Leonard LoBello

Leonard Vincent LoBello, community and church leader in Barbour County and former Vice President of Business and Finance at Alderson-Broaddus College, died October 14 at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins following a brief battle with cancer. Born in North Hampton, Massachusetts, he graduated from Cornell University School of Hotel Management, later earning a master’s degree in Business Administration at Ohio University. He is survived by his wife, Sue Stemple LoBello of Philippi, and a son, John Vincent LoBello and his wife, Pla, and their son Tanu Leonard LoBello of Xianen, China. Also surviving are two of Mr. LoBello’s sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Haley and husband Neil of Hadley, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Winston Sullivan and husband of California. Surviving stepchildren include Julie Cullen and son Aaron Blaine Cullen, Rochelle Stemple Sutton and husband Jim, Rod Stemple and wife Tammy, and step-grandchildren Jamie Sutton Deem and husband Kane, Dr. Bill Sutton, Kristin Temple Nestor and husband Jeremy, and one step-great-grandchild, Harper Nestor.

Leonard LoBello’s many honors and awards include having been named Barbour County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year 1998, Corporate Citizen of the Year 2009, and 2000 Directors’ Special Award in recognition of outstanding leadership, culinary talent, and financial support of the community through the Barbour County Foundation, Mountain Hospice, Inc., and Alderson-Broaddus College. He held several offices, including the presidency, of the Board of Directors of Mountain Hospice, Inc. He also was the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Barbour County Development Authority. After serving on the staff of Alderson-Broaddus College for thirty-four years, Mr. LoBello became a consultant for Hi-Tech Dry Kiln Corporation in Belington. In Philippi he served on the city zoning board and was named Hometown Hero.

An amateur pilot and expert skier, Leonard LoBello was a member of Philippi Baptist Church where over many years he held offices such as Assistant Financial Secretary, Financial Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, and Treasurer. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 17, at 3 p.m. at the Philippi Baptist Church with Rev. Jon Villers officiating. Inurnment will following in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be sent to Mountain Hospice, Inc., 1600 Crim Avenue, Belington, WV, 26250.