"
No where in any of my travels or correspondences with others have I heard of
anything close to what we have in the WI Newsletter. That is because it is
homegrown. I have lots of friends from all over that wish and wish that they had
something like it, but nothing even comes close for them. I tell them about some
of the stories and facts that come back from lost memories from years ago. I
moved away and for years didn't have much contact to keep those memories
alive. It's not that I live for the past--I very much live my life for the present and
future. But, those memories are a huge part of my life history and I treasure them
all. I am very grateful for such a tool. I have also met many people that I really
didn't ever get the opportunity to meet in Clarksburg before and have formed
some good friendships over the last few years.
Roleta and friends got this started for us and they really did a fine job doing it.
As far as I know, it is unique in the United States. Pretty Outstanding!!! The
Newsletter cannot stand, though, on the founding alone. The engine that makes
it run is all of the people that read it and contribute back the stories to be read. If
we don't have the stories, we don't, then, have a viable newsletter.
My purpose in writing this piece is to call attention to all of you out there, that
all of us need you and me. We control the success. If only each of us would
attempt to put something that we remember or would like to find out about three
times a year as a minimum. Nobody grades papers here--we revel in new info
and great old memories. Something that you think might be trivial may be of
great interest to me. (One man's junk...another man's treasure)
I think some spirits have been a little low over this and I am asking all of you
to join in and pick things up. These are pretty tough times right now for everyone,
but some of these stories can be very uplifting. Please let us all get together and
lift our hometown newsletter up and continue a wonderful practice that we
learned in Clarksburg or wherever we grew up and that is working together to
continue that excellence that I have read about over the years in the past
newsletters.
Thanks to Ya'll !!!! pat
THE NEWSLETTER
submitted by:Janie Carpenter Ramberger (WI '63)
Dear Roleta:
I really do enjoy every single WI newsletter! Thank you so much for your hard
work..for putting your time into something so many love. You don't have to do
any of it, so that makes it extra special. I like to think that perhaps only someone
who grew up where we did would even take the time and trouble to do all this!
That's probably not true, but still.....
The articles submitted by the readers keep our West Virginia memories alive..(a
good thing as we get older!)..On the first day of each month, I can open your
newsletter and BLAMO..for just a little while, I'm transported back to a wonderful
place I, to this day, still call "back home".
I've lived in several states over the years but still say, "when I go back home to
West Virginia.....". Even here in North Carolina, when I'm out somewhere and
hear someone say they're from West Virginia, or someone hears me say it, a
conversation starts up automatically, we don't even have to be from the same
town! Even so, it's wonderful if we're both from Clarksburg, then the
conversation really gets started!! Sure, people from other states probably do the
same thing, but I know we're a unique people who grew up in a very special
place and time.
You've probably heard all this before Roleta, but thank you and Judy again.
BUS DRIVER
submitted by:Alecia Bishop Walent (WI '60)
This is my dad, Paul Bishop, who drove for the City Lines Bus Company in Clarksburg In the
years 1954 until 1957 or around there, he then was an Equitable Life Insurance Agent. I'm not
sure of all his bus routes however, he drove the Stealey and Hartland routes. I think this picture
was taken in Charleston, WV in 1954.
We moved to Clarksburg from Weston in 1955, my Dad drove the Hartland City
Bus--later he became an Insurance Salesman. How I remember walking down to
Chestnut Street waiting on the Bus freezing in the cold snow and rain, didn't
matter you walked.
We lived in Chestnut Hills and I have such fond memories of going to the pool
and life in general was so great! In 9th grade the rush of Sororities is still
imprinted in my mind. We had to clean the Court House steps with a tooth-brush.
I remember one summer Dad came in the house so mad, his Flamingo's, they
were pink statues, were missing, a couple days later he found they had flown
back, after that the flamingos and dad's temper just kept coming and going. At
one of the reunion's Bill Burger (Butch) confessed he was one of the culprits.
Speaking of Bill, he gave me the black eye I wore at my first Formal Dance at
the country club---8th grade playing baseball. He was always a good friend. I
never could catch a ball!
I played the tenor Sax in our wonderful marching band, we would be at the field
practicing so early in the morning the fog hadn't lifted, I never was tall, so that
instrument nearly beat me to death.
During those years I sang in every program you could enter and I was personally
invited to some.
Those were the best times to grow up. Life was so much simpler then, no locked
doors.
We moved the summer before my SENIOR YEAR. I never got to stand on those
FRONT STEPS.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I most often rode the Hartland bus to Central and WI and
usually was on the Stealey bus at the end of the day. My stop for the
Hartland bus was 2 doors away from my house on Milford Street. My stop
for the Stealey bus was at the traffic signal at Stealey Playground.
Morning or afternoon the buses were always loaded and were very loud
with lots of fun and laughter. I would have hated to have been the bus
driver but I certainly did always enjoy the ride. I remember many times the
morning bus had a really hard time trying to get up the hill after we crossed
the West Fork River in Hartland and then that big ice covered hill going up
to Chestnut Hills. I am sure the bus driver was at his breaking point many
times but we laughed and enjoyed it all with no fear. We just wanted to be
late to school! Poor Mr. Bishop I bet he was often assigned to those buses.
I don't remember a driver losing their temper….but I bet they wanted to do
so.
Do you have a memory of riding the City Lines Bus? Whether you rode it
to school or for some other reason, do you remember riding it? Where did
you catch the bus? Where did you leave the bus when you arrived at your
destination? What was the cost of the ride? These are just a few subjects
to jog your memory, you can write anything you want about the buses of
Clarksburg. Write to Roleta1@aol.com
YESTERYEAR PHOTOS OF CLARKSBURG
submitted by:Jack Emrick (WI '54)
MORE PICTURES FROM JACK WILL BE IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
WIN SCHOLARSHIP
I am still collecting money for the yearly WIN Scholarship. This is a way for each
of us to take part in giving back to Clarksburg thru helping 2 students each year
with their college costs.
Money is tight for all of us and fewer people are giving to the scholarship fund.
Remember no amount is too small or of course no amount is too large.
If each reader would send whatever they are comfortable with we can put it all
together into the WIN Scholarship Fund.
So if you want to be part of this and be proud of helping out by giving back to
your "Home Town".
Write a check or money order to:
Roleta Meredith c/o WIN Scholarship
and mail to:
Roleta Meredith
3201 Charles MacDonald Dr.
Sarasota, FL 34240
Thank you to Dave Anderson (WI 1962) who gave this month to the WIN
Scholarship.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
On March 10, 2012 a celebration party was held for Al and Sandy
Zickefoose Lindke (WI 1957) who celebrated their 25th anniversary with a
renewal of their vows in the presence of a minister. They had many friends
and family members present to help them celebrate. Congratulation and
may you have many more happy years together.
