MAYOR JOHNBOY PALMER'S GRANDMOTHER PASSES AWAY

 

JohnBoy Palmer’s grandmother Virginia Forte Jacobin passed away Thursday, December 30. Her daughter, former Monongah mayor Teresa Jacobin Palmer, is JohnBoy’s mother. 

 

The Monongah mayor posted:

 

“It hurts my heart to let everyone know who has been praying for my Mammy that she passed away today at 1:44 pm. She seriously was not only my grandma but truly was my best friend. No matter what, I could call and ask her to come to Walmart or go on a trip with me and she was right there ready to go.

 

“Between late nights at her house watching TV or our early morning glider-swinging on her porch, just drinking our coffee and talking about just about everything, she was always there ready to do whatever it was.

 

“Anyone who knew her knows she was a great lady. I just so happened to be the lucky one who got her as a granny. I will always love her and miss her. I thank you all for praying for her.

 

“She’s now with Pap in Heaven. I do believe that. I’ll miss her so much and as she always called me her little angel I know for sure she’s my angel now.”

 

Because WVU football coach Art Lewis was nicknamed Pappy during my WVU School of Journalism days I began to call my parents Pappy and Mammy after that. JohnBoy uses same terminology for his beloved grandmother Virginia, whose has half the name of my alma mater where Pappy Lewis coached so well and with such drama and joy.

JohnBoy’s mother Theresa and grandfather also were Monongah’s mayors. JohnBoy just continues the family tradition.

CATCHING UP WITH MARY CATANIA HEYWOOD

 

Mary Catania Heywood, Class of 1945, who lives in Covena, California, reports “my health is poor” and “I am not in touch with anyone in Monongah” any more.

 

Her sister, Carmella Catania Allard, widow of Air Force veteran Omer Allard, passed away in 2018, making Mary the last surviving sibling of the crowd of children on Thomas Street two doors down from the Olesky rental, with the Frank and “Boss” Mangino family between the Olesky and Catania houses.

 

 

Angelo Catania, Class of 1943, a few years before he passed away, took his daughter, Paula Catania, who retired as vice president of Martin Brinkerhoff Associates in Covina, to see the former Catania residence on Thomas Street. “I love the entire street,” Paula said.

 

Mary added:

 

“Angelo and Paula were in Cleveland for our great-nephew’s wedding and, from there, went to Monongah for several days. Your ballfield, as you call it, was something he found very changed. He just couldn’t believe how different it looked.

 

“They saw so many changes. They had a great time.  They brought back pictures of the houses on Thomas Street. Hard to believe the changes. However, he said they all looked nice.”

 

Then Mary gave me perhaps the greatest compliment of my life:

 

“It's beyond me how many hours you spend doing the MHS blog.  Without contradiction, it is excellent, very newsworthy and what a wonderful updater.”

 

It’s just my way of paying back Lions everyone for the marvelous childhood I had in Monongah with the entire town my surrogate when I roamed the streets. If I did a misdeed, the neighbors straightened me out, reported it to my parents and, when I got home and my father stood there with his miner’s belt to whack me, I didn’t ask why. I knew the people trying to keep me from killing myself were at it again.

 

I think God, Sister Agnes and Mary Turkovich, who embarked me on my 43-year newspaper career, were just preparing me to pay back with this Monongah High Alumni blog venture, 25 years after my 1996 retirement from newspapers in Charleston and Williamson, West Virginia, St. Petersburg, Florida, and Dayton and Akron, Ohio.

 

The Brinkerhoff firm’s writers, producers, artists and editors produce award-winning entertainment spectacles in Los Angeles, Paris, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai to help businesses woo clients and to sell their products. Its clients include Honda, Accura, Mitsubishi, Six Flags and Ringling Brothers.

 

It was Angelo who convinced his siblings and their father Mandala Catania to make the move from Thomas Street in Monongah to Covina, which he discovered and fell in love with during his Army Coast Artillery training days of World War II.

By then, Mandala was the widow of Schiro Catania and Covina reminded Mandala of his native Italy.

