Nov 5, 2003 2 min read

Herschel C. Gapen Jr., 71, of Waynesburg, Pa., died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at 6:50 a.m., in Monongalia General Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va., following open-heart surgery. He was born May 31, 1932, in Dilliner, Pa., the son of the late Herschel C. and Hazel L. (McCann) Gapen Sr.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Delbert Gapen.

Mr. Gapen was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ruff Creek. He served as Chairman of the Diaconate Board and the Pulpit Committee. He was also a former Sunday school teacher.

Mr. Gapen was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Waynesburg Masonic Lodge No. 153 F&AM, and the Uniontown Consistory. He was also a member of the Fort Jackson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was President of the Cornerstone Genealogical Society. Mr. Gapen was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

He worked for 10 years for Columbia Gas Company, and then worked for three years for United Airlines. Following this, he worked for 30 years for U.S. Air, and retired as a maintenance supervisor. For five years, he also owned and operated Gapen Aviation in Waynesburg.

Surviving are his wife, Louise Herrington Gapen, whom he married on Dec. 25, 1952; two sons, Douglas K. Gapen of Canton, Ohio, and H. Scott Gapen of Ruff Creek, Pa.; two daughters, Melanie Johnson of Carmichaels, Pa., and Cynthia Policz of Waynesburg, Pa.; four grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Kendra Policz, H. Scott Gapen II, and Michael T. Gapen; three stepgrandchildren, Curtis J. Johnson Jr., Christopher J. Schroeder and Kaitlin A. Schroeder; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and one brother, Dale Gapen of Mapletown, Pa.

Friends will be received in the MILLIKEN AND THROCKMORTON FUNERAL HOME INC., 197 North Maiden St., Waynesburg, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m., on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and on Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, until 11 a.m., the hour of services, in the funeral home, with Pastor David Ernest officiating. Interment in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township, Greene County, Pa. Family suggests memorial contributions to the Bethlehem Baptist Church, 685 Washington Rd., Prosperity, PA 15329, OR cornerstone Genealogical Society, PO Box 547, 144 East Greene St., Waynesburg, PA 15370. Information online at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com .