Joe Eates, 94, passed away Friday, April 17. His widow is Ann DeMary Eates. Both are Class of 1945.

No matter how hard God tried he couldn’t make a better couple than Joe and Ann. Joe was an angel before he left this earth. So is Ann.

In 2010 Joe and Ann were named Monongahfest Citizens of the Year.

One of their good works is being part of the Monongah Heroine Committee which, with a major financial boost from the government of Italy for the $75,000 project, put up a statue honoring the wives of the 362 miners killed in the 1907 mines explosions in Monongah.

Joe served his country in the Army as a Tech Sergeant.

Joe was a Fairmont Supply Company retiree who was in the United Mine Workers Band in Monongah and mowed fairways and greens at Fairmont Field Club, where I caddied for 10 years to help pay my way through West Virginia University School of Journalism.

His favorite place to visit with Ann was Hawaii.   

Ann and Joe, whose home is at the bottom of Bridge Street hill, are the godparents of John Larry Olesky of Tallmadge, Ohio, the only son of John Olesky, Jr., Class of 1950, who also lives in Tallmadge.

Joe's brother, Tony Eates, Class of 1950, lives in Fairmont with wife Lucy Cann Eates. Other siblings, all deceased, are Nick Eates, Class of 1935; Dominick Eates, Class of 1946, a former Monongah High football punter who married the late Mary Larry Eates from Carolina; Mike Eates; Mary Eates; and Angeline Eates.

Mike, who passed away in 2008, was married to the late Clarksburg Washington Irving High graduate Jeannie Eates.

Nick Eates, who passed away in 1999, repeatedly complemented my parents on their garden in our Church Street home in Monongah when he went for a walk on the sidewalk along U.S. 19/Camden Avenue.

Mary passed away in 1997.  

Dominic passed away in 2000. Dominic and Mary’s son, Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970, married Frances Victor Eates, a 1971 Farmington High grad.

Angeline passed away in 2005.

When Joe once was asked what adjectives he wanted to describe him he replied: “Trustworthy, sincere, friendly.”

Everyone who ever met Joe, including me, can tell you that is a PERFECT way to describe Joe. St. Peter never had a better occupant in Heaven.

Domico Funeral Home in Fairmont is handling Joe’s arrangements. Because of the coronavirus pandemic there will be a private burial for family only on Saturday, April 25.

Joe’s obituary:

Joseph F. Eates, 94, of Monongah, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2020 at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV. He was born March 4, 1926 in Monongah, a son of the late Dan and Gaetana Eates.

He is survived by the love of his life of 70 years, Ann DeMary Eates. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Anthony and his wife Lucy Eates of Fairmont; his dear nieces and nephews, James A. DeMary of PA, Joan M. Aresteh of TX, Antoinette Eates and David Habenstreit of MD, Monica and Mike Kelly of PA, Michele and Keith Lewis of ID, Anthony Eates and Jenifer Hadley of S. Charleston, WV, Patti and JT Hodges of Morgantown, WV, Danny and Frances Eates of PA, David and Chris Ezzi of Fairmont, WV, Susan Maple of Fairmont, WV, and several great nieces and nephews that he loved very much. He was also survived by very special cousins, Patti and Brian Evans, Betty Ann DeMary, Michael David and Beth DeMary, Robert DeMary, Michael and Kathy DeMary, Ruth DeMary, and Mary Jane DeMary.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his siblings, Nicholas Eates, Angeline Eates, Mary Eates, Dominick Eates and Michael Eates.

He was a lifelong member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and former president of the Holy Name Society. He was a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, former president for 50 years of St. Barbara’s Nursing Home Board of Directors, former president of Local 507 American Federation of Musicians, Fairmont, and a former member of Ray Vingle, Joe LaRosa and Jimmy Morgan orchestras. He was also a former manager and member of the UMWA District 31 Band. Joe and Ann were recipients of the 2010 Monongah Citizens of the Year at the Monongahfest.

He was employed as a sales manager of the plumbing department of Fairmont Supply Company. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Army in Germany. Joe was known for his infectious smile and his kind and generous spirit.

The family would like to give thanks to his special friends, Julia Pride, Linda Bonfantino, Father Vincent Joseph, Deacon Lou and Barbara Belldina, Denise and Mike Roncone, Joe Welty family, Sharon Core and Deacon David and Martha Lester. Also, a very special thanks to the staff on the 7^th floor of United Hospital Center for all their loving care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church 687 Maple Terrace, Monongah, WV 26554 or St. Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home 134 St. Barbara’s Road, Monongah, WV 26554.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation, but private services and committal will be held for the immediate family on Saturday, April 25. At a later date, a memorial Mass will be held. Pallbearers will be Roger Huffman, John Boy Palmer, Bob DeMary, Michael A. DeMary, Michael D. DeMary, Jerome Evans, Mark DeMary and Mike Roncone. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .