Drennen

Thomas Richard Drennen, 85, of Slippery Rock Township died peacefully at 10:45 a.m. Thursday at his home after a two-month illness.

Born Jan. 20, 1924, in Amsterdam, Liberty Township, Mercer County, he was the son of John Rhodes Drennen and Adeline Dight Drennen.

He married Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Kelly April 30, 1948, who survives.

Mr. Drennen retired in 1981 as the postmaster of the Slippery Rock Post Office.

He was a member of the North Liberty Presbyterian Church, where he was a former elder, trustee and Sunday school teacher. Tom and his sister, Emma Louise Grossman, were the oldest members of the church, joining the same day in 1930.

Mr. Drennen served in the U.S. Navy for five years, in which time he served in World War II aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and saw much of the world. He was a member of the Slippery Rock VFW Post 519 and the Slippery Rock American Legion Post 393.

Mr. Drennen was also a member of the Slippery Rock Lions Club and the Slippery Rock Sportsman's Club. He loved the outdoors and in particular enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He faithfully took his family on their annual vacation to Canada, carrying on a tradition which has spanned four generations.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Drennen at home; two sons, Timothy Rhodes Drennen and his wife, Debby, of Slippery Rock and Thomas "Tucker" B. Drennen and his wife, Leslie, of Niwot, Colo.; two daughters, Tara A. Pizor and her husband, Robert, of Slippery Rock and Tamara J. Miller and her husband, Rod, of Butler; and two sisters, Emma Louise Grossman of Slippery Rock and Jacquline J. Lippery and her husband, Wilfred "Bill," of Conneaut. Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

<B>DRENNEN</B> — Visitation for Thomas Richard Drennen, who died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the North Liberty Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jerry Mahaffey of North Liberty Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment will be in the North Liberty Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County.The family wishes to thank VNA Hospice, Butler, for its compassionate support.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Smith funeral Home</B>, Slippery Rock.