Robert E. Stein, 82 of Meadow street, and formerly of Dutch Hill Road, Meadville, passed away Monday, July 30, 2007, at 4:50 a.m. in the Transitional Care Unit of Meadville Medical Center.? He was born in Meadville Jan. 19, 1925, son of Elmer C. and Mabel Ernst Stein.? He married Hazel IMES Jan 9, 1950; she preceded him in death.? He subsequently married Noreen Werley Smith May 28, 1980, and she survives. He was a June 1943 Graduate of Meadville High School and then entered the U.S. Army, serving with the 28th Artillery Observation Battalion and seeing action on Leyet and Okinawa.? He received the bronze arrowhead, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon with two bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon and two bronze stars, and the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. Bob had been employed by Ernst Conservation seeds for 30 years, and previously by DeVore Construction Co., and also farmed with his brother, Ernie, in Union Township.? In his retirement, he enjoyed working in his wood shop.? Over the years he made and caned many rocking chairs, giving them as gifts to family and friends.? He was a member of St. John's Community Church and had served as an elder.? He was a former community committeeman for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office, and a member of the Pennsylvania Farmers Association. Survivors, in addition to his wife of 27 years, include three daughters, The Rev. Kate Sather and her husband, Al, of Vancouver, British Columbia; Ruth Ford and her husband, David, of Franklin, Tenn., and Kathleen DeWeese of Meadville; two sons, Russel Stein and his wife, Paul, of Seattle, Wash.,; and Daniel Smith and his wife, Shelly, of Meadville; seven grandchildren, Renee Ford of Colorado, Rachel Ford of South Carolina, Justin Woodburn of Virginia, and Ellen DeWeese and Joshua, abigail and Faith Smith, all of Meadville; a brother, J. Oliver Stein and his wife, Lois, of Roanoke, Va.; and several nieces and nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, E. Ernest Stein.? Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral home Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.? The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brian K. Jensen, pastor of First Presbyterian Church and the Rev. James Huselton, pastor of St. John's Community Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Union Township. Memorials may be made to Ernst Trail, c/o Community Health Services, 747 Terrace St., Meadville, Pa. 16335; the Crawford County Historical Society, 411 Chestnut St., Meadville, Pa. 16335 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Note;? Hazel Imes [Iams] was the daughter of Allen & Nelle Bennett Iams of Greene Co., Pa. ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com