To all my fellow Lions from an old Lion.

That's the mane thing I wanted to say.

Lions are inactive 20 hours a day. Not me!

May 2019 be one of the greatest years in your life!

John Olesky

Class of 1950

Raymond Shipco has passed away.

Raymond, 95, was born May 19, 1923 and was married to the late Martha Jean Kaznoski Shipco, a 1945 Barrackville High grad who passed away in 2011 at the age of 83.

Raymond served his country during World War II. He started at Monongah High with the Class of 1943.

Raymond was an auto mechanic in Fairmont, then opened his own garage in Monongah, near Pepsi Meffe’s service station and the Union Hall on U.S. 19 near the Stoney Lonesome exit.

Raymond and Martha Jean’s children are Terry Michael Shipco and his wife Ruth of Hawaii, Frank Joseph Shipco and wife Karen of Monongah; Carol Jean Shipco Miller, Class of 1976, and husband David of Eureka, California; and Linda Shipco Koval, Class of 1968, who was a teacher married to Larry Koval and passed away at the age of 49 in Hawaii.

Martha Jean’s sister is Helen "Boots" DeBalski.

Raymond’s father was John Shipco.

 

John’s mother, Ursula Shipco, had six lots which wound up mostly with her children John, Joe, George, Walter, Blanche and Carroline Kasper -- whose daughter, Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, still lives in the Willow Road home of her childhood with husband Okey Boggess.

 

Evelyn’s brother, Bob Kasper, Class of 1955, lives in South Lyon, Michigan and has a summer home on Grand Lake in Presque Isle, Michigan.

 

Blanche married Joe Sokolosky. Their children were Raymond “Showboat” Sokolosky, who passed away in 2011 and was married to Sharon Garrett Sokolsky.

 

Dorothy Vincent Shipco is Class of 1946.

 

Helen Shipco Harville is Class of 1943.

Health report on Danny Yanero

Danny Yanero, Class of 1961, went into the hospital to have cancer removed from his leg.

His sister, Pamm Yanero Bragg, reports:

“Danny had cancer removed from his leg. It got infected. They thought the infection was in his blood but they caught it in time.

“My brother is home and trying to rest. Not feeling the best but trying his best.

"Thanks for all your prayers.”

Pamm’s father was Fred Yanero, who had the two-story house that I passed on the right as I walked on Pike Street Extension on my way across the two bridges that took me over the creek in both directions and along an unpaved road till I reached the Mill Fall home of my uncle, Frank Loss, and my aunt, Gezala Futten Loss, to pick up milk fresh from their jersey cows on their 100-acre farm. Gezala was the sister of my mother, Lena Futten Olesky, wife of John W. Olesky, Sr.

Jerry Loss, Class of 1956, who lives in North Olmsted, Ohio today, and the late Robert Loss, who passed away in Shinnston a few months back, were Frank and Gezala’s sons.

Another brother of Pamm, Freddie Yanero,  Class of 1957, was a successful high school basketball coach in Dundalk, Ohio and in Baltimore who sent some of his players to amazing Coach Joe Retton at Fairmont State.

Pamm’s brothers are, from oldest to youngest, Freddie, Danny and Tom. Danny graduated in 1961 and Tom in 1963. All the other Yaneros are her many cousins.

Pamm is first cousin to Frank Yanero, Class of 1964; Rick Yanero, Class of 1971; Chris Yanero, Class of 1971; and Kim Yanero, Class of 1974.

Her dad's brother, also named Danny Yanero, graduated in 1939.

Yaneros in Monongah High history:

 

 Roselyn Yanero, Class of 1959.

Sandy Yanero Hatley, Class of 1960.

Thomas Yanero, Class of 1963.

Marcia Bradley Yanero, Class of 1963.

Susan Yanero Fried, Class of 1965.

Alfred Yanero, Class of 1967.

Sarah Bright Yanero, Class of 1969.

Jennifer Sabo Yanero, Class of 1970.

Christopher Yanero, Class of 1971

Diane Yanero, Class of 1977.

Linda Phillips Yanero, Class of 1977.

Sarah B. Yanero, North Marion Class of 1992.

Patricia Yanero Herron, who lives in Monongah, is a daughter of the late Roger Fay Yanero Sr., who passed away in 2014.

God bless us, everyone!!!!

Former councilwoman’s mom passes away

Mary Jane Masters Kennedy passed away Friday, December 21 in Monongah.

