DeMarsh

Theodore "Ted" DeMarsh, 98, of Mercer Township died at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grove City Medical Center after a one-year illness.

Born in North Liberty, Mercer County, Nov. 15, 1909, he was a son of Frank DeMarsh and Frances Tanner.

He lived in Mercer Township since 1939. In 1941, he started the Theodore DeMarsh Coal Co. of Forestville, which he owned and operated until he retired in 1974. He started his career with the WPA, a government-subsidized program to build roads in the state, and then he owned and operated a trucking business hauling coal and limestone before he began his strip mining operations in 1941.

Mr. DeMarsh was a member of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church of Forestville and was instrumental in building the new church. He also was a member of Harrisville Lions Club, Grove City Country Club and the Grove City Knights of Columbus and was a former member of the Grove City Elks.

He enjoyed playing golf and gin rummy with friends.

Surviving are two daughters, Barbara Herndon and her husband, Robert, of Grove City and Marilyn Brooks and her husband Alfred, of Boston, Mass.; two sons, Paul DeMarsh and his wife, Joan G., of Harrisville and Ed DeMarsh and his wife, Linda, of Cranberry Township; his loving companion, Margaret "Peggy" Kays of Forestville; a sister, Florence Klink of Forestville; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He married Dorothy May Kays in 1933, and she died March 14, 1974. He also was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Thomas, Lena Thomas and Frances Lees; five brothers, Louis, Joseph, Nicholas, Henry and William DeMarsh; a grandson, Alfred "Ted" Brook in 1988, and a great-granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Zavoral in 1980.

<B>DEMARSH</B> — Friends of Theodore "Ted" DeMarsh, who died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at <B>Cunningham funeral Home</B>, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Forestville, with the Rev. Matthew McClain officiating. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery, Harrisville.Memorials tributes may be made to Allegheny Valley Schools, 125 Rebecca Lane, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.