Merlin Ashmore

Merlin Ashmore, 82, of Washington, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in The Washington Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born September 25, 1925, in Buffalo Township, a son of Thomas A. and Anne B. Woodward Ashmore. Mr. Ashmore was an honors graduate of Trinity High School and had attended the University of Chicago. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy as a radioman on a patrol craft. Mr. Ashmore worked as a postal clerk at the Washington Post Office for 35 years. He was a member of Avery United Methodist Church and a charter member of Taylorstown American Legion. Mr. Ashmore was an avid Steelers fan and enjoyed reading, playing pool, and being with his family. On October 11, 1946, he married Mary Ann Dalton, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Michael Merlin (Deborah) Ashmore; two daughters, Linda Irene (Richard) Pakisz and Phyllis Elaine (Stan) Rush, all of Washington; three grandchildren, Michelle (Jeff Kohn) Ankrom, Jennifer (Todd) Zaken and Mandy (fianc� Greg Boggs) Ashmore; six great-grandchildren, Michael and Maylea Ankrom, Jarrett and Jeffrey Kohn and Camden and Colin Zaken. Deceased are three brothers, Robert, Kenneth L. and Leon T. Ashmore; and three sisters, Marion Miller, Evelyn Watkins and Mabel Reck. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 11th, with Rev. Ruth Lantz Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in Claysville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Avery United Methodist Church, 1100 Gabby Avenue, Washington PA 15301.