Tonia Carr Posten, North Marion Class of 1989, and Bill Posten, a Monongah guy who also is a North Marion grad, celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on Friday, May 22.

Linda Knobel-Carr, Class of 1967, posted:

“Want to wish my daughter Tonia Posten and son in law Billy Posten a Happy Anniversary. 21 years WOW!"

Bill is in Mobile maintenance at FirstEnergy Corporation and likes wearing a Steelers cap. Tonia works in the Monongah Water Office. They live in Monongah.

Bill’s a battler, even when he was getting his chemo treatments to battle the bad stuff.

Tonia and Bill’s children are Tyler Carr and Teala Carr Jesseman, married to David Jesseman.

Tonia’s father is Sanford Carr, a former Monongah councilman.

Eddie King passes away

Eddie King Sr., whose marriage combined the King and Beans families spread throughout Monongah history, passed away Sunday, May 17.

Eddie married Ruth Beans, sister of Gladys Beans and Josephine Beans Hudson, who lives in Monongah.

Eddie King, Sr.

Sad Sam Jones, 1959 National League Pitcher of the Year who once lived in Monongah, was married to Mary Beans.

Sam often visited the Jackson Street grocery store in Monongah owned by Renzy Fazio and Frances Olesky Fazio, sister of my father, John W. Olesky, Sr., sometimes with Cubs legend Ernie Banks.

Sam died in 1971 from neck cancer at the age of 45. He is buried in Fairmont's Woodlawn Cemetery under a headstone that reads: "Sad Sam 1925-1971."

When Jimmy Jacobin was Monongah’s mayor he had a sign posted outside Sam Jones’ former home listing it as the site of the former Cubs legend.

Butch Beans is in a 1959-60 Thoburn School photo of Mrs. Giles’ class.

Eddie King Sr.’s obituary:

Eddie King Sr., 86 of Monongah, WV, departed this life on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at the Fairmont Tygart Center.  He was born October 2, 1933 in Jordan, WV. a son of the late Josephus King Sr. and Lillie Lee King.

 

Eddie attended Dunbar High School and was a graduate with the class of 1952. He excelled in Baseball and Basketball.  He played the piano and loved to listen and dance to the smooth sounds of the "Godfather" of Soul James Brown. 

 

He was employed as a security guard by Fairmont State University, and was formerly employed by the Fairmont Hotel, Westinghouse, Union Carbide and the City of Fairmont.  He was also a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Monongah, WV.

 

Eddie leaves to cherish his memories, his faithful and loving wife of 66 years, Ruth Beans King, his children, Eddie Jr. (Bonnie) of Morgantown, WV, Atoi (Garry) McFadden of Chester, VA, Renee (Rodney) Rhoda of High Point, NC.  7 Grandchildren, Eddie King III (Melissa), George Curry III (Patti), Erica King, Garry Lee McFadden Jr., Shawntra Thornton, Bria Rhoda and Selwyn Rhoda. 

Great-Grandchildren, Anthony Gutierrez, Avaree Lipscomb, Zion King, My'Kell Henry, Atiana Curry, and Allana Curry.  2 Sisters-in-law, Gladys Beans of Richmond, VA and Josephine Hudson of Monongah.

 

A host of special nieces, Diane Clay, Robin Beans, Kristy Beans-Beulah, Amber Royster, amara Echols, Helen King, Vikki King-Baldock and Trevia Holland, very special nephews,Terence (Tee) Hudson, Loring (Speedie) Hudson, Buddy King, Huey (Bebo ) King, Melvin King, Eugene Payne and Arnold Edwards.

 

In addition to his parents, Eddie was proceeded in death by his siblings, Minnie Echols, Ora D. King, Andrew King, and Joe "Pieback" King Jr.; infant son, Joe King.

 

Eddie was an amazing husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, Uncle Eddie and friend.

His memory will live within our hearts and minds forever. Treasure those memories and remember him with a smile or kind thought.  He knows we loved him, but God loved him more and called his name as he transitioned from earth to glory.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Wesley Dobbs officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .

Betty Jo Fletcher Barber passes away

Betty Jo Boothe Fletcher Barber, who attended Monongah High, passed away Tuesday, May 19.

Betty was born in York, Pennsylvania and lived in Fairmont.

Betty Jo Fletcher Barber

 

I couldn't find Betty in my Monongah High graduation lists. 

Betty’s obituary:

Heaven welcomed one of the most beautiful souls to ever walk on this earth. Betty Jo Barber, 73, of Fairmont, entered into the arms of her Savior and is enjoying the glorious reunion with family and friends who went before her.

Betty Jo was born April 8, 1947, in York, PA, the daughter of George and Virginia Boothe. Due to unfortunate circumstances she was adopted by James R. Fletcher and Naomi (Southern) Fletcher Cunningham.

 

When her parents divorced, she lived with her dad, Jimmy who later married Mary McDougal Fletcher, whom Betty Jo dearly loved. She has three brothers, Tim Fletcher, Bob Fletcher and John Fletcher.

 

She lived in Rachel and enjoyed her time there. A few years later, Naomi came back into Betty’s life and she would go stay with her and her husband Harold Cunningham in  Hutchinson, where they owned two nursing homes. Betty would go back and forth as she grew up spending time with both families. She was a pleaser and would do all she could to make everyone happy.

Betty Jo attended Monongah High School. She worked in her mother’s nursing home through high school and a few years after.

 

She met her husband Charles “Chuck” Barber and they had two children, Crystal Laureen and Harold Wayne. Betty and Chuck divorced and Betty never remarried but devoted her life to her children. She was a homemaker, cleaned homes and businesses. She became a caretaker for several of her aging family members, whom she dearly loved.

Betty Jo has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Crystal married Larry Williams and they have two children, Joshua Ellhannon and Victoria Gabrielle. Wayne is the father of Brittany Nichole and Brent Nicholas. Brittany has two children, Leland and Landon, and Brent has a son, Blane.

Betty Jo was a very proud grandma and was close to her grandkids. She loved them with all of her heart and spoiled them whenever she could. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she always bragged on all of them.

Betty Jo always felt a void in her life. She wanted to find her biological family and throughout the years would try to find them. At the age of 50, she found her birth mom and her six siblings. Kenneth Boothe, Tommy Boothe, George Boothe, Larry Boothe, Louise Spangler and Donna Vaughan. Her father had passed some years before. She developed a strong, loving relationship with her family and filled the void she had felt for so long.

Betty was known as a jokester and loved to have fun and with all she came in contact with. Everyone that knew her couldn’t help but love her. She took a piece of all our hearts with her and we are certain we will see her again.

Betty Jo loved the Lord with all of her heart and attended Trinity Assembly of God for many years before her failing health. She was a beautiful servant helping when she could.

Viewing will be at Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street in Fairmont, on Thursday, May 21, 2020, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday, May 22, 2020, from 10 a.m. until the service at 12:00 p.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Charles Fancher officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank Clarksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Amedisys Hospice Care for the loving and absolutely wonderful care that they gave to Betty Jo.

Betty loved children. She never liked to see them suffer or go without their needs. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the National Youth Advocate Program, 909 Morgantown Ave, Fairmont, WV 26554.

 

Elwood Toll, Class of 1951, reports that “I’m doing all right. My back doesn’t bother me much. I can’t breathe very well. They messed my lungs up when they did heart surgery.”

Elwood’s back broke in a 2013 auto accident on U.S. 19 in Enterprise that killed his friend, long-time farmer Paul McCoy.

Elwood tells me “I am still living at home. I still drive but I can’t walk without holding onto something.”

Elwood lives in Shinnston. He also is a Fairmont State graduate.

I saw Elwood in 2010 when he got together with his Class of 1951 graduates and spouses at Muriales Restaurant in Fairmont. He was with Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951; Arlene’s husband, Okey Edgell, Class of 1944; and Kathryn Slamen, Class of 1951.

