Longtime Wellsburg Resident John Henry Proellochs, Sr. Passes Away at 92

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John Henry Proellochs, Sr., a 92-year-old resident of Wellsburg, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026. Proellochs, known affectionately as "Pap," lived a long life marked by devotion to family, service, and community. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle whose steady presence and quiet strength anchored generations.

Why it matters

Proellochs' life story reflects the values and resilience of the Wellsburg community, where he spent decades working a variety of jobs, volunteering, and staying active well into his 90s. His passing is a loss felt by many who knew him as a reliable, kind, and humorous presence.

The details

Proellochs was a graduate of Bethany High School who was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955, where he served for two years. He later worked 20 years at Weirton Steel, drove a county school bus, worked 30 years at Highland Springs Golf Course, and was also a lifelong farmer. Proellochs shared 70 years of marriage with his wife, Nancy, and was an avid bowler, golfer, and card player who was a member of the First Christian Church of Wellsburg and the Masonic Lodge.

• Proellochs was born on August 10, 1933.
• He was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955.
• Proellochs passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026.
• Visitation was held on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
• The funeral service was held on Friday, February 20, 2026.