John Henry Gorrell

John Henry Gorrell, 79, of Washington, died Monday, September 8, 2008, in the Washington Hospital. He was born August 9, 1929, in Wheeling, West Virginia, a son of the late John W. and Mary Gollner Gorrell. Mr. Gorrell graduated from Triadelphia (West Virginia) High School, where he was a star athlete in football, track and baseball, and from University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a teaching degree. He taught heating and air conditioning at Western Area Vo-Tech until his retirement. He also had worked at Scott Lumber Company in Wheeling, West Virginia and Famous Furnace Company of Steubenville, Ohio, and was owner-operator of Lindley Insulating Co. Mr. Gorrell was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he served on the bingo committee, and was a life member of North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company where he had held several offices, including President and Chief. He also served on the North Franklin Township Planning Commission. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, particularly fly-fishing for trout. Mr. Gorrell was a skilled wood carver and member of the Oglebay Woodcarver’s Guild. His woodcarving specialty was life-sized walnut hummingbirds. His wife of 51 years, Mary Irene Kolcun, whom he married January 20, 1951, died on April 16, 2002. Surviving are four children, John H. Gorrell Jr. and wife Polly of Chambersburg, Kathleen Zawrotny and husband David of Canonsburg, Richard J. Gorrell and wife Dianne of Royersford, and James M. Gorrell and wife Joyce of Wooster, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Eric Zawrotny of Canonsburg, Dr. Christopher M. Gorrell and wife Dr. Samantha Gorrell of Lansdowne, Lauren Gorrell of Chambersburg, Amanda Zawrotny Havirilla and husband James of Punxsutawney, Kimberly Zawrotny Cois and husband Dr. Aaron Cois of Allison Park, Rachel Gorrell and Richard Gorrell, both of Royersford, and Erin Gorrell of Wooster, Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Gavin Zawrotny of Punxsutawney and Michael Gorrell of Lansdowne; three siblings, Charles Gorrell and wife Frances of North Augusta, South Carolina, Ruth Wasemann and husband Al of Valparaiso, Indiana, and James Gorrell and wife Jane of Roanoke, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Helen Stupovsky of Wheeling, West Virginia; and 19 nieces and nephews. Friends will be received 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, September 12th in Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling. North Franklin Fire Department will hold services Thursday evening in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to North Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, 565 Sylvan Drive, Washington PA 15301; or to American Cancer Society, 331 South Main Street, Washington PA 15301.