Mary Jane Masters Kennedy

Her daughter, Bertha Wilson, 1946 Fairview High graduate, lives in Monongah where she once was on the Town Council. Other children, Sandy Booth and Bill Kennedy, live in Worthington.

Bertha helps Amelia Shenasky Zentz get along in her Shenasky Lane home.

 

Bertha and David Wilson’s daughter, North Marion graduate Amanda Lee Wilson, born and raised in Monongah, headed fundraising efforts for a Big Mill Fall couple who lost their home to a fire in 2014. Amanda’s grandparents are David Wilson and Shirley Fox Wilson.

Mary Jane’s obituary:

Mary Jane Kennedy

May 11, 1929 - December 21, 2018

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Mary Jane Masters Kennedy, 89, passed away on December 21, 2018 at St. Barbara’s Nursing Home in Monongah. She was the daughter of the late Harry A. Masters and Gracie Pearl Wyckoff Masters Stull. She was preceded in death by her husband William Jesse Kennedy, Sr.

Mary was born in Cameron, WV but grew up in the Mannington-Farmington areas making so many friends and memories she shared with her family over the years. Her family only sings her praises for the Mother and Grandmother she became. She leaves her children to cling to those memories forever. Mary was an avid auction and antique lover and would travel for miles to enjoy them.

Survivors include her daughters: Sandy (Bucky) Booth of Worthington, Bertha Wilson and boyfriend Luther Michael of Monongah, and a son: William J. Kennedy (Bill) of Worthington, 26 grandchildren and great grandchildren: Gina Towson (Terry), Doug Dixon, Jonas Dixon (Heather), Rejoice Dixon Blair (John), Danny Booth (Lisa), Mark Jones, Amanda Wilson Coffman, Amber Brook Mays, bobby Davis and Parker, Brittany Hayhurst and Kaitlyn Newbraugh, Terri Leanne Towson, Carson Camden Summers, Kayla Cox, Candice Hatch, Savanna Hastings, Rori Dixon, Judah Lion Blair, Hannah Booth, Danny Booth, Marie Jones, Emberly Coffman, Adam Westley, Meadow Mays; special companion: Paul Pasquariello; daughter-in-laws: Charlene Schell and Debbie Dixon, and sister-in-law: Joanne Masters.

In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by a son: Bob Dixon, a sister: Edna Mays, brothers: Russell, Junior, Raymond, and John Edwards; grandsons: John Michael and Marshall Ray Booth, Jr., and siblings: Russell Masters, Junior Masters, and Raymond Masters.
Friends may call at the Hutson Funeral Home, 3171 Husky Highway, Farmington on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. where funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. with Evangelist Danny booth officiating. Interment will follow at the Viewpoint Cemetery in Rachel.. Condolences may be accessed at www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com

 

Violet Salai, Mark Jefferson pass away

Violet Yuchek Salai of Carolina, mother of Dan Salai and the late Larry Salai, passed away. There will be no memorial service.

Mark Jefferson, also from Carolina, also passed away. There is no obituary in the paper for Mark, a North Marion grad (1984 or 1985).

Larry Salai, Class of 1973, passed away in 2015. Daniel Salai is Class of 1970. James Salai was their father.

Larry's children are Amanda Salai Kropog, North Marion Class of 1997; Jennifer Salai of Morgantown; and  Staff Sargent Larry Gene Salai, Jr. of Conroe, Texas.

 

The Salai family is spread throughout Monongah High history: James Salai, Class of 1966; Mickey Salai Satterfield, Class of 1967; Frank Salai, Class of 1973; Debra Sue Salai Rush, Class of 1975; and Bryan Salai, North Marion 1982.

Garnett Mickey Salai Satterfield, Class of 1967, and husband Mike Satterfield, a Fairmont East graduate, have homes in The Villages, Florida and in Colfax. Mickey grew up on McCue Avenue and attended Thoburn School, but her Monongah High senior photo lists her as Helens Run, which is where Nick Saban's father had a service station

A Fairmont State graduate and Nicholas County High grad from Nettie, West Virginia who lives in Fairmont made a Christmas cookie that matches the Church Street Christmas light that I bought for the town.

Only Jennifer Frame and her friends call it “the Monongah Christmas Clam.”

And here I thought it was a pearl inside a seashell when I chose it for my childhood home on Church Street.

