L. Graydon Hessler

L. Graydon Hessler, 96, formerly of Meadville and Conneaut Lake, and a current resident of Gainesville, VA, passed away at home Friday, March 25, 2016.

He was born in North East November 15, 1919, a son of the late George and Kathryn Ewing Hessler.  He married Lois Leigh January 29, 1938 and she preceded him in death April 2, 2010.

A 1937 graduate of Fitch High School, Austintown, OH, he was a U.S. Marine Corps. Veteran of World War II, serving with the 28th Regiment, 5th Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations.  He was owner and operator of Hessler Upholstery Service, Meadville for 38 years, retiring in 1982.  He previously worked at Talon, Inc., Meadville for 5 years in the engineering department and foreman in the plastic department and at Firestone Rubber Company, Akron, OH for 2 years.

Graydon was an active member of First Christian Church where he served as an Elder and Sunday School Teacher.  He was a former member and commodore of the Conneaut Lake Yacht Club.

Survivors include, a daughter, Dianne Andrews Buttray of Meadville; a son, L. Graydon (Chip) Hessler, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Hope Mills, NC; six grandchildren, Philip Andrews and his wife Susan, Linda Joy Cronin and her husband Casey, Todd J. Andrews and his wife Susan, Brett J. Andrews and his wife Laura, Kimberly Nguyen and her husband Cuong, and Meredith Hessler; ten great-grandchildren, Gavin and Graylyn Andrews, Joy, Sean, and Ryan Cronin, Zachary, Emily Grace, Caleb, and Logan Andrews, and Cambell Nguyen; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and loving wife Lois, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Hessler; two sisters, Marion Nason and Kathryn Randall; and a son-in-law, Paul Buttray.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral service will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church, 503 N. Main St., Meadville with the Rev. Brett J. Andrews, grandson, officiating.

Interment will be in Ewing Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 503 N. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335.