Joseph Wood Ferris, New Wilmington, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, surrounded by family and friends at Summerfield Farms, his lifelong residence in Wilmington Township. He was 94.
He was born March 9, 1917, in the former Shenango Hospital in New Castle to Frank "Dick" William Ferris, formerly of Brainerd, Minn., and Gertrude Kemp Ferris, formerly of Kane, Pa.
On July 7, 1945, he married Wilda Gibson Stewart, RN, MS, daughter of William Dunn Stewart and Elizabeth E. Armstrong, New Castle. The ceremony was performed at Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College by Dr. J.J. McIlvaine, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New Castle.
Joe graduated from New Wilmington High School in 1934 and from Penn State University in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and minors in animal and poultry husbandry. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Upon graduation from Penn State he returned to the family farm to work with his parents managing dairy cows and a poultry enterprise.
In 1939 he became a part-time instructor at Westminster College in the physical education department and coached track, cross-country and swimming, having several undefeated teams.
In the community, Joe served as Scoutmaster of Troop 33 (now 733), and as a substitute teacher at New Wilmington High School in vocational agriculture, history and geography. He was recognized with an honorary membership from Future Farmers of America for his strong support of vocational agriculture and FFA programs in local schools. He also chaired the original zoning board for Wilmington Township, Mercer County.
His business efforts included a registered Guernsey herd at Summerfield Farms and the manufacturing of specialized feeds and producing of bottled milk in partnership with R.E. Armstrong of New Castle. Over the years his herd received numerous state and national awards and in 1994 he had one of the highest producing Guernsey herds in western Pennsylvania.
Active in agricultural organizations, Joe helped organize the Western Pennsylvania Artificial Insemination Cooperative in 1945 and was a life member of Mercer-Northwest Guernsey Breeders Association, the Pennsylvania Guernsey Breeders Association and the American Guernsey Association.
He helped modernize the government dairy operation in Oman in 1976 as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer, dairy operations in Egypt in 1991 and Russia, making 20 monthlong trips from 1992 to 2001.
He felt that education was important, supported Cooperative Extension and enjoyed helping others learn. He had a lifelong passion for scouting, with a cherished moment serving as a member of the Eagle Scout Honor Guard for President Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural parade.
Joe enjoyed breeding and managing good cows, sports, birds and later flower gardening.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, the New Wilmington Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 733.
Survivng are: three children, Frank, New Wilmington; Ted, St. Johns, Mich.; and Sallie Patton and her husband William, Darlington, Pa.; four granddaughters, Jana Ferris, Jeanice Ferris Britvich and her husband Mike, Terra Harshbarger and her husband John, and Annie Patton; a grandson, Will Patton; three great-grandchildren; and a good friend, Irene Sonntag Moorhead.
Joe was preceded in death by his father Dick on Jan. 25, 1967; his mother Gertrude on Dec. 19, 1954; a half brother, Frank William Jr., on Aug. 8, 1919; and his wife of 58 years, Wilda, on Nov. 26, 2003.
He gave of himself in many ways and family, friends and community will miss his presence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 212 N. Mill St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Southern Care Hospice, 2656 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.
The family also wishes to thank Home Instead Senior Care.
FERRIS
Joseph Wood, 94, New Wilmington, Wilmington Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (9-28-11) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
Service: Service at 11 a.m. Thursday (9-29-11) in the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Blauser officiating.
Burial: Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington.
He was born March 9, 1917, in the former Shenango Hospital in New Castle to Frank "Dick" William Ferris, formerly of Brainerd, Minn., and Gertrude Kemp Ferris, formerly of Kane, Pa.
On July 7, 1945, he married Wilda Gibson Stewart, RN, MS, daughter of William Dunn Stewart and Elizabeth E. Armstrong, New Castle. The ceremony was performed at Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College by Dr. J.J. McIlvaine, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New Castle.
Joe graduated from New Wilmington High School in 1934 and from Penn State University in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and minors in animal and poultry husbandry. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Upon graduation from Penn State he returned to the family farm to work with his parents managing dairy cows and a poultry enterprise.
In 1939 he became a part-time instructor at Westminster College in the physical education department and coached track, cross-country and swimming, having several undefeated teams.
In the community, Joe served as Scoutmaster of Troop 33 (now 733), and as a substitute teacher at New Wilmington High School in vocational agriculture, history and geography. He was recognized with an honorary membership from Future Farmers of America for his strong support of vocational agriculture and FFA programs in local schools. He also chaired the original zoning board for Wilmington Township, Mercer County.