And that it was an allegory for Christ rising from the dead and his tomb, which seemed like an appropriate Christmas street light to me. I know that's getting way ahead of the manger beginning but I like to see the light at the end of the tunnel . . . or, in this case, on Church Street.

But young whippersnappers had more fun calling it the Monongah Christmas Clam.

Monica Shelosky Cochran, a Sts. Peter and Paul School graduate who attended Monongah High before graduating from North Marion in 1982, is a friend of Jennifer Frame who came up with the “Monongah Christmas Clam” moniker for my Christmas Street light on Church Street.

Fairmont State national acrobatics and tumbling legend Haley Cochran, in on the joke, is a daughter of Monica and 1982 North Marion grad Duane Cochran.
I tell you what, Jennifer: Make 2 dozen of those Christmas clam/pearl in a seashell cookies and deliver them to Susan Sanders on Thomas Street in Monongah. If Susan ships them to me I will send another check to the Charge of the Lights Brigade, as I call Susan’s Monongah Christmas Street Lights committee.

But the legend of Monongah Christmas lights cookies have to be in my Tallmadge, Ohio home before I leave for my annual Christmas Eve family party at my daughter’s house in Brunswick, Ohio.

Deal?

Nellie Demus, 101, passed away Sunday, December 16. Nellie’s great-grandmother, who was born in South America, lived to age 113.

 

Nellie’s parents were Nick Demus, Sr. and Theresa Elizabeth Puccio Demus.

Nellie’s siblings are Michael “Mickey” Demus, Class of 1948, and Jim Demus, Class of 1954, and, all predeceased, Larry Demus; Nick Demus, Jr., Class of 1945; Rose Demus Argiro, Class of 1941, who married Larry Argiro; Joan Demus, Class of 1941; Theresa Demus, in my Class of 1950; and Madalaine Demus Schram, Class of 1941.

Nick, Jim and Mickey all played football for Monongah High.

Nellie was the only Demus sibling without a high school and college education. She dropped out after eighth grade because “We were poor and there were no school buses at that time.”

Rose, who passed away April 4 in Severna Park, Maryland, was married for 69 years to Larry Argiro, one-time owner of Country Club Bakery which invented the pepperoni roll, who passed away March 18, 2017.

There also is a Ramona Rose Demus, Class of 1971, and Nick Demus III, Class of 1973.

Nellie Demus Bailey (her surname at one time) moved from Zionsville, Indiana to join Nick in 1950 to start the Demus Kety Market at 263 Main Street in Worthington. They worked together for 55 years till the market closes in 2009.

Nellie was featured on NBC’s “Today,” show, where Al Roker continued Willard Scott’s tradition of recognizing viewers turning age 100.

Jim McDaniel, whose family members were neighbors to the Demus family for years in Worthington, tipped me off about the passing of that grande dame of Worthington.

Nellie’s obituary:

Nellie Demus, 101, of Worthington passed away Sunday, December 16, 2018.

She was born on April 18, 1917 in Uniontown, daughter of the late Nick Demus, Sr. and Theresa Puccio Demus.

Nellie is survived by her brothers, Michael Demus and James Demus and his wife Erma; and sister-in-law, Merelyn Demus.

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who she cherished as her own children.

In addition to her parents, Nellie was preceded in death by her brothers, Larry Demus, Nick Demus, Jr.; and her sisters, Rose Argiro, Joan Demus, Theresa Demus, and Madeline Schram.

Nellie, along with her brother, Nick, started Demus Key Market in 1950 and worked with him for 55 years. She loved gardening and working with flowers.

At the request of he deceased, there will be a private burial and a memorial mass at a later date.

Columnist Barbara Marsh falls; surgery ahead

Barbara Marsh, Class of 1964, who has been doing a superb job of writing the Monongah News column for the Fairmont Times West Virginian, had a fall on Friday, December 14 that will require surgery.

Barbara Marsh

Let Barbara explain it:

“Just wanted our column readers to know that I had a terrible fall on Friday, and have been in excruciating pain. I am now awaiting pre-op tests to be performed so that I can have surgery.

“I will be taking a short hiatus from our column until I can get back on my feet. However, I would still appreciate your feedback concerning upcoming columns. All those who participated in our Miles of Smiles column will be given a prize.

“I would truly appreciate your prayers that I might have a quick recovery and get back to work and resume writing this column for our readers.

“I thank all of you for your input and your kind words. May you have a very blessed Christmas and an even happier New Year.”

