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Nancy Catherine (Kennedy) Mayle was born on June 29, 1891 in the Webster community of Taylor County, WV, the son of Josiah and Ruth Ann (Minerd) Kennedy Sr.

In about 1910, when she was age 19 and he 21, Nancy was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with farmer Charles Elihu Mayle (1890-1964), the son of Reese M. and Anna J. (Keenan) Mayle.

They produced a brood of 10 children -- Gilson G. Mayle, Frena Mayle, Stelsa "Stelsie" Fash, Hartsel Lee Mayle, Elihu "Brooks" Mayle, Clara Rine, Josephine Mayle, Calvin Mayle, Charles Drexel "Drex" Mayle and Mathias Mayle.

When the federal censuses were taken in 1920, 1930 and 1940, the Mayleses lived on a farm in the Knottsville District of Taylor County, WV. As of 1940, Charles' occupation was as a laborer with the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

They resided in Grafton in 1953 and in Knottsville in 1963. 

Said the Barbour Democrat, Charles "was a retired farmer and had formerly been employed by the State Road Commission... [He] was a member of the Knottsville Wesleyan Methodist Church."

Charles died unexpectedly of "failing composition of [the] heart" -- a heart attack -- on April 14, 1964, at the age of 76, at the Philippi home of his daughter and son in law Frena and Bernard Mayle. 

He was laid to rest at Mt. View, following a funeral at the West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church led by Rev. Murray Maley. His obituary was printed in a local newspaper.

Nancy outlived her husband by almost a year. 

She passed away at the age of 74 on March 11, 1965, at Broaddus Hospital in Philippi. After the funeral at West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church, led by Rev. Winfield Mayle, she was laid to rest beside her husband Mt. View Cemetery.

Her obituary in the Grafton Sentinel reported that she "had been seriously ill for three weeks and in ill health five years." The Sentinel also said that she was survived by 39 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

~ Son Gilson G. Mayle ~

Son Gilson G. Mayle (1911-1930) was born in 1911.

Gilson never married. 

He suffered from acute kidney disease, and died at the age of 18 on May 10, 1930. He was buried at the Male Cemetery (later renamed Mt. View).

~ Daughter Frena (Mayle) Mayle ~

Daughter Frena Mayle (1914- ? ) was born in 1914. In her education, she completed one year of high school. 

She married Bernard Mayle (1917- ? ). She was three years older than her husband.

Their children were Kathryn "Kay" Culberson, Ann Moats and possibly others.

When the federal census was taken in 1940, the Mayles made their home in Pleasant Township, Barbour County. That year, Bernard was employed as an operator of a coal cutting machine in local coal mines, and Frena's 24-year-old brother Hartsel Mayle and 49-year-old Ernest Mayle boarded in their home. 

They lived at Route 1, Grafton, circa 1965.

Daughter Kathryn "Kay" Mayle (1942-2015) was born on Jan. 30, 1942 in Philippi. On Feb. 2, 1962, she was united in marriage with Alfred D. Culberson ( ? -living). In all, they were wed for 53 years. The Culbersons resided in Massillon, OH and had these known children -- David Culberson, Sonya Culberson, Daniel Culberson and Heidi Croston. Kay was a member of the Crystal Park Wesleyan church for 48 years and drove a school bus for Jackson County, OH School District for 29 years. At the age of 73, Kay died on June 17, 2015. Interment was in Rose Hill Memory Gardens following a funeral service preached by Pastor Charles McKenzie.

Daughter Ann Mayle married (?) Moats.

~ Daughter Stelsa "Stelsie" (Mayle) Fash ~

Daughter Stelsa "Stelsie" Mayle (1914-2000) was born on Sept. 1, 1914 in Grafton, Taylor County. 

Stelsa relocated to Brilliant, OH as a young woman. There, she earned a living as a clerk. 

On Nov. 15, 1947, in nuptials held in Brilliant, the 33-year-old Stelsa married 33-year-old Louis Fash (June 21, 1914-1960), son of Louie and Mary (Fenyo) Fash. He was a native of Rush Run, OH and employed at the time in a steel mill. Rev. Herbert E. Massey officiated.

The couple bore two offspring, Betty Sue Phillips and Rev. Dr. Charles Louis Fash. 

During World War II, Louis had served as a sergeant with the 4025th Signal Service Group. The federal census enumeration of 1950 shows the Fashes in New Alexandria, Jefferson County, OH, with Louis laboring as a fireman in a steel mill. Stelsa assisted family members in managing a grocery store in town.

Sadly, Lewis died on June 23, 1960. His sister-in-law Donna Josephine Smythe died just five days later. His remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Hopewell Methodist Cemetery.

The widowed Stelsa moved to Arizona, and made her home circa 1964-1972 in Tucson at the address of 3028 North Geronimo Avenue. She also apparently lived in Phoenix by 1986. Said the Des Moines Register, she "supervised an apartment building and worked at Faith Life Bookstore in Phoenix before retiring. She was a member of Faith Life Fellowship Church in Phoenix and was instrumental in helping her family organize Faith Life Christian Church and Academy in Phoenix.

She eventually moved to Pella, IA, where her married daughter was living.

Suffering from diabetes, Stelsa at the age of 86 died three days after Christmas in 2000 in Pella. Her photograph was published in an obituary in the New Year's Day 2001 edition of the Register, in which the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the First Nazarene Church of Oskaloosa. Her remains were shipped back to Rush Run for interment in Hopewell Cemetery.