 

Alex Catania, Class of 1944; Mary Catania Heywood, Class of 1945; Josephine Catania, Class of 1952; and their father, Joseph, joined Angelo, Class of 1943, in the expedition to a new land and a new life.

 

Angelo married a Monongah girl, Pauline Layne Catania, who passed away in 2001. Paula was named for her mother, Pauline.

 

Mary is the widow of Arthur Heywood, who passed away in October 2015.

 

Angelo’s sister, Carmella Catania Allard, Class of 1947, wound up in San Antonio because her husband, Omer, still was in the Air Force when the Catania migration took place. He retired after a pair of decades in The Wild Blue Yonder branch.

 

Alex died in 2007, Josephine in 2009 and Carmella in 2017. 

 

Alex Catania sponsored the Confirmation of Frank Franze, Class of 1950, who lives in Slidell, Louisiana near his daughters.

 

Angelo and Alex once owned and operated the Sinclair Station on U.S. 19 behind the Thomas Street homes’ row of garages and adjacent to the Lawrence and Regina Godby residence. They covered up our “ball field” to put up the building.

 

The Manginos also moved, to the Germantown section of Philadelphia in the 1950s. When I visited the Manginos in my summer hitchhiking tour that took me from Monongah to Chicago (family friends from Italy lived there) to Philadelphia, Boss Mangino slapped my face and said, “Go home; you’re mother’s worried.” Mom was Lena Futten Olesky, born in Pellizzano, Italy, who regularly fainted over my childhood escapades, thereby earning her place in Heaven.

 

If you want to make Mary’s day, you can email her a holiday greeting at heywood1am@verizon.net or post the holiday greeting on her Mary Catania Heywood Facebook page. Or send her a holiday note to:

 

Mary Catania Heywood

833 S Fenimore Avenue

Covina, California 91723

 

Better yet, phone her at (818) 339-4702 and wish her happy holidays and catch up on your Monongah High days with her. She’ll love it and you’ll feel good about it, too.

LIONS HAVE A ROARING GOOD TIME AT CHRISTMAS EXCEPT FOR ONE WITH SORE PAW

 

Monongah Lions alumni roared with joy during the Christmas holidays!

Rose Commodore Cain, Class of 1950, who lives in White Hall, spent Christmas with her daughter, Beverly, who lives in Rivesville, just like my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955. Rose says her health is “OK.” She would have said more but she had company when I called so we kept the Happy Holidays phone call short.

Rose’s brothers, Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, and Joe Commodore, are deceased. Other siblings are Tom Commodore, Class of 1958, and Don Commodore, Class of 1958.

Jim married Marian Ola Commodore. Joe was married for 60 years to Yvonne Commodore. Their children are Melanie Keener, Joseph “Greg” Commodore and Todd Commodore.

 

Jim’s grandson, Shane Commodore, whose father John Commodore is Jim and Marian’s son, played football for WVU. Shane’s mother is Donna Commodore.  Jim played football at Monongah High.

 

Joe, Rose, Tom, Don and Jim’s parents were  Dominick and Dominica Batiste Commodari (others changed the family name to Commodore).

 

Rose’s daughter, Mary Pat Cain, passed away in 2017.

 

Donald “Jake” Halpenny enjoyed Christmas in his Fairmont home he shares with daughter Kathleen, Jake’s son and grandson. “There are 5 people in my home,” Jake said. “We’re old fogeys” who stay at home to avoid Covid. Jake has had his vaccine and booster shots. People who don’t “are stupid,” he said. And I agree. I’ve had my 2 Pfizer vaccines and booster shot, got a touch of Covid but recovered quickly thanks to my shots, unlike people who get Covid and were not vaccinated.

 

Jake still gets together with members of the 249^th National Guard Band that he played clarinet with for years. First Monday of every month. The band members are in their 80s and 90s but a reunion is music to their ears.

 

Jake’s late wife was Rosalee Cremeans Halpenny.

 

Halpenny is an Irish family so Rosalee gave all their children Irish names: Kathleen, living in Jake’s home on Ottanhurst Drive; Seaan Michael, Collin, etc. Kathleen, a nurse, “does the shopping,” Jake said.

 

“I feel alright,” Jake said, “although my legs are shot.” He uses a cane and a walker.  

 

Jake has 2 great-grandchildren, a 12-year-old boy who is “a pretty good size” and a 3-year-old girl who is “athletic.” I think that means she’s as active as my 3-year-old great-granddaughter, Reyna.

 

Jake ran into Tony Eates, also Class of 1950, about 3 years ago in a Wal-Mart store. Tony and wife Lucy also live in Fairmont.

 

Mary Ann Puffenbarger Moore, Class of 1950, said her “Christmas was OK.” But with her grandsons living in North Carolina and Oregon getting the family together is difficult. Logan Moore, her grandson in North Carolina, is getting his masters in broadcasting at WVU so Mary Ann gets to see him from time to time.

 

Mary Ann did have 5 family members at her house for Christmas. Her sister Martha Puffenbarger Nussear, Class of 1945, who was a nurse at Fairmont General Hospital for more than 50 years, passed away in 2016. Their parents were William Ralph Puffenbarger and Hazel Loges Puffenbarger.

 

Mary Ann once had a 4-level home with her husband, Fairmont East and Fairmont State grad William Richard Moore, on 189 acres, some of which was rented out to people who raised their cattle on it.

 

When her husband Richard passed away after they were married for 51 years Mary Ann sold the large home and massive property and built a smaller home in Pleasant Valley in 2016.

 

Mary Ann and Richard’s son is Richard A. Moore.

 

Mary Ann said she “might think about” attending the 2022 annual Monongah High Alumni Banquet in Fairmont. In previous years, Mary Ann and her husband always headed south to watching Memorial Weekend auto racing. They were big fans.

 

Leatrice Yokay Greaser, Class of 1950, had a visit from Monongah High graduate Kathleen Saunders Bishop. “You should see the food that she brought me,” Leatrice said. “She makes everything from scratch.”

 

Leatrice and Kathleen once were next-door neighbors.

 

I call Leatrice the Kathryn Grayson of Monongah High because of her beautiful singing voice.

 

Kathryn Grayson, born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in 1922, sang in movies with Gene Kelly and Mario Lanza.

 

And sang as Magnolia in 1951’s “Show Boat” with Ava Gardner and Howard Keel.

 

Leatrice has her problems on Christmas Day. “I was by myself, never had so much pain. My worst Christmas.”

 

She added, “Three of my fingers are numb. I don’t walk that well.”

 

Reminds me of the tale of the Aesop Fables tale of Androcles, who removed a thorn from a moaning lion’s paw. Later, when the lion was released to attack Androcles in an arena, the lions just licked Androcles. The emperor, impressed by the lion’s benevolence and the story behind it, freed the slave Androcles and released the lion into his native forest.

 

If you have a tale about your 2021 Christmas and you are a Monongah High graduate, email me at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add it to this article.

 

PATTY MEREDITH WILLS PASSES AWAY

 

Patty Meredith Wills, Class of 1950, passed away Sunday, December 19.

She was the widow of former Fairmont West athlete Don Wills. They lived in Florida for years, once having a winter home on St. Augustine Beach and in Fairmont.

Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday, December 27. Services will be 1 p.m. in the Monongah Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Fairmont.

Patty also was a Fairmont State graduate and a paralegal.

Patty and Don have three children, Don, Barry and John and eight great-grandchildren. Her brother, Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, lives in Sarasota, Florida.

 

Besides Bill, Patty’s other siblings are Jack Meredith, Class of 1943, Howard Joe Meredith, Class of 1945, Bonnie Meredith, Marion Jean Meredith Riddle, Class of 1945, and Marjorie Delores Meredith Holt, Class of 1947, all deceased. Their parents were Charlie and Jane Meredith. Her Grandmother, Grace Grove Meredith, once owned Grove Cemetery in East Monongah.

