Sunday, July 31, 2022

JAY HOLMAN HAS COVID

 


Jay Holman, Class of 1971, has covid.

Jay reports:

“I got it from a co-worker who refused to wear a mask.  Covid got me.”

Jay Holman and wife Margaret, a Fairmont West graduate, were married in January 1974 in Fairmont. They have 3 sons, Jay III, Robert and Michael, Michael Holman, son of Jay Holman, Class of 1971, is North Carolina’s Career and Technical

Educations Teacher of the Year in 2017.

 

Jay and Margaret live in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

Jay got has masters of science from WVU in 1997. He’s from Carolina. Jay was a ground mechanic for the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

He also has a major role in Class of 1971 reunions or just plain get-togethers along with Monongah Councilwoman Susan Staron Sanders, who founded and heads the Monongah Christmas Lights Committee that provides holiday lights on utility poles all over Monongah including next to my Church Street childhood home that I purchased and Mary Kitty Ahouse Morrison, who helped me with the 2021 Monongah High and Monongah residents party that I hosted with my sister Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, in the Monongah Town Hall.


Friday, July 29, 2022

STEPHANIE VANDETTA NAMED MARION COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD'S NEW CHIEF

 




Stephanie Vandetta, married to the 4th of 5 Frank Vandettas in 5 generations of that family, has been named Marion County Rescue Squad Administrator/Chief of Operations.

 

Stephanie’s husband is a North Marion grad with the Monongah Fire Department. They were married in 2012.

 

Stephanie has been assistant Chief of Operations for 8 years and has been with the Rescue Squad since 2009. She survived a covid bout in 2020.

 

Stephanie replaces Michael Angelucci in her new position. He will retire at the end of the year after 22 years with the Rescue Squad.

 

After graduating from Mansfield College in Pennsylvania, Stephanie studied emergency medical services at Fairmont State and once worked at WVU Hospitals.

 

Stephanie Kishbaugh Vandetta once lived in Hazelton, Pennsylvania.

 

Former Monongah mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975, married to Monongahfest president Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, is a cousin of Stephanie’s husband, Frank Vandetta IV.


Tuesday, July 26, 2022

DORIS ROGERS AND SCOTT ROGERS CELEBRATE 47TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 


West Virginia Wesleyan graduate Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971, and Beckley College graduate Scott Rogers, Class of 1973 and known as Earl at Monongah High, celebrated their 47th  wedding anniversary.

Doris posted:

Can’t believe it’s been 47 years! We’ve moved several times but always stayed together. Love you Scott for now and forever!

They live in Charleston.

Doris’ parents were Bill Carpenter and Iris Delores Martin Carpenter, Class of 1950, my graduation year. Bill’s  siblings are Monongah High’s Lonnie Carpenter, James Carpenter and Nancy Carpenter Tharp.

 

Mandi Rogers Craig, Doris and Scott’s daughter, lives in Fairmont.  Josh Rogers, their son, married Amanda Wray Rogers.

 

Doris’ siblings are Will Carpenter, Class of 1975 and a Marion County teacher since 1975 who lives in Fairmont; and Amy Carpenter.

 

Doris and Sue Ahouse Shrader, Class of 1971, have been friends since second grade. Sue and sister Mary Ahouse “Kitty” Morrison, Class of 1968, attended the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee wedding of the wedding of Sue and Scott’s son, Josh Rogers, to Amanda Wray.

Doris, Sue and Kitty vacation together often, in Florida or anywhere else they have a mind to.

Doris and Scott frequent Palm Beach, Florida, too.


Friday, July 22, 2022

SATURDAY BURIAL FOR FRED YANERO IN MOUNT CALVARY CEMETERY

 

Burial Saturday for Fred Yanero

Pamm Yanero Bragg

 

Hello John....Putting my brother Freddie Yanero to rest Saturday, July 23 at 11, at Mt. Calvary ....A lot of his friends have passed..He was 82...

 

I wanted to clarify some things in the monongah blog about my brother Freddy's passing. He was the oldest and he died due to complications after heart surgery. My brother Danny Joe is alive oh, and he was named after my uncle Danny my dad's brother, whose name was Fred. Obviously my brother Freddy was named after my dad and my brother Danny was named after my uncle Danny my dad's brother who passed in 1977. We do have a brother Donny who died at eight months old and is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

 

Fred Yanero, Class of 1957, passed away October 8, 2021 after open heart surgery. He was living in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Fred also graduated from Fairmont State to embark upon a 38-year teaching and coaching career in Ohio and Maryland before his 1998 retirement. He also worked at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City sharing his love of golf.

