Violet Kisner Jett passes away

Violet May Kisner Jett, mother of John Jett, Jr., Class of 1975, and Susie Jett, passed away Sunday, November 24.

Violet Kisner Jett

She was the widow of John Jett, Sr. They lived in Worthington. So does John Jett, Jr.

2005 North Marion High graduate Charlie Joseph Jett, who passed away in 2015, was Violet and John, Sr.’s grandson. Denise Cameon Jett and Charles Jett were Charlie’s parents.

Violet’s daughter, Susie Jett, was a caregiver for the late Violet “Irene” Satterfield Thompson, Class of 1942. Irene’s brother, Stephen “Bucky” Satterfield, Class of 1949, were part of the group of Monongah High boys who ran around together in Marion County a LONG time ago.

Violet’s obituary:

Violet May Jett, 79, of Worthington, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2019. She was born on February 3, 1940, a daughter of the late John Kisner and Margaret Slider Kisner.

Violet enjoyed canning, gardening, raising children, and farming.

Violet is survived by her children, Johnny Jett and his wife Kathy of Worthington, Alan  Jett and his wife Pam of Ohio, Susie Jett and Michael Loss of Worthington, Rody Williams and Cindy Lepley of Mannington, Kay Martin and her husband Charles of Worthington, Charlie Jett and his wife Lori of Maryland, Connie Haun and her husband Jim of Fairmont, Dee Gump and her husband Tom of Farmington, and Jack Jett of Worthington; a brother, Bill Kisner and Carolyn Cochran of Georgia; sisters, Betty Trader and her husband Leon of Fairmont, Doris Holland and her husband Steve of Georgia, Sally Whitlock and her husband Albert of Georgia, and Angie Pettitt and her husband Joel of Georgia; numerous grandchildren; several great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and an aunt, Rose Slider.

In addition to her parents, Violet was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Jett, Sr.; two children, Alice Jett Long and Dave Williams; a brother, Johnny Kisner; and a grandson, Charlie Jett.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Friday, November 29, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdr at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Chad Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at the Jett Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .

 

Brenda Sue Martin passes away

Monday funeral service in Fairmont

Brenda Sue Martin passes away 2019

Brenda Sue Martin, Class of 1971, passed away Friday, November 22.

Linda “Butch” Martin Keener, Class of 1965, is her sister.

Brenda Sue Martin passed away on Friday, November 22, 2019, at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. She was born on Sunnybrooke Farm in Worthington on February 10, 1950, a daughter of Elouise Mayo Martin and the late Paul Ray Martin.

In addition to her mother, Brenda is survived by her sister, Linda “Butch” Keener; her special cousins, Ida Diem and Curtis Mayo; and her beloved cat, Molly.

In addition to her father, Brenda was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Franklin D. Keener.

Brenda was a graduate of Monongah High School and loved swimming. She was a member of Central Christian Church where she sang in the choir and was active in the Adult Sunday School Class. Brenda was also a member of the West Virginia Travelers Club, Country Club Health and Fitness, and the Diet Center at the John Manchin Sr. Healthcare Facility.

The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Sunday, November 24, 2019, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Monday, November 25, 2019, from 12 noon until 1 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, November 25, 2019, at 1 p.m. with Reverend Dr. Robin Norsworthy officiating. A committal service will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.

Keith Fitzwater, Class of 1956, passed away Tuesday, November 19.

Keith once made hatchdoors for submarines, which not many people have in their work history.

Sister Karen Fitzwater Pausch is Class of 1961.

Brother Don Fitzwater, Class of 1966, once was married to  Sylvia Ann Hulderman Fitzwater Edwards, Class of 1967, who later married Edward Edwards, Class of 1967, now deceased. Sylvia’s late mother was Olive Jane Kniceley Hulderman, who married Virgil Pitman and Raymond Hulderman, and her siblings were Raymond “Bugs” Hulderman, Class of 1966; Tom Hulderman, Class of 1969, and Don Pitman, Class of 1962.

Keith’s other siblings, whose parents were Otmer and Missouri Fitzwater, are Kenny Fitzwater of Largo, Florida and Larry Fitzwater of Worthington.

Keith’s obituary:

Richard Keith “Keith” Fitzwater, 80, of Fairmont, entered into eternal life with the Lord on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Fitzwater’s Gracious Living. Keith was born on March 25, 1939, in Worthington, a son of the late Otmer and Missouri Fitzwater.