 

Bill is married to Clarksburg Washington Irving graduate and school historian/alumni wrangler for reunions Roleta Meredith. Bill is a WVU engineering graduate and former Monongah High multi-sport athlete. 

 

Meredith Brothers is a Columbus business that arranges materials for bridge and road-building construction and a lot of other things. Bill and Roleta also have a home on Buckeye Lake, near Columbus.

 

I have had reunions with Bill in Florida, Ohio and West Virginia over the years. Including before or after a WVU football game in Mountaineer Field.

 

Patty and Leona Duckles Davis were joined at the hip during their Monongah High days. 

Betty Feltz, the majorette who married coach Jim Feltz, and Patty were life-long friends. 

Betty Feltz, the majorette who married coach Jim Feltz, were life-long friends. The Feltz and Olesky families, who lived a football toss from each other in Monongah, were friends for decades. My mother, Lena Futten Olesky, helped Betty adjust to married life as a young wife. After Mom passed away, Betty had a key to the Olesky house so she could check if she didn't see Dad puttering around the yard for too many days  and would call my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville, if she thought Dad needed help.  

Leatrice Yokay Greaser, Class of 1950, who lives in Fairmont, remembers Patty’s kindness when Lea was a freshman at Monongah High. “I didn’t know where my home room was so Patty took me to Miss Timmins’ class,” Leatrice recalls. That would be Joan Timmins Malcolm, a 1943 Mannington High and Fairmont State graduate who was a biology teacher at Monongah High in the late 1940s and early 1950s who was married for 42 years to Jess Malcolm. Miss Timmins, the name we remember her by, and her daughter, Pamela Malcolm Hamlin, were killed when their car was struck by a pickup truck in Queenstown, Maryland. Joan was 68; her daughter, 41. 

Patty’s obituary:

 

Patricia Sue Meredith Wills, 89, entered eternity with her Savior, December 19, 2021. She was born August 29, 1932, a daughter of the late Charles and Pauline Meredith. She was preceded in death by her husband, of 67 years, Donald Wills.

Pat was a 1950 graduate of Monongah High School, a proud Monongah Lion, and loved watching the WVU Mountaineers play ball. She was a graduate of Fairmont State College, and a Paralegal. Pat was a proud Mother, Wife, and Homemaker.

In addition to her family, her love of the Lord was ever present, teaching Sunday School, and singing in the Choir for over forty years at Monongah Baptist Church. She and her husband Don enjoyed life to the fullest, traveling to all fifty states, fifteen European countries, and all of the National Parks except four. They also enjoyed wintering in St Augustine, Florida.

Pat is survived by her three sons Don and Deb, Barry and Kim, and John and Nancy, her brother, Bill Meredith, her grandchildren, Amy, Mike, Zac, Meghan, Meredith and Andrew, as well as eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her best friend Betty Feltz, Joe and Linda Lomicka, Nell Grace, Deborah Ruth, Bob Feagin, and the Engebretsons, who all helped make her life complete.

Dad told Mom he would save a seat for her in Heaven, and now that seat is occupied.

In addition to her husband, Pat was predeceased by her siblings Bonnie, Jack, Joe, Delores, and Jeannie.

Meredith Memorial donations may be made to contributions can be made to Monongah Baptist Church, 256 Lyndon Avenue, Monongah, WVA.26554 The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, R.C. Jones Chapel, 1410 Country Club Road, Fairmont. Friends and family may visit the funeral home on Monday, December 27, 2021 from 4PM until 8PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in the Monongah Baptist Church, 256 Lyndon Avenue, Monongah, WV, 26554 from 11AM until 1PM. The service will be held in the church at 1PM with Pastor David Huckins officiating. Interment will follow at the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com .

JULIE PELLILLO BEAFORE'S HUSBAND A.J. PASSES AWAY

 

1970 Fairmont East graduate Anthony Joseph Beafore of Monongah, husband of Julie Pellillo Beafore, Monongah Class of 1971, passed away Tuesday, December 21.

