Pearlene Mae VanOoteghem, 84, of Huntington, WV, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at Cabell Huntington Hospital after a brief illness. Prior to her death, she resided with her daughter, Margaret Topping of Parkersburg, WV. She was born January 22, 1923, in Hallwood, WV, one of 13 children of the late James and Maude Sprouse. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Wongga, Maureen, and June, and by her brothers James Franklin, Jack, and Alfred. Pearlene was a woman of strong Catholic faith and a devoted mother to her two children, John Robert VanOoteghem of Barboursville, WV, and Margaret Rose Topping of Parkersburg, WV. She was a loving grandmother to her three grandchildren, Sara Beth Hollis (Trey) of Jacksonville, FL, John Robert J.R. VanOoteghem II of Barboursville, WV, and Allison Brooke Topping of Huntington, WV. She was especially proud of her two great-grandchildren, Lauren Katherine and Caroline Grace Wheeler of Jacksonville, FL. She is also survived by her siblings, Betty, Judy, Joanna, Lera, James, and Roscoe. All who knew her also knew of her love of all of Gods creatures. Among her favorite pets were Wendy, Missy, Minny, Ginger, Katy, Kitty, Thomas, Prissy, Pookie and Oscar. She was a loyal employee of Appalachian Power Company for 22 years and after her retirement, was a dedicated caregiver to her sister Wongga for 15 years. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2007, at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel by Monsignor Lawrence Luciana of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Entombment will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville.
