When someone passes away, finding a way to honor their memory becomes a priority for families and friends. Obituaries serve as a heartfelt tribute, sharing the story of a loved one’s life with the world. In Point Pleasant, West Virginia, Wilcoxen Funeral Home stands out as a trusted resource for creating and sharing these meaningful memorials. Whether you’re searching for recent obituaries, learning how to write one, or exploring the services offered by this long-standing funeral home, this guide has you covered.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Wilcoxen Funeral Home obituaries. From understanding their purpose to navigating the funeral home’s online platform, we’ll explore how this family-owned business supports the community during times of loss. Let’s start by looking at what obituaries are and why they matter.
Understanding Obituaries: More Than Just Announcements
Obituaries are a tradition that goes back centuries, but they’re far from outdated. They’re a way to celebrate a life, share important details, and connect with others who cared about the person who passed away. At their core, obituaries tell a story combining facts like birth and death dates with personal touches like hobbies, achievements, and family ties.
Why Obituaries Matter
-
A Lasting Tribute: They give families a chance to honor their loved one’s legacy.
-
Community Connection: Sharing an obituary lets friends and neighbors offer support.
-
Historical Record: Obituaries preserve details for future generations, like a snapshot of someone’s life.
In Point Pleasant, Wilcoxen Funeral Home has been helping families craft these tributes since 1969. Their online obituary platform makes it easy to share these stories with a wider audience, whether you’re down the street or across the country.
A Brief History of Obituaries
Obituaries aren’t a new idea. Back in ancient Rome, they were used to announce the deaths of important figures. By the 1700s, newspapers in Europe and America started printing death notices, often for prominent citizens. Over time, they evolved into the detailed, personal stories we see today. With the internet, funeral homes like Wilcoxen have taken obituaries to the next level, making them more accessible and interactive than ever.
Let’s take a closer look at Wilcoxen Funeral Home and how they fit into this picture.
Wilcoxen Funeral Home: A Pillar of Support in Point Pleasant
Located in the charming town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, Wilcoxen Funeral Home has been a beacon of compassion for over 50 years. Founded by Loraine “Wilkie” Wilcoxen and his wife Mary in 1969, this family-owned business has deep roots in the community. Today, their daughter Winona McKinney and her husband Roger carry on the tradition, ensuring every family receives personalized care.
A Legacy of Care
Wilcoxen Funeral Home isn’t just a business it’s a commitment to helping people through one of life’s toughest moments. With decades of experience, they’ve built a reputation for:
-
Compassionate Service: Treating every family like their own.
-
Attention to Detail: Making sure every service reflects the person being honored.
-
Community Involvement: Supporting local events and charities in Point Pleasant.
Services Offered
Wilcoxen Funeral Home provides a range of options to meet different needs. Here’s a quick overview:
Service Type |
Description |
Benefits |
---|---|---|
Traditional Funeral |
Includes viewing, ceremony, and burial |
Structured farewell, community support |
Cremation |
Options for memorial services or scattering |
Flexible, cost-effective |
Memorial Service |
Held after burial or cremation |
Personalized, no time pressure |
Pre-Planning |
Arrange services in advance |
Peace of mind, honors your wishes |
Whether you’re planning a traditional funeral or a simple cremation, their team is there to guide you every step of the way. They also offer grief support resources, like counseling referrals and online materials, to help families cope with loss.
The Online Obituary Advantage
One standout feature is their online obituary platform. It’s more than just a place to post notices it’s a tool for connection. Families can share service details, receive condolences, and even order flowers through the site. This digital approach reflects Wilcoxen’s commitment to adapting with the times while keeping their focus on heartfelt service.
How to Find Obituaries on the Wilcoxen Funeral Home Website
If you’re looking for Wilcoxen Funeral Home obituaries, their website makes it simple. Whether you’re searching for a specific person or just browsing recent tributes, here’s how to do it:
-
Go to the Website: Visit the official Wilcoxen Funeral Home site (URL placeholder check their actual address).
-
Find the Obituaries Tab: Look at the top menu it’s usually labeled “Obituaries” or “Tributes.”
-
Search by Name: Type the deceased’s name into the search bar for a quick find.
-
Browse Recent Posts: Scroll through the list of recent obituaries, sorted by date.
