WVU football scholarship for Jim Commodore’s grandson

Shane Commodore, grandson of the late Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, was among six WVU football walk-ons given scholarships for the spring semester.

Shane Commodore

The scholarships opened up for one semester because some of football scholarships graduated or left early.

Shane will be a redshirt junior for the 2016 season and was second team All-State at Morgantown High. The 6-foot, 205-pounder  played in five games for the Mountaineers in 2015.

Other walk-ons rewarded with a one-semester scholarship are Jon Lewis, Alex Brooks, D.J. Carozza, Nick Meadows and Mike Molina.

Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, passed away in 2014. Jim’s son, John Commodore, and wife, Donna Commodore, are Shane’s parents. They all live in Morgantown.

Shane is an accounting major.

Jim’s sister, Rose Commodore Cain, also Class of 1950, lives in Fairmont. So does Joe Commodore, their brother.

Other brothers are Tom Commodari, Class of 1958, who lives in Monongah, and Don Commodore, also Class of 1958, who lives in Rock Creek, Ohio -- Ashtabula County in northeast Ohio.

They were the children of Dominca Commidari (others changed the family name to Commodore).

Lisa Myers McCombs with her book about her MS experience

This is a Fairmont Times article about Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977.

She is married to Monongah fire chief Harless McCombs, Class of 1976. Lisa is a retired Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s book author.

The well-deserved Fairmont Times story about Lisa’s amazing campaign against MS:

Monongah woman continues campaign to support multiple sclerosis research

By Kelsie VanderWijst

Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT — Monongah resident and local author Lisa McCombs continues her personal campaign to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than 2.3 million people are affected by MS worldwide.

Not only is McCombs an author who writes about the illness to raise awareness, but she also has experienced it firsthand.

She was diagnosed in 2001 after collapsing from what was believed to be a stroke.

“I did not know I had MS. I didn’t know what it was until my son, my only child, was 6 months old,” McCombs said. “Six months after I had him, I totally collapsed. The doctors were kind of confused as to what it was. They treated me as a stroke victim. I was at Ruby Memorial (Hospital) for around 11 days.”

After extensive testing, McCombs saw a neurologist.

“When I finally got to see a neurologist ... he performed a spinal tap, and it came back that MS is exactly what it was,” McCombs said. “I spent the entire summer relearning how to walk and learning how to talk. It was a pretty scary time for me because I was pretty much alone with a newborn. I couldn’t hold him. I couldn’t take care of him.”

McCombs said she was fortunate throughout her rehab.

“I was very fortunate that I had a lot of family and friends,” McCombs said.

In 2011, she published her first young adult novel, one of a three-part series, about a 12-year-old girl whose mother is diagnosed with the disease.

“I am a retired schoolteacher, and my students actually helped me write it, so it was their project, too, so we had a lot of fun with that,” McCombs said. “A couple years ago someone asked me, ‘You spend a lot of time writing young adult stories. Why don’t you tell your story?’ ”

At first, she was not sure because she still felt like she did not know how to deal with her disease.

“But then it dawned on me — maybe it is time. I kept a journal, and so I just started looking back through my journal and reflecting on my journey, and I thought, ‘Maybe I can turn this into something that would help someone,’ ” McCombs said.

She wrote a nonfiction “survival guide” to living with multiple sclerosis.

March is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, and the month has been an adventure for McCombs. Through blogging, McCombs went further into her research of MS and how to deal with it.

“It has been a good adventure for me. In fact, I was contacted by the National MS Society (recently) wanting to know if I wanted to start a self-help group in Marion County,” McCombs said. “Now my goal is to start a new chapter in Marion County.”

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, “Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue in the CNS.”

“MS is just such a questionable disease because nobody knows really what causes it,” McCombs said. “There are four different kinds of MS and they are all string levels of capability. It is just a big mystery.”

