George Russell Perschke, 90, of New Castle passed away peacefully the evening of Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Heritage Valley Hospital, Beaver. Mr. Perschke was born Nov. 14, 1924, in Princeton, Slippery Rock Township, a son of Norman A. and Nellie Marie Dean Perschke. He was a lifelong area resident. A graduate of the former Princeton High School, George served in the Army during World War II in the European Theater. He was a truck driver for Mooney Brothers before his marriage. He retired in 1980 from Bell Telephone Co., where he was employed for 31 years as a lineman, residential installer and foreman. Following his retirement, he was a bus driver for the Laurel School District and a motor coach driver for George Ku. George was an active member of Keys to the Kingdom Church on Old Pittsburgh Road, where he participated in many activities and served on council and various committees. A devout Christian, George had a "servant's heart" and led countless people to Christ. Along with his devoted wife, he worked with Habitat for Humanity for 12 years and helped build 144 homes. They began their ministry with Habitat in Georgia and traveled as far as Tucson, Ariz. George was a charter member of the board of director's for the Bair Foundation, New Wilmington, and was a member of the Coachmen Club, New Castle. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, antique tractors, gardening, traveling and his beloved family. Staying active throughout his life, he also built an addition to his home at age 80 and water skied at age 86. Surviving are his wife, the former Cora Jean Day, whom he married Nov. 7, 1952, at the Third Presbyterian Church, New Castle; a son, Gary Perschke and his wife, Pam, of Fairfield, Ohio; two daughters, Paula Burford and her husband, Thomas, of Los Lunas, N.M., and Betty Caputo and her husband, Carl, of Beaver Falls; seven grandchildren, Daniel Perschke and his wife, Katie, Michael Perschke and his wife, Lindsey, Marlaina Paulovich and her husband, Asa, Merril and George Caputo; and Kelsey and Nathan Burford; two great-grandchildren, Giada Caputo and Jacob Perschke; and a great-grandson due in May. He also leaves three brothers, Norman Perschke of Warren, Pa., Thomas Perschke and his wife, Shirley, of Butler and Edward Perschke and his wife, Nancy, of Grove City; a sister-in-law, Ruth Perschke of McKeesport; and several nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gerald and Clarence Perschke. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 111 W. Falls St. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Mount Hermon Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the New Castle Area Honor Guard. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Keys to the Kingdom, 3692 Old Pittsburgh Road, New Castle, Pa. 16101; Good Samaritan Hospice, 3500 Brooktree Road, Wexford, Pa. 15090; or to Habitat for Humanity.