Obituary of Gilbert W. Irons, Sr.

Port Allegany - Gilbert W. Irons, Sr., 95, of Smethport, formerly of Duke Center, died Wednesday (April 1, 2015) in the Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport. He was born Oct 20, 1919 in Sergeant Twp., a son of William E. and Catherine Fitzgerald Irons. On September 5, 1942 in the EUB Church, Rixford, PA, he married Priscilla P. StClair, who died Nov. 1, 2010. Mr. Irons was a graduate of the first graduating class from Otto High School in 1937. He worked for Petroleum Reclamation before and after World War II. From 1946-56 he worked for Quaker State in the oil fields. He then worked from 1956-66 for Bamby Bread Co., and from 1966 until his retirement in 1981, for Stroehmann Bread Co. Mr. Irons served in the US Army from 1942-1945 and was a radioman stationed in Iceland. His main duty was to police the airways for the United States. He was also stationed at Meeks Airfield where the planes passed through on their way to Europe for bombing raids. He was in Paris on V-E Day. Mr. Irons and two of his brothers were in the war together. Mr. Irons was a 50 Year member of the Northern Star Lodge #555 Free and Accepted Masons,a 50 year member of the Coudersport Consistory and Chapter in Port Allegany, Council in Bradford and Commandry in Bradford. Mr. Irons was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, gardening and archery. He was a Civil War enthusiast. He is survived by: One son: Gilbert W. (Elaine) Irons, Jr. of Port Allegany, PA Three daughters: Kimberly Ann (Stanley) Skowron of Johnston, PA; Pamela K. (John) Todd of Port Allegany, PA; Toni Lee (Dana) Twigg of Sayre, PA Grandchildren: A.G. (Michelle) Irons, Andrea (Mike) Defilippi, Douglas (Paula) Todd, Thomas Todd, Nicholas Todd, Jeffrey Skowran, Jessica (Brandon) D'Emidio, Kerri (Chris) Bair, Tiffany (Justin) Mayer, and Ashlee (James) Terwilliger Great Grandchildren: Abigail Irons, Ella Irons, Eliza Irons, Andrew G. Irons, III, Faith Irons, Blake Defilippi, Austin DeFilippi, Isabella Todd, Christopher Todd, Madeline Mayer, Broderick Mayer, Alexis and Evan Bair. Three brothers: Francis Fitzgerald of Sheffield, PA, Thomas (Barbara) Irons, of Jamestown, NY, and James (Mary Lou) Irons of Eldred. Five sisters; Mary Lou (George) Gigliotti of Bradford; Ruth Boyle, of Duke Center; Wanda Livak of Salamanca; Ella Elizabeth (Robert) Kaczmarek, of Duke Center and Isie "Peg" Irons of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and 3 brothers William, Rex and Gordon Irons. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm in Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc, 105 N Main St., Port Allegany. Funeral and committal services will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015, in the funeral home at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Randall Headley, Pastor of the Port Allegany Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Grimes Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Port Allegany Honor Guard at the Funeral home. Masonic Services will be held on Friday evening at 7:30 pm in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Grimes Cemetery Association at PO Box 383, Port Allegany, PA 16743. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany