Weirton Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2026

WEIRTON - The Weirton Hall of Fame welcomed its seven newest members on Saturday, honoring a new class of dedicated citizens for their contributions to the community.

The honorees and other guests were gathered at the Lauttamus Community Room for the ceremony, during which each received a certificate and medal.

"We are proud to announce and recognize this year's honorees," said Hall of Fame Committee Chair Linda Krynicki, in welcoming those in attendance. "We thank you for all you have done for the community."

This year's class of honorees includes John Charles Greco and Gus Charles "Chuck" Svokas in the category of public service; John J. Bernabei and Irene Markich Mindzak in the category of business, industry and professions; Richard "Rick" Rine in the category of education and religion; and Melvin Lawrence Coleman Sr. and Mandy Carnes-Ellison in the category of sports and athletics.

Greco is known as the third-generation owner and director of Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, receiving numerous honors in the industry, while being dedicated to numerous local clubs and organizations throughout his career.

"I am deeply honored and truly humbled to be inducted," Greco said, expressing gratitude to those who have shaped his life, including his parents and grandparents who taught him the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect, as well as his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Elle and Eliza.

He also thanked the people of Weirton, his coworkers, mentors, and friends.

"The trust you have placed in us is something I have never taken for granted," he said.

Svokas has held a long career in public service, beginning in 1987 when he was hired by the City of Weirton as a building inspector, before later becoming the city's director of economic and community development. From 1998 to his retirement in 2012, he would be Hancock County's county administrator, then serving for a brief time as interim city manager for Weirton in 2015. Through it all, he also has been active in numerous organizations including the Greater Weirton Senior Center, Easter Seals, Rotary, Healthways, and more.

"I would have never dreamed it possible," Svokas said of his hall of fame induction. "I always thought I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time."

He thanked his family, including his wife, Barbara, and their children, Amy, Steve, and Andrew, as well as former city mayor and state senator Ed Bowman for hiring him for some of his earliest opportunities.

Bernabei has dedicated 37 years as a pharmacist and is known as owner of Tri-State Medical Group, employing approximately 80 area residents through its numerous businesses. He, too, has been active in several local organizations, and offered thanks to his wife, Sue, and their daughters, Abby and Audra.

In his speech, he emphasized the importance of community and the connections built through it.

"We all know each other," he said, saying the relationships built are what makes the city strong. "It is a direct reflection on Weirton."

Mindzak was honored posthumously, with her daughter, Colleen, accepting the award.

"I can tell you, she would be humbled and be in tears, and she would wonder how she was chosen for this honor," she said, recounting many of the challenges Irene experienced, including the loss of her mother at a young age, along with a brother and sister.

Later in life, she rose to face many challenges and grow in the community, opening and co-owning Friendly Cleaners, becoming the community education director at West Virginia Northern Community College, being active in several area professional organizations, and then working at Steel Works Community Federal Credit Union which would later become First Choice America Federal Credit Union, eventually rising to the position of business development coordinator.

"She wasn't a young woman when she did this, but she was always looking to advance herself," Colleen said of her mother's work.

Coleman, also, was inducted into the hall of fame posthumously, with his son, Melvin Coleman, Jr., accepting on the family's behalf.

While known as a coach in both basketball and football at numerous area high schools, including Madonna, Toronto, and Wintersville, Coleman's legacy extends beyond a record of wins and losses, his son explained.

"His greatest contribution was never about sports; it was about people," he said, noting the life-long influence he had on his former students, providing them with an opportunity and show their potential and grow as individuals. "It was never just about putting people on the court or on the field."

Coleman's legacy has lasted to this day through the Mel Coleman School of Basketball, held for more than 40 years in an effort to teach basketball fundamentals to area youth.

Rine spent 29 years working at Weirton Steel, but is better known for his years of martial arts instruction to area residents. A seventh-degree black belt in the Chuck Norris System, Rine operated Rine Karate Studio in Weirton for 40 years.

"We see them everywhere; everywhere we go," he said of the hundreds of students who have come through the studio over the years.

In his retirement, Rine has remained active, leading presentations at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center and volunteering with the Hancock County Humane Foundation.

Carnes-Ellison was dominant during his softball career at Weir High School, going on to play at Muskingum College where she became the college's softball program's first four-time First Team All-American and leading the team to its only national championship.

"Thank you. I appreciate the honor," she said.

While noting he is not offering any sanctification, the Rev. Matthew Moore, of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, who helped to introduce each of the honorees, explained how fortunate Weirton is to have those who have been willing to step forward for the betterment of the city and its residents.

He added he has seen it, not only in Weirton, but during his travels when learning of individuals in other parts of the country who have called Weirton home.

"I can't help but think that we in Weirton have our saints," Moore said. "Weirton is really like no other place on Earth."

The Weirton Hall of Fame was established through action by Weirton Council in 2008 as a way to honor the contributions of its residents, both past and present.

Nominations can be made in one of six categories: philanthropy; public service; music and fine arts; business, industry and professions; education and religion; and sports and athletics.

To qualify, a nominee must be either a current or former resident of Weirton, having lived in the city for a minimum of five years since Weirton’s incorporation in 1947.

A plaque, listing the names of this year's induction class, will be placed in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center at a later date.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)