Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate, and Debby Mason Michalski celebrated their 33^rd wedding anniversary.

Debby posted:

“Happy 33^rd Anniversary Jay! Looking forward to the next 33! Thanks for spoiling me all of these years.”

Debby is a sales representative for the United Security Agency, a former agency assistant at Horace Mann and a graduate of Grafton High and Salem College. Her parents are Linda Mason Williams and John Mason of Folsom, the one near New Martinsville and not the prison that Johnny Cash sang about.

Jay works for a Fairmont recyling company.

His parents are Ramona Fullen Michalski, who lives off Bridge Street Extension just outside the Monongah city limits, and the late Frank Michalski, in the Class of 1949 and an outstanding Monongah High football player.

Jay’s siblings are Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974, of Kilarm, married to Dave Westfall, Class of 1948; Mike Michalski, living in Monongah with wife Jan; Carol Michalski Drake, living in Shinnston with husband Bob; and Ramona Michalski, who lives with mom Ramona in Monongah.

Another child, Mary Frances Michalski Gapen, Class of 1968, married to Rick Gapen, passed away in 2012.

Edmund John Kanios, Sr. Class of 1948, passed away Friday, Augus 23.

His parents were John and Leokadia Piekutowski Kanios.

His widow is Dorotha Lee Sayre Kanios.

Their children are Edmund John Kanios, Jr. of Parkersburg, Melanie Kanios Taylor of Fairmont, Mitchell Stalnaker of Flat Rock, Michigan.

Edmund’s siblings are Mary Kanios Vanet of Barrackville, Albina Kanios Lemanski of Pittsburgh, Class of 1941, Gertrude Kanios Senchina, Class of 1948, of Spelter (near Clarksburg), Frank Kanios of Scottsdale, Arizona and, all predeceased, Vac Kanios, Janina Kanios Bernardo, Class of 1949, Stanislaus Kanios, Class of 1954, and Kasmier Kanios, who died in infancy.

Albina was typist for the 1941 Monongah Black Diamond yearbook staff.

I met Stanley and his sisters in Akron, Ohio when I paid my respects at the funeral home calling hours for their older brother, Wenceslaus. Stanley and another older brother, Frank, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, caddied at Fairmont Field Club when I was doing the same thing in my teen years.

Janina's late daughter, Janina Maria Bernardo, a 1975 Fairmont West High and 1980 WVU graduate, was engaged to Adam F. Michna II of Monongah, son of 1939 St. Peter's High graduate Adam Michna, when she passed away.

Edmund’s obituary:

Edmund John Kanios, Sr.

August 19, 1930 - August 23, 2019

Edmund John Kanios Sr., 89, of Fairmont passed away on Friday, August 23, 2019 at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. He was born August 19, 1930 in Monongah, a son of the late John and Leokadia Piekutowski Kanios.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorotha Lee Sayre. Also surviving are his children, Edmund John Kanios Jr. and his wife Tina of Parkersburg; Melanie Taylor and her companion Adam Sanford of Fairmont; and Mitchell Stalnaker and his wife Kari of Flat Rock, MI; four grandchildren, Alex Kanios; Anna Emery and her husband Danny; Zachary Taylor and his wife Noel; and Mary Ann Meyer and her husband Trevor; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Emmett; River; Preston; and Carter; his close friend, Mark Tylor and his companion Crystal Wilson of Fairmont; his sisters, Mary (Jess) Vanet of Barrackville; Albina (Alex) Lemanski of Pittsburgh; and Gertrude (Alex) Senchina of Spelter; his brother, Frank (Mary) Kanios of Scottsdale, AZ; his brother-in-law, Ronald Sayre of MI; two sisters-in-law, Sandra Fletcher, Michigan, and Sharon Burcham, of Flemington; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his siblings, Vac` Kanios; Janina Bernardo; Stanislaus Kanios; and his infant brother, Kasmier Kanios.

Ed was a graduate of Monongah High school and went on to serve our country in the U.S. Navy. He retired from Monongahela Power Company's Harrison Power Station as an electrician. Golfing was his passion. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening. Ed loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Following his wishes, cremation services were provided by Perine Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be held at Perine Funeral Home on Saturday, August 31 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences can be extended to the family at www.perinefunerals.com 

The Perine Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kanios family.

