S.L. “Bud” Bjorkman, 92, passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, under the care of WV Caring Hospice at his home in Arthurdale, with family by his side.
Bud was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Connersville (Dunn County), Wis., the son of Joseph and Olga (Hedlund) Bjorkman.
He graduated from Masontown High School in 1947, where he was a standout in baseball, basketball and selected all county in football.
He married Helen Louise (Piggy) Sansalone in August of 1948.
He was a very hard worker. His family moved to West Virginia when his father came to run one of the largest mining drag lines on the east coast. Bud followed in his father’s footsteps and began running drag lines as a teenager, working before going to school and then returning after to continue his shift. For several years, he and his brothers combined their experience to form the Bjorkman Mining Company. Bud ultimately worked for the Luzerne Coal Company in Brownsville, Pa. until he formally retired from mining. Bud’s work ethic, however, meant he was not satisfied to sit around, and he began mowing yards and volunteering. He was a godsend to multiple community organizations including Hospice thrift stores (which was a highlight of his work) and Valley Food Pantry, who he supported monetarily, but especially with his time and many talents. He and his wife, Piggy, were devoted supporters of Preston County schools, attending sports and PHS theater productions year-round. He was well known in the Arthurdale Community as the “Ice Cream Man.”
Bud was known as much for his generosity as he was for his work ethic, he was honored as a Distinguished West Virginian in April 2000 by Governor Cecil Underwood, as well as receiving multiple honors and accommodations from the many community organizations he volunteered for.
Bud is survived by his two children, Mark Bjorkman and wife Bonnie, of Manassas, Va., and Kim Bjorkman Riley and husband Errol, of Reedsville; one sister, Mary Jones, of Columbus, Ohio; three grandchildren, Brooke Bjorkman LeVecchi and husband Joe, of Lorton, Va., Betheny Bjorkman Schumacher and husband Mike of Warrenton, Va., Abby Riley Lawson and husband Chad, of Bruceton Mills,; five great-grandchildren: Laci, Leighton and Levi LeVecchi, Gaaron and Adley Lawson; and sister-in-law Rose Ann Sansalone, of Masontown. He is also survived my many nieces and nephews that adored “Uncle Bud”.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Joe and Dick Bjorkman and spouses, sister- and brother-in-law, John and Rose (Bootsie) Kovach, brothers-in-law, Frank Sansalone Jr., Alan Jones and grandson, Aaron Lynn Riley.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of WV Caring Hospice, especially Tina, Shelly, Lori, Dennis, Penny, Haylea, and Paula for the compassionate care Bud received.
At Bud’s request he will be cremated, and a celebration of his life will be held in the spring. Memorial gifts can be made in Bud’s name to WV Caring Volunteer Program, P.O. Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520.
