Ira Lockhart

Bluefield, WV - Ira William Lockhart 2nd Timothy I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: After a short illness Ira attained the ultimate healing and went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family and friends and the love of God on Wednesday May 20, 2009. Ira was a resident of Bluefield (Airport Road) and was born April 21, 1923 in Paintlick, VA a son of the late James Elzy Paris Lockhart and Mary Jane Simpson Lockhart. He was preceded in death by his first wife Lorraine Perdue Lockhart, a son Roger Ray Lockhart and brothers Benny Lockhart, Jerry Lockhart, and Chap Lockhart. Ira was a member of Mountaineer Baptist Church (Airport Road) Bluefield, and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from 1944 to 1946 he saw heavy fighting in the Philippines and also served in Japan, and was awarded several medals. He had worked for Southern Maid, was a carpenter, and retired from Norfolk & Southern as a Carman. He was an avid fisherman and golfer, and was a member of Riley Vest Post # 7 V.F.W. Ira is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 31 years Lola Lambert Lockhart, daughter Cheryl Bell of Trinity, NC, daughter-in-law Linda Lockhart of Bluefield, WV granddaughter Sherri Kress and her husband Chris of Stokesdale, NC, grandson Shannon Lockhart and his wife Stephanie of Princeton, WV, Great grandsons Tyler Lovin and Logan Lockhart, special niece Apryl H. Bailey of Roanoke, VA, a brother Bobby Lockhart of Middlesboro, KY, sisters Jane Neal of Rocky Gap, VA, Lottie Dillow of Cochranville, PA, Dixie Paris of Jonesboro, TN and Nellie Veal of Charlotte, NC. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly, and his little buddy Sam. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday May 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Mark Stalnaker, Rev. Marty Stalnaker and Rev. Shawn Bragg officiating. Interment and Military Graveside rites by the WV Army Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Princeton. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Perdue, Donnie Anderson, Johnny Anderson, Charlie Bell, James Ayers and Jack Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers will be longtime physician and friend Dr. R. K. Krishnan and Dr. A. Chandel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Mountaineer Baptist Church Rt. 5 Box 198 Bluefield, WV 24701. The family will receive friends Friday May 22, 2009 at Mercer Funeral Home from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. 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 Lockhart family.

Ira Lockhart

April 21, 1923 - May 20, 2009