Raymond Mendenhall

Struthers - Raymond Mendenhall, 88, of Struthers, died Saturday evening with his family in St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Ray was born September 8, 1919 in New Brighton, PA, a son of Raymond and Emma Brown Mendenhall. He was raised in Pennsylvania and came to this area in 1937. He was a 1937 graduate of Beaver Falls High School and in 1941 enlisted in the United States Army. He was a Technical Sergeant in the 57th Division serving in the South Pacific. For 30 years, Ray was a carpenter for Sharon Steel Company in Lowellville and Sharon. He retired in 1982. He was a member of the Struthers Presbyterian Church where he was a treasurer for 22 years, an Elder, a member of the Fireside Sunday School Class, and for many years video taped Sunday services. A train enthusiast, Ray was an avid collector of model trains and enjoyed attending model train exhibits with his good friend, Mickey Collingwood. His favorite time of the year was the Christmas Season and he was always the family Santa. But most important in his life, was his beloved wife Myrtle, whom he cherished for 66 years. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Besides his wife, the former Myrtle Pletcher, whom he married May 31, 1941, he leaves two daughters, Karen Morlan of Crystal River, FL, and Rae Ellen (Bob) Day of Austintown; one son, Rich (Amy) Mendenhall of Poland; one brother, Ernest "Bud" Mendenhall of Punta Gorda, FL; one sister, Jane Echelson of East Hartford, CT; eight grandchildren, Kim (Steve) Gill, Ben (Candy) Day, Jeremy Day, Heather Day, Richie (Naomi) Mendenhall, George Norris, Sarah Mendenhall, and David Mendenhall; and five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kyle Gill, Cody and Sabrina Day, and Onyx Mendenhall. Besides his parents, Mr. Mendenhall was preceded in death by his sister, Marie McCormick and his brother, Bill Mendenhall. Funeral services will be Thursday, 11:00 AM at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, Struthers with Pastor Steve Breazier officiating. Interment will follow in the Poland Riverside Cemetery. Friends will be received Wednesday from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. The family requests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Struthers Presbyterian Church, 110 Poland Ave., Struthers 44471 or to the recreation department of Maplecrest Nursing Home, 400 Sexton Street, Struthers 44471. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .

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