Minerd.com Biography of Hiram Thomas and Hester (Devan) Logston of Hopwood, PA

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Hester Ann (Devan) Logston
(1861-1950)

Hester Logston

Hester Ann "Hessie" Devan was born on Aug. 29, 1861 in Hopwood, Fayette County, the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Minerd) Devan. She appears to have been named after her maternal grandmother, Hester (Sisler) Minerd, and was age five when orphaned.

At the age of nine, in 1870, she dwelled in the household of William and Mary M. Devan in Hopwood. She spent her entire life in the town.

Then in 1880, at the age of 19, Hester boarded in the residence of her elder brother William in Hopwood.

She is believed to have married early in life, and to have lost the first husband to death by 1910. That year, she dwelled in the home of her widowed sister-in-law Arthella (Fell) Devan and bachelor brother Tobias Sutton Devan on Coolspring Street in Hopwood. The census-taker of 1910 marker her as "widowed" and the mother of a child who was no longer living.

Hester

Sometime between 1910 and 1916, Hester entered into marriage with her second husband, widowed coal miner Hiram Thomas Logston (1853-1930), of Hopwood, the son of John Logston. They were eight years apart in age.

Hiram and his first wife, Emily T. "Emma" (Mosier) Logston (Feb. 1866-1903), had lived in Frostburg, MD and near Uniontown, PA. He thus brought eight children into his second marriage -- Sarah Jane Varndell, Ida Kinsell, Andrew "Wallace" Logston, Effie Cramer, Ada Lewis, Ethel Baker, Lillian Christopher and John Hiram Logston.

Hiram, a native of Maryland, was a member of the Moose lodge of Uniontown. When the federal census was taken in 1920, the Logstons made their home along the National Pike. His occupation was listed as "wood chopper - saw mill."

As was her sister in law Arthella (Fell) Devan, Hester was active in volunteer work with the Ladies Aid Society of the Hopwood Methodist Protestant Church, and in 1921 was a member of the organization.

Afflicted with heart disease and pneumonia, Hiram died on Dec. 1, 1930, at home, at the age of 79. Following a funeral service in the Hopwood Methodist Protestant Church, led by Rev. R.L. Carraway, burial was in the Ross section of Hopwood Cemetery, beside his first wife. An obituary in the Uniontown Morning Herald said he was survived by 30 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. John Devan was the informant for Hiram's official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

Hopwood Cemetery

Hester outlived her husband by two decades, and made a home on the Hopwood Coolspring Road. She maintained her membership in the Hopwood Methodist Church.

In 1931, marking her 71st birthday, she received a surprise party organized by Ellen Devan. The Uniontown Morning Herald said at the time that she was "one of the best known residents of Hopwood" and that the "plans were carried to a most successful conclusion and the evening proved equally delightful for the hostesses and their honored guest."

Suffering from hardening of the arteries and heart disease, she died at the age of 89 on Jan. 23, 1950. Her niece Mary Ann "Mollie" (Devan) West signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death but was unable to name the deceased's mother.

Funeral arrangements were handled by the Minerd Funeral Home. Rev. John Lambertson of the Connellsville Methodist Church officiated at the funeral, followed by interment in the Devan section of the Hopwood Cemetery. In addition to her step-children, said the Morning Herald, she was survived by nieces Mrs. West of Hopwood and Carrie Devan of Uniontown and nephew Harry Devan of Masontown.

~ Stepdaughter Sarah Jane (Logston) Varndell ~

Stepdaughter Sarah Jane Logston (1875-1941) was born on Feb. 3, 1875 in Frostburg, Allegany County, MD, but grew up in Hopwood, Fayette County, PA.

At age 16, she resided in Wharton Township, Fayette County, and was married to 19-year-old Pittsburgh native Christopher Daniel Varndell Sr. (July 21, 1872-1935). The nuptials held on June 4, 1891, in Wharton Township, with justice of the peace George W. Hansel officiating. Christopher, a farmer, was the son of Henry and Amanda (Nicholson) Varndell.

A dozen offspring were born into this union -- Herman Christopher Varndell Sr., Violet May Nehrer, Ida Melrose Deffenbaugh, Beatrice King, Sarah Elizabeth "Sadie" Lashbaugh, Margaret Milligan, Eugene Varndell, Laura Collins, Lauretta Jean Moore, Harry Varndell, Christopher Daniel Varndell Jr. and Robert Wallace Varndell.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Varndells dwelled in Wharton Township, with Christopher earning a living as a sawmill laborer. In time, by 1909, he became employed by West Penn Railways. and spent many years with the company. They moved to Uniontown with addresses over the years of McClellandtown Road, Brownfield Road and Wine Street (in the McCormick Addition).

One day at work in August 1909, Christopher was piloting a trolley which derailed after striking a cow at Thornton Station, near Brownsville. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that:

Traffic on the West Penn was blocked for about 6 hours... The front truck was thrown off the rails and the tracks torn up for several yards by the sudden impact with the animal... The car was making a return trip from Brownsville and was traveling about 20 miles an hour when the cow walked on the track. The motorman failed to see it until he was within a short distance and although he shut off the power and applied the brakes he hit the cow with such force as to derail the car. The car was comfortably filled and the passengers were given a severe shaking up. The cow was killed instantly.

Christopher and Sarah Jane were featured in the Morning Herald upon the birth of their 11th child in April 1915. The article said that Christopher was a "West Penn main line conductor" and that "For the sake of this story, however, it may be explained that while this is the fourth boy in the Varndell home, there are seven mighty fine girls in the family, Saturday morning's arrival being the eleventh child. This lusty eight pound youngster and his mother are getting along nicely... [He] and his brother George Varndell, boasts of the largest families in the West Penn's family of several thousand employes." Of Sarah Jane, the Morning Herald said that she "is 39 years of age. She was a grandmother at 34, there being three grandchildren, one aged five years, another three and a third two years."

In 1930, the Varndells resided in Uniontown. Sadly, having suffered with degenerative heart disease, Christopher passed away in their home at the age of 62 on May 21, 1935. His remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Hopwood Cemetery.

Haddenville, PA, a small community along the National Road/US Route 40 featuring a gasoline station and furnished cottages for tourists.

Sarah spent her final years in Haddenville near Uniontown. She died at home on Nov. 4, 1941. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. Spurgeon Clark in the Great Bethel Baptist Church, with an obituary appearing in the Morning Herald. She was survived by two dozen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Their great-granddaughter Pamela Brown has shared information for this biography.

Herman Varndell Sr.

Son Herman Christopher Varndell Sr. (1892-1964) was born on March 5, 1892 at Washington Springs near Hopwood, a community also known as Slacks. The Springs was the site of a French and Indian War encampment by troops under Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock and Lt. George Washington, with a water collection basin remaining as an artifact in the early 20th century. Herman attended school up to his 13th year of age and then learned the trade of machinist. In adulthood he stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 158 lbs. On April 28, 1909, when he was 17 years of age, he first wed 19-year-old Donna Artis (1890-1981), daughter of George and Margaret Artis. They joined themselves in marriage, without benefit of clergy. The family of children born to this couple were Kathryn Fullem, Maxine Elliott Rodamer Pugliese, Ethel June Varndell and Georgetta M. Ammon. Later in the year of their marriage, he and Donna avoided serious injury during a mashup involving his horse and buggy. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, "the horse he was driving scared at a gang of boys at Oliphant and ran away, throwing him violently against a telephone pole. His wife, who accompanied him, held tightly to the side of the buggy until the horse stopped and was uninjured. Varndell was thrown over the dash board and his head struck the pole. Last night both eyes were nearly swollen shut, while his face was cut and bruised." Herman was employed in 1910 as assistant foreman in the car barns of West Penn Railway Company. Sadness cascaded over the family on March 5, 1917 when year-old daughter Ethel June died after contracting acute bronchitis and three-day measles. Her tender remains were laid to rest in White Rocks Cemetery near Fairchance. During World War I, Herman registered for the military draft, and at the time disclosed that he had a wife and children and was living in Washington Springs, PA. At the time, he continued to work for West Penn Railway. He joined the U.S. Army on July 29, 1918, and served in Company B of the 211th Engineers. He received his discharge on Dec. 26, 1918. While in the army, he was accused of the desertion of his wife. He and Donna divorced, and she married again to coal miner Dewey Bunnell ( ? -1971) and, after a divorce, to (?) Boring.

Herman and the girls then went to live with his ex-mother-in-law, Margaret Artis, near Fairchance, Fayette County, and was there in 1920. He appears to have married a second time or to have begun a companionship relationship in 1919 or 1920 to Goldie May Livingston (1900-1980). Three children born to the couple were Beatrice Elizabeth Chesler, Goldie Mae Matthews and Herman Christopher "Jay" Varndell. The second relationship collapsed and was over by 1925. Goldie went on to marry Lewis McDowell ( ? - ? ) and became the mother of Lucille Hojara, Betty Parnell, Emma Masciarelli, Lila Zahron and Ruth Groover.

20-ton motor in tandem hauling coal in the Vesta No. 4 and 5 mines, where Herman worked in the 1930s and '40s.Courtesy Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation

Washington's Spring, a landmark near
the Varndells' home in Fayette County

Evidence suggests that he was the same Herman Varndell who, in July 1920, was charged with others for "attempting to break into the bonded warehouse of the Vandergrift distillery in East Bethlehem township ... and with shooting at guards placed over the whisky there," said the Pittsburgh Press. Similarly, he is thought to have been the driver of a vehicle of men who in November 1920 robbed the First National Bank of Finleyville, PA of more than $188,000. About that time, the family resided at Washington Springs, Fayette County, with him making an occasional living as an electrician and automobile mechanic. Herman's name again was in the public spotlight when, in Sept. 1922, he and Harry Rodehaver were convicted of receiving stolen goods from robbery in Scottdale, PA. He was sentenced to up to two years in the Western Penitentiary. By 1925, Herman appears to have settled his life and married again to Nora May Rankin (1909-2004), daughter of John and Amanda Rankin of Washington Springs along Jumonville Road. They produced a family of offspring -- Ralph Eugene Varndell Sr., Mildred Jones, Herman Christopher Varndell Jr. and John "Wallace" Varndell. The family settled in East Bethlehem, Washington County, PA. In about 1930, they attended a surprise birthday party for their brother-in-law, Clarence E. Lashbaugh. They also went to a 16th wedding anniversary party for the Lashbaughs in 1937. The family lived in Vesta No. 5 and Vestaburg, PA in 1935-1941, where he labored as a coal miner for Vesta Coal Company, a subsidiary of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. They later moved to New Salem near Uniontown. Sadly, having been stricken by a cerebral bleeding accident, Herman was rushed to Uniontown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at the age of 72 on Aug. 7, 1964. Burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery. The widowed Nora maintained her home in Uniontown and lived for another four decades. She died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 94 on June 26, 2004. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Herald Standard.

Granddaughter Kathryn G. Varndell (1909-1979) was born on Dec. 18, 1909 near Uniontown. She was joined in wedlock with Homer Leroy Fullem (Dec. 12, 1905-1968), a native of Hopwood and the son of Charles and Louise (Whyel) Fullem. Their known sons were Ronald Leroy Fullem, Robert Fullem, Harold "Happy" Fullem and Glen Homer "Skip" Fullem. They resided for years in Homer's hometown of Hopwood. He was a longtime coal miner. Sadly, suffering from emphysema and congestive heart failure at the age of 62, Homer died in Uniontown on May 8, 1968. Kathryn outlived him by 11 years. They sleep aside each other in Mountain View Memorial Park.

Great-grandson Ronald Leroy Fullem (1928-2016) was born on Aug. 15, 1928 in Uniontown. On Nov. 21, 1951, he wed Grace M. Hudson ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the ups and downs of an extraordinary 65 years. Four offspring borne by this union were Richard Fullem, Ronald Dean Fullem, Deborah Fullem and Darlene Carole Fullem-Lanzoni. He served for two decades in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. His specialty was in air traffic control. He retired in 1970 with the rank of master sergeant and having received five bronze oak leaf clusters. In 1972, they relocated from Peru, IN to Honesdale, Wayne County, PA, where he obtained employment as maintenance supervisor with S.J. Bailey and Sons. Ronald and Grace together worked in the parts department of B&B Dodge. He belonged to the Beekeepers Association and volunteered with the annual chicken barbecue. He enjoyed carpentry, constructing furniture for loved ones and the annual buck hunt at the Brussells farm. He died in Honesdale at the age of 88 on Oct. 9, 2016. Burial was in Calkins Union Cemetery in Milanville, Wayne County.

Great-grandson Robert Fullem was deceased by 2016.

Great-grandson Harold "Happy" Fullem was deceased by 2016.

Great-grandson Glen Homer "Skip" Fullem was in Uniontown in 2016.

Harry Rodamer's workplace, the Alcoa plant in New Kensington, PA

Granddaughter Maxine Elliott Varndell (1912-1987) was born on Oct. 7, 1912 in Fairchance, Fayette County. Dr. C.J. Pflueger assisted in the birth. She wed Harry W. Rodamer (1911-1993). The couple settled in New Kensington, PA and were there in 1940, at 386 Freeport. There, he earned a living as a factory worker for the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). Maxine eventually adopted a daughter, Jacqueline Lobaugh ( ? -1956), birth daughter of Clarence and Viola (Schindler) Lobaugh. After a divorce, she began to co-habitate with Joseph Peter Pugliese ( ? - ? ). The family dwelled at 127 Main Street in Braeburn, Lower Burrell, in 1956. Tragedy struck on the fateful day of July 11, 1956. Daughter Jacqueline, age 13, took her two young nephews James Badent and Larry Badent for an outing. They told her mother that they were going to a playground but in fact went to the Allegheny River. Despite the fact that she could not swim, and had been warned by her mother about the dangers, Jacqueline went into the river anyway at what was called "the sandbar," about a half-mile from the town of Braeburn. When "she stepped off a shelf into deep water," reported the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, she began to sink. As the nephews watched in horror, she called for help and then went under the water and drowned. The body was not recovered for three hours. Her remains were laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in New Kensington. Joseph Pugliese, of the family home, signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. By 1957, Maxine relocated to Denver, CO and resided at 1348 Fairfax Street. She and Pugliese finally tied the knot in the Mile High City on Aug. 26, 1957. District Judge Joseph E. Cook officiated, with Auleen Lau and H. Harry Rieter serving as witnesses. Their Colorado marriage certificate lists Joseph's home as Reno, Washoe County, NV. The couple lived in 1959 at 1539 Fourth Avenue in New Kensington, with Joseph's occupation as a driver for Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation. In time she also made a home in Arnold, PA at 105 Argonne Drive. Death swept her away in New Kensington in January 1987.

Granddaughter Georgetta M. Varndell (1918-1966) was born on June 5, 1918 in Uniontown. As a young woman, she relocated to East Liverpool, OH. At the age of 18, on July 13, 1936, she entered into marriage with 21-year-old East Liverpool resident Charles F. Ammon (Dec. 27, 1914-2001), son of Charles W. and Laura S. (Blakeley) Ammon. The nuptials were performed by Christian Church pastor Rev. Don P. Hawkins at New Cumberland, WV. The Ammons resided in Apollo, PA in 1941, Arnold, PA in 1950 and later in Murrysville, PA and were the parents of Charlotte Mae Walker and Richard C. Ammon. They also lost a stillborn daughter on May 15, 1941 and son in 1942. Charles earned a living for 34 years as a catcher and machinist's helper with the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). Over time, Georgetta suffered from rheumatic heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney failure. Sadly, on Dec. 16, 1966, at the age of 48, Georgetta passed away in Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington, PA. Interment of the remains was in Round Hill Cemetery in New Kensington. Charles survived his wife by 35 years and retired in 1969. In 1973, he married again to Ida K. Stirland (1926-2006). He died in the Evergreen Nursing Center of Harmony, Butler County, PA at the age of 86 on May 26, 2001. His funeral service was conducted by Rev. Timothy Falling of the North Main Street Church of God in Butler. He sleeps for all time in the mausoleum of Butler County Memorial Park.

Great-granddaughter Charlotte Mae Walker (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 in or near Arnold, Westmoreland County, PA.

