Rev. George E. Himes, 81, of Kennerdell, Rockland Township, a long time United Methodist pastor, went to be with the Lord Monday morning, February 2, 2015 at UPMC Hamot in Erie.
Rev. Himes was born in Brockport on September 18, 1933. He was the son of Rev. B.C. and Alice Walton Himes. George enjoyed hunting, going to yard sales, and baseball cards. He was 1951 graduate of Rockland High School. He later graduated from Clarion College and the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Rev. Himes served churches in the Western Pennsylvania Conference for more than 50 years -- in Hazen, Noblestown, Falls Creek, Brookville, Corry, Carmichaels, Conneaut Lake, and retired following his service in Beaver Falls.
He is survived by his wife Frances Marshall Himes whom he married on February 5, 1953. Also surviving are a son, Ronald Edward Himes and his wife Deborah J. of Kennerdell, a daughter, Fay A. Billock and her husband Kevin of Brockport, a brother Donald Himes and his wife Julie of Florida, two sisters Alice Marvin and her husband Edward of Seneca, and Shirley Krauss and her husband Leonard of Florida. In addition, eight grandchildren survive: Duane, Angela, Jennifer, Chad, Craig, Jason, Jessica, and Jerad; fifteen great-grand children; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Larry Leggiero of Beaver Falls; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins.
Rev. Himes was preceded in death by his parents, a son Raymond D. Himes, and seven brothers: Rev. Thomas Himes, Rev. Raymond Himes, Alvin Himes, Charles Himes, Robert Himes, and two infant twin brothers.
Friends were to be received at the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 Seneca, Cranberry Twp., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 and from 10 to 11a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5th at the Rockland United Methodist Church. A funeral service was to follow at the Church Thursday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Kimmel, church pastor, officiating. Interment in Rockland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Rev. Himes' name may be made to the Rockland United Methodist Church, 4357 Kennerdell Road, Kennerdell, PA 16374; the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org; or the Alzheimer's Foundation, www.alzfdn.org. To express condolences to the family online, visit www.hilebest.com.