November
06,
1922
06,
1922
January
11,
2010
11,
2010
James W. Ghrist, Sr.,87, of Muse passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 11, 2010 in the company of his adoring family at Canonsburg General Hospital.
Mr. Ghrist was born November 6, 1922 the eldest son of the late William and Laura Heinbaugh Ghrist in Dickerson Run, PA.
Mr. Ghrist served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He was a squad leader in Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Division serving in Rhineland, Central Europe. Mr. Ghrist was an expert marksman and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, An American Theater Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, and a Victory Metal. He was most proud of the fact that he never lost a soldier under his command.
He was employed by McGraw Edison, after retirement he had more time to devote to his family and hobbies. He was a gifted gardener who cultivated mouth-watering tomatoes from seed, fragrant rose bushes, and a plethora of flowers. He was an avid, lifelong fan of the Pirates, Steelers and Pitt Panthers.
Mr. Ghrist was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church for many years and was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 191.
Mr. Ghrist had always been a masterful story teller. As a child, he would often earn enough money picking coal to go to the movies, and when the movie was over, the other children would gather beneath the light of the streetlamp to listen to Jim tell the story of what he'd seen, and what he had to say was always sure to stick with you long after the telling. His family is honored to have had such wonderful years with him and is privileged to be left with the stories and memories of this handsome veteran, with his wide grin and way of making all who knew him feel special and loved.
Surviving are his wife of sixty-one years Connie Crawford Ghrist who was married on October 16, 1948 by Reverend H. Ross Hume of Canonsburg. Also surviving are two sons James (Carole) Ghrist, Jr. of Reston, VA, and William (Julie) Ghrist of Leesburg, VA, two daughters Karen Niesslein of Sterling, VA and Kathy (Diego) Suarez of Oakton, VA. Nine grandchildren, Jennifer Niesslein, Erin Niesslein, Kristin Espey, Jill Niesslein, Adam Ghrist, Jordan Ghrist, Kelli Ratliff, William Ghrist and Charlotte Ghrist. Seven great grandchildren Britton Niesslein, Caleb Rose, Amara Niesslein, Nicholas Espey, Jordan Ratliff, Christian Ratliff and Hunter Ratliff and many special nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome on Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA. Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM on Friday, January 15, 2010 in Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, Canonsburg , Rev. Thomas Hamilton officiating. Friends please meet at the church at 9:45 AM. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery and full military rites will be accorded by the Veterans of Foreign 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston combined honor guard. Please view or add condolences to www.salandrafunerals.com
Mr. Ghrist was born November 6, 1922 the eldest son of the late William and Laura Heinbaugh Ghrist in Dickerson Run, PA.
Mr. Ghrist served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He was a squad leader in Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Division serving in Rhineland, Central Europe. Mr. Ghrist was an expert marksman and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, An American Theater Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, and a Victory Metal. He was most proud of the fact that he never lost a soldier under his command.
He was employed by McGraw Edison, after retirement he had more time to devote to his family and hobbies. He was a gifted gardener who cultivated mouth-watering tomatoes from seed, fragrant rose bushes, and a plethora of flowers. He was an avid, lifelong fan of the Pirates, Steelers and Pitt Panthers.
Mr. Ghrist was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church for many years and was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 191.
Mr. Ghrist had always been a masterful story teller. As a child, he would often earn enough money picking coal to go to the movies, and when the movie was over, the other children would gather beneath the light of the streetlamp to listen to Jim tell the story of what he'd seen, and what he had to say was always sure to stick with you long after the telling. His family is honored to have had such wonderful years with him and is privileged to be left with the stories and memories of this handsome veteran, with his wide grin and way of making all who knew him feel special and loved.
Surviving are his wife of sixty-one years Connie Crawford Ghrist who was married on October 16, 1948 by Reverend H. Ross Hume of Canonsburg. Also surviving are two sons James (Carole) Ghrist, Jr. of Reston, VA, and William (Julie) Ghrist of Leesburg, VA, two daughters Karen Niesslein of Sterling, VA and Kathy (Diego) Suarez of Oakton, VA. Nine grandchildren, Jennifer Niesslein, Erin Niesslein, Kristin Espey, Jill Niesslein, Adam Ghrist, Jordan Ghrist, Kelli Ratliff, William Ghrist and Charlotte Ghrist. Seven great grandchildren Britton Niesslein, Caleb Rose, Amara Niesslein, Nicholas Espey, Jordan Ratliff, Christian Ratliff and Hunter Ratliff and many special nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome on Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA. Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM on Friday, January 15, 2010 in Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, Canonsburg , Rev. Thomas Hamilton officiating. Friends please meet at the church at 9:45 AM. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery and full military rites will be accorded by the Veterans of Foreign 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston combined honor guard. Please view or add condolences to www.salandrafunerals.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Walter Ghrist, Sr., please visit our flower store.