Vinton Harley Quesenberry

Vinton Harley Quesenberry left this earth to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Grayson County, Virginia, at 9:30 in the morning. He was circled by his family and loved by many friends as he made his final journey to his eternal home.

He was born on August 12, 1933 in Carroll County, Virginia, to Mark Fuston and Woodsby (Marshall) Quesenberry and joined a family that eventually totaled five boys and five girls. Though his given name at birth was Harley, most of his life, he was known by Vinton and, when he entered the United States Army, his documents were changed accordingly. 

It was a hard-scrabble life in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, and Vinton left it early, trying to join the military first at the age of sixteen, and finally being accepted the following year when his mother signed for him. He served proudly in the service of his country, doing overseas duty in Japan during the Korean conflict; he attained the rank of corporal in the United States Army. He was a devoted American citizen all of his life. 

Vinton married Mary Helen Quesenberry on November 21, 1956, after convincing her to drive across the state line following a double date with her sister. They shared life for almost fifty-seven years until her death from cancer in 2013. He married Vicki Hall on January 1, 2015. 

Vinton Quesenberry was not only a soldier, but also a heavy equipment mechanic, a builder, a community crime-prevention coordinator and a gardener. But he was best known as “preacher.” He shared with others the freedom he’d found in 1964 when he yielded his stubborn will and received grace and peace in Christ. He always had time to pray with anyone who needed it. Even as a fulltime pastor, his world of ministry was to everyone he knew who was in crisis and pain, which included those sick and shut-in in the nursing homes. Then when he left the pastorate, he entered into a fulltime circuit nursing home ministry. And if there was ever a need for a preacher, everyone knew you could call Vinton Quesenberry. He preached more funerals in his last years of ministry than most preachers do in a lifetime. He was also a prayer warrior, and he kept a long list of people he prayed for every day. In fact, it has been said that the only way to be removed from his daily prayer list was to die. Some of the family’s best memories of Vinton Quesenberry center on his prayers, when he’d call the family around, get on his knees and lead out with his customary words “Loving Father.” 

Vinton Quesenberry was always a man of action. When he made up his mind to do something, it would be done, and usually sooner than one expected. He was renown in the family for changing plans, leaving earlier for a trip than he’d announced, and always arriving early for everything. If a meal was later than previously announced, he might be found wandering into the kitchen, uncovering pots and sneaking bites and saying, “It’s time to eat!” He disdained paper plates and thought homestyle pinto beans were the solution to most of the world’s ills. He had a sweet tooth, which he sometimes fought, especially when he and Helen were on one of their famous “no sweets” diets, but to which he would often mischievously give in. He never lost his penchant for building things or his love for the outdoors. The property in Indian Valley looked like its own miniature development, with “out-buildings” and sheds here and there and frequent additions to the porch and fence; in fact, one cousin remarked that he needed his own zip code. He loved a good story, and the family remembers his quiet smile as he listened to his boys spin yarns in the front room. He could be coaxed into talking about his military service; he was a patriot through and through. He liked warm fires and woodsmoke, early mornings outside and nice cars. He loved to tease and affectionately aggravate his daughters-in-law. He was proud of his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and liked to have pictures of them. His favorite pastime, outside of reading the Bible, was listening to sermons and reading Christian magazines. He was tirelessly pursuing the God who never gave up on him. 

Vinton Quesenberry is survived by his wife, Vicki (Hall) Quesenberry of Galax, Virginia; by his sons, Douglas (Carm) Quesenberry of Maryville, Tennessee; Darryl (Lisa) Quesenberry  of Lisbon, Ohio; Daniel (Rhonda) Quesenberry of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania; Duane (Valorie) Quesenberry of Westfield, Indiana; by his grandchildren, Philip (Rebecca) Quesenberry of Beavertown, Pennsylvania; Martha (Rodney) Manners of Salem, Ohio; Sarah (Dan) Hardy of Alberton, Montana; Emily (Ryan) Oldaker of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Joshua Quesenberry of Knoxville, Tennessee; Jessica (Mark) Hollabaugh of Knoxville, Tennessee; Joanna Quesenberry of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania; Ashley Quesenberry of Cincinnati, Ohio; Autumn Quesenberry of Westfield, Indiana; Stewart Quesenberry of Westfield, Indiana; Kaley Quesenberry of Westfield, Indiana and great-grandchildren, Natalie, Emma, McKalaey and Isabella Quesenberry; Danny, Jaonna and Amriella Hardy; Braydon, Kayla and Brylan Hollabaugh, Khloe and Kai Oldaker and one due in September 2020 and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark Fuston and Woodsby (Marshall) Quesenberry;  his first wife, Mary Helen Quesenberry; and his nine siblings, Winters (Quesenberry) Akers; Effie (Quesenberry) Crowder; Victor Quesenberry Merle (Quesenberry) Kirkner; Vera (Quesenberry) O’Dell; Bitley Quesenberry; Daniel Quesenberry, Margaret Ann (infant) and Johnny Quesenberry.  

There is no adequate earthly measure for a life dedicated to God. A mountain son, born to generational alcoholism, rebellion and self-will, was transformed by the mighty power of God and used to spread the message of salvation to hundreds, probably thousands, many of whom now rejoice with him in the presence of Jesus.  

For Vinton Quesenberry, the battle is over; a faithful soldier has made it home where his redeemed soul will ever be with the Lord. “Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

The family is grateful for the many kindnesses of their friends during their time of sorrow. They would especially like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice for their excellence and loving care during the illness of their father.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at the Indian Valley Church of God with Rev. David Spivy officiating. Interment will follow in the Phillips Cemetery with Military Rites by the Army National Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the church.