THE WI NEWSLETTER 05/13



THE WI NEWSLETTER


Editor: Roleta Smith Meredith Issue 165 May 2013






GUESS WHO????

CUB SCOUTS



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jim sent identifications of those pictured and a few nice comments. I think the statements were funny (but true) about the camera that Bruce Gordon used.

Roleta, I know one thing, these are Broad Oaks guys. I recognize most of them but only remember the names of few.. Cliff Judy, Ron Talkington, maybe Charles Judy, Don Douglas, David Horner, and Chester Rogers. Guessing on a few but I will bet anything they are all Broad Oaks guys. I was in the Cub Scouts but that must not have been the group I was in.

A great newsletter this month! I keep saying that every month but it is the truth. You, Judy, and Bill do a great job. Bruce did a super job with the pictures from Sarasota. I wish he had a better camera. The camera he had made some of us look old and fat. LOL. But you know what? Who cares, it was a wonderful time.



submitted by: Cliff Judy (WI '54)

All attended Alta Vista Grade School, Central JHS and graduated from WI. I ran across this photo a few days ago and thought it might be a nice addition to the Newsletter.

All rows will be IDed from left to right: Front Row, Walter Lanham, Jerry Scholl, Sonny Hurst; Middle row, Cliff Judy, Buddy Coffendaffer, Ron Talkington; Back row, Ronald Gainer. Bill Scholl, Charles Judy. As far as I know, all are still living with the exception of both Scholl boys and Ron Talkington. There was an age spread of 3 or 4 years within this group.

Mrs. Scholl was our den mother and this photo was taken on and around the swing on their front porch. The Scholls were such a great family and their two boys passed on far too early in their lives.

I hope you will find a place to use this photo.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I love this picture of these innocent little boys. Several of these boys were readers of the newsletter. I was a Cub Scout Den Mother…I loved doing it. I was a Brownie Scout leader too.

NOTE TO READERS: If you have any pictures we can use in the newsletter, I would appreciate it if you would share them with us. To do so, contact Judy at jkimler@frontier.com or roleta1@aol.com. Thank you.


CORRECTION

DANCE RECITAL PICTURE

submitted by: Judy Holden Cork (WI '60)

Hi Roleta,

In April's newsletter there was a picture of Mitsy Lane dancers submitted by Sherry Hutchison Keith and I was listed as one of the dancers. It is neither me nor my sister Linda (I asked her). It's no big deal, but just thought you should know.

As always, thanks for the terrific job you do putting together the newsletter.



MORE ABOUT DANCING CLASSES IN CLARKSBURG

submitted by: Colleen Luzader Holliday (WI ’61)

Thank you so much for keeping all of us informed. You work so diligently to keep us up to date and many of us, like me, do not take the time to let you know how much we appreciate your efforts. As we become more "silver", the newsletter has become even more meaningful to each of us.

I have a short article about "More Dancing in Clarksburg Dance Studios" and two old pictures. Sherry Hutchinson Keith's article tickled the "old dancing memories". Her article brought about some memories and a little searching on my part. The search revealed a couple of old pictures to share with you that might bring a little chuckle from the readers.

Of the women in the Robinson Grand photo, Melinda Goodwin, Linda Graves and myself are 1961 WI graduates. Connie Leasburg was a year or two behind us at WI. She died several years ago of cancer. I have only vague recollections of the schools attended by Kaye Gum, Linda Leonard, Carole Nath (she might have been WI too), Barbara Beasi, Sharon Martin, Neva Jo Morrison and Ann Frances (she, probably attended WI).

Thanks for helping me retrieve the memories I had almost forgotten. My daughter got a big kick out of the pictures.

IIf you have any information about any of the dancers pictured below, please write to Roleta1@aol.com Thanks





Above is a picture of Colleen and she wants to know if anyone recognizes the old building in the background




DO YOU QUILT? DID ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY QUILT?
SHARE A PICTURE OF YOUR QUILT AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOBBY OR THE QUILT

To kick off the subject, here is a note and picture:
submitted by: Brooke Beall (ND '58)

You, Bill, and Judy have done another great job with the Newsletter this month. All my notices have been sent and even got a thank you back from several on my list. But I digress. As I read the Newsletter and saw the picture of the quilt that was raffled off at the picnic I decided to send you a picture of my quilt. My wife, Judy, has been retired for two years now and has taken up several hobbies. One of which is quilting. I have attached a picture of the quilt she made for me. If you look closely you can see that she quilted my initials into the fabric of the quilt. FBB. I don’t know why she had it hanging outside, maybe to take the picture.





CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESS

Sara Stephenson Laber (WI '55) glaber@centurylink.net
Jim Rogers (WI '64) jprogers46@gmail.com
Angelique Wheelock (WI '88) brigantu@me.com
Joy Gregorie DeFazio (WI '59) joy41941@frontier.com or
joy@hackerscreek.com




MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A MICRO-WAVE

submitted by: Ron Harvey (WI '55)

I attended WVU starting the fall of 1955. WVU had a Greater Mountaineer Weekend. So, about 1955 or 1956, there was a display of a Micro-Wave at the Weekend in the Engineering Building. It was very simple and was in a room where the public could stand a distance from the device and watch it work. The display model was a cheese sandwich which melted the cheese but did not burn the bread. The working part of the device was two plates about eight inch square separated enough for the sandwich to fit between them. The plates were energized with a high frequency and the cheese did melt and the bread did not burn. Crude, but it worked.



LEAVING OR STAYING IN WEST VIRGINIA?


Did you leave or stay in West Virginia after you finished your schooling? Tell us which you did and why?

Or did you leave West Virginia and return after retirement? Tell us why?

Write to: Roleta1@al.com.

Here are a few more letters on this subject. I hope to run this every month. Now everyone should write because you either stayed or you left.



submitted by: Dorothy Ann Hughes Shaffer (WI '52)

As my husband graduated from Fairmont State College in 1957 the theme song seemed to be "Cross Over the Bridge" as teaching positions paid very little in WV. We first moved to Ohio then later moved on to Michigan.

Living and raising our family in Michigan has been a real joy. Both working and playing here has been a real blessing in our lives. Yet all the time we have also maintained a love affair with the Hills and have been regular visitors to our "Home State." For many years there was the dream of moving back. After my husband got into school administration we thought of going back and again when he received a call to teach in a college in WV but each time the drop in pay just didn't make it for us. When we were much younger we dreamed of moving back after we retired but then began to realize that we have really become a part of where we live.

Do I miss it? You bet! I guess I have always been a little jealous of the classmates that are able to get together regularly. That has to be a fun part of life for them. But I don't miss it enough to give up my life here in West Michigan. Plus we now have our kids and grandkids to enjoy here too.

