Albert

James Earnest Albert, 89, of Chicora Medical Center died at 1 a.m. Sunday at the medical center.

Born Aug. 6, 1919, in Connoquenessing, he was the son of the late Charles Andrew Albert and the late Blanche Arnetta (Hockenberry) Albert.

In Mr. Albert's earlier years, he worked in landscaping for Eisler Nurseries and then went to work for Butler Armco as a torch operator. He retired in 1981.

He graduated from Officer's Candidate School as a supply and evacuations officer. Mr. Albert served in active duty from 1942 to 1945 in World II in the United States and European Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Meritorious Service Unit Award and the Middle Eastern Service Medal. Mr. Albert earned the rank of major in the Army Reserves from 1945 to 1955.

Mr. Albert is survived by his wife, Mildred Alice (Shaffer) Albert, whom he married June 25, 1955; two daughters, Deborah Bacher and Pamela Shuster; two stepdaughters, Diane Critchlow and Melinda McKissick; five grandchildren; one brother, Carol Albert of Florida; and two sisters, Freda Holliday of Pittsburgh and Myrtle Beveridge of Florida.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruth Arnetta Rice; four sisters; and one brother.

<B>ALBERT</B> — There will be a private family memorial service for James Earnest Albert, who died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. Interment will be in Butler County Memorial Park.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, and information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.