Michael Eugene Athey, 59

Michael Eugene Athey, 59, of New Haven, West Virginia went to be with the Lord peacefully on January 18, 2014 surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with cancer. He was born on April 15, 1954 in Gallipolis, Ohio son of Clayton Eugene Athey and Margaret Gyer Athey of New Haven and Collierville, Tennessee.

Mr. Athey was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and was formerly stationed at Jacksonville, Florida with the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron #1. He was a member of the American Legion Post #140 in New Haven.

Mr. Athey was a 1972 graduate of Wahama High School and he attended Marshall University. He was a thirty-eight year employee of the Philip Sporn Power Plant in New Haven where he was an Energy Production Supervisor I at the time of his retirement in 2010.

After his service to his country, he and his family moved back to New Haven, making him the third generation to live in the Athey Family Home. He loved his family and enjoyed being with them and going on family camping trips.

He is survived by his parents, Clayton Eugene Athey and Margaret Gyer Athey; his loving wife of thirty-nine years, Deborah Samsel Athey of New Haven; his children, Matthew Allen (Juliee) Athey and Amber Rose (John) Hill; grandchildren, Wyatt Matthew Athey, Mattalyn Charlotte Athey, Shelbee Gale Marie Athey, Carter Michael Hill and Cameron Elizabeth Hill; sisters, Jo Ellen (Ralph) Adams of Collierville, Tennessee and Patricia (General Harry D., Jr.) Montgomery of Collierville; mother-in-law, Rosemary Samsel; brothers-in-law, Tom (Imogene) Samsel and Chuck (Tracy) Samsel; sister-in-law, Lurinda (Mike) King; very special friend, Bonnie Harrison; and also many nieces, nephews and numerous great friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, several aunts and uncles; and his father-in-law, Fred Samsel.

A memorial service will be held at the Middleport Chapel of the Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home, 264 South Second Avenue, Middleport, Ohio 45769 at 1:00pm on January 24, 2014. Military funeral honors will be presented by the American Legion Post #140 and the VFW Post 9926. Visiting hours for family and friends will be held on Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the funeral home in Middleport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Michael Eugene Athey to the New Haven United Methodist Church.

A registry is available at www.andersonfh.com