Daily Leader Times (Kittanning, PA)

"John Rowley, aged 81 years, died Friday afternoon at the home of his niece, Mrs. Chandler Llewellyn on the Freeport-Butler road, with whom he had made his home for the past three years. Mr. Rowley has been ill for several months, but only if late has been confined to his room. His death was due to hardening of the arteries.
Mr. Rowley was the last charter member of the Freeport Baptist Church. The only close relatives surviving him are three nephews, J. R. Rowley and William W. Rowley both of Freeport and David A. Rowley of Brackenridge, also one niece, Mrs. Chandler Llewellyn, of Freeport.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Freeport Baptist Church."

"Francis D. Rowley of 319 Second St., Freeport, died at 12:45 a.m. Saturday (August 1, 1959) in the Allegheny Valley Hospital, Tarentum. He has been a hospital patient since Thursday, when he suffered a heart attack.
A resident of Freeport for nine years, he had previously lived in Natrona Heights. He worked as a sheet cutter at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation, where he was employed for the past 25 years.
Born in Brackenridge on May 17, 1909, he was a son of David and Louise Endlich Rowley. He was a member of the Freeport Gospel Tabernable congregation, a board member of the church, president of the Men's Fellowship and assistant teacher of the Men's Bible Class.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Myrtle M. Garris Rowley and seven children — Dolores J., Patricia A., Fern L., Charlotte M., Sally M., Francis D. Jr. and John A., all at home. He also leaves one sister, Miss Goldy Rowley of Brackridge.
Friends will be received at the Walters-Fullerton funeral home, 324 Fourth St., Freeport, until noon Tuesday. Respects may also be paid from the noon hour until 2 p.m. Tuesday in Freeport Gospel Tabernacle, where 2 p.m. services will be conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Ralph W. Peterson. Burial will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights."

"Day's Deaths
Robert H. Rowley
Robert H. Rowley, 50, of 316 Fifth Street, Freeport, was pronounced dead on arrival at 8:50 p.m. Thursday in Harrisburg Hospital. Mr. Rowley, employed by Penn Central Railroad as a fireman, had reported for work and was crossing the tracks when struck by a train.
Born June 15, 1918 at Freeport, he was a son of the late Myron H. Rowley and Bertha (Hepler) Rowley who survives. A life-long resident of Freeport, he was member of Freeport United Methodist Church, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen and Lactus Club of Freeport.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Helen E. Rowley; a son, R. David and a daughter Janet L, both at home; two brothers, Clyde K. of Buffalo, N.Y., Myron H Jr. of Meadville; a sister, Mrs. J. J. (Ruth) Hale of Freeport.
Rowley - Friends of Robert H. Rowley, who died Jan. 30, 1969, will be received at the Charles D. Fullerton Funeral Home, 324 Fourth St., Freeport, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, where service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday (Feb. 3, 1969) with the Rev. Jack Ammon, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Freeport, officiating. Burial will be in Freeport Cemetery. Arrangements by Fullerton."

"Mrs. Melvetta Elizabeth Shirey
Mrs. Melvetta Elizabeth Shirey, 52, of Horseshoe Drive, Freeport R.D. 1, died Saturday at Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh. She had been a patient at the hospital since July 14, but had been in ill health for some time before that; She was born July 25, 1917 in Freeport, a daughter of Mirl and Sarah (Rowley) Mickey. She was a member of the Freeport United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Shirey is survived by her husband (Uncle) George E. Shirey, two sons, Edward N. of Rochester, N.Y., and C. Jack, Freeport R.D. 1, a sister, Mrs. Howard (Bernice Mae Pike, Freeport, and her mother, Sarah R. Mickey, also of Freeport. Shirey- Friends of Mrs. Melvetta Elizabeth Shirey, Freeport RD 1, who died July 18, 1970, will be received at the Charles D. Fullerton Funeral Home, 324-4th Street, Freeport...Burial will be in the Pleasant Hills Cemetery, Allegheny Township. Arrangements by Fullerton."

