Orville Firestone

Son Orville Firestone (1901-1970) was born on March 15, 1901 in Glade, Somerset County, a twin with his brother Oscar. He was about age two when his moher died. Orville was united in holy matrimony with a cousin, Dessie R. Burkholder (1903-1998), daughter of Charles R. and Ida (Steyer) Burkholder of Mill Run, of the family of James Wesley and Harriet (Firestone) Burkholder. They bore a family of five children, among them Kenneth E. Firestone, Charles R. Firestone, Dwight L. Firestone, Gerald N. "Jerry" Firestone and Emma Lou Pletcher. In about 1925, the Firestones relocated to Mill Run, Fayette County and remained for the rest of their lives. Orville spent 23 years working in local coal mines and was a longtime member of the United Mine Workers of America.

 

Infant son's obituary, 1930

Heartache cascaded over the family in 1930 when four-month-old son Kenneth died, with funeral services held at the United Brethren Church and burial in Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. When ill health forced him to quit work, Orville found other ways to make a living, including serving as a custodian at the Mill Run School house and driving a school bus for Springfield Township. They were members of the Mill Run United Methodist Church and members of the Gleaners Sunday School Class. In the spring of 1970, while at home, the 69-year-old Orville suffered a major stroke. He was admitted to Connellsville State General Hospital, but no recovery was possible. He succumbed to death there the next day, April 29, 1970. Dessie survived her spouse by more than a quarter of a century. The Grim Reaper carried her away in 1998.

• Grandson Charles R. Firestone (1928-2008) was born on Jan. 31, 1908. He married Geraldine Faye Pritts (1928-2015). They were the parents of Charles Denver Firestone and Vicki Jean Firestone. The family lived in Connellsville in 1970. He died as a patient in Excela Health Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA at the age of 80 on March 31, 2008. Rev. Thomas Bonomo led the funeral service, with burial at Normalville Cemetery.

• Grandson Dwight L. "D.L." Firestone (1932-2012) was born on Jly 31, 1932 in Mill Run. He wed Elaine Burnworth (Sept. 21, 1935-2022), also spelled "Burnsworth," the daughter of George and Rougene (Seibert) Burnworth of Mill Run. Together they bore a daughter, Deborah Elaine Detar. Dwight served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War and was deployed for a time in Germany. Later, he belonged to the U.S. Army Reserves and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Elaine was an alumna of South Union High School and for more than six decades served as organist and pianist at the Mill Run United Methodist Church. In the 1980s, Dwight was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. For 24 years, he was self-employed as a trucking company owner and operator, afiliated with Aero Trucking in Murrysville. He also earned a living working for Mastowski Lumber in Normalville and for Columbia - Northwest - A Liner in Kecksburg. At times, he delivered camping trailers across the country, and retired in 2009 at the age of 77. Active in the community, he was president and member of the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the Indian Creek Valley Lions Club, board chair of the Mill Run United Methodist Church and central committeeman for the Republican Party. Elaine held a membeership in the Critchfield Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and the ladies auxiliary of Springfield Township Ladies Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars. At the age of 80, Dwight passed away in Pittsburgh on Aug. 8, 2012. He rests for all time in the Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mill Run. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Herald Standard, but for reasons not known, neither his wife nor daughter was mentioned. Elaine outlived her spouse by a decade. She died at home in Mill Run on Oct. 20, 2022. Pastor Randy Newell led the funeral service, with interment in the Indian Creek cemetery. An obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

  Great-granddaughter Deborah Elaine Firestone (1955-2024) was born on Sept. 28, 1955 in Connellsville Hospital. At her fifth birthday, in 1960, she was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Upon graduation from Connellsville Area High School in 1973, she attended Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV and in 1975 graduated from the Somerset Practical Nursing Program. She then became employed as a practical nurse by Pine Hurst Convalescent Home in Ligonier, PA. On June 12, 1976, she wed William Albert Detar (March 27, 1954-2022), son of Albert H. and Sarah (Coles) Detar Jr. of Wills Road in Connellsville. William was a 1972 graduate of Connellsville Area and received his bachelor of science degree in special education in 1975 from California State College. At the time of marriage, he was a special education teacher with the Intermediate Unit in Canonsburg, PA. The family settled in Mill Run. The children in this family were Kristy Detar, Korey Detar, James Couchenour and Kiley Couchenour. Over the years, Deborah received additional education with the Westmoreland County Community College and Penn State University. She earned a living as a nurse in hospital and doctor office settings and later in private duty, with retirement in August 2023. William taught special education for 38 years in Intermediate Unit One and Connellsville High. He also spent his summers in educational roles with Mountain Streams and Trails. He also worked as a manager for Laurel Highlands rafting companies. He held memberships in the Connellsville lodge of the Elks and with the Springfield Township Volunteer Hose Company. Over the years they endured the untimely deaths of their daughter Kiley and son-in-law Derek Smiley. Sadly, William died in Excela Frick Hospital at the age of 67 on Feb. 3, 2022. Pastor Randy Newell preached the funeral service, with burial in the sacred soil of Indian Creek Baptist Church. The widowed Deborah only outlived her husband by a little more than two years. She died at Mon Health Medical Center at the age of 68 on May 14, 2024.  

• Grandson Gerald N. "Jerry" Firestone established a home in Scottdale. He was there circa 2020.