Great-grandson Richard C. Ammon (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948 in or near Arnold, Westmoreland County, PA.
Granddaughter Beatrice Elizabeth Varndell (1919-1996) was born on Sept. 22, 1919 in Fayette County. She wed Theodore A. Chesler (March 5, 1917-1965), son of Peter and Josephine Chesler and stepson of Frank Felong. Two known children of this family were Theodore A. Chesler and Charlotte A. Stotelmyer. Theodore was a U.S. Armed Forces veteran of World War II. He was self-employed and held a membership in the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. The family resided in the mid-1960s in Uniontown at 27½ Locust Street. Tragically, Theodore fell down a flight of stairs in a restaurant and struck his head, leading to bleeding on the brain. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh where, 12 days after the accident, he surrendered to the angel of death at age 48 on June 10, 1965. His requiem high mass was held in the family church. Burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Hopwood. Beatrice passed into the arms of the angel of death in Uniontown on April 7, 1996. She rests in eternal repose in Mount Saint Macrina Cemetery in Uniontown.

Great-grandson Theodore A. "Jack" Chesler (1939-2007) was born on March 9, 1939 in Uniontown. He was employed at one time by Giant Food of Virginia. Later, Theodore became manager of the Memco Foods store of Virginia and North Carolina. Circa 1965, he was in Springfield, VA. He held memberships in the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, the Polish Club and North Union Fire Hall. Sadly, at the age of 68, he died at home on Sept. 9, 2007. His funeral mass was sung by Rev. Fr. Michael J. Crookston in the family church, followed by interment of the remains in Mount Saint Macrina Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Charlotte Ann Chesler (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937. She resided in Pittsburgh in 1965. Charlotte entered into marriage with (?) Stotelmyer ( ? - ? ). The couple has dwelled in Uniontown. Evidence suggests that Charlotte has been a longtime nursing instructor at Penn State University.
Granddaughter Goldie Mae Varndell (1920-1993) was born on Oct. 28, 1920 in Masontown, Fayette County. She married Joseph J. Matthews (1915-1985). They became the parents of five -- Eileen C. McManus, Joseph "Butch" Matthews, James William Matthews Sr., Gerald Matthews and Pamela Sokol. The family is known to have dwelled in Footedale, Fayette County circa 1941-1959. Goldie was in the news in August 1959 when providing court testimony as a witness to a beating death at the Rafail Tavern on Coolspring Street. Their home in 1974 was in New Salem and in 1976 in Footedale. Joseph was cut away by the spectre of death in 1985. Goldie lived for another eight years. At the age of 72, Goldie died on Aug. 15, 1993. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Eileen C. Matthews (1941-2016) was born on Sept. 26, 1941 in Footedale, Fayette County. She was united in matrimony with James D. McManus ( ? - ? ). In all, her five children were Richard Matthews, Beth Keffer-Batovsky, Gerald Keffer, Michael Keffer and James McManus. In her widowed years, she resided with her son Richard in McClellandtown, near Uniontown. At the end, she lived under the roof of her married daughter Beth in Morgantown, WV. She died there at the age of 74 on Aug. 5, 2016. The headcount of her survivors was nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her remains were laid to ret in LaFayette Memorial Park.

Great-grandson Joseph "Butch" Matthews ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2016.

Great-grandson James William Matthews Sr. (1937-2024) was born on July 26, 1937 in Uniontown. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years in young manhood, enlisting in 1954. He then earned a living as a construction laborer and went on to be employed for two decades at Uniontown Hospital. In about 1991, at the age of 54, he entered into marriage with Mary Jo Popson ( ? -living). They remained together for 33 years until the separation of death and resided in Uniontown. Their combined family of children include Kara Popson, Michelle Grimm, Patricia Valauri, Kimberly Christopher, Heidi Dluhy, Joseph Popson, Chris Popson and James William Matthews Jr. In his free time, James liked to fish and take beach vacations. He held a 50-year membership in the Adah Gun Club and was a lifeimt member of the North Union post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Hutchinson Sportsman Club. Sadly, while at home, James died at the age of 86 on April 6, 2024.

Great-grandson Gerald Matthews wed or is a companion of Violet Tate. They put down roots in Herbert, near Uniontown.

Great-granddaughter Pamela Matthews married (?) Sokol. She is known to have been in Uniontown in 2016.
Purple Heart medal

Grandson Herman Christopher "Jay" Varndell (1923-2009) was born on March 31, 1923, one of two half-brothers with the exact same name who died the very same year. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and attained the rank of motor machinist mate. Jay was wounded in action in April 1944 and treated in the Norfolk Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. In recognition, he received the Purple Heart medal. On April 8, 1945, in Hagerstown, MD, Jay entered into marriage with Marion C. Long ( ? - ? ), daughter of Harry A Long of Sunbury, PA. The couple made a home in Mechanicsburg, PA and bore four sons -- Timothy Alan Varndell, Christopher Kent Varndell, Mark Varndell and Joel Varndell. Citing indignities, Jay sued for divorce in June 1957. He migrated to Ohio and lived in the communities of Bedford and Suffield Township. He wed again to Elizabeth Cable ( ? - ? ). The second marriage appears to have resulted in these additional offspring -- Jody Varndell, Rachel Bailey, Debra Herron and David Varndell. Herman and Elizabeth eventually divorced. Jay passed away at the age of 86 on May 22, 2009. Burial was in Bedford (OH) Cemetery. The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an obituary.

Great-grandson Timothy Alan Varndell dwelled in Selinsgrove in 2013.

Great-grandson Christopher Kent Varndell ( ? -2013) was born in Sunbury. He was a 1968 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School and a 1972 alumnus of Williamsport Area Community College. He went on to earn degrees in 1977 from Bloomsburg University and in 1979 from Susquehanna University. Christopher then spent his working career as a tool and die maker with AMP. He was the father of Ryan Varndell, Jason Varndell and Nicky Varndell. He held memberships in the National Rifle Association, Moose lodge, National Hunters of America and Fish and Anglers Club. He also was active with the local Boy Scouts troop, the Dauphin Athletic Association and Central Dauphin Wrestling. Their final residence was in Dauphin, PA. In about 1993, he married Laura Summers ( ? - ? ). They were together for 19 years until cleaved apart by death. At the age of 62, stricken with cancer, Christopher passed away at Hershey Medical Center on Jan. 28, 2013. His memorial service was officiated by Rev. Joan Sproat, with an obituary published in the Sunbury Daily Item.

Great-grandson Mark Varndell has made a home in Selinsgrove, PA.

Great-grandson Joel Varndell was in Selinsgrove in 2013.

Great-grandchild Jody Varndell ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Rachel Varndell married Michael Bailey.

Great-granddaughter Debra Varndell was joined in wedlock with (?) Herron.

Great-grandson David Varndell ( ? - ?
Grandson Ralph Eugene Varndell Sr. (1927-2007) was born on Feb. 17, 1927. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He returned home to Vestaburg, PA following his term of military service. On Dec. 23, 1946, in Fredericktown, Washington County, PA, he was united in the bonds of holy wedlock with Lena A. Distefanis ( ? - ? ), daughter of James Distefanis Sr. of Clarksville, PA. They relocated to Detroit and dwelled in Sterling Heights. The known children of the pair were Ralph "Eugene" Varndell Jr., Daniel Varndell and Lisa Ann Meyers. Ralph belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shrine and Knights of Columbus. Sadly, at the age of 80, he died at Troy Beaumont on Oct. 30, 2007. His obituary appeared in the Detroit Free Press.

Great-grandson Ralph "Eugene" Varndell married Theresa. In 2004, their home was in Arlington, VA.

Great-grandson Daniel Varndell ( ? - ? ) made his residence in Warren, MI in 2004.

Great-granddaughter Lisa Ann Varndell ( ? - ? ) lived in Sterling Heights, MI. On Aug. 9, 1992, she entered into matrimony with Dennis Joseph Meyers ( ? - ? ) of Whitmore Lake. The happy pair was pictured in the Detroit Free Press. They made their first home at Whitmore Lake and were there in 2004.

Granddaughter Mildred M. "Millie" Varndell (1929-2017) was born on Sept. 16, 1929 at Vestaburg, PA. Her first husband was John H. Housel (1919-1974), a native of Mill Run, Fayette County. Their only son was John Herman "Jay" Housel. Their marriage ended in divorce. Then in 1952, she married her second spouse, Frederick Leland Jones (Sept. 24, 1931-2014), a native of Mannington, Marion County, WV and the son of David Edward and Phoebe (Massey) Jones. Their union held firm for an extraordinary 62 years. They bore a son of their own, David Edward Jones. The Joneses relocated to Lake County, OH circa 1963 and remained for good in Willoughby, a span of more than half a century. Mildred held a membership in the Fraternal Order of Police and the Democratic Party of Lake County. Frederick earned a living with the community of Park, OH and belonged to the FOP and the local Eagles aerie. Sadly, Frederick passed away in Willoughby's Manor Care on Nov. 26, 2014. His remains were returned to Uniontown for interment in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the News-Herald. Toward the end, she became a resident of Brookdale Senior Living in Willoughby. There, she died at the age of 87 on July 17, 2017.

Great-grandson John Herman "Jay" Housel (1947-2019) was born on Sept. 18, 1947 in Uniontown, PA. He migrated to Ohio with his mother circa 1963 and remained for good. He does not appear to have married or reproduced. As of 2004, his home was in Willoughby, OH. An obituary said he liked his pet cat and to watch television. Death carried him away at West Medical Center on March 7, 2019.

Great-grandson David Edward Jones ( ? - ? ) lived in Inman, SC in 2004 and remained in South Carolina in 2014.
Grandson Herman Christopher Varndell Jr. (1933-2016) was born on Jan. 25, 1933 in Vestaburg. He is not to be confused with his half-brother by the exact same name, Herman Christopher "Jay" Varndell (1923-2009). He was joined in matrimony with Ruth E. Benson ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Pamela Brown, Leisa Conklin and Susan Taylor. The Varndells resided for years in Rogersville and Holbrook, Greene County, PA. For more than four decades, he was employed as a brakeman by the CSX Railroad of Benwood, WV. He held a membership in the United Transportation Union for 50 years. Herman belonged to the Moose lodge in Cameron, WV, the Deerwood Manor Hunt Club of Emporium, PA and the Owls Club of Fredericktown, and they attended the Valley Chapel United Methodist Church. Said an obituary, Herman "was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He enjoyed fishing trips to New York with friends from the hunting club, as well as boating and fishing trips to Lake Erie. He welcomed his friends to his home in the fall during deer season. He liked to travel and took road trips on his Harley Davidson motorcycle to Ohiopyle and the Flight 93 Memorial with friends." He died at the age of 83 on June 9, 2016. Burial was in Bethany Cemetery, with services led by Rev. Bruce Judy.

Great-granddaughter Pamela Varndell married Roland Brown. They have lived in Waynesburg, PA.

Great-granddaughter Leisa Varndell wed Kenneth "Chip" Conklin. As of 2004-2016, the pair was in Vestaburg.

Great-granddaughter Susan Varndell married James Taylor. They put down roots in Pine Bank, PA.
Grandson John "Wallace" Varndell (1937-1981) was born on Feb. 18, 1937 in Vestaburg, Washington County, PA. He shared a home with his parents in New Salem, PA in 1964. Wallace lived in Hopwood in the early 1980s. He died in Uniontown on April 15, 1981.

Daughter Violet May Varndell (1894- ? ) was born in March 1894. She worked as a chambermaid in a Uniontown hotel as of 1910. On June 28, 1911, she married Daniel W. Nehrer ( ? -1961). The couple's trio of children were Lawrence O. Nehrer, Daniel C. Nehrer and Dorothy Y. Nehrer. At one time Daniel was a printer with the Uniontown Morning Herald newspaper. In 1919 they migrated to Tarentum, PA and after 1935 moved to Cumberland, MD. Daniel died at Sarver, PA on Sept. 20, 1961. Funeral services were jointly led by Rev. George Thornton and Rev. David O. Slyler, with burial following in Park Place Cemetery. Violet survived her spouse and remained in Sarver.

Grandson Lawrence O. Nehrer lived in Tarentum, PA in 1961.

Grandson Daniel C. Nehrer was in San Diego in 1961.

Granddaughter Dorothy Y. Nehrer made her home in 1961 in Vandergrift, PA.

Daughter Ida Melrose Varndell (1901-1924) was born in about 1901. She wed 18-year-old Warren Deffenbaugh (1899- ? ). The pair's only son was Herman Deffenbaugh. Warren advertised in Uniontown newspapers in January 1920 that he "can deliver coal to you at once, from any mine that you want." She was diagnosed at about age 20 with cerebro spinal syphilis, an illness confirmed by a Wasserman test. She endured the debilitating illness for four years. At the end, she dwelled in her parents' home at 6 Wine Street, Uniontown. She succumbed to the spectre of death at age 24 on Nov. 17, 1924. The remains were lowered under the sod of Hopwood Cemetery. News of her passing was printed in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Warren married within a few years to Hilda Hixon (1903- ? ). The federal census enumeration of 1930 shows the family in Dunbar, Fayette County, with Warren employed as an auto mechanic in a garage. That year, they made a home for Warren's 14-year-old brother Carl and Hilda's 23-year-old brother Henry Hixon.

Grandson Herman Warren Deffenbaugh (1918-1993) was born on Jan. 7, 1918 in or near Uniontown. He was age six when his mother died, and he grew up knowing Hilda as his mother figure. He relocated to Kent, Portage County, OH in young manhood. Circa 1940, he was united in wedlock with June Maxine Hall (Dec. 2, 1920-2010), daughter of John W. and Lillian Marie (Curtis) Hall of Canton, OH. Together they bore a brood of four -- June Meduri, Sandra Byerly, Karen Salamon and James Deffenbaugh. As of 1940, the newlyweds lived with his parents in Ravenna, Portage County, with him working as a truck driver for a building company. Four offspring are believed to have been born to the couple, among them June Anne Deffenbaugh. The Deffenbaughs are known to have attended the Varndell/Logston Reunion in 1958, held at Rainbow Park near Uniontown. June earned income through her work with the balloon stripping and packaging operations of Oak Rubber. She belonged to Ravenna First Church of God and its Women's Missionary Society. At the age of 75, Herman died in Ravenna's Robinson Memorial Hospital on Jan. 29, 1993. June outlived her husband by 17 years and remained in Ravenna. She passed away on March 24, 2010 as a patient at Robinson Memorial. Rev. Edward Beck led the funeral service. She was survived by 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. An obituary was printed in the Bryan-College Station (TX) Eagle. The pair sleep for the ages in Maple Grove Cemetery, Ravenna.

Mark Meduri
U.S. Marine Corps

Great-granddaughter June Deffenbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She married Francis Meduri ( ? - ? ), son of Joseph and Phyllis Meduri Sr. They made a home in Ravenna. Their offspring included Mark Allen Meduri, Michal Meduri and Derek Meduri. The couple divorced, and Francis wed again to Karen. June lived in Ravenna in 2010. Heartbreak descended upon this family when on June 15, 2012, their son Mark -- a Ravenna High School alumnus and a decorated veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011 -- was killed in an "accidental firearms incident" while in Jacksonville, NC as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. His remains were returned to Ravenna to sleep in honored rest in Maple Grove Cemetery, with funeral services held in Immaculate Conception Church.

Great-granddaughter Sandra Deffenbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). Circa 1965, she entered into marriage with John G. Byerly Sr. (Nov. 28, 1946-2002). Their union endured for 37 years until the separation of death. They were the parents of six -- Veronica Lynne Byerly, Jenne Byerly, Katelin Byeerly, John Byerly Jr., Paul Byerly and Matthew Byerly. John was employed in Ravenna as manager for Saint-Gobain Company, a manufacturer of construction and industrial materials. Sadly, John passed away at the age of 55 on Aug. 17, 2002. His funeral mass was held at Immaculate Conception Church, with interment following in Maple Grove Cemetery. His obituary was published in the Akron Beacon Journal. The widowed Sandra remained in Ravenna in 2010. On May 14, 2006, she endured the loss of her daughter Veronica, age 24, the mother of Lucas Walker Byerly.

