Pictured are members of the Wetzel County Board of Education along with several of the recent retirees who were honored with a reception and token of appreciation at the board meeting held June 6. (Photo by Miranda Stokes)

Twenty retired employees were honored at the Wetzel County Board of Education meeting held at the county office on Monday night with a retiree reception prior to the meeting. They were also recognized during the meeting and given a token of appreciation from the board. Notably, this year’s retirees hold a combined 610 years of experience.

Norma (Jeanie) Deem, Linda P. Hill, Susan M. Hill, Madonna (Sue) Morgan, Wilma L. Ornduff, Robert W. (Bob) Ripley, Shirley E. Ritchea, Myron J. Seese II, and George G. (Butch) Wilson were present at the reception and meeting while honorees Beverly A. Cisar, Rae (Nadine) Coen, Marikay (Casey) Corliss, Glenda J. Hinerman, Joan E. Kerns, Melinda (Jyl) Kinkade, Linda (Diane) Lemasters, Raymond L. Pribble, Nancy J. Shewmake, JoEllen Snider, and Linda K. Wildman were recognized, but unable to attend.

The board sincerely thanked those honored for their years of service.

Also honored Monday evening was Wetzel County Superintendent Bill Jones, who retires from his position for a second time at the end of the school year. “What a distinct honor and pleasure it’s been,” Jones said. “I couldn’t be happier to once again retire from doing something I never thought I’d get to do. What great people to work for,” he said whole heartedly.

The following are brief overviews outlining the dedicated work of the 20 county school employees recognized during the June 6 board meeting:

Beverly A. Cisar is retiring as a special education teacher at Magnolia High School with 24 years of experience. Bev began teaching at Magnolia High School in 1972. She left Wetzel County Schools and worked for several years as RESA 6 in Wheeling until 1996. She returned to Magnolia High School in 1999 to teach special education.

Rae (Nadine) Coen is retiring as a social studies teacher at Valley High School with 14 years of experience. Nadine began substitute teaching for Wetzel County Schools in 1991 and began teaching English at Valley High School in 1994.

Marikay (Casey) Corliss retired as a sixth grade teacher at Paden City Elementary School in December with 32 years of experience. Casey began teaching at Steelton Grade School in 1972 and moved into New Martinsville School in 1977. She resigned in 1981 and returned to Paden City Elementary School in 1988.

Norma (Jeanie) Deem is retiring as librarian at New Martinsville School with 34 years of experience. Jeanie began working for Wetzel County Schools in 1976 and moved into New Martinsville School in 1977 as the librarian. With the exception of a three-year absence for family reasons, she has worked as the librarian at New Martinsville School.

Linda P. Hill is retiring as a fifth grade teacher at New Martinsville School with 39 years of experience. Linda began teaching in Wetzel County in 1972 at Paden City Elementary School. In 1972 she transferred to Steelton Grade School and in 1977 moved into New Martinsville School where she also taught home economics along with being an elementary teacher.

Susan M. Hill is retiring as a Parents as Teachers coordinator with 40 years of experience. Susie began teaching in Wetzel County in 1970 at Hundred Grade School and remained there until 1976 when she was transferred to Burton Elementary School. In 1978 she began teaching at Long Drain School and was there until 1991 when she began working for the Title I, Parents as Teachers program.

Glenda J. Hinerman is retiring as a special education aide at Long Drain School with 31 years of experience. Glenda began working as an aide at Short Line School in 1979. She remained at Short Line School until 1995. Glenda has also worked at New Martinsville School as an aide.

Joan E. Kerns is retiring as a special education teacher at Valley High School with nine years of experience. Joan began her teaching career in Wetzel County in 2003 as a special education teacher at Hundred High School and transferred to Valley High School in 2007.

Melinda (Jyl) Kinkade is retiring as a secretary at Short Line School with 23 years of experience. Jyl began working as a school secretary at Short Line School starting in 1989 and has been there ever since.

Linda (Diane) Lemasters retired as a home economics teacher at Magnolia, Paden City, and Valley High Schools in January with 18 years of experience. Diane began teaching in Wetzel County in 1991 as a home economics teacher at Paden City High School. She later transferred to Valley High School and later began teaching home economics at three different high schools.

Madonna (Sue) Morgan is retiring as a science teacher at Short Line School with 39 years of experience. Sue began teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Short Line School in 1987 after working several years in Ohio County as an elementary teacher. Sue has remained at Short Line School during her entire career in Wetzel County.

Wilma L. Ornduff retired in January as a classroom aide at Hundred High School with 31 years of experience. Wilma began working as kindergarten aide in 1980 at Long Drain School and remained there until 1992 when she began working at Hundred High School as a media assistant where she remained until her retirement.

Raymond L. Pribble is retiring as a bus operator with 29 years of experience. Ray has driven many school bus routes over his 29-year career and is retiring as special needs bus operator for the New Martinsville area.

Robert W. (Bob) Ripley is retiring as a driver education teacher at Magnolia High School with 37 years of experience. Bob began teaching special education in Wetzel County in 1974 at Central Elementary School and remained there until 1977 when he moved to New Martinsville School. Bob worked at both New Martinsville School and Magnolia High School during the 1979-1980 school year and transferred to a full time position at Magnolia High School in 1980 where he taught special education and then later driver education. Bob is a longtime coach at Magnolia High School where he has coached boys basketball and football. Bob is going to continue as an assistant football coach at Magnolia High School after his retirement.

Shirley E. Ritchea retired in December as a cook at New Martinsville School with 36 years of experience. Shirley began cooking for Wetzel County Schools at Central Grade School in 1975 and moved to New Martinsville School in 1977. Shirley remained a cook at New Martinsville School for the next 33 years.

Myron J. Seese II retired this past September as a social studies teacher at Hundred High School with 36 years of experience. Myron began teaching at Hundred High School in 1976 after teaching for two years at Wadestown in Monongalia County. Myron taught social studies for the next 34 years at Hundred High School where he also coached football, boys basketball, and baseball. Myron was the first athletic director hired at Hundred High School and in Wetzel County. He just recently resigned as athletic director at Hundred High School.

Nancy J. Shewmake retired this past September as a custodian at Short Line School with 28 years of experience. Nancy began working for Wetzel County Schools as a bus operator in 1982. Nancy continued to drive school buses in Wetzel County until 1999 when she became a custodian at New Martinsville School. In 2003 she spent one year at Hundred High School before transferring back to New Martinsville School. In 2005 Nancy transferred to a custodial position at Magnolia High School before moving to Short Line School in 2008.

JoEllen Snider is retiring as a fifth grade teacher at New Martinsville School with 36 years of experience. JoEllen began teaching in 1972 as a music teacher at Sheffield Lake, Ohio. She later taught grade school at Barr Elementary School in Sheffield Lake until she resigned in 1977. She began teaching in Wetzel County Schools in 1980 as an elementary teacher at Short Line School. She later transferred in 1982 to Long Drain School where she taught for the next 28 years until moving to New Martinsville School in 2010.

Linda K. Wildman retired last November as a mathematics teacher at Valley High School with 38 years of experience. Linda began teaching mathematics at Valley High School in 1972. She remained a math teacher at Valley High School until 1979 when she was transferred to Short Line School. Linda remained at Short Line School until 1984 when she returned to Valley High School.

George G. (Butch) Wilson is retiring as a reading teacher at New Martinsville School with 36 years of experience. Butch began teaching at Central Grade School in 1975 and moved to New Martinsville School in 1977 where he has remained a reading teacher.