"Elmo M. West, 66, of 208 Arthur St., West Kittanning, died Monday evening at Georgian Manor Nursing Home, Brackenridge. He was a retired employee of the West Penn Power Company. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church of Kittanning; Elks Lodge of Kittanning and the American Legion of Vandergrift. He was born July 14, 1909 in Apollo, a son of Elmo and Alberta (Shearer) West. Surviving are his widow, Isabel (Gould) West; a son, Merle of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter, Mrs. Vaughn (Cheryl) Smith of McDonald; a sister, Mrs. Freda Mauzy of Richland, Wash.; four brothers: Clayton of Brazil, Ind., Raymond of Lorain, Ohio, and Paul and Leland, both of Vandergrift; and four grandchildren."

"WEST- Friends of Elmo M. West, who died Dec. 29, 1975, may call at the F. Duane Snyder Funeral Home, Kittanning, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral service will be held there at 1:30 p.m. Thursday by his pastor, the Rev. Jerry Flanigan of Grace Presbyterian Church. Burial will be made in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo. Arrangements by Snyder of Kittanning. "

"West:
News has been received of the death of Merle C. West, 46, of Tucson, Arizona died Tuesday July 5, 1982 in his home. He is survived by his wife, Audrey (Beatty) West; one son, Mark and one daughter, Bethany Ann, both residing at home; his mother Isabel West of Kittanning; one sister, Mrs. Vaughn (Cheryl) Smith of McDonald. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmo West in December 1975. Merle West was buried in Tucson."

"John J. "Bud" Hale, 71, of 134 Washington Street, Freeport, died Friday, Sept. 2, 1988, at his home. He was born July 10, 1917, in Freeport to the late Charles A. Hale Sr. and Margaret (Campbell) Hale. He served as treasurer of the Freeport Borough since 1957. He formerly served on Freeport Council and was a former member of Freeport school board. Mr. Hale retired in 1982 as traffic manager of Schenley Industries, where he had worked since he was 17. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Signal Corps in the Pacific Theatre. Mr. Hale was a member of the Freeport United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6648 of Freeport and the National Rifle Association. He was a past master of Armstrong Lodge 239 F & AM of Freeport and was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening. Surviving are his wife, Ruth (Rowley Hale, whom he married Dec. 16, 1939; Two sons, John Robert of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Jeffrey J. of Corning, N.Y.; one daughter, Mrs. Lee (Bonnie) Risch of Saxonburg; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, C.A. Hale Jr., and an infant son, Gordon. Hale-friends of John J. "Bud" Hale, 71, of 134 Washington St., Freeport, who died Friday, Sept, 2, 1988, will be received ... at the Charles D. Fullerton Funeral Home, 324 Fourth St., Freeport, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Emory Billingsley, pastor of the Freeport Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Freeport Cemetery. Arrangements by Fullerton."

"Charles L. Gagen, 80, of 207 East Meyer Ave., New Castle, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1988, at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, after a short illness. He was born April 4, 1908, in Florenza, to Edward and Ida (Piper) Gagen. He retired in 1984 as vice president of Peoples Realty where he worked for 35 years. He was a member of St. Camillus Church, New Castle, a real estate broker and appraiser, and a member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement. Surviving are his wife, Olga (Scott) Gagen, whom he married Aug. 10, 1936; four sisters, Mrs. Norman (Mary) Fossler, of Vandergrift, Mrs. Anne Knorr, Mrs. Peter (Geraldine) Carrier, and Mrs. Charles (Ida) Westwood, all of Kittanning; and one brother, Francis Gagen, of Butler. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mrs. Earl (Eileen) Weis; and four brothers, Leonard, James, Patrick and Richard Gagen. Gagen - Friends of Charles L. Gagen, 80, of 207 Meyer Ave., New Castle, who died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1988, will be received 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home... where funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Camillus Church, with the Rev. Timothy Evans officiating. Burial will follow in St. Gertrude Cemetery, Vandergrift... "

