Sunday, September 15, 2019


Strike up the band!
 
Friday, September 20 will be the birthday of Greg Patrick, Class of 1970, the leader of the Jenna Won’t Sing band when he isn’t visiting friends in the Ukraine.
 

Greg has taught social studies at Fairmont Catholic School, Miller Junior High and West Fairmont Middle School. Greg graduated from Fairmont State with a degree in education and got a master’s degree at West Virginia University.
 
A pair of Worthington hotties, during my Monongah High days, Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948, and Mary Lee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948, also are September Lions with birthdays. Bettie is Sunday, September 15 and Mary Lee is September 25.
 
In 2014 Paula and I had a marvelous visit in Pompano Beach, Florida with Bettie Hensley Lowther at her John Knox Village retirement complex. Bettie is a former MHS majorette and has been a widow since 1974.

 
Marylee Hertzog Gwinn lives in Rockville, Maryland. She is the widow of E. Joseph Gwinn, Class of 1942. Their daughter, Nancy, is a school psychology professor at Messiah College who met her husband at Fairmont State. Marylee’s brother, Dick Hertzog, Class of 1943, a WVU chemical engineering graduate, passed away in 2005.


Their father, Virgil H. Hertzog, owned and operated Hertzog Drug Store in Worthington for decades. Dad also typed out his own newspaper, the Worthington News. Papa Hertzog lived to be 102 and Mama Hertzog reached 100.
 

Stanley Vance, Class of 1964, will start off the October birthdays for Lions, on October 2.

 
Monongah Town Council member Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, is have a birthday October 8.

Susan was the driving force behind getting 26 Christmas street lights erected in Monongah, including the one on Church Street (pearl in a seashell) across the street from my childhood home at the intersection of U.S. 19 (Camden Avenue). She is married to Ron Sanders.
 

Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953, has a birthday October 20.  When I was attending Monongah High, Duckles and Patty Meredith Wills were joined at the hip, or so it seems. I rarely saw one without seeing the other next to her. Patty is the widow of Fairmont West football star Don Wills.

 

If your name is not on this list, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com  with your full name, including maiden name, your birthday date, your graduation year and your current hometown.


 

 

September


 

1 – Claude Domico, Jr., Class of 1959

3 – Debra June Knight, Class of 1973

6 – Dave Domico of Monongah, Fairmont West grad married to Andrea Justice Domico

7 – Phillis Tarley, North Marion grad from Idamay living in Fairmont

8 – Fred Moorehead, Class of 1964 

8 – Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1955

13 – Karen Manzo Tennant, Class of 1974

14 – Jim Shaver, Class of 1954

15 – Bettie Hensley Lowther, Class of 1948

17 – Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972

20 – Greg Patrick, Class of 1970

23 – Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959

24 – Joe Fazio, Class of 1974

25 – Marylee Hertzog Gwinn, Class of 1948

25 – Jim Davis, Class of 1964

26 – Nathaleen Cameon Oliverio, Class of 1948

27 -- Bonita Lavencheck Waybright, Class of 1968

29 – Dietta Harden Goush, Class of 1959

29 – Pamm Yanero Bragg, Class of 1969

 

October


 

2 – Stanley H. Vance, Class of 1964

7 – Sherry McIntire, Class of 1975

8 – Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971

8 – Valerie Vandetta Aldridge, Class of 1973

11 – Jay Holman, Class of 1971

12 – Brenda Manzo, wife of Danny Manzo, Class of 1957

14 – John Prunty, Class of 1949

18 – Kim Glover Ice, Class of 1975
19 – Ronda Colisino

20 – Leona “Duckles” Davis Schooley, Class of 1953

20 – Richard Edwards, Class of 1978

21 – Ken Slovekosky, Gilmer County High Class of 1976.

22 – Mike Uram, 1981 North Marion graduate

 
 

25 -- Rachel Vivian Stalnaker Sloan, Class of 1962.