Great-granddaughter Karen Deffenbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On July 18, 1959, she wed Thomas Salamon ( ? - ? ). They stayed together for an extraordinary six decades-plus. They dwelled in Ravenna in 1959 and later relocated to Bryan, TX. On July 18, 2019, Karen and Thomas marked their 60th wedding anniversary. A related story was printed in the Bryan College Station Eagle.

Great-grandson James Deffenbaugh was joined in wedlock with Carol. They resided in 2010 in Palmyra Township, OH.

Daughter Beatrice Emma Varndell (1903-1997) was born on May 15, 1903. On June 19, 1922, in Cumberland, MD, she wed John Henry King (Nov. 24, 1901-1983), son of Samuel T. and Margaret King. Two children of this union were William C. King and Peggy Newcomer. They were in Brownsville in 1935, Uniontown in 1937-1944 (on Wine Street) and later planted themselves in Haddenville, near Uniontown. For 42 years, John was employed by West Penn Power Company, one of many cousins in the extended family to earn a living with the utility. He began his career in November 1924 as a substation operator in Brownsville. He received a promotion to chief substation operator in 1946 and in 1951 was transferred to Uniontown as a substation electrician. He made news in November 1957 when escaping serious injury in an accident at work. Reported the Uniontown Morning Herald, he "plunged 45 feet from Masontown bridge to the ground below... An electrician, he was working on lights and slipped on loose gravel as he walked along the edge of the bridge... Mr. King struck the ground landing on his feet, which apparently prevented much more serious or fatal injuries." He was taken to Uniontown Hospital where he was treated for fractured right heel and possible left foot break and fractured ribs. Then in about 1965, he was moved to the company's Laurel Division headquarters near Connellsville, remaining for a year until retirement on Dec. 1, 1966. He was pictured in a retirement article in the Morning Herald. In June 1972, the pair celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with an open house at the residence of their married daughter Peggy Newcomer along the McClellandtown Road. A related story in the Uniontown Evening Standard, which included their photo portrait, said "They have spent their entire lives in Uniontown and Brownsville." At the age of 81, John surrendered to death on Feb. 5, 1983. Beatrice survived as a widow for another nearly 15 years. She died on Dec. 19, 1997. Burial was in Chalk Hill Lutheran Cemetery.

Grandson William C. King (1923-1976) was born on Jan. 9, 1923 in Uniontown. He earned a living in young manhood as a trackman for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Uniontown. Then during World War II, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the First Marine Division. After the war, he found employment in Cleveland, OH. In a wedding held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Uniontown on Jan. 9, 1950, he was joined with Dorcas Elaine Newcomer ( ? - ? ), daughter of Jacob L. and Mary Ann (Sickles) Newcomer of McClellandtown Road. Rev. Dr. Herman Huntil Will officiated, with the marriage announced in the Uniontown Evening Standard. She wore a white slipper satin dress with lace trim and fingertip veil of illusion. Dorcas was a 1946 graduate of South Union High School and at the time of marriage worked for Wilson and Company. Together they produced a son, Dan E. King. The family in about 1954 established a home in Elyria, OH, where they remained for the balance of their years together. Their address was 351 High Street. William worked as a tow motor operator for the Tappan Company. Tragically, they received word in late June 1957 that Dorcas' farmer-father had been killed whenn he fell from the top of a hay truck onto what the newspaper called "the hard-packed ground of a barnyard." They are known to have returned to Fayette County several times to attend the annual reunions of Dorcas' family, the Frankhousers, held in 1963 and July 1974 at the Braddock Inn Park along U.S. Route 40. He was stricken with cancer in about 1974 and suffered for two years until death carried him away at the age of 53 on Christmas Day 1976. An obituary appeared in his hometown newspaper, the Uniontown Morning Herald. His remains were transported to Uniontown for funeral services, led by Rev. G.C. Waldkoenig, and burial in Christ Lutheran Cemetery in nearby Chalk Hill. In an obituary, the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Great-grandson Dan E. King grew up in Elyria, OH.
Granddaughter Peggy Lou King ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was a 1951 graduate of South Union High School and as a young woman worked for Bell Telephone Company. On May 2, 1953, she was joined in marriage with Russell Newcomer ( ? - ? ), son of Jacob L. Newcomer of McClellandtown Road. The ceremony was conducted at the Great Bethel Baptist Church, by the hand of Rev. John Mueller. In advance of the wedding, the Uniontown Evening Standard reported that she would "wear a white Chantilly lace over satin floor-length gown. The bodice will have long sleeves and the skirt hem is scalloped. Her finger-tip veil will cascade from a lace Juliet cap [and she] will carry a bouquet of white rosebuds, centered with gardenias." Their residence in 1972-1976 was along McClellandtown Road. She is known to have been active with her high school class reunions as well as the annual Varndell-Logston reunions.

Daughter Sarah Elizabeth "Sadie" Varndell (1905-1990) was born on June 9, 1905 in Uniontown. In 1921, she entered into the bonds of marriage with Clarence E. Lashbaugh (1898-1974). The couple first resided in Tarentum, Allegheny County, PA. They became the parents of twins Violet Lashbaugh and Vivien Lashbaugh in July 1922. But sadly, the babies was stricken with a deadly inflammation of the small and large intestines, known as "ileocolitis." Violet died first, on Sept. 1, 1922, followed by Vivien two days later, at the ages of two months. Their tender remains were lowered into the peaceful sleep of eternity in Mt. Airy Cemetery. They moved to Maryland where, in 1924, a third daughter was born, Betty Jane Lashbaugh. In time the couple settled in the coal mining patch towns of Hill Coke (1930) and Isabella, Fayette County (1935-1940). Clarence earned a living in 1930 as a coal mine electrician. At their 16th wedding anniversary, in 1937, they held a party for family and friends in their Isabella dwelling, an event featuring games, dancing and a luncheon. Census records for 1940 show Clarence working as a washer boss in the mine. During the 1940s, the Lashbaughs moved to nearby Menallen Township, with Clarence employed in 1950 as a coal mine washer foreman. Their home in 1964 was in Uniontown. Clarence passed away in 1974. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Uniontown. Sarah outlived her spouse by 16 years. She was cleaved away by the angel of death on the next-to-last day of 1990.

Granddaughter Betty Jane Lashbaugh (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924 in Maryland.

Son Christopher Daniel Varndell Jr. (1907-1986) was born on April 29, 1907 in Uniontown. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a teenager and in 1924-1926 was stationed in Honolulu, HI. Upon his return home, on May 3, 1927, he married Alverta Easter (1910-1984), a Smock resident. They tied the knot in Cumberland, MD. The marriage collapsed and ended in divorce. Then in 1940, he wed a second time to Ethel Brooks ( ? -1941), daughter of Edward G. and Kathryn (Momyer) Brooks. The couple lived in Republic, Fayette County. The spectre of tragedy arose when Ethel was eight months pregnant in the winter of 1941. She developed convulsions known as "eclampsia" and died at the age of 29, on Jan. 30, 1941, without having given birth. Burial was in Hopwood Cemetery. The widowed Christopher made his home with his mother in Haddenville in 1941. Then later in 1941, he entered into marriage a third time with a distant step-cousin, Gladys McDowell (Sept. 7, 1912-2002), daughter of Arthur and Susan Anna (Burke) McDowell of the family of William G. and Alice Amanda (Kuhns) Miner. They became the parents of Lillie Maye Varndell, Donnie Varndell, Arthur Varndell, Thomas Varndell and Mark Varndell.See the Miner biography for more.

Daughter Margaret Jean Varndell (1912-1999) was born on March 2, 1912, a twin with her brother Eugene Milbert. She was joined in wedlock with Wayne Milligan ( ? - ? ). They became the parents of two -- Charlotte Jean Milligan and Norma Lee Norman. As of 1941, they were in Hopwood and in 1964 in Hibbs, PA. She was elected president of the Logston-Varndell Reunion which held an event on Sept. 6, 1964 at Rainbow Park in Fairchance. The affair included a basket picnic lunch. Their niece Peggy Newcomer was treasurer of the reunion. Margaret died on April 3, 1999. Burial was in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.

Granddaughter Charlotte Jean Milligan ( ? - ? )

Granddaughter Norma Lee Milligan ( ? - ? ). On June 24, 1948, she slipped away to Cumberland to marry Charles E. Norman ( ? - ? ). The pair settled in Ralph, PA. The couple separated on Nov. 3, 1951, with Charles moving to the town of Adah. A divorce was granted in April 1954.

Son Eugene Milbert/Melbert Varndell (1912-1983) was born on March 2, 1912, a twin with his sister Margaret Jean. He was married to Pearl Colbert (1915-1990), daughter of Sophia Colbert. They were the parents of William Varndell and Shirley Ryczek. They resided in Hopwood in 1937, Uniontown in 1941-1964 and Haddenville in 1976. The family is known to have attended in 1959 the annual Varndell-Logston reunion, among 109 guests, held in Haydentown's Rainbow Park. Eugene died in 1983. Pearl survived for another 17 years. She passed away in 1990. They sleep beside each other for all time in Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield.

Grandson William E. Varndell (1932-1996) was born on Jan. 24, 1932. He wed Mary Lou Colbert ( ? -2022), a Uniontown native and the daughter of Samuel and Gertrude Colbert. They moved to Elyria, OH in 1955. Their three children were Chris Varndell, Doreen Sinegar and Kimberly Rollbuhler. They are known to have traveled back to Uniontown for the funeral of William's grandmother, Sophia Colbert, in May 1955. As of 1959, the Varndells were in Kent, OH. Said an obituary, Mary Lou "enjoyed painting, carving, reading, swimming, golfing, shopping and traveling." The family belonged to the Community of Faith United Church of Christ in Elyria. Sadly, William died on Jan. 23, 1996. The remains were lowered under the sod of Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, Lorain County, OH. Mary Lou married again in about 2004 to Dale Yost ( ? - ? ). Their union lasted for 18 years until the separation of death. At the age of 88, as a patient at UH Elyria Medical Center, Mary Lou died on Oct. 2, 2022. Her funeral service was conducted by Pastor Arik Burtad.

Great-grandson Chris Varndell was joined in matrimony with Mellodie. They have dwelled in Elyria, OH.

Great-granddaughter Doreen Varndell married (?) Sinegar. Circa 2022, she lived in North Ridgeville, OH.

Great-granddaughter Kimberly Varndell wed Tom Rollbuhler. The pair moved to Woodstock, GA.
Granddaughter Shirley Ellen Varndell (1935-2012) was born on Jan. 31, 1934 in Uniontown. She suffered a fractured skull as a 16-month-old when run over by a car operated by an uncle. She fortunately recovered and lived a long life. Shirley was a 1954 graduate of Uniontown Senior High School and then worked in the office of Cohen Furniture Company in 1955. Said an obituary, "The flirtatious red-head ... was swept away by Henry while roller skating..." On June 1, 1955, she was united in holy matrimony with Henry Joseph Ryczek (1934-1978), son of Vincent Ryczek of Smithfield. The wedding was held at the Third Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. C. Edwin Houk. The couple was pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard, which said that the bride "wore a gown of imported nylon tulle overe slipper satin, with fitted bodice, scoop neckline, short sleeves and tiered ruffles held in plae by an embroidered leaf design. Her mitts were pointed and she wore a single strand of pearls, a gift of her mother. Her hand-embroidered waist-length veil of imported nylon tulle was held by two clusters of pearls and she carried white roses with detachable white rosebud corsage in the center." Four children of this family were Lawrence Ryczek, Bradford Ryczek, Lori Simons and Marcie Ebright. Henry was a 1953 graduate of Georges High School and found work in Cleveland with Fisher Body Corporation. The Ryczeks settled in Streetsboro, OH, where they dwelled for 30 years. Said the obituary, "She always filled the home with love and laughter. Shirley had a particular fondness for Bingo, Romance Novels, and Wheel of Fortune Slots. Her concern for others lasted until the end -- Feed the Feeesh!" Sadly, Henry died in 1978. Shirley endured as a widow for another 24 years and moved to Akron. At the age of 77, Shirley died in Akron on July 6, 2012. The remains were returned to Uniontown for burial in Hopwood Cemetery. She was survived by a baker's dozen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Lawrence Ryczek married Donna.

Great-grandson Bradford Ryczek wed Bobi.

Great-granddaughter Lori Ryczek entered into marriage with (?) Simons.

Great-granddaughter Marcie Ryczek was united in wedlock with Walter Ebright.

Daughter Laura Genevieve Varndell (1914-1979) was born on Feb. 4, 1914, a twin with her sister Lauretta. On Nov. 14, 1927, at the age of just 13, she and Raymond Harold "Bruce" Collins Sr. (1908-1970) traveled to Cumberland, MD to be married. He was the son of Bruce S. Collins of Lambert. Laura and Raymond bore two known son, Raymond Harold Collins Jr. and Robert Wallace Collins. The marriage was rocky, and the 16-year-old Laura moved out on April 15, 1930. While there were rumblings about a divorce, the pair patched up their differences, and their second son was born in 1935. They made a home in Lamberton, PA where they dwelled for many years. He belonged to the Robena local of the United Mine Workers of America and was a social member of the Footedale Fire Department. At some point they again separated, in the mid-1960s, with Laura migrating to the Pacific Northwest, making a residence in Portland, OR. In March 1966, Raymond filed for divorce. He spent his final years in House 251, Lambert. He died in Uniontown Hospital at the age of 61 on June 30, 1970. An obituary was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Burial was in the family plot of Church Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Roland O'Brien leading services. Laura married a second time in 1977 to Earl Roland Wonder (1912-1978). The second marriage only lasted about a year until Earl's passing in Elyria on Aug. 16, 1978. Her final years were spent in Elyria. Laura died on Nov. 23, 1979. Burial was in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Geneva, Fayette County.

Grandson Raymond Harold Collins Jr. (1929-2009) was born on July 23, 1929 in Lamberton, Fayette County. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank of airman second class. In 1952, he married Norma Jean King (Sept. 17, 1928-2021), a native of Masontown, PA. Their union endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 57 years. Two known offspring in their brood were Valerie J. Collins and Alan B. Collins. Norma was a 1947 graduate of German Township High School. The newlyweds moved to Elyria, OH and never left. He found employment there with York International, laboring as a millwright for 35 years. They held a membership in Avon United Methodist Church. Raymond enjoyed sports and attending vintage car shows, while Norma liked to garden, visit Amish country and visit with relatives. Sadly, Raymond died in EMH Regional Medical Center at the age of 79 on Feb. 15, 2009. Death enveloped her at the age of 93 on Oct. 31, 2021. She was survived by four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Burial was in Elyria's Brookdale Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Valerie J. Collins ( ? - ? ) was in Elyria in 2009.

Great-grandson Alan B. Collins married Sharon. They have resided in Elyria.
Grandson Robert Wallace Collins (1935-2002) was born on Oct. 2, 1935. As with his brother, he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and held the rank of airman third class. He made his residence for years in Elyria, OH. Robert died in Elyria on June 20, 2002. He sleeps for the ages in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria.

Many branches of the Varndells relocated to Elyria, OH

Daughter Lauretta Jean Varndell (1914-1997) was born on Feb. 4, 1914, a twin with her sister Laura. As a senior at South Union High School, on Dec. 18, 1931, she was united in matrimony with Harry Whyel Moore (June 13, 1912-1970), son of Jacob/Frank and Mary Moore of Hutchinson, Fayette County. The wedding ceremony was held in Cumberland, MD, by the hand of Rev. Flora, which came "as a genuine surprise to local friends, particularly to students of the... high school where the bride is a member of this year's 1932 graduating class," said the Uniontown Morning Herald. At least three children were borne by this couple -- Sara Jane "Sally" Meosky, Laura "June" Conetsco, Harry R. "Sonny" Moore and Jack E. Moore. Circa 1937, the family lived in Brownfield, in 1939 in Meadowbrook and and in 1941 in Uppermiddletown. In 1952, the Moores pulled up stakes and moved to Ohio, settling in Elyria, Lorain County. Harry died in Elyria Hospital at the age of 57 on April 10, 1970. His obituary was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Lauretta survived her spouse by 27 years. She passed into eternity at age 83, in Amherset, OH, on March 26, 1997.