 

 Keith was the oldest of five siblings. He is survived by his sister, Karen Pausch, of Chesterland, Ohio; three brothers, Kenny Fitzwater, of Largo, Florida, Larry Fitzwater, of Worthington, and Don Fitzwater, of Fairmont, where Keith made his home for the last several years, after suffering a devastating stroke.

 

 He graduated from Monongah High School in 1956 and afterwards moved to Ohio to start his career. He worked for Oberbeek & Cain, making hatch doors for submarines, until their closing; he later went to work for Taylor Chairs making furniture. Keith’s real passion was auto mechanics; he taught journeyman to prepare for their certification. He was a master mechanic. Keith loved working with his hands and worked hard to master every skill of his trade; his work ethic was undeniable, and even when the workday was done, he would return home eager to start a new project. He saw potential in things others saw worthless. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors and his gardens. He was a perfectionist and if he couldn’t fix it, it could not be fixed. His word was his bond.

 

 Keith leaves behind his four children: Brian Fitzwater and wife Dee, Keith Fitzwater “Little Fitz”, Danny Fitzwater and wife Chris, and his only daughter, Sharon Bish and husband, Gary. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

 

 Keith’s life is showcased by the words of Stephen Grelett: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

The family wishes to thank caregivers, Mike Morris, David Yoho, and Amedisys Hospice for their excellent care and support.

 

 Family and friends may be received at Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant St., Fairmont, on Sunday from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., with a Prayer Vigil at 6:00 p.m. with Sister Stella Cronauer CST, and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2019, with Pastor Darren Alkire officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Monongah Volunteer Fire Chief Harless McCombs will attend his 200^th consecutive Mountaineer Field game November 23 when Oklahoma State visits West Virginia’s Mountaineers.

Harless said:

"I've been to every game at the new stadium except for the 1988 game (against Boston College).” The Evansdale stadium opened in 1980.

Harless has been to eight bowl games and many away games, bringing his WVU total to more than 300 games.

You can credit Harless’ mother.

"To be honest with you, it was kind of like I born with it. My Mom took me to games and she took me to old Mountaineer Field.

"I remember one of the very first games I went to (when) I was 7 years old and I ran into a very tall, slender gentleman who stopped and talked to me who happened to be Jack Fleming. I was like, 'Wow. This is a guy that I hear on the radio and now I'm actually getting to meet him. ' . . . From that time on, I had to be there."

I’ve missed only two Mountaineer Field games in 30 years but Harless makes me look like a lukewarm fan by comparison. A snowstorm that iced down I-79 and caused dozens of pileups was one, after my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, phoned and told me to turn around (we were halfway there). The other was after my surgery this year.

Harless and wife Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977, made their wedding a tailgate with then-Mountaineer linebacker Reed Williams among the guests.

Lisa is a Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s books author. Lisa’s mother, Pat Myers, taught at Monongah Elementary and her father, John Myers, was the Golf Pro at Green Hills Golf Club for many years.

Because his dad also was named Harless, Lisa’s husband goes by “Mutt.” Mutt’s mom is Loretta June Fox McCombs.

Mutt’s brother, Bill McCombs, Class of 1969, has been assistant fire chief and also Monongah’s water expert and currently serves on the Monongah Town Council. Bill’s wife is Fairmont East graduate Patty Steele McCombs, Monongah Town Recorder.  

To read the Fairmont Times article, click on https://www.wvnews.com/fairmontnews/news/monongah-wv-s-harless-mccombs-to-attend-th-consecutive-wvu/article_94944149-f666-5e84-9d15-9d7c0852806f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR00qZv4qEcbzlO1eQxR_M9ocCIUcQ5GlSFNuboAFx_S4aASg5FEg4Nry7E

They should have given the Basnett family its own wing at Monongah High.

Doris Jean Menear Basnett, Class of 1938, and her late husband, Roy Basnett, Class of 1932, started an enviable tradition: graduating from Monongah High.

All five of their sons followed suit:

Tom Basnett, Class of 1960

Dennis Basnett, Class of 1962

Carlton Basnett, Class of 1965

Jack Basnett, Class of 1969

Michael Basnett, Class of 1975

Doris celebrated her 99th birthday with family & friends September 29, 2019.

Dennis was on the football, baseball and track teams at Monongah High. Laura Basnett Shreve is Dennis’ daughter and Doris and Roy’s granddaughter.

