Odbert Hugh Posten

Odbert Hugh Posten, known by all as Hugh Posten, entered the Presence of the Lord on Thursday afternoon, January 18, 2018, in Sugar Land, Texas.

Hugh was born on September 26, 1924 in Barbour County, West Virginia, to Gordon Hugh Posten and Minnie Samantha Poling Posten. He was also blessed to have a wonderful step-mother, Mary Melvina Sherman Posten.

Hugh’s early years were marked by his love of horses, especially his favorite, “Pepper”. Hugh became skilled at trick horse training and riding, eventually performing for local rodeos and other events. His diligent work on the family ranch meant long, tiring hours, but it instilled in him the work ethic that marked his entire adult life. When he married the love of his life, Wilda Marie Shaffer Posten, and moved to Maryland, his excavating skills bore a striking resemblance to his careful guidance of trick horses. He could maneuver those massive machines to meet hairline specs, working long hours and never stopping until he had reached perfection.

Hugh enjoyed hunting and fishing, pastimes that he finally had the leisure time to pursue after he and Wilda moved to Sugar Land, Texas, several years ago.

His life with Wilda proved to be an excellent example to their sons and other family members. Their long marriage was steady, loving, and good. They had two sons, Donald Hugh Posten and Larry Robert Posten, who benefitted greatly from their example.

Hugh enjoyed serving as an elder in the Church of Christ for 33 years, at Southeast Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., Huntington Church of Christ in Huntington, Maryland, and Barbour Church of Christ in Belington, West Virginia.

Hugh especially loved to lead congregational singing. In fact, singing was a delight for Hugh at all times. At Greatwood Assisted Living in Sugar Land, Texas, where he and Wilda resided for the last several years, Hugh’s singing videos were a favorite on the community Facebook page. As recently as the family gathering at Christmas, Hugh was leading the family in singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and giving everyone a happy moment. It was at that gathering that he prayed a blessing over the whole family.

Hugh Posten’s precious wife, Wilda, was waiting for him in Heaven, along with his father, mother, step-mother, his brothers, Charles Robert Posten and Carlton Noel Posten, and his sister, Mary Madaline Posten Ice. Hugh’s half-brother, Bob Koppes, of Ohio, survives him. Family members who are cherishing his memory are Donald Hugh Posten, his wife, Diane, and their son, John Michael Posten; Larry Robert Posten, his wife, Cress Ann, and their daughter, Ami Grace Bollinger, their son, Matthew Grant Posten (wife, Jennifer, and their children, Braden Daniel Posten and Elaina Grace Posten), and their son, Joshua Victor Posten (wife, Joelle). Extended family members of both the Posten and Shaffer families were deeply loved by Hugh and they will miss him as well.

Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9-10am. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am with Speaker Ronnie Holbert officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.