George S. Cherry, 91, of 1826 Bendigo Road, Johnsonburg, died Tuesday morning (Sept.10, 2013) at the Scottish Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Laurinburg, N.C., following a short illness.

He was born on Oct. 23, 1921, in Johnsonburg, to John and Anna Dellaquila Cherry. On Jan. 12, 1946, he married Mary Chupa at the Holy Rosary Church in Johnsonburg. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2012.

Mr. Cherry was a life-long resident of Johnsonburg. He graduated Johnsonburg High School in 1939 before attending a propeller school for one year. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, serving overseas as a corporal with the 505th Bomb Group 483rd Bomb Squadron in the Air Offensive of Japan, the Eastern Mandates and Western Pacific where he received the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

He had been employed by Penntech Papers for 43 years before retiring at the age of 65. He had also worked for Keiser Steel in California for one year and the Lantz Corners Hotel and Restaurant for six.

Mr. Cherry was a member of Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg American Legion Post 501, the VFW and Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Burial Detail. Mr. Cherry was an avid bowler and accomplished athlete in his youth.

Mr. Cherry is survived by three daughters, Dianna (Nick) Coumos of New Kensington, Sylvia "Cindy" (Gary) Carnessali of Johnsonburg, and Eva Hyatt of Laurinburg, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Christopher Simchick, Lynn Buttery, Christina Dorko, Mike Coumos and Andy, Tony and Steven Carnessali; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise Ceriello of Englishtown, N.Y., and Margaret Scutella of Johnsonburg; and a son-in-law, Richard Simchick of Johnsonburg.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Georgiana Simchick; six brothers, Joe, Pat, Tony, Jim, Luke and Vito Cherry; and four sisters, Viola DiLulio, Mary Cardoni, Adeline Weirich and Zelinda "Zil" Schieler.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St., Johnsonburg, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Johnsonburg, officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Johnsonburg. Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

If desired, memorial contributions should be made to the Johnsonburg Community Trust for the VFW Mural Fund c/o of the Johnsonburg Borough Building, 100 Main St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845.