Melvin Earl Hemphill

Melvin Earl Hemphill, 95, of Saxonburg passed away Sunday at the Saxony Health Center.

Born Aug. 28, 1920, in Fawn Township, Allegheny County, he was the son of Harry W. Hemphill and Emily Pearl Elliott Hemphill.

Melvin was a member of the Pleasant Unity Presbyterian Church, where he received a 50-year pin for perfect attendance for Sunday school.

Melvin began working at a young age for his brother, Kenneth, pumping gas and driving truck. He also worked as a coal truck driver for many years. In 1952, he was hired by the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad as a gandy dancer, which involved laying railroad ties and rails, using a pick, shovel and spike maul, which was extremely heavy work in all kinds of weather. He retired in 1982.

Melvin and his wife, Inez, loved to eat out in restaurants, among their favorites was the Saxonburg Hotel. They also enjoyed talking and sharing memories with old and new friends.

Surviving are sister-in-law, Martha Hemphill of Saxonburg, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Inez L. Watson Hemphill, who died June 9, 2014; his two brothers, Kenneth Hemphill and Harold Hemphill; and his sister, Lois Graham.

HEMPHILL — Friends of Melvin Earl Hemphill, who died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fox Funeral Home, Saxonburg.Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Deborah Huffmyer officiating. Interment will follow at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to the Pleasant Unity Church, the Clinton United Presbyterian Church or the Westminster Presbyterian Church.For information, visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com