The Globe Leader

Robert French

January 15, 1927 to September 7, 2008

Robert C. French, of E. Northview Ave. died Sept. 7, 2008, at Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was 81. Born Jan.15, 1927, in New Castle, he was a son of the late James C. and Bertha D. Robinson French.

Mr. French married the former Helen L. Reinhard on Sept. 18, 1948. She survives. He was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 12 of Pittsburgh. He retired in 1986 after 35 years. He attended Union High School. During WW II, Mr. French served honorably from March 16, 1944, to May 20, 1946. He served in the Korean conflict from Sept. 18, 1950, to Dec. 13, 1951. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 455 and VFW Post 6233 in West Middlesex. Mr. French was a member of St. Mary Church, Mary, Mother of Hope Parish.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Mary Jo Jones of Mansfield, Pa., Helen A. McAnallen of Pulaski, and Gladys A. Ferrara of New Castle; one son, Robert Mark French of Pittsburgh; two sisters, Bertha D. Smith and Gladys M. Lasky, both of New Castle; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Paul H. French, Charles K. French, Jack C. French, Joseph D. French, and infant James French; one son, Brian P. French on April 9, 2001; and one grandson, John Robert McVay.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Thursday at St. Mary Church. The Rev. Victor J. Molka officiated. Military rites were performed by the New Castle Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery.

- Posted 9/11/08

Margaret Grassell
May 14, 1915 to September 17, 2008

Margaret “Peg” M. Grassell passed away the morning of Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at Jameson Care Place in New Castle. She was 93.

Born May 14, 1915, she was a daughter of David Sprott and Fannie Nickerson Sprott Sherman. Mrs. Grassell was a graduate of New Castle High School. She was married to Bertram Grassell who passed away in March 1992.

Mrs. Grassell worked in the dress department at Strauss’s in New Castle and later at Cato’s Dress Shop in Monroe, GA. Mrs. Grassell was active in the community as a volunteer with AARP, the Jameson Guild and volunteered at a hospital in Monroe, GA. She enjoyed golfing, playing cards, bowling, bingo and anything that involved the family. She was also a member of New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington.

Survivors include a daughter, Beverly and husband David Latimer of New Wilmington; a daughter-inlaw, Sri Grassell of Bandung, Indonesia; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren. A son, Charles Grassell; a sister, Ruth Lash; stepfather; Harry Sherman; and two stepbrothers, James and Robert Sherman, preceded her in death.

Services were held at the Smith Funeral home in New Wilmington. Pastor David Robinson of New Life Baptist Church officiated. Interment was in Castle View Memorial Park in New Castle.

- Posted 9/25/08

Wendell Junk
February 27, 1920 to September 8, 2008

Wendell Howard Junk, of Route 956, Volant, Wilmington Township, died the afternoon of Sept. 8, 2008, at Woodland Place of Mercer. He was 88. Born Feb. 27, 1920, in Canton, Ohio, he was a son of the late Louella Junk. He married the former Mary Stewart Hall in 1949. She died Aug. 1, 1992. Mr. Junk worked in construction for Vic Minteer of New Wilmington. He was a member of the Lawrence County Blind Association and a former member of the New Wilmington Lions Club. Mr. Junk was a member of New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington. Survivors include one daughter, Katherine Shetter of Volant; one stepson and two stepdaughters-in-law, Ed- ward and Dorothy Hall of Mechanicsburg and Marlene Hall of New Castle; two grandchildren, Anthony and Blake Shetter of Volant; nine step grandchildren; 14 step great-grandchildren; and six step great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two stepsons, Ronald E. Hall and William E. Hall; one stepgranddaughter, Eileen Clark; and two stepgrandsons, William Hall and Russell Hall. A service was conducted at 11 am. Thursday. Pastor Greg Marshall of New Life Baptist Church of New Wilmington officiated. Burial was in Fair Oaks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence County Blind Association.