His business efforts included a registered Guernsey herd at Summerfield Farms and the manufacturing of specialized feeds and producing of bottled milk in partnership with R.E. Armstrong of New Castle. Over the years his herd received numerous state and national awards and in 1994 he had one of the highest producing Guernsey herds in western Pennsylvania.
Active in agricultural organizations, Joe helped organize the Western Pennsylvania Artificial Insemination Cooperative in 1945 and was a life member of Mercer-Northwest Guernsey Breeders Association, the Pennsylvania Guernsey Breeders Association and the American Guernsey Association.
He helped modernize the government dairy operation in Oman in 1976 as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer, dairy operations in Egypt in 1991 and Russia, making 20 monthlong trips from 1992 to 2001.
He felt that education was important, supported Cooperative Extension and enjoyed helping others learn. He had a lifelong passion for scouting, with a cherished moment serving as a member of the Eagle Scout Honor Guard for President Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural parade.
Joe enjoyed breeding and managing good cows, sports, birds and later flower gardening.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, the New Wilmington Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 733.
Survivng are: three children, Frank, New Wilmington; Ted, St. Johns, Mich.; and Sallie Patton and her husband William, Darlington, Pa.; four granddaughters, Jana Ferris, Jeanice Ferris Britvich and her husband Mike, Terra Harshbarger and her husband John, and Annie Patton; a grandson, Will Patton; three great-grandchildren; and a good friend, Irene Sonntag Moorhead.
Joe was preceded in death by his father Dick on Jan. 25, 1967; his mother Gertrude on Dec. 19, 1954; a half brother, Frank William Jr., on Aug. 8, 1919; and his wife of 58 years, Wilda, on Nov. 26, 2003.
He gave of himself in many ways and family, friends and community will miss his presence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 212 N. Mill St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Southern Care Hospice, 2656 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.
The family also wishes to thank Home Instead Senior Care.
FERRIS
Joseph Wood, 94, New Wilmington, Wilmington Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (9-28-11) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
Service: Service at 11 a.m. Thursday (9-29-11) in the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Blauser officiating.
Burial: Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington.
Joseph Wood Ferris, New Wilmington, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, surrounded by family and friends at Summerfield Farms, his lifelong residence in Wilmington Township. He was 94.
He was born March 9, 1917, in the former Shenango Hospital in New Castle to Frank "Dick" William Ferris, formerly of Brainerd, Minn., and Gertrude Kemp Ferris, formerly of Kane, Pa.
On July 7, 1945, he married Wilda Gibson Stewart, RN, MS, daughter of William Dunn Stewart and Elizabeth E. Armstrong, New Castle. The ceremony was performed at Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College by Dr. J.J. McIlvaine, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New Castle.
Joe graduated from New Wilmington High School in 1934 and from Penn State University in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and minors in animal and poultry husbandry. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Upon graduation from Penn State he returned to the family farm to work with his parents managing dairy cows and a poultry enterprise.
In 1939 he became a part-time instructor at Westminster College in the physical education department and coached track, cross-country and swimming, having several undefeated teams.
In the community, Joe served as Scoutmaster of Troop 33 (now 733), and as a substitute teacher at New Wilmington High School in vocational agriculture, history and geography. He was recognized with an honorary membership from Future Farmers of America for his strong support of vocational agriculture and FFA programs in local schools. He also chaired the original zoning board for Wilmington Township, Mercer County.
His business efforts included a registered Guernsey herd at Summerfield Farms and the manufacturing of specialized feeds and producing of bottled milk in partnership with R.E. Armstrong of New Castle. Over the years his herd received numerous state and national awards and in 1994 he had one of the highest producing Guernsey herds in western Pennsylvania.
Active in agricultural organizations, Joe helped organize the Western Pennsylvania Artificial Insemination Cooperative in 1945 and was a life member of Mercer-Northwest Guernsey Breeders Association, the Pennsylvania Guernsey Breeders Association and the American Guernsey Association.
He helped modernize the government dairy operation in Oman in 1976 as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer, dairy operations in Egypt in 1991 and Russia, making 20 monthlong trips from 1992 to 2001.
He felt that education was important, supported Cooperative Extension and enjoyed helping others learn. He had a lifelong passion for scouting, with a cherished moment serving as a member of the Eagle Scout Honor Guard for President Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural parade.
