Edward L. Holmes Jr.

Edward L. Holmes Jr., 96, of Claysville, PA passed away in his sleep on September 2, 2023 at Southmont of Presbyterian SrCare of Washington, PA.

He was born August 10, 1927 in Washington, PA, the only child of the late Edward L. Holmes Sr. and Aleene Miles Holmes.

Ed was a 1945 graduate of Washington High School and a 1946 graduate of Penn Commercial College, where he studied accounting.  He served his country with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, 969th Eng. Battalion from 1950-1952. His training started with a memorable train ride to Camp Rucker in Alabama.  Ed also was stationed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  This is where his love of trains and travel began.

On November 12, 1955 he married Shirley J. Hoffman Holmes, (now deceased), in Winchester, VA. Together they spent a lot of time traveling to almost all of the 50 states.  Their favorite trips were to see country/western stars in concert and to visit craft shows and antique stores.  Ed’s favorite part of vacation was eating out.

Among the churches that Ed attended throughout his life were the Third U.P. and Church of the Covenant in Washington; Dutch Fork Christian Church, Claysville; and the First Christian Church in West Alexander.  Ed played on the church’s dartball teams, as well as many years on the Claysville Legion dartball team. In all, he played dartball for over 50 years.   

He had several jobs in the Washington area including at Clover Farm Store, PA Transformer, Cooper Power, Hazel Atlas Glass, Duncan Miller Glass, and Star Mould.  The majority of his working years were spent delivering mail in Washington.  Ed retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 26 1/2 years of service.

Even after his post office retirement, he continued to work for The Weekly Recorder newspaper for over 12 years as a courier.  Ed was also a part-time manufacturer’s representative for several companies including Amway, Rockite, Perma-Stamp and West Point Products, to name a few. 

Ed and Shirley always had time to help care for their three grandchildren, Tiffany, Josh and Ryan and one great-granddaughter, Hailey.

Surviving are a son Kerry (Linda) Holmes of Avella; a daughter Susan (Mike) Burd of Taylorstown; a granddaughter Tiffany (Jordan) Reeves; two grandsons, Josh Holmes and Ryan Burd; a great-granddaughter Hailey McKean; and dear family friend Dave Cramer.

Deceased in addition to his parents and wife is a son Randy E. Holmes; and a dear family friend Sandy Cramer.  

Friends will be received on Wednesday, September 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., time of service at Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 219 Main Street, Claysville, PA, (724) 663-7373 with Pastor Bruce Graff officiating. The interment will be on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:45 a.m. At the family's request, all who are driving in procession, please meet at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. 

The family would like to thank Southmont and Gateway Hospice for their devoted care of their Dad and Pap Ed.  Also, a big thanks to the Claysville VFD members for always showing up when Ed called them for help, day or night.  Memorial contributions in Ed’s name may be made to the Claysville VFD, 154 Main St., Claysville, PA 15323.

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