Born on September 15, 1920, Edward Malone was one of eight children born at Pleasants County, WV to G.F. and Millie Cronin Malone. He was a member of the St. Marys Apostolic Church in which he helped build. He married Dorothy Colvin Malone and became a father of seven children.

My father was a hard worker. He was employed by American Cyanamid in August of 1949 as a maintenance worker and was active in the union.

After work, he spent many hours on his 148 acre farm tending to cattle, bailing hay, plowing, butchering, pouring concrete or volunteering in the community. He was always willing to lend a hand to coworkers and neighbors; often, he mentored youth and taught them how to work on a farm. He sold yearlings and feeder calves and received three “Farming For Better Living” awards.

In the Spring of 1968, my father was asked to join the Belmont Fire Department. Edward Malone was very proud and honored that he could be a member of the department. According to Fire Chief Bob Doty, my father said he thought he would never be part of something like this and that that he really enjoyed being a volunteer fire fighter. Chief Doty said that my father was welcomed by all and was a great asset to the department.
One of the events he helped with was a fundraiser for the annual Fireman’s week- long carnival. He worked hard assembling and disassembling the equipment, plus selling tickets and running errands. My father never missed a fire meeting and participated in every available training class.

On July 8, 1968, Edward Malone participated in the fire department’s training drill at Belmont Elementary School . While donned in full personal protective gear, he along with another fireman entered a simulated fire in which a mother and child were trapped. Upon entry of the simulation drill, my father died from a massive heart attack. Honorary members of Belmont , St. Marys, and Newport fire departments were pallbearers. Fire Chief Doty said my father was a great person and his passing was a loss to the department.

Edward Charles Malone lost his life while training during a fireman’s training drill. He served his fire department and community with great pride and compassion.

Submitted by his loving daughter, Betty.