George Washington Chapter Grieves the Loss of Dick Mellon

The George Washington Chapter grieves the loss of Samuel R. “Dick” Mellon, a longtime Compatriot of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Samuel R. (Dick) Mellon (90) died on May 18th, 2023 at the Donnell House.

Dick was born in Claysville on April 6th, 1933, the only child of Richard S. and Elsie K. Mellon. 

He graduated from Claysville High School in 1950 and served a 3-year enlistment in the US Army stationed in Germany the last 2 years. He became a gunsmith working at Buck Trew’s Bentleyville Sport Shop for over 30 years. Dick was a highly skilled gunsmith known for making many custom rifles and shotguns for sophisticated sportsmen. After Buck Trew’s gun shop closed in the early 1990s Dick worked for a while for Shumacher Construction and then the Gun Runner sport shop for a number of years. 

Dick was an avid grouse and deer hunter in his younger years, spending many days with his good friend, Bob Moore, traversing the hills and valleys of Greene County and West Virginia hunting grouse. He was a life member of the Frazier-Simplex Rifle Club where he competed in the Mon Valley Rifle League and the Suburban Pittsburgh Rifle League. Dick was a member of the NRA, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Claysville Sportsmen’s Club and the Claysville United Presbyterian Church.

Dick is survived by his cousins Sara Jane Rinehart of West Liberty, Carol Parson Miller of Glen Dale, Miriam Lydick of Wheeling, and Jean Hores of Elm Grove, West Virginia.

Arrangements are private and entrusted to Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, LTD, 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, 724-746-1000.

The family kindly suggests memorial contributions be made to the Claysville United Presbyterian Church, 134 Wayne Street, Claysville, PA  15323. 

Obituary courtesy of Sollon Funeral Home

Photo by Sharefaith

March / April 2023 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

Graphic by Maureen Helfrich

March / April 2023 Newsletter Highlights

• The April 2023 chapter meeting will be held at the Union Grill in Washington, PA@ 12:00 PM.
• The February 2023 meeting was held at the Citizens Library.
• Four new member applications and two supplementals are at the national office awaiting approval.
• The newest compatriots to the chapter include Donald Lee Bamberger and Junior member Gabriel William Swerbensky.
• Listing of 2023 Chapter Meeting & Events Schedule (click link to view the list)

March / April 2023 George Washington Chapter Newsletter Download

January / February 2023 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

Graphic by Maureen Helfrich

January / February 2023 Newsletter Highlights

• The February chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 @ 10 AM at The Citizens Library.
• The December chapter meeting was held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at The Century Inn.
• The Washington County Chapter – DAR received a Certificate of Appreciation; Past President Larry Ridgway received a 10-year certificate; Michael Merryman was presented a Veterans Certificate for his grandfather from the National Society
• Compatriot Gary Timmons was one of two featured speakers that welcomed 13 new citizens at the Federal Court House in Wheeling on November 18, 2022.
• For the 2022 Wreaths Across America program, the chapter received sponsorships for 2,120 actual wreaths and the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies received 3,197 in our name.
• New Compatriots, include Tyler J. & Austin J. Schoenfelder, Todd L. Ashmore, Steven C. Morreale M.D./M.P.H., Charles McMillan, and Jeremy William Barton II.
• Listing of 2023 Chapter Meeting & Events Schedule (click link to view the list)

January / February 2023 George Washington Chapter NewsletterDownload

2022 Wreaths Across America

The 2022 National Wreaths Across America Day occurred on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. The cemetery received over 15,200 wreaths of which the George Washington Chapter acquired 3,197. Every grave was marked with a wreath. 

L-R: Austin Schoenfelder, Brynnly Schwartz, Tyler Schoenfelder, Beth Licciardello, Michael Licciardello, Kurt Winter, A. J. Swerbensky, Mark Welsh, Glenn White, and Gary Timmons.

November / December 2022 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

November / December 2022 Newsletter Highlights

• The December chapter meeting and annual Christmas party will be held at Century Inn on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Noon. Cost is $27.00 per person.
• Be advised to send your check for $27.00 each payable to George Washington Chapter – SAR along with your menu selection to Edward Schreiber, 113 Tory Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108 no later than November 25, 2022. 
• The October meeting was held on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
• Michael Merryman was presented with various awards (i.e., two Oak Leaf clusters and the Silver Liberty Award) for signing over 100 new members. Congrats to Michael!
• Ron Miller received both the Minnisota Stephen Tyler Award and the DAR Historic Preservation Recognition Award for his work on the cemetery sign project. Congrats to Ron!
• Our newest member was inducted into the chapter, Compatriot Benjamin Andrews Matheus, who is the son of Compatriot John Mathues.
• The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies is returning to the one-day ceremony and wreath laying. Please join us on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Noon.
• Color Guard report included from Guard Commander Chip Zelch.

November / December 2022 George Washington Chapter NewsletterDownload

September / October 2022 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

September / October 2022 Newsletter Highlights

• October chapter meeting to be held at Breezy Heights Tavern on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Noon. Reservation deadline is Friday, September 30, 2022. Cost is $22.00 per person. Program will consist of portrayal of French & Indian War Captain William Trent.
• 2023 SAR dues notices have been sent to all compatriots.
• Historic Purviance Cemetery memorial ceremony was held on August 20, 2022.
• Joint CAR, DAR, and SAR picnic was held at the McGuffey Community Park on August 20, 2022. Over 50 Compatriots and guests were in attendance.
• Wreaths Across America sponsored wreaths may be purchased. See the order form in the downloadable newsletter PDF below.

September / October 2022 George Washington Chapter NewsletterDownload

George Washington Chapter Presents 2022 Certificate for Elementary School Poster Contest Runner-Up

The George Washington Chapter hosted the PASSAR Board of Management meeting on Friday, August 19, 2022 along with the annual chapter picnic the following day on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Kurt Winter is pictured presenting Hannah Elizabeth Knootz with a chapter runner-up certificate and check for her Elementary School Poster Contest entry. Congratulations to you, Hannah!

Ron Miller Recognized at the 132nd National SAR Congress

(L-R) National President General Davis Lee Wright, Ron Miller, and PASSAR State President Michael Seibert.

Our very own Ron Miller was recognized at the 132nd National SAR Congress that was held in Savannah Georgia this past July. Ron was presented with the Minnesota Society Stephen Taylor Award as “The Compatriot who, by his research and writing, has made a distinguished contribution to the preservation of the history of the American Revolutionary era and its Patriots.”

Congratulations to Compatriot Miller and his creative leadership. We are all proud of you!

July / August 2022 George Washington Chapter Newsletter

July / August 2022 Newsletter Highlights

• Joint CAR / DAR / SAR Picnic will occur on Saturday, August 20, 2022 @ 3:30 PM in McGuffey Park. RSVP to Ed Schreiber by August 13, 2022. Meal @ 4:30 PM.
• Fort Henry Days will occur on Labor Day weekend at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV.
• The PASSAR Board of Management meeting will occur on Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Ramada Inn in Washington, PA. The BOM meeting will NOT be held at the George Washington Hotel as listed.
• New Compatriots John Bruner and Robert Frazier were installed.
• Compatriot Bruner was installed as the Chapter’s Vice President.

July / August 2022 George Washington Chapter Newsletter Download

George Washington Chapter Participates in 2022 Whiskey Rebellion Festival Parade

From left to right: Nathaniel Black, Ron Malmgren, John Mathues, A. J. Swerbensky, Ron Miller, Wesley, Black, Mark Black, Bryan Cunning, Chip Zelch, and Mark Pearson