We still hope to get to the Saratoga Reunion at some time but I also feel a connection through the Newsletter. Roleta, what a wonderful brainstorm you had when you came up with this!! Each month I think "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you", then I seem to come up flat on anything to write about myself. This idea hit home for me so thanks again for pulling a response out of me. I hope you guys can keep up the good work as I'm sure there are also a lot of other people that look forward to the Newsletter.

REPLY FROM THE EDITOR: Well, now that you broke the ice and wrote, you see it didn’t hurt a bit did it? So I hope you will write again and write about anything. We love to read memories from Clarksburg area people.



submitted by: Rich Newbrough (BHS '55)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter is very interesting. Love how “Take Me Home Country Roads” became a popular song at a Canadian university!!!!! We learn something every day don’t we?

Thanks for the recent newsletter especially abut the reunion in Florida. You are to be commended for your work on it as well as the newsletter which provides so much info on so many of our friends back home. In keeping with the "leaving West Virginia" theme, I think, in a word, it is "opportunity". Many of my classmates at Fairmont State left for higher paying teaching jobs in the bordering states, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia to name a few. The salaries were one to two thousand dollars higher which was a princely sum in those days.

I along with Fred Nichols, Tuffy Knight and Don Smith decided to head north into Canada to a small Lutheran university with an enrollment of 1,500 and here we stayed. For over 40 years, we devoted ourselves to university athletics and saw the enrollment rise to over 17,000 as well as gaining solid reputation within university athletics . Championships in men and women's athletics were many on the provincial and national levels and some of our athletes won acclaim on the international scene including the winter Olympics .

And like many others who left our state, we look forward to return visits to our roots-family, relatives, close friends and our heritage. And when we return to Canada, the car is laden with the "goodies" only found in the Clarksburg area-pepperoni rolls, pepperoni and hot dog sauce. After our retirements we sold WV hot dogs at the football games; one older gentleman ate 5 dogs! We turned over $5,000. to the football team that year. Be assured, everyone who left the state misses it very much in their own special memories. "You can take the kid out of West Virginia, but you can't take West Virginia out of the kid." Tom Brokaw wrote about the "greatest generation" which was really about our fathers, uncles, etc of those of us who went through schools in the fifties. I strongly believe that we are the "luckiest generation". Just about every home had a black and white television, we grew up with Elvis and rock and roll, drive-ins, pizza ,beer at 50 cents a quart and my tuition at Fairmont was $42.50 per semester. Most importantly we went through life in an ideal time. I don't envy the high school teachers of today and consider my self fortunate to reared during our era. We have been blessed.

John Denver's Country Roads is played as our football team comes out of the tunnel and the roadway leading into the stadium is named Country Roads Lane, tributes to West Virginia and the four grads who came north. We have never forgotten our roots and never will!



WHY I LEFT WEST VIRGINIA AND WHAT HAPPENED SINCE

submitted by: Carl Lyon (WI '42)

My cousin, Jack Lyon (WI 1943), and I graduated from WV Wesleyan in 1949. We were never approached by any job recruiters and I don’t think there were any who came to Wesleyan then. Perhaps we didn’t look hard enough but we didn’t see any see any bright prospects for a future in Clarksburg. So we packed everything we owned in his 1931 model a Ford and took off for Washington, D.C. We enrolled at American University to get a Master’s Degree. We worked in parking lots and garages during the off hours form classes and also drove an evening star newspaper truck in DC dropping off papers at pickup sites for kids to deliver.

Jack pursued the rapidly growing parking business and became president and part owner of PMI, the largest parking business in DC. One can’t travel around DC without seeing many PMI bright signs on parking garages and facilities. He was a primary force in its development and phenomenal success. At one time he was president of the National Parking Association as well. When no firms bid on a PMI proposed office building calling for use of a new technology he formed Lyon Construction Company which built it. It was one of the largest office buildings in DC. Later, with a partner, he formed the Excavation and Construction Company and built many miles of the Interstate Highway System. Now he has business interests in Texas and Maryland, New England and Delaware. Although 88 years old, he stays busy managing his various businesses and investments. Together with an ex-Washington Redskin, he founded and manages the Excel Institute in Washington which is a non profit school to teach people (many with a troubled past) to become auto mechanics. They have graduated several hundred certified mechanics, most of whom are employed. Much of his time is spent promoting the school. He married Eleanor Williams, a Victory Cheerleader and they divide their living time among Washington, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Marco Island, Florida. They have 2 sons. Jack’s brother, Henry Lyon and sister Midge Lyon Toley (my cousins) are long time loved and respected leaders in Bridgeport and Clarksburg where they have lived their entire lives. When I was writing my master’s thesis I interviewed a vice president of the Association of American Railroads. Later, he offered me a job in the Operating Department of the Association and I became a car service gent. I decided to go to law school because that is what I really wanted to do. I graduated from George Washington Law School in 1959. The best job offer I had was to become an attorney for the Association of American Railroads. During the next 10 years, I handled national cases involving railroad rates and various regulations before the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Maritime Administration, the decisions of many of which ended up before Federal Courts of Appeals where I also headed up the railroad counsel involved. I was “on the brief” in three cases before the Supreme Court and filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court on my own in a criminal case I handled as pro bono counsel. The petition was denied.

When President Nixon was elected I was appointed Deputy Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, a position I held for 2-1/2 years. After one year the administrator resigned and I was appointed acting administrator, a position I held for the next year and a half. During that period, my staff did much of the work in developing the plan and legislation that created Amtrak. Along with transportation secretary John Volpe, I testified numerous times in getting the Amtrak bill passed. I returned to the association as General Solicitor and after four years was appointed to become its senior vice president, a position I held for 5 years.

I loved my work at the association but was recruited with an offer I could not refuse by Itel Corporation, at that time one of the largest computer and transportation equipment leasing companies in the world. So I became vice president and government counsel for Itel. I held that position for several years until they went bankrupt. (Some of my humorous friends said, “You really turned that company around.” But really, folks, it was not my doing. With a nice retainer from the bankrupt estate of Itel I went into private practice for the next 10 years. Other clients included 12 regional railroads.

Among other activities were 4 years as a member of the Fairfax County, Virginia School Board, 7 years as a member of the George Mason University Board of Visitors; and 18 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan, the last 5 years as chairman. My wife of 63 years, Billy, is a graduate of Buckhannon Upshur High School and W V Wesleyan. We have 5 sons and a foster daughter. My brother, Cecil, (WI 1941) died of heart failure several years ago. My sister, Jane (WI 1938) retired from the General Adjustment Bureau and lives in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you for telling us about your very interesting family. I certainly enjoyed learning about what happened after you and your cousin left WV.



FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BEGINNERS CLASS 1938

submitted by: Cliff Judy (WI '54)


Roleta,

I came across a picture that is really special and interesting. My family was members of the First Methodist Church in Clarksburg and I have a picture of the church's beginners class (40 kids) taken on the church steps, dated March 20, 1938. Several of the kids in the picture graduated from WI and/or possibly other schools in the city. I am in the picture and 1 1/2 years old. The expressions on the kids' faces are hilarious. Not many happy looking folks! All the kids' names are listed. The picture first appeared in the Clarksburg Telegram newspaper.




ANNOUNCEMENT

PLANS FOR THE 25TH REUNION
FOR
WI CLASS OF 1988
PLEASE READ AND RESPOND

submitted by: Angel Wheelock (WI '88)
brigantu@me.com

I am organizing the 25th Reunion of WI Class of 88. Could you please share the following on your newsletter list?

Plans for a 25th Reunion of WI Class of ’88 are underway! For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/WIHSClassOf198825thReunion

If you are a part of the 1988 graduating class, please log on to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSSRM3S and take the reunion survey. For more information, please contact Angel Wheelock at brigantu@me.com or 240-460-6312



LUNCH AT SCHOOL


From Suggestion #5 -When you were in high school did you go home for lunch, if not, where did you go?

Again for all readers. I don’t think that any high school had a lunch program, did yours?

EDITOR’S NOTE: A clever new boy to Bridgeport High school makes his way at lunch time! A very good story.

Thanks: Mayf Nutter (Bridgeport High School)

Greetings from California, Roleta.

Thought I'd answer one of the suggested questions that you posted in the Newsletter. This is from your suggestion #5..... about where we ate lunch.

Bridgeport High School did not have a lunch program during my years there. Also...BHS housed 7th Grade through 12th in that red brick building atop the hill across Route 50 just one street South from the Stock Yards.

We brought our lunches into the gym, which was in the basement, and long before air conditioning.

The boys sat in the bleachers on one side of the gym floor and the girls on the other. There was always a teacher or two present to make sure things stayed that way.

I was the new kid in 7th grade when I arrived from Fairmont just before Christmas 1953. Lunchtime was kinda lonely for me until the day I brought my first spaghetti sandwich to school.

When the boys sitting close-by saw "spaghetti in a sandwich?!" they laughed and laughed.

Other boys hopped down from higher rows in the bleachers to see what was causing such a funny fuss.

I told them that spaghetti sandwiches were my favorite kind. That set of a chorus of fake vomit attacks and not a few "bad words" to describe what "that new kid" was eating and what it must taste like.

To that..........I proudly showed them how my Mom always cut my sandwiches so neatly from corner-to-corner...making two equal triangles.

I just took another bite and told them it was really good.
More fake barfing and laughing.

Every day after that, guys would want to sit wherever I was sitting just to see what strange thing I may had brought for my lunch that day.

On my next "Spaghetti Sandwich Day"... our side of the gym was a swarm of guys elbowing their way to get close to me for more teasing and laughing and joking.

This time I picked out one of the most enthusiastic jibe-sters and offered him a bite of my sandwich.

I'll not quote him here, but he was -in effect- saying, "Nooo way!".

I asked the big burley guy, "You're on the football team aren't cha?"
He nodded that he was.

I took another bite and -looking out across the gym floor said, "Lemme know when you get tuff enough to eat a spaghetti sandwich with me and I'll have Momma make an extra one for you."

Then I just ignored the frivolity and calmly enjoyed my spaghetti sandwich and dill pickle.

Every day from then on a group of guys gathered around me at lunchtime with a different attitude. They were friendly and offered me treats from their own brown bags, etc.

The next time my favorite sandwich showed up in my lunch bag, one of my regular lunch buddies asked if he could try a bite. I faked some hesitation, but gave him a triangle half.

He looked at it for a long minute, then back to me as I was smiling and savoring the flavor of my half of the sandwich.

Cautiously, slowly, suspiciously he took a small taste.
His face swung quickly in my direction.
He took a bigger bite.
He was chewing faster now.
He was nodding and humming, "Mmmmm. Mmm!...mmmm".

From that day on....I was offered everything from store bought oatmeal cookies in a wrapper, to cup cakes, apples, bananas, pepperoni rolls, and cash for a triangle of Mrs. Nutter's famous Spaghetti Sandwiches.

And that's how I first became accepted as "one of the guys" at Bridgeport High School.

What's that old adage about, "The way to a man's heart?"



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

I remember taking "brown bag lunches" to school some days, but I think that most of the time, I walked home with some of the other kids that lived on Broaddus Avenue for lunch, since it was not that far of a walk (or so it seemed at that time). Now, I cannot imagine walking from WI to Broaddus Avenue, and I think that one time I actually measured the distance and it was less than a mile. When I did "brown bag it", it seems to me that we had lunch in one of the classrooms, as there was not a cafeteria in the school.



submitted by: Roleta Smith Meredith
Roleta1@aol.com

I started attending school most days when I was 5 years old as my father was principal of Wolf Summit Grade School. Officially of course I started school at the age of 6 but I only lived a few doors away from the school and the first grade teacher would often ask if I could come and help in the classroom…(that is what I was told). You see many kids couldn’t even put on their own coats, leggings, boots, etc in the first grade, I could so I helped. I would often sit in on some classes. Anyway, Wolf Summit was a 3 room school. First and second grades were taught by Miss Davis. Mrs. Flannigan taught third and fourth grades. The fifth and sixth grades were taught by the principal. I think that by the time I started school that my father was no longer there but I can’t remember the principal’s name.

Besides having only 3 rooms, there was what I remember as a large dining room and kitchen and I think 2 or 3 hired ladies who cooked and cleaned. And boy, could they cook. We had delicious hot meals every day. I don’t think anyone went home for lunch.

We also had a large playground at Wolf Summit.

However, in October of my 5th grade year, we moved to Clarksburg and I attended Morgan Grade School. NO PLAYGROUND! NO LUNCH ROOM! I missed those lunches….. If you didn’t live close to the school, you had to carry a sack lunch and eat in one of the classrooms overseen by Mr. Sheets, principal only---he didn’t teach any classes and even had a separate office. We ate our lunch, he entertained us and then we got to play dodge ball in the basement (? Gym?) The gym wasn’t very big and had a very low ceiling but I had fun. In warmer weather, I sometimes walked home for lunch but it was a long fast walk.

When I went to junior high school, I can remember trying to go home on the bus for lunch but found out there just wasn’t time. So I am sure I took a bag lunch but I don’t remember where I ate it.