Daughter Betty Sue Fash (1950- ? ) was born in April 1950 in New Alexandria, OH. She and her widowed mother and brother moved to Arizona after the death of her father in 1960. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and later lived in Tucson, AZ. In 1986, she entered into marriage with David Gray Phillips ( ? - ? ), son of Clyde Phillips of Louisville, KY. Their union was announced in the Louisville Courier Journal. David at the time was studying at UA. Three children borne of this union were Zachary Phillips, Stephanie Phillips and Tim Phillips. Circa 2000-2013, they dwelled in Pella, IA.

• Grandson Zachary Phillips ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Stephanie Phillips ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Tim Phillips ( ? - ? )

Son Rev. Dr. Charles Louis Fash (1951-2003) was born on June 3, 1951 in Steubenville. After relocating to Arizona, he graduated in 1969 from Amphitheater High School and received a general resident scholarship from the University of Arizona. He was enrolled at UA from 1969 to 1971 and then transferred to pursue a bachelor of arts in biblical study at Vennard College in Iowa, which he secured in 1974. Then in 1976, in Phoenix, he was awarded his bachelor of arts and masters of education degrees at Arizona State University. He was hired as pastor of Grace Evangelical Methodist Church from 1974 to 1978 while taking courses for his doctorate in education from Northern Arizona University. The doctorate was awarded in 1993. On Aug. 4, 1972, he was joined in wedlock with fellow Amphitheater and UA student Debra Lee Balon (1952- ? ), daughter of George Balon of North Tyndall in Tucson. Debra earlier was enrolled at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. News of their engagement was printed in the Tucson Daily Citizen. Together, they produced a brood of six children -- Joshua James Fash, Jodi Michelle Bell, Jenni Louise Routledge, Julianna Joy Fash, Jonathan Andrew Fash and Jordan Louis Fash. Circa 1979, he helped found Faith Life Fellowship Church and Christian Academy in Tucson and served as its pastor and school principal, with Debra as vice principal. Then in July 1999, he was appointed as academic dean at his alma mater, Vennard. The Fashes moved to Oskaloosa, IA and were there in 2000-2003. They attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa even as he began a new position as pastor of What Cheer Baptist Church. In his spare time he liked to play basketball. Sadly, at the age of 51, Charles died in their home on April 5, 2003. His obituary appeared on the pages of the Des Moines Register. Funeral rites were held in the family church, led by Rev. Jack Verenon Connor, with interment in University Park Cemetery. Inscribed on their grave marker is this verse of scripture from Acts 20:24: "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me."

• Grandson Joshua James Fash resided in Oskaloosa in 2003 and at Minot, ND in 2013. 

• Granddaughter Jodi Michelle Fash wed Nathan "Nate" Bell. In 2013, they dwelled in Stuart, FL. Their brood of offspring include Charlese Bell, Keira Bell, Isaiah Bell, Elijah Bell and Ashton Bell.

• Granddaughter Jenni Louise Fash ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She entered into marriage with Greg Routledge ( ? - ? ). The Routledges moved to Minot, ND, where Jenni is on the faculty of Our Redeemer's Christian School, a ministry of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church, serving young people from over 30 Minot-area churches.

• Granddaughter Julianna Joy Fash (1987-2013) was born on May 5, 1987. She was home-schooled, lived in Oskaloosa and attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, IA. Julianna never married. She earned a living with the after-school program of the YMCA and as a Mary Kay beauty consultant, and was a membeer of the Jubilee Family Church. Said an obituary, Julianna "enjoyed going to concerts, playing cards and games, doing puzzles, and watching television especially "The Office" and "I Love Luc" [and] looked forward to playing bingo every year at the Southern Iowa Fair." As a member of the Student Advisory Committee of the University of Iowa Hospital, said the obituary, "she was able to have input on the room design in the new pediatric wing of the hospital. In 2006 she was blessed with her service dog and companion, Bang. Julianna had a love of life, she did not let anything stand in her way." Sadly, she passed away at the age of 25 on April 7, 2013 as a patient at the University Hospital. Funeral services were conducted in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, Oskaloosa, with interment in University Park Cemetery. 

• Grandson Jonathan Andrew Fash ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Kayla ( ? - ? ). In 2013, the couple were in Oskaloosa.

• Grandson Jordan Louis Fash ( ? - ? ) lived in Oskaloosa in 2013.

~ Son Hartsel Lee Mayle ~

Son Hartsel Lee Mayle (1917-1968) was born on Feb. 3, 1917 in Moatsville, Barbour County. He is one of far too many of our cousins to lose his life at work in a minerals and metals industry accident. 

Circa 1940, at the age of 23, Hartsel boarded in the home of his married sister Frena Mayle in the Pleasant District of Barbour County. His occupation was marked as coal loader.

He married Ara "Juanita" Dalton (1922-1994 ), the daughter of Clint and Freda (Stevens) Dalton. 

They had 17 children -- Ramona "Sianne" Keener (born in 1943 in Galloway), Dayton Lee Mayle (1944, Galloway), Albert Woodrow Mayle (1948, Moatsville), Charles Mayle, Sandra Joyce Mayle, Catherine "Freda" Mayle, Clinton Sherman Mayle, Donna Mae Mayle, Clarence Mayle, Elihue Mayle, John Mayle, Teresa Ann Reid, Genell Sines, Richard Mayle, twins Cindy Sue Stollar Serier and Linda Lue Walker Munoz and Doris Myrena Mayle. 

Sadly, daughter Doris (1941-1957), who was born with a brain injury, died at age 15 of bronchial pneumonia and the Asian flu. She was buried in the Pritchard Cemetery in Barbour County.