When I asked Barbara for more information she replied:

“I knew I would need a knee replacement but have been struggling to keep going with my hospice patients. I was hoping I could stay with them until no longer needed. The fall Friday did me in. I can't walk at all now. I wanted to dance: now I must pay the piper. LOL”

Well, we know Barbara’s sense of humor wasn’t dinged.

I had my right knee replaced several years ago. I no longer have the pain that I endured before my surgery. And it improved my golf score!

Barbara will be at the United Hospital Center  in Bridgeport for “an extended period,” she reports.

Barbara wrote her first Monongah News column on July 9. Actually, she RESUMED writing a Monongah News column then. She did the same column in the 1980s.

Don’t confuse Barbara Marsh, as I did once, with Barbara Fleming Marsh, who was a Thousand Oaks, California resident before she passed away in December 2016. Barbara Fleming Marsh was part of the Fleming family on Fleming Hill in Monongah that overlooked the railroad bridge that crossed over Booths Creek into the West Fork River. Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, is Barbara’s cousin on the Fleming side of the family through Jim’s mother, Adrian Currey Fleming.

Barbara Marsh without the Fleming was widowed when husband Dennis Lee Toler who lost his life along with 77 other men in the Consol number 9 mine explosion in 1968. They had three boys and a girl.

Good luck with your surgery and your recovery, Barbara.

Lula May Carr Jackson passes away

Lula May Carr Jackson, whose brother Sanford Carr is NOT the former Monongah councilman Sanford Carr, passed away Friday, December 14.

Lula May Carr Jackson

Lula May grew up in Worthington as the daughter of Austin and Beatrice Carr.

Lula May’s surviving children are Shirleen Eddy of Fairmont, Dale Jackson of Florida and Linda Dunn of Fairmont. Her brother, Melville “Gene” Carr, lives in Kentucky.

Lula May was predeceased by siblings Sanford Carr (again, NOT the former councilman who is very much alive, I am happy to report), Winford “Buddy” Carr, Kenneth “Arlin” Carr and Ralph Carr.

Sanford’s wife is Linda Nobel-Carr, Class of 1967, whose late stepmother is Loraine Gorey Phillips Knobel.

Lula May’s obituary:

Lula May (Carr) Jackson, 91, of Fairmont, passed away on Friday, December 14th, 2018 at United Hospital Center, surrounded by her family. She was born on February13th, 1927 in Worthington, WV, a daughter of the late Austin and Beatrice Carr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Jackson, Jr.; a son, Harold E. Jackson; five brothers, Winford “Buddy” Carr, Sanford Carr, Kenneth “Arlin” Carr, Roger Carr and Ralph Carr.

Lula is survived by three Children, Shirleen Eddy & her husband, David of Fairmont, Dale Jackson & his wife, Deebra of Florida and Linda Dunn & her husband, Greg of Fairmont; eight grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; a sister, Maxine Shephard of Fairmont; a brother, Melville “Gene” Carr & his wife, Carolyn of Kentucky; several nieces and nephews.

Lula loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed camping, listening to music and playing Bingo.

Family and friends are welcome to call at Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street, Fairmont, on Monday, December 17, 2018 from 1:00 – 8:00 PM and on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 11:00 AM until the time of funeral service at 1:00 PM with Pastor Larry Buckland, officiating. Interment will follow at Grove Cemetery in Monongah.

This is a story of helping hands giving a helping hand to other helping hands.

Fairmont’s Soup Opera has been feeding homeless people for more than 30 years.

At Christmastime the Soup Opera, which serves more than 30,000 meals a year to the homeless, also gives out about 300 gift packages to children who need a helping hand from Santa Claus and their parents.

My sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville, is in charge of St. Peter the Fisherman’s outreach program that helps people in need. So Jackie and her elves, including daughter Belinda Straight Morris, gathered up enough donations from St. Peter parishoners and others for 107 gift boxes.

They delivered the 107 gift boxes to the Soup Opera, which hands out about 300 gift boxes every Christmas. Each gift wrapped box from the St. Peter saintly folks contains a sweatshirt, gloves, hat and socks.

In the 20 years that Jackie has been director of the St. Peter outreach program there have been almost 3,000 gifts donated to children by the parish. They are Santa’s volunteer elves.

Jackie said:

“It’s sad that we have so many people that need help but happy that our parish is very generous. I’m happy to know we have helped to keep folks warmer this winter.”

