groups often share news of passings before they even hit the official sites.
When you find the notice you're looking for, take a second to leave a memory. Honestly, those little comments from old high school friends or former neighbors mean the world to the grieving family. It reminds them that their loved one wasn't just a name on a screen, but a part of the fabric of Wheeling.
To stay updated on the most recent listings, visit the official websites of the funeral homes mentioned or check the daily digital edition of the Wheeling Intelligencer. Setting up a Google Alert for specific names or the phrase "Wheeling WV obituaries" can also ensure you never miss a notice for a friend or former colleague.