William Russell Gregg

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BURNHAM - William Russell Gregg, 88 died Dec. 22, 2009, at his home in Burnham.

Born in Lewistown on Feb. 11, 1921, he was the third child of William Harrison and Iva May Bridgens Gregg. He married Martha Eward on Dec. 24, 1941, and was father of Genevieve Aurand McCardle, of Lewistown, and Gary R. Gregg, of Shippensburg.

Surviving are his children, as well as grandchildren, William H. Gregg and wife Tamara, Jeanette Aurand Legenza and husband Raymond, and Julie R. Aurand; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Gregg; son-in-law, Harvard McCardle; and great-grand-children Mitchell and Andrew Legenza.

Bill was preceded in his death by his wife, parents, sister, Genevieve Smith and brother, Joseph Harrison Gregg.

After returning from World War II, he led a full life as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and community service volunteer, serving on the Mifflin County Planning Commission, and the YMCA Board of Directors.

As a 53-year member of the Burnham Lions club, he was "well respected" for his active involvement in the the Burnham Jamboree, Burnham Lion's Pool, Burnham Lion's Community Building, Miss Tri-County Pageant, the Saturday Night Hop, Bingo Night, Sunday Turkey Dinners, marking curbs in Burnham for mail delivery, and Stag Night.

He and Martha traveled to many International Lion Conventions in the U.S. and around the world with their many Lion friends.

Bill and Martha were the proprietors of Gregg's Florist in the 1950's.

As 44-year employee of Arrow Shirt Company in Lewistown, he was "highly regarded" by his workers as Superintendent of Cutting, designing a cutting press for which the company obtained a patent. He was responsible at one time for cutting all the shirts for Eastern U.S.

He enjoyed square dancing and being a "Jack-of-all-Trades," carpenter, electrician, plumber, mechanic, fine cabinet maker, florist, shirt maker and all-around do-it-yourselfer.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 at Heller Hoenstine Funeral Home in Burnham, where family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. His nephew, Rev. David Pennebaker, will be officiating. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Burnham Lions Club Scholarship Fund, 403 First Ave., Burnham, PA 17009.