Monongah High Lions

                               JOHN FLOYD SPATAFORE Floyd Spatafore passes away   John Floyd Spatafore of Fairmont passed away Tuesday, December 26. He was married to Francine Lee Amuso Spatafore for 62 years. Floyd’s parents were another Floyd Spatafore and Anna Fazzini Spatafore, Class of 1933, who passed away in 2008 while living in Stoney Lonesome, up the hill from the United Mine Workers building in Monongah that was near Pepsi Meffe’s service station. Floyd and Francine’s children are Jennifer Tritle of Springfield, Ohio, married to Gerald Tritle, and Samuel Spatafore of Roundrock, Texas, married to Kathryn Spatafore. Floyd’s sisters are Maryanna Pizatella of Columbus, Ohio, and Cindy Toothman of Monongah, married to John Toothman. Floyd and Francine have 5 grandchildren. Floyd graduated from the Biblical Life College and Seminary, worked for the Department of Defense till his 1993 retirement and was a United Methodist pastor, licensed mental health counselor who

                      SALLY WOOD TARLEY                   A ROUSING TOAST TO A MOST AMAZING WOMAN           Catching up with Sally Wood Tarley   After persistent prodding by me Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959, provided me details on one the most amazing lives by a Lion! Sally taught freshman and junior English at Monongah High (1966-69)/ Then became an instructor at Fairmont State College, where she studied business and education on an academic scholarship, with a one-year contract that became a 34-year career (1972-2002) after Sally got her masters degree in education from WVU.   Sally married in 1961 to Marco Tarley and moved to Glenville, where she finished her degree -- in English and Business Principles – at Glenville College. While having TWO children?   That was son Ty and daughter MaryLynn. Six years later she had another son, Jay.   Ty passed away in 2008.   Jay lives in Fairmont and works at National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.  

              THESE FOUR MAKE EVERY DAY CHRISTMAS FOR ME!!!!                    A FAMILY THAT KNOWS HOW TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS Lions everywhere roar out: Merry Christmas!!!   Merry Christmas to Lions everywhere!   I hope you enjoyed Christmas with your families as I did.   25 of us gathered at the home of my younger daughter, Monnie Ann Olesky Johnston.   They came from Wisconsin and South Carolina to enjoy each other’s company.   It was the first time that my constant live-in companion, Joan, ever witnessed the Olesky gathering. She was overwhelmed.   The stars of the Christmas Eve, as usual, are my great-grandchildren: Reyna, Dawson, Eliza, Eloise. Sitting at the tiny children’s plastic picnic table to eat dinner was precious.   Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the jewels in our crown. They have non-stop motors and run and jump and shout and play till they drop off to sleep. Before the world tells them not to have so much fun in life, whi

          KYLEE SIGLEY, JOHN OLESKY RHIANNON VANMETER, KYLEE'S SISTER Monongah man meets Monongah woman in Ohio restaurant     Dining at Danny Boys in Tallmadge, Ohio and ran into a hostess from Monongah! Small world!   Her name is Kylee Sigley . She was wearing a red shirt that said “Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal.” That caught my attention.  So I had my lady friend, Joan, take our photo.   Her sister is Rhiannon Vanmeter, a North Marion High graduate living in Monongah.     Rhiannon is the title of a song written by Stevie Nicks and recorded by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Full title of the song is “Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win),” which Nicks labeled “a song about an old Welsh witch.” Mick Fleetwood, drummer and band co-founder, called Stevie Nicks’ treatment of Rhiannon “an exorcism.” Nicks got the Rhiannon name from a Mary Bartlet Leader novel, “Triad.” It’s about a woman named Branwen possessed by a witch named Rhiannon. Bo

