Theodore Ankrom

Theodore Ankrom, 94, of Eighty Four, passed into the presence of the Lord, Monday, February 4, 2013. He was born January 24, 1919, in Lafferty Hill, Pittsburgh, a son of the late James and Rachel Grable Ankrom. Mr. Ankrom served in the Navy during World War II as a gunner aboard the USS Mariposa. His commanding officer and long-time friend was Judge Barron McCune. Mr. Ankrom was a steelworker at Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, as well as a dairy farmer. He also worked as a custodian at Citizens’ Library, from where he retired. Mr. Ankrom enjoyed the outdoors, farming, and especially his fancy pigeons. He also loved Gospel music, reading his Bible and the Spring House’s fresh apple pie! He attended the Christian Assembly of God Church in Bentleyville. Mr. Ankrom was the last of his immediate family. On September 6, 1939, he married his wife of 68 years, Mae Elizabeth Beckwith, who died July 26, 2008. His enduring faithfulness to his loving wife will not be forgotten. Surviving are three daughters, Janet Mae Whitaker and husband, Ronald, of Conroe, Texas, Diane Marlane Tush and husband, James Jr., of Eighty Four, and Caryn Lynn Verno and husband, Carmine, of Bentleyville; one son, Theodore Albert Ankrom and wife, Roxanne, of Fredericktown; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased, in addition to his wife, are one son, Larry Duane Ankrom; a son-in-law, Gerry Beaumariage; four grandchildren, Troy Ankrom, Tony Schlenker, Clinton Whitaker and Trista Ann Ankrom; five sisters, Slinda Bise, Virginia Yoders, Hazel Tubio, Rachel Varner and Clara Fisher; and 10 brothers, Hallie, Vernon, Paul, Leo, Ralph, Raymond, Milford, Ernest, Daniel, and an infant, Pierre Ankrom. Friends will be received Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 10th, with Pastor Bill Lusk officiating. Burial will follow in Claysville Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Hunt-Kennedy Post 639.