Harry Robert Rathbun
Harry Robert Rathbun, 94, of the Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville, passed away Tuesday in Wesbury's Grace Health Center.
Born Nov. 9, 1921, in the Bronx, N.Y., Harry was the only child of Margretta (Kurz) Rathbun and Harry Louis Rathbun.
Franklin Square and Long Island, N.Y., were where Harry grew up. As a boy, he enjoyed playing street hockey, swimming at the Atlantic Coast and baseball. He became a lifelong New York Yankees fan.
Harry graduated in 1941 from Sewanhaka High School and joined the U.S. Navy in July of that year. He was stationed in Norfolk, Va. When war was declared, Harry was shipped to the Pacific Theater, where he served our country as a parachute rigger with the rank of first class petty officer. He served a total of six years.
Harry married Geraldine May Vaughn on July 6, 1944. They shared 47 years together before she preceded him in death on Feb. 6, 1991.
Following the war, he and Gerry moved to Crawford County and raised their family near Cochranton, Pa. He was employed at Talon for 37 years, retiring in 1984.
Harry was Methodist and a longtime member of the Mumford Chapel United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Meadville Masonic Lodge 234. Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to the Meadville area, where he enjoyed gardening, raising roses and especially golf. He and his wife spent many years ballroom dancing to their favorite big band music at the Meadville Community Center.
Harry is survived by his daughter, Linda L. Beige of Meadville; his son, James V. Rathbun and his wife, Deborah, of Prospect; and four grandchildren, Rebecca Beige of Saxonburg, Barbara Beers of Saegertown, Robert Rathbun and his wife, Jeanette, of Slippery Rock and Eric Rathbun of Prospect. He also had five great-grandchildren, Ryan Naples, Lindsay Beers, Zachary Naples, Gregory Beers and Emily Rathbun.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Geraldine, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Larry V. Beige.
RATHBUN — Calling hours for Harry Robert Rathbun, who died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the ROBERT W. WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, where the funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Sam Marchetta, chaplain of the Wesbury United Methodist Community, officiating.Interment will be at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the VFW Post 2006 of Meadville.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Wesbury Foundation, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335 or to a charity of the donor's choice.The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Wesbury Cribbs Home staff, Grace Nursing Center and Memory Support Center for their loving care.Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.
