Theodore Arthur Topper

Theodore Arthur Topper, 86, of Martinsville died Friday, January 16, 2009, at Golden Living Center in Martinsville. He was born April 10, 1922, in Thomas, West Virginia, to Albert Marion Topper and Mary Stuart Topper, both deceased. He had served in the United States Navy and was a World War II Veteran. He graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. He had previously been employed by Plymouth Oil Company as a Geologist and Hercules Incorporated as a Safety Engineer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by nine siblings and his wife, Barbara Ann Carpenter Topper, whom he met at West Virginia University and married on September 5, 1948. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ted A. Topper II and Diane L. Topper, missionaries in Burkina Faso, West Africa; his daughter and son-in-law, Helenmary T. Brown and Brian C. Brown; and six grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2009, at Ingram Funeral Home in St. Mary's, West Virginia. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at Ingram Funeral Home in St. Mary's, West Virginia, with the Rev. Marvin Rollins officiating. Burial will follow in 100F Cemetery in St. Mary's, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zion International Ministries, P.O. Box 70, Waverly, N.Y. 14892 c/o Ted and Diane Topper. Local arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Bassett. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.collinsmckee stone.com.