They resided in the Knottsville community of Grafton. They were members of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, and Juanita was active with the Paradise Cove Community Association.

Hartsel was a coal miner for 29 years, beginning when he was age 22. He was employed as a loading machine operator by Consolidation Coal Company and commuted 40 miles every day to labor at the Consol No. 9 Mine in Farmington, north of Fairmont, Marion County, WV. He also maintained a family farm to supplement his income. One of his colleagues in the mine was William D. Sheme, of the family of Emily Jane "Minnie" (Minard) Mayle. Another was Wayne Ralph Minor Sr. (1919-1968), of the unrelated family of John and Rella Ann (Myers) Minor of Wetzel County, WV.

Tragedy struck, along with the unexpected glare of national publicity, just before Thanksgiving 1968. In the early morning on Nov. 20, 1968, in an instant, the Consol No. 9 mine exploded, trapping 99 miners deep inside its bowels. Time Magazine reported to the nation: "Suddenly, deep in the earth, an explosion thundered through the eight-mile-long labyrinth of shafts and tunnels. Shock waves rippled outward for miles, jolting the Marion County mining community into frightened wakefulness. At daybreak, thick clouds of greasy black smoke billowed 150 ft. into the grey morning air." 

While 21 miners found their way to escape, 78 did not, with 51-year-old Hartsel and 30-year-old cousin Sheme among them. While explosions and fires continued for days, the Mayle family visited the mine entrance in the fading hope of seeing Hartsel emerge alive. Adding to the family's woes, four-year-old daughter Linda Lue, while at the site, fell and broke her leg, requiring hospitalization.

The raging mine fire kept rescuer parties from gaining access, and the mine had to be sealed nine days later to seal off the fire's supply of oxygen. Click to see NBC-TV's coverage at the time. 

Juanita, age 47, thus unexpectedly was assigned life's cruel fate as a widow with 16 fatherless children. It was such a deeply moving story that she allowed Time Magazine, Life Magazine and the Associated Press to report her story to national and international readers. She was pictured in Life's issue of Dec. 6, 1968, shown singing in the choir of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. Reported Life's correspondent John Neary: 

There, as rain fell on the tin roof, Juanita stood straight, her eyes wet and dull with grief, and told the congregation, "I feel as my faith going down the floor. I think he's coming out and I'll have somebody to come to church with me next Sunday." They san together, in voices so strong that the backs of the hymnbooks vibrated, the words on the pages blurred through the tears on the lenses of one man's rimless spectacles, and they prayed for Hartsel Mayle, a miner for 29 of his 53 years, Juanita's husband. (Link to full story.)

Associated Press, 1969

At Christmas, she traveled to Farmington with 14 of her children "where Christmas toys and food were distributed at a party for families of the 78 men," said the Pittsburgh Press. Quoted in the story, Juanita said: "I didn't want to go, but I did it for the children's sake. A lot of other mothers felt that way too."

Ten months after the tragedy, on Sept. 11, 1969, with the mine still sealed, the Associated Press distributed a wire photograph coast to coast. The image, seen here, shows Juanita in the backyard of her home with some of her younger children. The caption read that "Operations to recover the bodies begins Friday." A related story was written and filed by Niles Jackson.

Two years following the accident, with the bodies still missing, Time revisited the scene, noting that "There is a tradition in mining communities as old as grief, but layered over with the special stresses of men who go into the mines: the dead must have a decent burial; the bodies must be recovered... As recovery operations stretched to 15 months -- the longest and costliest in mining history -- some of the widows sought an end to the strain of wondering 'when the phone will ring to say they've found him'." 

No. 9 book

Juanita and other widows eventually accepted the fact that their loves ones' bodies would not be brought out. They signed an agreement with Consol to permanently seal off those mine sections which contained human remains, receiving $10,000 each in return. She was quoted in Time saying "Tears rolled down my cheeks all the time I was signing the agreement. It was like putting a price tag on our husbands' bodies." Click for full text on Time's website.

Donations poured in from as far away as Texas and Kansas. In nearby Pennsylvania, the town of Ellwood City rallied to donate $3,000 for the family, the only community-wide contribution the Mayles received. (The Ellwood City Ledger published a retrospective article, with a photo of Juanita and her children, in its edition of April 9, 2010.) 

Hartsell's badly decomposed body finally was found on Jan. 11, 1971. The book No. 9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster, reports that Juanita and one of her sons identified the remains by the green shirt and wristwatch he had worn to work on that fateful day. As well, X-rays of his arms confirmed his identity by revealing two "old" fractures. He was placed into eternal rest in the Prichard Cemetery in Moatsville. Cousin Sheme's remains were not located until March 13, 1974.

Barbour Democrat, 1994

Juanita outlived her husband by 26 years. At some point, she was nominated for the "West Virginia Mother of the Year" Pageant, sponsored by MOM International. She was one of 12 finalists, selected from some 4,000 entries, and traveled to the state capitol of Charleston over the weekend of May 12-13 (year) to attend the event. A news article reported that since the time of her husband's death, "she has resided in Grafton, raising most of her children alone."

She died at the age of 72 on Dec. 2, 1994, with her obituary published in the Barbour Democrat. She rests at Prichard (Pritchard) Cemetery. 

In November 2011, Hartsell's tragic story was revisited with the publication of Bonnie E. Stewart's book, No. 9: The 1968 Farmington Mine Disaster, produced by the West Virginia University Press. He is named on pages 106, 170-171 and 219.

Son Dayton Lee Mayle lived in Detroit, MI circa 1968 and in Weaversville, NC by 1994. He has been in a relationship with Angie Metcalf.

