Obituary of Samuel E. Roberts

Mr. Samuel E. Roberts, Sr., 85, of 12270 Church Run Rd., Titusville died at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the Titusville Area Hospital surrounded by his family. Mr. Roberts was born on July 9, 1926, to Norman and Edna Shrout Roberts. He married Mabel Angell on March 5, 1949, in Centerville. He attended Townville Area Schools. Mr. Roberts was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Navy. He entered the service on July 15, 1943 at Erie. Sam was stationed aboard the USS Halsey Powell, a destroyer, which was struck by a suicide bomber 70 miles of the coast of Japan on March 20, 1945. They lost nine crew members along with 29 who were injured. He was honorably discharged on March 9, 1946. He returned home and was employed primarily as a welder with the Titusville Boilermakers Union #636 at Struthers Wells, Cyclops Specialty Steel and across several states. He also worked as a postal carrier for several years in Titusville. Mr. Roberts attended the Titusville Free Methodist Church where he participated on the worship team for 12 years playing guitar. He last performed with the group in February of 2010. He loved his music and was able to play not only the guitar but violin and piano as well. He was a devoted family man, enjoyed hunting deer and bear, and fishing. He was a friend who loved to fix things for those who needed help. Mr. Roberts was a charter member of the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW. He is survived by his wife Mabel Roberts of Titusville; eight children, Jim Roberts and wife Mary of Titusville, Dar Howard and husband Denny of Pleasantville, Marsha L’Huillier and husband Ken of Titusville, Samuel Roberts Jr. and wife Carol of Titusville, Norm Roberts and wife Bobbie Jo of Titusville, Tim Roberts of Titusville, Ross Roberts and wife Stephanie of Titusville, K.J. Roberts and wife Tina of Waterford; eighteen grandchildren, Wendy Wescoat and husband Tim, Curtis Roberts and wife Alyssa, Brad Howard and wife Rhonda, Mark Howard, Rebecca Smith, Pam Johnson and husband Steven, Marshall Metzgar, Chad Zuendel and wife Sadie, Samuel Roberts III, Shaun Roberts and wife Missy, Jessie Oakes and husband Jason, Danny Roberts and wife Amy, Jarrod Roberts, Jade Roberts, Matt Burrows and Chad Burrows; and one brother, Joel Roberts and wife Karen of Titusville. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jody Roberts, a great granddaughter, Gracie Caroline Howard; one brother, Norman “Sonne” Roberts who died in infancy; and two sisters, Violet Childers and Shirley McGarvie. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home today from 7 to 9 PM and on Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at which time services will be conducted by Rev. Timothy Maybray, pastor of the Titusville Free Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Titusville Free Methodist Church 42490 State Hwy 27, Titusville, PA 16354. FLOWERS