Anthoni “Toni” Bedway, 96, of Wheeling, W.V., died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, Thursday, January 26, 2012.
He was born November 13, 1915, the son of the late Elizabeth and George Bedway.
A distinguished businessman, he was the Founder of Bedway Coal Company, Adena, Ohio, which he co-managed with his brother John Bedway and sister Adelaide Shaheen until his retirement in 1996.
He served on numerous bank , hospital and school boards in the area including being a Founder and Member of the Board of Harrison Community Hospital, Chairman of the Board at East Ohio Regional Hospital, Board of Directors for Wheeling Jesuit College, President of the Century Club for the College of Steubenville , Board of Directors at First West Virginia Bank, Board of Directors at the former Heritage Bank, Steubenville, Ohio; Board of Directors at Wheeling Country Day School and Mt. de Chantal Visitation Academy. He also served on the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.
Bedway’s philanthropic contributions were well known throughout the community. His outreach was as much to large groups such as Catholic Neighborhood Center, as well as numerous acts of individual kindness. To honor the community in which he was raised, Bedway and his siblings founded Bedway Park in Adena, Ohio.
After retiring, Bedway was able to spend his time with his favorite hobbies of painting and sketching. Creating landscapes and portraits, often with coal mining themes, Bedway even enjoyed an exhibit of his work at Steifel Arts Center in Wheeling. He could also be found around town sketching portraits on napkins at Bob Evans Restaurant in particular and handing them out to unsuspecting customers with a smile and a small “T” in the bottom corner.
Bedway is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Bedway; six children, Marquita Bedway Alger LaHood, Nannette Bedway, Marianna Bedway Kevin Hyde, Jonathan Bedway Jessica, William Bedway, and Kirsten Bedway Simeon Peebler; eleven grandchildren, Simone LaHood, Gregory LaHood, Pierson Shields, Jaden Hyde, McLean Hyde, Mary Bedway, Jakob Bedway, Isaac Bedway, Caitlin Bedway, James Bedway and Luke Peebler; sister Elizabeth Herbst; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters Phoebe Bedway, Lillian Bedway, Adelaide Shaheen, Angie Madzia, Genevieve Warner, Geraldine Buffin; brother John Bedway; and grandson Nathan Luke Bedway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wheeling Country Day School Capital Campaign, Augusta Levy Learning Center, or the charity of your choice in Toni Bedway’s name.
Friends will be received at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger Street, Elm Grove, West Virginia, Saturday 5-8pm and Sunday 12-3 and 6-8pm where a vigil service will be held at 7:30pm. Funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00am at St Michaels Catholic Church with the Rev. Jeremiah McSweeney as celebrant. Entombment will be immediately following at Holly Memorial Garden.
On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at altmeyer.com
A truly unique person and wonderful family, especially Addie and her Shaheen family.
Bill and family- I grieve with you on the loss of your father. He was one of the most wonderful men I have ever known. I am blessed to have had his influence on me as a young man. I will never forget his kindness and generosity. Truly an angel on earth. Jeff, Leah, Jake and Jeffrey
Bill, Kirsten & Family, I feel for you in your loss and share in your celebration of your Dads life. An amazing family man and someone Who left a remarkable impression on everyone who he came in contact with. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Shirley
DEAR NANCY AND FAMILY,WE HAVE BEEN IN FLORIDA .JUST HEARD FROM NINI.YOU ALL HAVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY.WE WILL HAVE A MASS FOR HIM.WILL NEVER BEFORGOTTEN.LOVE NYDIA AND GERMAN
Farewell gentle, generous and loving giant of my childhood story, devoted husband to the beautiful “Nan” and the proudest father who ever lived.
You were the “T” in “Tony and John,” my models of manhood, two men different in personality and temperament but strong in purpose and love of family. You were our protectors, the brothers and the bookends that held up our lives. Together you were a force not unlike gravity that kept our world in orbit. You are the greatest men I have ever known.
I am grateful to swim in the same gene pool. Your handprints are all over my heart. Thank you.
Lilli-ann
For Nancy and Family,
We are sorry we can’t be there to express our sympathy. However, we send our sincere condolences to the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul and Sara
God Bless you, Toni! You always made me feel like a Son, giving me advice and support after the passing of my father in 1984. Many prayers’ to the entire Bedway family as they mourn the loss of not just a Father, but a Wonderful human being! The Kriegers’; Mark, Dianne, Allie, Olivia, Riley and Tatum.