Carlton also played football for Monongah High.

Tom married Nancy Riley Basnett, also Class of 1960. His photo wasn’t in the 1960 yearbook because he already was at the Columbus, Mississippi Air Force Base serving his country. Later, Tom was married Vivian Scott Basnett for 22 years.  

Their daughter, Kerri Basnett, an RN private duty nurse, is a Shinnston Lincoln High grad. An outlier in every family.

Fate kept the late Kimberly Basnett Culver from being a Monongah High graduate. She attended MHS for three years, then graduated in 1980 from North Marion because Monongah High was consolidated into North Marion in 1979. Kim also was a Fairmont State graduate who was David “Buck” Durham’s companion for a decade.

Barbara Basnett Cain started with the Class of 1956 before she left Monongah High and Worthington during her sophomore year and moved to Ohio. Barbara returned to Monongah in 1970 after marrying Matthew R. Cain. Her father was Paul Basnett, who drove both a school bus and a mine bus. At Monongah High, Barbara hung out with Barbara Jean Brooks, Class of 1955; Lillian Alice Baker, Class of 1956; and Sue Martino.

Other Basnetts who graduated from Monongah High:
Raymond Basnett, Class of 1947.
Beverly Basnett Zaleski, Class of 1965.
Debbie Rutherford Basnett, Class of 1975.
Raymond Basnett, Class of 1970

Shelley Shaw Williams passes away

Shelley Lou Shaw Williams, sister of Monongah’s Vickie Shaw Davidson and Fairmont’s Georgeanne Dietzel, passed away Monday, November 4.

Shelley Shaw Williams

Vickie is married to Rick Davidson, Class of 1966. They live on Park Avenue.

Georgeanne Dietzel of Fairmont, once was married to the late Tom Hulderman, Class of 1969, Monongah High quarterback Nick Saban’s favorite receiver on the 1968 undefeated state championship football team.

Shelley’s obituary:

Shelley Lou (Shaw) Williams

October 13, 1951 - November 4, 2019

Shelley Lou (Shaw) Williams, 68, of Fairmont, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 4, 2019 at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. She was born in Fairmont on October 13, 1951, the daughter of the late George Bernard and Mary Alice (Bolyard) Shaw.

Shelley loved nature and being outdoors. She enjoyed all that nature had to offer especially plants and flowers. You could often find Shelley at Morris Park in Pleasant Valley. Shelley was a kind and giving person. She often donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and several of the different Humane Societies.

In addition to her parents Shelley was preceded in death by several of her beloved animal companions.

Those left behind to cherish Shelley's memory include her daughter, Mandi Alisha Darway Ingles and husband Justin of Michigan; two sisters, Vickie Davidson and husband Rick of Monongah and Georgeanne Deitzel of Fairmont; one grandson, Everett Lee Ingles; and her granddog, Lola Pop.

Per Shelley's request, cremation services were provided. There will be no services at this time.

Dorsey Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to assist the family of Shelley Lou (Shaw) Williams at this difficult time.

Terry Queen is resigning as Monongah’s police chief, effective November 30, to become a patrolman in the Anmoore Police Department in the Clarksburg area, where Terry lives.
 
In response to my request for details, Terry replied:

“I am going to Anmoore PD. I will be a patrolman there. It's less stress, more money on the hour, same benefits and it's only 2 1/2 miles from my house.”
The Anmoore Police Department is practically next door to the Clarksburg Hilton Garden Inn on Emily Drive in Clarksburg.

Terry came from Clarksburg to replace Rick Barnhart, who left to become Harrison County Courthouse security chief.

Terry is an experience trainer of police in the use of rifle and handguns and frequents the Salem Rifle and Pistol Club. He also is a member of the Brothers in Blue Motorcyle Club for police officers.

Terry posted:

“Yes, the rumors you may have heard are true. I am leaving Monongah as of the last day of November. I have obtained a job closer home. Though I will be leaving, doing so is bittersweet. In the past 3 years I have been fortunate in meeting a lot of folks who have become my friends, people who I will never forget. Many of you have accepted me and have shown me kindness, the likes I have never known.”

Terry added that students at Monongah’s schools treated him as if he were their grandfather, even calling him “PapPap.”