A.J. and Julie’s in-laws are the late Joyce Carlot Pellillo and Albert Pellilo. Joyce, Class of 1952, passed away in 2012, Albert in 2015.

Joyce was a daughter of Julie and Gene Loss Carlot, who operated Carlot’s Grill across the street from Monongah High. 

Joyce’s brother Dave Carlot and his wife Caroline of Fairmont once lived in Rose Tropea's house (Tropea Grocery co-owner with husband Tony) and made a ladies'  clothing store out of the building that had previously housed the Tropea grocery store. Dave also re-did Carlot's Grill and made it into a Dairy Mart store. 

 

A.J. and Julie have a son, and Anthony Jason Beafore, living in Monongah with wife Lucretia Beafore. Their

Daughter, Amanda Anne Beafore Abbott, passed away in 2018 at the age of 37.

A.J.’s obituary:

Anthony Joseph “AJ” Beafore, 69, of Monongah passed away on Tuesday December 21, 2021. He was born in Fairmont on July 26, 1952 son of the late Anthony John and Lucille Dabate Beafore.

Anthony graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1970. He was a past member of the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department and of the Marion County Rescue Squad where he was a part of the “Midnight Brotherhood”. Anthony was a 4^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Marian Assembly Council #942.

Anthony retired from the City of Fairmont Engineering Water Department with 42 years of services. He also owned and operated Sparkey’s Electrical Company.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Julie Pellillo Beafore of Monongah, his son and daughter-in-law Anthony Jason and Lucretia Beafore of Monongah. He is also survived by his grandsons Sydney Anthony Beafore of Charleston, South Carolina and Christopher John Beafore of Monongah.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Amanda Anne Beafore Abbott in 2018. He is also preceded in death by his in-laws Albert and Joyce Carlot Pellillo.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the Fresenius Dialysis center of Fairmont, Guardian Healthcare of Fairmont and the Marion County Transit Authority.

In keeping with Anthony’s wishes a private service was held. Interment was at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Arrangements by Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont.

Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com

JACQUELINE JOYCE WILSON MORGAN PASSES AWAY

 

Jacqueline Joyce Wilson Morgan, the mother of Belinda Morgan Sheppard, Class of 1969, passed away in Florida at the age of 90. Belinda’s mom spent most of her life in Monongah.

Jacqueline Joyce didn’t graduate from high school, leaving after her junior year. Belinda’s father, the late Bill Morgan, attended Monongah High for one year before switching to Farmington High.

In response to my request, Belinda replied:

“Mom siblings are sister Jerry Wilson in Kinty who is deceased. Linda Wilson Rowand, Jean Wilson Norton, Pat Wilson Vangilder, Robert Wilson (deceased). And Billy Wilson (deceased). Mom’s first-born Jimmy is deceased.

“Mom had 5 grandchildren and 8 grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

“Mom worked at Westinghouse for short time.”

Belinda married George Sheppard, a former Marine, in 1969. They have two daughters, Christy Sheppard Marecki and ShellyRay Banville and 8 grandchildren. Belinda lives in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Billie Lee Morgan, Jr., Rick Morgan and Jimmie Lee Morgan are Belinda’s siblings. 

The Morgan family lived on Walnut Street, where I was born in Monongah in my grandparents’ house.

Linda Knobel-Carr, Class of 1967, and Belinda have been friends for decades. Linda’s husband, the late Sanford Carr, brought Belinda and George to the Thoburn playground for their first date. Linda was the matron of honor at Belinda’s wedding. Belinda’s brother, Rick Morgan, was her ring-bearer.

Belinda worked for Amelia Shenasky Zentz, Class of 1938, and husband Bruce Zentz, who built the Dairy Kone in Monongah in 1968, in the 1970s.

ED GRAFFIUS PASSES AWAY

Ed Graffius, Class of 1971, brother of Brenda Graffius Barna, Class of 1974, passed away Wednesday, December 15.

Brenda posted:

“I lost my brother, Ed, today! May you fly high and be at peace. I love you!”

