Obituary of Robert W. Alexander

Robert W. “Bob” Alexander, 87, of 1537 Meadville Rd. Titusville, passed away Tuesday morning August 16, 2011 at his residence.Bob was born on March 8, 1924 at New Kensington, PA, a son of the late Robert Alexander and Helen Sechler Alexander Kightlinger. He was married to Freeda Yvonne Haas on June 19, 1948 in their home at Diamond. Bob was a graduate of Sunville High School, class of 1941 and also a graduate of Colestock High School, class of 1942. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Marines. He enlisted on May 7, 1943 and served in the Third Division of the Marines in the South Pacific. He also served in New Zealand, Guadalcanal, Guam, Tinian and Saipan, and was boarding a ship headed for Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 9, 1945 at Great Lakes, IL with the rank of Corporal. Bob was self-employed as owner of Alexander’s Refrigeration Service until his retirement in 1987. He was a charter member of the Chapmanville Community Church; a charter member and former member of the Chapmanville Volunteer Fire Dept.; a former member of the International Order of Odd Fellows Diamond Lodge; a member and former secretary of the Elder Statesmen Golf League; and a member of the Cleo J. Ross Post No. 368 American Legion. Bob is survived by his wife of Diamond; two children, Mark R. Alexander and his wife Nancy of Carlisle, PA, and Lisa A. Alexander of Erie; a granddaughter, Suzanne Alexander and her partner Jennifer Tinker of Baltimore, MD; numerous nieces and nephews including Dick and Linda Alexander of Centerville; other surviving relatives, Leon and Vi Haas of Strongsville, OH, and Earl and Jean Ames of Venus. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a brother, Howard F. Alexander; his foster parents, Ivo and Edith August; and his foster brother, Grant C. August. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home today (Thursday) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM and attend the funeral service on Friday at 11:00 AM at the Chapmanville Community Church with Rev. Glen Van Cise, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Diamond Cemetery with military rites. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Chapmanville Community Church, or to Hospice of Crawford County 310 N. Monroe St. Titusville, PA 16354.