CHURCH
submitted by:Arreta Radcliffe Jaranko (WI '40)
It is sad to see so many of the old historic buildings being torn down and the loss of the church
there in Stealey has so much of my family tied to it that I am sorry to see it go. However, it was
not always a Methodist church. When my brothers, sister and I attended there, it was the EUB
church, Evangelical United Brethern church. We lived around the corner there on Stealey Avenue
and from the time we could walk, we went to church there. In fact, as a young girl, even my
MOTHER went to church there. Before there was even a Stealey Avenue, that was the location of
my grandmother's little farm. So my roots are there. We loved to go to Sunday School. The kids
all met in the downstairs and there was a woman who had "opening exercises". We would sing
and learn a "memory verse" and if it was someone's birthday, she would get the birthday box and
the birthday child would have pennies for how old they were. We would count the pennies as they
dropped them into the box. I remember how excited I was when I was six years old and got to
drop my pennies in the birthday box. Kids today don't realize that if you had a penny, you were
rich!! You could take it to the corner grocery store and fill up on candy.
Stealey sure has changed from what it was when I was a child and from what it was when my
own children were growing up. But that is life, I guess. I have a few other stories my grandmother
and my mother told us that I might share another time with you. Best wishes
DID YOU EVER OWN ANY OF THESE?
Write and tell me all about your fun with these! How did you wear them? Where
did you use them?
It is believed this picture was taken before Victory high school was built.
2011-2012 WI MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS
submitted by:Ron White (WI ‘62)
I saw the photo of the 2011-2012 WI MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOW CHOIR in last month's
news, by the way my granddaughter is front row center, and I thought I would heap a
little more praise on today's WI students. The cheerleaders are the Harrison County
champions for the 2011-2012 school year. As there is no state competition for middle
school they are the top of the heap, so to speak, of middle school cheerleaders. Oh yes,
my granddaughter Taryn Bailey is in that too, bottom of the individual photos and top
center in the pyramid.
A NICE LETTER
submitted by:Barbara Allen Gordon (WI '56)
Roleta,
Both of us want you to know how much we enjoyed the picnic this year. It was the first
time that we could come because Bruce didn't retire until this year. Everything was great! It was so much fun seeing friends from
high school. The best part was meeting people from my neighborhood in Stealey. There were so
many memories of the neighborhood and the schools we attended. By the way, Bruce has
always had a wonderful time with my classmates at our reunions and considers himself a part of
my class. Thank you for all the work that you do to make this a special day. It certainly was.
SUGGESTED SUBJECTS TO WRITE ABOUT
What do you collect? Write and tell us when you started your collection, why you collect
this, where do you keep it? Write and share about it with us. Please write
Roleta1@aol.com.
Do you have a recipe that you make and that was made by your mother, grandmother,
etc? Please write and share a family favorite….Thanks Please write Roleta1@aol.com.
Did you have a career in EDUCATION? What was your career? Where was it? When
was it? Tell us all about your educational career. Please write Roleta1@aol.com.
What or Who influenced you most in your career choice? Did your parent's career choice(s)
influence you in any way? Write Roleta1@aol.com.
What is the one thing while you were in high school that you regret not doing? Write
Roleta1@aol.com.
Not all of us played sports, many of us were in the band. What about a topic on
memories of being in the band? This could include band camp, performing at
away games & home games, parades, 8:00 AM rehearsals on the practice field
on cold late fall mornings, friends made as a result of being in the band, etc.
Write to Roleta1@aol.com.
Thank you for helping to keep this newsletter alive.---Roleta and Judy
REUNION
WI CLASS OF 1962
submitted by:Joyce Reed Royse (WI '62)
The Washington Irving Class of '62 is celebrating its 50th reunion at the Clarksburg Country Club
on July 27-28, 2012. We're planning a casual get together both nights to allow plenty of time for
conversation. There will be a cash bar and plenty of food, to include Clarksburg Italian specialties,
accompanied by DJ music.
A list of reduced price hotel rooms has been provided via US mail to class members, due to hard
work by Bill Spears and Stumpie Bice.
For questions, comments, or registration, please contact:
We hope to see all of our classmates for this special occasion and ask that you make your
reservations as soon as possible for planning purposes.
MEMORIAL DAY - MONDAY MAY 28, 2012
On this day we honor the memory of those who have died while in the military service of the United States of America. May we be faithful to the legacy we have been given, so that truth and freedom may prevail.
"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
TELEPHONES
submitted by:Annabelle Lee Hutson
Two phones in our house. I remember the phone calls going back and forth trying to
solve one of Gudekunst's math problems. When one of we five kids tied up the phone
too long, my father would pick up the downstairs phone and we would hear a loud
"GOODBYE".
Only one summer at Maple Lake we had a phone, and it actually had to be cranked.
Amazing that we were there in the summer without a phone!
Don't even remember anyone going to a neighbor's house to use theirs.
submitted by:Marcia Booth (WI '65)
I remember our phone before I went to school. My dad was an insurance agent with his
office in the house, so our phone number was also his business number. Even though I
was only 4 years old, my mother taught me the way she wanted the phone answered as a
business because of the calls that were for Dad. I still answer the phone that way. We had a
private line, but my grandmother had a two-party line.
submitted by:Jim Alvaro (WI '56)
What I think I remember about the early days with the telephone I'll try to share.
We had a black telephone located in the hallway leading to the dining room with
a bedroom and a living room on each side of the hall. The telephone had about a
12 ft. cable connected to it.
The phone would reach to the living room or the bedroom. For personal calls we
would drag the phone into the bedroom and shut the door. I believe at one time
we had a four party line. I do know we had to count the number of rings to see if
someone was calling us. I also remember Jerry Paul's family was on our party
line. I don't remember listening on other peoples calls but I do remember when
my mom would pick up the phone and if someone was on the line, she would ask
them how long they planned on being on the line. This would let them know that
someone else wanted to use the phone. I cannot remember when we went from
asking operator assistance to dialing the number. I do remember our telephone
number was 231J and my good friend Jack Borror's was 5150W. Then the
number went to MA28795. MA indicated MAIN. How do I remember those
numbers and I have a hard time remembering our current number? Go figure.
Maybe in a future newsletter I will tell you how a few guys I knew beat the system
when it came to making a call from a pay phone.
submitted by:John Teter (WI '61)
I do not know if you have heard anything from my sister (Elizabeth TETER Akin, WI, 56), but I am
hoping that she does write more about the phone in our house when we were growing up and can
put more emphasis on the phone that I sent you a picture of - the old time, hand crank, wall
phone, with the detachable ear piece, but the connected mouth piece. That phone was actually
in my grandparents' house in Bridgeport, and if I am correct, now resides in my brothers' house in
Kingsport, Tennessee.
