Eston Wayne "Butch" Propst, 76, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia, departed this earth to be with his Lord at his home in Moyers in the early morning hours of Thursday, January 27, 2022, following a final miraculous and inspirational battle with cancer.

A man of tremendous spirit, strength and faith, Eston was born the second child of Virginia Hively Propst of Sugar Grove and the late Dillon Propst on March 18, 1945 at the homeplace on the farm in Moyers.  He attended elementary school in Sugar Grove and graduated from Franklin High School in May 1963.  Eston pursued additional education at the Danville Technical Institute for Electronics Technology in Virginia, graduating in September 1966.

On April 7, 1966, Eston married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Judy Mae Gordon Propst, at St. John Lutheran Church.  They were blessed to celebrate 55 years of marriage together, a source of great pride for them both.  Judy preceded him in death on June 17, 2021 after prolonged health issues for which he lovingly cared for her for many years.

Eston began employment with C & P Telephone of Virginia from October to November 1966 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was shortly drafted into the Army on November 6, 1966.  After Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he was sent to Fort Monmoth, New Jersey, for AIT training.  He was then assigned to Company D Long Lines Battalion Signal Corp with initial orders to the ASCOM site at the Icheon region of South Korea.  As the battalion was split, he was reassigned to Company A Long Lines Battalion North.  This was eventually transitioned to STRATCOM.  He received his discharge from the Army in 1968, and remained a proud Veteran throughout his lifetime.

In July, 1968, he returned to C & P Telephone of Virginia in Fredericksburg, where he and Judy resided until 1980.  Melissa "Missy" Propst Harrison (& Gary) of Sugar Grove and Daniel W. Propst (& Debbie) of Franklin were added to the family circle at that time, both of whom survive.  In August 1980, opportunity presented for Eston to relocate with Bell Atlantic to the Pendleton County area, which provided he and Judy the opportunity to return to Moyers and establish permanent residence on their beloved farm in 1984.  He remained a central office technician throughout the transitions from C & P to Bell Atlantic to Verizon.  He retired from Verizon in April 1998, and devoted the majority of his time to the farm, caring for his wife, spending time with his family, and the church.

Eston was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church of Moyers. He served in various offices and was involved in property management of the church.  He was Judy's "side-kick" in the preparations for Relay for Life events, assisted with preparing and driving parade floats, provided and drove for many a hay ride events, was actively involved in the yearly lawn party, and greatly looked forward to the fellowship during the knotting of quilts every year.  He became known as quite a good chili maker, and readily shared these vittles in multiple venues, including Lenten luncheons.  Eston became a good cook, under the close supervision of Judy, as her health did not allow her to prepare favorite foods.

Eston was a member of the Pendleton County Farm Bureau for close to forty years.  He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post #30 and the VFW Post #9666 in Sugar Grove.

Eston's true passion was farming and he remarked on multiple occasions his dream was to do it full time.  He was very proud of the heritage that was passed down through the generations.  He was quick to share his experience and knowledge and had the gift of "fixing" almost anything.  Eston was also a devoted family man and family meant everything to him.  Though Judy was known to have the "green thumb" of the family, Eston was instrumental in the successful growing of many varieties of tomato plants, which they readily shared with others, and the growing and canning of many vegetables.

As he battled cancer intermittently for over 32 years, he always maintained a remarkable upbeat attitude and strong faith, which many people remark of and find inspirational.  Eston leaves a legacy of a strong work ethic, devoted husband, father and family man, strength, courage, love, faith and a positive spirit in the face of adversity.  He has inspired many with his strong will and philosophy on life.

Though quiet, humble and gentle of nature, Eston leaves his fingerprints all over his beloved farm, our lives and our hearts.  He will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to his mother and children, Eston is survived by -

A sister –

Ruth Craig of Sugar Grove

A granddaughter –

Katelyn Propst (& fiancée, Pat) of Franklin

Two great-grandchildren –

Liam and Lainey Simmons of Franklin

A special niece –

Kathy Nelson (Lynn) of Sugar Grove

Two special great-nephews –

Noah Nelson and Jarod Nelson of Sugar Grove

Two sisters-in-law –

Lori Baldwin Gordon of Brandywine

Mary Rose Gordon Hinkle of Marlinton

A brother-in-law –

Terry Gordon (Judy) of Cherry Grove

Multiple cousins, nephews, nieces and very special friends.

Preceding him in death in addition to his wife and father were a grandson, Adrian Simmons, and two brothers-in-law, Rodger Lee Gordon and Ralph Hinkle.

Friends may pay their respects at any time on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 AM Saturday, February 5 at St. John Lutheran Church followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM with Pastors Jason and Jess Felici officiating.  Masking will be required and social distancing as allowed out of respect for the health of those in attendance.

Interment will be at St. John Cemetery.

No meal will be held following the service.  A celebration of Eston and Judy's lives will be held later this year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations may be made in his honor to St. John Lutheran Church, 26 Black Thorn Road, Sugar Grove, West Virginia 26815 or South Fork Rescue Squad, 124 Black Thorn Road, Sugar Grove, West Virginia  26815.