Okey played football at Monongah High. His parents were Ray and Lucy Cain Edgell. His siblings were Lillieray May “Pickle” Edgell Hall, Jeanette J. Edgell Lane, Doak Edgell and James Edgell.

Elwood and Arlene, who also attended Fairmont State, still are listed as Friends on their Facebook pages.

Elwood once regularly had restaurant breakfast get-togethers with McCoy and Jack Chandler and the late Pete Shreve.

Paul McCoy’s siblings, all deceased along with Paul’s wife, Jeanne, were Leonard McCoy, Louise McCoy Arnett and Mac McCoy.

Elwood and I both were born in November, Elwood on the 13th and be on the 5th.

Phil Buonamici passes away

Phil Buonamici, who with wife Helen Miconi Buonamici operated their Buonamici’s Grocery Store on Route 218 in Worthington for 36 year, passed away Tuesday, May 5.

They were married in Cascia, Italy and immigrated to West Virginia in 1952. Phil worked at Saban’s Gulf gas station owned by Alabama football coach Nick “Brother” Saban’s father, Nick Saban, Sr. and later was an auto mechanic at Layman’s Motor before Phil and Helen opened their own grocery store.

Phil and Helen’s story is a tale lived over and over by immigrants from around the world who came to America for a better life, like my mother, Lena Futten Olesky, who came from Pellizzano, Italy in 1920, and my grandfather, Martin Olesky, one of five siblings who came separately to America and Canada.

Phil and Helen are as American as they get.

Phil’s obituary:

Filippo (Philip) Buonamici, 88, of Worthington passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. He was born on June 20, 1931, in Favalanciata, Comunes: Acquasanta, Italy. Filippo was the youngest child of the late Cesare and Marta (Parissi) Buonamici.

 

He was preceded in death by his brother, Giuseppe, sister, Antonio, of Italy, and his uncle and aunt, Alex and Mary Buonamici.

 

Filippo was married to Helen Miconi on October 20, 1951, in Cascia, Italy, at the church of San Francesco. Then he immigrated to West Virginia in 1952 through the port at New York. He was welcomed into the home of his beloved uncle and aunt, Alex and Mary Buonamici, and helped them with their family business. He also worked at Saban’s Gulf gas station and at Layman’s Motor as an auto mechanic. In 1957, Filippo and Helen opened Buonamici’s Grocery Store on Route 218 in Worthington. They operated the store together while raising their family for thirty-seven years until his retirement in 1993.

 

Filippo developed many life-long friendships with his customers and enjoyed listening to entertaining stories about their lives. He also took pride in planting a vegetable garden, cultivating grapes, and taking his children fishing. But his most treasured times were at home with his family gathered around the table filled with traditional homemade food for holidays, religious celebrations, and birthdays.

 

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.

 

Filippo was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd degree Holy Family Council #11890 in Mannington and a 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Marian Council #942 in Fairmont. He was also a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Farmington. He enjoyed attending Sunday mass until he was physically unable to.

 

Our family extends our heartfelt appreciation to Father Vincy Illickal for visiting and praying for him during his illness. Filippo’s face glowed and he smiled from ear-to-ear whenever he saw Father Vincy.

 

Filippo is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Helen (Miconi) and three children, Alesio (Alex) Buonamici, Maria (Mary) and Mark Perrella, Cesare (Chester) and Lydia Buonamici; four grandchildren, Patrick (Christi) Perrella, Matthew Perrella, Cierra (Kara) Buonamici, Taylor Buonamici; and one great grandson, Brooks Anderson Perrella. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Eva Miconi, two brothers-in-law, Louie and Americo (Sally) Miconi, and two nieces, Maria and Elda Parissa of Italy.

 

The family wishes to thank the compassionate people at the following facilities for the loving care they provided for Filippo – John Manchin, Sr. Assisted Living Facility, St. Barbara’s Nursing Home, and Anmore Amedisys Hospice.

 

Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic private services will be held on Friday for the immediate family at Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont. Entombment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Please make checks payable to Osiris Shrine Center, 91 Kruger St., Wheeling, WV 26003. Also include in the memo section, Transportation Fund in memory of Filippo Buonamici.