Growing up, the only phone that I remember having in our house on Broaddus Avenue, was one
by the front door of the house. At some point, my mother had another phone put in one of the
upstairs bedrooms, but I do believe that was done after I moved to the Washington, D.C. area.
I do remember having a "party line", but I do not remember if I ever listened in on someone else's
conversation, but I would not admit it if I had. I recall my father asking the people that were on
the "party line" a few times to get off of the phone, as he needed to make an "emergency phone
call".
I am hoping that by my copying my brother (Bob, WI, 60) and my sister on this E-mail to you that
they will also provide an article for you to publish along with mine. It would be interesting to see if
the three of us have any differing opinions and/or comments to make.
I was up to see my brother-in-law and sister yesterday and we got to talking about your phone
article suggestion, so my sister said that she would provide the stories if I could provide the
pictures.
SO, one of these pictures is of my dad on a phone and my grandfather on a phone, and I will let
my sister fill in the rest.
submitted by:Elizabeth Teter Akin (WI '56)
EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a very informative letter about early phones in
Clarksburg. I hope you will not overlook this letter as it will certainly jog your
memories…..
Brother John did urge me to write and I see he has sent the photos. I am attaching the story.
I really do admire you and Judy for your ongoing efforts to keep us all in touch. It has been
wonderful to see younger generations joining in. I really think this newsletter deserves a place in
the WV archives as oral history!! Thank you for keeping it going.
The first home I remember living in was in Anmore and the phone we had there was an upright
black metal phone (I think it is called a "stick" phone) with the receiver hanging on one side.
Phones were not taken for granted in those days; not everyone had one. I recall that some of our
neighbors would come asking to use our phone from time to time. And we were on a party line.
In 1945 we moved to Clarksburg. There we had another black phone, a boxier desk style. Our
number was 1391-W. To make a call you would pick up the receiver and the operator would ask
"Number, please." I still remember the phone number of our neighbors the Wrights. It was 40. I
think I remember it because it was the lowest phone number I was aware of.
Sometime in the early 1950's the dial system was introduced to Clarksburg. The phone company
held an open house. We toured the new facilities and had a chance to learn our new phone
numbers. Ours was 2-2337. It was for us an exciting time.
The oldest telephone I recall using was the wooden box-like one that hung on my Teter
grandparents' dining room wall. To call someone, my grandfather would pick up the receiver that
hung on one side of that box, listen briefly to hear if someone were on the line. If the line were
open, he would give the crank mounted on the opposite side a few turns, and then, speaking into
the mouthpiece mounted on the face of the box, ask "Tilly," or "Milly," or whoever the operator
was, to give Bob Dye or Ed Reed a ring. There never was mention of phone numbers that I recall.
Numbers did exist. My grandparents' phone number was 9-I. When the phone rang, you had to
count the number of rings to see if it was for you. That was the way of a party line. That phone
served that house until 1954 when the dial service was extended to Bridgeport. What had been
an exciting change for me, was, for my grandparents, monumental. Imagine going from that wall
phone and the friendly voice of the well-known operator to having to look up and dial a seven-digit
number to talk to your friends.
Help was at hand. To launch the new dial service in 1954, Bridgeport was given its own directory
"for subscribers who will be served from the new dial office located in Bridgeport." That directory
is 12 pages long, with 9 pages listing the subscribers. The directory does not have a Classified
section. It does give detailed instructions for how to use a dial phone, including how the dial tone
and busy signals sound, and how to turn and release the dial for each number. It also gives
specific instructions for how to make calls from Clarksburg numbers to ‘VI' numbers, from ‘VI
numbers to other ‘VI' numbers and from ‘VI' numbers to Clarksburg numbers. This was a
monumental change, indeed. It surely must have been like my generation learning to use the
computer with all its applications and logging in and out of various websites.
Someone in our family also kept the 1946-1947 Telephone Directory for Clarksburg which
includes separate listings for Bridgeport, Lumberport, Salem, Shinnston, and West Union as well
as a Classified Directory (not Yellow Pages), in a 6" x 9 1/4" format of 204 pages. In those days
the cost of a ‘long distance' phone call varied depending on time of day or whether it was "station
to station" or "person to person." For the latter, you gave the operator the name of the person
you wanted to talk to and if the person wasn't there, you didn't have to pay for the call. I
remember using that type of call, asking for myself, to let family know that I had gotten back to
college without having to pay for the call. Examples of the cost of calls: Clarksburg to Fairmont
station to station was 20 cents for 5 minutes any time, 30 cents for 3 minutes any time person to
person; Clarksburg to Washington, DC station to station was 75 cents for 3 minutes between 4:30
am and 6:00 pm, 40 cents between 6:00 pm to 4:40 am and all day Sunday; person to person
was $1.05 for 3 minutes in daytime, 75 cents nights and Sundays. I don't remember talking more
than 3 minutes. That would have been extravagant!! We used an egg timer to keep us on track!
And then there were all the hours we spent on those phones just listening to one another
breathe. But those are other stories.
submitted by:Jim Selario (WI '67)
I grew up in the 50's and this is what I remember about our phone. We had a dial phone
and did not have to go through an operator to make a call in Clarksburg. We had a
private line instead of a party line. I believe that we had 2 phones, one in the kitchen and
one in the living room. Back than they were like Model T Cars – you could have any
color you wanted as long as it was black. Our home phone number was 5 digits long. It
was 26388. I can remember when the named exchanges came into service. This created
a 7 digit number. The exchange for Clarksburg was MAin (The MA translated to 62 on
the telephone dial). So our number became MAin 26388. For Bridgeport it was VIctor,
so all Bridgeport numbers were VIctor plus the original 5 digits (The VI translated to 84
on the phone dial).
By the 60's or 70's the named exchanges fell by the wayside and our
phone number became simply 622-6388. When direct dialing (dialing anywhere in the
country without the aid of an operator) became available in the 60's and 70's the 304 area
code was assigned to WV and our number became 304 622-6388. It was not necessary to
dial the 304 if you were dialing in the local area. You could just dial the seven digits.
Recently WV got a second area code (681). Instead of being a geographic split (meaning
that one area of the state has one code and another area of the state has a different code) it
is an overlay area code which means that as more numbers are needed they are added in
the new area code regardless of where in the state you are. It is possible that your next
door neighbor could have a different area code than you have. As a result of this it is
now necessary to dial the area code for every call, even if you are calling in the local area
within the same area code.
My parents had the same number from my childhood until their passing. When my
mother passed away in 2000 I hated the thought of someone else having that phone
number with so many memories. Since I have an office in Clarksburg with more than
one line feeding into the phone system I had my old home phone number put into the
system. I did not change my office number, but when someone calls the office, if the
office number is busy it rolls over to the next available number (one of those numbers is
304 622-6388).
