James L Finch
May 25, 1936 ~ March 13, 2010
James L. Finch James L. Finch, 73, of 316 Highland Drive, Shippenville (formerly of Oil City and Lake Latonka), passed away at 9:05 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following an illness. Born May 25, 1936 in Franklin, he was the son of the late Edwin P. and Margaret M. Hefferman Finch. Mr. Finch was employed at the Franklin Hospital as a Human Resource Director from 1968 until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Oil City. He and Janet Reseigh were married October 12, 1973 by Rev. W. Martin Peterhaensel at the Grace Lutheran Church in Brookville PA. Mr. Finch was a 1954 graduate of Rocky Grove High School. He attended Allegheny College, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity until his enlistment in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country from 1955 to 1961 as a Personnel Specialist 1. He was a member of Lake Latonka Property Owner's Association, was a former member of the Franklin Club, and was President of the Advisory Council of the Tri City Personnel Association. Mr. Finch enjoyed boating, traveling by RV, wood-working, his grandchildren's activities and was an avid Steeler's fan. He also enjoyed corresponding and socializing with his friends and former classmates. In addition to his wife, Mr. Finch is survived by his two sons, Michael Allen Phillips and his wife, Tricia, of Shippenville, and Russell James Phillips of Polk. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, , Airman First Class Derek Phillips, stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, Alaina Phillips of Shippenville, and MaryJane Sharrar of Sandy Lake ;and one great-grandchild, Ava Gillingham of Waterford, PA; his nephews and niece, John McMullen and his wife, Carol, of Bowdoinham, Maine, Michael McMullen and his wife, Cindy, of Oil City, and Peg McMullen of Seneca; his great nephews and niece, Bryan McMullen and his wife, Melanie of Ft. Pierce, Florida, Renee Bell and her husband, Laird, of Elyria, Ohio, and Matthew McMullen and his wife, Annie, of Franklin and their children; and his beloved pets, Maggie and Molly. In addition to his parents, Mr. Finch was preceded in death by his sister, Joan V. McMullen. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Tuesday, March 16 at the Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at the Funeral Home, with the Rev. Deryl K. Larsen, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion, presiding. Military Honors will be accorded by the local V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will follow in Lupher Chapel Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Venango County Humane Society, 2724 Deep Hollow Road, Franklin PA 16323 ; the American Heart Association, 59 N. Crescent Drive, Hermitage, PA 16148; and/or the American Cancer Society, 10 West Front Street, Oil City, PA 16301. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
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Dear Cindy, Mike and family,
Please allow me to express my deepest condolences for your loss. I had only met “Uncle Mike” once but I know how much Melanie and Bryan loved him and how saddened they are. I am praying for God to give all of you his peace that passes all understanding through this time. Melanie’s Mother, Susan