John Olesky

John Olesky Jr, 91, of Tallmadge, Ohio peacefully passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024. John was born on November 5, 1932 in Monongah, West Virginia to Lena (nee Futten) and John Olesky Sr. He graduated from Monongah High School in 1950 and continued to be an ardent Lion and keeper of the Monongah High Alumni blog. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Journalism, class of 1954.
John's career as a sports writer took him to Williamson, West Virginia where he met the love of his life, Monia (Monnie) Elizabeth Turkette. She was the girl in the stands complaining loudly about his coaching and score-keeping skills as he coached in the league he had helped to start as the first integrated league in Mingo County.
John and Monnie eventually married, moved to Dayton, Ohio, and had three children who loved them dearly: LaQuita Timberlake, John Larry Olesky, and Monnie Ann Johnston. John and Monnie were married for 48 years until her death in 2004, which was not nearly enough time together for either of them.
John's early career was as a sportswriter in Williamson, West Virginia and then at the Dayton Daily News, before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida and a new challenge. He returned to the Dayton Daily News and then the Akron Beacon Journal where he became an Assistant State Desk Editor. He later took on the roles of computer guru and the Channels television book editor. John approached every task with zeal and expertise until he retired in 1996, so he could spend more time with his family and travel with Monnie, except during football season since they had season tickets to watch the West Virginia Mountaineers.
From Mingo County to Dayton to Cuyahoga Falls, John coached kids in baseball and life. He was on the boards of the baseball leagues, so he could help do what was right for kids. He was among the first ten people named to the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame.
John was predeceased by Larry Turkette, Monnie's brother, whom he greatly respected. John is survived by children LaQuita (Tom) Timberlake, John Larry (Kathy Catt) Olesky and Monnie Ann (Bob) Johnston. He has seven grandchildren: John Richard (Adri) Olesky, Abby (Matt) Halishak, Devin (Courtney Evans) Timberlake, Beth Johnston, Dylan (Casey Benedetti) Timberlake, Raymond (Kathleen Lavelle) Johnston, and MonnieLynn Johnston (Danny) Bressler and seven great grandchildren: Brett and Bryce Olesky, Reyna, Eliza, Dawson, and Eloise Timberlake, and Ada Johnston. He is also survived by his sister, Jacqueline Straight and her daughters, Renee Straight, Belinda (Dave) Morris, and Lea Ann (John) Barnes. Other survivors include the special women in his life: Joan Salisbury and Paula Tucker.
John was laid to rest in a private burial with his family in attendance as the sounds of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" wafted across the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
Mountaineer Athletic Club Endowment Fund
In Memory of Monia and John Olesky
PO Box 0877
Morgantown, WV 26507-0877
JO L MO 4 E + 1D (John Olesky loves Monnie Olesky forever plus one day)
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