Gerald Hughes

Gerald M. Hughes, 87, of Graysville, Pa. (Richhill Twp.) died at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2008 in the Washington County Health Center following a brief illness. He was born April 22, 1921 in Richhill Twp. Greene Co. Pa. a son of Leslie M. and Cassie Odessa McCracken Hughes and has been a resident of Richhill Twp. all his life. Mr. Hughes was a member and former elder of the Harmony Presbyterian Church in Wind Ridge, Pa.. He was a 1940 graduate of the former Richhill Twp. High School and the Dale Carnegie School and had attended Penn State University. Mr. Hughes was a World War II veteran serving as a staff sergeant with the 20th Regiment 6th Infantry Division Company I and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 bronze service stars and 1 bronze arrowhead, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and was so well thought of by an Army friend that he named a son after Mr. Hughes. He was former Boy Scout Leader in Wind Ridge, and served as secretary for the Greene County Mutual Insurance Company in Wind Ridge and the Jacktown Fair Board. Mr. Hughes and his wife were co-owners of the former Bristoria Store and raised sheep, beef cattle and operated a dairy farm for several years and retired in 1990 after 40 years as the owner of the Gerald M. Hughes Insurance Agency in Waynesburg. On September 30, 1950 he married Carolyn Ruth Scott who survives. Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Dennis, husband of Pam Hughes of Spring Valley, WI. and Jeffrey, husband of Kay Hughes of Graysville; three daughters, Linda Susan Hughes of Tampa, Fl., Alena, wife of David Harris of Graysville and Julie, wife of Larry Roth of Washington, Pa.; two brothers, Byron, husband of Virginia Hughes of Holbrook, Pa. and Eugene, husband of Mary Lou Hughes of Graysville; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Deceased in addition to his parents are two sisters, Jane Abel and Marie Grimes. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Harmony Presbyterian Church, PO Box 15, Wind Ridge, Pa. 15380-0015