Granddaughter Sara Jane "Sally" Moore (1932-2014) was born on Oct. 5, 1932 in Uniontown. On Sept. 17, 1949, at the age of 16, she married Edward J. Meosky (Feb. 3, 1929-2016) of Uniontown and the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Ference) Meosky. Their marriage endured for an extraordinary 64 years. Together, they produced a trio of sons, Edward J. Meosky, Gary E. Meosky and Mark Andrew Meosky. Edward was a veteran of the U.S. Army. The Meoskys lived in Elyria Township for decades. The family was plunged into grief at the death of 11-year-old son Mark in 1970. They were members of the Church of the Open Door. Said an obituary, Sally "was a talented artist and enjoyed oil painting, wood carving, and tole painting," while Edward liked to work with wood. She passed away at the age of 81 on Feb. 8, 2014. Edward outlived her by about two-and-a-half years. Death swept him away on Aug. 4, 2016. As he had done for Sally, their pastor Bob Wickens officiated the funeral service. Their remains sleep for all time in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, Lorain County.

Great-grandson Edward J. Meosky was joined in wedlock with Elaine. They were in Elyria in 2014.

Great-grandson Gary E. Meosky was united in matrimony with Lisa. They moved to Hickory, NC.

Great-grandson Mark Andrew Meosky (1959-1970) was born on Christmas Day 1959. As he neared his 11th birthday, he was struck and killed on Lake Avenue north of Elyria on Nov. 25, 1970. Notices of his tragic death were printed in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Port Clinton News Herald and Fremont News-Messenger, among others.
Granddaughter Laura "June" Moore (1934-2021) was born in 1934 in Uniontown. She was a 1952 graduate of South Union High School, where she had met her future husband. She relocated with her parents to Elyria, OH in 1952. June was joined in wedlock with Korean War veteran David John Conetsco ( ? -2010), also misspelled as "Kenetsko." Their nuptials were held at Holy Cross Church, Elyria. They built their lives in Ohio, including in Cleveland in 1970 and later in Elyria. Three children borne by the pair were Cheryl Conetsco, Michael Conetsco and Laura Conetsco. Of June, said an obituary, "The experience of growing up during the Great Depression and World War II imbued her with an inner strength, resilience and self-discipline that were matched only by her gentle demeanor and outward compassion for others. She was lovingly dedicated to her family who benefited from her quiet concern and selfless giving. She regularly supported children's charities and her parish food bank. Her hobbies included daily walks, backyard birding and embroidery." Sadly, David died at the age of 79 on Dec. 28, 2010, three days after Christmas. Burial was in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, Lorain County. June lived for another 11 years as a widow. During that time she became increasingly incapacitated with Alzheimer's Disease. The angel of death cleaved her away on Aug. 30, 2021. To keep her memory and values alive, the family published some of her maxims in an obituary: "Love generously. Be there for one another. Share everything. Hug tightly. Pet the cats. Feed the birds. Go outside and play. Leave no dish dirty for more than ten minutes. You can never bake too many Christmas cookies. Monday is always laundry day."

Great-granddaughter Cheryl Conetsco ( ? - ? )

Great-grandson Michael Conetsco entered into marriage with Cherlynn.

Great-granddaughter Laura Conetsco was wed to Peter.
Grandson Harry "Sonny" Moore Jr. (1937-2019) was born on July 18, 1937 in Hutchinson, Fayette County. At his second birthday, he was mentioned in the Uniontown Evening Standard. He and his parents relocated in 1952 to Elyria, Lorain County, OH, and he appears to have spent the balance of his life there. He was married and the father of four -- Timothy Moore, Ronald Moore, Linda O'Donnell and Connie Marie Moore. Sadness swept over the family when daughter Connie died at age six days on March 24, 1957. Harry died in Elyria at the age of 82 on Aug. 25, 2019.

Great-grandson Timothy Moore ( ? - ? )

Great-grandson Ronald Moore ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Linda Moore is believed to have wed (?) Belfiore and (?) O'Donnell. Her son Mathew Joseph Belfiore died in Elyria on Sept. 30, 1984, at age four-and-a-half months.
Grandson Jack E. Moore (1941-2004) was born on Nov. 24, 1941. He was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Elyria native Karen A. Will (Jan. 25, 1942-2019), daughter of Hank and Cecelia (Tusko) Will. The couple dwelled in Elyria and became the parents of Troy Moore, Todd Moore and Theodore Moore. Jack died two days before Christmas 2004. Burial was in Kendeigh Corner Cemetery in Amherst, OH. Karen lived on for another exactly 15 years. During her lifetime she outlived all three of her sons. She passed away on Dec. 23, 2019, in Lorain, OH.

Son Harry Kenneth Varndell Sr. (1915-1987) was born on April 24, 1915. He joined the U.S. Army and in 1935 was assigned to the District of Columbia. On Feb. 12, 1935, he married Anna Mikluscak (Jan. 7, 1916-2012), daughter of George and Anna (Ciglar) Mikluscak Sr of Pittsburgh. The wedding was held in the parish house of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church by Rev. John Blazic. Seven children in this family were Geraldine M. "Gerry" Dawson, Kenneth E. Varndell, Sr., Lawrence W. Varndell, Mary Ann Milson/Milsom, Margaret C. Wilcox, Rita F. Wolfe and Harry K. Varndell. During World War II, Harry served in the U.S. Army. The pair dwelled in Lambert, Fayette County in 1937. Later, they relocated to Brownfield, near Uniontown. He was injured in a coal mine accident in 1959 and was off work for 10 months, returning to the Robena mine of U.S. Steel Corporation in February 1960. In young womanhood, Anne was employed in the restaurants of the Uniontown Holiday Inn, White Swan Hotel and Howard Johnson's, and later as a baker at Mount St. Macrina, the monastery and long-term health care facility in Uniontown founded by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great. She wass very active in her house of worship, the St. Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church, and at one time was president of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and Rosary Altar Society, with a membership in the Secular Franciscan Order. Said an obituary, she "enjoyed quilting and was a member of the Quilting Community of the United Methodist Church, Evans Manor. Anne taught CCD classes at St. Mary's School for many years, and served as a teacher's aide. She volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Store from its opening." The couple marked their silver wedding anniversary in February 1960. Harry died on June 21, 1987, at the age of 72. The remains sleep in eternal repose in St. Mary's Nativity Cemetery. Anna outlived her husband by 25 years. For the last baker's dozen years, she shared a home with her daughter Geraldine in Uniontown. Death swept her away at the age of 96, at home, on March 13, 2012. She was survived by 28 grandchildren and too many great-grandchildren to count. Her blessing service and "Ghinnaz" were presided over by the Rev. Father Nadim Helou, with interment in the church cemetery, Uniontown

Granddaughter Geraldine M. "Gerry" Varndell married William Dawson. She dwelled in Uniontown, PA in 1965-2012, with an address in 1965 of 128 Lincoln Street.

Grandson Kenneth Eugene Varndell, Sr. (1937- ? ) was born in 1937 and shared a birthday with his younger brother Lawrence. Kenneth served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the late 1950s and won a weight-lifting contest in his weight class in competition in Okinawa, Japan. He wed Claudette ( ? - ? ). They established a home in Richmond, VA. Their family of children are believed to include Kenneth Eugene Varndell Jr., Ruth Ann Yorks, Scott Varndell and Beth Varndell.

Great-grandson Kenneth Eugene Varndell Jr. ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). On June 14, 1986, he was united in matrimony with Deborah Jean Covington ( ? - ? ), daughter of Herbert H. Covington of Bowling Green, KY. Their nuptials were held in the State Street Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, by the hand of Rev. Allen McSween, and announced in the Park City Daily News. The pair made their first home in Indianapolis.

Great-granddaughter Ruth Ann Varndell married (?) Yorks.

Great-grandson Scott Varndell ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Beth Varndell ( ? - ? )
Grandson Rev. Dr. Lawrence William "Larry" Varndell (1938- ? ) was born in 1938 and shared a birthday with his older brother Kenneth. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Camp Lejeune with the 8th Engineer Battalion. He and his brother Kenneth were pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard in March 1958 as both were in military service at the time. Lawrence married Shirley Hardison (Nov. 23, 1935-2013), a resident of Kinston, NC, and the daughter of Charles and Aell (Heath) Hardison. Their union endured for a remarkable 52 years. Four children born into this family were Rev. Gregory Varndell, Rickey Varndell, Jeffrey Varndell and Sandra Varndell. Lawrence pursued a career in Christian ministry and obtained his doctorate of divinity degree. The Varndells relocated to Stephens City, VA and were members of the Lighthouse Baptist Church of Winchester, VA. Shirley passed away in Stephens City, at the age of 77, on March 9, 2013. Co-officiating her funeral were her son Gregory and Rev. David Martin. Interment of the remains was in St. Stephens Cemetery in nearby Strasburg. An obituary in the Northern Virginia Daily noted that she was survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Rev. Gregory Varndell was joined in wedlock with Deniese. Circa 2005, he is believed to have served as pastor of the First Baptist Church on Wood Street, Dunedin, FL, at a time the church wanted to sell its building and relocate. They were in Parkersburg, WV in 2013.

Great-grandson Rickey Varndell was united in matrimony with Kathy. They have lived in Maurertown, VA.

Great-grandson Jeffrey Varndell has dwelled in Stephens City.

Great-granddaughter Sandra Varndell has made her home in Stephens City.
Granddaughter Mary Ann Varndell entered into marriage with James Milson/Milsom ( ? - ? ). Circa 1960, she dwelled in Youngstown, OH and in 2012, she lived in Washingtonville, OH.

Granddaughter Margaret Catherine Varndell was a 1960 graduate of Uniontown Joint Senior High School. She was joined in wedlock with David Wilcox ( ? - ? ). They put down roots in New York, including in Gowanda (1965) and later in Springville, NY.

Granddaughter Rita Ann Varndell was twice-wed. She first was united in matrimony with Kenneth J. Staklasa (Jan. 29, 1941-1998), son of John and Angeline F. (Andolsek) Steklasa. They moved to Gowanda, NY and produced four children -- Kenneth J. Steklasa, Michael Steklasa, Steven Steklasa and Charlayne "Sherry" Sutton. Sadly, their baby son Michael died the day after Christmas 1967, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery and a notice of death published in the Buffalo News. The family remained in Gowanda. Kenneth passed away on Dec. 9, 1998, at the age of 57. His funeral mass was held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gowanda. His obituary was printed in the Buffalo News. Rita's second spouse was Melvin E. Wolfe ( ? -2013). Melvin also had been married before and brought these stepchildren into the second union -- Brenda Fay-Reis, Mark Wolfe and Michael Wolfe. The pair migrated to Little River, SC and maintained a residence in Gowanda. Melvin died on Nov. 30, 2012. An obituary in the Buffalo News in which he was pictured said that funeral services were held in the St. Joseph's Church.

Great-grandson Kenneth J. Steklasa (1965-2012) was born on Oct. 17, 1966 in Gowanda, NY. He was a 1983 graduate of Gowanda Central School and went on to a four-year tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force. Upon his return home, he was employed as a laser operator with McHone Industries of Salamanca, NY, a company manufacturing and fabricating sheet metal. Kenneth first married Deborah ( ? - ? ). Their brood of children were Daniel Steklasa and Kenneth W. Steklasa. On Aug. 22, 2009, he wed Margaret "Marge" Ross ( ? - ? ), daughter of Maria Ross. Margaret is believed to have brought these stepchildren into the second union -- Carl Racinowski, Michael O'Connor and Jennifer Racinowski. Kenneth held memberships in the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department and the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. The family's home in Gowanda was on Angell Road. Sadness cascaded over the family when Kenneth was rushed to Lake Shore Health Care Center in Hanover and died in the emergency room at the age of 46 on July 8, 2012. His mass of Christian burial was conducted in the family church, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Dunkirk Observer.

Great-grandson Steven Steklasa was joined in marriage with Kimberly. Their home in 2012 was at Silver Creek, NY.

Great-granddaughter Charlayne "Sherry" Steklasa wed Robert Sutton. Circa 2012, they were in Jenkintown, PA.
Grandson Harry Kenneth Varndell Jr. joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Circa 1965, he was posted to the National Guard Reserves at Fort Knox, KY. Harry wed Becky ( ? - ? ). In 2012, they resided in Price, UT.

Son Robert Wallace Varndell (1921-1985) was born on May 2, 1921. At age eight, he attended the Charles Boyle School in the McCormick Addition of Uniontown in 1930. He dwelled with his mother in Haddenville in 1941. By 1964, he had relocated to Elyria, OH. He married Catherine E. Knepp ( ? -2000), also of Uniontown and the daughter of Lewis L. and Mary (Mankamyer) Knepp of Ralph, PA. Sadly, the 64-year-old Robert passed away in Elyria Memorial Hospital on Oct. 5, 1985. Catherine lived for another nearly 15 years. She was cut away by the angel of death at the age of 75 on May 17, 2000.

~ Stepdaughter Ida Bell (Logston) Kinsell ~

Stepdaughter Ida Bell Logston (1878- ? ) was born on Feb. 26, 1878 in Frostburg, Allegany County, MD, but grew up in Hopwood, Fayette County, PA.

At the age of 25, on Oct. 1, 1903, she was united in marriage with 24-year-old coal miner William Alfred Kinsell (Feb. 6, 1879-1965), son of Isaac and Rachel (Inks) Kinsell of Jumonville, Wharton Township, Fayette County. Setting a precedent later followed by her sisters Ada Lewis and Ethel Baker, Ida and her husband chose to united themselves in wedlock, with no clergyman present. Fayette County clerk Logan Rush and W.W. Greene were witnesses at the ceremony.

Six children borne by the couple, among them five daughters, were Florence Harford, William W. Kinsell, Iola Bakanoff, Blanche Stillwell, Muriel Fallacker and Almeta Ross.

William was a longtime coal miner. In 1912, he labored at the Isabella coal mine and in 1916 at the Filbert plant of the H.C. Frick Coke Company. Later, he joined Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, working for the company until 1948. He was a member of the Vestaburg Local 762 of the United Mine Workers of America.

Vestaburg, the Kinsells' place of residence for decades

The Kinsells made their residence in Uniontown before moving in about 1930 to Vestaburg, East Bethlehem Township, Washington County, PA. As of 1930, they lived at the Vesta No. 5 coal mine town and in 1941-1973 in Vestaburg. At her birthday in 1940, her daughters threw her a surprise party. Said the Uniontown Morning Herald, "Diversions of the evening included round and square dancing. The honored guest received an assortment of lovely gifts. Refreshments climaxed an enjoyable evening."

Their address in 1965 was 136 Front Street. The family belonged to the Temple of God Church.

In his final years, William was burdened with thickening walls of his arteries, fluid buildup in the lungs and cancer of the colon. He died at Washington Hospital at the age of 86 on April 1, 1965. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier, which noted that the headcount of his survivors was 18 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in the family church, led by Rev. Samuel West.

Ida outlived her spouse by a dozen years and remained in their Front Street residence. At her 94th birthday, in 1972, she was pictured in a feature story in the Uniontown Evening Standard, which reported that she celebrated "with a small family gathering... The honoree received many gifts, including floral arrangements and cards." She resided at that time with her son William in Vestaburg.

Ida died on March 7, 1977. Her remains were laid to rest next to her husband's in Beallsville Cemetery in Washington County. The Washington Observer-Reporter said in an obituary that she was the "oldest resident" of Vestaburg and East Bethlehem Township.

Daughter Florence Westanna Kinsell (1904-2005) was born on Feb. 5, 1904 in Hopwood. She was married twice. Her first spouse was John W. Harford Sr. (1903-1975). The only known son of the couple was John W. Harford Jr. They moved to Winona Lake, IN and were there in 1972-1977. Sadly, John passed away in 1975. Florence outlived him by three decades. As of 1988, she was in Brevard, NC. In 1978, she was joined in wedlock with widower Don Endicott (1898-1978), whose first wife had died the year before. Don was founder of Endicott Furniture Company and president of Endocitt Corporation of South Bend, IN. They made their brief home in Warsaw. Evidence suggests that Don died the year they were wed, on Nov. 15, 1978, in Kosciusko Community Hospital. At the age of 101, Florence died in Warsaw, IN on Sept. 28, 2005. Burial was in Warsaw's Oakwood Cemetery.

