Paul Joseph Monda

Paul Joseph Monda was born on March 5, 1918, in Thomas, WV, son of Paolino (Paul) and Luigia (Louise) Mauro Monda. Always a dedicated and hard-working person, Paul went to work as a child to help support his large family, his father having died when he was twelve years old. His work experience gave him a diverse and practical education in such fields as construction, farming, masonry, coal mining, and teaching instrumental music. Paul won a music scholarship and attended Fairmont State Teachers College. He left college after two years in order to help support his mother and siblings by working, in addition to playing saxophone and clarinet with various dance bands on the east coast. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 and completed his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. While stationed there he met the love of his life, Willene Anderson, a junior USO hostess from Richland, MO. Pauls’ World War II service included tours at several U.S. military bases and in 1944 he was sent with this Engineer Battalion to the Aleutian Islands. He was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant, and served as a member of the Army Band under the bandleader Bud Freeman, performing for the troops’ morale. During his service time, he was awarded several medals and commendations which include Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon. On September 25, 1947, Paul and Willene were married and they lived in Thomas, WV, where he worked for the Davis Coal and Coke Company. In 1950 they moved to Missouri and built a home in Waynesville where Paul began working with the Army-Air Force Exchange Service at Fort Leonard Wood. He became the Services and Concessions Supervisor and was responsible for establishing and managing the many service and concession operations there. Paul was an active member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, where for many years he served as the choir director. He continued to pursue music as a hobby, volunteering his time by assisting aspiring musicians at Waynesville High School. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball, and college and professional football games, Paul departed this life on February 6, 2012, at the age of 93 years, 11 months. His loving wife of 51 years, Willene, preceded him in death in 1999. Also preceding him in death were his parents, his sisters: Nancy, Rose, Frances, Anna, Mary and Esther and his brothers: Joseph, Ralph, Carmen, and Nicholas. Paul is survived by his five children: Paul J. Monda II (Helen) of Duncanville, TX, John W. Monda (Aimee) of Sunset Hills, MO, Michael E. Monda of Waynesville, Jeanne M. Strohm (Merle) of Springfield, MO, and Joanne M. Tyra (Tom) of Burke, VA. He always set for them an example of faith, devotion, charity toward others, and a very strong work ethic. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Paul J. Monda III, Valerie Monda, Eric Monda (Emma), Mark Monda, Julie Monda, Jessica Strohm, Byron Strohm, Jacquelyn Tyra, and Thomas Tyra, and three great-grandchildren: Thomas Monda, Megan Monda, and Kolbi Thomas, and numerous nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church Building Fund, 367 Old Route 66, St. Robert, MO 65584. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012 in the St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church with Father John Groner officiating. Music was provided by Evelyn Horine. Serving as escorts were Paul J. Monda III, Ed Flanigan, John Jarrett, Tom Lynch, Tom Bohrer and Vic Lynch. Burial with military honors followed in the Resurrection Cemetery of St. Robert. Honors were provided by the Missouri Honors Team. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Paul Joseph Monda

March 5, 1918 - February 6, 2012