• Granddaughter Emma Lou Firestone (1926-2020) was born on May 16, 1926 in Mill Run, Fayette County. She was united in the bonds of matrimony with Calvin "Alec" Pletcher ( ? -1993). The couple produced three sons -- Roger Pletcher, William Pletcher and Scott Pletcher. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, "After graduating from school, Emmalou worked at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Later, she worked for Fox’s Paint and Glass Store in Connellsville. Emmalou retired from the Connellsville Area School District, where she worked in the administrative office. Emmalou was a member of the Mill Run United Methodist Church. She had a variety of interests, which included making afghans for her family members and doing puzzles in the winter months. Emmalou loved to sit and watch the birds and deer that visited her yard." Circa 1970, they dwelled in Normalville. She was carried away by the Angel of Death at the age of 94 on Aug. 21, 2020. Pastor Randy Newell officiated at the funeral service, with interment of the remains in the Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Mill Run United Methodist Church or to Meals on Wheels.

 

Son Donald C. Firestone (1909-1977) was born on July 18, 1909 in Somerset County. He resided in Somerset and was joined in holy wedlock with Grace E. Custer ( ? - ? ). The couple produced these children -- Donald G. Firestone, Robert R. Firestone, Eileen Alexander and one who died young. They were longtime members of the Somerset Church of the Nazarene. Circa 1970, they made a home in Geneva, OH, but by the mid-1970s moved back to Somerset and dwelled on West Fairview Street. Donald was involved in a two-vehicle automobile crash on April 8, 1977, when his vehicle was rear-ended by a truck, two miles south of Somerset. He seemed to be un-injured. Just a few hours later, however, while walking with Grace in front of the Knepper Insurance Agency, he collapsed and was rushed to Somerset Community Hospital. He succumbed there at the age of 67. Rev. Warren MacEachern led the funeral service, with burial in Somerset County Memorial Park. An obituary was published in the Somerset Daily American.

• Grandson Donald G. Firestone lived in Geneva, OH in 1977.

• Grandson Robert R. Firestone dwelled in the mid-1970s in Geneva, OH.

• Granddaughter Eileen Firestone wedded (?) Alexander. Circa 1977, they resided in Geneva, OH.

 

Son Merle Firestone ( ? -1977) dwelled in Scottdale, Westmoreland County, PA in 1951-1970. He died in 1977.

Obituary, 1978

Son Paul L. Firestone (1915-1978) was born on Sept. 10, 1915 in Somerset County. He married Sara Pletcher ( ? - ? ). Their offspring were Sally Kay Firestone, Terry T. Firestone, William R. Firestone. They made their home on Green Street in southwest Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. For 36 years, until retirement, Paul was employed at the Robertshaw Company plant in Youngwood, Westmoreland County. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren and of its Thilathea Sunday School class. Sadness enveloped the family in 1967 at the death of their daughter Sally Kay. Paul passed away at the age of 62 in Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg on June 9, 1978. Following funeral services at the Church of the Brethren in Greensburg, led by Rev. James V. D'Amico, his remains were lowered into eternal repose in the St. Clair Cemetery.

Son Hillard "Hill" Firestone ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Meyersdale, Somerset County in 1951, Charleroi, Washington County, PA in 1970 and in Berlin, Somerset County in 1978.

Son Leo F. Firestone ( ? - ? ) made his home in 1951-1979 in Youngwood, Westmoreland County.

Somerset County Memorial Park

Son Lloyd Firestone (1921-1979) was born on July 20, 1921 in Westmoreland County, PA. In the fall of 1940, he entered into marriage with Blanche Speelman ( ? - ? ), daughter of William Speelman of Rockwood. The pair tied the knot in Cumberland, MD, by the hand of Rev. Baughman. The marriage was announced on the pages of the Somerset Daily American. Two offspring in this family were Larry Firestone and Donna Kimmel. The Firestones resided for decades in Somerset, Somerset County. They were longtime members of the New Centerville Church of God. Their final address together was on South Edgewood Avenue, Somerset. Sadly, Lloyd died at the age of 57, in Johnstown's Memorial Hospital, on May 23, 1979. An obituary was published in the Daily American. Rev. Warren MacEachern and Rev. Howard Reckley jointly conducted the funeral service, with interment following in Somerset County Memorial Park. 

• Grandson Larry Firestone ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Donna Lee Firestone (1947-2023) was born on March 6, 1947 in Somerset. She was a 1965 graduate of Somerset Area High School. Circa 1965, she wed Ellis Franklin Kimmel ( ? - ? ), son of Harold E. Kimmel of Berlin. She was pictured in an engagement article in the Somerset Daily American. Their union endured for a remarkable 58 years. Ellis was a 1962 alumnus of Shanksville-Stonycreek Joint High School, and at the time of marriage labored on his father's dairy farm. Two sons produced by the couple were Richard E. Kimmel and Jeffrey D. Kimmel. They were in Berlin for decades. Donna Lee earned income through her work in the cafeteria at Shanksville-Stonycreek Schools. She held a membership in the Berlin Church of the Brethren, and liked to bake and decorate cakes for special occasions. As she aged, Donna Lee was admitted to Meadow View Nursing Center, where she surrendered to the angel of death at age 75 on Jan. 25, 2023. Her funeral service was held in the family church, officiated by Pastor Tom Sprowls. Burial was in Somerset County Memorial Park.

Daughter Gertrude Firestone ( ? - ? ) was twice married. Her first spouse was (?) Pyle, and they made their residence in Somerset. Later, she wed again to Emerson "Emert" Bittner ( ? - ? ) and in 1970-1979 lived in Rockwood, Somerset County.

Daughter Dorothy Firestone ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with George Gardner ( ? - ? ). In 1951-1978, they dwelled near Somerset, Somerset County.

Daughter Golden "Mayme" Firestone ( ? - ? ) was wedded to Kenneth Walthour ( ? - ? ) and in 1970-1978 resided in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA.

Daughter Gayla Firestone ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with William Boley ( ? - ? ). They made their residence in Jeannette, Westmoreland County in 1951 and in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA in 1970-1978.