Just to confuse everyone, Ed married Brenda Ridenour Graffius, Class of 1974. Yep, sister and wife both named Brenda. Ed and wife Brenda were married for 48 years, the same as My Mona Lisa when she passed away in 2004.

Brenda Graffius Barna is a nurse who lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Ed lived in Pleasant Valley with Brenda Ridenour Graffius.

Brenda the sister went from Monongah High to George Washington University, where she graduated as in IT Project Management.

Ed retired from Wal-Mart where he was receiving manager for decades. 

Ed and Brenda were children of Helen Mary Prahl Graffius and Donald “Chick” Graffius. So were Dave Graffius, Class of 1973, and Donald Graffius, Jr. 

Helen’s 12 siblings were George Prahl, Class of 1965; the late Charles “Tinker” Prahl; the late Jack Prahl, survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Jones Prahl; Paul Prahl, Lorraine Prahl Yaquinto, Robert Prahl, Betty Lou Prahl DeVores, Clyde Prahl, Coralee Prahl Delligatti, James Prahl, Thomas Prahl and the late Sarah Prahl Kerns Dusenberry.

The 1985 Thoburn schoolboy patrol, which included Ed Graffius and went to Washington with chaperones Bob Levelle, Roy Foster and Lawence Kendall, was a Who’s Who in Monongah history: Jim Foster, Pat Levelle, Dave Gowers, Dennis Prahl, Gary Haught, Joe Craig, Rick Yanero, Allen Lee and Paul Greynolds.

They all grew up fine.

Unfortunately, some of those 1965 Thoburn patrol boys, like chaperone Lawrence Kendall, passed away.

 

Ed Graffius; Gary Haught, who passed away in 2016 and is buried in the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton; and Dennis Prahl, son of the late George Prahl and grandson of Paul and Beulah Prahl.

Now they can patrol Heaven together. 

CHRISTMAS SURPRISE FROM LEATRICE YOKAY GREASER

 

I got a welcome Christmas present today. Leatrice Yokay Greaser, Class of 1950, phoned to wish me a Happy Birthday.

 

I call Leatrice the Kathryn Grayson of Monongah High because of her beautiful singing voice.

 

Kathryn Grayson, born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in 1922, sang in movies with Gene Kelly and Mario Lanza.

 

And sang as Magnolia in 1951’s “Show Boat” with Ava Gardner and Howard Keel.

 

As Leatrice told me about her phone chats with her brother, John Yokay, she sang a few bars from “You’ll Never Know”:

 

You'll never know just how much I miss you
You'll never know just how much I care
And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you
You ought to know, for haven't I told you so
A million or more times?
You went away and my heart went with you
I speak your name in my every prayer

 

Then, as my request, she did a few bars from “Oh, Johnny,” which I adopted as my theme song when I was a teenager:

 

Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny!
How you can love
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny!
Heavens above
You make my sad heart jump with joy
And when you're near I just can't sit still a minute
I'm so, Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny!
Please tell me dear
What makes me love you so?
You're not handsome, it's true
But when I look at you
I just, Oh, Johnny!
Oh, Johnny! Oh!

 

It was a fantastic Christmas gift for me!

 

We talked of our shared love for Monongah High.

 

We mentioned Class of 1959 members Donald Halpenny, Rose Commodore Cain, Patty Urban Utz who phoned Leatrice a day or so ago, Bob Kasper my friend since we were 5 years old, Tony Eates, the late Barbara Glover Rombola, Mary Ann Puffenbarger Moore.

 

It was Throwback Day to our youth.

 

If you want to wish Leatrice a Merry Christmas her phone number is (304) 363-4858.

 

Maybe she’ll sing to you, too. Like a nightingale!

 

If you want to phone me a Merry Christmas my number is (330) 388-4466.

 

Merry Christmas, everyone.

After reading this article, Sharon Kniceley Hawkins responded:

 

“Leatrice and her family were neighbors of ours when we lived on 5th Street in Carolina. Oh the memories…too many to share on here. Thanks for the update…will call her soon."