To send flowers to the family of Edmund John Kanios, Sr., please visit Tribute Store.

Clarice Watson Prince, widow of Paul Prince, passed away Tuesday, August 13.


Their children are Francie Prince Kincaid,  Michelle Prince White and Paul Dale Prince, who all live in Four States, as did Clarice.

 
Clarice’s siblings are Charlotte Rohrbaugh of Four States, Linda Elliott of Four States, Joyce Roupe of Four States, Monongah High graduate Nancy Watson Sokolosky of Rachel and North Marion graduate Shelia Amant of Missouri, who survive, and Leonard Watson, Terry Watson, Shirley Davis, Roberta Watson, Delores Tennant and Carolyn Swisher, all predeceased.

 
Clarice worked at St. Barbara’s Nursing Home in Monongah.

 
Clarice’s obituary:

Clarice Watson Prince, 76, of Four States died Tuesday August 13, 2019 at her residence. She was born in Harrison County on June 2, 1943 daughter of the late Abraham (Ted) and Alta Dale Lawler Watson.

She was employed at St. Barbara’s Nursing Home in Monongah.

She is survived by two daughters Frances Kincaid and Michelle (Ralph) White and one son Paul Dale (Kayla) Prince all of Four States. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kenneth Lee Kincaid, Justin Michael Kincaid and companion Kayla Willis, Paul Dale Prince III, Joshua Eric Prince, Dawson Kirby, Hunter Cole Cotrill and Izabella Grace Prince and two great grandchildren Emily, and Jayden Kincaid and soon to be Athena Kincaid all of Four States.

Clarice is also survived by five sisters Charlotte Rohrbaugh of Four States, Linda (Joe Pat) Elliott of Four States, Joyce (John) Roupe of Four States, Nancy Watson (Joseph) Sokolosky of Rachel and Shelia (John) Amant of Missouri and special nephew Ricky Rohrbaugh along with several other nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Paul Prince, her son-in-law Kenneth Kincaid, two brothers Leonard and Terry Watson and four sisters Shirley Davis, Roberta Watson, Delores Tennant and Carolyn Swisher, and several aunts and uncles.

Friends may call at the Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Friday from Noon till 7:00 P.M. Services will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Sabrina Haught officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ross Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

Condolences sent to www.rossfh.com .

Mildred Paknik Vozniak, Class of 1948, widow of Chester Vozniak, also Class of 1948, passed away Wednesday, August 21.

Mildred was the daughter of Samuel Paknik, Class of 1934, and Anna Cernak Paknik. She was married to Chester (22 October 1929-13 July 2012) on 14 July 1956 by Rev. Victor P. Ortino.

 

Mildred is survived by her three daughters: Rhonda Vozniak; Susan Vozniak Boland, Class of 1977; and Tracy Vozniak.

Siblings Tom Paknik, Class of 1951; John Paknik, Class of 1946; Elizabeth Paknik, Class of 1945; Ann Roubian, Samuel Paknik, Jr., Steve Paknik, Susan May and Christine Paknik predeceased Mildred.

 

Mitch Vozniak, on the 1952 Monongah High state football championship team, and wife Barbara Prezioso Vozniak, Class of 1953; John Vozniak, Jr., Class of 1959; and Olga Vozniak are Mildred’s brothers- and sisters-in-law.

 

Mildred was vice president of the Home Ec Club and Chester was president of the Monongah High Lettermen’s Club.

 

Monongah High had plenty of Vozniaks:

Arlene Vozniak Narog, Class of 1953.

Irene Vozniak Stroud, Class of 1954.

Eddie Vozniak was on the 1961 Monongah High football team.

 

Rose Hanus Vozniak, Class of 1938, is the widow of Edmund "Coozy" Vozniak. 

Mildred’s obituary: 

 

Mildred Vozniak

March 26, 1929 - August 21, 2019

Mildred Vozniak, 90 of Fairmont, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at United Hospital Center. She was born March 26, 1929 in Monongah, the youngest daughter of the late Samuel Paknik, Sr. and Anna Cernak Paknik.