Son DeWayne Mayle wed Cindy (?). He made his home for many years in Canton, OH.

Son Albert Woodrow Mayle married Delberta "Debbie" (?). He was stationed in 1968 at Fort Knox. Circa 2012-2020, they made their home in Grafton.

Canton, the home of several branches of the Hartsel Lee Mayle family

Daughter Cindy Sue Mayle married (?) Siever and Bob Stoller, and had five children. Circa 2009, she was a first-grade teacher at the Tunnelton-Denver Elementary School in Preston County, WV. She was featured in the Times West Virginian newspaper in January 2009 for her battle against leukemia.

Daughter Romona "Siann" Mayle (1943-2012) was born on Jan. 11, 1943 in Galloway. She was age 25 when her father was killed in the mine explosion. On March 20, 1976, at the age of 33, she married Donald Leroy Keener (May 8, 1935-2023), a native of Grafton and the son of Arthur S. and Sarah Catherine (Frye) Keener. The Keeners went on to bear five children -- Hartsel Keener, Bartsel Keener, twins John Keener and Virginia Marie "Jenny" Gower and Joseph Keener. Donald was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a handyman and employed over the years with Ozite and the City of Grafton. Said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, Siann was a "member of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. She worked as a waitress in various restaurants, and also worked in nursing homes. [She] enjoyed being a mother, and grandmother [and] a football mother at G.H.S." Siann passed away at the age of 69 on June 16, 2012, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV.  Following funeral services at the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Knottsville, she was laid to rest in the West Virginia National Cemetery. At the time of her passing, reported the Mountain Statesman, she was survived by seven grandchildren. As a widower, Donald remained in Grafton and was a frequent visitor to Gump's IGA grocery. He died in his residence at the age of 88 on Aug. 28, 2023.

• Grandson Hartsel Keener married Kali and lived in Grafton.

• Grandson Bartsel Keener wedded Angel and resided in Grafton.

• Grandson John Keener (1983-living) was born on June 1, 1983 in Grafton, a twin with his sister Virginia Marie. He was joined in wedlock with Karah and made their home in Grafton in 2018.

• Granddaughter Virginia Marie "Jenny" Keener (1983-2018) was born on June 1, 1983 in Grafton, a twin with her brother John. On March 17, 2009, she was united in matrimony with Christopher Chad Gower ( ? -living), son of Thomas and Mary Gower of Fairmont. Christopher brought a son to the marriage, Blake Gower. The couple produced one son of their own, Connor Gower. They lived in Fairmont, Marion County, WV. Virginia enjoyed craftwork, shopping and watching her son play sports. Sadly, she died at the age of 34 -- on Jan. 12, 2018 -- while a patient at Monongalia General Hospital. An obituary in the Grafton Mountain Statesman said that she had "received her angel wings" and was survived by 11 nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church of Grafton, led by Pastor Orville Wright, with burial in Arnold Cemetery.

• Grandson Joseph Keener was joined in wedlock with Mallory and dwelled in Fairmont.

Son Clinton Sherman Mayle (1951-2012) was born on March 17, 1951 in Knottsville, Barbour County. He married Carolyn Lee Teeple, daughter of Lealand and Dorothy Jean (Bolner) Teeple,  on April 17, 1977, when he was age 26. They had two sons -- Dayton L. Mayle and Damon L. Mayle. The Mayles resided in Thornton, near Grafton. Clinton held numerous jobs over the years at a steel mill in Ohio and as a foreman-line supervisor at Rexhide Industries for more than two decades. In 1999, he obtained his licensed practical nurse designation from Gore Technical Center and went on to a nursing career at John Manchin Sr. Healthcare in Fairmont. He enjoyed hunting and belonged to the New Testament Fellowship Church. He died at the age of 61 in Fairmont General Hospital on Dec. 6, 2012. Burial was in Woodsdale Cemetery. At his death, said the Mountain Statesman, Clinton was survived by nine grandchildren.

Son Clarence Gilson Mayle (1953-2020) was born on Sept. 23, 1953 in Knottsville, Taylor County. Over the years, he made his residence in Grafton. He was united in matrimony with Barbara Walls ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce. He enjoyed watching sports of all types, rooting for the West Virginia University Mountaineers football and basketball teams and the West Virginia Black Bears minor league baseball team, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, "Clarence never knew a stranger and enjoyed talking with everyone and anyone about the Lord." As his health failed, he went to live with his sister Genell Sines and her husband Teddy. He succumbed to the Angel of Death in the Sines residence at the age of 66 on June 11, 2020. Pastor Jimmy Johnson preached the funeral sermon, with interment in Woodsdale Memorial Park.

Son Elihue Lee Mayle (1955-2014) was born on Valentine's Day 1955 in Taylor County. On Dec. 27, 1974, at the age of 19, he married Debbie J. Fragons ( ? - ? ). They lived in Philippi for many years where Elihue was employed as an electrician and mechanic with Murray Energy. They had three children -- Juanita Coleman, Douglas Mayle and Kylie Mayle. They attended the Methodist Church. Elihue passed away on April 29, 2014, at the age of 59, in the Mon General Hospital. Rev. Paul Mullen oversaw the funeral followed by burial in Mary's Chapel Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Grafton Mountain Statesman.

Son Richard "Rick" Mayle wed Angie (?). They have lived in Grafton. 

