Sunday, April 30, 2017

Julia Fraze Monell passes away

Julia Frances Fraze Monell, Carmen Monell’s widow, passed away Friday, April 28.

She was born in Chiefton to Antoinette BelCastro Fraze and John Fraze.

Julie Fraze Monell
Monell and Monongah have been linked for nearly a century.

John Koloskie, Jr. (“Uncle Junior”), Class of 1944, is the widow of Julia Monell Koloskie, also Class of 1944.

Julia’s brother is the late Raymond “Soak” Monell, whose widow is Elaine Hewitt Monell, Class of 1949, of the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Riverside.

Lydia Monell, Class of 1942, passed away in 2014. Her parents were James and Susan (Tartell) Monell.

Judy Stewart Monell Razook, Class of 1959, was the stepdaughter of Virgil Vingle, Class of 1939, who married her mother when Judy was six years old. Yes, THAT Virgil Vingle, whose band entertained Monongah area residents for decades.

Julia’s obituary:

Julia Frances Monell
(May 20, 1920 - April 28, 2017)
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Julia Frances Monell, 96, of Fairmont, passed away Friday April 28, 2017 at Fairmont Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born May 20, 1920 in Chiefton, WV, the daughter of the late John and Antoinette (BelCastro) Fraze.
Julia worked in the early 1950’s at Monell’s Sales Company, a former employee of Westinghouse Electric and retired from Davis Lynch Glass Factory in Star City. She was a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a member of the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. She was an avid painter, liked to crochet and work puzzles. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren.


Surviving her are two sons, John Monell and wife Wanda of Louisville, KY, Anthony Monell and wife Norma of Fairmont, WV; two sisters, Elizabeth Dayton, Lena Doinzi and husband Dino all of Morgantown; 5 grandchildren, Sherry Jo Tabanera and husband Dan, Michael Monell, Gina Sloan and husband John, Brian Monell and wife Anne, Julianna Norris and husband Matthew; 6 great grandchildren Christopher Monell, Natalie Monell, Julia Blayke Norris, Ava Norris, Brittany Tabanera, and Kristen Tabanera; 3 great great grandchildren, Lydia Monell, Adam and Matthew Sloan, she is also survived by a brother-in-law Frank Monell, a sister-in-law Dorris Monell of Allan Park MI. and several nieces and nephews.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Carmen A. Monell; two brothers, Tony Fraze, William Ferrise and wife Matilda; 5 sisters, Mary Phillips and husband Pete, Virginia Torch and husband Tony, Katherine Gacek and husband Stanley, Frances Fraze, Rose Walker and husband Donald; sister-in-law Mary Monell Luthan; 2 brothers-in-law Mike Monell and Albert Dayton.


The family will receive friends Tuesday 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Domico Funeral Home, Fairmont, WV. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 10:00am at St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church with Father Robert Perillo as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Fairmont.


The Family would like to give a special thanks to Susie Jett and Billy and the staff at Fairmont Health and Rehabilitation Center. Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .


Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, is trying to find 1957 Monongah High graduates for their 60th anniversary get-together at the Monongah High Alumni Reunion May 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Mary Lou Retton Drive in Fairmont.

There are 10 1957 graduates that Bill was unable to locate. If you have information that will help Bill track down his 1957 classmates, email him at billmere@aol.com or by cell phone at (614) 582-0335

The Monongah High Alumni Reunion will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner and continue with the dance. You can print up the reservation form in this MHS blog and mail it in with your check to Donna Davis. Already, there are 78 reservations so this may be a good turnout in 2017.

The message from Bill, who lives with Clarksburg Washington Irving graduate Roleta Smith Meredith at their Sarasota, Florida and Buckeye Lake, Ohio homes:

Class of 1957 60th Reunion

John,

Below is a note I sent to my classmates for whom I have an email address.  Please include in your blog, in case any of your readers can give us help in finding our "lost" friends.  We expect at least 19 classmates to attend. Thanks for your help and I'll see you in Fairmont.

Bill 

Hello Again,

Following is an an update on our 60th class reunion scheduled for May 27, 2017.

I began my search for our classmates with 78 names.  Unfortunately, at least 25 of those have passed away.  Of the remaining 53, I was able to find what I think are current addresses for 43 of them.  One is unable to attend due to bad health, one returned the form and stated that he would not attend and 22 have not responded to the invitation.  

In addition, I could not locate the following 10 people.

Opal Armstrong

Betty Ayers

Betty Blair Lucas

Ganal Carpenter

Evelyn Machamer

Carrie Marks

Patty Miller

Maxine Patterson Harris

Sally Sturm Martin

James Wright

If anyone has information on how I can find an address for any of them or could contact them by phone or email, please let me know.  We are leaving Florida for the summer, heading to Ohio on May 1.  You can contact me via email at billmere@aol.com or by cell phone at (614) 582-0335 with any information you find.  