Grandson John W. Harford Jr. made his home in 1978 in Cleveland, OH.

Son William W. "Bud" Kinsell (1908-1988) was born in about 1908. He was married and the father of John William Harford and Jean Murray. The Kinsells dwelled in Vestaburg at 136 Front Street. William earned a living through his work in the Vesta No. 5 coal mine owned by Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation. He held a membership in the Vestaburg Local 762 of the United Mine Workers of America. He eventually retired from J&L and joined the company's pensioner's club. He also belonged to the Hanson-Cole post of the American Legion of Fredericktown. At the age of 81, William died in Brownsville Hospital on Nov. 3, 1988. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Barry V. Mohney, with interment in Beallsville Cemetery. The Pittsburgh Press published an obituary.

Grandson John William Harford migrated to Brevard, NC and was there in 1988.

Granddaughter Jean Harford married (?) Murray. The pair migrated to Garfield Heights, OH.

Daughter Iola Jane Kinsell (1909-1999) was born on July 7, 1909 in Hopwood, Fayette County. Dr. A.S. Hagan assisted in the birth. Iola was twice-wed. Her first spouse was Robert Joseph Wilson (Dec. 6, 1905-1935), son of Rolley and Ellen (Jones) Wilson. He is believed to have brought two stepdaughters into the union, Genevieve Jane Wilson and Betty Phyllis Wilson. Their only son was Robert Wilson. The Wilsons dwelled at 15 Iowa Street, Uniontown. Robert earned a living as a painter. On the tragic day of Oct. 19, 1935, the 29-year-old husband and father sat on a sofa at home, pointed a .25 calibre pistol at his right temple and pulled the trigger. Death was instantaneous. His remains were laid to rest in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, following a funeral led by Rev. J. Spurgeon Clark of the Great Bethel Baptist Church. An obituary in the Uniontown Evening Standard said that the pallbearers were Walter R. Tressler, Richard R. Martin, Roy E. Dunn, Arthur Tressler, James J. Bradley and Mike Martisko. Traveling from Pittsburgh to attend the funeral were Robert's uncle William Dean and his daughter Peggy. Four months later, at the age of 26, on Feb. 22, 1936, Iola was joined in wedlock with Samuel Anthony Bakonoff (1904-1979). One known daughter of this brood was Henrietta Bakonoff. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the family made its home in Centerville, Washington County, PA. There, he worked as an inside mechanic in the coal mining industry. Later, they moved to Vestaburg, where in 1963 Sam served as president of the Vestaburg Citizens Association. Sadly, Sam passed away on March 2, 1979. Iola lived to the age of 89 and died on Jan. 16, 1999. The couple sleeps for all time in Lafayette Memorial Park.

Step-granddaughter Genevieve Jane Wilson ( ? - ? )

Step-granddaughter Betty Phyllis Wilson ( ? - ? )

Grandson Robert Wilson (1933- ? ) was born in about 1933. He grew up with his mother and stepfather in Centerville, Washington County, PA.

Granddaughter Henrietta Bakonoff (1941- ? ) was born in about 1941. She was a 1958 graduate of Centerville High School.

Daughter Blanche Adelhia Kinsell (1912-1976) was born on Feb. 24, 1912 in the coal mining patch town of Isabella, Fayette County along the Monongahela River. She was united in matrimony with Herschel Stilwell (1913-1974). The Stillwells made a home for many years in Vestaburg. Five children produced in this family were Kenneth Ray Stilwell, Byrd Stilwell, Dennis Eugene Stilwell, Ida Leichliter and Lois Ann Hudacheck. Sadly, Herschel passed away in 1974. As a widow, Blanche's address in 1976 was 233 Second Street, Vestaburg. She died at the age of 64 on Feb. 25, 1976 in Brownsville General Hospital. Interment was in Beallsville Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Washington (PA) Observer.

Grandson Kenneth Ray Stilwell lived in Hawthorne, NV in 1976. He was deceased by 2012. He may be the same Kenneth R. Stilwell who became a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and died on March 16, 2009, with burial in Fallon, NV. This is not yet confirmed.

Grandson Rev. Arlington "Byrd" Stilwell (1937 ? ) was born in about 1937. He was a 1955 graduate of East Bethlehem High School, later known as Bethlehem-Center Joint High School in Fredericktown. He joined the U.S. Army and trained at Aviation School at Fort Rucker, AL. Then in 1964, he was stationed in Germany. On Jan. 11, 1964, in nuptials held in the Taylor Methodist Church, he married Elizabeth Ann Neale ( ? - ? ), daughter of Edwin Neale of Brownsville, PA. Rev. William Cassidy led the ceremony. In announcing the marriage, the Uniontown Evening Standard said the bride "wore a white street length gown of lace studded with seed pearls. A seed pearl tiara held her finger tip veil of silk illusion and she carried a white Bible topped with an arrangement of lilies-of-the-valley and a white orchid." Elizabeth was a 1958 alumna of Centerville High School, and at the time of marriage was employed in Philadelphia as a buyer with Wanamakers Department Store. In 1973, the couple was chosen to work for Campus Crusade for Christ International. They made their home in 1976 in Clarksville, TN. Circa 2012, Byrd resided in Mansfield, OH.

Grandson Dennis Eugene Stilwell Sr. (1947-2012) was born on May 2, 1947 in a residence on Second Street in Vestaburg. He was a 1965 alumnus of Bethlehem Center High School. He then joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He trained in torpedo operations with a team known as the "Dirty Dozen." He received his honorable discharge on Sept. 13, 1971. Dennis returned to Vestaburg and in 1973 was joined in wedlock with Ilene Olson ( ? - ? ). Together, they bore five offspring -- Paul Samarin, Paulene Kelly, Ilene Rhodes, Adelia Stilwell and Dennis Stilwell, Jr.For 39 years, Dennis Sr. earned a living as a coal miner. Among the mines where he labored were Jones and Laughlin's Vesta 5 Mines, the Labelle Processing Company, Lion Mining Company and Consolidation Coal. He held a membership in the United Mine Workers of America and belonged to the Hanson-Cole post of the American Legion in Fredericktown, where he once held the position of sergeant at arms. As well, he was a volunteer firefighter with the East Beth Volunteer Fire Company. Sadly, at the age of 65, he passed away at home in Vestaburg on June 23, 2012. The funeral was led by his brother Byrd.

Great-grandson Paul Samarin was united in matrimony with Dena.

Great-granddaughter Paulene wed Jeff Kelly.

Great-granddaughter Ilene married Carl Rhodes.

Great-granddaughter Adelia Stilwell ( ? - ? )

Great-grandson Dennis Stilwell, Jr. ( ? - ? )
Granddaughter Ida Mae Stilwell (1941-2012) was born on Jan. 18, 1941 in Vestaburg. She was a 1958 graduate of Bethlehem Center High School. On Jan. 31, 1959, she entered into marriage with her first husband, Korean War Army veteran Norman Bruce Leichliter (Dec. 9, 1937-2014), son of Thomas Norman and Viola Marie (Craft) Leichliter of Clarksville, PA. Their wedding was conducted in the United Missionary Church in Vestaburg by the hand of Rev. Charles C. Daniels. In an article about the happy event, the Uniontown Morning Herald said the bride wore "a street length dress of aqua and white print and she carried a Bible topped with a white orchid." Norman, who attended East Bethlehem High School, was employed in 1959 as an inspector by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. The Leichliters established their residence in Vestaburg and were there in the mid-1970s. Four known children of this family were Thomas Ray Leichliter, Deanna Whoolery, Sheryl Wahl and Lynn King. Norman also made a living over the years as a coal miner for Gateway Coal Company and as a high school custodian for Jefferson-Morgan School District. In time the couple divorced. Ida married again to (?) Lutes ( ? - ? ), while Norman wed again to Avis Elizabeth McKnight, believed to be of the family of Thomas Springer and Margaret Mae (McCune) McKnight Sr. Ida is believed to have spent her final years in Canonsburg, PA. At the age of 71, she died on March 30, 2012. Former husband Norman spent his final years in Fredericktown. He passed away in the Donnell House of Washington Hospital on Feb. 17, 2014.

Great-grandson Thomas Ray Leichliter (1961-2004) was born on May 26, 1961 in Brownsville. He was a 1979 graduate of Beth-Center High School. He then served in the U.S. Army. Thomas later moved to Michigan, where he was employed as a journeyman lineman by Harlan Electric. He entered into marriage with Vicki (Martin) Jolliffe ( ? - ? ), daughter of Charles and Virginia Martin of Fairchance, PA. Thomas was the father of four -- Maggie Burnworth, Desiree Leichliter, Thomas Leichliter and Kyle Leichliter. While enduring a long illness, he was admitted to Beverly Health Care in Uniontown, PA. Sadly, he died there at the age of 43 on June 25, 2004. Burial was in Beallsville (PA) Cemetery. Inscribed on his grave marker is the scripture: "The Lord is my shepherd and my strength."

Great-granddaughter Deanna Leichliter married (?) Whoolery. Her home in 2004 was in Jefferson, PA.

Great-granddaughter Sheryl Leichliter was united in matrimony with (?) Wahl. She relocated to Kalamazoo, MI and was there in 2004. By 2014, she made her residence in Portage, MI.

Great-granddaughter Lynn Leichliter ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She wed Kirk A. King ( ? - ? ), son of Lynn W. and Saundra King of Mather, PA and stepson of Linda "Nan" King. They became the parents of Matthew Lynn King, Ryan King and Christopher King. The Kings migrated to Michigan and in the early 1990s resided in Kalamazoo, MI. The family eventually returned to southwestern Pennsylvania and in 2019 were in Waynesburg, PA. Tragedy enveloped the family in grief when their son Matthew, age 27 and employed in sales by United Equipment Rentals, died on Sept. 7, 2019 after being seriously injured in an automobile accident. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he was one of three men in a vehicle on Route 19 near Waynesburg, PA which lost control on a curve and overturned after striking a guardrail and a tree. An obituary for their son said that he "enjoyed golf, fishing and watching movies. He loved attending Pitt football games and all of the Pittsburgh pro sports teams. He was a graduate of Waynesburg Central High School Class of 2010, where he was a member of the golf team. He also graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Class of 2014, with a bachelor's degree in film studies."
Granddaughter Lois Ann Stilwell ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On April 10, 1969, in Vestaburg, she wed Michael James Hudacheck ( ? - ? ). The pair established a residence in Brownsville, PA. The couple divorced in February 1971, as reported in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Still using the "Hudacheck" surname, she lived in Monongahela, PA in 2012.

The Falleckers enjoyed a summer home at Whipkey Dam, Markleton, PA

Daughter Muriel Kinsell (1916-2003) was born on June 23, 1916 in Filbert, Fayette County. On Aug. 17, 1935, in Somerset, PA, she wed widower John R. Fallecker (Aug. 11, 1911-2004), a native of Pleasant Unity, PA and the son of John George and Lillian (Goodman) Fallecker. They remained together for an extraordinary 68 years. John's first wife Edith (Poole) Fallecker had died of pneumonia at Mutual, PA at the age of 21 in October 1933, and he thus brought two young stepdaughters into the second marriage -- Ruth Romaine Smith and Donna Marie Cross. Muriel and John became the parents of four daughters -- Martha Fargo, and Gwendolyn K. Saffin. Their residence for decades was in Vestaburg, where for 38 years John was employed by Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation. The last 27 years of his working career with J&L were as an assistant mine foreman. He also taught First Aid for 21 years and was active with mine rescue teams for two decades. Muriel liked to work with ceramics and to bowl in the Richeyville Bowling League. John is known to have helped build in Vestaburg the Wesley Methodist Church, later becoming Shiloh Baptist Church. As time allowed, John liked to fush and hunt and held a membership in the Scullton Rod and Gun Club. They enjoyed getaways to their summer residence at the Whipkey Dam near Markleton, Somerset County, and taking bus tours with other senior citizens. John in retirement was active with the Beth Center Senior Citizens, serving for two terms as president. As her health declined, Muriel was admitted to reside in Lasosky's Personal Home in nearby Clarksville. There, she died on Oct. 1, 2003, at the age of 87. Burial was in Beallsville Cemetery. She was survived by 11 grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren. John spent his final years in the home of his daughter Gwendolyn in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA. He passed away there at the age of 92 on May 6, 2004. His funeral was presided over by Rev. John Blystone, with burial following in Beallsville Cemetery.

Granddaughter Ruth Romaine Fallecker (1931-2022) was born on May 18, 1931 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. She married Robert C. Smith ( ? - ? ). Together, they produced a trio of children -- Hope R. Smith, R. Curtis Smith and Dawn M. Owen. They lived in Greensburg, PA. Said an obituary, Ruth "worked at the former I.T.E. in South Greensburg and had been a caregiver for Katherine McKenna at Redstone. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Trauger. Ruth loved spending time with family, traveling in her RV somewhere warm during the winter months, tending her flowers, watching the hummingbirds, going to yard sales and going out to dinner with family." She resided with her daughter Hope in Brinkerton, PA in the early 2020s. Ruth died at the age of 91 on Dec. 15, 2022. The remains were lowered under the sod of St. Paul Reformed Cemetery in Mount Pleasant Township, with Rev. Frank S. Podolinski Jr. leading the services.

Great-granddaughter Hope R. Smith resided in 2022 in Brinkerton, near Mount Pleasant.

Great-grandson R. Curtis Smith was united in matrimony with Suzanne. They relocated to Leesburg, VA.

Great-granddaughter Dawn M. Smith wed Victor Owen. They put down roots in Brinkerton, PA.
Granddaughter Donna Marie Fallecker wed (?) Cross. Her home in 2004 was in Brownsville.

Granddaughter Martha Fallecker was joined in wedlock with Louis Fargo. They dwelled in Daisytown, PA in 2004.

Granddaughter Gwendolyn K. Fallecker entered into matrimony with John Saffin. The couple established a residence in Latrobe, PA.

Skyline of Baltimore, Maryland

Daughter Almeta Kinsell (1920-1994) was born on March 9, 1920 in Hopwood, Fayette County. In girlhood she attended school in Uniontown. She relocated in 1955 to Baltimore, MD. Almeta entered into marriage with Albert J. Ross Sr. ( ? -1969), a native of Columbia, SC who also had migrated to Baltimore. Three children born to the union were Capt. Albert James Ross Jr., Janet Gregory and Carol Urner. Albert was a veteran typesetter in the newspaper industry, having worked for a paper in South Carolina early in his career. Both Almeta and Albert became employed by the Baltimore Sun, a holding company which owned The Sun and The Evening Sun newspapers. Almeta was a proofreader with the papers for 10 years, starting in about 1966, and Albert an operator of linotype machinery which used a hot metal system for typesetting. His career at the Sun lasted for 13 years, from about 1956 to his death. The family dwelling was at 816 Park Avenue. Sadly, Albert died at home at the age of 68 on April 24, 1969. The Sun published an obituary. Almeta outlived her spouse by a quarter of a century. She resided in the Baltimore suburb of Catonsville and retired from the Sun in 1976. Post-retirement, she worked for a short time at King Brothers printing company. She then relocated to Columbia, MD, where she held a membership in St. John's Lutheran Church. She endured the heartbreak of the death of 18-year-old granddaughter Kelly Suzanne Ross in April 1981 from injuries suffered in an accident. Diagnosed with cancer, Almeta died at Howard County General Hospital at the age of 73 on Feb. 22, 1994. A headline obituary appeared in the Sun, which noted that her survivors included eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Capt. Albert James Ross Jr. ( ? - ? ) joined the U.S. Navy and became a commissioned officer. He married (?) Sloan ( ? - ? ), daughter of W. Rice and Miriam Sloan of Columbia, SC. Together, they bore a family of three -- Kelly Suzanne Ross, James "Peter" Ross and Stphen "Joel" Ross. The Rosses lived in various places as Albert was transferred -- New London, CT (1963); Germany; Kensington, MD (1980); Naples, Italy; Norfolk, VA (1969); and Columbia, MD (1994). Grief swept over the family in April 1981 when their daughter died after an accident.