He was a wonderful, caring and fun! Such a vibrant person. He will be remembered by so many.
I knew Toni since my early childhood and always found him to be warm, caring and interesting; a man of great heart and much talent. Rest in peace, cousin.
George and Margaret Bedway
I thank God for Toni’s wonderfully productive life achieving more than three people combined, no doubt – and a native of Adena, OH.!!!
I will always remember the kindness that Toni showed to my grandparents, the Hinkle’s, whom raised me in Tiltonsville, OH. when he showed up periodically with a gift – a truck of coal -because he knew they needed the help. Of course, he brought his great personality and smile. God bless!
I would like to express my feelings to the Bedway Family. Toni was such a nice man and a pleasure to be around. I took care of him for a short time as one of his care givers. I worked for Quality Sitters at the time. Cookie is my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers Linda Thacker
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man
John,
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Gretchen Hamm Linn
Jon and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Jon and family,
So sorry for your loss. Your Dad was such a wonderful person. Sorry I am not there to give you a big hug and remember him over some delicious Lebanese food; You are in my prayers . Love you all!!!
Jonathan:
I was very saddened to hear about your dad. He was a wonderful, kind, caring man. His always cheerful spirit remains with me,he will sorely be missed. Godspeed to you and Jessica and your family.
Rich McGowan
Morristown, TN.
May God’s peace and blessings be yours during this sad time, and may there be a sweet memory for each tear that you cry.
Love . . .
Always in Jesus,
Maryann Sam Kovacevich’s daughter
My heart goes out to you Mrs. Bedway and your family for the loss of Mr. Bedway. I did not know Mr. Bedway for a long time but the short time that I did he really touched my heart. Working for and with Mr. Bedway was a blessing for myself. His selflessness was incredible, he was always thinking of others. My heart is saddened to know that such a great and fantastic man is no longer with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Toni was a wonderful man who did so much for so many people. I will never forget the day he carried me into my house on Church Hill when I injured my ankle coming home from school. You will be missed Mr. Bedway. Rest in peace.
Nan & family,
Carole and I send our sympathy and prayers. Toni’s passing leaves a big hole in our community.
Toni was a business associate, a gentleman and more importantly a good friend.
We will miss him.
Bill & Carole Spiker
Nancy and Family
Our deepest sympathy on Toni’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
R.I.P. Toni…
Mr. Bedway hired me for my first job! Thank you.
Rest in Peace Mr. Bedway,thoughts & prayers to your family…
To Jon and the Bedway family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Toni left us with many wonderful memories. God Bless your family during this difficult time.
Suzy
To the family of Toni,
Childhood memories are often the strongest ones, and not easily forgotten. They can be described with great detail, refreshing the moment such that a person relives the emotions from that memory.
When I was a child, the mere mention of the name “Toni Bedway” conjured up images of the most magnanimous man God ever made; strong and self-controlled, silently reverent during Holy Mass, full of conversation and laughter afterwards. His generosity even to a little “nobody” like me after Masses he attended at St.Casimir’s Church in Adena will never be forgotten. How he knew the bliss of a child with 2 quarters pressed into the palm of their hand! But with Toni Bedway, a child would more likely end up with 8 quarters, or two silver dollar pieces. To this day, I remember him as taller than me, looking down at me, with a smile on his face and a deep, soothing voice ringing in my ears. May the soul of this good man rest in peace, and may his memory be eternal.
Tony was a real pillar in Adena when I grew up. I know he was good to alot of people and my Dad, Stanley Lachendro, thought alot of him. He always remembered him at Christmas. In fact, my Dad had a picture given to him of himself with Tony shaking hands that he had hanging on his wall.
Our sympathy to the Family and may he rest in peace.
What an astoundingly altruistic difference Toni’s life made upon this Earth! God Bless You Nancy, Kita, Nanette, Marianna, Jonathan, Bill and Kir, as well as extended family. You are all beautiful examples of the Toni we will love and adore forever.
Jesus God’s blessings to your family I work for your family along with Nanette’s husband Scott in the Denison and Tony and his wife and Annette were very special to me I didn’t even know they realized that I exist and for Christmas he brought me a little tiny choke and said he thanked me for I did for them which I didn’t know what it was that I did for them other than work but anyways it was a beautiful silver bracelet I was so honored to be recognized by such a kind benevolent godly and and wise people you helped change my life… And may everyone come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and God bless you all