James E. ‘Jim’ Linn Sr. – Dravosburg
James E. “Jim” Linn Sr., 86, of Dravosburg, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was born at home in Mifflin To w n ship, now W e s t Mifflin, on Aug. 26, 1938, to the late Paul Linn Sr. and the late Dorothy Beam Linn. Jim was the owner of ESSO Service Station in Dravosburg before working for Lampl Construction with Teamsters Local No. 373 as a truck driver. Eventually, Jim joined Laborers Union No. 1058 as a laborer, paving roads for various highway projects. He worked as a laborer for the union until his retirement in May 1997. He was very proud to be a life member of Dravosburg Fire Dept. No. 1, as well as a member of the Richland Cemetery Board and part of the Dravosburg Archives. He took very good care of his beloved 1931 Model A Ford and was always working with his hands. Alongside his dad, Paul, his uncle, Don Beam, and his father-in-law, Red, they built a cabin in Indian Head, Pa., that continues to be used as a family cabin for his boys, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After retirement, his garage became a gathering place — “the shed” as he called it — to hold court. Friends, family and neighbors were often caught bringing furniture and good conversation to the shed while refurbishing anything brought his way. Furniture, mainly park benches, was his specialty. Regardless of what he was doing, the door was always open if the red light was on. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Arleen (Marshall) Linn; his sons, John (Kathy) Linn of Dravosburg, Jake (Tracee) Linn of Fallowfield Township and Jeremy “Bud” (Brandy) Linn of Springfield, Ohio; his 11 grandchildren, J.D Linn, Jessica (Richard) Wurmb, Rebecca Linn (Tyler Kucsmas), Jacob James Linn, Emilee (Tym) Burkholder, Abby Joy (Jesse) Held, Colton Linn, Lauren (Derek) Zinkhon, Riley Linn (Grace Mcgonagle), Natalie James Linn (Drew Vest) and Caleb Linn (Sammie Oder); three great-grandchildren, Emory James Wurmb, Averee James Burkholder and Lainey Grace Wurmb; his brother, Paul A. (Judy) Linn Jr.; his brother and sister-inlaw, Don (Trisha) Marshall; nieces and nephews, Dale, Dawn, Tracie, Heather and Andy; and his best buddy, his dog, Willow. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his oldest son, the Rev. James E. Linn Jr., who passed away in 2013; as well as his sister, Carole Jean Moon. The family would like to extend much appreciation and thanks to the nurses and staff at Jefferson Hospital on floor three East and three West for the wonderful care given to Jim during his last stay. Friends are welcome from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2025, at GILBERT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY INC., 1638 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131, 412672-6322, Troy J. Gilbert, director. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, in the funeral home chapel. Inurnment will follow at Richland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Dept. No. 1, 598 Ravine St., Dravosburg, PA 15034. Condolences can be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory. com.