Dr. James Jennings Fassinger, of Mercer-New Wilmington Road, New Wilmington, passed away the afternoon of Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at his residence.  He was 94.
Born Jan. 8, 1914, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Charles and Mary Tischler Fassinger.
Dr. Fassinger was a partner in the family business, C. Fassinger & Sons Manufacturing Company.  He also had a small private dental practice.

Dr. Fassinger was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and, in 1937, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Dental School with high honors.  Following graduation he taught anatomy at the dental school until he entered the U. S. Army during World War II.  He served mainly in New Guinea as a dental surgeon and was honorably discharged as a Major in 1953.

Dr. Fassinger was very family oriented and enjoyed gardening as a gentleman farmer on his farm in New Wilmington.
He was a member of Mary Mother of Hope Parish in New Castle.

Survivors include his former wife, Elizabeth Smythe Brand, of Rising Sun, Maryland; two daughters, Janey Lee, VMD and husband John, DVM of Rising Sun, Maryland, and Elizabeth Fassinger of Meadville; granddaughter Heather Wiley of New Wilmington; three great-granddaughters and their father Mark Wiley.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Clair Putnam; and three brothers, Charles, Walter and John Fassinger, preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, May 28, at St. Mary Mother of Hope Parish.  Rev. Fr. Victor Molka, pastor, officiated.
Entombment was in Resurrection Mausoleum, New Castle.  The New Castle Area Honor Guard conducted the military rites.
Arrangements were by the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory of New Castle.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Indian School, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57326, 222.stjoe.org.

- Posted 5/29/08

Donald B. McMunn, 91, of Shippenville, formerly of Knox, died Thursday morning, June 12, 2008, at Clarion Hospital.

Born May 5, 1917, in Reidsburg, he was a son of the late James C. and Sara Finnefrock McMunn.
Mr. McMunn was a World War II and U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1942-1946. He attained the rank of staff sergeant.
During stateside service, he served as a desk sergeant with the military police and then went on to serve as a cryptographer with the Airways Communication System in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations.

He married the former Mary L. Martz on Oct. 25, 1948, and she survives.
Mr. McMunn managed the Knox Gulf service station from 1950 until his retirement in 1992, and he was a member of Edenburg Presbyterian Church in Knox. He took great interest in the lives and careers of his children and granddaughter, and he especially enjoyed his son’s music recitals and opera conducting performances.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Brenda Hoover and her husband, Andrew, of Shippenville, and Betsy Hughes and her husband, David, of New Castle; one son, Brent McMunn and his partner, Mark Lamanna, of Los Angeles, Calif.; one granddaughter, Stephanie Olcay and her husband, Ilhan, of Decatur, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Edith McMunn of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Thelma McMunn of Hermitage; one brother-in-law, Claude Martz of Clarion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Merle L. McMunn, Mark E. McMunn and W. Allen McMunn.

Friends will be received from noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the William N. Rupert Mortuary in Knox.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Jay Montgomery, pastor of Edenburg Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Thomas E. Prosser, pastor emeritus, will co-officiate.

Interment will follow at Cedarview Memorial Park in Strattanville.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the charity of one’s choice.

- Posted 6/19/08

Jewel Jennings Osborne, formerly of New Wilmington, passed away on May 16, 2008.
Born June 30, 1928 in Sharon, she was the daughter of Howard and Ethel Jennings.
Mrs. Osborne was a graduate of Westminster College and taught school for 30 years.
She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star and attended the North Lakeland Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her husband of 57 years, Jim Osborne, survivors include her son Paul Osborne and his wife Doreen of Sanford, FL; a brother, Dale and his wife of Volant; and two granddaughters, Laura Osborne of Jacksonville, FL and Alyson Osborne Alwinson of Oviedo, FL.
A brother, Kenneth, preceded her in death.

Entombment was in the National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewel Osborne Trust Fund to be used for the building fund at North Lakeland Presbyterian Church, 6725 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, FL 33809.

- Posted 5/29/08