26 – Lori Hawkins Ice, Fairmont East graduate living in Carolina

29 – Robert Boydoh, Class of 1956

31 – Patty Steele McCombs, Fairmont East graduate who lives in Monongah

31 – Helen McDougal Mudry, Monongah High grad

 

 

November


1 – Tom Dean, Class of 1949

4 – Roger Harbert, Class of 1960

5 – John Olesky, Class of 1950

8 – Diana Pishner Walker

10 – Tony Orsini, Class of 1946

10 – Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945

13 – Elwood Toll, Class of 1951

14 – Ann Marie Mascak Davis, Class of 1955

17 – John Todd Moats, North Marion Class of 1985

20—Hellen Snider Carpenter, Class of 1950               

20 – Kathryn Toothman Crim, Class of 1950

22 – Mike Ahouse, Class of 1968

23 -- Antheai Justice Turner, North Marion 1982

25 – Gerald Nelson Hartley, Class of 1955

27 – Roy Foster, Class of 1945

28 – Danny Fullen, Class of 1961

29 – Dave Westfall, Marcia Westfall Michalski’s son

 

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

 

January


6 – Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940

13 – Beatrice Salisbury Mills, Class of 1951

17 – Susan Colaneri Monell, Class of 1949

18 – Arlene Marteney Decker Edgell, Class of 1951

?? – Marie Bee Zwiegel, Class of 1951

18 – Bertha Pazdric Sullivan, Class of 1954

18 – Greg Vandetta, Monongah mayor, husband of Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

19 – Joe Martin, Class of 1957

19 – Joann Thompson, Class of 1962  

22 – Jo-Jo DeMary of Monongah, who lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is married to Yvonne King DeMary

24 – Marcia Michalski Westfall, Class of 1974

24 – Mark “Hooch” Aldridge, Class of 1973

29 – Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968

 

February


1 – Debra Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973

2 – Sylvia Edwards, Monongah grad living in Idamay

3 – Debbie Weaver Hurley, Monongah grad living in Monongah with husband Milton Hurley

3 – Rebecca Urish Anderson, Class of 1971

8 – Tom Fleming, Monongah grad living in Bridgeport

9 – Bob Nichols, Class of 1964

10 – Bonnie Nicholson Moats, Class of 1960

11—Linda Renay Hess Postlethwait, Class of 1968

15 – Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975

17 – Larry “Danny” Eates, Class of 1970

18 – Mark Tarley, North Marion grad

20 – Harold Dean Kniceley, Class of 1960

21 – Eva Huey Jarvis, Class of 1975

24 – Mary Kelly, Monongah & North Marion

29 – Betty Sikinow Cunningham, Class of 1954

 


March


5 – Phil Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963

5 -- Doris Carpenter Rogers, Class of 1971

6 – Karen Fitzwater Pausch, Class of 1961

9 – Richie Basagic, Class of 1975 

9 – Brian Evans, Monongah graduate married to Patty DeMary Evans

15 – Donna Colvert Davis, Class of 1961, married to 1958 MHS grad Bill Davis

15 – Clarence William “Bill” Woods, Class of 1952

18 – Nancy Carol Davidson Kantura, Class of 1955

20 – Barbara Melton Earl, Class of 1978

22 – David Haines, Class of 1964

25 – Sandy Cook, Class of 1959

25 -- David Edwards, Class of 1976.

25 – Richard Fitzwater, Monongah graduate

28 – Josephine Popovich Jones, Class of 1952

 


April


 

4 – Charlotte Walker Cahill, Class of 1954

5 – Bernie Fullen, Class of 1963

9 – Paula “P.J.” Hickman, North Marion 1983

11 – Leo Kubiet, Class of 1942

12 – Linda Sawyer Duckworth, Class of 1966

14 – Lyla Cosner Howell, Class of 1958

15 – Judy Stewart Monell Razook, Class of 1959

16 – Becky Shelosky Carvillano, Class of 1961  

18 – Aaron Justice, Jr., Class of 1972

30 – Shirley Knight Ritterhouse, Class of 1954

 