So there you have it, I went from dialing 5 numbers to dialing 7 numbers to dialing 10
numbers and I went from my parents' number, to having my own numbers, to having my
parents' number back.
submitted by:Judy Zabeau Shepherd (ND '58)
Our first telephone was a black phone - party line. I recall having to work through an operator to
place a call. If you happen to pick up the phone and heard someone else on the line you would
immediately put the receiver down. I don't recall listening on any one else's conversation. Our
first regular number I can still remember was 2035R. Isn't it funny after all these years I still can
remember that phone number.
submitted by:Roleta Smith Meredith (WI '59)
Do you remember a phone number you had when you were young? How
old were you and what was the number?
I remember that my family lived in Wolf Summit for 5 years and moved to
Clarksburg when I was 9. Our phone number was 4340W13, we were on a
party line. The phone was black and had no dial, we had to ask the
operator to connect us with a certain number. I wonder if the operator was
located in Wolf Summit or in Clarksburg? Do you know? Our phone was
black and located on a desk in my parent's bedroom. We moved to
Clarksburg in late September of my 5th grade, our home was much larger
than before. We had 4 bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor and on
the first floor was the entry area, the living room, dining room, a full bath,
the kitchen and an eating nook with a full walk out basement with a back
porch. Still with three floors and all those rooms, for years we only had
one phone which sat on one of those telephone stands that was a little
table with a space for a telephone book and an attached side chair where
you could sit and talk and it was located in the entry area…so when the
phone started ringing, everyone in every end of the house started toward
the phone until you heard someone yell, "I've got it". There was no such
thing as answering machines; no caller id's…just footwork! Later after my
mother had the kitchen remodeled we also had a phone on the wall in the
kitchen.
My daddy was principal and as I have mentioned before he was from the
old school, back when teachers/principals were very well respected people
in town. So in case some one of importance would call I had to answer the
phone by saying, "Smith's Residence. Roleta Speaking, May I help you
Please?" Sounds really stuffy now doesn't it? LOL But my brother, little
sister and I were taught to say that.
And as strange as it seems, I can remember that first phone number from
before I was 10 and I can remember the last 4 phone numbers we have had
within the last 40+ years but I don't remember any of them in those years in
between.
Write and share your memories with us. Write Roleta1@aol.com
Thank you for supporting your newsletter by writing and sharing your
memories.
submitted by:Mere Gurson Schwartz (WI '57)
Your topic about phones before dial tone is really great. We had a special alcove in our
wall by the front door just for it. We had a private line, but my Dad had a
connection to his business, Samson Company. When it rang at the Office. he could answer
at home.
My father worked 7 days a week, Sunday was 10-12. I still remember the numbers.
There was a swinging bridge over Elk Creek by his building on Sandy Blvd. I
would walk across it if I was going to the Bank uptown. I often worked in the office because he had a
large supply of auto parts, as well as junk yard. That's where I learned truck and car parts.
I remember getting calls when Elk Creek flooded into the basement and
we had to remove equipment and stock.
Thank you for your hard work, we enjoy reading how we lived in Clarksburg.
submitted by:Barbara Warren Williams (WI '58)
Our one phone was kept in the kitchen. I still remember our number after all
these years. the phone was on a shelf that my father built which was across
from our kitchen bar with stools. We could sit on the bar stools to talk. The
phone was black. Our number was 21158 and I also remember Dick Hall's
(Class of 56 or 55) phone number. His number was 20629.
submitted by:Judy Daugherty Kimler (WI '59)
The first phone I remember was a black dial desk phone. Since there was only one phone in any house I ever lived in as a kid, it had a 25ft cord so it could be moved from the living room to other rooms. Our telephone number was 22740. Then it became MA2-2740 and later 622-2740. Because my father was a policeman we always had a private line. He thought it wouldn't be right for others to listen to his phone calls.
When we moved to Broaddus Av we got a wall phone in the kitchen and a phone in each bedroom. At that time I was working at C and P Tel Co and got the phone service and phones at half price. A perk for all employees.
My grandparents had what was known as a candlestick phone. Whenever I visited them I always used that phone to call someone. I thought it was such fun to talk on that strange phone.
submitted by:Bob White (WI '72)
When we were little (I was born in 1954) the black rotary dial phone (and we
only had one of the them for the entire house) had at least three other parties
that shared the line with us -- including one 'old lady' that used to fuss at us if we
picked it up while she was talking....as if we knew that the line was in
use when we picked up the receiver.
From my earliest recollection, until our house burned down in January of 1967
(my family moved from that River Road home, in Point Comfort to a house on
Grove Avenue in Stealey - my parents still reside there - again next to the West
Fork River) ever since. 624.4547 or Main 44547
submitted by:Barbara Allen Gordon (WI '56)
My father was a doctor so we had a private phone number. Because of this, I
was not allowed to use the phone very often. I think that I was allowed two or
three calls a day that had to be over in five minutes. Can you imagine how
frustrating this was when I wanted to talk to my friends. It was just a part of the
life I had and somehow I managed to keep in touch with friends. Since we did
not have a party line, I would not know what was going on in other peoples lives.
It was frustrating, but it was okay. As a result I am not a phone person and can
go for ages without feeling the need to call someone. This seems weird in the
age of cell phones. I seldom turn mine on and don't miss it a bit.
submitted by:Sandy Zickefoose Lindke (WI '56)
I can not remember our phone number but I do remember a couple of things
pertaining to the phone. Sometimes Judy or I would get a call from someone that
we did not really care to talk to so we would take turns talking to that person.
They never knew that we had traded off.
We would call in song request to the
radio station on the weekends.
I attended both Duff Street Church and Central
Junior High.
Thank you all for everything that you do to keep us connected to our
roots.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL - THE MAN WHO STARTED IT ALL
Click the link above and type in the year you were born and sit back as the
screen goes to black and tells you what was going on the year you were born.
The screen is going to fade to black; have your glasses on,
and follow the instructions.
You'll be pleasantly surprised with this one... Type the year only!!!
Then click the question (?) mark.
GUESS WHO
Can you name any of the people pictured below and the place where the picture was taken? Send in your guesses to
Roleta1@aol.com. I won't print incorrect guesses.
WIN SCHOLARSHIP QUILT
Credit Due
Those of you lucky enough to attend the Sarasota picnic were able to see how wonderful the
2012 "Visions of West Virginia" quilt was. It is so exciting that the WIN quilts keep earning more
money each year for the scholarship fund at RCBHS.