Great-granddaughter Kelly Suzanne Ross (1963-1981) was born in about 1963 in New London, CT. Her growing-up years were spent in Germany, Hawaii, Kensington, MD, Italy and Columbia, MD. She attended Newport Junior High School in Kensington, and when her father was transferred to Naples, Italy, she enrolled in Naples American High School. She was named Athlete of the Year at Naples American and is believed to have graduated in 1980. Upon the family's move to Columbia, in June 1980, she was awarded a basketball scholarship to Howard Community College. She also played girl's softball at Howard. On the tragic day of April 25, 1981, she was horrifically injured in an automobile accident. Reported the Washington Post, "Howard County police said the car in which Miss Ross was a passenger was traveling at high speed on Whiskey Bottom Road near Laurel when it failed to make a turn and crashed into a utility pole." She was admitted to a shock-trauma unit in Baltimore and died the following day. Her mass of Christian burial was sung at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center of St. John's Church, Columbia, MD, with an obituary published in the Baltimore Evening Sun.

Great-grandson James "Peter" Ross enlisted in the U.S. Navy and, in 1981, was stationed in Norfolk, VA.

Great-grandson Stephen "Joel" Ross resided in 1981 in Austin, TX.
Granddaughter Janet Ross ( ? -2015) wed (?) Gregory. Their trio of daughters were Darlene Brnich, Debra Schenk and Karen Stalbird. Janet's residence in 1969-1994 was in Columbia, MD. After her marriage ended, she was a longtime companion of Bob Carmody. Janet passed away in Ellicott City, MD on Jan. 25, 2015. Her obituary was printed in the Baltimore Sun.

Great-granddaughter Darlene Gregory entered into marriage with Edward Brnich. They are believed to be the parents of Sarah Brnich, Molly Brnich and Rebecca Brnich.

Great-granddaughter Debra Gregory was joined in wedlock with Douglas Schenk Sr. Their brood of offspring includes Douglas Schenk Jr. and Nicholas Schenk.

Great-granddaughter Karen Gregory was united in matrimony with Gregg Stalbird. Two children in this family are Katelyn Stalbird and Sean Stalbird.
Granddaughter Carol Ann Ross ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was an alumna of Western High School. As a young woman, she worked for Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore as a research laboratory technician. On July 11, 1964, in Baltimore's Eutaw Place Baptist Church, she married John Hammond Urner Sr. (Jan. 6, 1940-2022), officiated by Rev. Clyde Atkins. In announcing the marriage, the Hagerstown Daily Mail said that the bride "wore a floor length sheath of silk organiza with a chapel train. A crown of pearls and crystals held her veil of illusion and she carried a cascade of giant white chrysanthemums." Their union endured for a remarkable 58 years. John was the son of Martin Jonas and Dorothy (Jolliffe) Urner of Preston Road, Hagerstown, MD, and grandson of Judge Hammond Urner of the Maryland Court of Appeals. The couple's three children were John Hammond Urner Jr., Cathering Panettiere and Mary Minahan. For decades, they made a home in John's hometown of Hagerstown. Carol was active with the Xi Gamma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, a non-academic sorority promoting the social, cultural, and civic enrichment of members. In 1970, she was elected president of Hagerstown City Council. John was a 1957 graduate of North Hagerstown High School and received his bachelor's degree in 1961 from Johns Hopkins University. He then earned his law degree in 1964 from the University of Maryland and went on to a half-century career in the practice of law. He is known to have been a candidate in 1966 for the Maryland House of Delegates on the Republican ticket, and in 1970 to have served as county coordinator for the J Glenn Beall Jr. campaign for the United States Senate. John was active in the community and served on the boards of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Rose Hill Cemetery, Washington County Hospital and YMCA. He also held memberships in the Rotary Club of Hagerstown, Fountain Head Country Club and Assembly Club. He was an avid tennis player, having competed at the national level in the 1960s, and liked to hunt, perform yard work and follow the New York Giants football team. Sadly, at the age of 82, John died in Doey's House of Hagerstown on Dec. 3, 2022. Burial was in Hagerstown's Rose Hill Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Herald-Mail.

Great-grandson John Hammond Urner, Jr. (1966- ? ) was born in 1966 in Washington County Hospital. News of his birth was announced in the Hagerstown Daily Mail. John wed Ann ( ? - ? ). They became the parents of Abigail Jaeger and Zachary Urner.

Great-granddaughter Catherine Ross Urner (1968- ? ) was born in 1968 in Washington County Hospital. Her birth was made public on the pages of the Hagerstown Daily Mail. Catherine married Christopher Panettiere. Their two offspring are Cora Panettiere and Lucy Panettiere.

Great-granddaughter Mary Urner entered into marriage with Joseph Minahan. Together, they produced a family of two -- Jack Minahan and Grace Minahan.

~ Stepson Andrew "Wallace" Logston ~

Stepson Andrew "Wallace" Logston (1883- ? ) -- also known as "Wallace Roscelle Logston Sr." -- was born on Feb. 5, 1883 in Frostburg, MD.

As a young man of 17, he labored in a coal mine near Uniontown, Fayette County, PA.

At the age of about 22, circa 1905, he entered into marriage with Bertha Mae Harding ( ? - ? ), daughter of George Harding/Hardin.

Two known sons born to the pair were Wallace Roscelle Logston Jr. and Wendell Logston. Although a native of Uniontown, their elder son claimed to have been born in Fulton County, GA.

Wallace's workplace in 1908, the Leith coal and coke works

Wallace was employed at the Leith coal mine in 1908 and injured in September 1908. The Uniontown Morning Herald said he was "run over by an empty wagon while working... which cut a gash in his face near the ear and bruised his shoulder and side pretty badly. Five or six stitches were necessary to close the wound. The wounds are not serious and it is thought he will be able to work in a few days. Mr. Logston has been unfortunate, having had his leg broken over two years ago in the Atlas mine."

The federal census enumerations of 1910 and 1920 show the Logstons living near Uniontown, with Wallace working as a coal mine laborer. Wallace was embroiled in a family controversy in October 1910 involving his wife's father. Reported the Morning Herald:

Struck with a pick and threatened with an ax when he attempted to protect his wife against the wrath of her father, Wallace Logston, of Hopwood, was arrested yesterday on a charge of assault and battery when he is alleged to have used a club on his fahter-in-law, George Hardin. Hardin claims that he was "terribly" beaten by the defendant and that the full extent of his injuries cannot be ascertained at the present time. According to Logston's story, Hardin went to his home while he was at work and used much profane language to his wife. When he returned home he was told of the affair. Logston claimed that Hardin, when the trouble was mentioned, struck him on the elbow with a pick and gave chase with an ax. In the chase Logston secured a club and repulsed the attack.

Wallace made his dwelling-place in Somerset, PA as of 1941-1950. In the early 1970s, he was in Rockwood, Somerset County.

He died in Somerset Community Hospital at the age of 90 on April 4, 1973. An obituary appeared in the Somerset Daily American. Burial was in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, with services led by Rev. Robert Doyle.

Son Wallace "Roscelle" Logston Jr. (1905-1963) was born on Nov. 22, 1905 near Uniontown, although he claimed to have been born in 1902 in Fulton County, GA and also in 1908. At the age of 18, in about 1927, he wed 17-year-old Evelyn (1910- ? ). They resided in Uniontown and bore a daughter, Gwendolyn Logston. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, Wallace earned a living as a tobacco salesman. Wallace continued his trade as a traveling tobacco salesman during the 1930s, and moved in the early part of the decade to Lexington, KY. On Feb. 25, 1933, at the age of 30, he wed again to 22-year-old Hilda "Gladys" Tichnell (Nov. 1, 1910-1969), daughter of Emory and Audra Gladys (Graves) Tichnell of Meadowbrook, Harrison County, WV. Their wedding was held in Clarksburg, WV. One daughter produced in the family was Hilda J. Kerns. The family was in Clarksburg in 1935-1950, with Wallace changing careers to a gas rights leasing agent for a gas utility company. Their address was 536 Musgrave, Clarksburg. Sadly, Roscelle was diagnosed with diabetes and then kidney disease and admitted to St. Marys Hospital. There, he died on Aug. 20, 1963. Burial was at the Shiinston (WV) Masonic Cemetery. Gladys survived her husband by six years and remained in their home. She suffered a heart attack and passed away in Union Protestant Hospital on April 26, 1969, at the age of 58.

Granddaughter Gwendolyn Logston (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927.

Granddaughter Hilda Jean Logston (1947- ? ) was born on March 11, 1947 in Clarksburg, WV. She was a 1965 graduate of Washington Irving High School. Hilda resided with her parents circa 1969 and signed her mother's official West Virginia certificate of death. On Aug. 23, 1969, when she was age 22, she tied the marital knot with 22-year-old Clarksburg resident William Thomas Kerns (Sept. 11, 1946- ? ), son of Robert M. and Marjorie (Newbrough) Kerns. Officiating their wedding was Rev. William L. Arthur of the Presbyterian church.

Son Wendell E. Logston (1915-1991) was born in 1915. At the age of 17, in 1930, he had no occupation and lived under the roof of his married brother in Uniontown. Wendell entered into marriage with Anna Louise Shanaberger (Aug. 24, 1922-2008), daughter of James O. and Margaret (Kegg) Shanaberger of Gates, Fayette County. They made their residence in Connellsville and Uniontown and bore two children -- Donald E. Logston and Brenda Mathias Lasley. The family belonged to the Albright United Methodist Church of Connellsville. Wendell was active in veterans' affairs and circa 1977 was president of Uniontown's United War Veterans Association. Wendell surrendered to the angel of death in 1991. Interment was in the soil of Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Anna Louise outlived her spouse by 17 years and moved to Indiana where her daughter was living. She died in the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Oakland, IN on Nov. 7, 2008. The body was sent to Connellsville for funeral services led by Rev. Dr. Marvin Watson followed by burial at Sylvan Heights. Her obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Grandson Donald E. Logston is a 1962 graduate of Uniontown Joint High School and worked in young manhood at the Red and White Supermarket. He joined the U.S. Army in 1962 during the Vietnam War and trained in the missile field, stationed in Pittsburgh with the 31st Anti-Aircraft Group. He returned home following military duty and became employed by Eastern Associated Coal Corporation of Hunker, PA. Circa 1971, Donald wed Florence A. "Flo" Casini ( ? - ? ), daughter of A.J. Casini of Connellsville, PA. Florence was a 1968 alumna of Connellsville Area Senior High School and a 1969 graduate of Durbin's Secretarial School. At the time of marriage, she worked as a junior stenographer with Robertshaw Controls Company in its New Stanton Division. The Logstons have made a residence in Connellsville and are the parents of Dr. Amy Marie Jennings.

Great-granddaughter Dr. Amy Marie Logston received her bachelor's degree from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. She then graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic of Davenport, IA. Amy married Aaron Jennings. They settled in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mount Lebanon. She owns Jennings Chiropractic of Bethel Park and specializes in "trigger point" muscle release, activator low force adjustments and physical therapy rehabilitation. Amy has been nominated for a Jefferson Award of the Pittsburgh-Post-Gazette, nominated by Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh. In 2021, Jennings Chiropractic made a donation of 100 backpacks and school kits to Catholic Charities.
Granddaughter Brenda Logston (1949-2012) was born on Nov. 5, 1949 in Connellsville. She was thrice-married. The identity of her first spouse is not known. Her second husband was James D. "J.D." Mathias (July 8, 1935-2003), a native of Chalk Hill, Fayette County. He had been married previously to Edna Joyce Barclay (Sept. 5, 1938-2020) and brought three stepchildren to the second union -- Holly Lear, Kim Burnsworth and James David Mathias. Brenda and J.D. relocated in 1974 to Tucson, AZ. They bore one son of their own, Jeremy Mathias. J.D. was employed for 23 years as a mechanic in the heavy equipment shop of Pima County, AZ. He rose to the position of fireman and retired in 1998. Sadly, he passed away in Tucson on April 2, 2003. J.D. was pictured in his obituary in the Arizona Daily Star, in which the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Arizona Lung Association or Arizona Heart Association. Brenda then was joined in wedlock with Steve Lasley ( ? - ? ). He also brought stepchildren into the marriage -- Aaron Lasley, Jeremy Lasley and Stephanie Harrison. The Lasleys dwelled in Princeton, IN. Later, after the third marriage ended, she moved to Tucson, AZ and supported herself as a sales associatte. At the age of 62, she succumbed to the spectre of death in Tucson on June 29, 2012. The remains were transported to Princeton for services in the Salvation Army Chapel. In an obituary, the family spelled her maiden name as "Loxton."

Great-grandson Jeremy Mathias resided in Tucson, AZ in 2003.

Step-great-granddaughter Holly Mathias married John Lear and in 2003-2020 lived in Farmington, Fayette County.

Step-great-granddaughter Kimberly Mathias wed John Burnsworth. They made a home in Farmington near Uniontown in 2003. The couple appears to have divorced.

Step-great-grandson James David Mathias (1973-2015) was born on Dec. 15, 1973 in Uniontown. He entered into wedlock with Melissa Johns ( ? - ? ), daughter of James and Molly Johns and stepdaughter of Linda Johns. They resided in Farmington, PA and produced two children -- Madison Mathias and Colton Mathias. James was employed by Masscan Inc. and a member of the Laborers Union Local No. 1058. He was an inaugural member of the "local hill strike force team" of the Bureau of Forestry and for a quarter century belonged to the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department. Said an obituary, "He enjoyed hunting and fishing and playing golf weekly with his many friends. He had a great sence of humor and touched many lives, especially the children he coached in baseball and football." The family was plunged into grief when James was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident near Flat Rock Road at age 41 on Aug. 29, 2015. His funeral was held at New Life Covenant Church, jointly led by Pastors Heather Simpson and Patty Roddy. The remains were lowered into the sleep of ages in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Chalk Hill.

Step-great-grandson Aaron Lasley married Kelly and has dwelled in Princeton, IN.

Step-great-grandson Jeremy Lasley wed Heather and lived in Seymour, IN.

Step-great-granddaughter Stephanie Lasley was joined in marriage with Berhard Harrison. The pair was in Oakland City, IN in 2012.

~ Stepdaughter Effa L. "Effie" (Logston) Cramer ~

Stepdaughter Effa L. "Effie" Logston (1886-1970) was born on Oct. 22, 1886 in Somerset County.

At the age of 21, on Dec. 14, 1907, she wed 21-year-old George "Edgar" Cramer Jr. (Sept. 20, 1886-1953), son of George Edgar and Mary (McClay) Cramer Sr. of Uniontown. Rev. W. Scott Bowman officiated. At the time of marriage, Effie and George both lived in Uniontown, where he earned a living as a "transitman."

The couple did not reproduce.

They initially dwelled in Uniontown before relocating circa the early 1920s to Pittsburgh, where they remained for good, a span of more than three decades. Edgar was a consulting civil engineer, employed by the Auchmuty & Eavenson firm, later known as Eavenson, Auchmuty and Greenwald. The firm specialized in coal mining projects for coal operators in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and West Virginia. Pittsburgh's Consolidation Coal Company is believed to have been a major client. Edgar held memberships in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Delta lodge of the Masons.

Effie and Edgar belonged to the Homewood Presbyterian Church.

At Effie's birthday in 1938, the family held a party at the home of her sister Sadie Varndell on the Brownfield Road. Said the Uniontown Morning Herald, "Old time barn dancing in a colorful setting of fall foliage was one of the merry party details..." Their address in the early 1950s was 6922 Bennett Street.

Sadly, Edgar was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, a type of cancer producing too many white blood cells which cause swollen lymph nodes and growths over the body. After six months of suffering, he died at the age of 60, in West Penn Hospital, on March 10, 1953. Burial was in Homewood Cemetery. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette printed an obituary.

Effie outlived her husband by 17 years. She passed away in Pittsburgh on Aug. 29, 1970. A short notice of her death was published in the Pittsburgh Press.

~ Stepdaughter Ada M. (Logston) Lewis ~

Stepdaughter Ada M. Logston (1889-1971) was born in April 1889 in Hopwood.