At WI the lunch room was one of the classrooms on the first floor. I think I ate in there once. None of my friends were in there-----so I brought my lunch, left school and walked down the hill with people and ate my lunch while walking and then we looked around in the stores downtown until it was time to get back to school. Sometimes some of us would have a little change and we would go to a lunch counter or one of the hangouts and have a coke or maybe but seldom buy a sandwich.

Today my granddaughters when younger catch a school bus right in front of their house to go to a huge school about a quarter of a mile from home or a 15 minute walk….and they have a lunch room but the food is terrible…It isn’t home cooked like it was when I was in Wolf Summit Grade School.



By: Bill Meredith


The following article by Mickey Furfari, appeared in The Fairmont Times/West Virginian and several other state newspapers. Many of you will recognize the subject of the article, Jim Warren, as one of the best basketball players ever to play at Washington Irving HS.

SHOOTING ACCURACY, COACHING---WARREN’S LEGACY

By: Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN—Jim Warren, a Clarksburg native, was one of the sharpest shooters in the history of men’s basketball at West Virginia University.

That’s what I remembered most about this 6-foot-2, 175-pound forward who played three years of varsity competition as a Mountaineer in 1957-58, 1958-59, and 1959-60.

The legendary Jerry West was among his teammates. West recently was named as one of the top 10 greatest players ever to play the game in U.S. basketball history.

Warren, who now lives in Jeffersonton, Va., finally earned starter status as a senior in 1959-60 after having seen very little action as a sophomore and junior. But he played in 42 games, 31 as a starting forward.

He averaged 19.7 minutes per game, shot 49.8 percent from the field (150-301), cashed 41 of 49 free throws (83.7 percent) and scored 341 points—an average of 8.1 points per game.

An All-State star as a senior on an undefeated team at Washington Irving High in Clarksburg, he contributed to varying degrees to WVU records of 26-2, 29-5 and 26-5. All three seasons extended to six consecutive trips to the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

The late Fred Schaus was the head coach during that string, and he guided his teams to an NCAA-record 44 consecutive conference regular-season victories.

“I really enjoyed playing for Fred Schaus,” said Warren, who’s now 74. “He was really a good guy and a great coach. I was very fortunate The Good Lord was looking down on me!

“My senior year I was not scheduled to get a uniform for the away games and we scrimmaged a team from the Quantico Marines. Jay Jacobs of Morgantown High and I got into that scrimmage with two or three minutes to go.

“I stole the ball and hit a couple of shots and Fred decided to play an extra period. And I think I made 19 of 20 shots. It was something like that against the Quantico Marines. “And from that time on I was a starter!”

Warren, who averaged 10.5 p.p.g. as a senior, tallied a career-high 25 points in an 85- 81 victory over Villanova on Jan. 16, 1960. His 12 field goals and 18 attempts also were personal highs.

He also recalls an 82-72 win over Virginia Tech in 1960. Jerry West fouled out and Warren helped fill the gap to clinch that Southern Conference crown in the league tourney finals.

Jim Warren, who retired in 2011, had an absolutely remarkable career as a head coach in basketball for an amazing 48 years in Virginia high school ranks. He also taught school for 31 of those years.

If you add his three years as a coach in AAU ball, it lengthens his longevity to an unheard- of 51 years. Could that be some sort of record for a WVU graduate with a degree in physical education?

Warren is so proud to have played with West. “How many people can say they played with one of the very best ever!” he exclaimed.

He thought he scored about 20 points in that memorable post-season win over Virginia Tech.

Jim and wife Tannis will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 3, 2013.

She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth and also has a degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Richmond.

Mrs. Warren is a pharmacist.

They have three grown children: Cathy, 46; Keith, 44; and Jamie, 40. There also are five grandchildren.



GREATEST PLAY IN BASEBALL ???

Bill Jackson, W I Class of 1943, sent me what is ranked as one of the top 100 events in baseball history. Do you remember when it happened? Do you think it would happen today?

To see it, click on the link below.

http://agencypages.net/AgencyPages/11-52/




Thanks to Fred Alvaro, W I 1959, for sending me the link below, which shows the official WVU Fan Shirt, as voted on by Mountaineer fans everywhere. It looks like a good choice to me, as I never tire of seeing the "Old Gold and Blue", although today's gold is not the same as it was in the "Old" days.

http://fanshirt.wvu.edu/




SOME MEMORIES AND PLAYING BASKETBALL

I read the WI Newsletter regularly and greatly admire the devotion and effort put out by you, Judy and Bill. You work so hard to make it a success.

I graduated from Morgan School, Central Junior High School and WI in 1942. I was always very fond of my teachers, bordering on love, right up through high school.

Seeing the picture of my first grade teacher, Miss Lucy Thomas, in the April newsletter reminded me that on one occasion she gave me a spanking, which I deserved. When I got home after school, I received another spanking from my mother. In those days parents supported and respected teachers.

I was fascinated by the stories about Bob Jackson in the April issue. I knew him and his brother, Jake, well. We always called Bob by his unusual nickname and when I started reading the story, I, at first, wondered if it was the same person. Everybody had a nickname. Mine was “BLUE”. It stayed with me all through my 3 years in the Navy and my years in college.

While at WI we played a lot of church league and neighborhood basketball at the local gyms of Christ Episcopal Parish House, Enraw Apartment building and Kelly Miller High School. We could not invite the Kelly Miller players to play at our gyms and that was sad.

Like Bob Jackson, I did not play basketball for WI. I was too small and not good enough. In my sophomore year, I went out for the WI team and practiced with the reserve team every night, all season, under Coach Tony Folio. I never once got to suit up for a game and was so discouraged and humbled that I didn’t go out for the team as a junior or senior,

In the Navy I played for the Navy team at the University of Chicago and on our ship’s team at Pearl Harbor, while it was in dry dock for repairs after the end of World War II.

My cousin, Jack Lyon, who played at Tulane during his Navy service, and I enrolled at West Virginia Wesleyan, where we were starters for three years under Coach Cebe Ross. In our first year (1946-1947) we were runner-up in the state tournament.

Our arch perennial rival was Morris Harvey whose stars were George King and Sonny Moran. George was one of the first to master the one handed push shot and later played pro ball for Syracuse.

When I grew up, I became a lawyer and represented railroads and related industries in Washington, D.C. In the early years lawyers were respected and becoming a new lawyer was a warm and satisfying experience. Unfortunately that has changed and we are now the butt of almost everyone’s jokes, some of which are very funny.

Carl V. Lyon, W I 1942

Reply To Carl:

Roleta forwarded your interesting letter to me. We agreed that it belonged in the Sports Section of the Newsletter.