After struggles with multiple self-injecting MS drugs, although her doctor says she has to be on something, McCombs decided quality of life is better than quantity.

She wants others with the disease to remember, “You are not alone.”

McCombs will round out National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month with a book-signing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Marion County Public Library.

With March being National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, McCombs is donating a dollar from the sale of each of her books to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and will pay the postage for books ordered directly from her.

McCombs may be contacted at lisaannettemccombs@yahoo.com

Tom Dean 1^st to mail in MHS Reunion reservation. Where’s yours?

Monongah High Alumni Association’s Donna Davis, who handles the dinner-dance reservations for the Reunions every year, said that Tom Dean, Class of 1949, who lives in Lynch Station, Virginia, is the first to send in his dinner-dance reservation with the check.

Tom Dean

The dinner-dance reservation form is on this blog, so just print it, fill it out, and mail it with your check to

MHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

C/O DONNA L. DAVIS
858 PARK AVENUE
MONONGAH, WV 26554-1143

If you want to re-connect with Tom, his mailing address is

Tom Dean
434 Peninsula Pointe
Lynch Station, VA 24571

And you can be sure that Tom will be found at the home of Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949, on Bridge Street Extension up the hill just outside the Monongah town limits.  Every time he’s in Marion County, she shows up to see “Monie,” as he calls her. Tom and Ramona have been friends for 65 years.

Tom gets around.

 

He visits family in North Carolina and at Arlington (not the cemetery, but the town), Virginia. Tom has three sons in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Tom’s daughter, retired Colonel Pam Dean Mitchell, lives in Arlington, Virginia, which is almost 200 miles from Tom’s home in Lynch Station.

Tom has reunions with other former Lions, too.

He visits Elaine Hewitt Monell, Class of 1949, in  Riverside, a Dayton, Ohio suburb, the widow of Raymond “Soak” Monell, Class of 1945.

 

In 2011 Tom had a reunion with Ted Nagle, Class of 1952, and Ted’s wife Faye in Bedford, Virginia. Ted lives in Vinton, Virginia and Micco, Florida. Tom was a classmate of Ted’s sister, Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949, of Fairmont and Ted was a classmate of Tom's late brother, Chub Dean.

The classes of 1956, 1961, 1966 an 1976 will be the honor classes for the 2016 MHS Alumni Reunion on Saturday, May 28 at the Knights of Columbus on Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont.

The honor class pictures will be taken at 5:30 p.m. at Knights of Columbus on Mary Retton Drive in Fairmont ($15 per photo), the banquet will be at 6:30 p.m. and the dancing to the music of Stepping Stone will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Now that Tom Dean has stepped up the plate, just as he did for Monongah High baseball, what about you? Print the reservation form, fill it out and mail it to Donna Davis.

Only 125 showed up last year. There are no new graduates since 1979 and some have passed away since the 2015 Reunion. It’s up to you to keep this tradition going.

This is the 92^nd reunion. We don’t want it to die out till we get past 100.

Lisa McCombs book-signing Saturday

Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977, author of several children's books and retired Monongah Middle School language arts teacher, will be signing copies of her book, “I Have M.S. What’s Your Superpower,” 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday April 2 in the Fairmont branch of Marion County Public Library.

Lisa is an expert on MS because she has it.

She is president of the Marion County Reading Council, which has been in existence for 33 years.

The children’s books triology for Lisa, Y-Teens sponsor at Monongah Middle School, is “Opening Pandora's Box,” “Abby” and “Raspberry Beret.”

 

Lisa is married to Harless McCombs, Class of 1976, Monongah Fire Department chief.

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.

 

Morgantown #7 among America’s cities.

Is Morgantown the best city in America? Close.

In the 2013 issue of Kiplinger’s, Morgantown was ranked seventh in its “10 Great Places To Live” for its job and income growth, health care, cultural and outdoor activities and proximity to major cities.

So what makes Morgantown so great?