“Millie” was a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother. In earlier years, she was employed by Westinghouse and G.C. Murphey. She was a 1948 graduate of Monongah High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, and preparing traditional family foods. She also loved to travel.

Mildred is survived by her three daughters: Rhonda Vozniak, Susan Boland, and Tracy Vozniak. She is also survived by three grandsons: Michael Beckett, Thomas Boland, and Benjamin Vozniak Gellman; as well as two brothers-in-law, Mitch Vozniak and John Vozniak, Jr.; and two sisters-in-law, Olga Vozniak and Barbara Vozniak. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great great nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Vozniak (in 2012); and eight siblings: Ann Roubian, Samuel Paknik, Jr., Steve Paknik, Susan May, Christine Paknik, John Paknik, Elizabeth Paknik, and Thomas Paknik.

The family would like to give special thanks to St. Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home for all of their love and care.

A visitation with Mildred’s family will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont. In keeping with Mildred’s wishes, she will be cremated. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Online condolences may be sent to www.domicofh.com .

James Fred Cottrill, 1970 Farmington High graduate, passed away Thursday, August 22.

His widow is Cheryl Diane “Cherie” Riley Cottrill, Class of 1968.

Cherie’s siblings are Robert “Kip” Riley, Class of 1971; Rhonda Kaye Riley Wilson, Class of 1975; and Vicki Riley DeWitt, Class of 1979. Robert Eugene “Gene” Riley, Class of 1949, is their father. Lola Riley was their mother. The late James Nottingham, Class of 1961, was a half-brother to Gene Riley.

Nancy Riley Basnett, Class of 1960, is their cousin. Nancy's dad, Howard Riley, was a brother of Filmore Riley, Gene Riley’s father.

There’s another Cheryl Riley, Class of 1979, who lives in Enterprise with husband Eugene Riley.

Fred’s obituary:
Visitation
Tuesday, Aug 27, 2019
1:00 PM-8:00 PM

Funeral Service
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2019
11:00 AM

James "Fred" Cottrill

February 13, 1952 - August 22, 2019

James “Fred” Cottrill, 67, of Fairmont, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. He was born February 13, 1952, son of the late Fred and Louise Cottrill of Idamay, WV.

Fred worked at Nick Saban’s Gulf Station from age 15 through college. He retired from Frontier Communications after 44 ½ years of service. Fred graduated from Farmington High School in 1970 and from Fairmont State University in 1973. Fred was a member of South Ridge Church in Fairmont, where he enjoyed the service and fellowship offered by fellow members and pastorial staff. He especially enjoyed spending time preparing and packing bags for Food for Thought.

Fred was a member and Pastmaster of the Masonic Lodge #31 at Mannington, Royal Arch Masons Bobbie D. Triplett Chapter #52 at Mannington, Commandery of Knights Templar Jeffery O. Schrader #31 at Mannington, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA Valley of Clarksburg Orient of West Virginia, Osiris Shinners. He received the Gold Honor Award from York Rite College.

Fred’s passion in life was cooking and helping friends and family. He also enjoyed spending time on the river with his wife Cherie, along with their many close friends.

Fred is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl “Cherie” Riley Cottrill; his sister, Susan (Paul) Rohde of Greeley, CO; father-in-law, Gene Riley of Fairmont, WV; brother-in-law, Kip (Tracey) Riley of Fairmont, WV; sisters-in-law, Rhonda (Steve) Wilson of Fairmont and Vicki DeWitt of Fairmont, WV; nephews, Scott (Patricia) Riley of Fairmont, WV and Trent Martin of Greeley, CO; nieces, Elizabeth (Peter) Martin of Greeley, CO, Christine (Ryan) Coyer of Ouray, CO, Kaitlyn DeWitt of Morgantown, WV, Karen Riley of Fairmont, WV, Kelsey Riley of Fairmont, WV, Dominica Riley of Fairmont, WV, and Isabella Riley of Fairmont, WV; and an uncle, Raymond (Kay) Wilson of Mentor, OH.

In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clay and Fannie Wilson and James and Jenny Cottrill; mother-in-law, Lola Riley; nephew, Christopher Riley; and cousin, Lisa Wilson.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Abraham Kanate and his staff at the WVU Cancer Center. In addition, the family would like to thank all of the families and friends who have supported Fred on his journey. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children 1645 W. 8^th Street, Erie, PA 16505; Food for Thought at South Ridge Church 1659 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554; or the Soup Opera 425 Quincy Street, Fairmont, WV 26554.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at South Ridge Church, 1659 Fairmont Avenue in Fairmont, on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Justin Wright officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery in Shinnston. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .

Virginia Tropea Neri’s son passes away

Peter Neri III, son of Virginia Tropea Neri, Class of 1931, and Peter Neri, passed away in Mexico on Monday, August 19. Peter and wife Sharon retired to Mexico in 2009.

The name in Italy for the Tropea family was Tropu.

Tony Tropea and wife Rose Loss Tropea owned and operated Tropea Grocery on Camden Avenue, adjacent to the building that housed Carlot’s Grill and to the home they owned an occupied, separated by a large lawn and Camden Avenue.

Virginia’s siblings were Christine Marie Tropea Jacobin, Class of 1935, who married Leo Jacobin; Helen Tropea Riggs Bieglecki, who married Edmund Bieglecki and lived in Wolverine, Michigan; Vincent Tropea; Marguerite Tropea Matthews, Class of 1926, who married Simon Matthews, and was the mother of Simon Paul Matthews, Jr., Class of 1956.

Tony Tropea's father fought in the military under Garibaldi in the successful fight to unify Italy.  

Tony’s brother was Domenico Tropea, born in Gioiosa Ionica, who married the niece of Frank Martin (Martino), Domenica Trupo (born in Noepoli).  Joe Fuccy (Giuseppe Fucci) married Frank Martin's daughter, Domenica (Minnie).

Tony and Rose lived briefly in Argentina. Rose didn’t like it so they returned to Monongah.

Peter III’s obituary:

Peter A. Neri III, age 77, passed away in Central Mexico on August 19, 2019, where he and his wife Sharon retired in 2009. Pete was born August 6, 1942 in Fairmont, the son of Peter A. Neri and Virginia Tropea from Monongah.
He attended St. Peters Elementary, then graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1960 as Valedictorian. In 1964, he graduated from WVU and started a career in the US Air Force. He carried out his service in Europe before ending his career as a Captain.
After the Air Force, he worked for Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, where he was the head of the fermentation department. In 1972, he married Sharon McDonnell whom he met in Golden. Soon after marrying, they moved to the mountain town of Evergreen, where they lived for 20 years and raised their family.
They are proud parents of: Dr. Antonio James Neri and his wife Elizabeth of Atlanta, GA, and Patrick Anthony Neri of Seattle, WA. He was also very proud of his grandchildren, Willa and Oliver, both of Atlanta, GA.
Other survivors include his brother, James Neri of Fairmont, and special friends Judy and David Moran from Colfax. He enjoyed fishing, rock collecting, and was insatiably curious about all natural things throughout his life.
A memorial dinner will be held in Fairmont, on September 19, 2019, for his friends and family.
Cards can be sent to his mail drop at: 2163 Lima Loop PMB 071 563, Laredo, TX 78045-6420.
To send flowers to the family of Peter A Neri III, please visit Tribute Store.

My cousin, Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966, and her husband, Mike Preolitti, Class of 1961, celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in Monongah. They live in Traction Park, just past the Mount Calvary Cemetery.

The grandchildren call them Nana and Pap. We called my Italian grandmother Nona (Maria Fedrigon Futten).

Irene’s mother, Frances Olesky Fazio, who married Renzy Fazio, was the younger sister of my father, John W. Olesky, Sr. Helen Olesky Kerekes was their other sibling.

Frances and Renzy owned and operated Fazio Grocery at the bottom of Jackson Street hill, where it intersected with Thomas Street. Renzy was a scratch golfer, which means he was damn good … good enough to beat me on my good days as a Fairmont State golfer.

Unce Renzy had 12 siblings. John Fazio; Jeanette Fazio DiBiase, who died in 2003; Albert Fazio of New York; Mary Virginia Fazio Pasquale of Fairmont; the late Nick, James, Joseph and Michael; Edith Fazio DeCarlo, Elizabeth Fazio Domico, Angeline Fazio Prozzillo and Carmella Fazio DePond. 