Daughter Catherine "Freda" Mayle (1946-2013) was born in on Nov. 27, 1946 in Grafton. She wed Stanley James Mayle in about 1971, when she was 25 years of age. They had one daughter who sadly died in infancy, Catherine Michelle Mayle. They also considered Megan M. Bailey as a "special niece" and Timothy D. Mayle Jr. as a "special nephew." Freda worked in Grafton for Coney Island Lunch and then spent a quarter of a century employed in the housekeeping department of Grafton City Hospital. Their home was along Flag Run Road in Grafton. Freda passed away at the age of 66, in Ruby Memorial Hospital in nearby Morgantown, on June 27, 2013. She was interred in the Arnold Cemetery in Knottsville, Barbour County, following a funeral led by lay minister James Arnold.

Daughter Donna Mayle called Grafton her home in 2012. 

Daughter Genell Mayle married Teddy Sines. In 2012-2014, she maintained a home in Grafton. 

Daughter Teresa Mayle married Clyde Reid and lived in Grafton. 

Daughter Linda Mayle wed (?) Walker and Juan Munoz. In 2012-2020, she lived in Grafton.

~ Son Elihu "Brooks" Mayle ~

Son Elihu "Brooks" Mayle (1919-1985?) was born on April 17, 1919 in Taylor County.

Unmarried at the age of 21, in 1940, he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 169 lbs., with brown eyes and brown hair. Brooks was required to register for the military draft during World War II. He disclosed that he was employed by Simpson Creek Collier Company at Galloway, Barbour County, and that his father would always know his whereabouts. The registrar marked his race as "white" but added a note on the card saying "Suggest that board investigate race."

Circa 1940, Brooks was joined in matrimony with a double cousin, 18-year-old Dorcas Lucy "Dot" Mayle (Dec. 5, 1921-1982), daughter of Clyde and Virgie Hazel (Maley) Mayle. 

Four children of this union were Victor Arlis Mayle, Curtis Elihue Mayle, Virgie Doronzi and Corky Mayle.

They resided in Knottsville in the 1950s and 1960s and may later have moved to Grafton. When the 1950 federal census enumeration was made, Brooks worked as a coal mine joy operator, pulling newly fractured coal off the face and away from the cutting machine operator. Their near neighbors that year were William "Esker" and Laura Agnes (Kennedy) Mayle (of the family of Lewis and Sarepta [Kennedy] Mayle, Harland and Evelyn Mayle, John and Lucy Mayle and Martin and Icie Mayle. 

Sadly, Dorcas passed away at the age of 60 on July 10, 1982. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Pritchard Cemetery near Clemtown, Barbour County.

Brooks outlived his bride by just under three years. He died on April 13, 1985, just four days shy of his 66th birthday. A search has been made for his obituary in the Grafton Mountain Statesman newspaper microfilm collection at West Virginia University, but none was found.

Public school in Milltown, NJ

Son Victor Arlis Mayle (1940-2006) was born on July 7, 1940 in Galloway, Barbour County. WV. He relocated to New Jersey at the age of 21, in about 1962, and settled in Milltown, where he remained for decades. In March 1964, at the age of 23, he was united in matrimony with Caroline (Broxmeyer) Smith ( ? -2008), daughter of Gerald G. and Caroline/Lillian (Schermond) Broxmeyer of Milltown. Their union held firm over the span of 41 years until the separation of death. She had been married previously in 1953 to Richard Smith and brought several stepchildren into the second marriage. All told, the five offspring in this family were Shirley Smith, Annette Smith, Kim Vaccaro, Vicky Hurd and Joe Mayle. Said the Central New Jersey Home News, Victor "worked 38 years as a high rise window cleaner for the Kenny National Window Cleaners Union in Manhattan, N.Y. He also enjoyed working for the family business, Riders Lane Farm Market. He was an avid deep sea fisherman." Caroline earned income through her work at Broxmeyer's Family Farm Market and as a young woman in the laboratory of Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company of New Brunswick. Later in life they moved to Whiting, NJ. At the age of 66, he died on Nov. 23, 2006 as a patient in Community Medical Center of Toms River. An obituary was published in the Asbury Park Press and the Home News, saying he was survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Burial was in Franklin Memorial Park North in New Brunswick. Caroline outlived her spouse by two years. She surrendered to the angel of death in her home at the age of 76 on Oct. 10, 2008. 

• Granddaughter Shirley Smith ( ? - ? ) 

• Granddaughter Annette Smith ( ? - ? ) 

• Granddaughter Kim Vaccaro ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Vicky Hurd ( ? - ? )

• Grandson Joe Mayle ( ? - ? )

Son Curtis Elihue Mayle (1942- ? ) was born in 1942.

Daughter Virgie Mayle ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She married (?) Doronzi ( ? - ? )

Son Corky Mayle ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Clara (Mayle) Rine ~

Daughter Clara Frances Mayle (1930-2015) was born on Aug. 7, 1930 (or 1926) in Grafton, Taylor County, WV. 

On April 9, 1948, Clara married Elwood "Woody" or "Junior" Rine Jr. (1926-2012), the son of Elwood and Oceola (Loyer) Rine Sr. He was raised by his grandparents, Leroy and Luanna Rine. In all, Clara and Woody remained married for 63 years.

At the time of marriage, Clara was employed as a clerk in Brilliant, Jefferson County, OH, and Woody as a mechanic's helper of Mingo Junction, Jefferson County. Their marriage license listed both of them as "white." Rev. Herbert E. Massey of Brilliant officiated at their wedding.

They had three children -- Kay Wilson, Richard "Dick" Rine and Charles "Chuck" Rine. 

Clara and Elwood resided with his grandparents in 1950 in New Alexandria, OH, just a few doors away from her married sister and brother-in-law, Stelsa and Louis Fash. That year, Elwood labored as a railroad oiler. 