We know that Morgantown is packed with art, music, dining, lodging, business and Mountaineer pride.

West Virginia University, the flagship university in the state.

WVU basketball, football, baseball and  hockey.

Farmers keep Morgantown's farmers markets packed with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Art is everywhere in Morgantown. It is a city full of talented artisans.

There is always a music concert in Morgantown.

Cheat Lake for swimming, fishing and boating.

Walking, bike trails and zip lines.

To some, Mo-Town means Detroit. To West Virginians, Mo-Town is Morgantown.

Worthington’s Mary Greynolds Sabo passes away

Mary Greynolds Sabo, who had up to 6 children attend Monongah High while living in Worthington, passed away Monday, March 28.

Her children include Jennifer Sabo Yanero, Class of 1971; and John Sabo, Class of 1975.

Not related is Albert Sabo, Class of 1940, owner of Say-Boy Restaurant.

Mary’s obituary:

Mary Leona Sabo

Born: May 29, 1934
Died: March 28, 2016

Mary Leona Sabo, 81, of Fairmont, formerly of Sycamore Run Road, Worthington, passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 in the peace and comfort of her home surrounded by those she loved. Mary was born May 29, 1934 at Sycamore Run, a daughter of the late James B. and Nola Virginia Monroe Greynolds.

She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, James Sabo, whom she married on June 30, 1952.

Mary was a homemaker who loved to share moments with her family and tend to her flower beds. She especially enjoyed Sunday gatherings at her Worthington farm and Fairmont home where her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends would gather for laughter, storytelling, and fellowship.

Survivors include her 6 children and their spouses: Jennifer and Rick Yanero of Barrackville, Sarah and Don Hansen of Denver, CO, Jim and Kim Sabo of Bridgeport, John and Debbie Sabo of Farmington, Julia Sabo Hess of Worthington, and Jessica Sabo of Denver, CO. Additionally, she is survived by seven grandchildren: Joyce Ann Hess, Amy and Brandon Bell, Mary Collins, Beth and Jess Humphrey, Joel , Dakota , and Caitlin Sabo, and two great grandchildren: Leona and Sheaylyn Collins.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by two brothers: James “Burchie” Greynolds and Dorsey Greynolds and two sisters: Maxine McCann and Garnett Mathias.

There will be no public viewing. Family and friends are invited to attend a private service to celebrate Mary’s life. Visitation will be at Hutson Funeral Home in Farmington on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. where a memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. with Evangelist Craig Matheny officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Kidney Foundation at contributions@kidney fund.org. Online condolences may be accessed at www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com

 

A dip into Monongah history

Mary Jane McDaniel Pritchard, who passed away at age 64 from a massive stroke 27 years ago today, was the daughter of Monongah Streetcar Stationmaster Ted McDaniel.   Mary Jane and John Charles Pritchard’s daughters are Jane “Nene” Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975; Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978, and Jonna Pritchard Barnett, who was in the first graduation class at North Marion in 1980 after going to Monongah High for three years, and is married to Shinnston High grad Brad Barnett.   Ironically, the Pritchard daughters’ father’s demise was tied to the rails, too, but it was a train. John Charles Pritchard was killed in a train accident at the age of 42. Nene was 11, Beth was 8 and Jonna was turning 7 the next day.   Nene wrote:   “Life definitely changed for all of us that day. I never felt like a child again.”   Mary Jane reared the three girls as a widow.   Her siblings are Jo Ann McDaniel Huff, Class of 1949, who lives in Worthington; Donald McDaniel; and Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, who lives with wife Mary Faust McDaniel, in Rehobothbeach, Delaware.

April birthdays for Lions

 

 

He graduated from Fairmont State College and attended graduate school in journalism at the University of Michigan, University of Detroit and Wayne State University in Detroit.

Leo Kubiet

 

Leo and his wife live in Largo, Florida, which is near St. Petersburg.