Renzy and Frances’ children are Irene; Mary Chris Fazio Ramsey, Class of 1969, married to Tom Ramsey and living on Pike Street in Monongah in the home once owned by Helen and Steve Kerekes, sister of Frances Fazio and John W. Olesky, Sr.; Steve Fazio, Class of 1975, whose wife, Nancy, is deceased; and David Fazio, Class of 1968, married to 1973 Farmington grad Cora, operator of Fazio's Eldercare in Stoney Lonesome.

Belinda Morgan Sheppard, Class of 1969, celebrated her 50^th wedding anniversary on Thursday, August 15 in Port Charlotte, Florida, where she lives with her husband, George Sheppard, a former Marine she refers to as "Dordie."

Belinda and George thought they were going out for pizza but their daughters surprised them with an anniversary dinner with family and friends.

Belinda posted:

“I want to thank my girls for our 50th anniversary dinner. Was such a wonderful surprise. I thought we were going for pizza. We were so surprised. Thank you and thank you all who came. We love our girls to pieces.”

This great and lasting romance began on a playground.

Former Monongah councilman Sanford Carr, George Sheppard’s cousin, “brought George to the playground to meet me,” Belinda recalls. “It was sort of a blind date.” They went to the movies as double dates with Sanford and future wife Linda Knobel-Carr, Class of 1967, and have been doing that ever since.

Much later, Sandford and George “joined the Marines as a buddy plan.”

After setting up Belinda and George, Sanford married Linda.

The same Linda who has been best friends with Belinda since they were 5 years old.

Linda was matron of honor at Belinda’s wedding and Belinda’s brother, Ricky, was the ring-bearer. 1989 North Marion grad Tonia Carr Posten is Sanford and Linda’s daughter.

Belinda and George have two daughters, Christy Sheppard Marecki and University of Central Florida graduate ShellyRay Banville, and eight grandchildren and live in Port Charlotte, 50 miles south of Sarasota off Interstate 75.

Belinda retired in 1996. Her 1969 graduation class included Alabama football coach Nick “Brother” Saban. Coincidentally, Belinda graduated the year that I began my career as an editor at the Akron Beacon Journal and retired the year that I retired from the Ohio newspaper.

Her parents were Bill Morgan, who attended Monongah High for one year before switching to Farmington High, and Jacqueline Joyce Wilson Morgan, 1956 Farmington High grad. The family lived on Walnut Street, where I was born in my Olesky grandparents’ house in 1932.

Belinda worked for Bruce and Amelia Shenask Zentz at their Dairy Kone in Monongah for three summers (1975-1977). “I loved working there,” Belinda writes. “They even gave me a baby shower in 1977.”

Billie Lee Morgan, Jr., Class of 1974, widow of Fairmont West grad Paula Jean Burton Morgan, is Belinda’s brother. So is North Marion grad Rick Morgan, who works for Mountaineer Cabinet Company and lives in Fairmont. And the late Jimmie Lee Morgan.

Belinda tells about an unusual honeymoon:

o    “Part of our wedding party left when we left mom’s house. Followed us through Monongah and Monkey Wrench and to Morgantown.

“I thought they just wanted to blow their horns. But when my husband tried to ditch them they showed up at the hotel right after my husband paid for the room. Of course me being so scared anyway I invited them in. About 15 of them. They talked about someone going to get donuts. I was all for it.

o   “Then my husband went to the office and made everyone leave. I went into the bathroom and stayed there most of night till he went to sleep. Next day I told my husband I had to go home because I forgot my toothbrush. He said I'll buy you a toothbrush. So that was the first gift after being married that he bought me.

o  “And although Linda Knobel-Carr knows rest of story it's not being repeated. He stuck with me for 50 years.”

Wow!

Melanie Marsh Snyder’s sister passes away

Jill Marsh Willis, sister of 1980 North Marion High graduate Melanie Marsh Snyder, passed away Friday, August 16 in Coshocton, Ohio.

