OBIT: Rev. Shimer E. DARR, 2008, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library Transcribed and proofread by Barry and Betty Christy. jhurl@meyersdalelibrary.org Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http: //www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ----------------------------------------------- DARR, Rev. Shimer E. 07/24.08 The New Republic January 21, 1922 July 14, 2008 Rev. Shimer E. Darr, 86 of (Greenville Twp.) Meyersdale, went to be with his Lord on July 14, 2008 at Sacred Heart Hospital Cumberland, MD. He was born January 21, 1922 in Ryot, PA (Bedford Co.), son of the late Howard C. and Cydney (McDonald) Darr. Also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Helen L. (Shaffer) Darr, who died on August 5, 2003; brothers: Ritten, Michael, Homer and Harry Darr; sisters: Ruth Pyle, Fern and Pauline. He is survived by a son, William E. Darr and his wife Joan, Warsaw, IN; and daughter Doris Valentine, Meyersdale; grandchildren: Michael Darr, Dr. David Darr, Jason Valentine, Steven Valentine and Marc Valentine; great grandchildren: Emily, Rachel, Adam, Caleb and Catherine Darr, Ty and Sam Prentice, and Giovanni Valentine; and two sisters: Grace Hummel and Dorothy Pluta. He was a graduate of Kantner Elementary, Stoystown High School, and Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. A veteran of CCC Camps in Rockwood, Mt. Rainier in Washington, Priest River, Idaho, and Glen Rock, PA. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII from December 6, 1941 to November 10, 1945, having served in Africa in May 1942, and with the Free French in their drive from Ft. Lamy, French Equatorial Africa to Tripoli against Field Marshal Rommel. He then served in North Africa following the invasions of Casa Blanca, Oran, Algiers, Bizerte and Tunis. Also in the training of the 82nd Airborne Division and the subsequent invasion of Sicily. Involved in dropping of spies in North Africa prior to the invasions. Served in the transportation of officials at the Cairo and Terheran Conferences. Returning to the U.S. he was involved in ferrying B-24's to Australia. Decorations include: American Defense, Good Conduct, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, African-Middle East Medal and European Medal. Place of employment: PA Turnpike construction at New Baltimore, Allegheny Tunnel, Bedford and Breezewood. Bethlehem Steel, C&G Coal Co., Battery and Electric Corp., Sears Roebuck & Co. in Johnstown and Warsaw, IN. A long time Ham Radio operator, W3TZM. Graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in 1961. He pastured at: Grace Brethren Church in Washington, PA for more than 24 years; Center Independent Church Garrett, PA for 9 years. Later he served 11 years as Camp Albryoca caretaker and continued to supply pulpits until his death. Friends were received Friday at the Price Funeral Home in Meyersdale. Service was conducted Saturday at the Summit Mills Grace Brethren Church with the Rev. Ronzil Jarvis officiating. Interment Center Church Cemetery, (Summit Twp.) Garrett. Arrangements by the William Rowe Price Funeral Home, Inc., Meyersdale. DARR, Rev. Shimer E. 07/16/08 Daily American The Rev. Shimer E. Darr,89, Meyersdale (Greenville Township), went to be with his Lord on July 14, 2008, At Sacred Heart Hospital Cumberland, Md. Born Jan. 21, 1922, in Ryot (Bedford County). A son of the late Howard C. and Cydney (McDonald) Darr. Also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Helen L. (Shaffer) Darr, who died on Aug. 5, 2003; brothers, Ritten, Michael, Homer and Harry Darr; sisters, Ruth Pyle, Fern and Pauline. Survived by a son, William E. Darr and his wife, Joan, Warsaw, Ind.; and daughter, Doris Valentine, Meyersdale; grandchildren, Michael Darr, Dr. David Darr, Jason Valentine, Steven Valentine and Marc Valentine; great-grandchildren, Emily, Rachel, Adam, Caleb and Catherine Darr, Ty and Sam Prentice, and Giovanni Valentine. A graduate of Kantner Elementary, Stoystown high school, and Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind. A veteran of CCC Camps in Rockwood, Mount Rainier in Washington, Priest River, Idaho, and Glen Rock. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from Dec. 6, 1941, to Nov. 10, 1945, having served in Africa in May 1942, and with the Free French in their drive from Fort Lamy, French Equatorial Africa to Tripoli against Field Marshal Rommel. He then served in North Africa following the invasions of Casa Blanca, Oran, Algiers, Bizerte and Tunis. Also in the training of the 82nd Airborne Division and the subsequent invasion of Sicily. Involved in dropping of spies in North Africa prior to the invasions. Served in the transportation of officials at the Cairo and Teheran Conferences. Returning to the U.S. he was involved in ferrying B-24's to Australia. Decorations include: American Defense, Good Conduct, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, African-Middle East Medal and European Medal. He was employed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike in construction at New Baltimore, Allegheny Tunnel, Bedford and Breezewood; Bethlehem Steel, C&G Coal Co., Battery and Electric Corp., Sears Roebuck & Co. in Johnstown and Warsaw, Ind. A long time ham radio operator, W3TZM. Graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in 1961. He pastured at Grace Brethren Church in Washington, Pa., for more than 24 years; Center Independent Church, Garrett, for nine years. Later he served 11 years as Camp Albryoca caretaker and continued to supply pulpits until his death. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Price Funeral Home in Meyersdale. Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Summit Mills Grace Brethren Church with the Rev. Ronzil Jarvis officiating. Interment Center Church Cemetery, (Summit Township) Garrett. Arrangements by the William Rowe Price Funeral Home Inc., Meyersdale.