Fred’s widow is Janice Yanero. Their children are Anthony Yanero and Emily Yanero. His siblings are Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969; Danny Yanero, Class of 1961; Tom Yanero, Class of 1963; and Donnie Yanero, who was 8 months old when he was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Monongah.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

LAURANN VANCE ALLEN PASSES AWAY

 


Laurann Vance Allen, Class of 1971,  passed away Monday, July 11.

Her obituary:

Laurann Vance Allen, 68, of Enterprise, passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. She was born January 2, 1954 in Fairmont, a daughter of Deloris Jean Stillwell Vance, who survives, and the late Arthur Wilson Vance.
She is survived by her loving husband, Garry Duane Allen, whom she married on June 12, 1971.
Also surviving are her children, Tracy Lynn Cooley of Elkins; Garry Duane Allen II of Enterprise; and Joseph Harold Allen of Morgantown. Two grandchildren whom she considered her children, Harlea Nicole Allen of Enterprise and Cole Christian of PA; two granddaughters; her sister, Sue Ellen Lanham and her husband Bruce of Willard; her brother, Howard Wilson Vance of Hutchinson; and her sister-in-law, Carolyn Sue Allen Benyei of Ocala, FL.
In addition to her father, Laurann was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Carl Billey “John” Allen.
Laurann was employed as a CNA at Ruby Memorial Hospital working in the NICU and PICU. She loved going to their camp to fish. She also enjoyed bowling and doing crafts.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation services we handled by Perine Funeral Home. There will be no public services. Online memories and condolences can be shared at www.perinefunerals.com


Monday, July 11, 2022

Jean Nagle Viglianco sister-in-law passes away 2022

 

Jean Nagle Viglianco sister-in-law passes away 2022

 

Arlene June (Bailey) Viglianco, 84, of Fairmont, passed away peacefully at home with her dear sister and best friend Patty at her side on July 1st.   Arlene battled cancer twice, first in 2003 after losing her husband to cancer and again from 2019 until her passing.  She lived a lot of life in between, witnessing the birth of 4 more grandchildren and celebrating in their accomplishments, and attending the recent wedding of her son. She defied the odds more than once and her family is grateful for that.

Arlene was born April 3, 1938 in Fairmont, WV to the late Arthur Bailey and Ella (Emerson) Bailey.   She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Cattalino Viglianco and her infant son Adam Robert Viglianco. She is survived by her children Michael (Beth) Viglianco of Washington, NJ, Michelle (Chris ) Viglianco-VanPelt of Greenville, SC and Todd (Allison) Viglianco of Morgantown, her sister and brother-in-law Patricia (Patrick) Callebs of Abingdon, VA and her brother and his wife Lawrence (Natalie) Bailey of Chattanooga TN, her grandchildren, whom were her pride and joy, Benjamin, Lilian and Harrison VanPelt of Greenville, SC and Sarah and Samuel Viglianco of Washington, NJ. She is also survived by sister in-laws Juanita Morton, Jean Viglianco and Katherine Fetty, along with many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.  She sent birthday and Christmas cards to every single one of them as she loved giving and receiving handwritten notes and greetings.

 

 

 

Thursday, July 7, 2022

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. CATCHING UP WITH JUNIATA NICKERSON

 


2020 post by Juniata Nickerson, Class of 1978, just show showed up on my Facebook page in 2022! I had asked for more information after the passing of Juniata’s sister, Mary Lou, in 2020.

Juniata Nickerson was among 31 foster children of the Rev. Howard and Madeline DeNoon, who married Calvin Wilson after the Rev. Howard O. DeNoon passed away. She also was Calvin’s widow.

Madeline’s parents were Orval Watts and Minnie Cooker Watts. Madeline, who passed away at the age of 96 in 2016, was predeceased by 20 of her foster children. Foster children will alive when Madeline passed away were Juanita Nickerson, Sharon Kay Morgan, Helen Crites, Angie Crites, Penny Retester, Pinki S. Thompson, James Hess, Mack Hess, Harold Hess, Bonnie Hess and Lloyd Hess.

 

Juniata works at Pierpoint Community & Technical College. She is a an accessioner at LapCorp lab and worked at Manchin Clinic, part of the Manchin family that includes Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia. Also worked at WomenCare, Inc. and John Deere Tractors.

