Juanita Cherney Morasco, 102, passed away peacefully January 16, 2026, in Clearwater, Fla. She was born August 24, 1923, in Middletown, Ohio, the only child of John Cherney and Bertha Melkus Cherney.
Juanita grew up in Shadyside, Ohio and was valedictorian of Shadyside High School’s Class of 1941.
She was in her first semester at Ohio State University, when World War II broke out in December of that year. After selling war bonds and working at an Alcoa Wartime Defense Plant, she enlisted in the Women’s Marine Corps, serving in a support role at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Prior to her passing, Juanita had the unique distinction of being the oldest living female Marine Corps Veteran (from World War II).
In 1945, at Camp Gruber in Okla., she met her husband Sam, an Army officer. After World War II, as part of the U.S. Army occupation, they lived in the wire enclosed compound in war-ravaged Frankfurt, before moving to Heidelberg, and eventually Berlin, Germany, raising a family until 1980.
The family returned to the U.S. in 1980, to Morgantown. She was owner of Potpourri Antiques for 27 years. She was a faithful parishioner at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, and then later, St. John University Parish Catholic Church.
In 1997, Sam and Juanita moved to Clearwater. On weekends, she ran a stand at the Wagon Wheel Flea Market, from 2002 until March of 2020, when the Wagon Wheel permanently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Sam Anthony Morasco Sr., in 2004.
She is survived by her five children: Michael of Morgantown, Sam Jr. of Clearwater, Stephen of Morgantown, Joseph and wife Ginger of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Mary Warnquist and husband Paul of Olney, Md.; three grandchildren, Kristen Forester and husband Matt, Ben Warnquist and wife Christy, and Erin Warnquist; and four great-grandchildren, Christian, Sophie, Charlie, and Grace.
Friends may join the family to honor Juanita’s life and legacy in St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Avenue, Star City, Wednesday, January 21, from 10 until the time of a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., celebrated by the Reverend Father John P. McDonough. Following the Mass, Juanita will be entombed with her husband at St. Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum, where full military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 9916, Earl Anderson Marine Corps League Detachment 342, and the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover, (304-292-9494), is providing compassionate professional services to the family.
Condolences and other gifts of comfort may be offered to the family at www.smithfcc.com.
