Allen Bedford Warsewich, 85, of Berryville, Va. passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on March 30, 2023, after several months of declining health.
Allen was born in Star City on Aug. 27, 1937, to Walter W. Warsewich Sr. and Virginia Mae (Stiles) Warsewich. He was the oldest of five children and is survived by his sister, Patricia Warsewich Johnson (Richard Johnson); brother, Walter Warsewich Jr. (Pam Warsewich); sister Karen Warsewich Kohute (Michael Kohute); and brother, Roger Warsewich (Cheryl Warsewich). Allen was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Virginia Warsewich, and sister-in-law, Cheryl Warsewich.
He was a graduate of Morgantown High School, Class of 1956. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Air Force, where he was trained as an air traffic controller. He took a job with the federal government as an air traffic controller at the Washington Center, Leesburg, Va. Allen was also an accomplished brick mason, having helped build many structures in the Morgantown and Winchester, Va. areas, including the West Virginia University Health Sciences Building, the decorative stonework on the front of the West Virginia Mountainlair, the arch work at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester, Va. and the archway in the garden of the Winchester Medical Center. He also did stone work on evenings and weekends to make many fireplaces, both in Morgantown and the Winchester, Va. area for his family and many friends. Allen completed his career with Rubbermaid Products and retired in 2008.
He married his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Ellen (Helmick) Warsewich, in 1965. Together, they raised two daughters, Pamela (Warsewich) Hoeltke (Shawn Carpenter), of Winchester, Va. and Angela (Warsewich) Yancey (James Yancey Jr.), of Winchester, Va.
Allen was known for the great love he had for all of his family. He also loved all things outdoors. He spent his springs and summers gardening, camping, and fishing; his falls and winters were spent bird and deer hunting. He was a passionate and responsible huntsman. He was also a huge fan of racing, having spent several years racing cars at Morgantown Speedway in the early 1960s.
He was a very pragmatic person; upon his diagnosis, he asked his family not to be sad, but to understand that he had the opportunity in life to do more things than most people dream of doing and had no regrets.
He is survived by his wife; his daughters; his grandchildren, Allena (Haines) Kovak, Ellen (Yancey) Riley, David C. Hoeltke and Emmie (Yancey) Shann; five great-grandchildren; and his brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held later in the summer. In lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to the Blue Ridge Hospice, Winchester, Va., by visiting brhospice.org/donate, by calling 540-313-9200, or by mail at Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., #405, Winchester, VA 22601.
