1920
Howard
2015
Howard H Headley
March 14, 1920 — January 8, 2015
Howard H. Headley, of Shepherd of the Valley, was born on March 14, 1920 in Graysville, PA, the son of William C. and Edna Cook Headley. When he was three years old, his mother died. He lived for some time with various aunts and uncles.
In 1938 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1941 he moved to Youngstown and began working at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, where he was a fireman and maintenance foreman in the Brier Hill boiler house.
In 1942 he entered the service. He served as a paratrooper Corporal in the 376th Field Artillery of the 82nd Airborne Division. He made a combat jump in the Sicily Invasion, where 23 paratroop aircraft and over 400 men were lost. He also saw combat in the campaigns of Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Along with other decorations, he was awarded the Purple Heart for the battle wounds and five battle stars.
After discharge from the Army, he returned to Youngstown, where he married the former Esther Brickman on October 18, 1947.
Mr. Headley began a 55 year career in the construction field as a carpenter/millwright working out of the union. From 1958-1964 he was part of Swan-Headley Construction.
He had been active in the former Third Reformed Church as a Deacon on the Consistory. When he moved to Warren, OH as a superintendent of KT Builders, he joined the United Church of Christ, where he once again, served as a Deacon. Moving to Howland, he served the Howland United Methodist Church as a trustee. Mr. Headley currently belongs to the Faith Community Church in Youngstown. He is a member of the Old Erie Lodge #5 F&AM, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Youngstown, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He had been a Dad Advisor to the DeMolay.
He was known as an organizer, founding the reunion of his army unit and several fast pitch softball programs, including a church league that he managed from 1948-1956.
He was preceded in death by his wife Esther; grandson Scott; two sisters, Jessie Lee Gray and Esther Kabico; brothers, William and Donald Headley.
He leaves his son Jeffrey (Victoria) Headley of Struthers; daughter Gayle (Rod) Gilman of Wisconsin; grandchildren, Justin (Lauren) Headley, Samantha Headley, Wade (Shelli) Gilman and Lane Schmidt; great grandchildren, Carmyn and Nathaniel; sisters, Larraine Johnson of Waynesburg, PA, Dorothy Jeffers of Columbiana, OH, Alice Jane Boyles of Waynesburg, PA, Betty Hammond of Youngstown and Shirley Beckham of Columbiana, OH; many nieces and nephews and a wonderful friend from Keller, TX.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Jonnette Dobozy and Linda Bianchi.
Family and friends may call on Sunday from 1-2pm at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St Boardman, OH 44512 where a memorial service will follow at 2pm with Pastor Mark Brungard officiating.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
In 1938 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1941 he moved to Youngstown and began working at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, where he was a fireman and maintenance foreman in the Brier Hill boiler house.
In 1942 he entered the service. He served as a paratrooper Corporal in the 376th Field Artillery of the 82nd Airborne Division. He made a combat jump in the Sicily Invasion, where 23 paratroop aircraft and over 400 men were lost. He also saw combat in the campaigns of Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Along with other decorations, he was awarded the Purple Heart for the battle wounds and five battle stars.
After discharge from the Army, he returned to Youngstown, where he married the former Esther Brickman on October 18, 1947.
Mr. Headley began a 55 year career in the construction field as a carpenter/millwright working out of the union. From 1958-1964 he was part of Swan-Headley Construction.
He had been active in the former Third Reformed Church as a Deacon on the Consistory. When he moved to Warren, OH as a superintendent of KT Builders, he joined the United Church of Christ, where he once again, served as a Deacon. Moving to Howland, he served the Howland United Methodist Church as a trustee. Mr. Headley currently belongs to the Faith Community Church in Youngstown. He is a member of the Old Erie Lodge #5 F&AM, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Youngstown, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He had been a Dad Advisor to the DeMolay.
He was known as an organizer, founding the reunion of his army unit and several fast pitch softball programs, including a church league that he managed from 1948-1956.
He was preceded in death by his wife Esther; grandson Scott; two sisters, Jessie Lee Gray and Esther Kabico; brothers, William and Donald Headley.
He leaves his son Jeffrey (Victoria) Headley of Struthers; daughter Gayle (Rod) Gilman of Wisconsin; grandchildren, Justin (Lauren) Headley, Samantha Headley, Wade (Shelli) Gilman and Lane Schmidt; great grandchildren, Carmyn and Nathaniel; sisters, Larraine Johnson of Waynesburg, PA, Dorothy Jeffers of Columbiana, OH, Alice Jane Boyles of Waynesburg, PA, Betty Hammond of Youngstown and Shirley Beckham of Columbiana, OH; many nieces and nephews and a wonderful friend from Keller, TX.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Jonnette Dobozy and Linda Bianchi.
Family and friends may call on Sunday from 1-2pm at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St Boardman, OH 44512 where a memorial service will follow at 2pm with Pastor Mark Brungard officiating.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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