DELBARTON, W.Va. — Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday for Delbarton Mayor John Preece.
Preece died last weekend following a brief illness. He was 77.
Preece served as mayor of the Mingo County town for 22 years before being defeated in 2019 but he was elected again earlier this year and took office on July 1.
A post on town’s Facebook page said Preece had traded his earthly home for his heavenly home.
“Mayor Preece has always displayed such love for Delbarton and its people. He has been dedicated to making Delbarton a “Great Place to Call Home” for many years, and continued to work tirelessly until his passing,” the post said. “Mayor Preece had cast good vision for the months to come, and our town council and recorder will work hard to ensure that we continue working together to pursue the great things that are already in the works. We would like to send our condolences to the Preece family, and to all of our Delbarton residents who also loved and appreciated our Mayor.”
Preece, who was a CPA, who remembered in a visitation service set for 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday night at the Regional Church of God. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the church.
The mayor’s death is the second for Delbarton in the past year. Elmer Ray Spence, who defeated Preece, died last December.