Merrell Holman
Merrell Holman, 89 of California, Pa., died Wednesday, July 7, 2010 in her home. She was born August 29, 1920 in California, Pa., a daughter of the late Wilbur C. and Margaret C. Cross Edwards.
Mrs. Holman was a 1938 graduate of East Pike Run High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary Education from California University of PA in 1942 and later received her Masters in Education from the University of Pittsburgh and also completed additional graduate work at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio.
Mrs. Holman was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy from June 15, 1943 to August 22, 1945. She served as a LINK Training instructor at Whiting Field in Pensacola, Fla. where she taught pilots to fly by instrumentation.
For over thirty years she was a professor at California University of PA where she was the Director of Noss Laboratory School and also supervised student teachers and designed and taught in the graduate school principal’s program before her retirement.
She was a lifelong and devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of California, PA and sang in the choir.
Mrs. Holman was a past officer of California University of PA. Emeriti Professor Association, President of the Board for the Center in the Woods where she arranged financing and over saw construction of the facility. She received the Washington Co. Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Jobe Johnson Award and numerous civic and professional awards.
Surviving is a son, B. Kirk Homan (Terri) of California, Pa.; two grandsons, Charles B. Holman and James A. Holman; two “adopted sons”, SCPO Robert Sumara U.S.N. of Pomfret, MD and Earl Simon Tucker of Washington, DC. and several nieces and nephews including Diane Lutes, Lou Cynda Putnam and Libby Ann Holman.
Deceased in addition to her parents is her husband, W. Byron Holman who died in 2003.
Friends will be received today (Friday) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. in the JOHN B. GREENLEE FUNERAL HOME, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, Pa. and Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 2 to 3 P.M. the hour of service in the First Presbyterian Church of California, PA with Rev. Candace Cook officiating.
Interment will in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, PA. and will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contribution be made to California University of PA, 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419 or the First Presbyterian Church, 303 4th Street, California, PA 15419. On line guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome. com