May


4 – Freddie Jane Colosino Villers, Class of 1964

5 – Frank Franze, Class of 1950

5 – Louis Poluck, Class of 1973

6 – Jerry Loss, Class of 1956

12 – Arlene Kitchin, wife of Joe Martin, Class of 1957

14 – Donna Post Swiger, Class of 1953

14 – Mike Jurasko, Class of 1957

14 – Virginia Belle Littleton Curtis, Class of 1957

17 – Colette Stanley Melton, Class of 1970

17 – Lorraine Hulderman, Class of 1968

20 – Linda Tomlinson Stevenski, Class of 1955

21 – June Paxton Rogers, Class of 1948

22 – Toni Pflock Hennis, Class of 1955

27 – Ed Graffius, Class of 1971

28 – Terri Orsini Saye, Class of 1972

29 – John Woods, Class of 1957

29 – Scott Rogers, Class of 1973

30 – Dave Westfall, Class of 1948  

 

June


1 – Parma Kay Fetty, Class of 1973

3 – Jim Birdsell, North Marion grad from Monongah; married to Angela

5 – Ann “Peaches” DeMary

8 – John Koloskie, Jr., Class of 1944

8 – Pat Slovekosky Morris, Class of 1970

13 – John Melton, Class of 1975

13 – C.L. “Roy” Parker II, North Marion Class of 1982

13 – Rick Morrison, son of Kitty Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968  

14 – Pamela Morrison Bombardiere, Class of 1967

14 – Regina Levelle Humphrey, Class of 1973

14 – Regina McCoy Murphy, Class of 1973

17 – Delmas Gene Hartley, Class of 1979

20 – Shirley Ann Woods Merchant, Class of 1953

22 – Prudence Deane Tetrick Funk, Class of 1960.

23 – Ramona Fullen Michalski, Class of 1949

23 – Kathryn Manuel Marshall, Class of 1960

23 – Ron Manzo, Class of 1969

23 – Frankie Vandetta, North Marion grad

 

July


1 – Roger Fisher, Monongah High grad

3 – Susan Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971

5 – David Gowers, Class of 1971

5 – Bill Meredith, Class of 1957

7 – Alex Fazio Huff, North Marion 2005 grad

10 – Mary Fleming Toothman, Class of 1960

14 – Ted Nagel, Class of 1954

14 – Bentley Evans, Class of 1978

16 -- Debbie Moore O'Dell, Class of 1969 

18 – Larry Zickefoose, Class of 1968

19 – Arlene Martha Edwards Costelac, Class of 1958

20 – Catherine Reckart Boyce, Class of 1973

21 – Robin Huffman Satterfield, Class of 1973  

16 – Jean Nagel Viglianco, Class of 1949

19 – Jane Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

29 – Pete Basagic, Class of 1972

 

August


1 – Kim DeMary Clowers, Class of 1979

5 – Robert Tennant, Class of 1971

6 – Wauneda Evans, Patty DeMary Evans’ mother-in-law

7 – Dorie Mike Whetsell, Monongah graduate

8 – Sandra Ashcraft, Class of 1964

9 – Paula Kerns Fazio, Class of 1979

15 – David Kelly, 1980 North Marion grad after 11 years at Thoburn & Monongah High

16 – Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966

17 – Twins Earnest Hayes & Chester Hayes, both Class of 1965

18 – Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960

18 – John Fazio, Class of 1970

19 – Greg Postlethwait, Class of 1964

19 – Barbra Eller-Hanning, Monongah grad

20 – Irene Fazio Preolitti, Class of 1966

20 – Connie Warash, Class of 1975

21 – Robert Howard Edwards, Class of 1959

24 – Sean Patrick Fazio, 2015 North Marion grad

29– Pat Meredith Wills, Class of 1950

30 – Beth Pritchard Brooks, Class of 1978

30 – David Harbert of Idamay, Farmington grad

 

Mildred Stewart, mother-in-law of Roger Lee Harbert, Class of 1960, passed away Friday, September 13.

Roger lives in Monaca, Pennsylvania with wife Shirley Stewart Harbert, Mildred’s daughter.

Roger grew up in Worthington.

Mildred’s obituary:

Mildred E. “Mam” Stewart, 90 of Monaca, was called Home on Friday, September 13, 2019.

Born on June 8, 1929 she was the daughter of the late Hazel Fillinger and Lewis.  She and John O. Stewart were united in marriage in Gallipolis, Ohio before making their home in Monaca.  She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Monaca for over 61 years and a member of the Ladies Missionary Society of the church.  An avid baker, Mildred was known as the “cookie lady”.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband John O. Stewart in 1985 and a sister, Jane Ziegler.