Jackie's outreach group also distributes gifts to the needy at Easter and about any other holiday that will give them an excuse to do good works.

No wonder Catholic Charities gave Jackie its Salt and Light Award for her decades of charity work. She got the award in 2011, but Jackie keeps earning her Salt and Light status. I’m proud to have her as my only sibling.

It all started with our mother, Lena Futten Olesky, who never turned away anyone who came to our home seeking food. Mom set them down and cooked a meal for them. That’s how we learned to care for others less fortunate than us.

The Fairmont Soup Opera has a new executive director, Jennifer Smith, who moved from Soup Opera board member to executive director when Sheila Skidmore Tennant retired from the position she took in 1984. Jackie has worked helping hand in helping hand with Sheila for about 20 of those years.

Jennifer’s husband was a Soup Opera volunteer when the Lewis County native and former Washington, DC resident moved to Marion County to be closer to her aging father. Jennifer started volunteering alongside her husband for 10 years. And now is the loving whipcracker for the volunteers.

Jennifer once worked at the Fairmont Times-West Virginia in sales and owned and ran her own business.

The Soup Opera began in February 1983 when Sharon and Larry Zaccagnini, who had been feeding and housing the homeless in their residence, founded the charity group. Sheila became executive director the next year.

Fairmont Times editor John Veasey, who often promoted the Soup Opera and Operation Sweatshirt operations in his widely read column, retired in 2016.

Gene Douglas Morris, Class of 1948, a starting tackle on the 1947 Monongah High football team who also played basketball for the Lions, passed away Wednesday, December 5.

Gene lived in Enterprise with wife Mary Jo Heldreth Morris.

Gene was a resident of Fazio’s ElderCare in Stoney Lonesome operated by Cora Fazio, my cousin through her marriage to David Fazio, son of Renzy Fazio and Frances Olesky Fazio, sister of my father, John W. Olesky, Sr.

Gene also was a Fairmont State graduate and a Marine in the Korean War.

Paul Maxie Morris, Gene’s brother and former Greater Marion Public Service District president, passed away in February.

The other children of the late Earl and Josephine Hunt Morris are Jeffrey Wayne Morris of Rivesville, Robert Morris of Idamay, Ruth Morris Keener, Kathleen Morris Rumer and Leatrice Morris.

 

On the 1947 Monongah High starting offense with left tackle Gene were right end John Matkovich, right tackle Louis DePond, right guard Richard Basagic, center Jim Jacobin, left guard Holloway Williams, left end Joe Argiro, quarterback Homer Delovich (later one of the best amateur golfers in West Virginia), halfbacks Albert Condo and Chester Vozniak and fullback Bob Fox. Sadly, few are alive today.

omeHHoHHHomer Delovich (later one of the best amateur golfers in West Virginia), halfbacks Albert Condo and Chester Vozniak and fullback Bob Fox. Sadly, few are alive today.

Matkovich lives in Palm Harbor, Florida with wife Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953.

Gene Morris worked at Westinghouse (later North American Phillips) for many years and became a foreman. His son, Gary Morris, Class of 1979, lives in Frederick, Maryland. Other children are Mike Morris, Class of 1977, in Morgantown, and Vicky Morris-Dueer, in Irving, Texas.

Gene’s obituary:

Gene Douglas Morris, 89, of Enterprise, WV passed away on December 5, 2018 at Fazio’s Elder Care.  He was born in Carolina, WV on November 6, 1929, and was the son of the late Josephine and Earl Morris. He graduated from Monongah High School and Fairmont State College.

He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and received the Marine Corps Good Conduct, National Defense Service, and Korean Service metals, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.  He retired from Westinghouse – North American Phillips, where he worked for 43 years. He was a good athlete and while in the Marines, he was offered a contract from the Detroit Tigers in 1948 to become a major league baseball player.  However, he chose to continue his service to the Marines and subsequently played on the Camp Pendleton post baseball team.

He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid Mountaineer football and basketball fan.  He was a devoted husband and father.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo of 65 years; two sons, Mike Morris and wife, Joanne of Morgantown, and Gary Morris and wife Donna of Frederick, Maryland; a daughter, Vicky Morris-Dueer and husband Adam of Irving, Texas; and two brothers, Robert Morris of Idamay and Jeffrey Morris of Rivesville. 

 In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three sisters, Leatruce Morris, Ruth Keener, Kathleen Rumer; and one brother, Paul Morris.