"Bertha A. Rowley, 97, of 134 Washington Street, Freeport, died Sunday, March 27, 1994 at the Saxony Health Center in Saxonburg. She was born June 10, 1896 in Freeport to Peter and Mary (Walter) Hepler. A homemaker, Mrs. Rowley was a member of the Freeport United Methodist Church, the Methodist Women's Society, and the Thimble Bee Club. She was a past Queen of the Dames of Malta, and a past Matron of Freeport Chapter 179 Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Hale of Freeport, with whom she made her home; two sons, Clyde Kenneth Rowley of Buffalo and Myron Howard Rowley of Meadville; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Clyde Robert Rowley in 1935; her second husband, Myron Hale Rowley in 1960; a son, Robert Henry Rowley on Jan. 30, 1969; two brothers, Warren and John Hepler; and two sisters, Lydia Bower and Susan Snyder. Rowley — Friends of Bertha A. Rowley, 97, of 134 Washington St., Freeport, who died March 27, 1994 will be received....at the Daugherty-Fullerton Funeral Home, 324 Fourth Street, Freeport...Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday with her pastor, the Rev. Lawrence A. Layman officiating. Burial will take place in the Freeport Cemetery. Arrangements by Daughterty-Fullerton."

"Anne W. Rowley: Morro Bay, Calif. Formerly of New Kensington
Anne W. Stratton Rowley, 98, of Morro Bay, Calif., formerly of New Kensington, died Thursday (Oct. 3, 2002) in Morro Bay. Born Dec. 2, 1903, in Wilkinsburg, she lived in New Kensington before moving to Richmond, Ind., in 1947. In 1992, she moved to Morro Bay to be near her daughter. An educator, she taught elementary school for 22 years in Richmond. Mrs. Rowley was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philantrophic educational organization in Richmond. She enjoyed flower arranging, gardening and traveling. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra A. Rowley and Michael Clark of San Louis Obispo, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delliemer O. Rowley, in 1963; her parents, Charles F. and Bertha Woodhull Stratton; and a sister, Mabel Oartell. Friends will be received Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until a service at10:30 a.m. in the REDMOND FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 High St., Freeport. Officiating will be the Rev. Howard Greenfield of Zion United Methodist Church, Buffalo Township. Burial will be in Freeport Cemetery."

"Olga (Scott) Gagen, 91, of 207 E. Meyer Ave., New Castle, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003 in Avalon Nursing Center. She was born Sept. 6, 1912 in Freeport to Harry Clyde and Laverna (Burtner) Scott. Mrs. Gagen was an office administrator at King's Jewelry for 50 years. She was a member of St. Camillus Church, New Castle. Her other memberships included several local organizations. Survivors include one brother, Edward E.C. "Ted" Scott of Rome, N.Y.; and two sisters, Anna Cannon of Vandergrift and Inga Scott of Monroeville. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles L. Gagen, who died Oct. 12, 1988; one brother, Robert Scott; and two sisters, Vivian West and Helen Goodbread. GAGEN — Friends of Olga (Scott) Gagen, 91, of 207 E. Meyer Ave., New Castle, who died Dec. 24, 2003, will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle. The procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Monday with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Camillus Church with her pastor, the Rev. Philip Farrell, officiating. Burial will be in St. Gertrude Cemetery, Vandergrift. The family requests memorial contributions may be made to St. Camillus Church, 314 E. Englewood, Ave., New Castle, Pa. 16105. Arrangements by Cunningham."

"Jean R. (Rowley) Buechner, 92, of Freeport, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born June 2, 1915, in Freeport, daughter of the late William Wesley and Carrie L. (Rowley) Rowley. Mrs. Buechner resided in Freeport Borough all of her life. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1933. She then attended and graduated from Elliott Business School, Wheeling, W.Va. Mrs. Buechner trained as a secretary and worked for the American Red Cross during the flood of 1936. She was a volunteer for the Freeport Area Meals-on-Wheels. Jean was a member of Freeport United Methodist Church. She is survived by two sons, George D. (Carol) Buechner Jr., of West Union, W.Va., and Daniel E. (Joanne) Buechner, of Brandon, Fla.; her daughter, Amanda J. (Michael) Allen, of Norfolk, Va.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Elizabeth "Betty" McKnight, of Freeport. In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, George D. Buechner, on Oct. 16, 1982. They were married Jan. 9, 1937. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the DENNIS J. DAUGHERTY FUNERAL HOME, 324 Fourth St., Freeport, where funeral ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with her pastor, the Rev. Edd Myers, officiating. Committal services will follow in the chapel at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Memorial contributions may be made to Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., Freeport, PA 16229."