T-L Photos/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Belmont County seniors prepare to release balloons during a Wednesday ceremony at the senior services center. They marked the deaths of every area senior who died in the past 15 months.

St. CLAIRSVILLE — Area seniors and community leaders gathered Wednesday at the Belmont County Department of Senior Services on National Road west of St. Clairsville to remember and mark the passing of all seniors who died during the coronavirus pandemic.

Signs with names and pictures lined the walkway and lawn around the building.

Senior Services Director Dwayne Pielech said about 200 people were expected to gather around the grounds. He said the event was a step toward addressing the losses that could not be marked with ceremonies during the last 15 months.

“We’re recognizing over 275 deceased,” he said. “Not all of the deaths are related to COVID-19. People have passed. Family members, community people, friends, neighbors, churches couldn’t have services because you couldn’t socially gather. Funerals couldn’t have services.”

His staff reached out to local centers and funeral homes to gather the names of everyone commemorated. Pielech said the pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but particularly for seniors. He mentioned one woman who utilized seniors services transportation for medical reasons.

“She passed last fall. Her husband passed recently. Heartbreaking,” he said. “It wasn’t pandemic-related.”

Joel Traylor, pastor of New Life Fellowship, offered an opening prayer, referring to Psalm 1:16 verse 15 and John 11:35, indicating God is with people in their grief, adding that people should seek comfort and trust in faith and hope in heaven.

Belmont County Commissioners Jerry Echemann, J.P. Dutton and Josh Meyer attended the event following their weekly meeting.

Echemann emphasized the value of multiple local senior centers around the county is now more evident in providing socialization opportunities.

“Most counties in Ohio … have a central location where everyone has to go, and they have to drive there. We like to keep it local so that everyone has a senior center nearby,” Echemann said. He commended the senior center administrators.

“They truly, truly love and care for the seniors that are at their center,” Echemann said. “The socialization is very important at any age … so please, keep coming to our centers and participating. Have your meals there, and for those who aren’t at the centers every day, please consider coming. Once you break that ice and make some friends, it’s a wonderful thing.”

“It’s just unbelievable to see this many faces and names. It’s unbelievable in one year that we could lose so many precious people,” Nancy Campbell of Key Ridge said. “It’s just a very nice event to have for all these people.”

Campbell added that her father, Charles Maloney of Jacobsburg, died in March at age 90.

“I think this is a great way to honor our seniors,” Arlean Selvy of Powhatan Point said. She pointed out a sign honoring Pete Thomas of Powhatan Point. Her husband, John Selvy, also died. “They were friends, and they were both confined to the same nursing home in Shadyside at one point in their illnesses.”

“It’s been a tough year. It’s been very challenging to say the least,” Richard Hord of Martins Ferry said, adding his father, Calvin Hord, died recently. “This is a wonderful event. It’s wonderful to recognize those who have passed.”

“The senior centers are a wonderful thing,” Doug Potts of Bellaire, a frequent visitor to the village senior center, said, adding he has been eager to resume activities there. “We’re just so blessed with our leadership and activities.

Community partners such as Care Funeral Services and Amedisys Hospice were also thanked. For those seniors who could not attend, Care Funeral and Cremation Specialists will sponsor a telecast of the ceremony on the website client.tribucast.com for the next 90 days.

Senior Services staff members and staff at Amedisys Hospice spoke or recited poems.

The ceremony concluded with a release of biodegradable balloons. During the closing prayer, David Bigley, chaplain of Amedisys Hospice, likened the balloons to rising hopes.