I can't say that I ever really admired any of my teachers, but the older I get, the more respect I have for them. I enjoyed sharing their knowledge and admired their efforts to prepare us for "the real world". However, I did have one friend, who loved one of her teachers so much, that she married him after graduation.

Your story about basketball is quite unique. Not many players get a chance to play college basketball, without first starring in high school. I think that may have been a sign of the times, since most young men entered the service right out of high school. By the time they returned home, they were men, not young boys. They had seen the real world and many suffered terrible hardships in the war. Your playing time in the service must have helped you hone your game, because playing for Cebe Ross at Wesleyan was a pretty big deal. It must have given you a great deal of satisfaction.

You are correct in your assessment of lawyers in today's world. The public's perception of them has certainly changed in our lifetime. Perhaps, if so many of them hadn't gone into politics, that wouldn't have happened.

Regardless, you can be very proud that you are another West Virginia boy, who has made a difference in the world. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Bill (billmere@aol.com)



NOT DOG DAYS, BUT CLOSE

As we head into May, we are nearing what I call the "Dog Days of Sports". The NBA is into their playoffs, but who cares? I may watch a little of the finals in June, but that's all. The NHL is also nearing their playoffs and unless my Blue Jackets slip into the Stanley Cup chase, that won't interest me, either. Baseball is a month into their l-o-n-g season and some of those games could rate a look.

Several things have happened in the last month. As expected, three players on the WVU basketball team left the program. I'm surprised there weren't more. Huggins still has a couple of scholarships available, so we may see more names added to the incoming player list.

The WVU football team held it's Spring Game and, also, as expected, didn't show much. I feel that they really need the help of the new recruits and the coaches seem to agree with me. One interesting development is the chance that Clint Trickett, who is leaving the Florida State program, might transfer to WVU. He would be eligible this fall and would add much needed experience to the QB position. I hope he comes. He is not the stud we need, but could really help this year.

By the time you read this, you'll know where Geno Smith will be playing his NFL ball. I was surprised that he didn't go in the first round, but not too much. There were mixed reviews out there on him and the teams that need a QB must have felt they didn't want to spend a first round pick to get him. It was nice to see the Rams trade up to get Tavon Austin. I can't wait to see if he can thrill the NFL crowds like he did the fans in Morgantown.

Remember, we need your letters to make the Sports Section work. Send your thoughts and comments on any sport's subject to me (Bill) at billmere@aol.com.



GUESS WHO



Do you recognize these 3 little boys? Send your guesses to Roleta Roleta1@aol.com. Remember to add a memory and include your name, school and year of graduation. thanks




WHERE DID YOU GO ON DATES IN CLARKSBURG?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Come on, everyone dated. You must remember when and where you dated. I am not asking you to discuss with whom you dated, unless you want to.

HOW CAN I GET YOU TO WRITE AND SHARE A MEMORY WITH US?

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com

Here is one letter of response :

submitted by: Bill Meredith (Monongah HS '57)

My wife (Roleta Smith Meredith) and I dated from the spring of 1958 until we married. When in Clarksburg, we went mainly to three places, the Green Parrot and Ellis Drive-In near Bridgeport and Friend's, which was on USR 50 east of Bridgeport.

The Green Parrot had dancing and you could buy "set-ups" if you cared to drink alcohol. Friend's was a quiet place, that sold beer (About $1,00 per quart) and had a jukebox for dancing music. We liked it because it was seldom crowded and there was plenty of room to dance. Of course, the Ellis was the nearest Drive-In movie and was convenient to all of our other "spots". Over the years, I missed many good movies there.

After Roleta started college at Fairmont State, we went to either the Starlite or Twilight Drive-In movies near Fairmont. For dancing and other partying we liked the Say-Boy Restaurant and Melody Manor in town or The Mill Club on USR 19 near Enterprise. The Say-Boy was not too far from campus and near where I lived, plus it had good food. The Melody Manor and Mill Club were frequented by several of our high school and college friends, which made them the ideal places to go.

On the rare occasion when Roleta came to Morgantown to see me at WVU, it was always on a weekend, so we usually made a stop at my fraternity house, after going to one of the local spots.

The one thing I most remember is the fact that wherever we went, it had to be reasonably priced, since neither of us had much spending money. What we would spend for an entire evening, wouldn't buy a small meal today. Many times, drinks consisted of a quart of beer with a coke and straw for Roleta. Oh, how times have changed. But you know what? I wouldn't change anything, even if I could. We learned the value of money and it has served us well for over 55 years.




submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

The WHERES of my dating "back in the days" included The Robinson Grand Theater, Ellis Drive- In, VFW for dances, Bridgeport Civic Center for dancing, Parkette on Bridgeport during intermission from the Bridgeport Civic Center.

The WHENS of my dating "back in the days" were primarily in the 1959 - 1961 era, but I do remember my first date was much earlier than that. I went to a Halloween Party with a girl that was dressed up as a princess and I was dressed up as a pirate; I remember her telling her mother that she did not want to go because of my "costume" versus hers. I think that we did go and had a good time. My earliest date was with a girl that I have stayed in contact with over the past years as she was classmate of mine, by the name of Nancy. I do not remember where we went, but I remember picking her up at her apartment where she lived with her parents at the corner of Mulberry and Chestnut Streets.

The WHOS of my dating "back in the days", were "ladies" by the names of Sonnie, Edith, Barbara (2), Linda, Mary Gaile, Vicki, Dorothy, Nancy (2) and Patty. I figure that there were others, but these are the ones that come to mind being the most "serious" dates. I have not included their last names, as some of them are readers of your newsletter.



WILLOW BEACH

submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

Yes, I went to Willow Beach a "few" times. I believe it was the place we went on Sun nights.

"Catfish" Aiello was the owner or manager of the place. I remember Bobby Cathers was the bouncer for a while. The price to get in, if I remember, was $1.00. Bobby saw that everyone paid. Bobby also made sure that fights were broken up immediately. I was fortunate; I did not have to pay because I did a job for "Catfish". No, not that kind of job. I owned a welding school at that time and "Catfish" needed a floor welded in one of his coal trucks. So I traded him out. So I saved at least $4.00 a month and "Catfish" got a new floor in his coal dump truck. It is amazing, with all the people they let in and the dance floor overhung over the river, that someone didn't have to replace the dance floor. We had a great time and it was more convenient than the drives to the Fairmont places. I know I went to Willow Beach with several friends I am currently in contact with, and several of those have been to the Sarasota picnic / reunion. They should respond but don't have to tell "everything" they know.

I guess the most frequented place I took a date was probably Green Parrot. You could bring your drink in a brown bag, which had to be placed under the table. You could purchase a bowl of ice for about 30 cents and a coke for about a dime. So, for 1/2 pint of your favorite spirit $1.75, a bowl of ice for about 30 cents, and a coke, you could go out "on the town" for under $3.00. Now with gas at around 25 cents, you can add another quarter or so.