 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rossfh.com .

Betty Jean Heltzel passes away

Betty Jean Heltzel, Class of 1941, passed away Thursday, April 30. She lived with her mother in Worthington for many years.

Her sister, Helen Hertzel Hay, Class of 1938, and nephew David Hay, Class of 1969, predeceased her.

Jane “Nene” Pritchard Moore, Class of 1972, niece of Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, who lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was Betty Jean’s friend for years.

Betty Jean’s obituary:

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Betty Jean Heltzel (Fairmont, West Virginia), who passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 96, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. You may also light a candle in honor of Betty Jean Heltzel.

She was predeceased by her parents, Virgil Glen and Edith Irene Bradley Heltzel; her sister Helen Hay; her brother-in-law Harry "Buck" Hay; and her nephew David Hay. She is survived by Beth Watkins.

However, we appreciate in the unknown time with the COVID-19 pandemic that attending a visitation may not be in your best interest.

Memorial contributions may be made in Betty's memory to Central Christian Church, 1640 Big Tree Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554.

Ford Funeral Home is handling her arrangements.

Photo submitted at my request by Chuck Herron

Erica Herron obituary

Erica Elaine Herron, 39, of Worthington, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her family from major complications of stage 4 cervical cancer. She was a warrior and true fighter right to the end. She was born March 5, 1981, in Fairmont, a daughter of Charles E. Herron and Ronda L. Colisino of Monongah.

In addition to her mother and father, she is survived by: a son: Trevelyn Criado of Monongah: a daughter: Jenna Vilone of Fairmont: her paternal grandmother: Ethel Herron of Monongah; a brother: Keith Herron of Carolina: paternal aunt: Robin Herron of Monongah: one niece: Raleigh Paige Herron of Carolina: and many cousins and 2nd cousins.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents: Carmen Colisino and Anna Colisino and maternal uncle: Larry Colisino.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Please leave your condolences for the family at www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com

Bill Bunner, widow of Betty Tate Bunner, passes away

Bill Bunner, widow of Betty Tate Bunner, Class of 1944, passed away Thursday, April 30.

His sister, Mary Bunner Cox Huffman, passed away in 2017. She was a Fairmont West graduate.

Other siblings were Barbara Stevens of White Hall and Joyce Bowers of Akron, Ohio.

Their parents were Ira T. Bunner and Clara I. Hayhurst Bunner of Bunner’s Dairy.

His stepdaughter, Saundra Tetrick Loretta, Class of 1966, was married to Dave Loretta, Class of 1961, before she passed away.

Patricia Ann Tetrick Judy, a retired Watson Elementary teacher who passed away in 2015 and was a daughter of Gladys and Paul Tetrick, was survived by her brother, Robert Tetrick of Fairmont and her nephew, Rocky Tetrick.

Bill’s obituary:

William (Bill) Henry Bunner, 89, of Bell Run Road, Fairmont, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at his residence. He was born August 18, 1930 in Marion County, a son of the late Ira and Clara Bunner.

Bill was a coal miner for 20 years and a federal mine inspector for an additional 20 years. Bill enjoyed working in his garden and growing flowers and loved hunting, fishing, bowling, and yard sales.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty Tate Bunner. They were married for 49 years.

Bill is survived by his stepson: Rocky (Sue) Tetrick of Worthington; his sons: Bill (Rita) Bunner of Virginia, Bruce (Barbara) Bunner of PA; sisters: Barbara Stevens of Fairmont and Joyce Bowers of OH. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Papaw Bill”; several nieces and nephews, and a son-in-law: Dave Loretta.
Bill was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter: Sandra (Tetrick) Loretta and two sisters: Nancy Bunner and Mary Huffman; and a sister Betty who died in infancy.

On Dec. 25, 2014 Bill prayed to accept Jesus as his personal Savior.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or services. A private graveside service will be held at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Fairmont. Condolences may be accessed at www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com