She will be sadly missed by a daughter, Shirley (Roger) Harbert of Monaca, a son Randall O. (Marsha) Stewart of Beaver, three grandchildren; Rhonda, Roxanne, and Nathan, two great grandchildren; Abbey and Savana, and a brother George “Buzz” Fillinger and several other family members.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca followed by a funeral service on Wednesday at 10:30 am with her pastor, Reverend John Watson officiating.  Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Monaca.

To share online condolences, view her video tribute, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com .

Thursday, September 12, 2019


Charles Bo Phillips, brother of Monongah High graduate Sharon Phillips Parker Cosco, passed away Thursday, September 12.

Melinda Ross Parker, Sharon’s daughter-in-law, posted:
“My mother-in-law Sharon Cosco’s brother passed away today. Please say a prayer for her, his children Charles Phillips, Kimberly Phillips Ferrell and Chrissy Phillips, Jessica Hall, John Phillips, his wife Kathy Phillips, the rest of the Phillips Family, and the Parker family.
“We will miss you, Uncle Bo! We love you! Rest In Peace.”
Shawn Parker is Melinda’s brother-in-law. Crystal Parker Towns is Sharon’s daughter.
Sharon, married to pastor Frank Cosco, posted:

“My dear sweet brother got his wings this morning. R.I.P., Charles(Bo) Phillips. I love you.”

Sharon retired from Fairmont General Hospital.

Bo's children include Charles Phillips, named for his father Bo. Son Charles posted:
“My dad passed this morning. He is no longer in pain. R.I.P, dad until we meet again.”
Son Charles is a Fairmont East graduate living in Barrackville who went to Fairmont State.
Frank and Sharon Cosco both retired from Fairmont General Hospital. They live on Lyndon Avenue in Monongah. Frank is a 1967 Fairmont East graduate and has been dealing with vocal chords cancer.
Frank’s siblings are Jimmy, Domenick, Paul, Sam, John, Joe and Paul Cosco and Rose Cosco Demarco.
 
Frank and brother Joe Cosco, who lives in White Hall, in 2014 opened Cosco’s Sandwich Shop at 300 Merchant Street in Fairmont. Frank ran unsuccessfully for Monongah Town Council in 2015 and 2017.
 
Former Fairmont radio station WMMN entertainer Sharon married coal miner Chester Parker, who passed away in 1979 at the age of 38, in Winchester, Virginia. Later she married Frank Cosco. Sharon and Chester’s children are Roy, Michael, Shawn, Crystal Parker Towns and Christopher.
 
Sharon's parents were Tilden Phillips, son of E.C. Phillips, and Virginia Fullen Phillips.
 
Sharon’s grandfather and Ramona Fullen Michalski’s grandfather were Fullen brothers. Ramona is Class of 1949 and lives in Monongah.
 
Sharon has attended Fullen family reunions at Ramona’s poolside home just outside the Monongah town limits off Bridge Street Extension.

Bo's obituary:










Charles Eugene Phillips, 71, of Greensboro, Pa., passed away Thursday, September 12, 2019 at his home. Born in Fairmont, W.Va., on June 17, 1948, he was a son of the late Tilden and Virginia (Fullem) Phillips.

He was formerly employed as the Van Supervisor for EMS Southwest for non-emergency patient transport.

Surviving is his wife, Kathy (Demaske) Phillips; five children and their spouses, Christine Phillips and her companion Paul Powell, Kimberly and Ricky Ferrell and Charlie Brown and Shelly Phillips, all of Fairmont, Jessica and Josh Hall of Greensboro, and John and Anna Phillips of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gary and his wife Karen Phillips, and Richard Phillips all of Fairmont; and a sister, Sharon and her husband Frank Cosco of Monongah, W.Va.

Deceased is one daughter, Tina Shaffer, and a grandson, Charlie Dale.

Friends will be received in the Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, Point Marion, Pa., on Monday from 5 – 8 P.M. Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM in Hewitt Cemetery, Rices Landing, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to the family at 501 Morgantown St., Point Marion, Pa. 15474.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, September 10, 2019


Anna May Danko, Class of 1966, passed away Sunday, September 8.

