A memorial service will be held Sunday for the Rev. Thomas E. Armstrong of Lyle Drive, Hermitage. He passed on to heaven on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, after an extended battle with lung cancer in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System, where he was in hospice care. He was 67. Rev. Armstrong was born Oct. 7, 1946, in Hastings, Mich., a son of Myrl Eugene and Bernice Springer Armstrong. He was the only child of two public school educators. Rev. Armstrong was a graduate of Chula Vista (Calif.) High School. As a small child, he and his parents moved to Phoenix and later to California. As a family, he and his parents traveled to all 50 states, camping most of the way, and abroad to Europe, where they all enjoyed antiquing and visiting national parks and historic sites. Tom attended Humboldt University, Arcata, Calif., majoring in journalism. Following his graduation, he worked for two weekly newspapers where he took pictures at local events, wrote and edited articles, and delivered the papers as well. Following this career path for a while, Tom felt God's calling to the ministry and began classes at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, with a Master of Divinity degree, Rev. Armstrong began serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) at Orick, Calif. He married and he and his first wife, Laurie, had two sons, David and Steve, whom he adored. Rev. Armstrong served many churches between California and Pennsylvania as an interim minister for several years. The last 10 years of his ministry were spent as the stated clerk of the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery, from which he retired in October 2012. At that same time, he was diagnosed with latestage lung cancer, bringing one of his passions to an end. Tom loved Civil War history and for several years was a Civil War re-enactor. Many weekends in the summer were spent in the Virginia and Gettysburg battle areas. He especially enjoyed traveling to New Rumley, Ohio, each year in full uniform to help celebrate the birthday of Gen. George Armstrong Custer. Tom served in the Cavalry of the Potomac, 3rd PA Dismounted Cavalry Unit. As a small child, Tom had a passion for trains, both big and small. He was an avid railroad researcher and had written two books on the history of the Nevada- Colorado-Oregon railway, which is no longer in existence. Right to the end of his life, he was researching old railroad histories and maps. Most recently, he was working on the Sharpsville Railroad and could often be found driving around to locate the old railroad grades. He had an extensive collection of model garden railroad cars and locomotives. In 2011, Tom became the proud grandfather of an only grandson, Linus Armstrong. In 2012, Tom married Sherry Brest Willison and came to live with her in Hermitage. He joined the Riverside Garden Railroad Club of Warren, Ohio, and spent many delightful Tuesday evenings there "playing with the trains" on their model setting located at the SCOPE Center. He had many dreams for retirement - some fulfilled, some not. Through the most difficult days of his illness, he never lost faith. He ran the race, fought the battle and won his reward - heaven and ultimate healing. He leaves behind: his wife, Sherry; two sons, David Armstrong and his wife Broede, Pittsburgh; and Steve Armstrong and his wife Mandy, Tamarac, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Eva Drobezko and her husband David; and Amy Mendicino and her husband Mark; and grandchildren, Linus Armstrong; Monica and Matthew Drobezko; and Amanda and Joshua Mendicino. Tom was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, Rev. Armstrong requested memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, 122 S. High St., Morgantown, WV 26501. Please specify for lung cancer research. Calling hours: Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to time of service Sunday (12-22-13) in First Westminster Presbyterian Church, Steubenville, Ohio. Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHome-andCrematory.com Service: Memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday in the church. Dinner will be served immediately following the service for all in attendance. Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.