Today's obituaries
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Gerald A.Harshman
Retired Herald publisher was active in church,community
NAPLES, Fla. -- A former publisher of The Herald, Gerald A. Harshman, Naples, formerly of 4400 Clifford Drive, Hermitage; and 320 Carley Ave., Sharon, died Thursday afternoon, March 7, 2002, in his home. He was 92.
Born July 30, 1909, in West Middlesex, Mr. Harshman was a son of the late John M. and Olive Allen Harshman. He came to Sharon when he was 9 years old and graduated from Sharon High School. He was an alumnus of Washington (Pa.) and Jefferson College.
In June of 1929, he began his career on the staff of the Sharon News-Telegraph as a reporter while still a student at Washington and Jefferson College. After his graduation in 1930, he returned to the news staff and later served as reporter in Mercer, covering the county courthouse. He became news editor in 1934 and began his 44-year career with The Herald after the News-Telegraph merged with the newspaper in 1935, when he was named associate editor of The Herald.
In 1937, Mr. Harshman became assistant general manager under the late C.B. Lartz. In 1940 he was appointed business manager. Subsequently, he was named editor and general manager and was elected a director of the company in 1944.
Mr. Harshman was elected president of the Sharon Herald Co. in 1957 and became publisher in 1968. He continued as publisher following the merger of The Herald with Ottaway Newspapers Inc. He retired as president and publisher Jan. 1, 1974, after 45 years in the newspaper business.
Following retirement, he moved to Florida.
Professionally, Mr. Harshman was a past president of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association; and of Western Pennsylvania Hometown Dailies; and a former member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors; National Conference of Editorial Writers; National Newspaper Promotion Association; Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors, for which he was a past secretary; American Newspaper Publishers Association; International Press Institute; and the National and Pittsburgh Press clubs.
He was also a founding member of the Pittsburgh chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, a national professional journalistic society.
In 1963, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association presented him its Distinguished Service Award.
Harshman was selected "1945 Man of the Year" by the Shenango Valley Jaycees.
In 1956, Washington and Jefferson College honored Harshman with its Distinguished Alumni Award. He became a trustee of the college in 1952 and a life member in 1957, becoming a trustee emeritus and honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree in 1979. He also was honored by Grove City College; Point Park College, Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania State University, State College.
In the education field, he served on the Governor's Committee of One Hundred for Better Education; was chairman of PNPA's Journalism Education Council; and headed PNPA's advisory committee with Penn State's School of Journalism. Mr. Harshman was a founding member of the advisory board at the Shenango Valley campus since its establishment in 1965.
In civic and community activities, Harshman took an active role in the development of Pennsylvania's highway program and served as co-chairman of the Erie-Pittsburgh-West Virginia Freeway Association (Interstate Route 79). He was a director of the Keystone Shortway Association, which successfully promoted the construction of Interstate 80 from Sharon to Stroudsburg.
In 1956, he was elected chairman of the Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission. He also was a member of the Sharon, Mercer County and Pennsylvania planning commissions. He was director of Shenango Valley Industrial Development Association; of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce; and of the former McDowell National Bank, Sharon; and vice chairman of the Sharon Planning Commission.
He was a former president of the former Valley Hotel Operating Co., the body that operated the community-owned Shenango Inn, for which he was a founder.
He was a former president of Shenango Valley Community Fund and United Fund, in 1942 being in charge of promotional activities for the Shenango Valley War Chest and the Community Fund campaign. He was president in 1943 of Sharon Kiwanis Club, which honored him in 1960 for 25 years of service. In 1954, he received a Distinguished Service certificate from American Legion Post 299, Sharon, for outstanding service in civic affairs.
A member of the Salvation Army advisory committee since 1956, he was chairman in 1960.
He also belonged to Sharon Country Club, Delta Tau Delta, Sharon Social Fishing Club and the Capitol Hill Club.
Mr. Harshman was a member since his boyhood of First Presbyterian Church in Sharon, where he served as an elder, a trustee and a Sunday school teacher.
His wife of 65 years and high school classmate, the former Dorothy Burnett, died in Naples on Aug. 6, 1994.
Surviving are: a son, Gerald A. Harshman Jr., Princeton, N.J.; and two daughters, Mrs. William (Nancy) Lazear, Naples; and Mrs. Robert (Sue) Pullar, Tempe, Ariz. He had nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are: a brother, M.W. Harshman, Athens, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Gertrude McFarland, Waynesboro, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Moorings Park, Naples, Fla. Burial will be at a later date in Hermitage.
Dustin Chesmer
Dustin Chesmer, 89 S. Irvine Ave., Sharon, died Friday morning in Children's Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was 7.
Obituary information was incomplete.
CHESMER
Dustin, 7, of 89 S. Irvine Ave., Sharon.
