Obituaries – Page 3

David Marle Fuller, 76 of Pittsburgh, PA- Loving Husband to Barbara (Brinson) and Cherished father to Brandon Jay (Tonya E. ) and Grandfather to Brandi Jay and Torri Jay. Beloved brother to Janice Ferguson and treasured uncle to Eddie Ferguson, Philip Ferguson, Anita Ferguson, Marc Ferguson (Barbara) and Patriarch to a host of Great Nieces and Nephews, Cousins and Friends. David was second born to Laura Z. Fuller. David was a graduate of Peabody High School and shortly thereafter was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served a tour in Vietnam earning the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Metal and the Vietnam Service Metal. After returning from the Vietnam War, David was employed by H.J. Heinz as a sterilizer. Dave worked for H.J. Heinz for 36 years. Some of his most memorable moments were traveling abroad to Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Italy. He enjoyed driving through the Dolomites Mountain Range. David enjoyed working in the yard and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers Fan which he would call Brandon and Marc every game day to discuss the Steelers strategy. Friends received Monday 4-8pm Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11am

Lura Josephine McElhearn

Lura Josephine McElhearn, was born July 28, 1929, she passed away December 3, 2019. Born Lura Josephine Whiteford in upstate New York, where she weathered the Great Depression with her family on their upstate, rural New York farm. She is per-deceased by her four brothers, WWII veterans, and two sisters. Her parents were Lynnley Whiteford and Bernice O’Brien Whiteford. Lura graduated from SUNY at Canton, New York as a dietician, and was employed by New York City hospitals. Her father’s illness brought her back to rural New York where she pursued a degree in Education at SUNY at Plattsburh, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. She taught Health and Home Economics for almost 30 years in a rural New York high school. She studied for her PhD at New York University in NYC. Lura was very active in her rural community as a volunteer for human service agencies and Hospice. She also worked tirelessly for her local NYS Retired Teacher’s Association. She traveled extensively with organizations establishing community health in developing countries. She is survived by her daughters, Lura B. McElhearn from Owensboro, Kentucky and Debra McElhearn Galvin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaina with four grandsons and 6 great-grandchildren. Lura lived in Bethel Park, PA until her decline began in December of 2018. She died peacefully at Norbert Residential Care in Pittsburgh. Her life is an inspiration for others to work hard, live well, and never give up. Friends received Saturday 10am til time of service at Noon

Mellownee Merchant

Mellownee Merchant, 96, of Pittsburgh, PA, departed this life on Friday, November 23, 2019, in the care of nurses at Manor Care Shadyside. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on October 29, 1923. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garfield Merchant and her son, Garfield Merchant Jr.

A loving mother and grandmother to many, she leaves to cherish her memory her sons and daughters: Warren of New Jersey, Lillie, Brenda, Mellownee, William, Cheryl, and Aretha of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Donna of Detroit, Michigan, Darryl of Maryland, and Paul of California; her fifty-six grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.