There has been some discussion about having breakfast at a restaurant in Fairmont on the morning of May 28.  Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in attending.  

Stay well and we'll see you on May 27.

Bill Meredith   

 

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Surgery postponed for Phil Colanero’s fiancĂ©

Phil and Betty
Betty Hanlin, fiancĂ© of Phil Colanero, Class of 1963, had her open-heart surgery postponed at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Shadyside Hospital.

The latest tentative dates are Friday or Monday.

The surgery will be to install a mechanical aortic valve and one by-pass.
Betty previously had a kidney replacement.

Phil’s father was on the unbeaten 1940 Marion County Champions Monongah High football team.

Phil has 11 grandchildren; Betty has 4 grandchildren.
A relaxed Brother

Brother – Alabama coach Nick Saban, who once quarterbacked Mononongah High to the 1968 state football title before winning 5 national college titles at LSU and Alabama – seemed more relaxed and smiling than usual during his car ride/interview by SEC Network analyst Marcus Spears.

Maybe it was because Spears played defensive end for Brother at LSU and was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2005 and played for the Dallas Cowboys.

The ride was a tour of Brother’s lake house retreat in Alabama.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Donna Davis’ aunt passes away

Doris V. Jackson, Donna Davis’ aunt, passed away Wednesday, April 26 in Maryland.

Doris’ sister, the late Norma Lee Croaston Moorehead, was Donna’s mother. The sisters passed away within 18 days of each other’s demise.

Edna Atkins of Baltimore, Naomi Perry of Helen’s Run and Roy Croaston of Baltimore also were siblings of Doris and Norma.

Doris’ obituary:


Visitation
Saturday, Apr 29, 2017
9:00 AM-11:00 AM

Funeral Service
Saturday, Apr 29, 2017
10:30 AM

Doris V. Jackson

August 02, 1915 - April 26, 2017

On April 26, 2017, Doris V. Jackson, devoted mother to the late Chester Jackson, Clark Jackson, and Shirley Coleman; loving grandmother to Clark Jackson Jr., Donna Atkins, and Debbie Gross; dear sister of Edna, Roy, and Naoma. She is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren as well as her daughter-in-law Claires Jackson.

Family will receive visitors at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk on Saturday morning from 9-11AM. A funeral service to celebrate Doris' life will be held at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

SERVICES

Visitation

Saturday, April 29, 2017
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk
Dundalk, Maryland

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Loretta Fox McCombs passes away

Loretta June Fox McCombs, widow of Harless McCombs and sister of one of Monongah High’s most fearsome fullbacks, the late Bob Fox, Class of 1948, passed away Wednesday, April 26.
Loretta Fox McCombs


Their siblings are Lois Fox Simmons, widow of Lewis “Fuzzy” Simmons; Doris Fox Crislip, Loretta Fox McCombs, Mary Jane Fox Hickman, Class of 1960, all of the Fairmont area, and the late Shirley Fox Wilson.

Loretta and Harless’ children are Monongah Water overseer Bill McCombs, Class of 1969, married to Monongah Town Record Patty Steele McCombs and living in Monongah; Kevin McCombs, married to Vicky; and Monongah fire chief Harless “Mutt” McCombs, married to Monongah Middle School language arts teacher and children’s books author Lisa Myers McCombs, Class of 1977.

Loretta’s obituary:

 

Loretta June McCombs
(June 17, 1928 - April 26, 2017)
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Loretta June Fox McCombs, 88, of Monongah, passed away April 26, 2017 at St Barbara’s Nursing Home. She was born June 17, 1928 in Monongah, WV, the daughter of the late Virgil Ralph Fox and Cora M. (Coe) Fox.

Loretta retired from Owens-Illinois Glass Plant #3. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She also loved to play Bingo and attend WVU football games with her sons. She graduated from Monongah High School in 1946.

Surviving her are three sons, William (Bill) & Patty McCombs, Kevin & Vicky McCombs, and Harless (Mutt) & Lisa McCombs; four grandchildren, Wayne (Jaime) Copen of Dallas, Ga, Christine (Greg) Perkins of Morgantown, WV, and Jamey (Chris) Underwood of Waxhaw, NC, and Boone Oliverio of Monongah, WV; five great grandchildren, Austin & Alyssa Copen of Dallas, Ga., Kellen & Brielle Underwood of Waxhaw, NC, and Greysen Perkins of Morgantown, WV; three sisters, Doris Crislip, Lois Simmons, and Mary Jane Hickman all of Fairmont, WV.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Harless L McCombs; one brother Robert (Bob) Fox, and a sister, Shirley Wilson.