Arrangements will be announced by JOHN FLYNN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY Inc., 2630 E. State St., Hermitage.
Joseph G. 'Skip' Harakal, Sr.
Sawhill employee collected books, glassware, antiques
Joseph G. "Skip" Harakal Sr., a resident of Cordia Commons at Shenango Inn, Sharon, formerly of Saunders Avenue, Sharon, died at 8:37 a.m. Friday (3-8-02) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell, after a brief illness. He was 66.
He was born March 8, 1936, in Farrell.
Mr. Harakal was a pipe inspector for AK Steel Sawhill Tubular Division, Sharon. He also worked at Garrett's garage, Hermitage.
A Catholic, he was a former member of the DeColores religious group.
He was an avid collector of books, glassware and antiques.
Surviving are: three sons, Joseph G. Harakal Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.; Jerome A. Harakal, Houston, Texas; and Rodney D. Harakal, Hermitage; a sister, Mildred "Jeanie" Grannison, Sharon; four brothers, Conrad and his wife, Gina, and Al and his wife, Rosemary, all Hermitage; Richard, Sharon; and James and his wife, Carol, Sharpsville; and six grandchildren, Jenifer, Michael, Lisa Trista, Jarod, and Matthew Harakal.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Tom Harakal.
HARAKAL
Joseph G. "Skip," Sharon, formerly of Saunders Avenue, Sharon.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in HAROLD W. STEVENSON FUNERAL HOME, 264 E. State St., Sharon.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Jay Gunn, pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Hermitage, officiating.
Burial: West Side Cemetery, South Pymatuning Township.
Jane C. McClure
GCHS graduate was active at North Liberty Presbyterian
Jane C. McClure, formerly of Coal Hill Road, West Salem Township, died at 10:10 a.m. Friday (3-8-02) in White-Cliff Nursing Home, Hempfield Township. She was 89.
She was born Oct. 6, 1912, in Grove City to Andrew and Bertha Witherow Boyd.
A 1928 graduate of Grove City High School, Mrs. McClure was a lifelong member of North Liberty Presbyterian Church, Grove City, where she was active in the Bible study program and was past president of its Ladies Guild.
Her husband, Richard Stanley McClure, whom she married June 30, 1934, died Dec. 19, 1987.
Surviving are: a daughter, Mrs. Clair (Betty) Brockway, Greenville; and three grandsons, Richard, Greenville; Brian, Sharon; and Douglas, Pittsburgh.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Boyd; and a sister, Mary McDowell.
McCLURE
Mrs. Richard Stanley (Jane C.), Hempfield Township, formerly of Coal Hill Road, West Salem Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in BAIRD FUNERAL HOME, 14 Louisa Ave., Greenville. Friends may send condolences by e-mail to: Baird@infonline.net
Service: Funeral services at 1 p.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Jerry Mahffey, pastor of North Liberty Presbyterian Church, Grove City, officiating.
Burial: North Liberty Cemetery, Grove City.
George A. Sonntag
Sharon Steel welder was a Presbyterian
George A. Sonntag, 610 Tidball Ave., Grove City, died at 8:30 a.m. Friday (3-08-02) after an extended illness in United Community Hospital, Pine Township. He was 87.
He was born Oct. 21, 1914, in Volant to Charles and Elizabeth Kuhn Sonntag.
Mr. Sonntag was employed by Sharon Steel Corp.'s former Farrell plant, where he was a welder for 25 years.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, Washington Township, Lawrence County.
Surviving are: his wife at home, Lorna Mae King Sonntag, whom he married Aug. 8, 1951; a daughter, Shirley Richards and her husband, Paul, West Middlesex; two step-children, John C. Gills and his wife, Barbara, Houston, Texas; and Caryl Viah, Butler; a sister, Charlotte Sonntag, Sharpsville; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James A. Sonntag; a grandson, Bradley Richards; two brothers, Lawrence and Paul Sonntag; and a sister, Helen Sonntag.
SONNTAG
George A., 87, of 610 Tidball Ave., Grove City.
Calling hours: 3:30 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday (3-11-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday (3-12-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Irfon Hughes, pastor of Presbyterian Church of America, Washington Township, Lawrence County, officiating.
Burial: Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township.
Charles D. Hawthorne
Unity Presbyterian member had been school bus driver
Charles D. Hawthorne, a resident of Clepper Manor, Sharon, formerly of 73 Mercer Ave., Wheatland, died at 3:58 a.m. Friday (3-8-02) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 80.
Mr. Hawthorne was born July 1, 1921, in Mercer to John D. and Rose Reimold Hawthorne.
He attended Hermitage schools and was a retired farmer.
Mr. Hawthorne also was employed by Watson Inc. as a school bus driver in the Hermitage School District, and by Bill McCandless Ford & Mercury, East Lackawannock Township, as a driver.
He was a member of Unity Presbyterian Church, Greenfield, and American Legion Post 432, Wheatland.
