John ("Les") Leslie Marstellar

            John Leslie (“Les”) Marstellar of Fredonia, passed away from natural causes at Sharon Regional Medical Center on Saturday June 15th 2019 surrounded by his family.

            Born October 17, 1916, in Fairview township to Jay R. and Lavinia (Chew) Marstellar, Les spent his entire life living in or around Fredonia, other than 4 years serving the Army Air Corps during World War II.  After attending Fredonia Vocational School in the Class of 1933, Les worked on his father’s farm and at Maple Grove Dairy, which his father also owned.  He then took a job as a salesman at Willis Chevrolet in Mercer where he worked until his enlistment in the Army Air Corps in September 1941, serving with the 509th Composite Group.  Upon honorable discharge in November 1945, he returned to Fredonia.  After working various jobs, Les opened his own plumbing and heating business.  One of these jobs was driving a local bus route, on which he met his wife of 70 years, Mary Ellen Kelso.  Les retired as Postmaster of Fredonia in 1979, with 19 years of service.

            In retirement Les was never one to be idle.  He maintained a meticulous lawn, did all-around handyman work for family and friends, delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, and spent countless hours rooting for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates and Duke Blue Devils.

            A life member of Fredonia United Methodist Church, Les taught Sunday School and was church treasurer, a trustee, and auditor.  He also served on the Fredonia Municipal Authority, Board of Directors for Millbank Cemetery, and Fredonia Community Chest.

            Les belonged to Coolspring Grange until its disbandment in the 1960’s, but he and Mary continued to meet with other former Grange members for more than 50 years, calling themselves “The Young People of the Grange”.

            Les joined the Fredonia Lions Club in 1966, achieving a perfect attendance record for over 40 years and receiving numerous honors and awards from Lions International, including the Melvin Jones Award.

            In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by a son Jay Edward (Vicky), a daughter Lynn (Bill) Rodemoyer; 5 grandchildren, Mark (Amy) Rodemoyer, Jay (Ann Marie) Marstellar, Bret Marstellar, Kurt Rodemoyer, Kristin Marstellar (Peter) Morrison; 7 great grandchildren, Laci and Holden Marstellar, Emma and Collette Morrison, and John, Amelia, and Aly Rodemoyer; a sister, JoAnne Ulery; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were a special part of his life. 

            He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert D., and a sister, Jean Kuhn.

            In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your choice of the following:  the Children’s Hospitals of either Cincinnati or Philadelphia, where 2 of his great-granddaughters have been treated, or the Fredonia Lions Club.

- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 340 Civic Center Blvd,  Philadelphia, Pa 19104

- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,  P.O. Box 5202, Cincinnati, Oh 45201-5202

- Fredonia Lions Club, P.O. Box 12, Fredonia, Pa 16124

Funeral Service: Tuesday (6/18/19) at 2:30 pm at Fredonia United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty Street, Fredonia with Rev. Tina Keller and Rev. Eric M;. Peters  co-officiating with military honors accorded by Reynolds VFW Post 7699.

Calling Hours: Tuesday (6/18/19) in the church from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Fredonia Lions Club Service will conclude the visitation at 1:30 pm.

Interment: Millbank Cemetery.

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