19th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR JESSICA VANDETTA EDDY AND SEAN EDDY

Jessica Vandetta Eddy, daughter of Greg and Debbie Manzo Vandetta, and Sean Eddy celebrated their 19^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, September 27. They live in Monongah.

Jessica is a North Central WV Community Action education specialist. She graduated from Fairmont State in 2003, majoring in early childhood development. Sean also is a Fairmont State graduate who works at Mylan Pharmaceuticals and previously at Middletown Tractor Sales.

Jessica and Sean’s children are Landon James, Jacob Eddy. Jessica’s siblings are Greg Vandetta II and Bethany Vandetta VanGilder. Betty Vandetta is her grandmother. 

IDA MAYO DIEM, CLASS OF 1970, PASSES AWAY

 

Ida Mayo Diem, Class of 1970, passed away Thursday, September 22 in Pittsburgh.

She lived in Worthington when she graduated from Monongah High.

She was the widow of Daniel Diem, who passed away in 1997. Ida’s parents were Edith Looman Mayo and Richard Mayo, also deceased.

Ida has 4 children, Amanda Kannel of York, Pennsylvania; Jessica Diem Morrisey of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania; Adam Diem of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 9 grandchildren; and brother Richard Mayo III of Worthington.

Her cousin, Brenda Sue Martin, Class of 1971, passed away in 2019 

Previously she lived in Bridgeport and Titusville, Ohio.

Ida’s obituary:

 

 

 

Ida J. Diem, 70, formerly of Titusville, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after a hard-fought journey through multiple different ailments.

Ida was born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1952, in Worthington, W.V. to the late Richard C. and Edith Looman Mayo. She married Daniel A. Diem on March 3, 1973, in Fairmont, WV. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1997.

She graduated at the top of her class at Monongah High School in West Virginia and attended Fairmont State College.

Ida worked with her husband Dan managing the Tidioute True Value and later Bryan's True Value and Bryan's Toy Store, both of which were central hubs in Titusville. She was also the driving force behind the Christmas shop each year, where she brought Christmas magic to the entire community. Christmas was a favorite passion of Ida's that extended beyond her occupation - she filled her home and blessed her friends and family with the warmth of Christmas through love, abundant gifts, and, of course, dozens and dozens of Santas. She was later a manager at the gift shop at UHC in Bridgeport, WV, where she continued to use her passions to bring joy to many.

Ida loved spending time with her family, and especially treasured both time and phone calls with her kids and grandkids. Her favorite moments were the times when all of the kids and their families could gather in the same place, especially during holidays. In addition to her biological children, Ida was a "mom" to many different people, a trait that began with multiple nieces and nephews in her earlier years, friends of her children throughout her life, and continued wherever she went, including, most recently, her times in assisted living facilities over the past 9 months. She was also a close and loyal friend to many, notably the breakfast crew at The Skillet and her card playing group in Titusville. She enjoyed time and conversations with many with whom she stayed connected from various stages of her life. Moments, like watching "The Walking Dead" premieres and lengthy phone conversations, became opportunities to connect deeply with valued friends.

She is survived by her four children, Amanda Kannel and husband Brian of York, PA, Jessica Diem and husband Stephen Morrissey of Cranberry Twp., PA, Adam Diem and wife Carrie of Cleveland, OH, and David Diem and wife Suzy of Colorado Springs, CO; nine grandchildren, Kristia, Ethan, Josiah, and Micah Kannel, Maven and Eden Morrissey, Rowan, Maizie, and Dresdan Diem; a brother Richard C. Mayo III of Worthington, WV; a brother-in-law, Carl "Butch" Diem of Cleveland, OH; her aunt Elouise Martin and cousin Linda Kenner, both of Fairmont, WV; as well as many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and "adopted kids.".

Family and friends may call the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Thursday September 29, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A live stream of the service can be viewed on Ida's tribute page at www.garrettfuneralhomeinc.com  

Private interment will be at Sunset Hills Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or UHC Auxiliary, 327 Medical Park Dr., Bridgeport, WV, 26330.

