John 'Jack' Conlon, 489 Shady Ave., Sharon, passed away peacefully at 12:11 a.m. Saturday (6-13-09) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 84.
He was born on June 27, 1924 in Sharon the son of John L. and Emma Grosse Conlon.
A lifelong city resident, he was a member of the Sharon High Schools graduating class of 1942, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gannon University, Erie.
He worked as an insurance agent for 26 years with Prudential life Insurance Company. After his years as an insurance agent, he worked for the Herald in the Business Circulation and delivery department for 15 years.
Jack was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, where he was a daily communicant.
He was proud to be one of the last surviving founders of the local AA group and was a member for 33 years.
A decorated veteran, he served in WWII with the United States Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Theater aboard the USS Boston and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with nine Bronze Stars, and ultimately the WWII Victory Medal.
Jack, or Mr. Marvelous, which he was affectionately known as by his close friends and family, had been a blood donor for many years. His donating of more than 8 gallons of blood was initiated when one of his sons was unfortunately diagnosed with Polio at the early age of one.
In his spare time he enjoyed the outdoors and small game hunting for many years.
On June 29th, 2001, he was inducted into the Mercer County Voter Hall of Fame for voting in every election for the past 50 years.
His wife the former Jean Mead whom he married on October 28th, 1950 survives at the residence.
He leaves his five sons, Timothy L. Conlon and his wife Mary of St. Louis, MO; Michael J. Conlon and his wife Gina of Minneapolis, MN; Patrick M. Conlon and his wife Iona of York, PA; Christopher T. Conlon, Deland, FL; and John F. Conlon and his wife Amy, Bristow, VA; one sister Margaret Tevendale, Sun City, FL; and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made in his memory to St .Joseph's Church 79 Case Ave. Sharon, Pa. 16146.
Calling hours: 4 to 7 Tuesday (6-16-09) and 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Friends may send condolences by visiting the website www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com
Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday (6-17-09) in St. Joseph Church with Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor as celebrant.
Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage with full military honors.