Breaking News

Anniversaries

Graciks Celebrate Golden

Mike and Annie Gracik of McMechen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 5. They were united in marriage June 5, 1971, at St. James Church, McMechen, by Father Daily. Bill and Debby Barnes served as their best man and maid of honor. They will be celebrating their golden Sept. 11. Annie Gracik is the daughter of the late Elzie and Dessie Whitlatch. Mike Gracik is the son of the late Florian and Josephine Gracik. He is a retired conductor for the CSX Railroad and the former Mayor of McMechen. They are the parents of a son, Brendan (Erica), of Morgantown, and one ...

Castilows Mark 60th

Al and Kitty Castilow will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, June 10. Born and raised in Wheeling, the couple lived in Glendale for 23 years before moving to Summerville, S.C. Al is a 1959 graduate of Wheeling College, and Kitty Freismuth graduated from the Wheeling Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. They were united in marriage at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on June 10, 1961 with the Rev. Philip Freeland officiating the ceremony. Al and Kitty reside in Charlotte, N.C. near their children, Kathy and husband Dave Fogle, Russ Castilow and wife Anna. A ...

Couple Celebrating 40 Years

John S. Kovalchie III and Christina Kovalchie were united in marriage on May 16, 1981, at St. James Lutheran Church in Wheeling. The couple resides in Bethlehem. John is the son of the late John Kovalchie Jr. and the late Frances Kovalchie. Christina is retired from Kroger with 31 years of service. Over the years they traveled mostly to Las Vegas, where they made many friends. On their 30th anniversary, their friends Darryl and Lisa Kahapea, who reside in Henderson, Nevada, gave them their most precious gift of a little Shui and Yorkie terrier named Annie. Annie was named after ...

Couple Celebrates 60 Years

The children of Wallace Duane and Carol Heck happily announced their parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. W. Duane Heck and Carol Ann Lewis were married on May 6, 1961 at The First Presbyterian Church in Follansbee. The late Rev. John Bates officiated the ceremony. Duane retired as a diesel-electric railroad engineer after 33 years. Carol retired from REM of WV, with the highest honor of “The Ripple Award” after 29 years of service. They have two children, Becky (Heck) Raineri of Follansbee and Doug Heck of Woodstock, Ga. They have five beautiful grandchildren, Ryan ...

Holpps Celebrate 50th

Robert L. Holpp and Mary P. Golein were united in marriage on May 8, 1971 at St. Vincent Church. Robert is retired from Hermann Strauss. Mary is a homemaker. They have four children: Dave (Cheryl) Holpp of Columbus, Ohio; Deborah (Mark) Slater of Triadelphia; Donna (Brian) Creighton of Triadelphia; and Robert W. Holpp of Triadelphia.

Battistas Celebrate 40th

Mark and Vickey Battista of Benwood are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. They were married April 25, 1981 at St. James Catholic Church. Vickey is the daughter of Patty Carney and the late Frank Carney of Moundsville. She recently retired as the executive director of the Benwood-McMechen Housing Authority. Mark is the son of the late Columbus and Connie Battista of Benwood. He is a retired UPS driver. They are the parents of two daughters. The family includes Caity and her husband, Eric, of Moundsville and Jenna of Moundsville. They recently welcomed a ...