The family will receive friends Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the Domico Funeral Home, Fairmont, WV. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Bill Preston officiating. She will be laid to rest at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery & Mausoleum in Shinnston, WV.

 


Frank Franze, Class of 1950, in the faceitiously named Gang That Terrorized Marion County that included in when we were teenagers, is among the Monongah High alumni with birthdays in May. He has been widowed twice and lives in Slidell, Louisiana with 3rd wife Nannette Couturie. Frank, who grew up in Four States, moved from Jasper, Texas after his second wife, Linda Corkern Franze, passed away in 2013.

His first wife, from Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away in 1981 after 27 years of marriage.

They had three children: Barbara Franze Bell, married to Steve Bell, whose children are Amanda, Stevie and Erin; Amanda Franze Calhoun, married to Pate Calhoun, whose children are Marley and Cooper; and Carol Franze Presbindowski and Brent Presbindowski, who survived Hurricane Katrina before becoming husband and wife and whose children are Jacob and Rebecca.

Frank drove the vehicles that his father owned, including one that had pedals on the floor for gas accelerator, clutch and gearshift changes, from his Everson home to pick us up for our nightly forays in Marion County.

Donald “Jake” Halpenny of Jackson Street in Monongah was our other chauffeur.

By the time that Frank got to my house on Church Street in Monongah, I could barely fit into the back of the pickup because there were so many guys in it.

Or Don would cajole his father into letting him use the Henry J, which made a lot of noise the night it sideswiped a bridge on our way to Clarksburg so that Duane Harbert of Worthington could make it to the train in time to join the Navy after a night of drinking and partying. No injuries. The Henry J. got the worst of it. It was Kaiser’s experiment with small cars.

Jake, clarinetist in the United Mine Workers and Vingle bands, is a widower living in Fairmont.

And then there was the night that Duane (I didn’t know his first name was Donald for another 60 years) drove the car owned by his father, Thoburn Elementary principal Frank Harbert. Police tracked dad down from the license plate after we were caught swimming at 3 a.m. in the Fairmont Field Club pool. Rich folks didn’t like the Monongah High kids playing without authorization in their pool.

If no one had access to an automobile, we would gather nightly at the bus stop between the Tropea Grocery and Carlot’s Grill to hitchhike to Fairmont for fun.

We would sneak into drive-ins (except for two who had to be in the vehicle), “borrow” watermelons to eat while skinny-dipping in the river and got thrown out of a Clarksburg theater, but I put that one on Ronnie “Cooley” Delovich, with his “Be nice; don’t fight” remark to the theater manager.

Others in the gang were the late Lawrence “Sonny” Godby, Lawrence and Regina Boone Godby’s son and the late Jackie Godby Lusczynski’s brother; Steven “Bucky” Satterfield, who lives in St. Albans after retiring from a long career as a West Virginia Highway Patrolman; Anthony “Tony” Eates, who is retired and living in Fairmont with wife Lucy; Robert “Satch” Kasper, who had a successful career sitting at the bargaining table for Ford Motor Company before retiring to his homes in South Lyon and Grand Lake (Presque Isle), Michigan; the late Joe Manzo, who survived the Korean war; the late Tom “Judge” Starcher, who began his prowling in Carolina; and me, the runt of the litter.
 
We were stupid, as teenagers usually are, but not destructive or mean. Just a gang of guys having fun.

 

If your name is not on this list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com  with your full name, including maiden name, your birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown.


 


May


4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

5 – Louis Poluck, Class of 1973

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, wife 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

22 – Prudence Deane Tetrick Funk, Class of 1960.

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

5 – Robert Tennant, Class of 1971

6 – Wauneda Evans, Patty DeMary Evans’ mother-in-law

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

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 – 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

29 – Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969

 

October


 

2 – Stanley H. Vance, Class of 1964

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

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

14 – John Prunty, Class of 1949

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

31 – Helen McDougal Mudry, Monongah High grad

 


November


1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

4 – Roger Harbert, Class of 1960

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

10 – Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945

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, 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

9 – Sue Greynolds Davidson, Class of 1955

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

29 --  Dolores Edwards, Class of 1955

30 – Deborah Prunty Poluck, Class of 1973

 

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
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
11 – Benny C. Morgan, Class of 1948
15 – Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, married to 1958 MHS grad Bill Davis
15 – Clarence William “Bill” Woods, Class of 1952
22 – David Haines, Class of 1964
25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959
25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate
28 – Josephine Popovich Jones, Class of 1952

 

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
15 – Judy Stewart Monell Razook, Class of 1959
16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961  
30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954