Obituary for John Harvey Clise
The writer’s pen stopped and the notebook closed too soon when John Harvey Clise, 57, of Weston, joined the cosmos, as he loved to say, on June 16, 2023, his family by his side, following a four-year battle with NASH liver failure.
Born September 21, 1965, in Charleston, West Virginia, John and his family lived in several places, eventually settling in Vincennes, Indiana, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1984. After moving to Flatwoods, West Virginia, John went on to attend Glenville State College, studying English and journalism, working for The Glenville Democrat and Pathfinder, and creating West Virginia Words. In addition to his time at the Glenville newspaper, John worked for several other publications including The Wheeling News-Register, The Weston Democrat, The Inter-Mountain in Elkins, West Virginia, and as editor of both South Gibson Star-Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, and The Record Delta in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He also created and maintained The Central West Virginian and Clise’s Cornucopia, online publications that he loved.
John spent his life living loudly and boldly, often giving the establishment heartburn with his unfiltered opinions and progressive ideas, but, for better or worse, he never backed down. His first job as a child, delivering newspapers on his bike for The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, sparked a love for the news that would last until his last days. With a 30-plus year career in the media spanning radio, print, and Internet, John never met a story or topic he would not cover. He believed the news needed to be told and that people deserved to have their voices heard. His work won awards in two decades, and he interviewed everyone from Barry Williams of Brady Bunch fame to Mike Pence and Senator Joe Manchin, yet he always treated everyone the same when it came to a story.
John’s love of travel always made for an adventure, including the time his Garmin managed to route him over the Mississippi River on the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, a trip he would recommend to anyone that would listen. His travels took him to Branson, Missouri, several times, and he made many friends there including Terry Wayne Sanders; once he returned home to Weston, John did his best to never miss a Taco Tuesday broadcast by Terry. A lifetime Cincinnati Reds fan, John was finally able to attend opening day this year at the Great American Ball Park to see his favorite team play, a dream he and his best friend were able to share together. On that same trip, John and his wife were able to meet Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo, something they had spent six years wanting to do. Finally, John loved to fish, and he loved to tell stories, whether verbal or written, and they will be greatly missed, especially his pieces about the old man in the apartment. He was a bright light to those close to him, and the world is a much quieter and darker place without his voice and presence.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Ivan Clise and Irene Margaret “Peggy” (Harvey) Clise of Flatwoods, and lifetime friend Everett Lee Pritt of Burnsville. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca June (Pickens) Clise of Weston, who he described as the love of his life; his sister Camille (Clise) Murray and husband Brant of Pittsburgh; best friend Brian Piret and wife Tracy of Vincennes; and his two beloved cats, Felix and Smokie, all who miss him deeply.
It is most appropriate that the words of Jack London should so beautifully sum up the life of John: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
John’s wish would be that everyone would live their days like there was no tomorrow, to be bold and authentic, and to love with all your heart.
Per his request, John has been cremated, and there will be no service. Online condolences and life stories in memory of John may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of John Harvey Clise.
Born September 21, 1965, in Charleston, West Virginia, John and his family lived in several places, eventually settling in Vincennes, Indiana, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1984. After moving to Flatwoods, West Virginia, John went on to attend Glenville State College, studying English and journalism, working for The Glenville Democrat and Pathfinder, and creating West Virginia Words. In addition to his time at the Glenville newspaper, John worked for several other publications including The Wheeling News-Register, The Weston Democrat, The Inter-Mountain in Elkins, West Virginia, and as editor of both South Gibson Star-Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, and The Record Delta in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He also created and maintained The Central West Virginian and Clise’s Cornucopia, online publications that he loved.
John spent his life living loudly and boldly, often giving the establishment heartburn with his unfiltered opinions and progressive ideas, but, for better or worse, he never backed down. His first job as a child, delivering newspapers on his bike for The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, sparked a love for the news that would last until his last days. With a 30-plus year career in the media spanning radio, print, and Internet, John never met a story or topic he would not cover. He believed the news needed to be told and that people deserved to have their voices heard. His work won awards in two decades, and he interviewed everyone from Barry Williams of Brady Bunch fame to Mike Pence and Senator Joe Manchin, yet he always treated everyone the same when it came to a story.
John’s love of travel always made for an adventure, including the time his Garmin managed to route him over the Mississippi River on the Dorena-Hickman Ferry, a trip he would recommend to anyone that would listen. His travels took him to Branson, Missouri, several times, and he made many friends there including Terry Wayne Sanders; once he returned home to Weston, John did his best to never miss a Taco Tuesday broadcast by Terry. A lifetime Cincinnati Reds fan, John was finally able to attend opening day this year at the Great American Ball Park to see his favorite team play, a dream he and his best friend were able to share together. On that same trip, John and his wife were able to meet Fiona the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo, something they had spent six years wanting to do. Finally, John loved to fish, and he loved to tell stories, whether verbal or written, and they will be greatly missed, especially his pieces about the old man in the apartment. He was a bright light to those close to him, and the world is a much quieter and darker place without his voice and presence.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley Ivan Clise and Irene Margaret “Peggy” (Harvey) Clise of Flatwoods, and lifetime friend Everett Lee Pritt of Burnsville. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca June (Pickens) Clise of Weston, who he described as the love of his life; his sister Camille (Clise) Murray and husband Brant of Pittsburgh; best friend Brian Piret and wife Tracy of Vincennes; and his two beloved cats, Felix and Smokie, all who miss him deeply.
It is most appropriate that the words of Jack London should so beautifully sum up the life of John: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
John’s wish would be that everyone would live their days like there was no tomorrow, to be bold and authentic, and to love with all your heart.
Per his request, John has been cremated, and there will be no service. Online condolences and life stories in memory of John may be expressed at hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the family of John Harvey Clise.