Another former Monongah police chief, who also served in the same capacity at Rivesville, Chris Veltri, a Sts. Peter and Paul School graduate, passed away in 2017 at the age of 56. He was retired from the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and moved back to Monongah before his passing.

Roman Prezioso won’t run for re-election



Roman Prezioso

State Senator Roman Prezioso, Class of 1967, who went from Jackson Street to the State Legislature where he has served for more than three decades, announced that he won’t run again when his term ends next year.

Roman is the Minority Leader for the Democratic Party in the West Virginia Senate. He has been in the State Senate since 1996 after serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1988 to 1996.

Roman and wife Deborah live in Fairmont. Roman’s sister, Marie Prezioso, lives in Charleston.

Roman’s parents were Amelia Ann Yerace Prezioso and Roman Prezioso, Sr., who ran Prezioso Grocery at the top of Jackson Street. Amelia was famous for her canned peppers, which she grew, canned and sold for decades.

 

She is the mother of State Sen. Roman Prezioso, Jr., Class of 1967, who lives in Fairmont with wife Deborah, and Marie Prezioso of Charleston.

 

Monongah’s Preziosos include Lavania Serge Prezioso, Josephine Prezioso Westfall of Monongah, Bea Prezioso Mangino of Michigan, Brulina Prezioso Sweeney of Vienna, Barbara Prezioso Vozniak (married to  Mitch Vozniak) of Monongah, Marie Prezioso of Charleston, Eugene Prezioso and wife Pat of Michigan and Dr. Ronald Pearse and wife Julia of Fairmont (his branch changed the name from Prezioso to Pearse).

 

For more details, go to http://wvmetronews.com/2019/11/04/after-30-years-in-w-va-legislature-roman-prezioso-announces-he-wont-run-again/?fbclid=IwAR3H5Qj3FCVZ2iCMkLY8xD0uNcKPPXl7Qzln9PhmxjXNHDIPB322Q9_X7p8

We originally planned to place it on the existing half wall between Holy Spirit Church and the rectory. However, after closer inspection, that would not have been a stable area on which to build the necessary support. Therefore, it will be set into the brick wall of the rectory shown in the remaining photos. (to show the location in relationship to the church building) Here it will be lit and protected with the existing diagonal covering.
It will be placed just feet away from its original home
There will be a dedication ceremony after a Sunday Mass soon. We hope to have that date set this week and will announce it here.
The plan in the Spring is to add a seating area in front of the mosaic where people can sit, reflect, pray or remember.
That will be our next phase
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Stay tuned for more detailsAnnie Sullivan, who taught deaf and blind Helen Keller how to communicate, is not the only Miracle Worker.

Monongah has its own Miracle Worker, Fairmont West High graduate Kathleen Grattan Dukate, clinical care coordinator at WVU Medicine in Morgantown who lives in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

Kathleen first started this project, and the fundraising for it, in 2015 so it’s been a long, slow path to the goal of putting the mosaic on the Holy Spirit Church grounds in Monongah, not far from where it once stood atop the school that I attended along with many children of Monongah’s Catholic miners.

Kathleen found a mosaic tile artist in Morgantown who was able to take the original 19 tile pieces, which Sister Stephen had saved in her desk drawer before the Sisters of the Auxiliaries of the Apostolate Society’s school building was razed, and find matching pieces in Italy.

The mosaic was removed when the school was demolished in 2011. It found a temporary home at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fairmont, where the Monongah High Alumni Reunion is held every year.

I’ll let the Miracle Worker, Kathleen, tell the story:

So excited to post this latest update.

The mosaic has been restored. Sister Stephen kept 19 of the missing tiles in her desk drawer. And with those in hand, our mosaic artist went to Italy where she was able to match them and purchase any additional tiles needed to make it complete once again. Restoration of the mosaic was funded by an anonymous donor to whom we are so very grateful! As you can see it has been cleaned and polished and is ready to be installed tomorrow!

We originally planned to place it on the existing half-wall between Holy Spirit Church and the rectory. However, after closer inspection, that would not have been a stable area on which to build the necessary support. Therefore, it will be built into the brick wall of the rectory.

Here it will be lit and protected with the existing diagonal covering. It will be placed just feet away from its original home.

There will be a dedication ceremony after a Sunday Mass soon. We hope to have that date set this week and will announce it here.

The plan in the Spring is to add a seating area in front of the mosaic where people can sit, reflect, pray or remember.

That will be our next phase.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. Stay tuned for more details!