CHARLES LEWIS McMURRAY, Grove City, Pennsylvania, formerly of
Slippery Rock, died Thursday, May 6, 1999 in Grove Manor Nursing
Home, Grove City, following an extended illness. He was 96.
Mr. McMurray was born March 23, 1903, in Scott Township,
Lawrence County, to John Calvin and Mary Amelia McCurdy
McMurray.
A retired farmer, he also worked for 20 years as a boiler
operator for Slippery Rock University, retiring in 1973.
Mr. McMurray was renowned for 57 years as a sawyer, thresherman
and farmer. As a youth, he helped his father to thresh for local
farmers, using an antique steam engine and later a heavy tractor. A
lifelong lover of steam engines, he owned several and demonstrated
them for many years at the Lawrence County Fair. He had been
president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Steam Engine and Old
Equipment Association for more than 20 years.
He lived in Scott Township on a farm until 1962 when he built a
home off Harmony Road between Slippery Rock and Grove City. He
lived there until he moved to Grove Manor in 1992.
He was a member of Plain Grove Presbyterian Church, Lawrence
County.
His wife, the former Clare Novilla Neely, whom he married May
20,1928, died September 17, 1996.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Gerald (Charlotte) Fisher, of
Volant, and Zelda Artz, Arlington, Virginia; three sons, Gail
Raymond, Ashtabula, Ohio, C. Irvin, New Castle, and Harry William,
Slippery Rock; 19 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and nine
great-great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by four sisters,
Bessie and Jessie Stoughten, Edna Mulvey and Fern Gwin.
During the week ending May 16, 1999, a very community-caring
Windsorite, EDWARD BACON, was taken from our midst. At a time such
as this, some things need to be said of honorable people, as a rich
example for others to follow.
Few people, other than those who were at the receiving end of
Edward’s helping hands, know how he felt about his neighbors,
his work, his Windsor, Vermont, community and others outside of our
community.
Ed did receive recognition in the national Gas Engine Magazine a
few years back, along with the rest of his family. Many of you know
that the old farm cast iron one lunger engines were his joy and he
had many and nice ones, too. He had the incredible knack of
repairing the ‘nonrepairables,’ and people knew it. From
near and far, came the people for help with their hobbies, one
lungers, lawnmowers, golf carts, and just about anything you can
think of.
This didn’t just begin after his retirement from Miller
Construction Company. After working a long day as crane operator
for the company, Ed would help someone with a car or snowmobile
problem, or any number of things. In the winter, you would find Ed
snow-blowing the driveways of his whole street. Ed transported
people in need to the doctor or the airport. There was just no end
to the numerous times that he has helped some person in this
community, even in the last years of his failing health.
Edward was a family man, through and through. He provided well
for his family and enjoyed his family, even as he was helping
others. Ed Bacon’s passing leaves a big void in the community
and our old engine hobby. More people should subscribe to his
pattern of life for a better world.
Submitted by Wesley J. Hrydziusko, 2130 U.S. Route 5 North,
Windsor, Vermont 05089.
The town of Concord lost a prominent citizen when RICHARD
NUNWEILER succumbed from injuries resulting from a recent auto
accident that occurred within a mile of his home and business in
upper New York State.
Dick was a member of the East Concord Volunteer Fire Department
and became involved in our hobby some twelve years ago when the
department organized their steam and gas show. He had collected
several unusual show items and was involved in the acquisition of
an antique saw mill for the department which was restored and fully
operational at the shows. He was the creator of an annual show
directory which gave local businesses the chance to support the
show at very reasonable rates. This, plus the raffle he promoted,
proved to be very beneficial to the department.
Dick was always on the go, even after being slowed down recently
with medical problems. He was a member of St. Aloysius Roman
Catholic Church, a charter member of the Knights of St. John,
chairman of the Hospice Bouquet Sale, a board member of FTD
District 14-A, a fifty-year member of the East Concord Volunteer
Fire Department, as well as other organizations.
Dick is survived by Marian, his wife of forty-four years. They
operated a floral business in Springville for thirty-three years.
He leaves two children and four grandchildren. He will be greatly
missed by his family, friends and community.
Submitted by Mark Ballachino, 172 Cascade Drive, Springville,
New York 14141.