Their home in the mid-1960s was in the New Alexandria section of Mingo Junction, where they were members of the New Alexandria United Methodist Church. Woody was a longtime foreman at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. He enjoyed dogs, fishing and hunting, and at one time was a New Alexandria Marshall in Jefferson County. 

Clara "was a member of the New Alexandria Community Chapel and a former employee of Lancia's Nursing Home," said the Steubenville Herald Star. "She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

Woody passed away at the age of 83, on March 26, 2012, at Trinity Medical Center West in Steubenville. His obituary in the Herald Star noted that he was survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

Clara survived her husband by three years. She died at home at the age of 84 on July 9, 2015. The Herald Star printed her obituary.

Daughter Kay Rine (1949- ? ) was born in about 1949 in Ohio. She married Norman "Norm" Wilson. They made their home in New Alexandria.

Son Richard "Dick" Rine married Gail (?) and dwelled in New Alexandria.

Son Charles "Chuck" Rine wed Lynn (?) resided in New Alexandria.

~ Daughter Donna "Josephine" (Mayle) Smythe ~

Daughter Donna "Josephine" Mayle (1922-1960) -- also known as "Donna Jo" -- was born in 1922 in Grafton. 

On March 25, 1939, in or near Wellsburg, WV, she married John "Wilfred" Smythe (1921-2006), son of Clyde A. and Elizabeth D. (Heston) Smythe of Brilliant, OH. She was age 21 at the time of marriage, and Wilfred 22. 

They bore two daughters together, Nancy O'Neal and Tamara Barrick.

Wilfred is known to have served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Later, he was employed for many years as a machinist with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. He retired in 1979. They belonged to the Brilliant Christian Church, and he held memberships in the local lodges of the Masons, Scottish Rite and Moose. They moved from Brilliant to New Alexandria, OH in about 1953, and stayed for the seven remaining years of their lives together. Josephine earned income at Paddy's Diner Car of Mingo Junction, and they belonged to the New Alexandria Methodist Church.

Sadly, after suffering an illness for about a year, Josephine passed away in Steubenville's Ohio Valley Hospital on June 28, 1960, at the age of 38. Rev. Ray Snyder of the family church preached the funeral sermon. 

Wilfred outlived his wife by 46 years. He married a second time to Lois M. (Ladd) Glover (1910-1993). Lois is believed to have brought a stepdaughter into the second marriage, Belva Hennen. She passed away in 1993.

Wilfred's widowed years were spent in Tucson, AZ. There, at the age of 89, he surrendered to the angel of death on June 26, 2006. He was laid to rest with his first wife together in New Alexandria, Jefferson County, following rites led by Rev. John D. Ater.

Daughter Nancy Smythe wed Robert O'Neal. Their home in 1960 was in New Alexandria, OH. By 1996, they relocated to Phoenix, AZ. 

Daughter Tamara Smythe married Richard Barrick. The pair put down roots in Tucson, AZ.

Stepdaughter Belva was joined in wedlock with Elmer Hennen. They lived in Brilliant, OH as of 2006.

~ Son Calvin Bliss Mayle Sr. ~

Son Calvin Bliss Mayle Sr. (1922- ? ) was born on June 1, 1922 and grew up in the Grafton area.

Calvin joined the U.S. Army during World War II, enlisting on Dec. 16, 1942. He  was stationed in England in 1945 and received his honorable discharge on Feb. 19, 1946.

Upon his return to the states, he entered into marriage with Hope E. Carr ( ? - ? ) of New Brunswick, NJ, the daughter of George Acquila and Julia Carr. She was an alumna of Bound Brook High School and employed in 1945 with the clothing manufacturing company A. Bernstein. News of their engagement was published in the New Brunswick Central New Jersey Home News.

Five children of this family were Calvin B. Mayle Jr., Donald E. Mayle, Robert Charles Mayle, Stelsa Hermann and Julia Trupiano. 

The Mayles lived in New Brunswick for decades. As of 1947, their address was 19 Division Street. In 1955, they sold a four-room ranch-style residence at 46 Idlewild Road in Nixon, NJ to Joseph Michael Fusaro.

Calvin was convicted in October 1957 of aiding and abetting a scam of a 44-year-old widowed prostitute in Marlboro Township. He countered that his involvement was nothing but a prank in stealing a john's pants and a wallet containing $485 in cash. He was sentenced to a term of three to five years in state prison. A new trial was ordered in December that year on the basis of insufficient evidence having been used in the original conviction by jury.

Calvin moved out of their home at 25 Gatling Court on Feb. 25, 1962. He was ordered to face a jury trial for abandoning Hope and their five children ranging in age from 14 to 9. News of the matter was printed in the Home News. By May of that year, he was living on Metlars Lane. He appears to have briefly reconciled with his wife but then again moved out on Dec. 7, 1962. He then went to live at 136 Greenwood Avenue, Edison. He was put on trial before a grand jury in June 1965 on the desertion charges, for which he pleaded not-guility. That year, he is known to have been employed at Highland Park. He ran afoul of the law again in November 1965 when, now living at 217 Redmond Street, Calvin and two other New Brunswick men were arrested on charges of raping a South River housewife. And in December 1965, having moved once again, to 55 Jeffrey Avenue in South River, he was sentenced to six months of imprisonment in the Middlesex County Workhouse. For the rape charge, a grand jury declined to indict him in February 1966.

