John Wassell, Jr.

John Wassell, Jr., age 84, of Millcreek Twp. died Monday, January 12, 2009 at Hamot Medical Center. He was born on April 19, 1924 in Vestaburg, PA, the son of the late John, Sr. and Mary Davis Wassell.

In his early years, John worked on the river boats between Pittsburgh and New Orleans. He served in the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Vestal. He retired from GE-Erie after 38 years of service and was past President of UE Local 506. He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and served as an usher for many years. He enjoyed working in his garden, fixing things, and enjoyed attending his granddaughter's extracurricular events. John is survived by his wife, Audrey Jean Day Wassell, a son, John Neil Wassell (Carole) of Harborcreek, one daughter, Karen Marzka of Millcreek, one granddaughter, Samantha Moore and her father, James "Jim" Moore. Also surviving are one brother, Kenneth Wassell (Kaya) of Erie, one sister, Anastasia Stonick of VA, and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by one daughter, Kathy Gayl Wassell, one sister, Myra Sokoloff, and four brothers: Theodore, Harry, Alfred, and Alexander Wassell.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to St. Paul's Lutheran Church for the funeral service on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 3108 Sterrettania Rd, Erie, PA 16506 or the Erie Humane Society, 2614 Zimmerly RD. Erie, PA 16506.