Sturgis Albert Gillingham, 86, of Monongahela, died Saturday, July 11, 2020, at Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born Jan. 29, 1934, in New Eagle, son of Alfred E. and Elizabeth Jackson Gillingham. Sturg was a 1952 graduate of Monongahela High School and a U.S. Army peacetime veteran, serving from 1956 to 1958. He was employed as a mechanic for 30 years at the Lee Norse Company in Charleroi until its closing in 1988, and in 1990 continued to work for the next 27 years as a funeral director’s assistant at the Frye Funeral Home in Monongahela. He was a 50-year member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge 337 F&AM, member and 32nd degree Mason with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and its Council Chapter Consistory in Uniontown, a lifetime and oldest member of the Monongahela Volunteer Fire Department serving for 64 years and a member of First Christian Church in Monongahela. Sturg and Elizabeth enjoyed bowling in leagues and traveling. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Elizabeth Igoe Gillingham, with whom he celebrated 17 years of marriage on Aug. 13, 2019; two daughters, Patricia Jo Kepic of El Cajon, Calif., and Jane E. Hughes and husband John of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; a son, Sturgis W. and wife Tracie Gillingham of Monongahela; two stepchildren, Renee Carcella and husband Michael of Dunlevy, and Sean Lengyel and wife Jennifer of Georgia; five grandchildren, Aaron Inserra, Adam and Jackson Kepic and Cori and Jordan Gillingham; six step-grandchildren, Larisa Schock, David and Reagan Lengyel, Christina McKee and Michael and Matthew Carcella; three great-grandsons, Mason Gillingham, Alexander and Samuel Inserra; three step-great-grandchildren, Beau, Rhett and Mila Carcella; a sister, Kay Jean Gresh and husband Art of Lancaster; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Anders Gillingham, who died May 21, 1989; and his second wife, Rose Kuch Gillingham, who died March 21, 2001. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2020, at FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main St., Monongahela, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020, with the Rev. Janet Scott-Mace officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Monongahela Volunteer Fire Department, 451 W. Main St., Monongahela, PA 15063. The Monongahela Volunteer Fire Department will conduct services at 7 p.m. Monday, followed by Masonic services by the Henry Phillips Lodge 337 F&AM at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.