The couple divorced. By 1974, Hope wed a second time to Leonard Rupinski ( ? - ? ), son of Elizabeth Carr. They made their home in 1975-1979 at 16 Seaman Street, New Brunswick. She is known to have owned her own business, Colony House Cleaners. She was active in the Women's Circle of Emanuel Lutheran Church. Sadly, Hope passed away at the age of 55, in Middlesex General Hospital, on Aug. 9, 1979. Her obituary in the Home News said she had endured "a long illness." Her funeral was held in the family church, with burial following in Cloverleaf Memorial Park in Woodbridge.

Calvin spent his final years in Miami, FL. He died at the age of 62 on Oct. 1, 1984. His remains were interred in Bay Pines National Cemetery in Pinellas County, FL.

Son Calvin Bliss Mayle Jr. (1947-2009) was born in 1947. He studied vocational agriculture at New Brunswick High School, from which he graduated in 1966, and was a member of the Future Farmers of America chapter. He and his teacher Herbert Wright were pictured in the Central New Jersey Home News on Nov. 1, 1964, posed with a lawn mower and discussing the proper height for grass in dry weather.  Calvin is not known to have married and did not reproduce. He was a 1970 graduate of Trenton State College with a degree in mathematics. He went on to a 39-year teaching career with Steinert High School, chairing the math department and teaching advanced placement calculus. In this role, he also was advisor to the junior class and involved with the Praxis Program at ETS. Said the Trenton Times, Calvin "was a car enthusiast and participated in many car shows, winning several plaques and trophies over the years for his cars. He also loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle with his friends, and particularly enjoyed a summer's day ride along the Delaware. He was an avid beachgoer, his favorite pastime being to just hang out with friends and family at Ortley Beach. He was known for his 'dirty water dogs' which he would cook on the beach around sunset. He loved being on the water, with first his sailboat, and then, finding the need for speed, with a motor boat, zipping all over Barnegat Bay either pulling skiers or fishing in the ocean." As of 1975, he lived in Crosswicks and in 1979 in Chesterfield, NJ. Calvin dwelled in Allentown, NJ in 2002 and made news in the Asbury Park Press as owner of a vacant lot near the municipal building on Main Street and LaPiazza Ristorante on Church Street at a time when borough council sought to buy it as a parking lot. He told reporters that he had no intention of selling the tract. Even as borough officials applied pressure on him to sell, many in the community objected to the government's over-bearing ways. Sadly, Calvin died at the age of 62 on June 2, 2009 as a patient in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton. His remains were cremated. In his memory, the flags of the Hamilton District schools were flown at half-staff on June 8, 2009, and a scholarship fund established in his name to benefit a deserving college-bound high school senior mathematics student. His photograph appeared with his obituary in the Times.

Son Donald E. Mayle (1950-2003) was born in 1950 in New Brunswick. Donald entered into the bonds of wedlock with Kathleen (Lounsberry) Brinckloe. She brought two stepchildren into the union, Steven Brinckloe and Michelle Breese. Donald had two offspring of his own, Douglas Mayle and Heather Burger. He was a resident of Somerset, NJ in 1979. Then in 1993, he relocated to Albrightsville, PA, where he was self-employed as a systems analyst for DK Enterprise. He held a membership in the East Brunswick lodge of the Elks and was a Boy Scouts troop leader in Somerset, NJ. Sadly, at the age of 53, he passed away at home on Dec. 29, 2003. An obituary was printed in the New Brunswick Central New Jersey Home News. Burial was in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown.

• Grandson Douglas Mayle ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Heather Mayle wed (?) Burger. 

• Step-grandson Steven Brinckloe resided in Bordentown, NJ in 2004. 

• Step-granddaughter Michelle Breese was at Scott Run, NJ in 2004. 

Son Robert Charles Mayle ( ? -2011) was born on (?) in New Brunswick. He was an alumnus of New Brunswick High School and as a young man worked at Red Bank Spring Service in Shrewsbury. On Nov. 29, 1975, in nuptials held at Sacred Heart Church in New Brunswick, he entered into marriage with Joan Lakatos ( ? - ? ), daughter of Frank Lakatos of Dallas Road, New Brunswick. The union was announced on the pages of the New Brunswick Central New Jersey Home News along with Joan's bridal portrait. At the time of marriage, Joan, also a New Brunswick High graduate, was studying at Middlesex County College and employed in the accounting department of Princeton Electronic Products Inc. Two sons borne of this family were Craig Mayle and Brian Mayle. Robert eventually bought Red Bank Spring Service and owned it for a quarter of a century. In the community, he was a Boy Scouts troop leader in Franklin Park for 10 years. Robert's dwelling-place in 1979-2009 was in North Brunswick. The couple appears to have divorced, and he was a fiance of Valerie Gardner until her death. Robert passed away at the age of 59, on July 17, 2011, in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. His remains were cremated.

• Grandson Craig Mayle married Stacy. They were in Browns Mill, NJ in 2011.

• Grandson Brian Mayle wed Jennifer. They moved to Bristol, CT. 