The WIN quilters deserve many thanks for their continued dedication to making their blocks for
the quilt. Those participating in the 2012 quilt were:
Pam Wolfe Brown, Mary Liz Carder, Barb Charles, Mary Hulick, Nancy Jackson, Gig Meredith,
Joan Merrill, Sue Moats, Mary Nophsker, Elaine Nortemann, Kitty Sager, Mary Sue Spahr, Lin
Stricker, Mary Virginia Duncan-Wilke and Mary Ann Williams.
We are now making plans for the 2013 WIN quilt. Packets will be prepared and sent out to those
interested in participating in this great project. New members of the WIN quilters are welcome.
Please contact Sue Moats at moatsue@aol.com if you want to be a WIN quilter this year.
THE 2012 QUILT
submitted by:Jean Judy Carlson, DDS (WI '74)
My name is Jean Carlson (maiden name = Judy) and I am a 1974 graduate of
Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, WV. My uncle, Clifford Judy, told
me about the newsletter and suggested I contact you so that my name could be
added to the mailing list. I would appreciate it very much if I could be included in
this. My email address is jcarlson56@gmail.com
I've just spent the past two hours reading past issues of the WI Newsletter. One
topic that piqued my interest is the one concerning when girls were first permitted
to wear pants to school. I am a 1974 graduate of WI, and we were first allowed
to wear pants during my Junior year, which began in the fall of 1972. When this
first became allowed, we only could wear "pant-suits", and definitely no blue
jeans! We were so excited and happy to finally be able to wear pants, that
dresses or skirts were rarely worn any more. In grade school times, (Towers
School in the '60s for me), I remember wearing snow pants to school on snowy
or very cold days, but changing out of them in the "cloak room"!
Thought it would be fun to contribute a little something to the Newsletter.
Also, my grandfather, Mr. W. D. Judy, taught Biology at WI from 1925 to 1958. I
wonder if anyone has any memories of him.......He had four sons - Howard,
George (my dad), Charles and Clifford - all graduated from WI and my
grandfather never permitted any of them to be in any of his classes! A very
ethical man, to be sure!
That's all for now! Thank you for all your hard work on the newsletter, Roleta! It
is much appreciated!
It has been a very slow month for sports. The Big Dance is over and baseball is just getting a
good start. A few months ago, Jim Alvaro, W I 1956, suggested that we highlight a West Virginia
sports personality in the newsletter, when things were slow. This is the month to start. Thanks to
Jim for the idea.
Our first feature is about a man unknown to many of our readers. However, he was one of the
giants of college football during the first half of the 20th century and was in the inaugural class of
inductees to the College Football Hall Of Fame. Please take time to read about a famous West
Virginian, Fielding H. Yost.
FIELDING H. YOST
Fielding Yost was born in Fairview, West Virginia (Marion County), on April 30, 1871. He enrolled
at Ohio Normal University (Ohio Northern) in 1889, where he played baseball. Later, he enrolled
at West Virginia University, where he began playing football in 1894 at the age of 23. As a 6-foot,
200-pounder, he was an outstanding tackle into the 1896 season.
In October, 1896, WVU lost three games to Lafayette in three different locations over three days.
Yost quickly transferred to Lafayette, where the following week, he played for them in a 6-4 win
over the Penn Quakers. This was his only appearance in a Lafayette uniform. Obviously, rules
have changed since then.
1897 found Yost no longer a player, but a coach at Ohio Wesleyan. The following two years,he
coached at Nebraska and Kansas. In 1900, he coached at both Stanford and San Jose State.
Then, in 1901, Fielding began his long association with the University of Michigan. (Rich
Rodriquez was not the first West Virginian to coach U of M).
His 1901 team outscored its opposition by a margin of 555--0. After a perfect season, the team
won the first Rose Bowl on January 1, 1902, beating the Stanford team coached by Yost the year
before. He coached at Michigan from 1901 through 1923 and again in 1925 and 1926. His record
was 165--29 with 10 ties. He won six national championships and 10 Big Ten Conference crowns.
Before a loss at the end of 1905, his teams had gone 56 straight games without a defeat.
After coaching, Yost remained at Michigan as their athletic director. He held this position until
1940. He is credited with inventing the position of linebacker and was co-creator of the first ever
bowl game. He often urged his players to "Hurry Up" and thus picked up the nickname of "Hurry
Up" Yost. He died in 1946 at the age of 75. He is considered by most people to have been
Michigan's greatest coach of all time.
If my memory is correct, his grandson, (Also named Fielding Yost), played high school basketball
at Fairview High School in the late 1950's and also played at Fairmont State College in the early
1960's, where he was a classmate of my wife, Roleta. Ironically, Michigan's other head coach
from West Virginia, grew up in Grant Town, near Fairview and would have played sports at
Fairview HS had it not been consolidated into North Marion HS in 1979.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Fielding Yost and found the article interesting. Let me know if
you have a favorite W.Va. sports figure, who you would like featured in a future newsletter.
We were sorry to hear of the passing of Clayce Kishbaugh. He was an R-W grad who played for
the Mountaineer varsity basketball team from 1955 through 1957. Freshmen were not allowed to
play varsity sports back then. He had the good fortune to have played with Hot Rod Hundley
for four years. His best years were 1956, when he averaged 12.7 ppg, with a high of 28 points
against N.C State. He averaged 12.9 ppg his senior season. We extend our deepest sympathy to
his family and friends.
BOOK REVIEW:
I recently bought a book entitled, "Waiting For The Fall", by Mike Casazza. Mike is a
sportswriter, who covers WVU sports for the Charleston Daily Mail. Since he is not a native West
Virginian, Mike gives a unique view of how Mountaineer fans live and die with every WVU football
game. (And basketball game, I might add) There is some inside information on the behind-the-scenes
action during the last three years of the Rodriquez era through the Stewart years and up
to Holgerson"s Orange Bowl win.
Whether or not Casazza's view, that we WVU fans can't enjoy the high times, because we
know some bad thing will happen soon, is accurate, is debatable. However, if you love the
Mountaineers, you'll enjoy this book.
Read any good book lately dealing with sports, especially relating to the state of West Virginia? If
so, write and tell us about it.
I think this is the building at the NE corner of Third and Main that housed a bank that I can't
remember and Parsons-Souders. I remember Parsons-Souders well because my mother worked
there for many years as a seamstress in women's alterations. I also remember that "Parsons"
had beautiful clothes and shoes. They also had great formal gowns, a couple of which I had and
wore for formal Rainbow functions. It was a great department store. It provided my mother with
work for many years (she worked until the age of 82) and she never, ever complained about
management.
submitted by:Barbara Paugh Patton (WI '61)
The correct answer is Lowndes Bank building on Main Street across from the
courthouse to the right. In my Junior year I opened my first savings account
there. I had gotten a job at McCroy's working Monday evening from 4 PM to 8
PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. I wanted to save my money for my class
ring, which I still have, my senior pictures, year book and buy some pretty clothes
for my senior year. I really had a great senior year and I worked in the
stockroom, pricing items and then stocking shelves. Every week I saved bus fair
out of my check and some lunch money and banked the rest. Now the new city
hall is located in that location.
submitted by:Catherine Custer Burke (WI '52)
The Mystery Picture is the former Parsons-Souders, later Stone & Thomas Store, and the
Lowndes Bank, later a savings and loan, on the corner of Main and Third Streets.
