Obituary of Richard G. Sorrell

Mr. Richard G. “Dick” Sorrell, 81, of 120 Union Street, Titusville died at 6:00 AM, Thursday, June 23, 2011 at Southwoods Assisted Living Community. Mr. Sorrell was born on April 23, 1930, in Titusville, a son of the late Warner Perry and Olive Abbott Sorrell. He married the former Mildred Ricke on December 29, 1951 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Titusville. He was a graduate of Titusville High School graduating with the class of 1948. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars having served in the army for 27 years. He enlisted in the service in July 1948 and retired in May 1975 in Pittsburgh with the rank of Sergeant Major. During his 27 years of service he served two tours in Korea, one in Japan, one in Viet Nam and two in Germany and a three year tour of duty at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He earned numerous medals, badges, citations and certificates including the Meritorious Service Medal Bronze Star/ with oak leaf cluster and combat Infantryman’s badge. Following his retirement from the army he was employed as Assistant Sales Promotion Manager for Quaker State Corporation in Oil City from which he retired in 1988. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and on various committees; a former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ until its closing in 2001 where he served many years as President and was elected Elder Emeritus. He is past President of the Titusville Lions Club and served as District Governor in 1992-93 and was chosen as Lion of the year in 1980. He served on the board of directors of the Associated Charities and as president for many years. He was a volunteer with the United Way for several years and was honored to receive their highest award the Martha Volkstadt award in 2000. He is a member of a number of Masonic organizations including the Erie Zem Zems, the Cleo J. Ross Post 368 American Legion, and the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW. Mr. Sorrell is survived by his wife, Millie of Titusville; a sister-in-law, Teresa Sorrell of Houston, TX; a brother-in-law, Howard Ricke, Jr. of Titusville; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Warner (Sonny) Sorrell of Houston, TX and a sister, Shirley and her husband Michael Panas of Titusville. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Saturday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be conducted from the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 1:00 PM with Dr. Barry E. Cressman, pastor of the church, officiating. Full military rites will follow. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Crawford Co. 310 N. Monroe St., Titusville, PA 16354, to the Titusville Lions Club or to the First Presbyterian Church 216 N. Franklin St., Titusville, PA 16354. FLOWES