John Halpenny’s widow passes away

Shirley Louise Smith Halpenny, widow of John Halpenny, Class of 1952, passed away Sunday, June 16.

John died in 1988 at the age of 54.

John’s brother is Donald “Jake” Halpenny, whose dad’s car our gang often rode around Marion County in during our teen years at Monongah High. Jake lives in Fairmont. His wife is the late Anita Cremeans Halpenny. They have 5 children, 9 grandchildren (1 deceased) and 2 great-grandchildren.

Jake played the clarinet with the Virgil Vingle Band, the United Mine Workers band, the West Virginia Air Reserves National Guard band and the Fairmont and Clarksburg community bands. A 1980 accident at the Monongahela Power Rivesville power station where Jake worked for 40 years cut off some fingers and ended his musical career.

After falling in March and breaking his pelvis and hip, Jake gets around with the help of a cane and a walker.

John played trombone in the legendary Monongah High band.

Shirley’s obituary:

Shirley Louise Halpenny

July 11, 1938 - June 16, 2019

Shirley Louise Halpenny, 80, of Fairmont, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019. She was born in Fairmont on July 11, 1938, daughter of the late Clifford Smith and Dorothy Ashcraft Smith.

Shirley was a long-time employee of Sweet William’s Restaurant.

Shirley is survived by her son, Randy Halpenny and his wife Barbara of Fairmont; grandchildren, Hollie Diane Cozzetti, Miranda Dawn Cupp and her husband Ben of Pittsburgh, PA; great grandchildren, Chloe Cozzetti, Caralina Cozzetti, and Isabella Cupp; her brother, James Smith and his wife Geneva of Tacoma, WA; a sister-in-law, Helen Smith; a brother-in-law, Paul Sheets; many special nieces and nephews; and her special pen pal, Colin Halpenny.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Halpenny; a son, David Wayne Halpenny; a brother, William “Butch” Smith; and a sister, Judy Ann Sheets.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the West Virginia Special Olympics, 3055 Mount Vernon Road Hurricane, WV 25526.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue, in Fairmont, on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from Noon until 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at the funeral home on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bill Preston officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Fairmont. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .