Francis Gregg Ney M.D.
Francis Gregg Ney M.D., 91, of Cochranton, Pa., formerly of Grove City, died Tuesday at the home of his daughter in Cochranton.
Dr. Ney was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Monesson, Pa., the son of Albert R. and Mabel I. Ney. The family moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1932, and he graduated from Jefferson High School in 1940.
He began college at Kent State University, but left to join the U.S. Army in 1942.
He served during World War II as a member of the 14th Armored Division. He also served with the 84th Medical Battalion until November of 1945 when he began service with the 7th and 3rd Armies in the European Theater of Operations. There he was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Later, he was president of the Northeast Chapter of the 14th Armored Division.
Following his military career, he returned to Kent State University and in 1948 he graduated with a bachelor's of science degree. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a master's of science degree in physiology in 1949, and a doctor of medicine degree in 1953. He also had a fellowship with the Industrial Hygiene Foundation at the Mellon Institute. He served his internship at Allegheny General Hospital, completing his training in 1954.
Dr. Ney began his medical career in family practice in Cochranton. During his tenure, he was a valuable member of the community, serving on the borough council for 11 years, and as the director of the First National Bank. He was a founding member, president and zone chairman of the Cochranton Lion's Club as well as a member of the Cochranton Masonic Lodge 790 and the Cochranton American Legion Post 836. In 1967, the town honored him as the “Man of the Year.” Cochranton Health Services, Inc., further honored him by establishing the F. Gregg Ney M.D. Scholarship Fund, which benefits qualifying Cochranton High School students who are entering related health fields.
While in practice in Cochranton, he served several times as president of the medical staff at the former Meadville City Hospital and served as both treasurer and president of the Crawford County Medical Society. Additionally, he served as chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for five years. When he left medical practice, he donated his medical building to the community of Cochranton. This act of generosity allowed the town to attract quality medical care for its citizens. The love and respect he engendered while in Cochranton has survived many decades, as evidenced by the fact that he was invited to be the honored speaker at the 2006 Cochranton Memorial Day Service.
In 1967, he chose to further his education by doing a residency in diagnostic radiology at Allegheny General Hospital for four years. He was a board certified staff radiologist at Butler Memorial Hospital from 1971 until 1981, where he also served as the president of the Butler County Medical Society. He accepted the position of chief of radiology at the United Community Hospital in Grove City, where he was elected president of the medical staff. He retired from medical practice at the age of 82.
Dr. Ney believed that all practicing physicians should give dedicated service, not only to their patients but also their communities, medical societies and hospitals. Because of this commitment, he was an active member of many organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the American College of Radiology, the Pennsylvania Radiological Association and the Pittsburgh Roentgen Society.
He was a member of the Tower Presbyterian Church in Grove City, where he served as an elder and was active in the Men's Bible Study. He was also a board member of the Jubilee Christian School.
He married the former Erma Louise Pete on June 22, 1969, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 24, 2006.
He is survived by three sons, Gregg Ney Jr. and his wife, Margaret Renais, Theodore K. Ney and his wife, Patricia, and Richard E. Moore; his four daughters, Rebecca N. Houck and her husband, Stan, Kathleen R. Custead, Paula J. Duda and her husband, Michael, and Rhonda Claypool; his grandchildren, Kristopher Simmons, Jaclyn Myers, Emily Houck, Leanne Houck, Tyler Simmons, Scott Custead, Bradley Custead, Johnathan Custead, Lauren Duda, Mary Duda, John Duda, Mark Duda, Patrick Duda, Christopher Moore, Benjamin Moore, Kristina Claypool, Melanie Benson, Alicia Bossard, Caitlyn Bossard and Alexis Bossard; and his great-grandchildren, Anthony, Nicole and Dustin Myers, Andrew and Addison Custead, Kealy Custead, Melina Houck, Maddox Leonard, Easton Culmer, Bennett Moore and Coen Moore.
In addition to his wife Erma, he was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Albert R. Ney Jr.; his two sisters, Harriet Ney Acker and Edith Ney Petrie; his daughter-in-law, Shareen Moore; and his first wife, Marjorie Fankhauser.
NEY — The friends of Francis Gregg Ney M.D., who died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, will be received at the Ficca Funeral Home, 203 E. Pine St., Grove City, from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Friends may also call at the Dickson Family Funeral Home, 123 S. Franklin St., Cochranton, from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday. The funeral service will be at the Cochranton Presbyterian Church, 109 Smith St., at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. J. Harvey Boal of the church, officiating.Interment will be in the Cochranton Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Cochranton American Legion.The family ask that memorial donations be made to any veterans organization, the American Cancer Society, or to the donor's charity of choice.
