Andrew Anthony Prelee, Whispering Oaks, Hermitage, formerly of McClure Ave., Sharon and S. Kerwood Dr., Hermitage, passed away peacefully of natural causes at 9:20 a.m. Sunday (6-20-10) in Liberty Health Center, Liberty Township, Oh. He was 92.

He was born on June 2, 1918 in Sharon the son of Joseph and Mary Rose Saul Prelee.

Mr. Prelee graduated from Sharon High School in 1936 and attended Dana School of Music at what is now Youngstown State University.

He was employed at the former Sharon Westinghouse for two years and later by the United States Postal Service for 35 years where he had worked as a letter carrier and window Technician, he retired June 30, 1972. He was a former member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local #113, and the National Federation of Postal Clerks Local #869, Sharon.

He also was employed for 7 years at the Pennsylvania State Liquor Store and at one time for the former Sebastian Music Store in Hermitage where he gave Trumpet lessons for 18 years.

He was an active member and usher at St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, and was a former member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and Sacred Heart Church, Sharon, where he had been the director of the Boy's Band in past years.

Mr. Prelee was a decorated veteran of WWII, serving with the United States Army in the 66th Black Panther Division. He arrived in France on Christmas Eve 1944 and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged following the war with the following medals and citations: the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and ultimately the WWII Victory Medal.

Some of his memberships included the Catholic War Veterans, Shenango Valley Post #1446 where he had served as past commander, The American Legion Post #299 Sharon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1338, Sharon, the Sharon Musicians Association Local # 187 (now New Castle #25), the Knights of Columbus Council # 684, Sharon, and the Forth Degree Sharon Assembly #0960 where he had served as Past Faithful Navigator.

He was a familiar face at the annual Sharon Memorial Day Parades and he served as past Chairmen and Treasurer on the Sharon Memorial Day Committee.

Andy, as he was known by his close friends and family, loved to play the trumpet and he played professionally with many local dance bands during his lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anne Masters whom he married in 1939, she passed away in 1976, his second wife, Pearl Carly whom he married in 1978, she passed away 1988, and his third wife, Elva L. Myers Jones Meszaros, whom he married in 1991, she passed away in 2005.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Andrea 'Babe' Horvath of Cape Coral, Florida, her son, Joseph James Prelee and his wife Becky of Liberty, Ohio, his step daughter, Cheryl Faylo and her husband Edward, his three step sons, Sonny Meszaros and his wife Bonnie, Ernie Meszaros and his wife Ruth, and Gary Meszaros and his wife Katie; a brother, Joseph V. 'Mike' Prelee and his wife Arlene. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and several step grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

In addition to his three wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Harry F. Prelee.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus's 4th degree Assembly #0960, or to the Sharon Honor Guard, through the funeral home.

Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (6-23-10) and from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon.

Condolences can be sent to his family by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday (6-24-10) in St. Joseph's Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Timothy H. O'Neill, pastor of St. Patrick Church, Hubbard, as the celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage with full military honors provided by the Sharon Honor Guard.