William H. "Bill" Dunmire

1925 - 2006

William H. "Bill" Dunmire, 80, of 28 Wyrick Ave., Shippensburg, went to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, April 21, 2006, at the Shippensburg Health Care Center, where he had been a patient for three weeks.

Born Sept. 11, 1925, in Sonman, he was a son of the late Ralph and Clara Morgan Dunmire. He married the former Doris M. Hedge in 1949 and moved to Shippensburg in 1952.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater.

Although World War II interrupted his high school education, Mr. Dunmire was a graduate of Altoona High School and studied at Penn State University and what is now Shippensburg University.

Prior to moving to Shippensburg, he worked in the Pennsylvania Railroad Shops at Altoona. Mr. Dunmire was employed at what is now the Domestic Casting Co., Shippensburg, for nearly 40 years, starting as a night watchman and retiring as foundry production manager in 1990.

He was a devoted member of the Mainsville United Brethren Church in Chambersburg. Before he became ill with Parkinson's disease, he taught Sunday school for four decades. During those years, he also served on the church's administrative board and the board of trustees and for many years was the Sunday school superintendent and building fund treasurer.

Mr. Dunmire and his wife had also owned and operated Dunmire's Auction in Middle Spring.

Before his illness, he enjoyed gardening and reading.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Barbara C. (widow of Jim) Thompson, Shippensburg; two sons, R. William (husband of Carol) Dunmire, Shippensburg, and Scott A. Dunmire, New Cumberland; three sisters, Marian "Mickey" Stonerook, Ethel Rutherford and Sara "Sally" Nicewonger, all of Blair County; three grandsons, Levi Dunmire, Shannon Dunmire and Noah Dunmire; a great-granddaughter, Hailey; a great-grandson, Dylan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Maggie Dunmire; three brothers; and a sister.

It was Mr. Dunmire's wish to be cremated.

A service to honor his life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home, 112 W. King St., Shippensburg. The Rev. Robert L. Mentzer will officiate. Visitation will follow services in the Mainsville United Brethren Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mainsville United Brethren Church, C/O the Rev. Robert L. Mentzer, 1884 Leafmore Road, Chamberburg, PA 17201.