Diane Minardi Staron’s obituary

Thanks to Janice Hoffman, Class of 1967, who lives in Salem, Virginia and is retired from Glenvar High School of the Roanoke County school system after her MHS, Fairmont State, WVU-Parkersburg and Virginia Tech education, who told me how to find Diane Staron’s obituary.

John,

Louise (Domico Minardi, Class of 1947) is Diane's Mother and still lives on Thomas Ave.   Diane's husband, Tom, is also a Monongah graduate.

Ingram Funeral Home in St. Marys, WV will have the obituary online, probably later today.  The wake is Sun. and the funeral mass is Mon. at St. Joseph's in St. Marys.

Janice

Janice is accustomed to state championship teams since she went to Monongah High, which has five football (1952, 1955, 1968, 1969, 1973) and one baseball (1950) state title. So it’s nothing new for Janice that her Glenvar High will be playing for a Virginia state championship in football on Saturday.

You can re-connect with Janice at  janhoffman7@gmail.com

Diane’s obituary:

Diane Marie (Minardi) Staron, 65, of Belmont, WV, passed away, December 10, 2014, at her residence.

She was born, May 13, 1949, in Fairmont a daughter of Louise Ann D’Amico Minardi and the late James Nicholas Minardi.

She was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church in St. Marys, and a member of the Altar Society. She was a 1967 graduate of Monongah High School, Monongah, WV.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Fairmont State College. She had attended WVU at Parkersburg, Ohio University, and Ohio Valley University, working to obtain her master’s degree. She was a retired teacher with the Pleasant County Schools. She had been active with the St. Marys High School Athletic Boosters and involved in various charities for education. She had directed several plays for the Pleasant County Habitat for Humanity.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 39 years, Tom Staron, two children, Jaime Staron of Oak Island, NC, and Derek (Pamela) Staron of Fairmont, WV, two grandchildren, Teresa Taylor Staron and Camdyn Raine Staron. She was preceded in death by her father.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, December 15, 2014 at 11 A. M. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in St. Marys, WV, with Father Ron Prechtel officiating. Interment will be in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Fairmont, WV with an interment service at 2:30 P. M. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P. M. Sunday at the funeral home, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 P. M.

The family requests memorial contribution be made to the Diane Staron Fund % Union Bank, P. O. Box 309, St. Marys, WV 26170.

Later, Diane emailed:

John,

I just got this information from Jaime, Diane's daughter.

Times are confirmed for Mom. Viewing is at Ingram's Funeral Home in St. Marys Sunday December 14, 2014 from 2-4 & 6-8. Family visitation is at 1. The funeral services will be at St. John's Catholic Church at 11 Monday. Burial services will be later/following the service at Mt Caramel in Fairmont.

Mom requested that instead of flowers, any monetary donations would be put into a fund & split among 5 churches that were so helpful this past year.

Also, Dad has blocked off rooms at the Quality Inn in Marietta.

Graveside service is projected for 2:30 pm -- depending on traffic and leaving St. Marys.   

Janice

Monongah High Alumni Association president Linda Lopez Gandy, Class of 1965, wife of Jim Gandy, first made me aware of Diane's passing when Linda posted the sad news on her Facebook page:

“Today is sad, just found out my childhood friend and neighbor Diane has lost her battle with cancer. So many memories, growing up on Thomas Street. Rest, my friend. You will be sadly missed by all.”

If you have memories of the Minardi or Staron families, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add them to this Monongah High Alumni blog.