-
Explore the Details: Click an obituary to see the full story biography, photos, service times, and more.
-
Leave a Message: Use the condolence section to share your thoughts or memories.
-
Check for Updates: Service details or livestream links are often posted here too.
What You’ll Find on an Obituary Page
Each obituary is like a mini-memorial, packed with info to help you stay connected:
-
Basic Details: Name, age, birth/death dates.
-
Life Story: A summary of who they were and what they loved.
-
Service Info: When and where to attend, plus any special requests (like donations).
-
Interactive Features: Options to leave messages or share the page.
The site’s design is clean and mobile-friendly, so you can access it from your phone or computer without any hassle. It’s a thoughtful touch that shows Wilcoxen cares about making things easy during a tough time.
The Importance of Obituaries in Remembering Loved Ones
Obituaries do more than just share news they help us process loss and keep memories alive. At Wilcoxen Funeral Home, they understand this deeply and work with families to create tributes that truly matter.
Emotional Healing
Writing an obituary can feel therapeutic. It’s a chance to reflect on the good times and put feelings into words. Reading one can be just as powerful seeing a loved one’s life summed up can bring comfort and closure. Grief experts often say this process helps people start to heal by giving them a way to say goodbye.
A Community Bond
When an obituary goes online through Wilcoxen Funeral Home, it reaches beyond Point Pleasant. Friends from far away can join in remembering, leaving messages that show the person’s impact stretched further than you might’ve realized. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone in your grief.
A Piece of History
Obituaries are like time capsules. They capture details family names, jobs, hobbies that might otherwise fade away. Years from now, someone researching their family tree could stumble across a Wilcoxen obituary and uncover a missing link. It’s a small but meaningful way to keep a legacy alive.
How Wilcoxen Funeral Home Makes Obituaries Special
Wilcoxen Funeral Home doesn’t just post obituaries they make them a cornerstone of their support system. Here’s how they go the extra mile:
Key Features of Their Online Platform
Feature |
Description |
---|---|
Easy Search |
Find obituaries by name or date in seconds |
Detailed Profiles |
Bios, photos, and service info all in one place |
Condolence Messages |
Leave a note for the family right on the page |
Memory Sharing |
Add your own stories or photos to the tribute |
Livestreaming |
Watch services live if you can’t be there in person |
Flower Ordering |
Send gifts directly through the site |
Personal Support
Their staff isn’t just there to handle logistics they’re ready to help you write an obituary that feels right. Need help picking the perfect words or figuring out what to include? They’ll sit with you, offering suggestions and making sure every detail is spot-on.
Bridging Distance
With livestreaming and online condolences, Wilcoxen ensures no one’s left out. If you’re too far to attend a service in Point Pleasant, you can still be part of it. It’s a modern twist that keeps their traditional values intact.
The Evolution of Obituaries: From Paper to Pixels
Obituaries have come a long way since their newspaper days. Let’s take a quick trip through their history and see how Wilcoxen Funeral Home fits into the story.
The Early Days
Hundreds of years ago, obituaries were rare and reserved for the elite—think royalty or wealthy landowners. By the 1800s, they started popping up in local papers, but they were short and to the point: “John Smith, 45, died yesterday.” No frills, no personal flair.
The Newspaper Era
As printing got cheaper, obituaries became more common. Families could share longer stories, adding details like “survived by his wife Mary and three children” or “known for his love of fishing.” But they were still tied to the paper’s circulation miss the edition, and you missed the news.
The Digital Shift
Then came the internet. Suddenly, obituaries weren’t stuck in newsprint they could live online forever. Wilcoxen Funeral Home jumped on this trend, launching a platform that lets families share instantly and globally. You don’t need to be in Point Pleasant to read about a service or send your sympathies.
What’s Next?
Technology keeps changing things. Some funeral homes now offer virtual reality memorials or social media integration. Wilcoxen stays ahead by focusing on what works easy access, clear info, and a human touch—while keeping an eye on what’s new.
Tips for Writing an Obituary That Shines
Writing an obituary might sound daunting, especially when you’re grieving. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some practical tips to help you create something special, with a nod to how Wilcoxen Funeral Home can assist:
-
Start Simple: List the basics full name, age, birth and death dates. It’s the foundation everything else builds on.
-
Tell Their Story: What made them unique? Maybe they loved gardening, served in the military, or had a laugh everyone recognized. Share a memory or two.
-
Name the Family: Include surviving relatives (spouse, kids, grandkids) and anyone who passed before them. Don’t forget close friends or pets if they were part of the picture.
-
Add Service Details: When’s the funeral? Where? Any special requests, like “in lieu of flowers, donate to the animal shelter”? Put it here.
-
Make It Personal: Toss in a favorite quote, a line from a song they loved, or something they always said. It’s those little things that bring them back to life on the page.
-
Check It Twice: Typos or wrong dates can slip in have someone else read it over to catch mistakes.
Need Help?
Wilcoxen’s team is there if you’re stuck. They can suggest ways to phrase things or even write a draft based on what you tell them. It’s one less thing to worry about when you’re already dealing with so much.
Sample Snippet
Here’s a quick example:
“Jane Doe, 78, of Point Pleasant, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023. Born March 5, 1945, she spent her life nurturing her family and her famous rose garden. Survived by her daughter Sarah and grandson Timmy, Jane’s warm smile will be missed by all. Services will be held at Wilcoxen Funeral Home on October 15 at 2 p.m.”
Short, sweet, and full of heart exactly what an obituary should be.
Obituaries and Family History: A Hidden Treasure
Obituaries aren’t just for the moment they’re a goldmine for anyone digging into their roots. Wilcoxen Funeral Home’s online archive turns these tributes into a resource for genealogists and curious descendants alike.
What You Can Learn
-
Family Ties: Names of parents, siblings, kids clues to build a family tree.
-
Life Details: Where they lived, what they did for work, groups they joined.
-
Context: A peek at the community they were part of, from church memberships to wartime service.
How to Use Them
If you’re tracing your Point Pleasant ancestors, start by searching Wilcoxen’s obituary database. Look for:
-
Names and Dates: Match them to census records or birth certificates.
-
Places: Towns or counties mentioned might point to other records.
-
Stories: Anecdotes could lead you to newspapers or local histories.
A Real-Life Example
Imagine finding an obituary from 1980: “Robert Johnson, 62, died in Point Pleasant. A Korean War vet, he leaves behind wife Linda and son Mark.” That’s a starting point check military records for Robert, marriage licenses for Linda, and school records for Mark. Suddenly, a whole branch of your family comes into focus.
Wilcoxen’s digital platform keeps these stories alive and searchable, making it easier than ever to connect the dots.
FAQ: Your Questions About Wilcoxen Funeral Home Obituaries Answered
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here’s a rundown of what people often ask about Wilcoxen Funeral Home and their obituary services, packed with helpful details.
How Do I Submit an Obituary to Wilcoxen Funeral Home?
Contact them by phone or email they’ll walk you through it. You’ll share details about your loved one, and they’ll help polish it up and post it online. It’s a team effort to get it just right.
What Should I Include in an Obituary?
The essentials are name, age, birth/death dates, and a bit about their life. Add family names and service info, then sprinkle in personal touches like their love for baking or storytelling. Wilcoxen can help you figure out the rest.
Where Can I Find Recent Obituaries from Wilcoxen Funeral Home?
Head to their website, hit the “Obituaries” tab, and browse or search. It’s updated regularly, so you’ll see the latest tributes from Point Pleasant families.
How Do I Leave a Condolence Message Online?
Find the obituary, scroll to the condolence section, and type your message. It’s a simple form that lets you share support with just a few clicks.
Can I Watch a Funeral Service Online Through Wilcoxen Funeral Home?
Yes, if the family opts for livestreaming. Check the obituary page for a link or details—it’s a great way to join in from afar.
How Can I Send Flowers for a Service at Wilcoxen Funeral Home?
The website has a flower-ordering option tied to each obituary. Pick what you like, and they’ll handle delivery to the family or funeral home.
These answers make it clear: Wilcoxen Funeral Home is all about easing the burden and keeping you connected.
Wrapping Up
Wilcoxen Funeral Home obituaries are more than just notices they’re a way to celebrate lives, support families, and preserve memories in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. From their easy-to-use online platform to their hands-on help with writing tributes, they’ve been a steady presence for over 50 years. Whether you’re grieving, researching, or just curious, Wilcoxen offers the tools and compassion to make every goodbye meaningful.