James

Leslie Merle James, 85, of Buffalo Township passed away peacefully at 10:26 a.m. Sunday at Allegheny Valley Hospital.

Leslie was born in Bolivar on April 10, 1925, the son of the late Ernest and Hazel (Muir) James.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Les was a crane operator at Allegheny Ludlum Steel in the bar mill for 41 years. He retired in 1986.

He was a life member of the Natrona American Legion and the Hill Top Hose VFD. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and woodworking. He was an avid Steelers and Pirates fan.

He is survived by his wife of 60 1/2 years, Theresa M. "Sue" (Gallagher) James; two daughters, Sharon A. (Richard) Wheeler and Dianne M. (James, Jr.) Michael, both of Freeport; his granddaughter, Jennifer Dianne Wheeler of Mount Washington; a brother, Richard A. "Jack" (Elsie) James of Natrona Heights; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his two brothers and their wives; Donald and Eleanor James and Robert and Helen James.

<B>JAMES — </B>Family and friends of Leslie Merle James, who died Sunday, July 4, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>REDMOND FUNERAL HOME,</B> 524 High St. Freeport. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Orphans of the Storm Inc., 111878 State Route 83, Kittanning, PA 16201To send a condolence, visit, www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.