Eleanor Sloan Smiers, 93, of Peacock Lane, Fairmont, formerly of Fairview, passed away Aug. 29, 2021, at Fazio’s Eldercare after a two-year residency. Born Oct. 23, 1927, in Grant Town, she was the daughter of Joseph Smierzchalski Smiers and Monie Eleanor Jones. She was the granddaughter of Peter and Bogustwova (Urbaniak) Smierzchalski, of Duvramuckra, Poland, and of Creed Mansfield Collins Jones and Ella Salome Collins, natives of Pennsboro, Richie County.
A brother, Walter Creed Smiers, of Fairmont, preceded her in death Dec. 13, 1987; a sister, Ila Josephine (Smiers) Shaw, of Buckhannon, on Dec 22, 2011; a sister, Wanda Marie (Smiers) Owens, of Mount Morris, Pa. on May 30, 1990; an infant sister in 1930; a nephew, James Walter Shaw, on Jan. 18, 1992; a nephew, John Douglas Owens, on April 8, 2011; and a nephew, Joe Nelson Shaw, Jan. 8, 2017. Also preceding her in death are brothers-in-law, Robert Clelland Owens and Burl Novil Shaw; and sister-in-law, Frances Astrino Smiers. At her request, in the hope that she might help others, her body has been gifted to the Human Gift Registry at West Virginia University.
She is survived by nephews, Richard Lynn Smiers and wife Sharon Sue, of Fairmont, David Walter Smiers, of Fairmont, Mark Duane Owens and wife Cynthia Ann, of Kernersville, N.C.; and by nieces, Monie Jo (Smiers) Mugnano, of Fairmont, Nancy Sue (Smiers) and husband Joseph Anthony Romeo, of Mount Morris, Pa., and Beatrice Kay (Shaw) and husband Eric Burnside, of Buckhannon.
She is survived by great-nephews: Ryan Nelson O’Neal Shaw, Robert Joseph (Owens) Fletcher, Robert Benjamin Owens, Mattio James Mugnano Jr., Michael Joseph Mugnano, Mark Daniel Owens, Brian Joseph Smiers, Joshua Alan Burnside, Robert Adam Burnside and Joseph Anthony Romeo Jr.; and 11 great-great-nephews.
She is survived by great-nieces: Kimberly Dawn (Shaw) Oliver, Samantha Jo Smiers, Jennifer Marie (Smiers) Hutson, Virginia Pearl (Burnside) Croaff, Jamie Lyn (Mugnano) Wright and Rachel Renea (Romeo) Puccio; and
10 great-great-nieces.
Born in Grant Town, she was a lifelong resident of Marion County. She attended the Grant Town School, graduated from Fairview High School and Fairmont State college. She completed graduate work at George Peabody University in Tennessee, Greeley State college in Colorado and West Virginia University.
Eleanor served as mayor of Fairview for two years and was a recipient of the Mary Sturm award. As president of the Fairview Library Committee, she was instrumental in securing Fairview a public library. She was a member of the Fairview Women’s Club, where she served three years as president. She has served as a Girl Scout leader and as a volunteer worker for Cancer, Heart and United Way campaigns. In 1995 she moved to Peacock Lane in Fairmont, where she enjoyed lawn decorating, especially for Christmas and Halloween. Her destination home was referred to as the “Witches House,” where on Halloween, you would encounter Eleanor sharing “witches brew” with children from far and wide.
She was the assistant superintendent of Asbury Methodist Church, Sunday school teacher, chairman of the Bible School and has been president of the United Methodist Women. She adopted a stretch of highway for the anti-littering campaign which she served single handedly.
A leader in educational circles, she was named reading teacher of the year in 1980 and served as president of the local unit of the National Reading Association. She was a charter member of Mu chapter of the teachers’ international honorary of Alpha Delta Kappa, serving as the sorority president for two years. In Marion County, she taught in Baxter, Barrickville, Grant Town and Fairview schools. She also spent one year teaching in Hanau, Germany. After retiring from the Marion County Schools in 1981, she returned to Hanau, Germany to finish her teaching career.
She was an avid golfer, obtaining six holes-in-one, and was also an international skier. She was a member of the Tygart Lake golf club in Grafton. She traveled extensively, visiting all the countries of Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She kept active in church and community activities helping with the food pantry, serving as a driver for the American Cancer Society and reaching out in service to her neighbors, friends and family.
The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave. in Fairmont, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. The memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, with Pastor Larry Buckland officiating.
Condolences:
www.domicofh.com
