William E. Dunston, 548 Applewood Lane, Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2008, in his home with his loving family by his side, following a very brief illness. He was 85.
Mr. Dunston was born October 7, 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio the only child of Edwin H. and Harriet Riffner Dunston.
He was a 1941 graduate of Sharon High School, attended Westminster College, New Wilmington, and graduated from The University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Bill was the Treasurer of the former Armstrong Wholesale Grocery Co., Sharon, prior to joining the former National Castings Co. as Budget Director in 1959. He was promoted to Controller of the Sharon Works in 1963. In 1967 he was appointed Division Manager of Financial Accounting for National Castings Division, Midland-Ross Corporation and retired from that position in 1985.
Mr. Dunston served with the US Air Force, 17th Photo Intelligence, for three years during WW II in the United States as well as the China, Burma and India Theater's.
Bill was a member of the Benevolent Protected Order of the Elk's, Lodge 103, and the American Legion, Post 299, both Sharon; the German Home, Farrell; and the Christian Associates of the Shenango Valley. He formerly served on the United Way Budget Committee and assisted with Junior Achievement sponsored by the former National Castings. Mr. Dunston was an avid golfer and played with in the Elks Golf League and the Valley Traffic League for many years.
Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Geraldine 'Gerry' Schmidt, whom he married August 5, 1950; two daughters, Susan K. Dunston and Nancy D. Davis, both Sharon; four grandchildren, Daniel Mackey, Bel Air, Maryland; and Ian, Christian and Emily Davis, all Sharon; a sister-in-law, Mildred Curry, Richmond, Virginia; and a niece, Trish Drennan, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Mercer County, P.O. Box 1046, Hermitage, PA 16148; Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 W. 8th St., Erie, PA 16505; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-2132.
Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2008, in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Funeral service will be Friday, November 14, 2008, at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. J. Thomas Dugan, associate pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, officiating.
Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage, with military honor's rendered by the Sharon Honor Guard.