There’s a Leo Kubiet Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Other former Lions who are Florida residents also have April birthdays.

Sandy Weils Shaffer Cook, Class of 1959, lives on Fort Myers Beach with husband Bob Cook.

Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958, liveo in Fort Myers Beach, Florida and Elkins with husband Len Howell.

Sandy and Lyla show up regularly for Monongah High alumni reunions in Florida in Punta Gorda and at the Sarasota home of Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, who also has a home in Buckeye Lake, Florida with wife Roleta.

If you want to congratulate any of the April birthday Lions, go to their Facebook pages.

If your name isn’t on the MHS alumni birthdays list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com with the birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown and I’ll add you to the list.

 

 

 

April

 

 

 

4 – Charlotte Walker Cahill, Class of 1954

 

5 – Bernie Fullen, Class of 1963

 

9 – Paula “P.J.” Hickman, North Marion 1983

 

11 – Leo Kubiet, Class of 1942

 

12 – Linda Sawyer Duckworth, Class of 1966

 

14 – Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958

 

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961 

 

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

 

 

 

May

 

4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

 

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

 

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

 

12 – Arlene Kitchin, main squeeze of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

 

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1955

 

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

 

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

 

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

 

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

 

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

 

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

 

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

 

29 – John Woods, Class of 1957

 

30 – Dave Westfall, Class of 1948 

 

 

 

June

 

1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

 

3 – Jim Birdsell, North Marion grad from Monongah; married to Angela

 

5 – Ann “Peaches” DeMary

 

7 – Kenneth Kincaid, Class of 1968

 

8 – John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944

 

8 – Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970

 

13 – C.L. “Roy” Parker II, North Marion Class of 1982

 

13 – Rick Morrison, son of Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968 

 

14 – Pamela Morrison Bombardiere, Class of 1967

 

14 – Regina Levelle Humphrey, Class of 1973

 

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

 

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

 

17 – Dennis Jones, Class of 1954

 

20 – Shirley Ann Woods Merchant, Class of 1953

 

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

 

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

 

23 – Ron Manzo, Monongah grad

 

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

 

 

 

July

 

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

 

4 – Barbara Fleming Marsh, Class of 1947

 

5 – David Gowers, Class of 1971

 

5 – Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

 

7 – Alex Fazio Huff, North Marion 2005 grad

 

10 – Mary Fleming Toothman, Class of 1960

 

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

 

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

 

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

 

20 – Catherine Reckart Boyce, Class of 1973

 

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973 

 

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

 

19 – Jane Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972

 

August

 

1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

 

3 – (Agnes) Jean Larry DiLaura, Class of 1950

 

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

 

8 – Sandra Ashcraft, Class of 1964

 

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

 

12 – Angelo Catania, Class of 1943

12 – Jack Fuller, Class of 1974, son of Lucille Bonasso Fuller, Class of 1945.

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

 

17 – Twins Earnest Hayes & Chester Hayes, both Class of 1965

 

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

 

18 – John Fazio, Class of 1970

 

19 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

 

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

 

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

 

20 – Connie Warash, Class of 1975

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

 

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

 

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

 

 

 

September

 

 

 

1 – Claude Domico, Jr., Class of 1959

 

6 – Dave Domico of Monongah, Fairmont West grad married to Andrea Justice Domico

 

7 – Mary Louise Orsini, Class of 1948 (honorary)

 

7 – Phillis Tarley, North Marion grad from Idamay living in Fairmont

 

8 – Fred Moorehead, Class of 1964 

 

8 – Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955

 

13 – Karen Manzo, Class of 1974

 

14 – Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948

 

14 – Jim Shaver, Class of 1954

 

15 – Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948

 

17 – Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972

 

20 – Greg Patrick, Class of 1970

 

23 – Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959

 

24 – Joe Fazio, Class of 1974

 

25 – Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948

 

25 – Jim Davis, Class of 1964

 

26 – Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948

 

27 -- Bonita Lavencheck Waybright, Class of 1968

 

29 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

 

 

 

October

 

 

 

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

 

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

 

9 – Mary Frances Miller Myers, Class of 1951

 

11 – Felix Colisino, Class of 1947

 

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

 

12 – Brenda Manzo, wife of Danny Manzo, Class of 1957

 

20 – Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953

 

21 – Dorman Keith Beckner, Class of 1942

 

21 – Ken Slovekosky, Gilmer County High Class of 1976.