On Dec. 14, 1905, at the age of 16, she married 19-year-old laborer Charles Walter Lewis (1885- ? ), son of George and Frances Lewis of Dawson and McClellandtown. They united themselves in marriage without benefit of clergy, and Gottlieb L. Schmid and Roy V. Bowden were witnesses.

Their three known offspring were Dolores Lehman, John Lewis and Elizabeth I. Chambers.

In 1910, the couple lived in German Township, Fayette County, with Charles working in a local coal mine. When the federal census enumerations were made in 1920-1930, the family dwelled in South Union Township. Charles earned a living in that era as a coal mine laborer.

The Lewises made a home in Fayette County in Brownfield (1935), Palmer (1937), Penn-Craft (1940-1941), Fairchance (1950) and Brownfield (1961-1971). As of 1940, their next-door-neighbors in Penn-Craft were her married brother John and his wife Violet. They belonged to the Brownfield Methodist Church.

In December 1970, Ada and Charles marked their 65th wedding anniversary and were pictured in the Uniontown Morning Herald. A dinner was held in their honor at the Brownfield Methodist Church, hosted by the Rebekah Lodge.

Sadly, Ada passed away in 1971. The remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield, near Uniontown.

Charles lived for another five years. He died in 1976.

Daughter Elizabeth I. Lewis (1913-1971) was born in about 1913. On Nov. 21, 1930, at the age of 16, she entered into marriage with Ralph J. Chambers (March, 10, [?]-1969), son of William A. and Bertha Elizabeth (Freiberg) Chambers. Together, they bore a trio of children -- Joyce Dandrea Fisher, Phyllis Gwendolyn Cooley and William Chambers. The family home in the 1960s was in Brownfield, near Uniontown. Ralph's occupation for 22 years was as a repairman with Hillman Barge Construction Company. The couple separated in about 1962 or 1963, with her moving out, and Ralph filed a charge of desertion in Fayette County Court in February 1963. Their divorce was granted in August of that year. Ralph married again to Mabel "Louella" Whitesell ( ? - ? ). He was diagnosed with a cancerous mass on his lung and arrested pulmonary tuberculosis. He was treated in Uniontown Hospital, where he died on Aug. 13, 1969. Interment was in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Uniontown, with Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer leading the funeral service. Elizabeth in 1969-1971 lived in Uniontown at the address of 197 North Gallatin Avenue. Sadly, at the age of 57, she died in Uniontown Hospital on Jan. 29, 1971. Her obituary was published in the Uniontown Evening Standard.

Granddaughter Joyce Ann Chambers ( ? - ? ) grew up in Brownfield. She made news in childhood in May 1955 when she "darted" in between two parked vehicles and was struck by a moving car and hospitalized with "a possible broken right leg and abrasions of the right ear, elbow and back," said the Uniontown Evening Standard. She was a 1962 graduate of South Union High School and then secured a job with Michael Berkowitz Company. On Feb. 24, (?), Joyce married A. Gary Dandrea ( ? - ? ). They lived in Hopwood in 1968-1969. By 1971, she had wed again to Paul Fisher ( ? - ? ). The pair was in Uniontown in 1971.

Granddaughter Phyllis Gwendolyn Chambers ( ? - ? ) wed John R. Cooley ( ? - ? ). They established a residence in Warren, OH and were there in the 1960s and 1970s. Their address in 1967 was 364 Todd Southwest. Two daughters known to have been born to the pair were Deborah J. Cooley and Barbara Ann Cooley.

Great-granddaughter Deborah J. Cooley was a 1967 graduate of Western Reserve High School in Warren, OH. She then enrolled in the Grandwohl School of Laboratory Technique in St. Louis.

Great-granddaughter Barbara Ann Cooley resided in Brownfield, PA and Warren, OH. She was a 1968 graduate of Warren Western Reserve High School and studied at the Trumbull Branch of Kent State University. She also worked for the Packard Electric Division of General Motors Corporation. She wed Walter J. Warren Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Meredith Warren of Warren, OH.
Grandson William Chambers ( ? - ? ) in 1969-1971 was in Pella, IA.

Daughter Dolores Lewis (1932-2018) was born on Sept. 4, 1932 in Scottdale, PA. On April 26, 1954, she married William E. "Bill" Lehman (July 3, 1934-2007). Two offspring born to this union were Mick Lehman and Kymla Fecko. They are known to have lived in Vienna, OH in 1970-2007. Dolores became a registered nurse. She was employed at Gillette Nursing Home in Warren, OH, holding the position of director of nursing. She retired in 1998. Sadly, William died on Sept. 6, 2007. Dolores outlived her husband by 11 years and made her dwelling in Austintown, OH. Death swept her away at the age of 85 on July 7, 2018. Burial was in Fowler Township Cemetery,, also known as Dugan Cemetery.

Grandson Mick Lehman has made a home in Austintown, OH.

Granddaughter Kymla Lehman entered into marriage with (?) Fecko. She has lived in Hubbard, OH.

Son John Lewis ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Elyria, OH in the early 1970s.

~ Stepdaughter Ethel (Logston) Baker ~

Stepdaughter Ethel Logston (1890- ? ) was born in June 1890.

On June 20, 1908, when she was age 18 and he 23, she wed a distant step-cousin, coal miner John Baker (1885-1962). The couple united themselves in marriage, with G. L. Schmid and Earl Huston serving as official witnesses. John was the son of Jonathan and Cassandra Lucinda (Ogle) Baker and stepson of Hilah Jane (Hall) Hull Baker of the family of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rowan) Hall. At least one son in this union was Wesley Baker. See the Hall biography for more.

~ Stepdaughter Lillian (Logston) Christopher ~

Stepdaughter Lillian A. Logston (1894-1973) was born in Nov. 1894.

She wed Russell Christopher (June 18, 1892-1936), a Fayette County native and the son of John William and Alice (Dean) Christopher.

Five offspring of this family were Walter Christopher, Violet Radovich Shaw, Martha Louise Christopher and Sarah Lewis plus an unnamed infant daughter (1929).

They lived at the H.C. Frick Coke Company's Palmer coal mine village of Adah, Fayette County, House 131, where Russell worked as a laborer.

Sadly, in his late 30s, Russell became burdened with heart disease. It appears to have worsened over the next six years. He also began to demonstrate "dementia praecox," a deteriorating psychotic disorder today considered schizophrenia. He died at the age of 44 just three days before Christmas 1936. Burial was in Acklin Cemetery, with Rev. David Hunter presiding, and an obituary appearing in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Pallbearers included Philip Fox, John Norman, Ferd Shaffer, Levi Brown, James Welsh and Leroy McElfresh.

The widowed Lillian was left with four children to raise. She continued to make her home in Palmer and belonged to the Palmer Presbyterian Church.

Her final years were spent in the Filbert mining community.

Lillian died at the age of 78, in Uniontown Hospital, on Jan. 22, 1973. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Her nephew, Rev. Thomas Neil Logston, conducted the funeral service. Burial was in the Acklin Cemetery in Merrittstown, Fayette County.

Son Walter I. Christopher (1919-1988) was born on Sept. 4, 1919 in Palmer, Fayette County. He married Emma Jean Mixon (April 17, 1924-2016). He was the father of Lloyd F. Christopher and Jack Richard Christopher. The family grieved at the death in infancy of their son Jack. Circa 1953, the Christophers dwelled in the Filbert community. They moved to Carmichaels, PA at the address of 207 Maple Street, and stayed for good. Walter was a coal miner early in his career, laboring at the Nemacolin and Emerald mines, and was a member of the Nemacolin local of the United Mine Workers of America. Later he became a state mine inspector. He also was secretary of the examining board for mine foremen, mine electricians and mine examiners. They held a membership in the First Christian Church of Republic, and he belonged to the Masons lodge in Brownsville, The Syria Temple in Pittsburgh, Camel Wheels, Elks Club of Waynesburg and Italian Club of Masontown/ Sadly, Walter died at the age of 69, in Waynesburg's Greene County Memorial Hospital, on Dec. 1, 1988. His first cousin Rev. Thomas Logston led the funeral service, in the family church, followed by interment of the remains in Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels. His obituary was carried in the Pittsburgh Press. After his death, Emma remained in Carmichaels. Death carried her away in Waynesburg at the age of 92 on May 6, 2016.

Grandson Lloyd F. Christopher ( ? - ? ) joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was twice was deployed to Vietnam and served as a firefighter with the 3rd Civil Engineering Squadron of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. When an enemy rocket hit a munitions storage cite, igniting more more than 1,000 fuel tanks and trailer vehicles, he and his colleagues fought the resulting inferno for two hours despite intense heat, and in recognition was bestowed the Air Force Commendation Medal in June 1969. Lloyd spent his career in the military as as of 1988 was posted to Charleston, SC, where he held the rank of master sergeant.

Reversible trolley in the Robena coal mine, where Frank Radovich was mortally burned in 1962. Courtesy United States Steel Corporation.

Daughter Violet Christopher (1925-2011) was born on July 14, 1925. She grew up in Palmer, Fayette County. She was married two known times. She first entered into marriage on Nov. 14, 1942 with Frank Edward Radovich ( ? -1962), son of Joseph and Mary Radovich of Fairbank, Fayette County. To tie the knot, the pair traveled to Cumberland, MD, where Rev. A.K. Flora led the nuptials. The Uniontown Evening Standard announced the marriage and said the bride "wore a gown of pink brocade satin with white accessories and pink shoulder-length veil. Her corsage was formed of pink rosebud and baby's breath." The newlyweds first lived at Cardale, with Frank employed at the H.C. Frick Coke Company plant at Palmer. Together, they produced two daughters, Linda L. Radovich and Beverly Radovich. The family later made a dwelling in Fairbank, and Frank began working at the Robena No. 2 mine of United States Steel Corporation. Robena was the largest coal mine in the world, located near Carmichaels. On the tragic day of Oct. 2, 1962, while at work in Robena's long shaft, Frank and several other men were caught in an explosion, and he suffered second- and third-degree burns to the arms, chest, face and neck. Said the Uniontown Evening Standard, "A theory was advanced that a cutting machine the four men were working with struck a pocket of methane gas, resulting in the explosion. This has not been confirmed as the actual cause..." He was rushed to Uniontown Hospital, where he was relieved of his sufferings and death carried him away a day later at the age of 43. The requiem high mass was sung at the St. Procopius Roman Catholic Church in New Salem, led by Rev. John J. Skrak. The remains were lowered into eternal repose in the church cemetery. In time, by 1965, she married again to Joseph W. Shaw Jr. ( ? - ? ). He too had been married before and brought three stepchildren into the union, Janet Myers, Robert "Bob" Shaw and John Shaw. They bore a son of their own, Joseph Shaw III. The Shaws lived on Bull Run Road, Brownsville, and later moved to Penn-Craft, Fayette County. As a widow, Violet went to live with her daughter Linda in Forest Hills. There, she passed into the arms of the angels on Oct. 19, 2011. Her mass of Christian burial was conducted in the Holy Rosary Parish, Republic, with burial beside her first spouse in St. Procopius Cemetery.

Granddaughter Linda L. Radovich ( ? - ? ) grew up in Fairbank. She was a graduate of the Art Institute of America. In 1968, she became employed by Maxine's in Pittsburgh. In 1977, she was united in matrimony with Dennis F. Clark ( ? - ? ), son of Andrew Clark of Turtle Creek near Pittsburgh. They were wed at the First Christian Church of Republic and made their initial home in Braddock, PA. Linda eventually took back her maiden name and in 2011 made a home in the Forest Hills suburb of Pittsburgh.

Granddaughter Beverly Radovich ( ? - ? ) spent her childhood in Fairbank. She was in Florida in 2011.

Grandson Joseph Shaw III (1965- ? ) was born in about 1965. He dwelled in 2011 in Brownsville, Fayette County.

Step-granddaughter Janet Shaw married Robin Myers. Their home in 2011 was in Marianna, PA.

Step-grandson Robert "Bob" Shaw was joined in wedlock with Marlene. They settled in New Salem near Uniontown.

Step-grandson John Shaw tied the knot with Faye. The couple has dwelled in Alabama.

Daughter Martha Louise Christopher (1932-2009) was born on Aug. 23, 1932. She was an alumna of German Township High School and then secured a position in the Gates Store of Union Supply Company. On the Fourth of July holiday in 1953, she wed Edward William Shaw ( ? - ? ), son of Joseph Shaw Sr. of Penn-Craft. The marriage ceremony was conducted at St. Albert's Roman Catholic Church, by the hand of Rev. Fr. Henry Podowski. In announcing the wedding, the Uniontown Morning Herald said she "wore a ballerina length gown of white Belgian lace and net over satin. Her fingertip veil bordered with matching Belgian lace and net, was held by a headdress of white satin and seed pearls." Edward had attended Brownsville High School and then for five years served in the U.S. Armed Forces. At the time of marriage, he was a truck driver with the Penn-Craft Cooperative Association. The pair made a home in Fairbank and by 1973 relocated to Cleveland. Two sons produced by this union were Mark Shaw and Terrance Shaw. Their home in 1988 was in Brook Park, OH. Her son and his daughter having married, Martha later entered into wedlock with Robert L. Sansbury ( ? -2004). He brought a stepdaughter into the marriage with Martha, Christine Moreau. Robert enjoyed bowling and held a membership in the American Legion. He died at the age of 67 on Feb. 2, 2004. Twice widowed, Martha passed away at the age of 76 on Feb. 16, 2009. Her mass of Christian burial was held at Assumption of Mary Church in Brook Park, with the remains laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery. The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an obituary.

Grandson Mark Shaw was joined in wedlock with Peggy.

Grandson Terrance Shaw entered into marriage with Cynthia "Cindy" Sansbury.

Detroit, where Walter and Sarah Lewis migrated circa 1947

Daughter Sarah Christopher ( ? -2012) was born on (?). She married Walter Lewis ( ? -1956), a resident of Palmer, Fayette County and the son of Mary/Edith Lewis. Two offspring in family were Beverly Jean Pasco and Gary Lewis. They migrated to Detroit in about 1947 and remained for nine years, the balance of their lives together. Walter supported the family through his work as an assistant foreman with the Long Manufacturing Company. He also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The Lewises' address in the mid-1950s was 12014 Klinger. Sadly, he contracted a serious illness and endured it for an extended time. At the age of 43, he died in Deaconess Hospital in Detroit on July 25, 1956. Word was sent to relatives in Fayette County, with obituaries printed in the Detroit Free Press and the Uniontown Morning Herald. Funeral services and burial were in Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery. Sarah survived her spouse by a remarkable 56 years. For four of those decades, she supported herself through employment by the Detroit News newspaper. She and her children are known to have traveled back to Fairbank to attend a 66th birthday party for her mother in 1960. In 1973, her residence was in the Detroit suburb of Hamtramck, MI. Then as of 1988, she was in Kansas City, KS and in 2011 lived in St. Louis. She died on June 11, 2012. Her survivors included four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In a Detroit News obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Society for the Blind.

Granddaughter Beverly Jean Lewis ( ? - ? ) was born on (?) and spent her early year in Palmer, Fayette County. In October 1957, in Detroit, she was united in wedlock with Gerald "Jerry" Pasco ( ? - ? ). Her uncles and aunts and cousins from Fayette County traveled to attend the happy event. They became the parents of Douglas Pasco and Jill Pasco. The Pascos made a home in Toledo, OH in 1960.

Grandson Gary Lewis was joined in matrimony with Jill.

~ Stepson John Hiram Logston ~

Stepson John Hiram Logston (1900-1961) was born on June 30, 1900 in Hopwood.

He was three years of age when his mother died, and in early adolescence when his father wed Hester Devan.

In 1924, John was joined in marriage with Violet R. Townsend (1904-1986), daughter of Orin and Nora (Walters) Townsend.

Their brood of offspring included Gerald Roscelle Logston, Delbert Leslie Logston, Harry R. Logston, Shirley Washabaugh, Rev. Thomas Neil Logston, Jack M. Logston and Darla Dugan.

Grief blanketed the family when son Delbert, age three, contracted inflammation of the small and large intestine, known as "ileocolitis." He died after three days of suffering at the Palmer Works on May 27, 1930. The child's remains were laid to rest in Church Hill Cemetery, McClellandtown.

