Clara Belle Gentile

Clara B. Gentile, 96, of Star City, WV passed away on September 20, 2026, at her home with her family by her side after a well-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Fayette County, PA on December 17, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Agnes (Golden) Moon Strosnider and stepdaughter of the late John Strosnider.

Clara was a wonderful wife and outstanding mother. Her kindness, generosity, and willingness to always put others before herself was well known. She was incredibly gifted in the kitchen with her specialty being a stuffed chicken dinner with all the fixings followed by one of her legendary homemade apple pies. Clara was known for always helping neighbors in need and her love of animals meant a stray cat or dog never needed to worry about being fed or watered. During her childhood she often enjoyed swimming with her friends in the backwaters of Cheat Lake, a tradition still enjoyed today by her children and grandchildren.

Clara held employment at Sterling Faucet, Gentile Glass Factory and Summit Hall. She was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

She is survived by five children, Sue Slagle of Bruceton Mills, WV, Sandra Gentile of Morgantown, WV, Debra (Bill) Bolyard of Star City, WV, Bill Gentile of Star City, WV, and John (Heather) Gentile of Morgantown, WV; three grandchildren, Aaron Bolyard and Dan Bolyard both of Morgantown, WV, and Michael Straface of Naples FL; brother in-law, Jim Hamilton and sister-in-law, Mae Strosnider; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Joseph Gentile; two grandchildren Christopher Joseph and Catherine Claire; a son-in-law, Kirby Slagle; sisters, Marie Sapp, May Debutts, Mabel Bryner Jordan, May Etta Dills, Naomi Hamilton, and brothers, John Moon, Emmett, Calvin, and Melvin Strosnider; and a dear friend and neighbor, Clyde Drews.

The family would like to thank the WVU Medicine Hospice team, especially, Autumn, for her wonderful care and comfort during Clara’s final hours, the townspeople of Star City and Star City police for watching out for Clara as well as Project Lifesaver, and, for all those that kept Clara and her family in their prayers. 

Friends and family will be received at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Ave, Morgantown on Thursday, September 24th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, September 25th from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am with Father John McDonough as celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Peace Garden Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Ursula’s Food Pantry & Outreach, PO Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26546 or the Star City Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 4235, Star City, WV 26504. 

Send condolences to the family online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com