Jill Marsh Willis

Melanie attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and Monongah High before being part of the first graduation class at North Marion after MHS ceased to exist. She was a Fairmont State grad in medical secretary/assistant. She’s a primary coder at HMS and hospital compliance specialist at WVU Hospitals. Melanie lives in Fairmont but is from Worthington.

Other Marsh graduates of Monongah High included:

Barbara Marsh, Class of 1964, widow of Dennis Lee Toler and Monongah News columnist in the Fairmont Times and NOT the late Barbara Fleming Marsh, Class of 1947, who moved to California after Monongah High. Barbara Marsh once ran into Monongah Town Recorder Patty Steele McCombs in a Steak ‘N Shake Restaurant in Bristol, Tennessee.

Gregory Marsh, Class of 1973.

Penny Marsh Beverly, Class of 1969.

Jill’s obituary:

Jill Y. Willis

January 27, 1958 - August 16, 2019

Jill Y. Willis, 61, of Coshocton passed away at her home on Friday August 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
Jill was born in Wooster, Ohio on January 27, 1958 to the late Harleigh G. and Janice M. (Pittman) Marsh.
She worked at Coshocton County Regional Medical Century and Buehlers Foods. Jill was a member of Burt Ave. Wesleyan Church and the Heart of Gold. She loved to quilt, play cards and spend time with her family and friends. She loved her dog, Sadie Marie; Sadie was a great companion and joy in her life.
Jill is survived by her two children James Ryan Stuckey of Marysville and Jackie (Justin E. Mardis) Stuckey of Coshocton; stepmother who raised her, Marcella Hoover of Reynoldsburg; grandson Jared E. (Lyndsie Slaughter) Mardis; special friend Roger Sheets of Coshocton; sister Melanie M. Snyder of WV; nieces Hayley and Kayla; two brothers Harleigh R. Marsh of VA and Paul D. Allison of Millersburg; her special canine companion Spike and feline Leo.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her grandmother Olga R. Marsh and stepfather James F. Hoover.
Friends may call at The Miller Funeral Home, 639 Main St., Coshocton on Monday August 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. where funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Rod Uhlig officiating. Interment will follow in South Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
An online memorial is located at www.themillerfuneralhome.com s
To send flowers to the family of Jill Y. Willis, please visit Tribute Store.

This photo of the late Ruth Koon’s Thoburn School class sent me on a multiple-weeks hunt for what has happened to those students since their picture was taken. Many in the photos graduated from Monongah High in 1972 and 1973.

Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972, is touring Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Terri replied to me:

“I retired in 2015 from the Law Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was a librarian there for 30 years.

“My husband died in 2012 from complications from MS. I take one long trip each year in addition to spending 2 weeks in West Virginia in both the spring and the fall.”

Her father, Tony Orsini, “is doing great,” Terri reports.

Terri also provided information on others in the Thoburn photo:

“I would say Ruth Koon died 20 years ago.

“Alice Shaw went to West Fairmont for high school. Her mom taught there, graduated in 1973.

“Dave Graffius died a good while ago.

“Alan Williamson died 2-3 years ago because mom (Mary Louise Baker Orsini, who began at Monongah High with the Class of 1948) told me.” Mary Louise passed away in June.  

“John Serian is a schoolteacher.

“Anthony Dingus, Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, John Yokay, Doris Cain all are on Facebook.

“Philip Nicholson gave my dad a business card to give to me 10 years ago. He worked for Consol.”

Pastor Mark “Hooch” Aldridge, Class of 1973, ran for Monongah Town Council in 2017. He lives in Rachel, played football at Monongah High and at Glenville State College and is former law enforcement officer. He has been married since 2000.

His siblings are Greg Aldridge, Class of 1972, and Scott Aldridge, 1983 North Marion grad. Their parents were the late Edwin Aldridge and Mary Jean “Mickey” Walker Aldridge, Monongah town clerk for 30 years. Both are deceased.

 

Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973, helped Susan Staron Sanders with her Monongah Christmas street lights fundraising. Valderie worked at Fairmont General Hospital and lives in Monongah with husband Jim Aldridge.