The attached picture below, circa 1905, shows what was under all that "modernizing". The Lowndes
Dry Goods Store is on the right. In 1927 Parsons-Souders leased the Lowndes Dry Goods Store
and expanded their store. Shoppers will recall the Men's Department accessible from the street
with the beautiful oak staircase in the rear. That is the original Lowndes Store space. Later
Parsons-Souders purchased the entire Lowndes Building. My grandfather is one of the Lowndes
employees in front of the store.
submitted by:Jim Rogers (WI '64)
I believe the mystery picture is corner of third and main in Clarksburg. (Old
ParsonSouders) A small room housed the First Federal Savings and Loan
Company.
Yes, It was originally Lowndes. Lowndes moved to the corner of Third and Pike
which is where Maunz Store was. Then First federal moved into the corner of
Third and Main.
I am still in Clarksburg, I owned Mercer drug store on Third St and bought
Byard Pharmacy on main. I merged them together in 1996. Now called
ByardMercer Pharmacy.
I enjoy the WI letter.
submitted by:Phyllis Alton Nichols (WI '57)
Picture is of the First Federal Savings and Loan on the corner of 3rd and Main. We financed the
first home we bought through there. Leslie Life was the loan officer who worked with us. It had a very
small narrow lobby, but the staff was very nice and friendly to a young married couple.
submitted by:Barb Warren Williams (WI '58)
On the corner was Lowndes Bank and the store to the right of it was Stone & Thomas or
Parson Sauders. My mother worked in the children's department.
submitted by:Dave McCue (WI '65)
The mystery picture is of the old (then new) Lowndes Bank main
entrance on Main Street just across the street from the Stonewall
Jackson monument. Passed by the Lowndes Bank daily on my way
to WI from Broad Oaks and from Marr's Jewelers where I worked
over to the Post Office. The Lowndes Bank President , Joe
Duling, was our next door neighbor and he and my father used to
feed the squirrels (including the Albino squirrels) that lived in Broad
Oaks down near the swinging bridge across Elk Creek. The WI
Newsletter is great and brings back kind memories from very long
ago, even Mr. Duckworth in Physics and Louie Trough in
Chemistry.
submitted by:Wayne White (WI '60)
The picture is the Parsons Souders building-which became the Stone and Thomas store--
The bank was in the corner and was the Lowndes.....This was later torn down and the
current City building of Clarksburg in now on this property...The Chase bank is across
the street which was the Bank One and before that the Union Nation Bank--..A great part
of Clarksburg was gone and a store that every one shopped at......
submitted by:John Teter (WI '61)
I think that the mystery picture in the April newsletter is the Lowndes Bank Building with Parsons
Souders (what seems like) wrapped around it, on the corner of Main Street and 3rd, adjacent to
the Court House. I am not sure what else was in the bank building, but I always thought that it
was interesting that Parsons Souders had the two entrances - one on Main Street and one on 3rd
(I think). I also remember that Parsons Souders had a basement.
I think that the new Municipal Building is now located on that corner, and is quite an impressive
building.
GOOD NEWSLETTER INDEED, and I hope that you keep the newsletters coming and coming
and coming and etc.
submitted by:Michael S. Elyard
Looks like the old Stone & Thomas (Parsons Souders). Some friends and I were just
talking about that last night, and we all mentioned the nice lady who ran the elevator. I
can still picture her sitting on that stool and pushing the buttons. "Third floor, please."
And the "Submariner" (?) restaurant in the basement, where total strangers would share
booths and tables if the stools at the bar were full at the busy lunchtimes. Good hot
dogs! Now the young kids' memories are going to revolve around going to WalMart and
eating at SubWay in the back of the store.
At one point during the 80's, Mountain State Federal Credit Union was on the end of the
building running along 3rd Street. I worked there as a teller briefly before enlisting in the
US Air Force in 1985. Interest rates on CDs at the time were about 12%.
submitted by:Fred Alvaro (WI '59)
The picture of the building on the corner of Main and Third Streets is where the
Parsons-Souders was located. I worked part time a few weeks one summer along
with Mr. Fredericks in the men's shirt department where you entered on Third
Street. (The suit department was entered from Main Street). It was really
enjoyable working along with him, being that I had him for class and he liked
joking around.
CORRECT IDENTIFICATION GIVEN BUT NO MEMORY SHARED
Bill Phillips (WI '60/Elkins '62)
Becky Judy (WI '72)
Joe Tipper (VHS '58)
JUNE MYSTERY PICTURE
We hope you recognize the mystery picture for June and that you will write and
identify it and write a memory of the place also. Correct answers with a memory
enclosed will be printed in the next newsletter. Write to Roleta1@aol.com.
OBITUARIES
CLAYCE G. KISHBAUGH
Clayce G. Kishbaugh, 77 of Zanesville, OH, formerly of Clarksburg, WV died 8:08 PM Sunday, April
22, 2012 at Genesis Good Samaritan Campus in Zanesville. He was born Thursday, June 21, 1934 in
Williamson, WV the son of Tyson Kishbaugh and Pauline (Hart) Kishbaugh. He married Shirley F.
(Sims) Kishbaugh on Thursday, June 29, 1978 and was a former member of First Presbyterian Church
of Clarksburg.
Clayce, who grew up in the Nutter Fort and Clarksburg, WV area, was a teammember of West Virginia
University's highly successful basketball teams in the mid-1950s. He played on the 1953-54 freshman
team, and started on the varsity from 1955-57."
He finished as co-captain of the 1957 team that posted a 25-5 record, the school's best up to that time.
Kishbaugh, a 6-2 guard, contributed to a combined record of 65-25 for the first three of Fred Schaus'
six seasons as the most successful coach in WVU's hoops history. All of those teams won Southern
Conference championships, attained national ranking and earned NCAA tournament appearances.
The 1956-57 team ranked as high as No. 7 in the national Top 20 polls. WVU had finished 19th in
each of the previous two seasons.
Beating fifth-ranked George Washington University for the Southern Conference tournament title in
1955 was one of that year's biggest upsets. Kishbaugh passed the ball to his friend Hot Rod Hundley
on the fast break for a basket that sent the game into overtime. WVU wound up winning 58-48. In that
same tourney Kishbaugh set a record by making 18 free throws in as many attempts.
