Patty Urban Utz, Class of 1950, is enjoying retirement in Springfield, Virginia with husband John Utz, a West Point graduate who retired as a Lt. Colonel. John flew helicopters into combat for two tours in Vietnam before he met Patty after his 1950 high school graduation.

Like most of the 1950 grads, Patty deals with getting older, such as a shoulder replacement (in my case, my right knee is store-bought).

Patty had a long phone conversation with Leatrice Yokay Greaser, Class of 1950, discussing the letters I’ve been sending out to Class of 1950 graduates about our reunion in 2015. 

We’ll have a combined dinner at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2015 at the Three Ways Inn with the Class of 1955 and then both classes will be honor classes at the 92^nd annual Monongah High Alumni Reunion dinner-dance Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Knights of Columbus on Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont.

Says Patty: “I think we’ll be there.”

Patty also keeps in touch with Amelia Shenasky Zentz, the blonde behind the counter of her parents’ P.P. Shenasky Grocery in Monongah a half-century ago. Despite nudging close to the century age, Amelia is remarkably robust, living on Shenasky Lane (yes, they named the street for the family), which is on the street just off U.S. 19 across from where Shenasky Grocery used to be.

Amelia has help from Al Williamson, who delivered groceries for Pete and Nell Shenasky, and the DeBalski family, which also lives nearby. Al Williamson lives in the small house beside Amelia.  It’s the house Carrie Shenasky lived in; after her death, Al moved into the house.

Last time I checked, Al was in the produce department at the Shop & Save Store in Shinnston.

Alan Williamson's mother was Ruth Williamson, his sister was Kathy, Class of 1978.

Johnny Williamson was his brother and worked at Meffe's bar in Monongah. His father's name was Doug, who worked for years at Alasky’s in Farmington.

The Shenasky building today is owned by J.L. Boggess, the son of Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and husband Okey Boggess, a retired coal miner, who live in the childhood Kasper home in the Frogtown section of Monongah just before you get to Swisher Hill.

Patty is a granddaughter of Peter Urban, the only survivor of the 1907 Monongah mines explosions who later was killed in a slate fall. Patty’s father, Andrew Urban, was Peter Urban’s son.

Her children are John, Jennifer, Deidre, Elise, and Caryn. Patty's brother was Michael A. Urban who died in 2008.

Her granddaughter, a University of Rochester dancing graduate, recently married and teaches ballet in Boston, Mass. 

Andrew Urban and Stanley Urban, Sr. were brothers. Stanley Urban, Jr. is Stanley Urban, Sr.’s son. Brenda Urban is Stanley Urban, Jr.’s daughter. Brenda's brothers are Mark and Gregory. Brenda lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Gregory Urban is Class of 1966. Greg lives in North Carolina.

Mark Urban is Class of 1969. Mark lives in Indiana.


Josephine Smolanovich Urban is Class of 1932.

If you have memories of the Urban family, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I'll add them to this Monongah High Alumni blog. 

If you want to contact Patty, her phone number is (703) 644-1499.