Julia I. (McEwen) Breese

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Julia I. Breese, 92, of Whispering Oaks Senior Living Community, formerly of Fairview Township, Mercer County, passed away at her home after a brief illness.  Born May 13, 1928, in New Hamburg, Mrs. Breese was the daughter of John A. and Mary E. (Stamm) McEwen.

Julia is survived by four children: Jacqueline (Norman) Bull, Collingwood, ON; Jayne (Gene) Mays, Belgrade, MT; John (Kathryn) Breese, Mercer, PA; and Marla (George) Sabey, Canton, OH; one sister: Ellen Nye, Ellwood City, PA, 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Her pride and joy was her large family, and she showed her love in many ways.  She would often say, “I had 5 children, and 15 grandchildren.  Do you want me to go on?”

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William E. (Bill) Breese; one daughter, Julie Thomas; her parents; sisters: Mary Frances Bartholomew, Dorothy Whittingham, Eileen Scragg, Marjorie Ryhal, and Virginia McEwen; and an infant sister, Ruth Emma McEwen.

Julia graduated from Fredonia High School, and then worked at Westinghouse, where she met her husband. Having been raised on a dairy farm, Julia ably worked by Bill’s side on the family farm, raising crops and beef. While raising her family, she exhibited creativity in a multitude of arts and crafts.  When the family was grown, she drove school bus and then worked at PPG before retiring in 1989.  She was a member of Stoney Point Homemakers since 1959.

She attended Oak Grove Church, Mercer, where she was a member. In early retirement, Julia and Bill spent their winters serving on the mission field under World Gospel Mission. In recent years, her passion for missions continued by crocheting washcloths for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  She always wanted to let people know that Jesus loved them, and that they could have Him in their hearts.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Oak Grove Church, 10 Oak Grove Road, Mercer with the Rev. Randy Ritchey, pastor of Oak Grove Church, officiating.  The interment will be at the Millbank Cemetery, Fairview Twp.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 am.  A live streaming option will be available through her obituary on www.snyderfh.com, where condolences and memories may also be shared with the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, In., 169 Second Street, Fredonia

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