She was born and grew up in Monongah with her parents, the late Mike Danko and Mary Chismar Danko.

At Monongah High, Anna was in the National Honor Society, girls sports, Latin Club and Knitting Club. Later, she attended Fairmont State before marrying Sheifollah Ghalkhani. Their son, Hassan Andrew Danko, survives Anna.

Anna also is survived by her brothers Robert Thomas Danko, Class of 1962, and Michael Danko, Class of 1965.

Anna’s siblings Mary Ann Danko Evanson, Class of 1957; Helen Danko; Donna Danko; John Peter Danko; and George Danko predeceased Ann May.

Anna’s obituary:

Anna May Danko, 71, passed away Sunday September 8, 2019. She was born on November 18, 1947 in Monongah daughter of the late Mike and Mary Chismar Danko.
 
Her soul has outgrown her body; leaving earth to her kingdom with God and family alike. Her unconditional love is still very much alive and continues to grow with the many people she has inspired throughout her time on earth. 
 
She was born and raised in Monongah WV. She loved working on the family farm in her youth. She attended Fairmont State College, and married to Seifollah Ghalkhani of Iran. She is survived by her son Hassan Andrew Danko and his companion Katie Fisher. Also surviving are two brothers Michael and Robert Danko.
 
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her three sisters Helen Danko, Donna Danko and Mary Ann Evanson and two brothers John Peter Danko and George Danko.
 
Anna has always given from her bottomless heart to inspire, guide and teach others with genuine compassion, and wisdom. She was devoted to God with prayer and Sunday morning Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  She practiced what she believed by having a close relationship with God, and helping anyone without hesitancy. 
 
Anna, may your heart and soul continue to live through the inspiration you have left all of us with. We will always love you. We pray in your memory to have eternal life with God, your husband, and family.


Friends may call at the Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Wednesday from 5-8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2-7:00 p.m. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Monongah. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
 
A vigil service will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
 
Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com .

Sunday, September 8, 2019





 They might as well give the Ahouse sisters a permanent rental in Aruba, an island 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. They went there in 2018. They are there again in 2019.

Mary “Kitty” Ahouse Morrison, Class of 1968; Sue Ahouse Schrader, Class of 1971; and cousin Joyce Ahouse Blake, are cavorting in Aruba again.

Brother Mike Ahouse, 1985 North Marion graduate, will have to settle for photos and videos of their vacation.

Sue lives in Piscataway, New Jersey and Stoney Lonesome, Monongah; Kitty in Monongah; and Mike in Monongah. Cousin Joyce is a Doddridge County High grad who lives in the Clarksburg suburb of Salem. She is a widow.

The Ahouse sisters have traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, New York City, Key West, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, artsy Sedona, Arizona, Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Mexico and dozens of states. 

Wednesday, September 4, 2019


Debbie Moore O'Dell, Class of 1969, and Robert O’Dell, a 1966 Shinnston High graduate, probably won’t want any of their grandchildren named Dorian.

They had planned to celebrate their 49th anniversary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But Hurricane Dorian blew that plan away.

Debbie posted:


“Today we are celebrating our 49th anniversary, not where we had planned thanks to Hurricane Dorian, but we are safe and together.”


Debbie added:


“I am a mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, sister and wife. I am truly blessed.”


But no Dorians in the family, please.

Debbie, who worked at the Dairy Kone for Amelia Shenasky Zentz and the late Bruce Zentz when Debbie was young, also was a department manager at CSM, Etc. at Wally World.

Debbie’s work experience included Urban’s Grocery Store in Monongah.


Debbie’s sister, Janet Moore Frazier, Class of 1972, also worked at the Dairy Kone, which provided spending money for a lot of Monongah High students over the years.

Debbie and Rob’s children are James and Julie, who both went to Monongah High and North Marion High.

Debbie grew up in Monongah but has lived in Kilarm for 49 years. Her children live in Kilarm, too.

Debbie’s parents were Vera Pearl Higginbotham Moore, like Rob a Shinnston High graduate, and Bill Moore. Vera played piano for The Marion County Song Birds.