There were other places in the Bridgeport area such as Friends Place, Airport Tavern, and Little Rock. Many in the Fairmont area but I won't go into those. We had a lot to do back then. I wonder where the kids go now to have the fun we had in Clarksburg and surrounding areas back in the ' 50s.



submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

#2 on the list of suggestions for discussion: The only thing that I can remember about Willow Beach is that my family used to go there for baseball games. I know that there was a restaurant/bar/whatever, but I do not ever remember eating there.

ANOTHER GOOD NEWSLETTER, and I hope you keep them coming.









APRIL MYSTERY PICTURE


NOTE FROM JUDY: In my files this picture was labeled "army nat guard" and that is the answer I was expecting. I didn't know it had so many other occupants.

submitted by: Ron Harvey (WI '55)

This was a Christian TV Station on West Pike Street across from Kroger Supermarket. It was Channel 46 WLYJ (We Love You Jesus). My Brother-in- Law's mother was a Counselor at the station.



submitted by: Willard “Bud” Wheelock (WI '60)

The building that was shown as Fox 46 was on Pike Street just below my home on Glendale Avenue. It served several purposes over the years. In 1948 when Preston Tucker introduced the first really new car on the market, this served as a prospective dealership. I remember seeing a black Tucker torpedo sitting in front of the building. After the Tucker enterprise sadly failed, the building served as a National Guard armory. They had two Sherman tanks garaged in there, that they brought out when we still had Armistice Day parades. Not sure what was in there after they moved to the new armory on Rt. 19. I do remember that I and my neighbor kids on Glendale Avenue sometimes got on the roof and threw water balloons down onto Pike Street.



submitted by: Jim Alvaro (WI '56)

I remember in that area was Wilson Motor Company, Hartland Plaining Mill, and White and Bailey Glass. And I am thinking much earlier, there may have been a Fire Station close by. Across from there now, is Kroger and near Kroger was Red Head Gas, which was the cheaper gas at that time, probably 24 cents per gallon.

I enjoy the trivia pictures. That starts me thinking, which I seldom do lately.



submitted by: Bob Kramer (WI '65)

This was used as an Army Reserve or National Guard warehouse. I think they had Army tanks in the building and used it for monthly meetings.



submitted by: Wayne White (WI '60)

This was the former Christian network in Clarksburg...The founder was Joe Rose and they had Christian programs from big named Pastors and Ptl and Trinity broadcasting. I worked there as a counselor along with other churches in this area, We had shifts to work as afternoon for 6 hours or evening 6 till 11pm. Jack Kincade was the person in charge of this outreach; It was a sad day when they closed up as lack of funding was the source of the closer. It was a great out reach for the shut ins that were unable to go to church as they received thru the TV ministry



submitted by: Mary Adams Hood (WI '42)

The picture in May Newsletter is located across from Kroger store on West Pike St. In the early 30’s my father (A.W. Adams) and his 2 brothers had a furniture store there. On the 2nd floor was rugs piled kind of high. My 2 sisters and I would play on them. Other businesses have been in that building but one I recall most was Craig Motor Parts. They later moved to a building on East Pike St. below the Enraw Building. I am not sure but think the structure in the picture was called Pritchard Building. Enjoy your newsletter and appreciate the hard work it takes.



MAY MYSTERY PICTURE


If you would like to guess the identification of the picture above, please write to Roleta1@aol.com. Remember to add a memory and include your name, school and year of graduation. thanks



THE 2013 WASHINGTON IRVING NEWSLETTER SCHOLARSHIP QUILT

THE WINNER

submitted by: Bob Hall (WI '56)


We decided to hang our prize in the entry foyer. We had to move several items to get wall space. The quilt is approximately 88" x 88" and fits our queen size bed. It was a little small for the king size. It will be more visible where we hung it rather than hid away on a bed. I'm really happy with it.

Thanks again for all you do. I've already thanked Mary Sue for drawing my name.







REMEMBERING CLARKSBURG IN THE 1940’S AND 1950’S

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Cooper wrote several pages of his memories of Clarksburg. I know that you will enjoy reading them as much as I have; therefore, I have cut this into installments. This is the first one and I will put one in each of the next few months until we have his entire booklet” of memories.

Thank you, John for writing these memories down and sharing them with us. I wish each of you would do the same so we could print your slant on these important times in our lives. Write your memories to: Roleta1@aol.com.

submitted by: John Cooper (WI '51)

First installment:

Downtown Clarksburg in the 1930’s-1940’s –early 1950’s was a busy place and this was all way before the “Mall Era.” On Friday and Saturdays and especially at night the downtown was crowded with Harrison County citizens who were in town for a fun experience shopping and having a good time.

Actually people came from Lewis, Doddridge, Upshur, Barbour counties as well as many other and the town would swell with the crowds on the side walks and jammed in the stores.

Into early 1950’s Main Street offered the “5 and 10cent store” and at that time you could find many worthwhile bargains. Woolworth, Grants, Kreskes, McCrory and then there was Murphy’s. The G. C. Murphy store was everyone’s favorite. Pappy Flynn, long time manager was a great public relations person for his store. He seemed to know every customer and they knew him. I remember going to Towers School on December 8, 1941, the morning after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.

Walking thru Trader’s Alley behind Murphy’s, I saw Pappy Flynn who was throwing out all the toys and items marked “Made in Japan” into the trash bins. I only wish I would have grabbed some.

I remember during this time that my dad and uncle were Air Raid Wardens. They wore arm bands and would go thru our neighborhood at night to be sure everyone had turned out their light. A plane flew overhead and reported any sightings of lights of any kind.

Everyone was into the war scrap drives and school kids were let out of school one afternoon each week to collect scrap metal, rubber and paper. I could go on another 15 to 20 minutes to tell you the funny and weird items people gave us. Metal items were rough to find in stores. Plastic became the substitute, especially in toys. I went by the counter with shiny lead soldiers at Woolworths. I saw them but even though I wanted to buy all of them, knowing that they would no longer be made, I passed up the chance. That bothered me so much that two days went by and I returned to the store and all of the lead soldiers were gone. I asked the clerk what happened to them. She told me that they were re-called by the district manager in Pittsburgh. Oh sure, I thought, and he got to them before I did.

Going to the movies---The movie houses were always crowded. Lines to buy tickets on week-ends were common. Teenagers, guys with their girlfriends were forced to sit in the balcony and we liked that best. A break after the main feature with a special short film on buying War Stamps and War Bonds to help our World War II yanks. As you left the theater, a volunteer was standing there to sell you war savings stamps or bonds. I remember a “Lassie” movie that was admission free if you bought a war bond or some stamps to start filling out a “War Bond Book”.

