Obituary of John W. Bishop

John W. Bishop Duke Center, Pa.-- John W. Bishop of Main St. died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) in Miami Heart Institute, Miami Beach, Fl. after a lengthy illness. Born January 15, 1915 in Rossiter, Pa. he was the son of Albert and Iva Stahl Bishop. On July 5, 1947 he married the former Agnes Hadley who predeceased him September 28, 1993. A lifelong resident of Duke Center, Mr. Bishop attended area schools and completed night extension courses from Penn State College in electric welding and petroleum engineering. He spent many years working in the local oil fields. He was then employed as a pipefitter-welder for Dresser Industries for 23 years before retiring in 1978. Mr. Bishop was a member of the American Legion, the VFW Post 471, and was a sustaining member of the Eldred WWII Museum. During WWII he served in the US Army from 1941 until 1945 with the 43rd Division, 172nd Infantry and was stationed in the South Pacific. A Purple Heart recipient, Mr. Bishop's duties included mortar gunner, military police, the K-9 Corp, and supply truck driver. He also received a Combat Infantry Badge, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and an Army Services Forces Patch. Surviving are 2 daughters Barbara Bishop of Sunrise, FL and Patricia Bishop of Miami Shores, FL; 1 sister Joyce Pearce of Franklin, PA; 1 step-brother the Rev. Elmer Coleman of Jamestown, NY and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received on Sunday from 2 until 5pm in the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Funeral services will be held Monday (March 24, 2003) at 11:00am in the funeral home. Rev. Glen Hamilton of Duke Center will officiate. Burial, with full military services, will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Eldred WWII Museum, PO Box 273, Eldred, PA 16731 or to the charity of the donor's choice.