Kenneth S. McCandless

Kenneth S. McCandless of Durham, N.C., formerly of Grove City and Slippery Rock, passed away Thursday at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation-Rose Manor Nursing Home, Durham, N.C.

He was born Dec. 11, 1926, in Branchton, Pa., and was the son of Thomas G. and Clara Hockenberry McCandless. He attended Slippery Rock High School. He was a member of Forestville United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, helping with spaghetti dinners, making homemade soup and many other activities.

He was a visible member of the communities in which he lived and a devoted walker. He was always willing to lend his many skills to help and serve his friends with a smile. His smile will never be forgotten.

He belonged to the Grove City Masonic Lodge, Consistory Legion of Honor-Valley of New Castle, was a proud veteran and member of the Harrisville American Legion for over 60 years and past president of Grove City Kiwanis Club. He was member of the Slippery Rock Grange. He was an avid supporter of the Grove City YMCA, fulfilling the passion of his son, Larry. He worked at Annadale Limestone, Pullman Standard in Butler, West Penn Power in Butler and retired from Slippery Rock University.

He married Vona L. Bell 68 years ago on May 20, 1948. They are the parents of two children, Larry K. McCandless, who died March 2, 1988, and Brenda J. Jamison, the wife of Ron Jamison of Durham, N.C. They have a daughter-in-law, Vonie Elverson, the wife of Tom Elverson of Slippery Rock.

They have four grandchildren, Matthew McCandless of Austin, Texas; Adam McCandless and his wife, Danielle, of Corpus Christi, Texas; Andrew Jamison and his wife, Valarie, of Wilmington, N.C.; and Megan Lewis and her husband, Joshua, of Mooresville, N.C. They have seven great-grandchildren, Nicholas McCandless; Grey, Oliver and Nora Jamison; and Laura Anne, Jacob and Eli Lewis.

He is survived by two sisters, Esther and her husband, Donald Eller, of Erie, and Kathryn Hockenberry of Grove City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ruth Patterson, June Coulter and Clara Coulter; and six brothers, George, James, Cecil, Woodrow, Howard and infant Madison.

MCCANDLESS — Visitation hours for Kenneth S. McCandless, who died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Russ Hixon officiating. Burial will be at the Slippery Rock Cemetery with military honors.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Forestville United Methodist Church or the Grove City YMCA.