NOTE FROM ROLETA: Make sure you read the newsletter next month for more memories from John.



JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CAUSE YOU TO REMEMBER---NOW THINK THEN WRITE AND SHARE YOUR MEMORIES

1-When was the first time you saw a microwave or tell us about your first microwave.

2-Did you ever go to Willow Beach? Write and tell us about it.

3-When you went on a date, what night spot did you frequent most often? Tell us where it was, why you liked it better and
What years did you go there and with whom?
This is for anyone no matter what high school in Harrison County you attended!!!!

4-Where did you go most often after high school classes were over in the afternoon? If you ate there what was your favorite thing to eat?
This is for all readers---no matter what high school you attended.

5-When you were in high school did you go home for lunch, if not, where did you go?
Again for all readers. I don’t think that any high school had a lunch program, did yours?

6- Have you kept in touch with any of your high school friends? Who and do you still live close?

7- Why did you stay in Clarksburg or Why did you leave Clarksburg after graduating from High School? Where did you move to?

Write to: Roleta1@aol.com and share your memories.

I like to share any memories, I only give suggestions in order to make it easier to remember something special. You remember it, you write it and share it. Afterall, there aren’t too many current things in the newsletter…..this one is just full of memories.

SEND PICTURES We love pictures…Contact me at Roleta1@aol.com and find out where to send your pictures.



DID YOU HAVE AN ANCESTOR WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR?

WRITE AND TELL US YOUR STORY.

WRITE Roleta1@aol.com

Here is a story to kick this off, now let us hear from you:

submitted by: J.R. "Bob" McNutt (WI '55)

Roleta - In keeping with your request to keep W.Va in mind during the 150th anniversary of our Civil War, you might be interested in knowing how close Clarksburg came to being the site of a significant battle.

After the battles of Philippi and Rich Mountain in 1861, the area of Virginia west of the Allegheny Mountains was occupied by widely dispersed Union troops, leaving the civilians at the mercy of partisan, bushwhackers and outlaws. In late April and early May, 1863 the Confederates mounted a raid across the mountains to disrupt the B&O railroad, steal livestock, gain recruits and possibly regain some of their lost territory. The raid, lead by Gen. William "Grumble" Jones and Gen. John Imboden, contained about 3500 troops, many from the area. These included the 25th Va. Infantry in which my great grandfather, Capt James M. Berry served.

The trek over the mountains was a nightmare, with rain, sleet and snow making the roads a muddy morass. They defeated a small Union garrison at Beverly and moved on to Buckhannon and Weston where they held parades and were presented a flag by the ladies of the town. As Clarksburg had a large store of supplies as well as railroad bridges to burn, plans were made to attack it on May 3. However, during the time that the Rebels were parading, relaxing and playing baseball, the Yankees had reinforced Clarksburg. Imboden decided to go south towards Summerville and thence back to the Shenandoah Valley. He returned with 5000 head of cattle and 1200 horses and left behind many burned bridges and villages, as well as incensed citizens with long memories. He gained some new recruits, but lost as many deserters who decided to stay home.

The only remnants of Clarksburg's near encounter with battle are the trenches on Lowndes' Hill and even they were disappearing in the 1950s.



WHERE DID YOU GO AFTER SCHOOL?

In high school many people who attended WI went to someplace in downtown Clarksburg to have a snack and visit with friends before catching the city bus or walking home. If you attended WI, where did you go after classes were over?

Victory, RW, Bridgeport, ND, Lumberport, Salem, and other schools---where did you hang out after school or did you go straight home?

submitted by: John Teter (WI '61)

One thing that I remember doing after school was either going downtown and hanging out around Hagen's Ice Cream parlor, even though I do not remember actually ever getting any ice cream. Probably because I never had much money. This and either going to baseball practice after school, or football practice, or going home and hanging out with some of my friends on Broaddus Avenue.



DON AND KITTY SAGER


Taken last Friday nite at a party here in our new residence………………sorry we weren’t at Phillippi’s……don



W I FOOTBALL MOTHERS

submitted by: Cliff Judy (WI '54)

I recall a few months ago you were seeking information about the football mothers club and the concession stand at Hite Field.

My mother is the lady with the white shoes and was president of the Mother’s club for a few years. The lady in the white blouse next to my Mom is Mrs Grow, Ronald Grow's mother. I think this picture was taken at the WI-Victory football game in 1953.

Sadly, I can't ID the others. Probably some of your newsletter readers can provide names--I hope so! I'll be on the lookout for more items of interest. : -) DO you RECOGNIZE anyone in the picture below? If you do, please write and tell us the name, I will publish the names in next month’s newsletter….

Thank you….write to Roleta1@aol.com.





OBITUARIES

JOAN M. ELDER
(WIFE OF PAT ELDER (ND 1957)

ELDER, Joan M. on the 18th day of April, 2013, Joan was escorted by the Holy Spirit to her eternal dwelling place.

Joan, 71, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July, 25, 1941. She was a member of St. Angela Catholic Church and graduated from Fairview Park High School in 1959 in Cleveland. Afterward, Joan went to St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Dayton, Ohio and graduated as an R.N. in 1962.

During nurse's training, Joan met Patrick Elder who was in Civil engineering at the University of Dayton and they married November 24, 1962 in Cleveland and they lived their lives in Dayton where they just celebrated their Golden 50th Anniversary on November 24, 2012.

Joan was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian (Burza) Kovach and her father, Samuel Kovach, both from Cleveland, Ohio.

Joan is survived by her husband, Patrick, and their three children: daughter, Holly Elder Jackson Sellers and husband, Tom Sellers and their children, Lacey Jackson, Carly Jackson Arnett, Grant Sellers, Aram and (Shasta) Beam, and two great grandchildren; son, John P. Elder and wife SueLynn (Tieman) and their children Robert, Samuel, and Gregory Elder, all of Tipp City, Ohio; son, James P. Elder of Atlanta, Georgia; Joan's two brothers, Robert Kovach and wife Shirley and their 7 children, Ed Kovach and wife Mary and their two sons, all of Cleveland, Ohio; brother-in-law Jonathan Elder and wife Mary and their three children of Clarksburg, West Virginia, and sister-in-law Caren Connell and husband Robert of Simpsonville, South Carolina and three sons.

A large number of University of Dayton students married nurses from St. E's and remain to this day a family to Joan and Pat, as do the high school classes of both. Joan worked as an R.N. at Fairview Park Hospital in Cleveland and at Dayton Hospitals St. Elizabeth and Good Samaritan; and at Montgomery County Developmental Center and at Siena and Brookhaven Homes for elderly patients.