John Serian, Class of 1973, is a schoolteacher living in Martinsburg. He is the son of the late John Ralph Serian, a coal miner for 30 years at several Consol mines and former Fairmont policeman, and Mary Jane Glover Serian. Son John’s siblings are Ralph Serian of Kilarm, Dave Serian of Kilarm, Dennis Serian of Fairmont, Doris Serian Myers of Cherry Point, North Carolina, and Bertha Serian Anderson of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

·         Paul Eugene Lambert, Class of 1973, is married to Vivian Pierce Lambert, Glass of 1978. He became a schoolteacher, just like John Serian.

The late Al Williamson, Class of 1973, helped care for Amelia Shenasky Zentz at her Shenasky Lane home in Monongah for years. In earlier years, he worked for Amelia’s parents, Pete and Nell Shenasky, at the Shenasky Grocery on U.S. 19 in Monongah next to Thoburn School.

·         Doris Kaye Teets Cain, Class of 1972, is married to Jim Cain.

Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973, is married to Jim Satterfield.

Anthony Dingus lives in Honea Path in northwest South Carolina where, in 1934, company goons shot and killed six textile union workers and wounded 20 others. Many bullet wounds were in the fleeing workers’ backs.

Doreen Edwards passed away in 1999, according to Patty Edwards, Doreen's sister-in-law.

It took a while and my 43 years of newspaper editor experience, but that’s information on more than half of the 31 in the photo. If you have more details about them, or information about others in the photo after they left Thoburn and Monongah High, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add their details to this article.

Also, if you have adults photos of any of the Thoburn students in the photo, email them to John Olesky in jpeg format and I’ll add them to the photo montage.

You leave your school, but it never leaves your memories.

Former WVU journalism dean dies

Chris Martin, former dean of the West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism (now the Reed College of Media) and former vice president of WVU University Relations, died on Wednesday, August 7, at the age of 67. In Martin’s 23 years at WVU, she became known for her love of journalism and innovative approach to both media education and branding at the university. She joined the journalism faculty in 1990 and served as the director of the school’s undergraduate writing program, news editorial sequence chair and dean from 1997-2003. As dean, Martin was responsible for starting new programs that elevated the school’s national reputation and for bringing top talent to WVU. She launched the nation’s first online master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, a highly successful program that has graduated more than 1,500 students in its 16-year history. She spearheaded fundraising efforts that led to the creation of the Ogden Newspapers Visiting Professorship, a position held by renowned Associated Press special correspondent, George Esper. She led major curriculum revisions in response to the changing media landscape and projects that provided students with hands-on, real-world experiences, such as the Cancer Stories documentary and West Virginia Veterans History Project. “Chris Martin was a great friend to the College of Media, and me personally,” said Maryanne Reed, WVU provost and former College of Media dean. “She was a visionary leader, both as the dean of the college and as vice president of University Relations. Her many contributions and her passion for staying relevant paved the way for the college to become a leader in modern media education.” Martin became a member of the senior leadership team at WVU in 2003 when she assumed the vice president role and took over communications, media, marketing and branding operations for the university. She oversaw the development of  WVUToday , the university’s first multimedia communications network, and a growing array of social media vehicles for recruitment, retention and affinity building including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. She also led the implementation of new recruitment and marketing strategies that helped increase WVU enrollment to unprecedented levels. Under her leadership, WVU University Relations won numerous national and international awards – Tellys, MarComs, CASE, Webbys – for emergent and social media initiatives. She also led the marketing communication strategy to boost WVU’s  Office of Trademark Licensing  to 15th in the nation for sales and 3rd in the Big 12 Conference. During her time at WVU, Martin also co-directed Poynter’s College Newswriting and Reporting Fellowship Program from 1997 to 2004. And in 2013, she was named president of the Poynter Foundation and vice president of external relations at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nationally prominent center for journalism training and international media studies think tank in St. Petersburg, Florida. At Poytner, Martin helped launch the formal fundraising arm and built philanthropic support through major gift solicitation, annual campaigns, planned giving, special events, alumni relations and donor recognition programs. Martin retired from Poynter in 2014. Throughout her career, she spoke and consulted nationally on writing, reporting, emergent media, media technology and mass communications. “Chris left a legacy at WVU and has remained a generous supporter of the college through a scholarship she created in memory of her father,” Reed said. “She was loved and will be missed."