Harold J. Gandelot

Harold J. Gandelot, 82, of 26737 E. Oil Creek Rd., Guys Mills, died at home Monday, January 26, 2004.

He was born August 7, 1921 in Black Ash, a son of the late Edward and Melvina Popeney Gandelot.  He married Twila A. Brawley May 28, 1946 and she preceded him in death May 10, 1974.  He subsequently married Janice M. Irons Hamilton October 25, 1975 and she preceded him in death May 14, 1984.

He was a 1940 graduate of Randolph High School.  He was a dairy farmer from 1954-1965.  He then continued farming on the side and worked over the years as a machinist on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad at Drafto in Cochranton, Mercer Spring and Wire Co., Greenleaf Corp., and retired in1986 from Leech Carbide where he was a furnace operator for nearly 20 years.  He was a member of the Townville Senior Citizens Group.  He was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed hunting, woodworking, growing flowers, and feeding his birds.  He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a Christian with a strong faith in Jesus Christ, who enjoyed reading his Bible.  He was a member of and faithfully attended the Lyona Bible Church and its Senior Saints.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Linda L. Gandelot with whom he resided of Guys Mills; Ruth E. Burnham and her husband John O.S. of Conneautville; and Shirley D. Gregory and her husband Dennis L. of Guys Mills; a son, Paul E. Gandelot and his with Ruth of Cardington, OH; a stepson, George Hamilton of Meadville; 2 stepdaughters, Sandy Bradley and her husband Phil of Meadville and Valerie Grove and her husband Jim of Guys Mills; 14 grandchildren, Amy Krohmer and her husband Bill, Duane, Jason, Melissa, Adam, and Jared Gandelot, all of Ohio; Jeremy, Robert, Scott, and Philip Burnham, all of Conneautville; Holly Brewster and her husband David of Apex, NC, Julie Gregory of Philadelphia, and Sarah and Timothy Gregory of Guys Mills; 8 step-grandchildren, Clifford Hamilton, Tammy Swavey and her husband Ken, Tina Halstead and her husband John; DJ Philbrick, Bryan Philbrick and his wife Rachel, Lucinda Millard, Bree Lorio and her husband Paul, and Brandy Grove; 5 great-grandchildren; 8 step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a sister, Leda Gandelot Hargenrader Mitchell; 2 brothers, Gustine Gandelot who died as a small child and Nelson Gandelot; and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335

The funeral service will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Gerald Walton, Assoc. Pastor of Lyona Bible Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Kiser Hill Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Lyona Bible Church Building Program, 28825 Lyona Road, Guys Mills, PA 16327 or Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.