  Jay Holman survives son's passing & respiratory attack Jay Holman, Class of 1971, tells a fascinating story of dealing with the passing of his son, Michael, and weathered the infection terror that strikes fear into all of us: “John, I finally turned corner a couple of days ago. Cousin Murphy came by after (son) Michael’s funeral and I felt bad, had all the signs -- eyes red, cough, chills, lost taste -- took the test and under 5 minutes popped up positive about 2-3 days later. “Margaret got it. I can not take Paxlovid due to my underlying condition kidney. Doctor said it would do more damage than good so I had to ride it out. “I was fortunate that I had all my shots plus flu. I am thankful that I am ready to transition to the other side 3 days later. “Margaret also was positive but we are both doing well and on the mend. “I would like to thank Sue (Sanders) for checking on me. As I have said before without a doubt the Class of 1971 is hard to beat. I was truly fortunate to sp

          BOB AND SHERRY MYERS COLANERO BURIAL JANUARY 12 Bob and Sherry Myers Colanero burial January 12   Bob Colanero, Class of 1960 passed away December 11 and his widow, Sherry Myers Colanero,   passes away two days later.   They will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with military honors on January 12, 2024. I missed it but Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, who lives in Behoboth Beach, Delaware, sent me the sad news, posting “So much sadness in the world.” Jim served in the Air Force for 23 years. His grandfather, Carroll Currey, owned the hotel, bank and movie theater in Monongah, all in the same block. Carroll also had a car dealership on 7th street in Fairmont. Bob’s sister, Judith Nicola Colanero, predeceased Bob. Another sibling, Danny Colanero, lies in North Carolina with wife Linda. Judy’s brother, Paul Colanero, passed away in Georgia. Their parents were Nick Colanero and Julia Tasillo Colanero. Other Colaneros at Monongah High included Paulette Lynn Co

                   2012 LIONS REUNION IN PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA Reservations for as many as THIRTEEN at February Lions Reunion in Sarasota, Florida So far it looks there will be as many as THIRTEEN at the February Pride of Lions Reunion of Monongah High graduates and their spouses or companions. If you want to join email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com (to avoid hackers on Facebook, etc.) in February in Sarasota (time and day to be determined later when we find out when we can get the most Lions there). Or call John Olesky at (330) 388-4466. Don’’t wait till the last minute!   John Olesky, Class of 1950

                  OTIS "SARGE" SHAVER AT 94 WITH GRANDDAUGHTER RACHAEL SHAVER Kudos to Otis ‘Sarge’ Shaver, 94 years old!!!   Otis Shaver, Class of 1948, reached his 94 th birthday this year.   Otis’ sister, the Rev. Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Shaver Wycoff, was 82 in 2014 when she still was living on the old home place at the Shaver Farm.   Jim Shaver is their brother.   Tom Dean, Class of 1949, who lives in Altavista, Virginia, is a good friend and classmate of Jim.   Sarge recalled for me a while back:   “ I attended Monongah Grade School grads 5   through 8 and then Monongah High.   "In 1952 I purchased my 1st new Ford from George Hall in Shinnston.   “As a lad I met Rome Lawson. I went to MHS with his grandson, Dr. William “Bill” Lawson. We were in the MHS Band.   "The late retired Major Carrol Laswell, Bill & myself were regulars during our Monongah High days at the Tropea store. We had a bag lunch-sometime we had the money

  Want to join February 2024 Lions Reunion in Florida?   John Olesky, Class of 1950, and Bill Meredith, Class of 1957, if enough people show up, are planning a Monongah High Alumni Reunion in February (date to be determined depending on how many respond and which date would draw the most people). If you would attend a Lions Reunion in Florida in February in the Saraota area, please email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com with Your name MHS graduation year Which city you will be in Florida in February Your phone number.   I will contact everyone when we see how many would show up. Bill will determine the restaurant location, hopefully with a private room so that only Lions will be in the room. It might be our Last Hurrah! Let John and Bill know if there’s enough interest. In 2012 there were 8 Lions and their companions at a Lions Reunion in Florida.   The 2012 Monongah High Florida Reunion was attended by Bill Meredith, Class of 1957 Leo Kubiet, Class of