Obituary of Ed Cyphert

Ed Cyphert, 81, of Morgantown, died Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. He was born Oct. 9, 1938, the fifth child of the late Charles Cyphert and the late Anna Maude (Sloan) Cyphert. He was a graduate of St. Francis Central Catholic High School and West Virginia University. He was co-owner of Charter Engineering before opening Cyphert Industries, both mining machine shops. He was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic minister and Lecturer. He also volunteered his time taking the Eucharist to Catholics in hospitals and area nursing homes, particularly Sundale -- something he enjoyed doing every Sunday for more than 20 years. An athlete through school and his young adulthood, Ed played football, basketball and fast-pitch softball and was a league bowler. He retired from sports to watch his children and grandchildren play basketball and baseball and spent many chilly spring evenings at track meets. He also followed WVU football and basketball -- from the stands at Old Mountaineer Field, Milan Puskar Stadium and the Coliseum and then on TV in more recent years. He was known for his loud voice and his kind heart, never hesitating to lend a hand to help someone else. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Helmick Cyphert, who died June 21, 2020. He was also preceded by three brothers and one sister, Charles, Glenn and Jim Cyphert and Mary Bucklew. He is survived by his five children: JoAnna Cyphert, Pam Queen (Lee), Donna Kelley (Tom), Lori Cyphert and Ed Cyphert (Melissa), all of Morgantown; 13 grandchildren: Kayla McCormick (Nathan), Hannah Queen, Maria Holbert (Danny), Shannon Kelley, Francine Anthony (Josh), Adrianne Williamson (Tony), Alexis Solly (Jonathan), Abby, Eddie, Sam, Emma, Elizabeth and Henry Cyphert; and eight great-grandchildren: Eythen, Awren, Erin, Julia, Harper Grace, Landon, Davin and JP; and also a special niece, Erica Cyphert. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Luke's with the Rev. Biju T. Devassy as celebrant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be open to immediate family only. Burial will be at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 19 Jo Glen Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508. Hastings Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com