Photo by Shelley Hanson Christopher Burress, owner of Tito’s Sloppy Dogs, works with his daughter Kaylin Burress at the Centre Market location on Friday.

WHEELING — As Ohio Valley families gather this weekend to celebrate Father’s Day, some residents shared a few lessons learned from their dads — good or bad.

Martins Ferry resident Larry Deaton said he doesn’t have many memories of his father, Phillip Deaton, because he worked a lot in Pittsburgh and died at age 53 after being struck by a vehicle. Larry Deaton was just 8 years old at the time. His brother, Charles “Chuck” Deaton, however, stepped up and filled that role for him and his siblings.

“He was 15 years older, but he was still a young man,” Deaton said of his brother.

Deaton said his brother taught him how to fish, hunt and boat. He always followed his sports activities, too.

“If we had a good football game he would slip us $10 after the game,” he said. “That was a lot of money back then; it kept your gas tank filled.”

Deaton said he tried to instill in his own children that it is important to have a good work ethic.

“And it doesn’t matter what job you have, do it right,” he added.

A friend of Deaton’s, Jon Trumble of Salem, Virginia, said his father also taught him to have a good work ethic and to work hard.

“There weren’t a lot of rules at our house, but if you broke one there was a price to pay,” he said, adding his father never yelled but just made it clear there would be consequences if they did it again.

Christopher Burress, who owns Tito’s Sloppy Dogs, works with his daughter Kaylin Burress at their Centre Market location in Wheeling about every day. Much of his fatherly wisdom involves the business side of their lives.

“I taught her to be good to people — and they will come back to you,” he said. “Our customers are everything. They pay our bills. No matter what, be nice.”

Kaylin Burress said one of the main lessons she has learned from her father is to be kind to people.

The Stilwell family of St. Clairsville — father Chris, mother Shannon and children Olivia, 6, and Lucas, 5 — were enjoying the nice weather at Wheeling Park’s playground on Friday afternoon.

Chris Stilwell said he’s been teaching his children how to play different sports such as baseball, football and soccer. He also hopes they are learning other lessons from him as well.

“How to be a good human being, really. And to be friendly to people,” he said.

Shannon Stilwell said a lesson she learned from her own father is to be there for one’s children and to spend time with them.

Lucas said he loves that his dad plays with him. Olivia said her dad is handsome and funny.

Also at the playground were St. Clairsville resident David Schmid and his 3-year-old daughter, Mariella. Schmid said he aims to teach his daughter to “enjoy life as much as you can.”

“And always spend time with your family,” he added.

Wheeling resident John Helms said he learned from his father to think a step ahead of one’s young children and grandchildren. David J. Helms said he learned from his father to “do the best you can, have fun and work hard.”

Bridgeport native Bill Garrison remembers his father, the late Wilbur Garrison, teaching him a few positive lessons while growing up.

“My dad taught me that lifting weights will help you improve in any sport,” Garrison said. “He also taught me that something is only valued at what someone else is willing to pay for it.”

He also learned to do the opposite of some of his father’s ideas. For example, it is best to give an employer notice before quitting a job. And four-wheel-drive vehicles are better.

Garrison, a middle school teacher by trade, has imparted some wisdom to his own children.

“I taught them that education is important. If someone is willing to show you how, it’s worth learning,” he said.