2024: BOB AND DIANNE STARCHER WERE MARRIED 50 YEARS AGO TODAY
By Bob Weaver
50 years ago in January, Ellen Dianne Starcher and Robert J. Weaver were united in marriage, a small service at St. Johns United Methodist Church in Spencer.
Little was I to know it was the best decision of my lifetime, shared jointly with a decision 45 years ago to do whatever it took to recover from alcoholism, a commitment I would likely never have made had it not been for Dianne.
Following our wedding, we took her brother to Duke University to treat his cancer. Low on funds we came to a Cranberry River, Richwood, to spend the night, wood fire with outhouse. Realizing I was broke, I drove to service station in Richwood, telling the owner my plight. He advised me to write a check for $30.That would never happen again.
Those first five years of marriage rather daunting, me being a full-fledged alcoholic, at times "moving on up while falling down" in the world of business, but reaching a point of hitting bottom.
I drank it up, and life was bleak, but it was a new beginning as a sober man.
Dianne learned to do many things that would get me into recovery and continued to support my efforts while we lived in a small 8x30 foot trailer in a pine thicket in the Village of Hur, while she worked as a daycare provider in Grantsville.
From early on, she has had a great work gene, embarking on many endeavors from working on a newspaper to being a NY fashion buyer for a department store, to working on social justice issues and being a longtime activist with Challenge WV, a group that supported keeping small community schools.
I have had a blessed life with her, clear to say life's small and greater accomplishments without her would have diminished, or evaporated.
She has been the "wind beneath my wings," more industrious in the business of living, loving, caring and supporting than ever I could imagine.
More often than not, she is even smarter.
Her dedication to pumping out the Hur Herald for 25 years speaks loudly to her work hardiness.
Her prayers for family and friends are lifted quietly every day, imbued by her concern, love and dedication.
If I could carry a tune, I would sing it for her:
When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up to more than I can be.
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