James R. Drenning

1947 - 06

James R. Drenning, 62, of Washington Township, unexpectedly passed away Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, in West Penn Allegheny Hospital, Forbes Regional Campus. Born June 3, 1947, in Wilkinsburg he was a son of Charles R. and the late Rose (Mangieri) Drenning. A 1965 graduate of Wilkinsburg High School, he graduated from Robert Morris with a degree in Business Administration. His career with Apollo Trust Company as vice president and assistant secretary spanned the years 1979 to 1987. Mr. Drenning left for other challenging positions, adding experience to his resume. He returned to Apollo Trust Company as vice president in 1999, was named President and CEO in 2000, retiring in June 2009. He served as president of Merchants National Bank, in Kittanning, held positions with Beneficial Finance, senior vice president Vanguard Bank, and was a managing agent for the FDIC. Mr. Drenning's graduate thesis at Stonier Graduate School of Banking was published and placed in the permanent libraries of the American Bankers Association, Washington, D.C., Harvard School of Business and University of Delaware. Mr. Drenning was a member of the Coudersport Consistory, Apollo Elks No. 386, Apollo Masonic Lodge No. 437 and a member of the board of directors of the Apollo Trust Company. He served as a secretary of Riverview Cemetery Association, was a member of Kiski Valley Enterprises, Chairman of the Armstrong County Industrial Development Authority, President of the Armstrong County Industrial Development Council, founding member of the StrongLand Chamber of Commerce, former president of Apollo Area Business Association, former president of the Kiski Valley United Way and former board member of the Salvation Army of Vandergrift. James was preceded in death by his mother, Rose (Mangieri) Drenning. He is survived by his wife of 42 1/2 years, Christine A. (Girdich) Drenning; son, James C. (Bree) Drenning, of Washington Township; daughter, Jennifer C. (fiance, Edward Hilbert) Drenning, of Penn Hills; father, Charles R. Drenning; two brothers, Charles (Donna) Drenning, of Ligonier, and John Drenning, of Somerset; and two sisters, Josephine Drenning, of Sun City, Ariz., and Carol (Don) Brooks, of Greensburg. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo, PA 15613. Services at 11 a.m. Monday from the funeral home with Pastor Gregory B. Held officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo. A Masonic service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Jim prefers donations be made to the Apollo Area Food Bank, c/o Apollo Trust Company, 201 North Warren Ave., Apollo, PA 15613, or the Apollo Memorial Library, 219 North Pennsylvania Ave., Apollo, PA 15613 - feeding people and their minds.