My thanks to Cindy Saloky, Class of 1970, for relaying the message that a classmate sent her about Ida's unfortunate passing.

47TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR GOLDIE BASAGIC HUFFMAN AND JOHN HUFFMAN

Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974, and retired coal miner John Huffman (after 38 years in the mines till he retired in 2014) celebrated their 47^th wedding anniversary. Goldie once worked for the federal government.

  Their daughter Brooke Huffman Pethtel is

  married to Adam Pethel.     

Goldie was a Monongah High cheerleader alongside Patty DeMary Evans, who was at the wedding 46 years ago; Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, Monongahfest president and married to former Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975; and Debbie Basagic Bragg, Class of 1972.

 

  Goldie posted:

Happy Anniversary to my hubby and us!! Can’t believe it’s been 47 years! We are still making great memories with the kids and 10 grandkids. Love you and here’s so many more to come.

REVA McDOUGAL ASH PASSES AWAY

 

Reva McDougal Ash, Class of 1950, passed away. She had been living in Marietta, Ohio for decades.

I encountered Reva during my WVU School of Journalism days. She was a waitress in Morgantown at that time.

Her siblings were Helen McDougal Mudry, Class of 1965, Jim and Earl McDougal, Edna McDougal. Her children are Paul, Beth Ann, John Arlen and Larry. She also had grandchildren.

Earl lives in Pennsboro, West Virginia.

Also in the mix is Mareiia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964. Marieia’s husband Earl Edward McDougal was in the military.

Reva had three sons in the military:  John Arlen, Jeremy John and Guy Paul Ash.

 

Helen’s son, Ronnie Mudry, was in the Navy.

 

Mareia’s father was an officer in the Army Air Corps for 14 years. Marieia’s son Greg served in the Air Force for 23 years. Marieia’s grandson served with the Air Force in Alaska.

There were 45 in the Class of 1945.

 

Reva has joined Barbara Baczuk Franklin, Mary Bienkoski Domico, Bill Birdsell, Kathleen Blagg Goldstein, Walter Brzuzy, Deloris Butcher, Martha Carpenter, Jim Commodore, Anthony DeMary, Theresa Demus, Barbara Glover Rombola, Geraldine Fullen, Richard Garrett, Bob Kasper, Lawrence Sonny Godby, Patricia Kiehl Williams, Agnes Larry DiLaura, Ann Manuel Richardson, Virginia Manuel Eddy, Joe Manzo, Iris Carpenter Martin, Tom Orsini, Bill Pringle, Paul Rankin, Nancy Robinson Saunders, Jim Starcher, Harold Spragg, Lucille Herron Anderson, Lyman Wadsworth, Patty Meredith Wills, Rose Commodore Cain, Hellen Snider Carpenter and Jim Wimer in the next world.

 

That I  know of. 34 passed away.

 

I’ve talked to Tony Eates, Donald “Jake” Halpenny, Frank Franze recently. Mary Ann Puffenbarger Moore lives in Fairmont. Patty Urban Utz lives in Maryland, I believe. I visited Leatrice Yokay Greaser in her Fairmont home last year. Anna Currence Sutton, lives in Conyers, Georgia, and Bernice Grandstaff Maranville in North Carolina and Katherine Toothman Crim in Michigah, Arnold Morgan in Florida last I heard, but I can never be sure, except for John Olesky, when I wake up and see myself in the mirror even though I’ll be 90 years old in November. 

 

Attempts to reach Anna, Bernice, Katherine and Arnold lately have been unsuccessful so you never know what that means.

 

So there are 11 survivors in the Class of 1950. Or less. If you know of any others let me know who and when and where and I’ll update this article.

TRAVELING AHOUSE SISTERS KITTY, SUE AND COUSIN JOYCE WITH TERESA BLAKE TITUS, JOYCE'S SISTER-IN-LAW

 

Cousin Joyce Blake, Kitty Ahouse Morrison,

 Joyce's sister-in-law Teresa Blake Titus,

 Kitty's sister Sue Ahouse Schrader.   

Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968, who lives on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah, is up to her ankles in beach sand again, this time in Aruba, the tiny island in the Caribbean.

New York City, Key West, Myrtle Beach, Chicago, St. Augustine, Cabo San Lucas and Sedona, Arizona all whisper “Here, Kitty, Kitty” to the Lion who roars.

Kitty’s Ahouse sister, Sue Schrader, Class of 1971, and cousin Joyce Blake, who lives in Mineral Wells, keep up with her, too, in Aruba again. Even brother Mike Ahouse, a North Marion graduate and mailman out of the Worthington Post Office, also manages to get in some serious traveling.

Teresa Blake Titus is Joyce's sister-in-law.

This is the 6th Aruba visit by Sue, 3rd for Kitty, 2nd for Joyce and 1st for Teresa.

Kitty and Sue attended the 2021 gathering of Lions in the Monongah Town Hall co-hosted by my sister, Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, and me, Class of 1950. She helped Monongah councilwoman Sue Staron Sanders and me set up the Town Hall for more than 40 former MHS classmates and friends.

Doris Carpenter Rogers, a 1971 graduate who lives in Charleston, West Virginia with husband Scott Rogers; and Bertha Kennedy Wilson, Class of 1972, until she passed away, often joined Kitty and Sue as fellow Lions prowling the earth.

Doris and Sue have been friends since second grade.

42-YEAR ST. BARBARA'S WORKER, ALSO A BARBARA, PASSES AWAY

 

St. Barbara’s Barbara passes away

Barbara Martin, who worked at St. Barbara’s Nursing Home in Monongah for 42 years, passed away Tuesday, September 6 in her Mannington home.

Barbara’s obituary:

Barbara Sue Martin, age 75 of Mannington, WV passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at her residence. She was born April 9, 1947 at Shinnston, WV, a daughter of the late Okey Craig and Betty Ashcraft Craig.

She is survived by her husband Charles Martin, with whom she has been married to for 58 years; two sons, Michael E. Martin and Ronnie Martin, both of Mannington; and two grandsons, Branden Drain and Andrew Drain. Barbara is also survived by four sisters and two brothers, Shirley Martin of Willard, WV, Alice Morgan (Dennis Owens) of Lumberport, Brenda Quinn of Worthington, Pamela (Mike) Drain of Shinnston, Bruce (Marla) Craig of Shinnston, and Bradley (Rhonda) Craig of Shinnston; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was also preceded in death by two daughters, Shelly Drain and Kimberly Martin, one sister, Jean Martz, and one brother, Richard Craig.

Barbara worked for St. Barbara’s Nursing Home for 42 years. She enjoyed going to the mall and visiting with her family. She also enjoyed cooking and watching her favorite television shows.

Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home in Mannington on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 4-8:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022 in the funeral home beginning at 1:00pm with Pastor Dan Adkins officiating. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fairmont.

 

40 YEARS FOR KATHY LEWIS NOBLE AND MARK NOBLE !!!!!

 

Kathy Lewis Noble, Class of 1979, and Mark Noble celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary on Sunday, September 4. They live in Fairmont.

Their children are Emily and Kyle Noble.

Kathy is a teacher at West Taylor Elementary who went to Charleston to support the legendary West Virginia walkout that started a trend among teachers around the country.

Mary Margaret Sayre Lewis, who grew up next door to me on Church Street in Monongah, is Kathy’s sister-in-law.

RECORD MORNING FOR MONONGAH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DONATIONS!!!

 Record haul for Christmas lights toll!!!

The Monongah Christmas Lights road toll hit $575, then Heidi Sypult kicked in $25 more dollars to raise it to $600.

 

Christmas Lights Committee president Susan Sanders told me: 

“It’s the most we’ve made with only a few of us working all morning with no afternoon. I’m so happy.” 

Susan told Heidi:

"Thank you my beautiful friend. Wonderful news thanks to my dear friend Heidi."

