Russell L. Shrontz, Jr.

Retired Jessop Steel crane operator Russell L. Shrontz Jr., 85, of Washington, died at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Presbyterian Medical Center, Washington, following an 18-month illness. He was born December 14, 1917, in Marianna, a son of Russell L. Sr. and Olive Hewitt Shrontz. Mr. Shrontz attended Trinity schools. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan and the Philippines during World War II. Mr. Shrontz was a member of Amity United Methodist Church. He was employed by Jessop Steel Corp. as a crane operator and bar mill for 43 years. Mr. Shrontz enjoyed refinishing and restoring player pianos and doing yard work. On November 7, 1940, he married Jean Andrew, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Peggy L. Day and Amy Jo McCord, both of Washington, Barbara Sue Taylor of Navron and Sharon Ann Davis of Sunnyvale, Calif.; a brother, William Dean Shrontz of Washington; three sisters, Katheryn Zimmerman and Wilma Cale, both of Washington, and Dorothy Hupp of Florida; nine grandchildren, Mona Bombash, Stephen Jr., Scott and Neil Day, Andrew, Kimberly and James Taylor, Jason McCord and James Bunnell; a step-granddaughter, Debra Davis; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are a brother, Thomas M. Shrontz; and two sisters, Genevieve Rhodes and Nellie Laing. SHRONTZ - Friends of Russell L. Shrontz Jr. of Washington, who died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, with the Rev. Dana M. Hiles officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. The family suggests memorial contributions to Amity United Methodist Church Roof Fund, 644 Amity Ridge Road, Amity, PA 15311.