His family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their care and support as well as the Harrison County Emergency Squad of Shinnston.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home at 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service at will be held Monday, December 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Randy Shuttlesworth officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery where full military rites will be performed by the Marion County Honor Guard. Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.domicofh.com .

Monongah Elementary third grade student Spencer Garrett of Idamay is a $1,000 cabbage head.

That’s the size of the savings bond for education he won from the Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program for growing a 14-pound cabbage. That $71.43 per pound. Even the best steak isn’t anywhere near that profitable.

Joan Casanova, spokesperson for the Union Springs, Alabama-based Bonnie Plants firm, said more than a million third graders participated in the contest, which has been going on since 1996.

Spencer’s grandmother, 1975 Farmington High graduate Robin Harley Garrett, has been at home in a garden most of her life. Just like my grandmother, Mary Peremba Olesky, wife of Martin Olesky, who was working a 40 x 80 foot garden on Pike Avenue when she was in her 80s.

 
Spencer’s parents are Thomas and Kristi Garrett of Idamay. His grandparents are Steve Garrett, Class of 1975, and Robin Harley Garrett.

Sharon Garrett Sokolosky, Class of 1967, is Spencer’s great-aunt.

My thanks to Amanda Garrett Ice for that family information.

The secret to Spencer’s cabbage: Compost, manure and water.

Bonnie Plants narrowed the West Virginia list to five, including Spencer’s cabbage, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture made the final selection.

Monongah Elementary is at 628 Walnut Street, not far from where Thoburn Elementary once ruled the landscape just off U.S. 19 near the PNA and Shenasky Grocery. Kimberly Higgins is the principal.

Bonnie Plants began in Union Springs, Alabama in 1912 when Bonnie and Livingston Paulk invested all they had ($50) in cabbage seeds. Today, Bonnie Plants are available in all 50 states plus Canada.

 

Garretts at Monongah High included Paulette Garrett Morgan, Class of 1965; Sharon Garrett Sokolosky, Class of 1967; Steven Garrett, Class of 1972; and Richard Garrett, in my Class of 1950.

 

To read the Fairmont Times article, go to https://www.timeswv.com/news/monongah-student-grows-lb-cabbage-wins-contest/article_6e9ab8b4-f90f-11e8-b844-874e9f45a05b.html?fbclid=IwAR2kUFZX6V7XK1Bs1zvu2YHbkbSj0np5YshYjXSLW2eP8spR85PwxhInNzg

 

 

A lot of Farmers and Lions married over the years.

Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970, and Frances Victor Eates, a 1971 Farmington High grad whose parents both taught at Farmington High, joined that crowd 44 years ago.

Today is Frances’ birthday. I’ll let Larry Dan do the honors:

“Happy birthday to my lovely wife of 44 wonderful years! Not only has she been a wonderful wife, a great mother to three terrific kids (because she made them that way), a grandmother to four tremendous grandchildren and a friend to anyone who needed help.

“Her passion has been her family and all children in general. For that we all are grateful.

“Happy birthday, Frances!”

Frances’ response:

“If you have a man in your life who helps bring balance to your world, who makes you laugh but drives you crazy, who you are thankful for and truly adore, love him the mostest.”

I know Frances isn’t a Lion, but neither was Carol Yost Godby and she made Lawrence “Sonny” Godby, Class of 1950, very happy for decades till they both passed away. Sonny was a Marine pilot who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was part of the faceitiously named Gang That Terrorize Marion County that I ran around with when we were MHS students.

Larry Dan was named for his mother, Mary Larry Eates of Carolina, who married his father, Dominic Eates, Class of 1946. Both parents passed away. Dominic has a passel of siblings: Tony Eates, Class of 1950, living in Fairmont with wife Lucy Cann Eates; Joe Eates, Class of 1945, who lives on in Monongah with Ann DeMary Eates, also Class of 1945 (godparents of my son, John Larry Olesky); Michael Eates, Class of 1948; Nick Eates, Class of 1935; Mary Eates and Angie Eates, graduation years not found by me.

Frances’ father was John Victor, long-time basketball and football coach at Farmington High School.

Other December birthdays among Lions:

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

3 – Goldie Mae Martin, Class of 1964

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

5 – Frances Victor Eates, Farmington grad, wife of Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970

6 – Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

10 – Richard Weaver, Class of 1957

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

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

16 – Paula Rossi Wiley, Class of 1976

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

23 – Jim Fullen

25 – Charles Melton, Class of 1973

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