Kisbaugh scored a career-high 28 points in a 107-89 victory over North Carolina State on Dec. 22,
1956. Later in that season he had 25 and 21 points in victories over Pittsburgh. For his three varsity
years, Kishbaugh tallied 833 points in 77 games for an average of 10.8 per game. He scored at a
career-best clip of 12.9 as a senior.
Clayce was a recipient of the 1955, 1956 & 1957 NCAA Southern Champ Metals and the 1956 & 1957
Southern Conference Champ Metals and was a featured player on the Ashland Oil College Basketball
Team Cards for 1954 & 1955. Stated by local Clarksburg area resident: Bob Hart, "Clayce Kishbaugh
was the best basketball player ever to come from Harrison County."
Kishbaugh was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1957 NBA draft, but he was called up for
military duty. Durning his time in the service, he coached basketball for his fellow troups at Fort Meade,
Md., and his team won the Second Army championship. Following his service to his country in the
United States Army, Clayce returned to his beloved West Virginia University and graduated in 1961.
He also attended Salem College.
Kishbaugh begin his sports career starring at Clarksburg's Roosevelt-Wilson High and earning all-state
honors. Kishbaugh, retired in 1985 following 30 years of service to education as a high school teacher
for the Tri Valley School District in the Zanesville, Ohio, where he taught physical education and
industrial arts. He also coached basketball for seven years and served as athletic director for five
years.
Clayce is survived by his wife of the home: Shirley; one daughter: Sally White of Ravenna, OH; seven
grandchildren: Kristopher, Aramis, Scarlett, Jasmime, Blessamber, Isabella and Felicity; one great
grandchild: Mariah; one brother: David (Dottie) Kishbaugh of Clarksburg, WV; two cousins and special
friends: Bob Hart of Clarksburg and JoAnn Viglianco of Clarksburg; one nephew: Walter (Vicki) Keller
of Dover, OH and one brother-in-law: Russell Keller of Dover.
In addition to his parents, Clayce was preceded in death by one sister-in-law: Pat Keller.
ELLEN MARGARET MALFREGEOT
Mrs. Ellen Margaret Malfregeot, age 95, of Elm Street, Clarksburg, WV, passed away
at 4:50 a.m. Monday, April 23, 2012, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV,
following a brief illness. She was born in Point Marion, PA, October 16, 1916, a
daughter of the late Henry Hubeaut and Anna Caffery Hubeaut.
Her husband of 50 years, Philip J. Malfregeot, whom she married September 14,
1937, preceded her in death July 29, 1987.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Rosanne and Louis (Both graduated
from NDHS in 1958) A. Oliverio, Edgewood Addition, Clarksburg, WV, and Carol M.
and Donald L. Benninger, Clarksburg, WV, two sisters-in-law, Rose & Melina
Malfregeot, both of Clarksburg, WV, four grandchildren and spouses, Jacqueline A.
and Fred Wilson, Clarksburg, WV, Claudine M. and John P. Rogers, Clarksburg,
Christa M. and Andy Ribas, Morgantown, WV, and Lara A. and Zach Hartzell,
Morgantown, WV, eight great grandchildren, Philip A. Wilson, Austin R. Wilson,
Andrew J. Rogers, Anthony J. Rogers, Zachary A. Ribas, Adriana N. Ribas, Victoria M.
Ribas and Layla B. Hartzell and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Malfregeot was also preceded in death by one brother, Howard Hubeaut, two
sisters, Christina Moore & Anna Mae Hall and one grandson, Louis Gerard Oliverio.
Mrs. Malfregeot was a graduate of Point Marion High School in Point Marion, PA. She
was a long time member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she
attended Daily Mass and was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mother. She was a
member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Serra Club, and the Stealey
Terrace Garden Club. She was also a former member of the Clarksburg Women's
Club. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and had many dear
and close friends
CHRISTOPHER ALAN LOSH
Christopher Alan Losh, 38, of 204 Lewis Street, Clarksburg, WV, passed away at
10 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
He was born September 22, 1973, in East Chicago, IN, a son of Anthony "Tony"
Losh of Clarksburg, WV, and the late Helena Mae "Susie" Brown Losh.
In addition to his father, Christopher is survived by one brother and sister-in-law,
Anthony Losh Jr. and wife Felicia of Kingsport, TN; his maternal grandmother,
Betty Jean Brown, Summit Park, Clarksburg, WV; his paternal stepgrandparents,
Orson and Stella McCord, Clarksburg, WV; an uncle, George McCord and wife
Patti of Iowa; three aunts, Twila Jo Brown, Summit Park, Clarksburg, WV, Sherry
Spatafore and husband Sam, Bridgeport, WV, and Edna Losh Dyer, Clarksburg,
WV; a niece, Emily Losh of Roberts Dale, Alabama; several cousins; and a
lifelong friend from childhood, Jason Barnard.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Losh was also preceded in death by his maternal
grandfather, Thomas Brown, on February 6, 2010.
He was a graduate of Washington Irving High School.
GARY D. DAVIS
Gary D. Davis, 74, of Wilsonburg, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at United Hospital
Center following an extended illness.
He was born May 25, 1937, in Clarksburg, a son of the late Ray F. Davis and Lillian T. (Paugh)
Davis.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cora Huffman Davis. He is also survived by one son,
Gregory D. Davis and his wife Lynda of Lumberport; one daughter, Jeanna Davis Spears and her
husband Tim of Milton, WV. Also surviving are two grandsons: Trenton Duane Spears and
Zachary Stephenson Spears of Milton, WV. He is survived by two brothers: John W. Davis and
Robert F Davis, both of Clarksburg; and two sisters: Barbara Elliott of Clarksburg and Billie Joyce
Rinehart of Parkersburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Diane Renea Davis; a
brother, David R Davis; and one sister, Donna J Jones.
Gary graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School with the Class of 1955. Following high
school, Gary served in the United States Navy from 1955-1959. He was a member of the
Adamston Lions Club and the Elks Club. He was a former member of the Antique Automobile
Club. He was a member of the North View United Methodist Church. He retired from Lockheed
Martin in 1999.
SISTER MARY JEAN (JANE FRANCES) COLOMBO
Sister Mary Jean (Jane Frances) Colombo, daughter of the late Battista and Antonia Tiano
Colombo, died at Mount St. Joseph on Monday, April 16, 2012.
She was born in Stonewood (formerly Norwood), West Virginia, on September 7, 1933, and
attended Norwood Elementary and Jr. High and Roosevelt-Wilson High Schools. She entered the
Congregation of St. Joseph on August 22, 1951, and made her first profession of vows on March
19, 1954, the Feast of St. Joseph. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from
Duquesne University.
