Charles Edward “Chuck” Durnell

December 11, 2015 Last Updated: December 11, 2015 11:00 AM Death Notice

Charles Edward “Chuck” Durnell, 89, of Worth Township passed away Monday at the Grove City Medical Center.

Chuck was born July 18, 1926, in Worth Township, to Charles Durnell and Myrtle E. Book Durnell. He married Esther Ruth Hacker of Sewickley, Pa., Nov. 13, 1948.

As a young man, he held numerous jobs, including working for Harry Cooper at the Cooper Block Plant in Slippery Rock. He worked for Cooper Bessemer in Grove City, later called Cooper Energy, for 38 years, retiring in 1988. He then worked at the Grove City Factory Outlets from 1995 until 2006. He and his wife, Esther, were longtime owners of Durnell Greenhouse in Worth Township.

Chuck liked cars and trucks, especially classic cars, and he enjoyed going to car shows. He had a love of family and friends and was always making new friends. Chuck had a tremendous work ethic, cared about others deeply and would light up when being in the presence of children.

He was a member of West Liberty United Methodist Church and a former member of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Esther, at home; his son, Dennis C. Durnell and his wife, Pam, of Grove City; two daughters, Barbara L. Studebaker of Grove City and Jeanne L. Dickey and her husband, Paul, of Slippery Rock; his sister, Donna Jean Reges of Mercer; eight grandchildren, Stacy L. Bluedorn, Trista B. Dennison, Gregory A. Studebaker, Melissa S. Schulz, Eric M. Studebaker, Michael A. Studebaker, Shelby R. Erb and Ryan C. Durnell; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including his niece and beloved caretaker, Geraldine Dixon.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Margaret Mae Eichenberger and Arlene Delores Agostino; and two brothers, Paul Lavere Durnell and William Dean Durnell.

DURNELL — The family of Charles Edward “Chuck” Durnell, who died Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Willard Morse, retired pastor, presiding. Interment will be at the Wolf Creek Cemetery, Worth Township.Memorial contributions may be given to the Slippery Rock Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 117, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.