Heidi is a patient care technician at WVU Medine's Fairmont Medical Center (the former Fairmont General Hospital). She's a North Marion graduate who lives in Monongah.

Susan told everyone: 

“OMG how amazing you all are for helping us again. As I’ve always said we could never do this without each and every one of you.” 

The donations help pay for the $4,000 in electricity it takes to light up what will be 60 Christmas street lights this Christmas season. 

MONONGAH LEGEND AMELIA SHENASKY ZENTZ PASSES AWAY

 

Amelia Patricia Shenasky Zentz, the grande dame of Monongah, passed away Friday, September 22 at her home on Shenasky Avenue.

Amelia was the blonde behind the counter of her parents’ P.P. Shenasky Grocery when I was growing up in Monongah. Amelia and Nell, her mother, handed out free candy to the children of the parents who shopped at the store.

 

Amelia was a fantastic dancer and was invited to compete in ballroom dancing in New York City at 19, at the famous Cotton Club.

 

Her partner, the late Walt DeWitt, was her dancing partner for years, including in West Virginia. They were the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of Monongah.

 

Joining Amelia behind the Shenasky counter was Bruce Zentz, her husband. In 1968 George Shaw built their Dairy Kone on property that once housed Joe Hanus’ garage. It was across U.S. 19 where children played baseball in the 1940s and where brothers Angelo and Alec Catania built the Sinclair service station that covered part of the baseball field where children played before the Catania family  -- father, the brothers and two sisters – moved to Covina, California.

 

After 18 years, Bruce and Amelia – married for 55 years -- sold the Dairy Kone to Chris Martin, Monongah’s #1 photographer, who had worked for the Zentz couple for a few years.

 

Later owners were Patty McCombs, Milton Hurley, Larry and Donna Anderson, Gary and Diane Masters and Lloyd and Sandra Parrish.

I visited Amelia every time I toured Monongah. She always said, “There’s my boyfriend.”

A tribute I cherished.

 

Pete and Nell bought the Shenasky building from Mr. Martin in 1921. Pete, who passed away at the age of 69, sold the building to John Boggess, son of Evelyn Kasper Boggess, Class of 1953, and retired coal miner Okey Boggess, who still owns the building today.

 

Amelia and Bruce also accumulated a roomful of bowling trophies. This woman could do anything, including play a wicked around of golf that brought her more trophies.

But, most of all, she could make the children of Monongah smile with a few pieces of free candy and a “welcome!” greeting.

 

Bruce passed away years ago from Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS, amyotropic lateral sclerosis), after 55 years of marriage to Amelia. Her brother, dentist Dr. John Henry Shenasky, also passed away.

 

Amelia had a fantastic memory. You mention a name from Monongah’s past and Amelia was an encyclopedia of their life events.

 

When I phoned Amelia once, and said, “This is John Jr. Olesky,” she responded: “Johnny and Lena’s boy, on Church Street. I remember you and your sister, Jackie,” Olesky Straight, Class of 1955, who lives in Rivesville.

 

Bon voyage, Amelia. Be sure to give St. Peter some of your amazing candy corn. Tell him your "boyfriend" told you to do it.

Amelia’s obituary:

Amelia Patricia Zentz, 102, of Monongah passed away Friday morning September 2, 2022 at her residence. She was born in Tucker County on January 11, 1920 daughter of the late Peter Paul and Nellie M. Shenasky.

She previously worked at Westinghouse and Consolidated Air Craft in the payroll departments. Amelia also worked at her family’s store in Monongah the P.P. Shenasky’s General Store.

Amelia enjoyed bowling, golf, was a professional dancer and a good athlete. She was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah. She was great supporter of Monongah and WVU athletics.

She is survived by her nephew Dr. John H. Shenasky, II of Salisbury, Maryland. She also had numerous God children.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Zentz in 1997 and her brother Dr. John H. Shenasky in 2008.

Friends may call at the Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 5-7:00 p.m. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Fr. Romeo Bacalso, S.V.D. as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monongah. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fairmont Marion County Food Pantry, American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com.