Daughter Stelsa Mayle ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was a graduate of New Brunswick High School. She was employed as a secretary with Johnson & Johnson as a young woman. On June 7, 1969, she wed Richard J. Hermann ( ? - ? ), son of Richard W. Hermann of Hamlin Road in New Brunswick. Their wedding was held at Emanuel Lutheran Church and announced in the Central New Jersey Home News  At the time, Richard, also an alum of New Brunswick High, was studying mechanical engineering at Gannon College in Erie, PA. The pair made their newlywed residence in Erie. They are known to have lived in Roosevelt, NJ in 1979-2011. The three offspring of the couple are Richard F. Hermann, Jessica Spearnock and Christine Elizabeth Vanhise. Richard was employed by a family-owned company founded by his father, Hermann Services, a transport, logistics and warehouse distribution provider based in Monmouth Junction, NJ. Today the corporation is a holding company for three separate businesses -- trucking firm Hermann Transportation Co. in central New Jersey and Houston, TX; Hermann Warehouse, in Delaware and New Jersey; and Hermann Leasing, which provides trucks and trailers from its location in North Brunswick. Over the years, he was president of Hermann Leasing and served on the board of directors, and Stelsa worked for 30 years as a billing clerk for the leasing company. They retired circa 2016. Hermann Services was profiled in the Sept.-Oct. 2017 edition of Family Business, and in 2023 was named by NJBIZ as one of New Jersey's best places to work.

• Grandson Richard F. Hermann married Tina. In 2012, he was appoitned president of Herman Leasing, succeeding his father as part of a planned transition, and as a principal owner serves on the parent company's board..

• Granddaughter Jessica Hermann wed Brett Spearnock, son of Patricia Spearnock. They met in the summer of 1997 when both were employed at Hermann Services. As of 2017, she was the company's vice president of sales and marketing.

• Granddaughter Christine Elizabeth Hermann ( ? - ? ) is an alumna of Hightstown High School. She received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Stockton State College. Circa 1995, she was employed as a quality coordinator for her father's business, Hermann Services Inc. of South Brunswick. On Aug. 26, 1995, she is believed to have married Thomas Wieczkowski, son of Thomas and Elaine Wieczkowski of Trenton. At the time, Thomas worked as an electrical engineer for Clive Samuals and Associates in Princeton. The pair were pictured in an engagement announcement in the Central New Jersey Home News. Later, she married (?) Vanhise ( ? - ? ). Circa 2017, Christine held the position of recruiting and retention manager for Hermann Services and has held a membership in the Truckload Carriers Association.

Daughter Julia N. Mayle ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was an alumna of New Brunswick High School. Then as a young woman, she earned a living in the business office of Livingston College in Rutgers. On July 12, 1975, she became the bride of Thomas A. Trupiano ( ? - ? ), son of Louise Trupiano of Brookside Avenue in Somerville, and a former resident of Brooklyn. The nuptials were conducted in Emanuel Lutheran Church in New Brunswick and announced with her bridal portrait on the pages of the Central New Jersey Home News. At the time of their marriage, Thomas had graduated from Brooklyn Automotive Trades. He went on to become employed by Rutgers University as a maintenance mechanic. One son of this couple was Jason Thomas Trupiano. In about 1977, the pair relocated to Jamesburg, NJ, at an address of 160 Buckelew Avenue. Grief cascaded over the family when Thomas was stricken and rushed to Midlesex General Hospital, where he died later in the day at the age of 37 on Feb. 19, 1979.  His funeral service was conducted in the Emanuel church, led by Rev. Robert M. Goldstein, followed by burial at Clover Leaf Park Cemetery, Woodbridge. An obituary was published in the Home News. The widowed Julia made her home later in 1979 in Somerset, NJ. She became a companion of 26 year with Joseph Ulman Jr. ( ? -2005) and in about 1990 relocated to New Port Richey, FL. Joseph was employed as a diesel mechanic with J&D Diesel Repair and competed in a bowling team in the Lane Glow North Mixed League. Sadly, Joseph died in Morton Plant North Bay Hospital at the age of 65 on June 26, 2005. His obituary was published in the Tampa Bay Times.

• Grandson Jason Thomas Trupiano ( ? - ? ) moved from New Brunswick, NJ to New Port Richey, FL in about 1990. He remained there as of 2005. He has a background in computer software and in 2022 worked as a swimming pool equipment service technician.

~ Son Charles Drexel "Drex" Mayle ~

Son Charles Drexel Mayle (1932-2004) was born on May 11, 1932, in Grafton. 

On April 24, 1954, he married Betty Joan Corns (1938- ? ), daughter of Dean and Rose Corns of Moatsville, Barbour County. Charles was age 21, and Betty 16, at the time. Rev. Fred Decost, a Methodist minister, led the nuptials at his home in Simpson, Taylor County.

They had four children -- Beverly A. Hupp, Charles Drexel Mayle Jr., Martin L. Mayle and Cynthia L. Izotic. 

Drex resided in 1964 in Canton, Stark County, OH. 

Over the years, the family returned to West Virginia and resided on Route 1 (Flag Run) in the Knottsville community of Grafton. Drex worked in carpentry and in general labor in and around Taylor County. Said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, "He was a Protestant by faith and a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather."

Sadly, Drex passed away in Grafton at the age of 72, on March 8, 2004. Following a funeral led by lay minister James Arnold, his remains were placed into eternal rest in Arnold Cemetery. His obituary in the Mountain Statesman included his photograph and a five-paragraph article, and reported that he was survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Daughter Beverly Mayle married Glenn Hupp.

Son Charles Drexel Mayle Jr. married Janet.

Son Martin L. Mayle resided in Florida.

Daughter Cynthia L. Mayle wed (?) Izotic and lived in Ohio.

~ Son Mathias Mayle ~

Son Mathias Mayle ( ? - ? ) may also have been known as "Almond" Mayle. If so, he was named for his father's brother who died as a toddler. 

Mathias/Almond is said to have died as a baby, during a horse and buggy ride with his family to visit grandparents. 

Nothing more is known about him.

Copyright © 2005-2015, 2018, 2020, 2023 Mark A. Miner