Wendell C. Cooley
Wendell C. Cooley, age 87, of Fairchance, Pa., died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 5, 2006, in his home.
He was born on August 21, 1918, in Fairchance, Pa., the son of Lucas Cooley and Bertha Brownfield Cooley.
Wendell was a veteran of World War II who served in the United States Army Air Force.
He was a Manager for the now former A & P markets in Fairchance and Republic, Pa., owner and operator of his own market.
He was also a retired Meat Inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture.
Wendell was a member of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church in Fairchance, Pa., where he was a former usher.
He was a Charter Member of the Fairchance Exchange Club, former Commander of the Fairchance American Legion Post and served on the Fairchance Borough Council as President for 13 years.
Wendell was predeceased by his parents, his brothers and sisters, Nelle Hustead, Gilbert Cooley, Milton Cooley, Myrtle Bowlen, Sara Wilson, Gladys Murphy, Harry Cooley, Lindsey Cooley and Ralph Cooley. He was the last surviving member of his parent’s immediate family.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Vivian “Polly” Cerra Cooley; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Madaline Tringhese, Uniontown, Pa.; brother-in-law, Rudy Cerra, Somerset, Pa.; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The family will receive friends in the DEAN C. WHITMARSH FUNERAL HOME, 134 West Church Street, Fairchance, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, March 7, until 9:30 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held.
A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. in the Ss. Cyril & Methodius Roman Catholic Church, Fairchance, with the Rev. Father James D. Tringhese, his nephew, as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Fairchance, Pa.
Parish Wake Service will be held this evening at 8:45 p.m.