 

26 – Lori Hawkins Ice, Fairmont East graduate living in Carolina

 

29 – Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956

 

31 – Patty Steele McCombs, Fairmont East graduate who lives in Monongah

 

 

 

November

 

1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

 

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

 

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

 

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

 

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

 

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

 

20—Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950               

 

20 – Kathryn Toothman Crim, Class of 1950

 

22 – Mike Ahouse, Class of 1968

 

23 -- Antheai Justice Turner, North Marion 1982

 

25 – Gerald Nelson Hartley, Class of 1955

 

27 – Roy Foster, Jr., Class of 1945

28 – Danny Fullen, Class of 1961

 

29 – Dave Westfall, Marcia Westfall Michalski’s son

 

 

 

December

 

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

 

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

 

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

 

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

 

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

 

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

 

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

 

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

 

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

 

16 – Barbara Sweede, Class of 1956

 

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

 

16 – Henry Moore, husband of Beth Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

 

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

 

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

 

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

 

23 – Jim Fullen

 

25 – Chris Shamrock Henning

 

27 – John Yokay III, son of John Yokay, Class of 1953

 

 January

 

6 – Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940

 

13 – Beatrice Salisbury Mills, Class of 1951

 

17 – Susan Colaneri Monell, Class of 1949

 

18 – Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951

 

?? – Marie Bee Zwiegel, Class of 1951

 

18 – Bertha Pazdric Sullivan, Class of 1954

 

18 – Greg Vandetta, Monongah mayor, husband of Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

 

19 – Joe Martin, Class of 1957

 

19 – Joann Thompson, Class of 1962 

 

22 – Jo-Jo DeMary of Monongah, who lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is married to Yvonne King DeMary

 

24 – Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974

 

24 – Mark “Hooch” Aldridge, Class of 1973

 

29 – Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968

February

 

1 – Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

1 – Jonna Pritchard Barnett, 1980 North Marion grad

2 – Sylvia Edwards, Monongah grad living in Idamay

 

3 – Debbie Weaver Hurley, Monongah grad living in Monongah with husband Milton Hurley

 

3 – Rebecca Urish Anderson, Class of 1971

 

8 – Tom Fleming, Monongah grad living in Bridgeport

 

9 – Bob Nichols, Class of 1964

 

10 – Bonnie Nicholson Moats, Class of 1960

 

11—Linda Renay Hess Postlethwait, Class of 1968

 

15 – Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975

 

17 – Larry “Danny” Eates, Class of 1970

 

18 – Mark Tarley, North Marion grad

 

20 – Harold Dean Kniceley, Class of 1960

 

21 – Eva Huey Jarvis, Class of 1975

 

24 – Mary Kelly, Monongah & North Marion

 

29 – Betty Sikinow Cunningham, Class of 1954

 

March

 

5 – Phil Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963

 

5 -- Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971

 

6 – Karen Fitzwater Pausch, Class of 1961

 

9 – Richie Basagic, Class of 1975 

 

9 – Brian Evans, Monongah graduate married to Patty DeMary Evans

 

15 – Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, married to 1958 MHS grad Bill Davis

 

15 – Clarence William “Bill” Woods, Class of 1952

18 – Nancy Davidson Kantura, Class of 1955

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

 

25 – Sandy Weils Cook, Class of 1959

 

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

 

28 – Josephine Popovich Jones, Class of 1952