Gerald Hughes,

Bluefield, WV - Gerald L. Hughes, Sr., 88, of Oakhurst Avenue, Bluefield, WV, died Friday August 7, 2009 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. Born August 9, 1920 in Gilliam, WV he was a son of the late Robert B. Hughes, Sr. and Melene Coen Hughes. Gerald was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving in the China, Burma and India theatre. He retired from Bluefield Hardware Company after 25 years of service and later owned and managed several small businesses. He was a graduate of Elkhorn High School and the Calvert Technical Institute, Baltimore, MD. Active in both community and civic affairs, Gerald served as Trustee, and Chairman of the Building & Grounds committee of Trinity United Methodist Church, was a member and past president of Bluefield Lions Club and the recipient of the Melvin Jones Distinguished Service Award. He was also past chairman of both the local and State Lions Club Sight Conservation Foundation. In addition to his parents, his wife Vivian Bond Hughes, a sister Mary Nunn and brother Robert B. Hughes, Jr, preceded him in death. He is survived by one daughter; Mary Kathryn Linkous and her husband Tom, two sons; Gerald L. Hughes, Jr. of Stuart, VA and Charles "Matt" Hughes and his wife Tammy of Chicago, IL, grandchildren; Joi Beth Raub, Jason Linkous, Molly Linkous, Jeremy Hughes, Meghan Wingerter, Bryson Hughes and Griffin Hughes, great-grandchildren; Katie Raub, Trace Luka McClaren and Eve Wingerter. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday August 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with The Rev. Susan Rector officiating. Interment and military graveside rites by the Mercer County Veterans Council will be held at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday August 10, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, 401 College Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701 or the Bluefield Lions Club Sight Conservation Foundation, P.O. Box 804, Bluefield, WV 24701 Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Gerald Hughes.