Stanley J. Zahora

Stanley J. Zahora, 83, of 10528 Pine Rd., Conneaut Lake, died Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Rolling Fields, Conneautville.

He was born December 15, 1923 in Linesville, a son of the late Anton and Anna Houdek Zahora.  He married Carolyn J. Greenfield June 16, 1962 and she survives.

He was a graduate of Linesville High School and a 1959 graduate of Penn State University College of Forestry with a Bachelor of Science degree in woodland utilization.  He received a Master’s degree in Science Education from Edinboro University in 1964.

He worked for 13 years as a dairy farmer on the family farm and was a teacher for 13 years in the Stoneboro, Sandy Lake, and Linesville schools.  He was owner and operator of Zahora Tree Service from 1973 to 1986, part-time forestry consultant for the city of Meadville from 1960 to 1992 and the city of Titusville from 1978 to 1988, private forestry and timber consultant from 1986 to 2002, and was a radiological officer for Crawford County for 25 years.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, Meadville, he was a former elder, deacon, and trustee.

He was a member of the Vernon Grange, member and past president of the Vernon Lions Club, assistant leader of the Conneaut Lake 4-H Club for 18 years, former board member of the College of Agricultural Science Alumni at Penn State University, and former treasurer of the Crawford County 4-H advisory board.

Stanley was the recipient of the conservation Forester Award from Crawford County in 1999 and the 2001 recipient of the Vernon Township Citizen of the Year award.  He enjoyed gardening, camping, and hunting.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Carolyn of 45 years, include a son, Dennis Zahora and his wife Mary of Orwigsburg, PA; a daughter, Debra Groshner and her husband Scott of Cohocton, NY; and 5 grandchildren, Hannah, Philip, and Kathryn Groshner, Tony Brocklehurst and his wife Melissa, and Sam Brocklehurst.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Justin Zahora and a brother, Lada Joseph Zahora.

Calling hours are today (Friday) from 6 to 9 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville.  The funeral and committal service will follow in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with the Revs. Brian Jensen and Travis Webster officiating.

Interment will be in Linesville Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.