In 1992 Joan and Pat started a construction company, PAE & Associates, Inc. and Joan was the corporate secretary of the corporation for 20 years. Joan was a member of the Riverdale Optimist "Opti-mrs" Club for over 20 years and served as distinguished President.

Joan and Pat loved to camp and travel. She loved Grand Lake St. Mary's where they visited and lived part time for over 40 years.. She was a member of St. Paul Parish in Englewood, Ohio. She often attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at the Lake in Montezuma, Ohio. Joan battled ovarian cancer for five years and she will be forever missed by all of us

Excerpts from April 26, 2013 Obituary in Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio



ALLEN DALE NUTTER

Allen Dale Nutter, 50, of Nutter Fort, passed away on April 8, 2013, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.

He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on December 25, 1962, a son of the late Barbara Ambrose Nutter and Clifford A. Nutter and stepmother Lynne who resides in Clarksburg.

Also surviving are his son, Devin Michael Nutter of Fairmont; his brother, Rodney Nutter and family of Westminster, MD; his sister, Mary Beth Tourbin and family of Leesburg, VA; and his stepsister, Margo Rhodes of Clarksburg.

In addition to his mother, Allen was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, H. Dale and Ruth Nutter and his maternal grandparents, Allen M. and Marie Ambrose.

Allen was a 1981 graduate of Liberty High School and a 1987 graduate of WVU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While attending West Virginia University he was a trumpet player in the “Pride of WV” marching band.



LES PAUL MAYSE, JR.

Les Paul Mayse Jr., 62, of Clarksburg, passed away at his residence on April 10, 2013. He was born in Clarksburg, WV, on July 1, 1950, a son of the late Paul Mayse and Thelma Wright Mayse Colburn.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rose Oliverio Mayse.

Also surviving are four children, Tessa Mayse, Kelly Mayse and Lindsey Mayse, all of West Palm Beach, FL, and Ryan Mayse of Clarksburg, WV; three grandchildren, Elijah Paul Gillium, Matthew Ryan Paul Mayse and Josiah Paul Cobos; two sisters, Paula Harvey and husband Dave of Pennsylvania and Brenda Oliverio and husband Jim of Nutter Fort, WV; one brother, Bernie Mayse of Morgantown, WV; along with several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Mayse was preceded in death by one sister, Linda Martino.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1968, where he was an all-state basketball player. He retired after 35 years as a gas analyst for Dominion.



PAUL MURRAY WHITMAN

Paul Murray Whitman, 103 of Lawman Avenue, Bridgeport, WV, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at Meadowview Manor, Bridgeport, WV.

He was born July 4, 1909, the son of the late Jacob and Mary Murray Whiteman.

He is survived by his wife Ellenor Lawson Whiteman. They had celebrated 83 years of marriage.

Mr. Whiteman is also survived by a son, Richard Whiteman and his wife Susie of Bridgeport, WV; a daughter, Sue Moninger and husband Duane of Santee, SC; three grandsons, Richard Paul Whiteman and wife Robbi of Bridgeport, Daniel Whiteman and his wife Diane of Bridgeport and Greg Moninger and his wife Nancy of Charlotte, NC; and great-grandchildren, Matthew Whiteman, Tyler Whiteman, Shelby Whiteman, Courtney Newlon, Amy Cleghorn and Jeff Foster.

Mr. Whiteman was a 1927 graduate of Bridgeport Union High School and later graduated from West Virginia Business College. He was well known in the community as a custom home contractor.



THERESA “DAISY” MANCINA DIAZ

Mrs. Theresa “Daisy” Mancina Diaz, age 85, passed away on April 17, 2013, at her residence.

She was the daughter of the late John Mancina and Bessie Scott Mancina.

Surviving are her husband, George R. “Spik” Diaz, whom she married in 1949; a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Catherine Mancina; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty (Mancina) and Andrew Banko, and Delana (Mancina) and Maurice Snyder; a brother-in-law, Carlo “Al” Cassalinuova; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Diaz was also preceded in death by a sister, Anna (Mancina) Cassalinuova.

Mrs. Diaz was Catholic by faith and a member of St. James Catholic Church in Clarksburg, WV. She was also a member and past president of the Altar Rosary Society of the church. She was a graduate of the old Victory High School — Class of 1945. She had been employed at Maidenform for over 32 years and had also worked at Beverage Distributors.



WILLIAM GOULD THOMAS

William Gould “Bill” Thomas, 80, passed away unexpectedly April 13, 2013. Born in Fairmont and raised in Clarksburg, WV, he graduated from Washinton Irving in1950 and then he graduated from Princeton University, Class of 1954, where he was a member of the Nassoons. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Akron in 1967. A member of The Bath Church, U.C.C. and Rotary, he retired from B.F. Goodrich Co. and GoJo Industries.

Preceded in death by his wife, Lou Anne (nee Wallick), he is survived by his sons, Stephen A. (Monika Brandrup-Thomas) and John S. (Kidist Getachew); granddaughters, Meredith Thomas, Beatrice Thomas and Claudia Hauge; brother, Dr. John Thomas (Page); and numerous nieces and nephews



WILLIAM STEPHEN STROGEN

William Stephen “Bill” Strogen, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 22, 2013. He was born May 2, 1937, in Clarksburg, WV, the son of the late Martin S. Strogen and Mary Yankowski Strogen.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary Jane Strogen.

Also surviving are four children, William Brian Strogen and wife Rebecca and their two children, Megan and Garrett of Morgantown, WV, Edward Strogen and wife Sharon and their two children, Emily and Joshua of Bridgeport, WV, Melinda Strogen Pomp and husband Kris Pomp and their two children, Kayla and Karli Pomp of Fairmont, WV, and Sherri Strogen Heinze and her daughter, Jenna Heinze of Morgantown, WV.

Mr. Strogen is also survived by four brothers, Charles Strogen and wife Patricia of Rollingsford, New Hampshire, Paul Strogen and wife Karen of Clarksburg, WV, Robert Strogen and wife Elizabeth of Gonic, New Hampshire, and Martin Strogen and wife Cathy of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania; a brother-in-law, John Snodgrass and wife Jean of Port Charlotte, Florida; and sister-in-law, Frances Snodgrass of Concord, Ohio; a dear aunt, Helen Mihaliak of Stonewood, WV; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

William was a graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Class of 1955. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Stonewood, WV for 65 years and presently a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Grafton, WV. He worked at the PPG Glass Factory in Stonewood, WV, for 19 years and retired from the Harrison County School Board

Obituaries are excerpts taken from the obituaries in The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram.





Newsletter Archive

Back to WI Index