His wife, the former Mae E. Williams, whom he married in 1976, died in 2001.
Surviving are: two sons, Ronald D. Hawthorne, Tampa, Fla.; and Larry L. Hawthorne, Masury; three stepdaughters, Robin Hawthorne, Masury; Jacalyn Varga, West Middlesex; and Krista Gardner, Transfer; a stepson, William K. Glancy, Farrell; four grandchildren, Mary Kay Savia, Ronald Hawthorne II, Larry Hawthorne II and Becky Fox; seven stepgrandchildren, Joanna Platteborze, Jennifer and Joseph Varga Jr., Christopher and Joshua Glancy and Sean and Jessica Gardner; and three great-grandchildren, Brittany Savia and Nathanael and Jeremy Hawthorne.
HAWTHORNE
Charles D., 80, Sharon, formerly of 73 Mercer Ave., Wheatland.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in SAMPLE-O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME Inc., East State Street at North Oakland Avenue, Sharon. Condolences also may be e-mailed to: Sample@infonline.net
Service: 11 a.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home with the Rev. Donald P. Wilson, pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township, officiating.
Burial: Mount Washington Cemetery, Jefferson Township.
PREVIOUS DEATHS
Look in past days' obituary files to find the full obituaries
HOLMES
Charles W. "Hungry," 74, of 7066 E. State St., Jefferson Township.
Obituary was published 3-7-02
Calling hours: Were 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (3-8-02) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Panachida at 8 p.m. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. today (3-9-02) in St. John's Cemetery Chapel, corner of Morefield Road and Route 18, Hermitage, with Monsignor Michael Polanichka, pastor of St. John's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Sharon, officiating. Brief prayer service at 9 a.m. in the funeral home prior to the chapel service.
Interment: St. John's Cemetery.
HUDSON
Mrs. Geoffrey C.(Ellen), 57, of 649 Treetop Lane, Hermitage.
Obituary was published 3-3-02
Calling hours: At her request, there will not be any calling hours, but friends may send condolences by e-mail to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net.
Service: Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. today (3-9-02) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Monsignor John B. Hagerty, pastor, as celebrant.
Interment: Jefferson Memorial Park, Pittsburgh.
Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
MORIMANDO
Susan J. Skawski, wife of the Rev. Michael "Mike" G. Morimando, 44, of 627 San Chez Terrace, Coolspring Township.
Obituary was published 3-8-02
Calling hours: Were Friday (3-8-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 144 S. Pitt St., Mercer.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. today (3-9-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Samuel DeJoy, pastor of Miracle Valley Church, Hermitage, officiating.
Interment: Mercer Citizens Cemetery.
NELSON
Donald W., 73, of 1425 W. Main St., Grove City.
Obituary was published 3-8-02
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. David A. Lingle, pastor of Center Presbyterian Church, Grove City, officiating.
Interment: Center Church Cemetery, Pine Township.
MYERS
Doris N., 90, Hermitage, formerly of 1232 E. State St. and what is now Cordia Commons at the Shenango Inn, both Sharon.
Obituary was published 3-8-02
Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may also e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@infonline.net
Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Sean Martin, associate pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sharon, officiating.
Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.
RODGERS
Katherine J. Stewart, wife of Judge Herman M. Rodgers, 81, of 604 Woodland Ave., Grove City.
Obituary was published 3-8-02
Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday (3-10-02) in CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME Inc., 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.
Service: Funeral service at 2 p.m. Monday (3-11-02) in the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Donald C. Hoagland, pastor of East Main Presbyterian Church, Grove City, officiating.
Interment: Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township.
ROQUEPLOT
David Isaac, 25, of 73 Erie St., West Middlesex, formerly of 684 Campground Road, West Middlesex.
Obituary was published 3-7-02
Calling hours: Were 3 to 6 p.m. Friday (3-8-02) in JOHN A. PALISIN FUNERAL HOME, 86 Maple Drive, Hermitage.
Service: Funeral service at 1 p.m. today (3-9-02) in New Bedford Presbyterian Church, Marr Road, with the Rev. Douglas Runyan, pastor, officiating.
HECKER
Harold L., 86, Hermitage, formerly of 34 Coulter Road, West Salem Township.
No obituary was published
Calling hours: 1 to 3 p.m. today (3-9-02) in ANDREW H. OSBORNE III FUNERAL HOME Inc., 73 & 75 Columbia Ave., Greenville. Masonic funeral service at 3 p.m. Condolences may be sent to www.osbornefuneralhome.com
Service: Funeral and committal service at 3:30 p.m. today in the funeral home, with the Rev. Kathleen A. Mitchell, pastor of Jerusalem United Church of Christ, Otter Creek Township, officiating.
Interment: Monday (3-11-02) in Delaware (Township) Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 288 Main St., Greenville 16125.
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