Sheldon Nickerson is Juanita Nickerson’s son. Ana Brown is Juanita’s sister.

Maddie Nickerson is Juanita’s daughter, who once sang the National Anthem at Monongahfest. Chloe Renee Nickerson also is Juanita’s daughter.

Charles Nickerson is Juanita’s husband. He has retired and has a little side job driving for Toothman Sowers.

Sister Ana lives in Ohio with her husband Brownie and daughters Traci and Norma.

Daughter Maddie works for Fairmont Federal Credit Union.

Son Sheldon is a minister at Covenant church in Fairmont.

Daughter Chloe is a phlebotomist at Fairmont Medical and is pursuing her nursing degree in the fall.


Wednesday, July 6, 2022

JOHNA MONNARAE FORD PASSES AWAY



North Marion High graduate Johna Monnarae Ford passed away Monday, July 4 in her Harter Hill residence.

Johna was born August 26, 1961 in Baltimore to James E. Haun Sr. and Janeen Cain Haun of Carolina.

Wayne “Tater” Ford is Johna’s surviving husband. Their children are Shawn Holly Galford and Jesse Ami Galford. They have 4 grandchildren.

Johna’s siblings are James E. Haun, Jr. of Fairmont and Dail Anthony Haun of Morgantown.

Johna’s grandparents, all predeceased, are Dail Cain and Mae Wilson and Charley and Ruby Haun.

Johna’s obituary:

Johna Monnarae Ford, 60, of Harter Hill, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022 at her residence.  She was born August 26, 1961, in Baltimore, Md, a daughter of James E. Haun, Sr. and Janeen Cain Haun of Carolina.

Johna graduated from North Marion Vo Tech as a C N A and later attended OIC in Fairmont where she became a medical assistant.  She was employed by the Manchin Clinic in Farmington. as a transcriptionist and was also a homemaker. She loved to dance, fish, ride four wheelers with her dad, and motorcycles with her husband.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and her dog “Sidney” whom she dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband Wayne “Tater” Ford; 2 children: Shawn (Holly) Galford, Fairmont and Jesse (Ami) Galford, Lumberport; grandchildren: Wyatt Galford, Sadie Rundle, Jackson and Eleanor Galford; 2 brothers: James E. (Connie) Haun, Jr., Fairmont, and Dail Anthony (Victoria) Haun, Morgantown; mother-in-law: Nellie “Peg” Ford, Four States; sister-in-law: Lora Parrish, Farmington; brother-in-law: Greg Ford, Martinsburg, several nieces, nephews, and extended family Joe Justice and Patti and Lynn McDaniel. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Dail Cain and Mae Wilson and Charles E. and Ruby E. Haun; and father-in-law: Donald Ford.

Friends may call at the Hutson Funeral Home, 3171 Husky Highway, Farmington on Friday, July 8,2022 from 2-8 p.m. where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Chad Hutson officiating.  Burial will follow at the Ford Family Cemetery on Harter Hill. www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com


Tuesday, July 5, 2022

JOE MARTIN IN NURSING HOME AFTER STROKE

 




Joe Martin, Class of 1957, is in a Florida nursing home after he had another stroke. He rehabbed in 2019 at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg after an earlier stroke. In 2014 he was treated for a stroke and lung surgery.

His Canadian friend and long-time companion, Arlene Kitchen, Class of 1959, posted the news. They dated at Monongah High.

Arlene lives in Pinellas Park near St. Petersburg, where I once worked in the St. Petersburg Times sports department. Arlene and Joe lived on Treasure Island, also in the St. Petersburg area, before switching to Pinellas Park.

She’s from Walton, Nova Scotia.

Both Arlene and Joe are artists and have done some amazing artwork. Joe also is a long-time professional photographer.

They were regulars at reunions of Monongah High alumni in Florida, often at the Saratoga home of Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, and wife Roleta, a Clarksburg Washington Irving High grad who helps WI alumni keep track of each other, as I do with Monongah High alumni.

Paula and I had several reunions at Bill and wife Roleta’s home and elsewhere with Joe and Arlene. And several visits to my favorite Greek Festival, at St. Barbara's Church in Sarasota.

Others at the Lions gatherings included Bob Arnett, Class of 1957, & Barb Enoch Arnett, Class of 1960; Lloyd Schell, Class of 1957; Sandy Weils Shaffer Cook, Class of 1959, and husband Bob; Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958, and husband Len, who also had reunions with me and my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, when all 4 of us had seats in the same section at Mountaineer Field.