H. Dale Sopher, age 88, of Harrisville, PA died on Monday, January 5, 2015 at 5:44 AM in Orchard Manor, Grove City.
Known to family and friends as “Dale”, he was born in the village of Raymilton, (Venango County) to the late Ralph and Melissa Gadsby Sopher on December 6, 1926.
Dale married Doris J. Shipton on June 24, 1949. Together they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past year.
He was a graduate of Wesley High School, Class of 1943 and Grove City High School, Class of 1944.
Following high school, Dale enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Japan until October of 1947.
After returning home he became employed as a Carpenter/Apprentice with the former Book Davis Company, Grove City.
Dale worked there for 3 years and then he went to work for Montgomery Truss and Panel, Grove City where he started as a Carpenter and retired in 1992 after 42 years at Montgomery’s as an Estimator in the office.
Dale was a 60-year member of Harmony EPC Church, Harrisville where he served as Elder, Trustee and was a member of the Men’s Bible Class of the church.
He served on Borough Council in Harrisville and was the Secretary for many years. Also, he served on the Pine Harrisville Authority Board since its inception.
Dale formerly worked and served as Secretary of the board of Mount Irwin Cemetery.
Dale was a 50 plus year member of the F. and A.M. Lodge #603, Grove City and New Castle Consistory. He was a member of the Romeo’s bike club for many years.
He was an old time Carpenter that still used a hammer and over the years he built several houses in the Harrisville area.
He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, uncle and he was a friend to many. Together with his wife, they enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends.
Dale is survived by his wife, Doris at home, one daughter, Deborah L. Baker, Portland, OR and son, Dennis Sopher and wife Rebecca, Harrisville, four grandchildren, Samuel Sopher and wife Alison, Midland, PA, Melissa Williams and husband Joshua, La Plata, MD, Megan Sopher, Durham, NC and Micah Sopher and fiancé Keleigh, Pittsburgh, PA, four great grandsons, Grant, Lincoln, Will and Gibson, one brother, Kenneth M. Sopher and wife Mary, Dover, OH.
Other than his parents, Dale is preceded in death by one sister, Marian Hovis and four brothers, Le Roy, Isaac, Lester and Raeman Sopher
Memorials in Dale’s memory to Harmony Church, P.O. Box 406, Harrisville, PA 16038.
Funeral Service: Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc., 306 Bessemer Avenue, Grove City, PA on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:30 AM with the Rev. Jeffery Jones, Pastor of Harmony Church and assisted by Rev. Willard Morse, Visitation Pastor of Grace United Methodist officiating.
Visitation Hours: Cunningham Funeral Home, Inc., Grove City on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9:00 PM
Burial: Prairie Cemetery, Harrisville, PA.