- Posted 9/11/08

Barbara Miller
January 27, 1958 to September 30, 2008

Barbara Delo Miller, of Oak Hill Drive, Volant, passed away early in the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at Jameson Memorial Hospital. She was 50.

Born January 27, 1958, in McKeesport, PA, she was a daughter of Norman Delo and Dixie Davis Delo Neff. She married Samuel Miller Dec. 13, 1993. He survives. A homemaker, Mrs. Miller was formerly the vice president of the Giant Eagle in Slippery Rock and the Volant Mill in Volant. She was a graduate of Norwin High School in North Huntington, PA. Mrs. Miller enjoyed ceramics and the Quilt Club at Pebble Creek in Arizona. She was a member of New Life Baptist Church of New Wilmington where she was involved with Creative Blessings, Women of Faith and the Wednesday Night Bible Study.

In addition to her husband, survivors include one daughter, Jaclyn Bakunas and husband
Ryan of Halethorpe, Maryland; one son, Andrew Boyer of Slippery Rock; one brother, Ronnie Delo and wife Darla of Bagdad, Arizona; three sisters, Shelley Toucey and husband Don of Indiana, PA, Debbie Laughlin and husband Lary of Zelienople, PA, Joy Anders and husband Steve of Charleroi, PA; and one grandson, Colton Boyer. Mrs. Miller’s father and an infant daughter, Krista Boyer, preceded her in death.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the Smith Funeral Home, 1778 Perry Highway, Volant (Village of Leesburg,). The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, Oct. 3, at New Life Baptist Church, Rt. 208, New Wilmington. Burial will be in Fair Oaks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

- Posted 10/2/08

Mildred Morris
October 5, 1926 to September 27, 2008

Mildred Lucille Morris, of West Middlesex, passed away Saturday morning, September 27, 2008, in the John XXIII Home of Hermitage. She was 81.

Born Oct. 5, 1926 in Widen, West Virginia, she was a daughter of Russell and Sarah Taylor Mullins. She married Pat Morris on Aug. 20, 1948. He survives. Mrs. Morris and her husband were co-owners of Pat F. Morris and Son Trucking of Portersville. She was a graduate of Clenville State Teachers College and formerly taught in Clay, West Virginia. Mrs. Morris enjoyed crocheting. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Butler.

In addition to her husband, survivors include a daughter, Sandra Wilson of Pulaski; a son, Pat Morris Jr. of Prospect; a sister Dorothy Neal of Summersville, West Virginia; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A daughter, Sally Dobbins; two infant sisters, Mary and Elizabeth Mullins; and three brothers, Ed, Russell, and Tom Mullins, preceded her in death.

A service was held on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Smith Funeral Home in West Middlesex. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, New Bedford.

- Posted 10/2/08

Raymond Ryan
March 11, 1939 to September 5, 2008

Raymond Thomas Ryan, 69, of Old Mercer Road, Volant, formerly of the South Side of Pittsburgh, died the afternoon of Sept. 5, 2008, at Jameson Hospital.

Born March 11, 1939, on the South Side of Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late Raymond Lawrence and Gertrude Hammerly Ryan. Mr. Ryan married the former Nancy Jean Monk on Aug. 19, 1961. She survives. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church ELCA, Highland Avenue, where he served as vice president of the church council and was on the finance committee. He was retired from South Hills Magnetic Imaging. Mr. Ryan served honorably in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He loved family activities, fishing, cards, reading, and camping.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Susan and Ward Wycoff of New Wilmington, Lori Fleegle of Pulaski and Jennifer and Michael Cersosimo of Pittsburgh; two sons and daughters- in-law, Ronald and Kimberly Ryan of North Huntingdon and Michael and Elham Ryan of Eighty Four; and 10 grandchildren.

Services were conducted at the funeral home. The Rev. Thomas McCurdy, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, officiated. Interment was in Fair Oaks Cemetery.

- Posted 9/11/08