James Donald Mendenhall

Long time local area dentist Dr. James D. Mendenhall, died peacefully at his residence on August 16, 2014.Jim was born and raised in Parkersburg, WV., January 20,1923, the son of the late George A. and Effie M. Simmons Mendenhall. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1941, where he was a member of the football team and wrestling team. He attended WVU 1941-1942, served in the U.S. Navy, 1942-1946. He returned to WVU and graduated in 1948, entered Temple University Dental School and graduated in 1952.He practiced dentistry from 1952 through 1996.During the years he lived and practiced in Parkersburg he was active in local ,state and national associations. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. #169 Ben Bey Grotto, past president of the Parkersburg Lions Club, member of the First Presbyterian Church (past president BoardOf Trustees and member of Board of Deacons and the session).While a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Mendenhall helped organize and participated in the Little League Baseball Program. He has served on the Board of the Tuberculosis League and served as Professional Division Chairman while serving on the board of the Mid-Ohio Valley United Fund. As a board member of the Y.M.C.A. he was active on the original building committee. He also worked with the Pee Wee Wrestling program and refereed high school wrestling matches. A special award is now given in his honor to the Junior High Wrestling Official of the year. Jim was past president of the Blennerhassett Dental Society and past president of the WV Dental Association. He was inducted into the International College of Dentists and a member of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners.Jim was past president of the WV Board of Dental Examiners.Jim was also instrumental in organizing and coordinating the first Dental Assisting Program at WVUP and served as a professor there from 1968-1975.He was an avid golfer, WVU fan, guitar player, and loving husband, father and grandfather. Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mickey LawMendenhall and five children, Debbie File (Dick), Becky Francis, J.D. Mendenhall, Preston Mendenhall and Sarah Marchi (Boz); he is also survived by onebrother, Robert (Pork) Mendenhall and his family of Wheeling, WV. He leaves seven special grandchildren, J.C. and Michael File (Brandis), R.J. and Max Francis, Justin Mendenhall, Ashley Mendenhall and Alison Marchi. He has one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the faithful friends that visited for the last several years. We also would like to extend heartfelt thanks to his son and our brother, J.D., for his loving care in the past several years. We could not have managed without the love, kindness, respect and eternal vigilance of the Comfort Keepers of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday August 20, 2014 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 3005 Grand Central Ave., Vienna, with Reverend Michael Seely officiating. Burial will follow at Parkersburg Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.