In her early years of ministry she served at St. John Home for Boys before beginning her teaching
career in diocesan schools: St. Peter and later Fairmont Catholic; St. Mary in Clarksburg; St.
Vincent de Paul in Wheeling; St. Patrick in Weston. From 1969-1973 she served at Sacred Heart
Mission in Jalapa, Guatemala, as part of the team sent there from the Diocese of Wheeling.
Upon her return to West Virginia, Sister Mary Jean ministered in the pediatrics department as a
Child Life Worker and later as a member of the pastoral care department at St. Joseph's Hospital
in Parkersburg. Since her retirement in 1995, she has provided volunteer services for countless
people in need and also by her welcoming presence through the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable
Fund.
She also volunteered at Colombo's Family Restaurant in Parkersburg. She resided in Belpre,
Ohio.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank Colombo, Louis
Colombo, James Colombo, Dr. J.N. Colombo, Anthony Colombo, Raymond Colombo, Russell
Colombo, Sam Guzzo Colombo, Orlando Colombo and Dr. Armando Colombo; her sisters, Rose
Barberio, Velma Colombo, Pasquelina Wartman, Teresa Cuckler, Sister Mary Frances Cabrini
Colombo, Angela Colombo and Margaret Lopez.
THEODORE EUGENE HUFFMAN
Theodore Eugene Huffman, 82, of East View, passed away at his residence on Sunday, April 15,
2012.
He was born in the Broad Oaks section of Clarksburg on October 12, 1929, a son of the late
George Henry and Tina Rose (Dean) Huffman.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Gladys Louise Maze Huffman, on July 19,
2009. They were married March 29, 1952.
He is survived by two sons, Robert E. Huffman and his wife Joanna and Allen C. Huffman and his
wife Michael Ann, all of Salem; three grandchildren, Patrick R. Huffman and his wife Jonna of
Beckley, Joseph L. Huffman and his wife Andrea of Salem, and Marcus A. Huffman of Salem; six
great-grandchildren, Leela, Sawyer, Emma, Kyler, Sadie, and Jackson Huffman; and a brother,
Edward Lloyd Huffman and his wife Angeline, East View.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Euel Henry
Huffman and George Hartzell Huffman.
His younger days were spent attending East View Grade School, Broadway Jr. High School, and
he graduated from R-W High School in 1948. After high school he went to work at Hinkle Brothers
Machine and Fabrication Shop.
On August 14, 1951, he entered the U.S. Army, studying missile guidance systems. While
assigned to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, he assisted German scientist Dr. Wernher Von
Braun as a motion projector operator showing reels of V-2 Rocket launches. Returning to civilian
life, he went back to Hinkle Brothers Machine Shop as a machinist.
While at Hinkle Bros. he was shop foreman and general manager of the welding and fabrication
department for 13 years. In 1977 he left Hinkle Bros. and went into his self-owned business in
Stonewood known as Universal Sales Machining and Fabrication. He retired in 1995 from
Universal Sales as vice president.
During the '50s, '60s and '70s, he enjoyed camping in the mountains above Elkins with his many
friends and family. Each summer when his sons were growing up, they would spend two weeks in
Groveland, FL, at his uncle's and fish the lake behind the house. After retiring in 1995 with his
wonderful wife Gladys, they spent 13 years in Zephyrhills, FL, through the winter months. After
the passing of Gladys he still spent the winters there.
Michael Paul Riffle, 59, of Suds Run Road, departed this life and went to his heavenly home
when he heard Jesus tenderly call his name on Monday, April 9, 2012.
Michael was born on May 18, 1952, the son of David J. Riffle and the late Vola Lea Riffle Landes.
He graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School and served in the United States Marine Corps
as a Basic Supply and Operator man. He received a Rifle Badge for Marksmanship and the
National Defense Service Medal. Michael was from a strong military family. His late brother,
Dusty Riffle, served in Vietnam in 1968; his father served in the Marines, Special Services and
Korean Conflict; along with his younger brother, Jimmy, serving his country in Grenada in the
United States Army as a paratrooper.
Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Vola L. Landes, a daughter, Jamie Lee Riffle, an
older brother, "Dusty" Riffle, two nephews, Jeremy Vanhorn and Martin Waybright, and on Feb. 7,
2012, he lost his loving companion, Jemella Christopherson.
Surviving and who he made his home with are his stepmother, Shirley Riffle, and his father, David
J. Riffle of Suds Run Road; two daughters, Heather Riffle, Fairmont, WV, Tiffany Riffle, South
Carolina; and one son, Michael David, South Carolina. He leaves behind six grandchildren and
two great-grandchildren; five sisters, Melody Waybright, Misty Fleming, Meecha Duty, Tammy
Shaw and Kissy Riffle.
Michael enjoyed helping people and never met a stranger. He loved cooking and spending time
at his camper in the country with his cousin, Chauncey Swiger.
KELLY L. "OLLIE" BLACKWELL
Kelly L. "Ollie" Blackwell, 61, of Bridgeport, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at his residence.
He was born in Clarksburg on May 22, 1950, a son of Margaret Pittman Blackwell, who survives
in Bridgeport, and the late William S. "Sam" Blackwell.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, William T. "Cork" Blackwell and his wife
Karen, Bridgeport; his sister, Barbara Jo Blackwell, Alexandria, VA; and several aunts, uncles
and cousins.
Ollie was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, Class of 1968. He had worked at St. Mary's
Hospital in the engineering department, and started his career at the Bridgeport Fire Department
on May 6, 1971. He served as chief from September 1, 1984, until his retirement on June 30,
2005. Following his retirement, he then worked in the Emergency Services division and also parttime
for Alfred Construction.
An avid golfer, he was a member of Sunny Croft Country Club, American Legion Post 68, and he
was a board member of the South Eastern Fire Chiefs Association. He was also a member of
Bridgeport Baptist Church.
HELEN C. MICHAEL MILLER
Helen C. Michael Miller, 86, of Clarksburg, passed away on April 7, 2012, at her home.
Helen was born in Clarksburg, a daughter of the late Thomas and Adele Heroui Michael of
Clarksburg.
Her husband, Robert Paul Miller preceded her in death in 2001.
Surviving are four children, Nancy (and Dr. James Blair) Hill of Bridgeport, Susan (and James)
Freeman of Lost Creek, Robert Michael Miller of Clarksburg, and Mary Elizabeth (and John)
Stenger of Lost Creek; 11 grandchildren; as well as two great-grandchildren.
Helen had seven siblings who preceded her.
Helen graduated from Washington Irving High School, Class of 1943. After graduation, she
worked at Robert's Hardware. She married and settled down into domestic life. In 1967, she
rejoined the work force as an employee at Wholesale Tire.
