James Gillespie

The Rev. James A. Gillespie, PhD, 92, of Monongahela, died on Good Friday, April 3, 2015 at the Mon Valley Care Center, Monongahela.

He was born July 10, 1922 in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was raised, a son of James E. and Hellen Burkey Gillespie.

Prior to enlisting with the U.S. Army during World War II, he operated a lumber business.

In 1942, Rev. Gillespie enlisted and was discharged April 9, 1944 due to a disability. He was the first veteran in Youngstown to receive a high school diploma. A transportation officer in the infantry, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star.

He played professional baseball for the Cincinnati Farm Club in the international league. He coached high school basketball and college football.

He attended Youngstown College, the Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio for two years receiving a Bachelor’s degree, the Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he received his Masters and Doctorate, the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh where he received his Bachelor’s degree and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where he received his Masters of Theology.

Rev. Gillespie served over 58 years as a minister for churches in southwestern Pennsylvania. His last ten years was at the Cokeburg Presbyterian Church and the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. During his retirement, he wrote for several publications.

For 55 glorious years, he was married to Charleroi native Irene “Betty” E. Torbert Gillespie, who passed away on July 8, 2011.

Surviving are a brother, Paul R. Gillespie (Grace) of Gainesville, Florida, brother-in-law, Richard Driscoll of Ohio and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased is a sister, Ruth Driscoll.

Friends are welcome from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, 100 Washington Street, Cokeburg. Additional visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., the hour of a service, Tuesday, April 7 at the Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church, 45 Church Road, Eighty Four. Interment will follow in Pigeon Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, PO Box 53, Cokeburg, PA 15324 or Pigeon Creek United Presbyterian Church, 45 Church Road, Eighty Four 15330. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos. Arrangements in care of Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville (724-239-2255).

To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Gillespie, please visit our flower store.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Gillespie, please visit our floral store.