J. EDWARD YARNAL, 73

J. Edward Yarnal, 73, of Hillsdale, PA died Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his farmhouse on his beloved Birchwood Farm.
The son of the late Rev. Frank M. and Louise (Buterbaugh) Yarnal, he was born on June 12, 1944 in Spangler, PA.
Following graduation from Purchase Line High School, Ed joined the U. S. Army. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he was deployed for active duty in Vietnam.
Ed attended the Hillsdale Assembly of God Church, as well as other Assemby of God Churches as he moved to various parts of the country over the years.
An outdoorsman, Ed loved outdoor activities, including working on his farm; hunting; and snowmobiling.
Ed was the manager of the Yarnal family’s former Hillsdale Equipment that specialized in selling Allis-Chalmers farming implements and Yamaha snowmobiles. For over twenty-five years, he owned and operated Silverado Advertising.
However, it must be noted that farming was the joy of Ed’s working career. He was a man who thoroughly loved the land and delighted in caring for his Birchwood Farm. One of his greatest pleasures was working on farm equipment and machinery. Known for his “U Pick Strawberry Patch,” local community residents looked forward every year to seeing his signs erected announcing the arrival of strawberry picking time.
Ed wed Mary E. (Stepheson) Yarnal on February 6, 1971 and their family grew to include four children.
Ed is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Mary, of Hillsdale, PA; son, Franklyn P. Yarnal of Curwensville, PA; his three daughters: Stephanie L. Van Deusen and husband, Nathan of Lancaster, PA; Shawnne M. Welch and husband, Jon of Houston, TX and Sharlynn A. Mavrich and husband, Travis of Pittsburgh, PA and his five grandchildren: Benjamin; Ian and Jack Van Deusen and Hannah and Madeline Welch.
Also surviving are Ed’s two brothers: Franklyn “Paul” Yarnal and wife, Cora (Nulph) of Hillsdale, PA and Timothy M. Yarnal of Indiana, PA.
Ed was preceded in death by his father in 2005 and his mother in 2012.
Family and friends will be received from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA with funeral services to be held at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2017. Rev. R. Stanton Williams will officiate. Interment will be at the Rowley Cemetery in Hillsdale, PA. Military honors will be accorded by members of the U. S. Army.