Merle McWhinney

Merle Edward McWhinney, 81, of Slippery Rock passed away Thursday at Grove Manor Nursing Home in Grove City.

He was born July 5, 1934, in Pitcairn, Pa., to James Edward and Pearl Ryan McWhinney. He married Mildred Josephine Cerneka on Oct. 23, 1965.

He had worked for National Tube Works (US Steel) in McKeesport for 19 years and then Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh as an escort and in purchasing. He loved animals.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred, of Slippery Rock; two sons, James E. and his wife, Dawn, McWhinney of Phoenixville, Pa.; Daniel Merle McWhinney of Boulder, Colo.; one daughter, Tawni Lee McWhinney of Pompano Beach, Fla.; three sisters, Doris O'Hara of Greensburg, Pearl Nash of Monroeville, Pa., and Ella Mae McWhinney of California; one brother, Raymond McWhinney of Braddock; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, James, Lee and Bill.

MCWHINNEY — The family of Merle Edward McWhinney, who died Thursday, July 23, 2015, will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.A memorial service will be observed at noon Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Childs, pastor of the Park Gate Baptist Church of Ellwood City, presiding.Memorial contributions may be given to the Crossroads Baptist Church in care of Kenneth Seivers, 53 Dight Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.