Ronald J. Cummings

Ronald J. Cummings, 78, of 8994 Dicksonburg Road, Linesville, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, May 19, 2013, following a brief illness.

He was born June 10, 1934 in Edinboro, the only child of Leslie I. (Buck) Cummings and Virginia June Toohey Dorrance.  He had been married to Sylvia Y. Dronko and subsequently married Mabel J. McDowell September 29, 1979.

Following his graduation from Corry High School in 1952, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War serving four years on active duty aboard the USS Macon as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class.  He then served in the Naval Reserves from 1956-1960.  Following his active duty in the Navy he served his tool & die apprenticeship at Southeastern Tool in Gastonia, NC.  In 1960 he moved to Meadville and started working at Canto Tool.  In 1977, he along with three partners, purchased Canto Tool and he remained an owner until 2006.

He was a member of the Norrisville United Methodist Church; Western Crawford Masonic Lodge #258, Conneautville; Kismet Grotto, Saegertown; Scottish Rite Valley of Erie; Lake Erie Consistory; Zem Zem Shrine Temple, Erie and the Crawford County Shrine Club.  He was a Life member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Corry and a Honorary Life Member of Opportunity Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, Moosehaven, Orange Park, FL.  He was also a life member of the National Rifle Association and Conneautville American Legion Post #615 and he was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association and a plank owner of the U.S. Navy Memorial.

He was Past President of the National Tooling and Machining Association.  He traveled to Africa four times on safari.  He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, telling hunting and fishing stories and he took great pride in working on his property.  He was a volunteer driver for the Veteran’s Administration for five years and he volunteered with the Conneaut Valley Release Time and was a blood donor with the American Red Cross, donating 10 gallons of blood during his lifetime.  He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirates fan.  However, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Mabel of 33 years, include: three sons, Dirk R. Cummings and his wife Meg Stadtler of Hendersonville, NC, Dale R. Cummings and his wife Crystal of Saegertown and Jeffrey T. Uhlman and his wife Lucia of Tualatin, OR; two daughters, Lori L. Gorczyca and her husband Joseph of Prince Frederick, MD and Shelly R. Evans and her husband Chris of Meadville; nine grandchildren, Adam J Cummings, Alex J. Cummings, Morgan A. Uhlman, Richard Pasquale-Uhlman and Todd Pasquale-Uhlman, Samantha J. Evans, Sarah E. Gorczyca, Cassandra N. Gorczyca and Mackenzie A. Gorczyca; and one great grandson, Conner J. Haller.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake with a Masonic Service at 8 p.m.  An additional calling hour will be Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Russell Hines, Pastor of Norrisville United Methodist Church, officiating.  Military Honors will be provided by Huidekoper VFW Post #2006.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Norrisville United Methodist Church, c/o Elaine Harrison, 12318 Lakeside Drive, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 or Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidcolemanfh.com