Joe enjoyed breeding and managing good cows, sports, birds and later flower gardening.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, the New Wilmington Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 733.
Survivng are: three children, Frank, New Wilmington; Ted, St. Johns, Mich.; and Sallie Patton and her husband William, Darlington, Pa.; four granddaughters, Jana Ferris, Jeanice Ferris Britvich and her husband Mike, Terra Harshbarger and her husband John, and Annie Patton; a grandson, Will Patton; three great-grandchildren; and a good friend, Irene Sonntag Moorhead.
Joe was preceded in death by his father Dick on Jan. 25, 1967; his mother Gertrude on Dec. 19, 1954; a half brother, Frank William Jr., on Aug. 8, 1919; and his wife of 58 years, Wilda, on Nov. 26, 2003.
He gave of himself in many ways and family, friends and community will miss his presence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 212 N. Mill St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Southern Care Hospice, 2656 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.
The family also wishes to thank Home Instead Senior Care.
FERRIS
Joseph Wood, 94, New Wilmington, Wilmington Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (9-28-11) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
Service: Service at 11 a.m. Thursday (9-29-11) in the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Blauser officiating.
Burial: Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington.
He was born March 9, 1917, in the former Shenango Hospital in New Castle to Frank "Dick" William Ferris, formerly of Brainerd, Minn., and Gertrude Kemp Ferris, formerly of Kane, Pa.
On July 7, 1945, he married Wilda Gibson Stewart, RN, MS, daughter of William Dunn Stewart and Elizabeth E. Armstrong, New Castle. The ceremony was performed at Wallace Memorial Chapel at Westminster College by Dr. J.J. McIlvaine, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New Castle.
Joe graduated from New Wilmington High School in 1934 and from Penn State University in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and minors in animal and poultry husbandry. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Upon graduation from Penn State he returned to the family farm to work with his parents managing dairy cows and a poultry enterprise.
In 1939 he became a part-time instructor at Westminster College in the physical education department and coached track, cross-country and swimming, having several undefeated teams.
In the community, Joe served as Scoutmaster of Troop 33 (now 733), and as a substitute teacher at New Wilmington High School in vocational agriculture, history and geography. He was recognized with an honorary membership from Future Farmers of America for his strong support of vocational agriculture and FFA programs in local schools. He also chaired the original zoning board for Wilmington Township, Mercer County.
His business efforts included a registered Guernsey herd at Summerfield Farms and the manufacturing of specialized feeds and producing of bottled milk in partnership with R.E. Armstrong of New Castle. Over the years his herd received numerous state and national awards and in 1994 he had one of the highest producing Guernsey herds in western Pennsylvania.
Active in agricultural organizations, Joe helped organize the Western Pennsylvania Artificial Insemination Cooperative in 1945 and was a life member of Mercer-Northwest Guernsey Breeders Association, the Pennsylvania Guernsey Breeders Association and the American Guernsey Association.
He helped modernize the government dairy operation in Oman in 1976 as an ACDI/VOCA volunteer, dairy operations in Egypt in 1991 and Russia, making 20 monthlong trips from 1992 to 2001.
He felt that education was important, supported Cooperative Extension and enjoyed helping others learn. He had a lifelong passion for scouting, with a cherished moment serving as a member of the Eagle Scout Honor Guard for President Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural parade.
Joe enjoyed breeding and managing good cows, sports, birds and later flower gardening.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, the New Wilmington Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 733.
Survivng are: three children, Frank, New Wilmington; Ted, St. Johns, Mich.; and Sallie Patton and her husband William, Darlington, Pa.; four granddaughters, Jana Ferris, Jeanice Ferris Britvich and her husband Mike, Terra Harshbarger and her husband John, and Annie Patton; a grandson, Will Patton; three great-grandchildren; and a good friend, Irene Sonntag Moorhead.
Joe was preceded in death by his father Dick on Jan. 25, 1967; his mother Gertrude on Dec. 19, 1954; a half brother, Frank William Jr., on Aug. 8, 1919; and his wife of 58 years, Wilda, on Nov. 26, 2003.
He gave of himself in many ways and family, friends and community will miss his presence. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 212 N. Mill St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Southern Care Hospice, 2656 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.
The family also wishes to thank Home Instead Senior Care.
FERRIS
Joseph Wood, 94, New Wilmington, Wilmington Township.
Calling hours: 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (9-28-11) in SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington.
Service: Service at 11 a.m. Thursday (9-29-11) in the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Blauser officiating.
Burial: Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington.
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