Merle D. Tate

Merle D. Tate, 175 Lyle Drive, Hermitage, passed away peacefully of natural causes at 4:50 a.m. Sunday (7-2-06) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell. He was 89.

Mr. Tate was born Monday, Aug. 28, 1916, in Sharon, the son of John W. and Tressie Leasure Tate.

He graduated in 1935 from Sharon High School.

For 33 years, he worked as a water tender at Sharon Steel Corp.’s former Farrell plant, retiring in 1979.

Along with his brother John “Jack” Tate, he co-owned and operated Tate Heating for 20 Years.

He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Hermitage.

A decorated Army veteran, he served in England, France, Belgium and Germany during World War II, and reached the rank of first sergeant with Provost Marshal School in Fort Custer, Michigan. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and Battle Stars.

His wife, the former May Mills, whom he married Aug. 26, 1944, survives at the residence.

Also surviving are: two daughters Myltreda “Treda” Gill and her husband Leonard, West Middlesex; and Venetta DeArment and her husband Thomas, Hermitage; two sons David L. Tate and his wife Bonnie; and Roy W. Tate and his wife Debbie, all Hermitage; a sister, Shirley Chambers and her husband Raymond, La Mirada, Calif.; and seven grandchildren, Kimberly Shirley; David, Eric and Melissa Tate; Nova Wolford; Amanda Gadola; and Kristen Tate; and four great-grandchildren, Justin Cunning; Colin and Cameron Tate; and Kameron Wolford.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and John Tate; and a sister, Venetta Findley.

TATE

Merle D., 89, of 175 Lyle Drive, Hermitage.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (7-5-06) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@verizon.net

Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday (7-6-06) in the funeral home chapel.

Internment: Haywood Cemetery. West Middlesex.