Ronald Marshall Powell, age 82, resident of 3981 Rt. 6N, Edinboro, PA since 1967, and formerly of Cambridge Springs, died Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA after a long and courageous battle with Leukemia.

Powell, Ronald MarshallBorn in Saegertown, PA on December 4, 1929, he was a son of the late Clarence and Cora Ferguson Powell. On June 1, 1964 he married the former Helen Wasko Wright and she survives.

Following graduation from Cambridge Springs High School in 1949, Ron worked at the Carnation Milk Co. in Cambridge Springs and the American Viscose in Meadville. He was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War from February, 1952 until his discharge in February, 1954. Following military service he worked for Westinghouse, Associated Contractors, Goodea Construction and various other contractors until 1967. In that same year of 1967, Ron built, subsequently owned, and operated Powell Auto Supply in Edinboro. He established a subsidiary auto store in McKean in 1976 and was active in both stores until the time of his passing.

Ron was a fine athlete in High School and an outstanding basketball player. For this he was honored to be nominated for the first class of inductees into the Cambridge Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Ron demonstrated a strong work ethic his entire life and never met a challenge he wouldn’t accept. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed cutting firewood and working outside. He also enjoyed watching many sports and for many years was an avid follower of General McLane and Edinboro University basketball and football. He was a thrifty, but very generous person with a great sense of humor as each of his grandchildren can attest. He was a very honorable man who set a great example for all that he left behind.

Preceding Ron in death, in addition to his parents, was his first wife – Nancy Lesik Powell; his step-father – Earl Cook; his brothers – Harold Powell and Kenneth Powell; his sister – Laura Jump and a daughter-in-law – Kathy Marchese. Surviving Ron is his loving wife of 47 years – Helen; a daughter – Rhonda Walker and her husband, Craig of Edinboro; two sons – Larry Powell of Edinboro and his friend, Kim Docter; and Ronald Powell and his wife, Sue of Edinboro; and a sister – Dorothy Jones of Meadville. There are also nine grandchildren -?Chad; Ryan; and Kevin Walker; Jason and his wife, – Carrie; Steven; and Melanie Powell; and Kelly; Shannon; and Jacob Powell. Also one great grandchild – Alexis, as well as many, many nieces and nephews survive.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Edinboro on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Msgr. William Sutherland, pastor of the Church will be celebrant. Interment will follow in Cambridge Cemetery.