The Logstons' home in 1930 was in house No. 2 at the H.C. Frick Coke Company's Palmer coal mine village of Adah, Fayette County. John was a member of the Palmer local of the United Mine Workers of America.

Penn-Craft neighborhood in Luzerne Township, to which the Logstons moved in early 1938. Courtesy Library of Congress

Typical Penn-Craft house. Library of Congress

Then in 1937, in the grip of the Great Depression, they received an opportunity to relocate with 49 other struggling coal mining families to a newly formed model community, known as Penn-Craft in Luzerne Township, near the town of East Millsboro. The village was developed by the American Friends Service Corporation, part of the Quaker faith. Assisting politically was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Division of Subsistence Homesteads, part of the Department of the Interior, led by Interior Secretary Harold L. Ickes and Milburn L. Wilson. Said the book Norvelt and Penn-Craft, Pennsylvania: Subsistence-Homestead Communities of the 1930s, it was "the only New Deal program devoted exclusively to community building."

Penn-Craft "was to become the nation's first self-help subsistence community," said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Over the next half-century, it would be a model for more than 100 similar cooperative villages around the world... To first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, it was the embodiment of a grand ideal, a laboratory where all kinds of people could build a better way of life by shouldering each other's burdens."

Each Penn-Craft candidate family had to be of good character and include an able-bodied man who was in his 30s or 40s. To qualify, applicants had to work clearing land, and "each homesteader was expected to put in 2,500 hours to build homes for his family and neighbors," said the Post-Gazette. Each family selected received the right to buy a plot of land and a stone house. The community also included a cooperative store and knitting mill. As a show of support, Mrs. Roosevelt and her friend heiress Doris Duke visited the site on Nov. 29, 1937. The concept was so well-received that Penn-Craft was featured in the Reader's Digestamong other publications.

The Logstons made their move to Penn-Craft in early 1938. They also held a membership in the First Christian Church of Republic, and he served as a deacon of the congregation. Violet was active with the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Workmen's Brotherhood.

They eventually relocated to East Cleveland, OH, with an address in 1959-1961 of 1740 Chapman Avenue.

John died suddenly in East Cleveland at the age of 60 on Feb. 16, 1961. The body was shipped back to the Uniontown area for interment in McClellandtown Presbyterian Cemetery, also known as Church Hill Cemetery. His son Thomas delivered a prayer for the funeral service, which was jointly led by Rev. Dr. Earl P. Confer and Rev. Holly Phillips. A short obituary was printed in the East Cleveland Leader.

Their son Thomas, having graduated in 1964 from the College of the Bible and with plans to return to Penn-Craft, tried to re-purchase his parents' home. But "it was too late; undaunted, in 1975 he bought the next stone house in Penn-Craft to come on the market," said Norvelt and Penn-Craft.

The widowed Violet remained in Cleveland, at the address of 1755 Chapman Avenue. She wed a second time on June 7, 1965, to Albert "Bert" Myers (1898-1983), a resident of 80 Mifflin Avenue in Uniontown. The pair traveled to Winchester, VA to be joined in wedlock by the hand of Rev. Stanley H. Dysart at the Cork Street Christian Church. The Uniontown Evening Standard announced the marriage. The newlyweds first made a home in Cleveland but quickly moved to Uniontown. Albert died in 1983 after about 18 years of marriage.

Violet outlived her second husband by three years. She passed away in Warrensville Heights, OH on April 11, 1986.

Penn-Craft's knitting mill, where Beatrice Logston worked circa 1947
Courtesy Library of Congress

Son Gerald Roscelle Logston (1925-2005) was born on Nov. 9, 1925 at the Palmer coal works village in Fayette County. He attended Central School in Luzerne Township and then joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He spent 27 months in military service, with deployments in both the Pacific and European theatres of war, and attaining the rank of boatsman second class. On his return home he secured work at the Bridgeport coal mine. Gerald was twice-married. On Jan. 29, 1947, he was joined in wedlock with Beatrice Slagle ( ? - ? ), daughter of Mildred Slagle of Thompson No. 1. Their nuptials were held in the Sunshine Chapel, McClellandtown, by Rev. David Hunter and announced in the Uniontown Morning Herald. Beatrice was a 1946 graduate of Redstone Township High School and at the time of marriage worked for Louis Gallet Knitting Mills in Penn-Craft, which produced sweaters. The pair made a home in Redstone Township and became the parents of Gerald Roscelle Logston Jr. and Nila Jean Benci. The pair moved from Penn-Craft to Youngstown, OH, where in 1951 they lived at 512½ Steel Street. By 1956, Beatrice had returned to Fayette County, with the marriage apparently over. On June 29, 1957, Gerald wed Lucille A. Magmore (Dec. 10, 1927-2010). The couple lived in Youngstown in 1961 and in New Springfield, Mahoning County, OH in 1975. Death cut Gerald away at the age of 80, in New Springfield on Dec. 1, 2005. The remains sleep for all eternity in Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown. Lucille survived for another nearly five years. In 2007, she endured the heartache of the motorcycling accident death of her stepson Gerald. She passed away on Sept. 7, 2010.

Granddaughter Nila Jean Logston (1948- ? ) was born in Sept. 1948 in or near Penn-Craft. She moved with her parents to Youngstown, OH, and on her third birthday was pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Likely as a result of her parents' divorce, she was brought into the household of her uncle and aunt, Rev. Thomas and Foresta Logston, and raised to adulthood. She entered into marriage with (?) Benci ( ? - ? ). Nila lived in Streetsboro, OH in 2007.

Grandson Gerald Roscelle Logston Jr. (1950-2007) was born on Sept. 28, 1950 in Redstone Township. He was a 1967 graduate of Brownsville Area High School and went on to serve as a jet mechanic and plane captain in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. This role included deployments aboard aircraft carriers and in such regions as Sicily, Italy. After the war, he became a carpenter and was a foreman employed by Commonwealth Construction, working on building projects in Kentucky, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Circa 1980, he wed Dayna Policz ( ? - ? ), and their union endured 27 years until the separation of death. Gerald was the father of Gerald Roscelle Logston III. In time the family settled in Chatham, VA. Gerald held memberships in the American Legion Post in Danville and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America local in Roanoke. In his free time, he liked to fish and ride his motorcycle as a member of the ABATE Club (American Bikers Against Totalitarian Enactments), an alliance of cyclists promoting their rights. Tragically, Gerald was badly injured in a motorcycle accident and admitted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. There, he surrendered to the angel of death at the age of 56 on Aug. 5, 2007. His remains were returned to Pennsylvania to rest for all time in Jefferson Memorial Park, with funeral services conducted by Rev. John R. Dorean.

Son Harry R. Logston (1930- ? ) was born in about 1930. He established a home in Cleveland. By 2004, he dwelled in Macedonia, OH.

Daughter Shirley Logston (1931- ? ) was born in about 1931. She grew to adulthood in the Penn-Craft community of Luzerne Township, Fayette County. She was a 1949 graduate of Brownsville High School. She wed Ivan G. Washabaugh (Aug. 5, 1930-1984), originally from Leisenring, PA and the son of Norman and Rachel (Kastner) Washabaugh of New Salem, PA. He was a 1948 alumnus of Uniontown Senior High School. Three offspring in this family were Sherry Tucholski, Richard Washabaugh and David Washabaugh. The Washabaughs relocated from New Salem to Cleveland in about 1954. There, Ivan and his brother Jerry were musicians who in 1960 cut their first 45 RPM record album for public sale, on the label of Uptown Rhythm. Side one featured the song "Date Bait" and the other "Love Me Or Lose Me." Ivan was the songwriter in the duo, and his brother, using the stage name "Jerry Clayton," was the vocalist. Shirley and Ivan made a home in Cleveland's Bedford Heights suburb for decades. They belonged to the Miles Avenue Church of Christ, where he volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, elder and choir member. Ivan enjoyed hunting, and circa 1971, with brother-in-law John Logston, traveled to Meyersdale, Somerset County where they "got their bucks," reported the Meyersdale Republic. They endured the tragic death of their son David in 1975 from burns suffered in a jail fire. Ivan later filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $200,000 as compensation for the pain and suffering his son had experienced, funeral costs and loss of financial support. Ivan passed away at the age of 54 on Aug. 23, 1984. His remains were lowered under the sod of Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, OH.

Granddaughter Sherry Washabaugh wed David Tucholski. They were the parents of Stacey Tucholski and David Tucholski.

Grandson Richard Washabaugh married Barb.

Grandson David Duane Washabaugh (1955-1975) was born on June 26, 1955 in Cleveland. His childhood was spent in Bedford Heights, and he was a 1973 graduate of Bedford High School. He was employed at Harley Davidson Company as a machinist. In his free time he liked to play guitar and sing. But he ran afoul of the law and in 1975 was incarcerated in Portage County Jail on a 30-day sentence, served on weekends. Tragically, at the age of 19, he was badly burned in a jail fire after "setting fire to mattresses to get rid of 'biting bugs'," reported the Akron Beacon Journal. As smoke and flame mounted, a malfunctioning cell door gear prevented the jailer from getting him out quickly. David was rushed to Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, suffering from smoke inhalation as well as burns covering 65 percent of his body. He died on May 10, 1975.

Penn-Craft as photographed in May 2023

Commonwealth of PA historical marker

Son Rev. Thomas Neil Logston (1932-2004) was born on Sept. 28, 1932 in the Palmer coal mining village of the community of Adah, Fayette County. He was a 1952 graduate of Brownsville High School and then spent two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he studied for two years at Phillips University in Enid, OK and then transferred in 1957 to Bethany College in West Virginia, where he received his degree in 1960. At the age of 25, on May 31, 1958, he was united in matrimony with 23-year-old fellow student Foresta Ann Flouhouse ( ? - ? ), daughter of Forest Flouhouse of Triadelphia, WV. Their nuptials were held in the First Christian Church, Wheeling, WV, officiated by Hubert L. Barnett. In announcing the marriage, the Uniontown Evening Standard said the bride "wore a white cotton lace over taffeta gown fashioned with a V neckline and short sleeves. The ballerina-length full skirt was set off with a satin cummerbund which draped the length of the skirt. Her finger-tip veil fell from a lace crown and she carried a white Bible topped with a corsage of white carnations and lilies of the valley." Foresta was a 1952 graduate of Triadelphia High School and a 1958 alumna of Bethany. Upon marriage, she began serving as director of religious education at the First Christian Church. Together, the couple bore a trio of sons, Mark Logston, John Thomas Logston and Carl Logston. They also raised a niece, Nila Jean (Logston) Benci after her parents divorced. Thomas as part of his Bethany studies was assigned to churches in Allison, Fayette County (1957-1958) and MeMechen, WV (1958-1960). He received his ordination in May 1960 in the Christian Church of Republic, Fayette County and the following month enrolled at the College of the Bible in Lexington, KY. During this seminary education, he served Church of Christ congregations in Waddy, KY and Burgin, KY. Having graduated from the Bible college in June 1964, with a bachelor of divinity degree, he received his first full-time assignment with the congregation in Republic. With plans to return to Penn-Craft, Thomas in 1964 tried to re-purchase his parents' home after they had sold it and moved to Cleveland. But "it was too late; undaunted, in 1975 he bought the next stone house in Penn-Craft to come on the market," said the book Norvelt and Penn-Craft, Pennsylvania: Subsistence-Homestead Communities of the 1930s.

His ministry career lasted for nearly a half-century. Thomas is known to have served the Republic church longer than any other clergyman. He also assisted churches in Brownsville, Fairhill and Carmichaels as interim pastor. Said an obituary, "He served as Chaplain with the Civil Air Patrol, GBRBA, Disaster Response Work, Republic Ambulance Service, was past President of Brownsville Area Ministerial Association and also served as Treasurer. He was President of Penn-Craft Community Association which he organized and incorporated, President of the National Benevolent Association where he also served on the Regional Board. He co-authored the book 'The Story of the Coke Region Mission'." Thomas and Foresta helped to prepare a 50th anniversary yearbook for Penn-Craft in 1987. He twice was interviewed for the Norvelt and Penn-Craft book, first by Margaret M. Mulrooney on June 21, 1989 and then again by Alison K. Hoagland on May 8, 1991. He is mentioned on five different pages of the publication.

Penn-Craft history
citing Thomas Logston

Sadly, Foresta died in East Millsboro, PA on July 18, 1999, bringing to a close their union of 40-plus years. Thomas wed again the following year to West Brownsville/Centerville native Glenda Faye Brown (Nov. 26, 1933-2021), daughter of William P. and Verona Violet (Walters) Brown and the widow of Jackson Herman Lawson. She thus brought four adult stepsons into the union with Thomas -- the late David "Mark" Lawson, Jackson Michael Lawson, Brad Lawson and Cory Lawson. Thomas served as president of the Penn-Craft Community Association and was quoted in a 2002 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about his family's connections with the pioneering community. Toward the end of his life, Thomas was regional shepherd of the Laurel District of Pennsyvlania. He died in Penn-Craft at the age of 71 on June 2, 2004. His remains sleep in the sacred soil of McClellandtown Presbyterian Cemetery. Glenda Faye survived her spouse and remained in Penn-Craft. She held a membership in the Republic church, where she sang in the choir and was active as an elder, women's group, and as church secretary. Said an obituary, "Glenda enjoyed bowling, vacations, and travelling with numerous family members all over the country. In celebration on her 80th birthday, she Zip-Lined at Nemacolin Woodlands. She loved her hot tea, newspaper, and crossword puzzles." The angel of death spirited her away at the age of 87 on Sept. 27, 2021. Her funeral service was held in the family church, by the hand of Rev. Charles House, with burial in Church Hill Cemetery, McClellandtown.

Grandson Mark Logston wed Kim. They were in Washington, PA in 2004-2021.

Grandson John Thomas Logston (1968-2021) was born on Oct. 18, 1968 in Brownsville. He spent his childhood in Penn-Craft and was an alumnus of Brownsville High School. He furthered his studies at California University of Pennsylvania and at Duquesne University in the concentration of paralegal/pre-law. John was a companion for 21 years of Noel Colon-Otero (Oct. 27, 1978-2015), son of Augustin and Luz (Otero) Colon and a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The couple resided in Columbus, OH. Sadly, Noel died at the age of 36, in Cleveland, OH, on June 5, 2015. John outlived Noel by five-plus years. He contracted lymphoma and then Coronavirus-19 and succumbed to the spectre of death in the Cleveland Clinic at the age of 52 on Jan. 18, 2021.

Grandson Carl Logston ( ? - ? ) has resided in New Derry, PA.

Son John "Jack" Logston (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938 in or near Penn-Craft, Luzerne Township, Fayette County. He served in the U.S. Army during the early years of the Vietnam War. He lived in Warren, OH circa 2004.

Daughter Darla Fay Logston (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939 in Penn-Craft, Luzerne Township, Fayette County. She was a 1957 graduate of Brownsville High School and found employment circa 1959 with the Cleveland Institute of Art. On June 13, 1959, she married her high school classmate Joseph W. Dugan Sr. ( ? - ? ), son of Margaret Dugan of Masontown. The pair tied the knot at Miles Avenue Church of Christ, Cleveland, presided over by Rev. Herbert Wilson. She was pictured in a wedding announcement in the Uniontown Morning Herald, which reported that she wore "a gown of Chantilly lace over tulle, fashioned with fitted bodice dusted with sequins. Victorian Neckline, long sleeves tapered at the wrist and full skirt with three-tiers of lace ending in a chapel train. Her fingertip veil of illusion was attached to a crown of pearls and sequins and carried a cascade of white carnations centered with white orchids with a shower of white satin streamers." At the time of marriage, he worked for Suburban Supply Company of Hyattsville, MD and Ogburn Construction Company. The pair established a residence in Hyattsville but by 1964 were in Cleveland. Three offspring born to the couple were Joseph W. Dugan Jr., Jeffrey Dugan and Sharon Dugan. They relocated again by 2004 to Streetsboro, OH.

Grandson Joseph W. Dugan Jr. ( ? - ? )

Grandson Jeffrey Dugan ( ? - ? )

Granddaughter Sharon Dugan ( ? - ? )