Mackrell

Kenneth R. Mackrell of Chicora, commonly known to friends and family as “Pee Wee,” died Thursday night in the Chicora Medical Center following a lingering illness.

He was employed by Jack's Ford in Sarver as manager of the auto body shop for 25 years, retiring in 1988. He belonged to the Chicora United Methodist Church and also to the American Legion Post 642 of Chicora.

For several years, Ken played the fiddle, guitar and mandolin for square dances.

He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 13, 1944, to Oct. 29, 1946, during World War II, serving with the 20th infantry, 6th division, being stationed in Korea as a radio operator. He also had four brothers in the military during the same time.

He was born in Butler on July 31, 1926, to the late Grover P. Mackrell and Cecelia Kaib Mackrell.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna Andre Mackrell, who he married Feb. 22, 1951; three sons, Kenneth P. Mackrell and his wife, Diann, of Portersville, David J. Mackrell and his wife, Diane, of Portersville and Les D. Mackrell and his wife, Cindy, of Chicora; grandchildren, Kenneth W. and Jamie Mackrell of Portersville, Andrew P. and Kelly Mackrell of Fountain, Colo., Holly Mackrell and Clint Fulton of New Castle, Dylan Mackrell of Chicora, Corey Leinenbach of Chicora and Shauna Leinenbach of Chicora; great-grandchildren, Noah Mackrell of Fountain, Colo., Natalie Mackrell of Fountain, Colo., Conner Mackrell of Portersville and Jonathan Fulton of New Castle; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ursula Conners and Agnes “Doll” Brown; five brothers, Wilbert “Bud” Mackrell, Gerald Mackrell, Hillary Mackrell, Norman Mackrell and Edmund “Ed” Mackrell; and one infant great-granddaughter, Chloe Faith Mackrell, who died April 25, 2000.

<B>MACKRELL</B> — Friends of Kenneth R. Mackrell, who died Thursday, July 21, 2011, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Main and East Slippery Rock Streets, Chicora. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Glea Foster, pastor of the Chicora United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Saint John's Reformed Cemetery, Chicora.Full military honors are provided by the Chicora American Legion, the Chicora V.F.W. and the 99th Regional Readiness Command from Coraopolis.For information, directions and to extend condolences to the family, go to www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.